November 2023 by San Diego Jewish Journal

NOVEMBER 2023 | CHESHVAN • KISLEV 5784

Vigil at the JCC ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Shabbat San Diego

“Pray for the love of Jerusalem. Those who love her will find serenity.” — Psalm 122:6 Israel is under attack. We stand with Israel and the Jewish people.

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Israel is under attack. You and these puppies can help Israel and change the world! Students can sponsor a puppy as their Mitzvah Project or class Tzedakah Project,and change the lives of Israelis who are blind, veterans with PTSD, and children with autism.

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B"H

do YOUR part for

ISRAEL In this scary time for our Homeland, how can you do YOUR part to keep our brothers and sisters in Israel safe?

Add in the Mitzvos you do! Men, put Tefillin on daily. Women, light Shabbos candles on time. Everyone, give extra Tzedakah and LOVE YOUR FELLOW JEW!" We have locations all over San Diego!

Scripps Ranch (Chabad S. Diego HQ), Bonita, Carlsbad North, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, Coronado, Downtown, East County, Encinitas, Escondido, La Costa, La Jolla, N. County Inland, Oceanside/Vista, Pacific Beach, Penasquitos, Rancho S. Fe, SDSU, UCSD, University City 4 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

Support For Our Jewish Community The Center for Jewish Care at JFS

As each day’s news brings more heartbreak, our Jewish community continues to mourn both the loss of life and the loss of humanity since October 7th. The Center for Jewish Care at JFS is here for our Jewish community in San Diego and is uniquely prepared to respond to this crisis.

Resources Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing trauma, grief, or financial hardships during these challenging times, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. As always, the Center for Jewish Care is here to provide: • Compassionate support in English and Hebrew • Spiritual support with Rabbi Susan Freeman • Mental health navigation and coping strategies • Resource and care coordination for Holocaust Survivors and their families • Financial assistance

No one should have to face these challenges alone. We’re here for you. (858) 637-3018 jewishcare@jfssd.org www.CenterForJewishCare.org Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 5

Contents

PUBLISHERS

NOVEMBER 2023 | CHESHVAN • KISLEV 5784

Mark Edelstein and Dr. Mark Moss EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jacqueline Bull

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Makayla Hoppe

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Eileen Sondak

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Donna D’Angelo

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Ronnie Weisberg

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Features 24 Shabbat San Diego Celebrates Unity With

the Shabbat Project

Departments 12 Our Town 14 What’s Up Online 28 Local Offerings 27 The News 32 Food 35 Diversions

Also in this Issue 27 Standing in Solidarity and Praying for Peace

6 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Leorah Gavidor, Emily Gould, Judith Fein (Senior Travel Correspondent), Paul Ross (Senior Travel Photographer), Patricia Goldblatt, Pat Launer, Sharon Rosen Leib, Andrea Simantov, Marnie Macauley, Rabbi Jacob Rupp, Rachel Eden, T.S. McNeil, Sybil Kaplan. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Alan Moss | Palm Springs EDITORIAL

editor@sdjewishjournal.com ADVERTISING

marke@sdjewishjournal.com CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

ronniew@sdjewishjournal.com ART DEPARTMENT

art@sdjewishjournal.com LISTINGS & CALENDAR

assistant@sdjewishjournal.com SDJJ is published monthly by San Diego Jewish Journal, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Send subscription requests to SDJJ, 7742 Herschel Ave., Suite H, La Jolla, CA 92037. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. The San Diego Jewish Journal is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements. The San Diego Jewish Journal reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters to the editor, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity. The Journal is not legally responsible for the accuracy of calendar or directory listings, nor is it responsible for possible postponements, cancellations or changes in venue. Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Journal become the physical property of the publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such material. All contents ©2023 by San Diego Jewish Journal. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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h future is w e J t h ig r b Ensuring a eoplehood p h is w e J l ael & globa r Is h it w g Connectin s in need w e J r o f g in Car munity m o c h is w e t & secure J n ie il s e r a Building

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Magen David Adom has always been there for the Israeli people. Now we need you to be there for them.

Even while rockets are falling around them or gunmen are at large, the men and women of Magen David Adom risk their lives to save the lives of others. Now, as Israel enters the next phase of the war and the possibility of a second front, MDA needs your help! More ambulances, protective equipment, and medical supplies are urgently needed. Support Magen David Adom today and help saves lives. Donate at afmda.org/give.

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Markets fluctuate. Relationships shouldn’t. Markets fluctuate. Relationships shouldn’t. We’re with you every step of the way. We’re with you every step of the way.

