LA MESA, California – The Oscars are such a fun night for our family. I love Hollywood and the A-listers on the Red Carpet. I think back to before having twins and the elaborate parties we threw and making sure we watched all the movies before the “big night”.
Growing up in San Diego. Hollywood was very far away. In high school, I came down with the flu (before flu shots were advised). I spent a few days on the couch watching all the Elvis Presley movies on AMC. My Mamaw (grandmother) loved hearing what I thought of the movies and my love for Elvis. While in high school, I visited my half-sister in Arkansas and requested to go to Graceland, and we went. I did cry at his grave. He had a lovely voice and just loved him while going through the turmoil of high school.
Adrien Brody, who won best actor in The Pianist and now scored again as best actor in The Brutalist, addressed the importance of the film in his acceptance speech on Sunday, March 2. He reportedly gave the longest acceptance speech with over 5 minutes. He said:
“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and I believe, and I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”
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PURIM PLANNING
Congregation B’nai Tikvah invites the community to attend its “Shabbat Across America and Purim Celebration” at 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 7 at Bethlehem Lutheran. The event will include a pasta dinner, hamantaschen, and Megillah reading. Click here to rsvp.
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Coastal Roots Farm announces its “Nature Play: Purim Celebration and Costume Party” at 9 a.m., Sunday, March 9. The event will include a costume parade, crafts, story time and songs. Click here for more information.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue invites the community to attend its “Purim Carnival” at 10 a.m., Sunday, March 9. This event includes games, bounce houses, joust with Rabbi Hanan Leberman, a tot lot, snacks, arts and crafts, prizes and more. Click here to rsvp.
Chabad at Chula Vista reminds its members to sign up for the “Family Hamantash Bake” at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, March 9. The event includes mixing, filling and shaping these delicious three-cornered Purim treats. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Dor Hadash invites the community to its “Purim B’Yachad Celebration” at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13. Organizers urge attendees to come dressed in their favorite costumes and enjoy hamantashen and other refreshments. Click here to rsvp and sign up to bring a dish to share at the potluck.
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Chabad of University City invites the community to its “Purim Circus Show” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13. The event includes entertainment, Megillah reading and Purim refreshments. Click here to rsvp.
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Young Israel of San Diego invites the community to its “Aloha Adar: Purim Seudah” at 7 a.m., Friday, March 14. This event includes a tropical-inspired feast. Megillah reading, and Mitzvot. Click here to rsvp.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue invites the community to its “Religious School Purim Carnival” at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 16. The carnival entrance is free and lunch items and hamantaschen will be available for purchase.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Chabad of La Costa reports it has hired a General Contractor, and work has started on the Channah and Arthur Hale Educational Center. Click here to review the dedication link for the Jewish Learning Center.
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Congregation Beth Am invites the community to attend its “Pub at Beth Am 2rd Annual Trivia Night with Trivia Goat” at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 8. The event includes light appetizers, local beer, wine and professional trivia by Trivia Goat. Click here to register, this is a 21+ event.
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Chabad of East County announces a new Mitzvah project “Ariel and Kfir’s Sunshine Squad” at 1 p.m., Sunday, March 9, at Lake Murray Park. This event is a community Mitzvah project for young families to enhance the lives in the area and instill the value of kindness to those less fortunate. Click here to rsvp.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue reports its Mitzvah of the month “Lasagna Love” at 11:15 a.m., Sunday, March 23. This event includes providing the ingredients to make lasagna for those in need in the local community. Click here to sign up.
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Ayelet Tours announces a new tour “Tracing Our Roots: A Jewish Heritage Journey Through Eastern Europe Led by Professor Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz” October 19 to October 30, 2025. This tour will take attendees to Poland and Czech Republic visiting towns such as Lodz, Brno and Pilsen. Strom and Schwartz will add their klezmer/Yiddish music to the tour as well as participating in concerts with other professional musicians in Krakow, Bnro, and Prague. Click here for more details.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Yehuda Yonatan Federman, brother of Dr. Ed Federman, has died. The funeral was held last week. Donations in Federman’s honor can be made to Young Israel of San Diego, Young Israel of San Diego reports.
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Edmund Schloss died Thursday, Feb. 27. The funeral took place at 1 p.m., Monday, March 3 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Martin Lawson and Rabbi Benj Fried of Temple Emanu-El as officiants, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.