SAN DIEGO – This weekend we celebrate and honor the fathers in our lives. My Dad has been gone since 2015 and it still hurts when his yahrzeit and birthday come around. When I hear of Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club members getting together for a casual lunch, I often think that would be something he would enjoy doing if he were still here. So, I wish all the Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day and a well-deserved day of rest this weekend.
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House of Israel Balboa Park Annual Lawn Program “Celebrating Israel’s Diversity” will be at 11 a.m., Sunday, June 16. There will be non-profit booths, vendors, food, a DJ and some amazing performances including head liner Shanee Zamir. Also performing are The Art of Movement w/Lilian Elbaz, Shirim B’Lev Choir and Israeli Folk Dancing Lessons!
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Beth Jacob Congregation Father’s Day Picnic will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 16 at Princess Del Cerro Park. The entire community is invited to join for a family-friendly Picnic BBQ in the park. Bring your bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, and sports equipment for a delightful afternoon of eating and playing. They will have hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, drinks, brownies, watermelon and more. Click here to register before Motzai Shabbos.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s “Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra” (TICO) will perform at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 16 at Tifereth Israel. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary season and Father’s Day with compositions by Franz Schubert, Sergei Prokoviev, Igor Stravinsky, and John Michael Luther. Conductor is David Amos. An encore performance will at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 18 at Tifereth Israel. Click here for more information.
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Seed Summer Camp will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21 at Beth Jacob. This camp is for girls and boys ages 3-9 years old and a CIT program for girls 10+. Click here for more information.
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Temple Emanu-El announced the rescheduling of the Shabbat service honoring its Torah School administrator Star Laddon will be at 6 p.m., Friday, June 21. Following services, the congregation will host an Oneg in honor of Laddon’s 20 years of service and congratulations on her retirement. Click here to register for the Oneg.
Did you know that antisemitic flyers, stickers, etc. have been placed on car windshields and doorsteps in the neighborhood of Temple Emanu-El? The Stop Hate Littering Act, currently being considered by the California State Legislature, would make it a crime to place hate propaganda on private property. We urge you to write to the State Senate Judiciary Committee asking its members to support this bill. Click here and you can cut and paste the sample letter. The email address for the Judiciary Committee is at the top.
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Lawrence Family JCC “Summer Family Fun Nights: Kick Off” (exclusively for JCC members) will be at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 20 at the Friedenberg Olympic Pool. Food will be available for purchase from Lorna’s Mobile Pizzeria or bring your own. Dessert will be provided. This year the JCC invites you to share summer vibes with a friend. When you register for any of the fantastic summer fun nights, bring along a friend for free. Click here to register.
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Beth Israel’s Men’s Club “Goes to the San Diego Padres” with the game beginning at 1:10 p.m., Sunday, June 23 at Petco Park. The San Diego Padres will take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Join the Men’s Club for an afternoon of baseball excitement and camaraderie. Root on the Padres at Petco Park and witness the excitement of a live baseball game. Click here to get tickets.
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Jewish Family Services shared a client’s story about when she reached out to 211 San Diego for assistance. “As a mother, you always want to be able to provide for your children, but sometimes you need a little help. Living on a fixed income can be difficult for a family with unique needs. My husband is unable to work due to a disability, our teenage son is eating faster than I can keep up with, our daughter has special needs, and I have one son on the way. We fell behind on some bills and then my doctor diagnosed me with malnutrition, but we couldn’t afford any more food. JFS provided financial assistance and connected us to the Corner Market, which allows me to provide healthy food options that my family likes.
“JFS also connected us to the Diaper Bank and the Positive Parenting Program. My daughter is in speech and occupational therapy because it takes her a little longer to learn things like potty training. Therapy and diapers are so expensive. Without this support from JFS, I don’t know what I would do. Now my stress is subsiding and we’re living a healthier life.”
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Chabad at La Costa is raising funds to complete its basement which will include a Teen Lounge, classrooms, a playground, offices, storage space, bathrooms and more. Click here to inquire about available dedications.
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San Diego County Bar Foundation Distinguished Lawyer Memorial raised over $6,600 of its $10,000 goal on behalf of the late state Assemblyman M. Howard Wayne. Click here to donate to reach their goal.
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Chabad of Poway Chai Preschool and Infant Center has openings and is enrolling children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Click here to request more information. Rabbi Mendel Goldstein of Chabad of Poway shared the following jokes: Q: Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? A: It was two tired.
Q: Do you know what is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike?
A: The pavement.
Q: How does a snowman get to work?
A: By icicle
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Rabbi Zalman Carebach of Chabad of Downtown shared the following Shavuot message: “Thank you to all that joined us this past Shavuot! It was so beautiful to learn, daven and celebrate together! The new Aron Kodesh is a beautiful addition to our shul. Special Thanks to Dr. Shor! Thank you to our Late Night Learning teachers and to our chazanim and baalei koreh! The children, our guarantors, enjoyed fun activities and delicious ice cream! Thank you to all that helped with the delicious buffets on both days of Yom Tov including Yocheved Gomez, Baruch Silva, and Chaya Mushka Carlebach.”
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Young Israel of San Diego shared a Torah Teaser that was puzzling. “Who in this parsha must answer “Amen, Amen?” Where else in the biblical writings do people answer “Amen, Amen?” Answer: The woman accused of adultery (Sotah) must answer “Amen, Amen” to demonstrate her understanding of the potential consequences of her actions (Numbers 5:22) in the book of Nechemia, Ezra the scribe read from the Torah on Rosh Hashanah, after his blessing, the nation answered “Amen, Amen” (Nechemia 8:6).”
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Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of East County shared the following joke: “The Doctor” Shlomo goes to Doctor Lewis for a checkup. After extensive tests Doctor Lewis tells him, “I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. You only have six months to live.” Shlomo is dumbstruck. After a while he replies, “That’s terrible doctor. But I must admit to you that I can’t afford to pay your bill.” “Ok,” says Doctor Lewis, “I’ll give you a year to live.”
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell (District 2) stated that a unanimous City Councilratified the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. After many weeks of informational presentations, in-depth discussion, and public testimony, the city has a reasonable and balanced budget that includes resources for roads, public safety, and the homeless despite facing a very difficult upcoming budget year, she said.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.