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Not Knowing I can’t tell you how many drafts of this I’ve written. Being the editor of a Jewish magazine this month has been hard. Like with any job, there are great times and bad times. I’ve enjoyed deep conversations with interviews, ones that have left my heart feeling full and light and my mind expanded. I’ve delighted in reading the thoughts of others that have exposed me to new ideas and perspectives. I’ve felt small victories in editing where I can work with the writer to make something really sparkle on the page. But this month. This month has been hard. I don’t have the luxury to stop reading the news, to take care of my own spirit and just insularly protect my joy. Many of you don’t have that luxury either — especially with those who have loved ones who live overseas. I’m reminded of getting a call from my assistant editor at the time, with a lump in his throat telling me about the Chabad of Poway shooting and asking me, “What do we do?” I could only say, “I don’t know.” The truth is I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to say that hasn’t already been said over and over. I’m not a religious scholar, rabbi, historian or a political scientist. (Though you may relate by virtue of being Jewish, you are assumed to be able to talk with authority on those things.) I’m an editor. If I’m doing my job well, you don’t think about me while reading the magazine. This column is a space for me to add something extra that couldn’t be included in a feature, or to give a comprehensive take on the magazine that month, or often a bird’s eye view of the community from my lens. And while the words are always coming out of my mouth, my intention has always been that the stories themselves are not about me. And if they are, they are a starting point to talk about you, the world, the community, existential questions, etc. I try to always train my lens small on the geographic area and large on the timeline. The work this month has been hard, but it was worth doing. Every month when we sign off on our InDesign files and PDFs, I always hope that it matters to the people it makes it to. I hope the magazine gives you any number of positive outcomes, but at the very least I hope it makes you feel not alone in this. A

Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 11

Our Town by Linda Bennett and Emily Bartell The Annual 211 Club Patron Recognition Party was held recently at the beautiful home of Jeffrey & Mayo Strauss to celebrate another successful year for the 211 Club. The 211 Club is an arm of the Milton D. and Madeline L. Goldberg Resident Assistance Fund. The 211 Club consists of patrons, known as “Visionaries of Jewish Eldercare” whose individual gifts to Seacrest Foundation in support of the Resident Assistance Fund of Seacrest Village Retirement Communities and/or Seacrest at Home’s Charitable Care Program. Some of those enjoying this extraordinarily beautiful evening, overlooking a stunning Pacific Ocean sunset were Jeanne Gold, Linda & Larry Okmin, Linda & Wayne Otchis, Sandra & Earl Altshuler, Adele Rabin, Carol Swimmer and Larry Salerno, Jean & Franklin Gaylis, Jacob Adam Israel, David Koplar, Jessica & Devin Chodorow, Ellen Chodorow and Herb Schaer, David Abrams, Sheri Hallis, Sophie & Henry Haimsohn, Renee Schor, Linda Shohet, Shelley Temkin and Howard Bolotin and Dan & Liz Nederlander Coden.

Mazel Tov to Tracy & Steven Dunst, on the birth of their son, Theodore Joseph Dunst. Theodore was born on Aug. 16, in Los Angeles. Theodore’s grandparents are Sol & Ginger Dunst and Robert & Jan Lansing. Older sister, Olivia (2yrs) was overjoyed to welcome her new little brother to the family! Delighted great grandmother is Nancy Geist.

Local La Jolla based artist, Diane Feuerstein explores happiness and all the vibrant energies that exist in the world, through the exhibit “Diane Feuerstein: Joy of Life,” at the LFJCC Gotthelf Art Gallery. Some of those we ran into were Bella Veitzman, Sue Goren, Lisa Braun Glazer & Jeff Glazer, Ruthie Warburg, Natalie Stolper, Marsha Starr, Lisa & Gary Levine, Mary & Jon Epstein, Zoey Feuerstein (10yrs) and Brett and Bryce Feuerstein (13yrs).

Marsha & Alvin Korobkin, 58 years.

Mazel Tov to Taylor & Drew Melzer, on the birth of their first son, Andres Melzer III. Andres was joyfully welcomed on Aug. 11 by his sister, Tatum (2yrs). Thrilled grandparents are Lauren Kemp and Larry & Karla Bloom.

Marcia & Jerrold Krasne, 52 years.

12 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

Yom Huledets Sameach to...

Marsha Stein Hicks celebrating her 87th birthday. Ruth Weiss celebrating her 84th birthday.

