4+ mon, 3+ week ago (353+ words) LA MESA, California " JPride Weekend is almost here! This is a response to the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival allowing a headliner who opposes Israel and has made antisemitic statements. Beth Jacob Congregation presents "Scholar in Residence with Rabbi Mordechai Becher" Friday, August 1, until Sunday, August 3. Becher. an Australian native, is an instructor at Yeshiva University and a former Rabbi of Neve Yerushalayim College. More details to follow. Congregation Beth Am reports that its congregants, Igal and Shany Bakal, welcomed the birth of a daughter named Loriann on Wednesday, June 18. Older siblings, Danielle, Elon, and Ellian, are showering her with affection. Mazel Tov! Congregation Beth Am reports that congregants Sydney and Rachelle Rosin announce the wedding of Ashton Rosin and Marlo Palumbo, who got married on Sunday, June 15, in Portugal. Mazel Tov! Ziona Alpert, mother of David and Yael…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (353+ words) LA MESA, California " JPride Weekend is almost here! This is a response to the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival allowing a headliner who opposes Israel and has made antisemitic statements. Beth Jacob Congregation presents "Scholar in Residence with Rabbi Mordechai Becher" Friday, August 1, until Sunday, August 3. Becher. an Australian native, is an instructor at Yeshiva University and a former Rabbi of Neve Yerushalayim College. More details to follow. Congregation Beth Am reports that its congregants, Igal and Shany Bakal, welcomed the birth of a daughter named Loriann on Wednesday, June 18. Older siblings, Danielle, Elon, and Ellian, are showering her with affection. Mazel Tov! Congregation Beth Am reports that congregants Sydney and Rachelle Rosin announce the wedding of Ashton Rosin and Marlo Palumbo, who got married on Sunday, June 15, in Portugal. Mazel Tov! Ziona Alpert, mother of David and Yael…...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago (255+ words) By Donald H. Harrison Formal funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Park. More than 100 people gathered informally Sunday in the social hall of Tifereth Israel Synagogue to share their memories for more than an hour. Here's a partial summary of what was said about Phil in a session moderated by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, who described him as "a role model of kindness and chesed." Phil was a past president of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men's Club." Even after he stepped down from that position, he took care of the club's administrative details, most often in a few hours after the need became apparent. He also worked with the congregation's Shabbat lunch committee, one time on short notice hard boiling and peeling 60 eggs. He and his late wife, Ellen, were a team." Ellen took charge of the…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (332+ words) DEL MAR, California " As my "super cool teens" enjoyed the rides at the San Diego County Fair, I stepped into the "Student Showcase" section to look for any Jewish gems, or other inspirational pieces, among the collection. To me, the message showed that despite our outward appearances being different, we all have common likes and loves, and we can all get along with different people from around the world. In the Woodworkers section, Mike Mcelhiney's Urban Cat Stand, made of manzanita, twisted juniper, olive, and carob, I enjoyed looking at. I could imagine a happy feline enjoying this fine furniture piece. I did wonder if cats would use the wood to sharpen their claws on the stand, but maybe with the sealant, the cat would find something else, like the side of the owner's couch. In the Minerals and Gemstones…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (325+ words) The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival (JFest) returns for its 32nd year, bringing a vibrant celebration of Jewish culture and creativity to the San Diego community. [Press Release] Todd Salovey SAN DIEGO (Press Release) " The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival (JFest) returns for its 32nd year, bringing a vibrant celebration of Jewish culture and creativity to the San Diego community From May 21 to June 30, 2025, JFest has something for everyone, featuring various dynamic performances, captivating conversations, and unique cultural experiences that showcase the diversity of Jewish heritage through music, theater, speakers, and art This year's festival promises an exciting lineup, from award-winning fiddler and singer-songwriter Lily Henley's performance of Sephardic songs to an insightful keynote conversation on the future of higher education featuring Dr Peter Salovey and Rabbi Meir