LA MESA, California – “Did you feel that?” I heard this all day yesterday and even today in the aftermath of an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter Scale and centered near Julian. I checked in with my friends who have balance issues to ask if they were okay and if they needed anything.
My 13-year-old twins are on their second week of Spring Break so being “typical teens,” they were still in their rooms at 10 a.m. I was sitting on the couch with my laptop and felt a back-and-forth movement. It felt like I was driving. Then I realized I wasn’t driving and was on the couch. Then I moved back and forth and the windows behind me were rattling and then had a huge jolt forward.
Our phones sounded the alert and I thought that there was not enough notice to “duck, cover and hold.” My twins ran out of their rooms and I asked if they were okay. They said yes and I told them it is okay to be scared. That was a strong one. They said, “it was actually pretty cool.”
My husband was at work and said his desk shook. This was the first quake these three have felt. I experienced a few others growing up here, but it had been a long time since I felt one like that.
Natural disasters reminded me of the celebration of Pesach and re-enactment the plagues. There was hail, fire, locusts, diseases of animals, frogs and more.
With modern technology, many of us are thankful for the alerts and the drills they do at schools and in the workplace.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ner Tamid Synagogue and Temple Adat Shalom invite the community to attend their “Yom Hashoah” commemoration at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 23 at Ner Tamid Synagogue. Click here to register.
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Israeli American Council, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, Jewish Federation of San Diego and Lawrence Family JCC invite the community to attend “Celebrate Israel: Yom HaAtzmaut Music Festival” at 5 p.m., at the Lawrence Family JCC. The event includes celebrating Israel’s 77th Independence Day featuring a lineup of top Israeli musicians and special guest performances from local artists. Israeli food and hands-on experiences for all ages. Click here to register.
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San Diego Public Library: Carmel Valley location will celebrate “Jewish American Heritage Month” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 12. The event includes coloring your own tote bag, creating friendship bracelets and coloring pages.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Sisterhood presents “Daniel Vnukowski: On the Wings of Song” at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 15. The evening will feature world-renowned virtuoso concert pianist Vnukowski. Organizers predict a poignant and evocative evening of music, theatre, and remembrance. Vnukowski, who has sold out Carnegie Hall. will be visiting from Canada. Click here to rsvp.
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The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival presents “Lily Henley: An Evening of Sephardic Songs” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 21 at the Enigma Theatre in Bay Park. Henley is an award-winning singer, fiddler, and songwriter highlighting the Ladino language. Click here to register.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Hillel San Diego shares the spirit of Passover by posting a video of California State University San Marcos students enjoying matzah pizza together. Click here to view the video and click here to donate.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego reports the launch of the newly redesigned website. The new platform reflects the vibrancy and diversity of Jewish life in San Diego, while making it easier than ever for all members of the community to connect, engage and participate. Click here to visit the new website.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Jacob Caspi died on Friday, April 11. The funeral and internment will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 16 at Home of Peace Cemetery with Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of East County as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Mark Maisel died on Sunday, April 6. The funeral was Friday, April 11 at Greenwood Memorial Park with Rabbi Devorah Marcus of Temple Emanu-El as officiant, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Suellen Solomon, wife of Myron Solomon, mother of Scott (Johanna) Solomon and Howard (Debra) Solomon, grandmother of Alyssa Love, Jayson Solomon, and Samantha Solomon, died on Thursday, April 10. The funeral was held Tuesday, April 15 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi David Castiglione of Temple Adat Shalom as officiant. Donations in Solomon’s honor can be made at Susan G. Komen Foundation, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.
I hope everyone’s homes were safe after the quake. I monitor earthquakes in New Zealand by watching Geonet. I have noticed we are getting many more quakes rating 4 plus than the normal 3 or 2 something. Earthquakes on the Pacific Rim which you and we are on seem to be getting bigger. Not as big as the one in Burma / Thailand which was over 7. I have not heard any expects talking about bigger quakes. I live in an area south of Napier city (50 Miles south) We get 2 or 3 shakes a week. Most measure 2. or 3. So if I were you, I would be aware that quakes are getting bigger and prepare your home for bigger shakes.