LA MESA, California – Purim starts this Thursday night and many organizations had celebrations starting last week. Many Mitzvot are associated with the holiday. One of those being giving and receiving mishloach manot. I got an email the other day saying I had one to pick up from my synagogue so I stopped by and picked it up. The bag’s contents were items made in Israel.
Inside was an ethical will written by Staff Sgt. Shachar Fridmann, who was killed in Gaza in action defending the state of Israel. He was only 21 years old.
In his own words, “Be Good People. Smile. Strive to make every person you meet smile too. Be open to criticism and always try to improve yourself. Know that the greatest quality that one can have is the ability to make another person happy. Open your ears to the needs of others and open your eyes to their pain. Try to smile as much as possible even when it’s hard. Pay attention to those who are often overlooked. Appreciate the little things the world has to offer, especially nature and music. And most importantly, be good people in your own way. Don’t let society dictate to you what makes you good people, just try as hard as you can, and even when you fall, know that that’s the road to success. Love yourselves and the world. When you radiate happiness, a circle of joy will slowly form that will create a better world.”
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PURIM PLANNING
Congregation Beth Am invites the community to its “Family Purim Celebration” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in costumes and listen to the Megillah followed by a costume parade.
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Ner Tamid Synagogue invites its congregation to its “Megilah Reading and Shiur” at 6:45 p.m., Thursday, March 13 at a private residence. This event includes a shiur (a lesson in Judaism, usually about the Torah) by Rabbi Ryan Newfield followed by a Megilah reading while enjoying a potluck dessert. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation invites the community to its “Purim Feast” at 11 a.m., Friday, March 14. The event includes Hamitbach’s Famous Friday Schnitzel Challah made on site, games, crafts, entertainment, face painting, costume contest and more. Click here to rsvp.
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Chabad of East County invites the community to its “Purim in the Palace” at 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 14. The event includes entertainment by the Court Jester, feast, Megillah reading by the Palace Courier, Hamantaschen decorating with the Royal Chefs and more. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel invites the community to attend its “Purim Carnival” at 10:30 p.m., Sunday, March 16. The event includes music, bounce houses, and hamantaschen. Click here to register …. Also, the San Diego Blood Bank will be at the Purim Carnival at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, March 16. The blood drive will benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. Click here to sign up.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Silverman Preschool and Ginsburg Infant Center announce a “Silverman Preschool Art Show and Playground Fundraiser” at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 23. The event will include a mix of art, music, raffles, a toddler dance party and more, all while raising money for much-needed updates to its Shekhter Family Gan Yeladim playground. Click here to donate.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Tapestry: A Day of Jewish Community, Learning, and Exploration” at 9 a.m., Sunday, March 30. This program features global speakers, scholars, artists, and authors who relate the best of Jewish arts, education, and culture. Click here to register.
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The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival presents the workshop musical of Chagall at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 6 at the Old Globe Theatre. The play focuses on the Chagalls’ experience leaving France in the wake of the German invasion and reluctance to becoming refugees in America. Click here for tickets.
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The Blue Rose Theatre Project invites the Jewish community to its production of “Echoes of Courage” at 7 p.m., Monday, April 7 and 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 8 at the New Village Arts Theatre. This 45-minute play is based on authentic stories and experiences of Holocaust victims, survivors, and allies. Click here for tickets.
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SCY High reports students have been working on their conversational Hebrew with an extra dose of Adar fun with Improv. Improv has helped the students think on their feet, applying vocabulary in spontaneous and funny scenarios that reflect real conversations.
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San Diego Hebrew Day School reports its preschool has been getting into the Purim spirit with mitzvot and giving back. The children made their own groggers to use during the Megillah reading and decorated Mishloach Manot baskets to share with friends.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Stephen Harold Ellis has died. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 11 at Home of Peace Cemetery. Donations in Ellis’ honor can be made at Beth Jacob Congregation. Beth Jacob Congregation reports.
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Stu Schaffer, husband of Karen Schaffer and father of Jayden and Callie Schaffer, has died. A memorial service is planned at 10 a.m., Sunday, March 16 at a place to be determined. More details will be forthcoming about the service and shiva, Congregation Dor Hadash, reports.
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Ruti Wajcman, wife of Izzy Wajcman and mother of Nachman and Donna Wajcman, has died. More details about the funeral will be forthcoming, Chabad of University City reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.