LA MESA, California – The days between Passover and Shavout include counting the Omer. The countdown represents the time between our ancestors’ liberation and the time they accepted the responsibility of becoming Torah-observing Jews.
Every day I walk on the treadmill while reading a book or when my daughter has track practice, I walk outside of the track. In the present day, I am walking like our ancestors did.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Anti-Defamation League San Diego will discuss its 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents at 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 29. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from San Diego Regional Director Fabienne Perlov and ADL West Director of Incident Response and Law Enforcement Initiatives Matt Brown for a discussion on the data, how ADL is monitoring and addressing antisemitism at the local, state and national levels, and how we can all take action. Click here to register.
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SCY High School announces its “Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut Communal Tefillah and Celebration” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 30. Click here for more information.
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Beth Jacob Congregation invites the community to attend its “A Halachic Perspective on Politics and Fact Checking with Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff” at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 1. The event will include Scholar-in-Residence Kaganoff, who is the author of eleven books and hundreds of articles on rabbinic scholarship, cholent, kugel and more.
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Hadassah San Diego invites the community to attend its “2nd Annual Walkathon” at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, May 18 at Lake Miramar Trail. Walk in solidarity to raise funds to rehabilitate the people of Israel. Organizers encourage attendees to dress in festive athleisure Hadassah red attire or click here to purchase your own Hadassah Walkathon gear. Click here to register and receive meeting location.
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue invites the community to attend its “Blood Drive Hosted by the San Diego Blood Bank” at 9 a.m., Sunday, May 18. All those that donate receive a complimentary Soapy Joe’s car wash coupon valued at $25. Click here to schedule an appointment, walk-ins are welcome.
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Jewish Federation of San Diego’s Women’s Philanthropy presents “Brunch Club After Dark” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 29. The evening includes uplifting mini-wellness sessions led by local experts. Sessions include Metabolism Makeover, Chair Yoga with Brooke Kettering and Guided Journaling with Hannah Prager. Click here to register.
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Torah High School presents “Newsies Jr.” at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 15 at Lawrence Family JCC. This production is for women only. Click here to purchase tickets.
To view other events, previously listed in this column, please visit our San Diego Jewish Community Calendar page.
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CHABAD CENTERS’ HAPPENINGS
University City invites women in the community to attend its “Challah Bake” at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 27. The evening includes a night of unity and inspiration as women perform this special Mitzvah. Click here to rsvp and receive location.
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Chula Vista invites the community to its “Shabbat at Chabad” at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 3. The event includes morning service, Torah reading followed by a Kiddush luncheon.
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Downtown invites the community to its “Monthly Lecture Series: Remember Us – The Holocaust with Sandra Scheller” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 6. Scheller will share her mission to preserve the history of the Holocaust and advocate for Holocaust education. Click here to rsvp.
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East County invites women in the community to attend its “Jewish Women’s Circle: Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, May 8. This monthly meet up will include exploring the Sefirat Haomer. Click here to rsvp.
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At La Costa invites the community to its “Jewish Learning Institute: Colorful Profiles: Short Stories of Extraordinary and Unexpected Characters from Jewish History” at 7 p.m., beginning Tuesday, May 11. These four classes will chronicle the stories of 12 Jews whose stories are not necessarily famous in the hopes of learning more about the issues facing Jews today. Click here to register.
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Poway invites the community to attend its “Lag B’Omer Bonfire and BBQ” at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 15. The event includes music, food and friends. Click here for more information.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Young Israel of San Diego asks its women congregants if anyone is interested in starting a women’s Tehillim circle before the Rabbi’s class. Women are encouraged to take the initiative and organize it as it is a beautiful way to come together in prayer and community.
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San Diego Jewish Academy reports high schoolers participated in the Maimonides Moot Court Competition in New York, which brought together over 300 high schoolers from all over America, Israel, Canada, and Argentina. The trip was not only a debate competition, but also a Shabbaton (Shabbat retreat) with social, religious, and educational programming. This gave students ample opportunity to bond with one another and make friends from around the world, all while studying Torah and celebrating Shabbat. Two of SDJA’s teams received 2nd place awards in their divisions.
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San Diego State University offered free Hebrew classes, global Jewish cuisine in the dining halls, and hosted an Israel-themed Shabbat dinner. The month of March also highlighted Jewish history, culture, and students.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Edward Janon, husband of Linda Janon, father of Wendy and Amy (Todd), stepfather of Mindy (David), Jill and Beth, grandfather of Matthew and Lucas, has died. The funeral was held Wednesday, April 23 at El Camino Memorial Park. Donations in Janon’s honor can be made at Congregation Beth Israel or Jewish Family Service, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Maly Zebede, mother of Mazu Attia, has died. The funeral was held on Thursday, April 24 at Har HaMenuchot Cemetery in Jerusalem, Beth Jacob Congregation reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.