LA MESA, California – This weekend we honor the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I wasn’t around when he was and as far as I can remember, it was always a school holiday.
When I started working professionally, they took that holiday away from us. Working in mental health and supporting equality, a few of us went to Human Resources and expressed our concern. It was more than just a day off to sleep in, but to honor his life and the impact he has made on race and sexual orientation. We succeeded in making our points very clear and the following year they gave the holiday back to us.
When my twins were little, we would check out books on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that were written at their age level and would discuss his life. When they started school, it just wouldn’t be a day off, but they would know the reason behind it. I found a recording on KPBS of his “I Have a Dream” speech and my then four-year old twins watched in amazement. They asked if he happened to be Barack Obama’s dad (giggle).
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Congregation Beth Israel presents “Bringing Israel to you with Itzik Yanai” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29. Yanai is a tour guide in Israel and will share his experiences as he has shifted from his tour work to Solidarity Missions and then military service. Click here to register.
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Coastal Roots Farm announces its “Tu B’Shvat Food Forest Festival” at noon on Sunday, Feb. 2. During the festival, attendees will enjoy live music, drinks, Jewish learning and crafts, yoga and opportunities for all ages to learn about the “birthday of the trees.” Click here to register.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue announces its “Tu B’Shevat Seder” at 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12. Click here to rsvp.
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CHABAD HOUSE HAPPENINGS
East County announces “Holy Hikers” at 3 p.m., on Thursdays. This event is a men’s hike at Cowles Mountain. Click here to rsvp.
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Carmel Valley announces “A.I. and Technology with Rabbi Yechiel Krisch” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. Krisch will discuss the Torah perspective on the humanity of robots, A.I. in rabbinic decision-making, and the ethics of autonomous vehicles. Click here to rsvp.
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La Costa announces a new Jewish Learning Institute course “Decoding the Talmud” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4. This six-week course will discuss the reasons for the Talmud being slandered, banned and burned. Click here to register.
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La Jolla invites women to attend “The San Diego Nshei Chabad Gathering” at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5. The event includes an evening of learning and unity. Click here to rsvp.
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Downtown invites women to attend its “Rosh Chodesh Society” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12. The event’s theme is “A Work of Praise: Finding G-d in Our World.” Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Young Israel of San Diego shares the following recipe: Kohlrabi Salad with Maple Lemon Dressing
4 bulbs kohlrabi
1 / 4 cup salted roasted sunflower seeds
1 / 4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill
1 / 4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 2 lemons
1 garlic clove, minced
1 / 4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 / 4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Directions: Using a sharp knife, remove the long stems and greens from the kohlrabi. Using a peeler, trim away the thick green skin until you reach the light green to white part that is free of tough fibers. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Combine the kohlrabi, sunflower seeds, and dill in a large serving bowl. In a small jar with a tight – fitting lid, combine the olive oil, maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake to thoroughly combine. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat well. Let sit for about 20 minutes before serving. This salad also stores well if made a day in advance! A perfect salad for a Shabbat meal.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue is partnering with National Council for Jewish Women in Los Angeles to help restock their nine donation centers throughout Los Angeles that serve both Jewish and non-Jewish clientele. Please bring donations to Ohr Shalom Synagogue by Sunday, Jan. 26. Items for collection include gently used (clean) clothing, new toiletries (full size or travel) and new toys. Click here if wanting to make a monetary donation.
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Chabad of Encinitas requests car donations for which you will receive a tax deduction. Click here for more information.
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Coastal Gan Preschool and Enrichment Center reports new spaces have opened up for infants ages 12 months-24 months and preschoolers aged 2-4 years old. Click here for more information.
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Chabad at La Costa reports its Hebrew School has been learning letters of the Hebrew alphabet, including Zayin for Zemer which means music/song, so the students sang karaoke. The students learned Chet for Chaver which means friend so they skateboarded with Yaakov. The students also learned Tet for Tam which means taste and reason so they learned the brachot for food.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Arlene Granet, mother to David and Lisa Granet, Jeff Hutt and Kenneth and Wendy Granet, grandmother to Samantha, Daniel, Caitlin, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezra, Rebecca and Melissa, great grandmother to Everly and Calvin, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Donations may be made in Granet’s honor to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Lauren Resnik, wife of Dr. Robert Resnik, mother to Dr. Jamie Wechter, Andrew Resnik, grandmother to Cassidy and Cody Wechter, Max and Julia Resnik, sister of Rabbi Jan Brahms and sister-in-law of John Resnik, died on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The funeral services will be at noon, Sunday, Jan. 19 at El Camino Memorial Park. Donations may be made in Resnik’s honor to Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Rita Schwartz, mother to Wayne, Harold and Marla Schwartz, grandmother to Meredith Komula, Darren Schwartz, Jacob Schwartz and Natasha Neufeld-Lerner, great grandmother to Jacob, Haley, Vivian, Delilah and Sammy, died on Wednesday, Jan.1 in Los Angeles, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.