Other items in this column include:
*Political bytes
*Recommended reading
*In memoriam
SAN DIEGO — A full schedule of local lectures and seminars is being offered this week on Zoom or Facebook, thereby providing some Jewish-themed diversion and learning for those who are sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, July 7, Jewish Family Service of San Diego is offering a 9 a.m. lecture by Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein on the issue of “Police Accountability in Jewish Law and Thought.”
Carole Yellen, JFS senior director of strategic partnerships, explains: “Decades- and even centuries-old public distrust of police and outrage over police brutality and misconduct have amplified nationwide in recent years with the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and so many others, drawing public protest to police misconduct and awareness of the deep, structural causes for it. In this session, we will study what the Torah teaches us about the role of accountability in sustaining a well-functioning justice system, and consider how these Torah ideas should translate to public policy in American cities.”
Rabbi Bernstein is affiliated with Avodah, described by Yellen as “an organization that empowers Jewish leaders to create social change.” One may register for the free webinar by clicking here.
On Thursday, July 9, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative plans a discussion of the documentary Golda by Udi Nir and Sagi Bornstein in which the late Golda Meir submitted to questions not for immediate broadcast about her tenure as Israel’s Prime Minister and her feelings about her role prior to the 1973 Yom Kippur War with Egypt.
Joining the discussion will be Pninia Lahav, who is the author of the upcoming biography Golda: Through the Garden Lens. Moderator of the discussion will be Prof. Dov Waxman, director of UCLA’s Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. Those able to register via this website will have the opportunity to preview the film prior to the discussion.
On Sunday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m., the San Diego Outreach Synagogue will sponsor “J.E.D. Talks” — Jewish Experiences Discussed — by Marcia Berneger on the topic “My Lifelong Journey as a Jewish Learner, Teacher & Children’s Author” and by Dan Weiss on “The Spiritual Dimension of Nursing or, Why I Wear a Kippah at Work.” These talks may be accessed via this Zoom link.
Also on Sunday, July 12, at 8:15 p.m. Beth Jacob Congregation will have a one-time screening of the comedy show “Laughing in Lockdown” by Ashley Baker which is sponsored by Robert and Claire Sigal “in gratitude to HaShem and the community on the one-year anniversary of Robert’s life-saving surgery.” Registration is available via this website.
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Political bytes
*Congressional candidate Sara Jacobs, seeking to succeed Congresswoman Susan Davis, in the 53rd Congressional District has been endorsed by the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce. That group’s chairman Nathan Cornett messaged: “Sara Jacobs is one of the new generation of leaders for our country. She will be a great representative for the 53rd congressional district and will be a strong supporter of San Diego East County businesses.”
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Recommended reading
My lifelong friend Amnon Markusfeld, who I met when I was in first grade, sent along from his home in Florida this piece from The Forward, detailing how Paul McCartney might be considered “the Jewish Beatle.”
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In Memoriam
*Gloria Linda de Jesus, sister of Christina de Jesus, the Tifereth Israel Synagogue songleader who is married to Paul Kalmar, has died, the Conservative synagogue announced. A funeral service, to be livestreamed, will be conducted at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 7. A shiva will be conducted on Wednesday, July 8.
*Judge Sol Gothard, father of Shayna Gothard (and Eric) Kaufmann, and grandfather of Tara and Maya Kaufmann, has died, Tifereth israel Synagogue has announced. The funeral and shiva will be private, but a communal shiva gathering is being planned for Sunday, July 12.
*Michael Lester Jack Nehamkin, 20, died July 1, Am Israel Mortuary reported. Rabbi Baruch Greenberg of the Chabad Cenrer of Oceanside-Vista and Cantor Larry Kornit of Congregaton B’nai Tikvah of Carlsbad will officiate at funeral services at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside. The family has requested any donations be directed to mental health organizations such as the JED Foundation; Child Mind Institute; and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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*William Edward Harrison, 80, brother of San Diego Jewish World editor and co-publisher Donald H. Harrison, died Monday evening, July 6, at Valley Palms Care Center in North Hollywood, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s Disease and a more recent one with Coronavirus. He is survived by his daughter Caren Ford of Westlake Village, California; son Mark Harrison of Las Vegas, Nevada; and three adult grandchildren: Jessica Harrison of San Diego; and Ashlee Ford of Los Angeles and Tyler Ford of Westlake Village. Funeral services at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills, California, are pending.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Free obituaries in memory of members of the San Diego County Jewish community are sponsored on San Diego Jewish World by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.