Philanthropy & Volunteerism

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

StandWithUs Gala Draws 750+ San Diegans in Support of Israel

Israeli-American actress, producer, author and social media influencer Noa Tishby told over 750 StandWithUs supporters on Sunday night that the fight against anti-Israel haters is “a marathon not a sprint” but predicted that “at the end of the day we’re going to be okay.” (Donald H. Harrison)

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

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

S.D. Jewish Community Supports Shattered Israeli Sister City While Developing Holocaust Education Program Locally

Approximately 550 members and friends of the Jewish community on Saturday evening, Nov. 16, attended a dinner sponsored by the Jewish Federation of San Diego that was dedicated to helping people in southern Israel to rebuild after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre and to providing Holocaust education here in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Marker for Mt. Nebo/ Rosenwald Elementary School in Monroe, Louisiana, Dedicated

After a year and a half of fabrication delays, the Mt. Nebo/Rosenwald Elementary School marker was finally dedicated on Nov. 10.  The dedication took place almost 100 years to the day when Mt. Nebo opened its doors to its first students in racially segregated Monroe. The marker was funded by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP). [Jerry Klinger]

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

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

Hillel Responds with Compassion to Fire and Shooting Near SDSU Campus

After the fire was contained, the stay-in-place order was lifted, and everyone was able to go home– we learned a student’s apartment had severe smoke damage and she needed a place to stay. We called on our amazing community and a remarkable community family hosted this student for Shabbat and the weekend– ensuring she felt nurtured and cared for. Well-being was our priority. [Karen Parry]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Seacrest Foundation Golf, Tennis, Pickleball and Spa Day Raises over $160,000

Seacrest Foundation hosted over 100 golfers, tennis players, pickleball players and spa goers at Monday’s event at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and Golf Club in Carlsbad, as well as dozens of additional attendees for the reception and awards ceremony. [Press Release]

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Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions

Compassion and Civility Keys to Improving the World, Says Activist Rabbi

Rabbi Yanklowitz spoke with San Diego Jewish World about the roles compassion and civility can play in people’s personal interactions, in the run-up toward America’s Nov. 5 presidential election, and in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran and Iranian proxies. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Suspicious Device, Not a Bomb, Forces Evacuation of International Cottages

Numerous international cottages of Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations were shuttered Saturday, Oct. 26, as police and the FBI investigated a suspicious package that had been hoisted on the flagpole of the House of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison and Miriam Gershenson]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Easing Loneliness with Compassionate Listening

Jewish Family Service offers a companion program called “Friendly Match” to connect volunteers – everyday San Diegans who are looking to practice compassionate listening and give back – with local seniors experiencing loneliness of all faiths and backgrounds. [Rabbi Susan Freeman]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Free Holocaust Memorial Garden Offered to City of San Diego

The Opportunity and the Challenge for San Diego is; does San Diego want to have a Daffodil Garden?  JASHP is willing to fund one for San Diego. We will pay for the bulbs, the stone, and the marker. The condition of the gift is that the garden must be sited in a significant, publicly accessible location, such as a park.  We want the message to be viewed by as many people as possible.  Our common future is the Challenge. [Jerry Klinger]

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Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Threads of Legacy: A Family Weaving Their Mark on Israel

During this meaningful journey and in partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA, they honored Marcia’s late father with a plaque at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem and dedicated a bomb shelter in Sha’ar HaNegev near the Gaza border in memory of her mother. The next generation was present to witness the touching tributes by Marcia and Debbie, and be inspired by these two remarkable women. (Tania Shalom Michaelian)

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Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA