SAN DIEGO – Recently I was reading that in Halakhah (Jewish law), animals are to be fed before humans. I had to laugh since if I tried to make my coffee before giving my angora rabbit, Freckles, a snack, she is right there with her paws on my legs and letting me know, she comes first. She has unlimited hay and water whenever she wants but in the morning twilight, she is requesting an apple slice, or something sweet. During the night, she sleeps on my treadmill, so I lay towels on it and in the midnight hours when I get up I see a soft little bump. Sometimes when she hears me up, she jumps on the bed thinking it is time to get up, nope.
In 2019, Rabbi Joshua Dorsch at Tifereth Israel Synagogue “blessed” Freckles as a Jewish rabbit. My twins were so excited so in her open pen area we have in the house, there are many Stars of David and they proudly announce to their friends that Freckles is a Jewish rabbit. Not kosher but she is Jewish.
Many people shave angora rabbits to make sweaters and such, which kills them. I comb Freckles fur and will be giving her clippings to a friend who will add it to alpaca or something else, but I will make angora knitted items that were safely obtained that I can wear.
As we start the Torah over, it is fun to read of Noah’s Ark and all the animals that were saved.
Speaking of that, Beth Jacob Congregation presents its “Annual Parshas Noach Petting Zoo” at 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28. Animal friends come in pairs (except the pig). Relax, pet sheep, goats, chickens, bunnies, and a pot belly pig and give your kids a hands-on Parsha experience, organizers say.
Also, Lawrence Family JCC announces “Bark Mitzvah: A Celebration of Our Furry Friends” at 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 10 at Liberty Station. There will be treats and activities for the whole family and opportunities to participate in service-learning projects and donate to the community’s animal shelters. Click here to rsvp.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Temple Emanu-El ‘s Sisterhood proudly hosts its “Membership Appreciation Event” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30. Lite dinner and the opportunity to make pumpkin bracelets. Click here to rsvp.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosts “Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30. The theme this month is “Women of the Holocaust and their Portrayals in Graphic Novels.” Attendees are encouraged to bring an unopened dairy, pareve and hechshered item to share. Click here to rsvp.
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Congregation Beth Israel hosts “Keshet: LGBTQIA+ and Allies” at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1. This is a safe, inclusive space for building connections and supporting one another within the community. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or are an ally, all are welcome to this new Keshet launch. Click here to rsvp.
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The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents “Mandelbaum Family Lecture Series: Oral Tradition and Jewish Heritage: Passing Values Through Stories with Noa Baum” at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Coronado Public Library. Baum will lead this discussion and explore the richness of Jewish oral tradition in an interactive and uplifting program of stories that connect us to timeless wisdom. Click here to rsvp.
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JEWISH HUMOR
Chabad of Poway shares the following joke: “Members who died in Service” Rabbi walks out of the sanctuary and sees the young Daniel staring at the memorial wall. He says, “Daniel, welcome to shul. I see that this is your first time here, you look bewildered, perplexed. What’s on your mind? Why do you seem so confused?” Daniel replies, “Rabbi, I’m fascinated by this wall. I love the lights and how they shine on the names, but I just can’t figure out what this is all about.” “Oh Daniel,” says the Rabbi, “it’s quite simple, these are names of people who davened in this shul and now passed on, we remember their memories by lighting a candle on these special days.” “But Rabbi, I still don’t get it, what’s up with those flags in the middle section?” “Daniel, those are the names of members who died in service?” In utter shock, Daniel replies: “Really Rabbi!!? Which service? Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur?!”
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Barry Benn died on Monday, Oct. 21. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct.27 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Martin Lawson and Rabbi Devorah Marcus ofTemple Emanu-El as officiants, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.