Items in this column include:
* Attorney Joe Leventhal becomes a candidate in 5th City Council District
* Georgette Gomez jumps into race to succeed Congresswoman Susan Davis
* Brushing up on your Jewish knowledge with a game of ‘Jew-perdy’
* A Backyard Challah Bake
* Camp Mountain Chai increases summer sessions from three to four
* Three ‘self-compassionate resolutions’ for the New Year
* And Finally, Some Fun With Numbers
Attorney Joe Leventhal becomes candidate in 5th City Council District
SAN DIEGO – A former City of San Diego ethics commissioner, attorney Joe Leventhal, has become a candidate in the 5th City Council District now represented by Mark Kersey, who is completing his maximum two terms. He goes into the race with endorsements from former San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, San Diego Board of Education Member Mark Powell, and the Associated Builders and Contractors of San Diego.
A graduate of UC San Diego, where he was student president, and the Georgetown University Law Center, Leventhal went to work in Republican Vice President Dick Cheney’s office during the administration of President George W. Bush. According to his profile on the Dinsmore law firm’s website, “As part of the vice president’s senior staff, Joe was then the youngest deputy assistant to the vice president at the age of 25. In this role, his responsibilities included functioning as the final substantive control point before information reached the vice president, managing complex policy and political issues, and representing the vice president’s interests on all policy matters within the administration.”
Following his federal service, Leventhal returned to San Diego as a private practitioner. Eventually, his firm was merged with Dinsmore & Shohl, and he became the corporate law firm’s managing partner.
Besides the Ethics Commission, from which he resigned over a year ago, Leventhal has been active in three Rancho Bernardo institutions: The Rotary, Business Association, and Community Foundation. He also has served as a board member of Kids Included Together, which promotes inclusion of children with disabilities.
In endorsing Leventhal, Zimmerman said. “I’ve worked with Joe and have first-hand experience seeing his leadership in bringing people together to serve the interests of our justice system. I trust him to ensure our public safety officers have the tools, resources, and leadership they need to keep San Diego America’s safest big city.”
All City Council districts in San Diego have Democratic pluralities, but in the 5th District which Leventhal seeks to represent, the margin is razor thin: 30,328 registered Democrats compared to 30,140 registered Republicans. Voters declining to state their preference account for another 29,996 registrants, while 4,791 voters total are categorized in the City Clerk’s tally of September 3, 2019 as American Independent, Green, Libertarian, Peace & Freedom, or Miscellaneous. Technically, City Council elections are non-partisan, but Democrats and Republicans both seek to field candidates knowing that the City Council is often a stepping stone to higher, partisan, offices.
The 5th Council District extends along Interstate 15 from Scripps Ranch north to Rancho Bernardo where it veers east to San Pasqual.
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Georgette Gomez jumps into race to succeed Congresswoman Susan Davis
San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez formally announced her candidacy for the 53rd Congressional District seat that Susan Davis plans to retire from at the end of her current term. At an announcement ceremony on Saturday, Sept.14, Gomez highlighted a number of important endorsements including that of Congressman Juan Vargas.
“Georgette Gomez’s journey from fighting for environmental justice as a community organizer to leading San Diego as Council President has inspired me and so many in our community,” Vargas said. “Georgette knows the struggles working families in our community face and she’s got an incredible record getting things done at City Hall for more affordable housing, public transit, and good-paying blue-collar jobs. Georgette Gomez is ready to represent us in Congress and our community couldn’t ask for a stronger champion.”
Other officials who endorsed her included California’s Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins of San Diego, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, San Diego City Councilwoman Monica Montgomery, Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, Chula Vista City Councilman Steve Padilla and unions representing laborers, hotel workers and carpenters.
Commented Gomez: “My mission and passion have always been serving our community and that’s who I’ll fight for in Washington D.C. We’ve got to take our country back from Trump, but we have a bigger job than just standing up to the politics of hate and division. In Congress, I’ll continue working to make a real difference in working people’s lives by fighting for healthcare for all, more infrastructure funding for San Diego, and the affordable housing our community desperately needs.”
