SAN DIEGO – Jewish Federation of San Diego, Impact Cubed, The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) and Lawrence Family JCC have announced there is still time to register for the Zoom session “Understanding Israel: Current Events and Public Opinion” at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 14.
Featured speakers include Professor Tamar Hermann, Academic Director of IDI’s Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, and Dr. Jesse Ferris, IDI’s Vice President of Strategy. They will be joined by Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council Directors Maia Ifrah and Mazi Eylon. These presenters will provide a comprehensive update on the current political, economic and social situation in Israel and daily life in a Jewish state at war, with a special focus on the evolving sentiments and reactions of the Israeli public. Click here to register.
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JEWISH OLYMPIAN RECAP
On Sunday (August 11), the 2024 Summer Paris Olympics concluded with the passing of the torch and flag from Paris to Los Angeles which will host the 2028 Summer Olympics. At least 21 Jewish athletes from the United States, Australia, and Israel headed home with medals. The tally includes six golds (with one athlete winning two), seven silvers and five bronzes.
Gold medalists:
U.S. Women’s Team Foil Fencers, 30-year-old, Jackie Dubrovich from New Jersey and 21-year-old, Maia Weintraub from Philadelphia.
U.S. Women’s Wrestler, 20-year-old, Amit Elor from Walnut Creek, California, became the youngest U.S. gold medalist in wrestling.
Australian Canoeist, 30-year-old, Jessica Fox won two gold medals, one for women’s kayak slalom and one in canoe slalom.
Australian Canoeist, 27-year-old, Noemie Fox (sibling to Jessica Fox) took gold in the inaugural kayak cross event.
Israeli Windsurfer, 24-year-old, Tom Reuveny won in the men’s iQFoil windsurfing.
Silver medalists:
Ukrainian-born Israeli Gymnast, 27-year-old, Artem Dolgopyat won for favorite floor exercise.
Australian Women’s Water Polo, 19-year-old, Sienna Green was the youngest woman to represent Australia in women’s water polo.
Israeli Judoka, 26-year-old, Raz Hershko in the women’s over 78-kilogram competition.
Israel’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Team included 19-year-old Ofir Shaham, 19-year-old Diana Svertsov, 18-year-old Adar Friedmann and 18-year-old Shani Bakanov.
Israeli Windsurfer, 21-year-old, Sharon Kantor became the first Israeli woman to win a sailing medal with the Women’s iQFoil windsurfing competition.
Israeli Judo, 24-year-old, Inbar Lanir in the 78-kilogram weight class.
U.S. Swimmer, 17-year-old, Claire Weinstein from New York was the youngest Jewish medalist as part of the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay alongside Katie Ledecky who has Jewish roots.
Bronze medalists:
U.S. Foil Fencer, 24-year-old, Nick Itkin from Los Angeles won with the U.S. Men’s Foil Team.
U.S. Rugby Forward, 28-year-old, Sarah Levy from San Diego won the team’s first-ever Olympic medal.
Australian Race Walker, 26-year-old, Jenima Montag won two bronzes. One in the 20-kilometer race walk and the other in the inaugural marathon mixed relay.
Israeli Judoka, 32-year-old, Peter Paltchik won in the 100-kilogram weight class.
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JEWISH PROFESSIONAL NEWS
Israeli American Council (IAC) San Diego announced the hiring of Ronit Droker, Activism Manager. Droker is a Los Angeles native and moved to San Diego with her family over a year ago. Droker’s position will combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism through the school system, educational programs, civic engagement and committees…. An activism event involving the school system is coming up. “Confronting Antisemitism in our Schools: Facing New Challenges” at 7 p.m., Thursday, August 29. This informative session is designed for parents and teens to learn about how to combat antisemitism in our schools and what new challenges students are facing. Click here to register and to receive location.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Lawrence Family JCC Gotthelf Art Gallery announces its “ANU – October Seventh Exhibition Opening Reception” at 4 p.m., Thursday, September 4. A celebration of resilience and compassion. This capsule exhibit, based on the main ANU Museum exhibit in Tel Aviv, features 25 artists reflecting on the trials faced by Israeli society since October 7. Click here to rsvp…. The visit to the gallery may be combined with attendance at a program on bravery and resilience. “Strengthening Southern Israel – An Evening with the Leadership of Assuta Ashdod Hospital” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 4 at the Astor Judaica Library. Dr. Lucian Tatsa-Laur, Sgt. Yoav Tzivoni, Dr. Erez Barenboim, Dr. Eliad Aviram, and Ran Saar will share stories about Samson Assuta Ashdod and the response to the October 7 tragedy. Click here to register.
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Temple Emanu-El’s Price Family Preschool has announced its “35th Anniversary Fundraising Fiesta” at 5 p.m., September 14. The event includes music, tacos, margaritas and beer, Loteria and a chance to win a free week at camp. Click here to register.
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MAZAL TOV
Mushka Eilfort, daughter of Rabbi Yeruchem and Rebbetzin Nehama Eilfort of Chabad of La Costa, and Shalom Yisrael Alperowics, son of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Alperowics and Rebbetzin Chana Alperowics of Chabad of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be married at Chabad Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
The Jerusalem Post carried an article by San Diego Jewish World contributor Amy Neustein about the Trump campaign’s role in persuading the Harris campaign not to name Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as Harris’ running mate. In the article, Neustein cited a letter she wrote to San Diego Jewish World. Click here for the Jerusalem Post article.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Simon Lebhar passed away on Sunday, August 11. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 15 at Greenwood Cemetery, Tifereth Israel Synagogue reported.
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Fern Joyce Platt-Hall passed away on Monday, August 12. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 15 at El Camino Memorial Park. Click here to read an archive article by SDJW staff writer Mimi Pollack on the many Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects Hall contributed to. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fern Hall’s honor are requested to any of these nonprofit organizations: The Micheal J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, The Alzheimer’s Association, and the Rotary of La Mesa Sunrise.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.