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WHAT’S UP

Online

Portugal moves to end Sephardic Jewish citizenship law by Orge Castellano, JTA News Portugal’s parliament has advanced a bill that would end the country’s citizenship law for descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled during the Spanish Inquisition. Speaking to parliament on Monday, Justice Minister Catarina Sarmento e Castro said the citizenship law has been a “fair recognition” and a “duty of historical reparation.” But she argued that it has served its purpose, saying it was a “symbolic gesture intended to mark a recognition that has been fulfilled through a generous time window.” According to the latest figures, approximately 262,000 individuals had applied for naturalization under the law by the end of 2022, and around 75,000 were granted citizenship.

Hundreds of Germans form ‘human shield’ to protect synagogue as residents report antisemitic incidents by Toby Axelrod, JTA News An estimated 350 people stood outside of Berlin’s Frankelufer Synagogue to symbolically protect it. According to Radio Berlin-Brandenburg, police reported two new cases of Star of David graffiti in Berlin, on residential buildings on Paul-Linke-Ufer in the Kreuzberg district.

100 years after deadly Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, its Jewish and Italian workers get a memorial by Julia Gergely, JTA News As Allison and Rebecca Kestenbaum stood in front of a building in Greenwich Village on Wednesday, they were thinking about another set of sisters: their relatives Celia and Bess Eisenberg, who, as teenagers, worked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Bess called in sick on the day that a horrific fire tore through the garment factory. Celia died, along with 145 others. The tragedy transformed U.S. labor law and the building that housed the factory, now a New York University science building, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003. But until this week, there had never been a permanent memorial paying tribute to the fire’s victims.

Continue reading these stories at sdjewishjournal.com

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ISRAELI LIFESTYLE

LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE by Andrea Simantov | andreasimantov@gmail.com

Article Number Two This wasn’t the article. The other one, the fun one, was written and nearly submitted just before the beginning of Sukkot. You know the kind of article. The one that chortled about my visit to America for the holidays, hinting at a tongue-in-cheek resolve not to shop in the wonderful stores, the unfamiliar road etiquette, etc. You know. That kind of article. It only needed one more proofread after the Havdalah service that ushers out the Sabbath, before I’d press the button marked “Send.” “Send” didn’t happen because while I was lighting my shabbos candles in Silver Spring, Maryland and praying in a beautiful suburban synagogue, relishing the aromas of cholent and kugel, our brothers and sisters in the south of Israel were being summarily mowed down and butchered while at parties, prayers, dinners and beds. There is no need for this writer to further describe the documented atrocities; this magazine might, indeed, remain on a coffee table for a day/a week/enough time for the faint of heart to browse the horrific details. I reached my husband and children in Jerusalem, Bet El, Tel Aviv and Ramat Bet Shemesh. Their respective conditions ranged from numb-tonumber and it was hard for me to

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compute the collective picture of running in and out of bomb shelters, fathers still wrapped in prayer shawls as they jumped into cars to drive their soldier sons and daughters to bases, sobbing mothers tossing hastily assembled parcels of uneaten holiday food into open windows of departing vehicles. I had to get back. The thought of remaining in America in the name of ‘safety’ was not a blip on my radar screen, despite the urging of some well-meaning individuals. On Sunday morning, Shmini Atzeret in the Diaspora, my son called from Israel to inform me that his reserve unit had been called up. He sounded fine and clear and told me not to worry, equivalent to being told not to breathe. My upcoming flight was scheduled for Monday afternoon and

my husband assured me that, assuming highways were open, he’d be at Ben Gurion to escort me home. Both of us needed to be held. The first inkling that getting home wasn’t going to be as simple as originally planned occurred while I was waiting for the car service to take me to Dulles. I received an email that the final leg of my return flight, Rome-toTel Aviv, was canceled. Not delayed: canceled. In a panic I called a booking service that assured me that flying from Rome to Istanbul would get me to Israel only a few hours after the original time. Good. I flew to Rome and napped on the terminal floor for a few hours. I went to Turkey while secretly trying to identify fellow Israelis. Without success, I returned to Rome. At the time of this writing, nearly a week after attempting to return home, I’ve yet to reach Israel. Each flight was postponed until canceled and kosher-eating me has spent days eating boxed cashews and airport fruit salad while essaying a return. When my husband heard that I was going to follow someone’s advice and try to get home via Casablanca, he said, “No. Get back to America. You’ll start again after shabbos. You don’t want to be shabbos in Morocco.” Duh. continues on page 23 >>