The strongest, well-financed competition to Gomez is expected to come from Sara Jacobs, the granddaughter of Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs, who lost in a close primary in 2018 to Mike Levin in the 49th Congressional District.
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Brushing up on your Jewish knowledge with a game of ‘Jew-perdy’
At Tifereth Israel Synagogue, following Saturday morning Shabbat services, Sept. 14, Rabbi Joshua Dorsch led a game of “Jew-perdy,” modeled on television’s Jeopardy program in which teams were asked questions about the Jewish religion and Jewish customs, with an emphasis on the upcoming High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Some of the questions were difficult, but some were quite easy, such as one asking the English meaning of Rosh Hashanah (head of the Year, or New Year), and another asking what color is traditionally worn on Yom Kippur. (White). The game was played during a kiddush luncheon sponsored by Isabel and Scott Schechter, who were celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary. Two challot were baked into the number 22. Additionally, the Conservative congregation sang the Hebrew version of “Happy Birthday” to Lili Feingold, who teaches at Tifereth Israel Synagogue and Community Jewish High School among other assignments.
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A Backyard Challah Bake
Mussie Begun, the Rebbetzin of Chabad of Chula Vista, recently led about 20 people, including children, in an outdoor challah baking exercise in the back yard of the home she makes with Chabad Rabbi Mendy Begun. “Everything was provided,” commented Sandy Scheller, who attended. There were “brand new bowls, spoons, everything pre-packaged and in containers.” There was “even a special cup so when you crack the egg.” you that you don’t use it if there is blood. “We also watched a film concerning the traditions of challah, sang songs, and had lots of fun.”
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Camp Mountain Chai increases summer sessions from three to four
Camp Mountain Chai director Don Bear and assistant director Rachel Shyloski recently made an intentionally silly, but effective video, to announce that the camp that was started under San Diego Jewish communal auspices now is offering four, not three, summer sessions. What they did is have scenes in which the word three was incorrectly substituted for four, and then corrected. For example, someone posing as Abraham Lincoln started off his Gettysburg Address saying “Three Score and Seven Years Ago,” and was corrected to say “Four Score and Seven Years Ago.” In another quickie scene, a golfer yelled “Three” instead of “Fore!” More information about Camp Mountain Chai and its four sessions may be accessed via the camp’s website by clicking here.
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Three ‘self-compassionate resolutions’ for the New Year
San Diegan Julie Potiker, author of Life Falls Apart, But You Don’t Have to: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, offers three self-compassionate resolutions for the New Year. She meant New Year’s 2020, but we guess they also apply for the upcoming Jewish New Year of 5780.
Embrace the Yin and Yang of self-compassion: Unfortunately, many of us spend a lot of time worrying about whether our personal way of being in the world is too much or not enough. In thinking about the Yin and Yang of self-compassion, consider accepting yourself and your energetic way of being as “just right,” just as you are. Keep your eye on the ball of focusing on self-compassion, whether it’s the soft kind or the fierce kind.
Treat yourself like you would your dearest friend: When a friend we love is going through a tough time or not feeling their best, we go out of our way to lift their spirits, encourage them, and let them know they are loved. In 2020, commit to treating yourself like your very best friend. Shower yourself with compassion and understanding.
Take time away from the 24-hour news cycle: Give yourself permission to step away, turn off the TV, and steer clear of political social media streams when you need a break. Take this time to do something positive and impactful instead – something that makes you feel good and helps others. Volunteer in your community. Donate to a charity for a cause you’re passionate about.
And Finally, Some Fun With Numbers
We note that today (September 14) is the 198th anniversary of the independence of Honduras, one of the few countries that has formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. If you add 1+9+8, you get 18, which is the numerical equivalent for the Hebrew word “Chai,” meaning life. Meaning it should be a lucky anniversary for Hondurans!
Additionally, we note that Rosh Hashanah will usher in the Jewish year 5780. If you add 5+7+8+0, you get 20. Interestingly enough the secular new year that will soon follow is 2020.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com