Cailin Acosta

When Do Jews Wish Each Other a ‘Shabat Shalom?’

Recently I read an interesting article on myjewishlearning.com debating when it’s best to wish someone a good Shabbat.  Immediately thought, “Duh? It is sundown Friday night until sundown Saturday night, right?” Not necessarily, this article gave an interesting perspective acknowledging the middle of the week as the focal point of Shabbat. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Mitzvot and Kindness Mark Visit to a Recycling Center

As I took my bottles and cans to EDCO Recycle this morning, I reflected that the “haul” used to be filled with Diet Coke cans. However, years ago, I switched to SodaStream, an Israeli product that carbonates your water.  I don’t add any syrups.  I simply drink fizzy water.  The volume of my recycling has decreased, but I feel, nevertheless, that I am dong my part for the environment. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Romance Novella Emphasizes Importance of True Communication

Arielle Weiss and Asher Gold are home for the Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago and run into each other at the local neighborhood bar as they reunite with others from their Hebrew School class. They immediately locked eyes on each other and stepped away from the group to talk. Each received mixed signals. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Vegans May Celebrate Thanksgiving with Tofurkey Dinner

I read that November is the “Month of Veganism.” A movement that started a few years ago was “Meat-less Mondays.”  I think I decided to be vegetarian when I was about six or seven years old. My mom was not a good cook. Eating dry/burnt chicken and steaks that tasted like charcoal fueled my decision. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Humane Society Gift Shop Items Provide Double Benefits

When I returned recently from a camping trip at San Elijo State Beach, it was with Chanukah items from the nearby thrift shop of the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. They were gifts not only for us, but also for the critters because all proceeds go to feed and house the animals at the society. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Is Matzah Ball Soup Really a Cure-All?

Matzah ball soup is also known as the “Jewish penicillin.” Whenever I am sick, that is what friends would tell me. “All you need is some matzah ball soup and you will feel so much better.” [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Veterans Deserve Our Appreciation on Monday and All Days

Veterans Day weekend is here and almost everyone gets a day off from school, work or just another day for those who are retired. But it is more than a vacation from our daily responsibilities. Those who served deserve to be honored and one day cannot thank them enough for putting their lives on the line for our freedom to be in America. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Campers Find a Tree of Life in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

I came across an exhibit behind a glass cabinet sponsored by the Gourd and Basket Guild San Diego, California. Its goal is to preserve, promote and perpetuate the appreciation of gourd and basket art by providing a supportive, sharing and educational environment. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Novel Judaica Highlights Artisans Festival at Temple Emanu-El

Cecile Fleetwood is a longtime member of Temple Emanu-El who teaches jewelry making and sells her own creations, including dreidel, hamantaschen, and hamza earrings  She also makes pottery pieces that were fired in a kiln. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

If You Haven’t Voted Already, Be Sure to Vote on Tuesday

My thoughts: people who don’t vote and complain about the outcome really have no say. If you voted, then you did the best you could. We can just hope for the best and pray it is the outcome we Jews need in Israel and in the states. Whoever you vote for, you have a voice and if you voted, it was heard. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Religion, Traditions, and Animals

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. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share