Soloveichik From mesmerizing Klezmer music to an immersive experience of…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (367+ words) The recently renovated Western Metal Rooftop area is a fine place for an event such as this. Of the 323 Jewish Federation guests, about half stayed in the gathering area near the buffet lines, which had a mixture of seating options, stand-up tables, a fire pit, big screens, and a cornball area and running room for children. [Phil Lorang] Homemade seating sign assuring Israeli visitors could sit together at Padres game Angels game on Wednesday, May 14 These shinshinim are here for a year between graduating high school and beginning their service in the Israeli Defense Forces I have been hosting one of the young men in the group, Neta Laytter, for several months When I received an email from the Jewish Federation of San Diego about its plan to reserve and sell seats in the Western Metal Rooftop area for Jewish…...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (276+ words) I do like a good murder mystery and definitely, a good comedy. 'Glass Casa' is both. The cast includes Lizet Benrey, Harley Bronwyn, Nicole Clifford, Geri Courtney-Austein and Braden Garner. The film is a wild rollercoaster ride with bizarre twist and turns. (Barrett Holman Leak) By Barrett Holman Leak Laa Marcus SAN DIEGO " First, I want to disclose that Writer/Producer/Director Laa Marcus of San Diego is a personal friend Connected some time in 2024 by people who recognized our mutual backgrounds as creative women who write, we have managed between both our busy schedules to get together for lunch I had the pleasure this Saturday to chat over a Shabbos lunch with her and her parents Our friendship is like what I imagine a friendship would be between Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers I also got to know what…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago (324+ words) LA JOLLA, California " This year's San Diego International Film Festival is being billed as the place where "culture, coast and cinema collide." In the words of CEO/Artistic Director, Tonya Mantooth, this 24th annual festival provides a unique and essential function by bringing together "storytellers, changemakers and film lovers." From October 15th- 19th, San Diego audiences will be invited to take part in this transformational experience of exploring cultures outside of our own and perhaps unearthing new truths about ourselves, revealed by gifted filmmakers and cinematographers. This year's 3,500 submissions exceeded expectations. Included in this number were narratives, documentaries, shorts and animation. Films were selected from 29 countries, and the festival will introduce no fewer than 24 world premieres. Some of the films come by way of Venice Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Telluride and SXSW. There is no shortage of familiar…...

6+ mon, 4+ week ago (276+ words) The ruach (spirit) and love for the Land of Israel was felt by all in attendance at the Yom Ha'Atzmaut program at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. [Cailin Acosta] By Cailin Acosta SAN DIEGO " The ruach (spirit) and love for the Land of Israel was felt by all in attendance at the Yom Ha'Atzmaut program at Tifereth Israel Synagogue Rabbi Hanan Leberman and shinshin Neta Laytter encouraged all the children and the young at heart to join in songs and dancing after everyone enjoyed beef hotdogs or veggie dogs that were prepared by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men's Club After singing and dancing, the children went out on the patio and Laytter and Leberman pulled out cans of shaving cream and had a fun time chasing the kids in a game of tag The parents got involved and it was a sight…...

6+ mon, 3+ week ago (302+ words) On Saturday, May 18, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, the House of Israel warmly invites the San Diego community to our Annual Lawn Program in Balboa Park, just outside our cultural cottage. This free, family-friendly event is one of our most beloved traditions'an afternoon full of culture, connection, and celebration. [Press Release] SAN DIEGO (Press Release)" On Saturday, May 18, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the House of Israel warmly invites the San Diego community to our Annual Lawn Program in Balboa Park, just outside our cultural cottage. This free, family-friendly event is one of our most beloved traditions'an afternoon full of culture, connection, and celebration. This year's theme is Unity, a tribute to the beautiful mosaic of Jewish and Israeli life. We're proud to showcase a wide variety of communities that reflect the richness of Israeli society, including representatives from the Black American Jewish community, South…...