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND JUDAISM

THIS WAY TO EDEN by Rachel Eden | rachel.s.eden@gmail.com

Stand Strong, Stand Together Yesterday, I facilitated a roundtable conversation for a group of leaders and lay leaders to respond to needs in Israel and unite further as a community. I was excited and nervous to maximize our time together and ensure that it provided value for participants. I laid out my mission and messaging on paper but struggled to think up a creative icebreaker. So I turned to Rabbi Adam Simon, one of San Diego’s treasures, who is a master at educating people of all ages on profound or complex ideas with simplicity and creativity. He immediately shared a project where each participant gets a piece of a large puzzle and colors/ draws/writes down her organization’s core values. Then, I was to position a piece of the puzzle on a white board as each leader shares her piece’s meaning and relevance. In the end, the puzzle forms into one united picture: the land of Israel. The lesson is that all of our shared perspectives and approaches are important and necessary in building our global nation. Interactive, visual, tactile, fun, and poignant: well done, Rabbi Simon. The icebreaker did its job and much, much more as the project became a springboard for shared emotions (grief, fear, determination) and dialogue over what creates bridges and what causes fragmentation. As one article by contributor, Steve Hendrix, writes in The Washington Post dated (before the Hamas attack) Oct. 2, 2023: “In a year of unprecedented public discord, the High

18 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

Every Jew is important and it is incumbent upon us to know it and show it.

Holidays period in Israel has devolved into a rhetorical — and occasionally physical — battle between secular and religious Israeli... The weeks-long holiday period ends Friday, and many leaders have beseeched Israelis on all sides to act with greater tolerance during the holiest stretch of the Jewish calendar. Those pleas appear to have largely gone unheeded during a time of unprecedented political division.” This heartbreaking snapshot captures our nation’s divide and, undoubtedly, division rooted between individuals, inside of our families, and, most of all, ourselves. Then, five days later, on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a terror attack, murdering hundreds of unsuspecting young Jewish people, dragging elderly out of their homes, killing entire families, and taking hostages. As I write this, a little over one week later, the snapshot of our nation looks entirely different today than it did when Hendrix wrote his article. Prayer and unity events ensue nationwide, gathering people from all religious affiliations, appeals for funds

and resources to address the ongoing needs of our people have been met with incredible generosity, and even Israel, the state, formed a unity government (for this particular time) to respond to our state of emergency. One of my favorite circulated photos is of a lineup of Hassidic Jews bringing pizzas to soldiers. It looked utopian, had it not been for the backdrop of terrible suffering, death, uncertainty over hostages and war. A friend shared this profound insight on what fuels our division as a nation: “We get so emotionally attached to our personal perspective and religious approach that we devolve into diminishing and undercutting one another.” I shared my friend’s insight with my group of leaders at our roundtable discussion and one impassioned response was: “Every Jew is chashuv (important) and it is incumbent upon us to know it and show it. We need to work on that.” I cannot begin to understand how a compassionate Creator allows for babies to be beheaded, young men killed, and young women raped. I cannot account for the mothers and fathers who are in a state of unknowable grief. I cannot begin to understand how we became sitting ducks. But I do know that division weakens us and our enemies are predatory. My dear friends, we cannot afford weakness. One insight I took away from my conversation with these amazing leaders continues on page 23 >>

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RELIGION

POST-POLITICAL by Rabbi Jacob Rupp | rabbirupp@gmail.com

Staying Silent “I don’t speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don’t have the power to remain silent.” — R’A Kook Ten years ago, this quote motivated me to write a book. Today, all I want to do is remain silent. I wonder if I’ve ever said anything that wasn’t motivated by likes or shares. Or to make myself be an influencer or moral authority. I stopped painting when I found orthodox Judaism, stopped discussing politics when I became a rabbi and once I left being a rabbi, I don’t think I’ve shared a single thought on religion and faith since. So, when I try to think about current events, which I tend to do through the lens of politics and religion, it was a clear “No go” that I would say anything on the subject on any of my platforms. Until of course, I told my wife I would because she said I needed to and apparently that was enough. But what is there to say that hasn’t been or wouldn’t be said? Everything just feeds the algorithms and the echo chambers of thought. I thought nothing was going to really change anyone’s mind. But perhaps that’s not the point.

20 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

I didn’t want to “take advantage” of the situation and garner attention for me or anything that I was doing. It felt too exploitative. It felt dirty. And finally, when I looked at what people were saying, it felt either too clinical (here are the facts…), too emotional, or preaching (here’s what you can do). When I listen to the rabbis talk about how we respond by being better people, I can’t. I can’t preach because I can’t listen. And that’s where I can start–by being honest. Everything feels lost. No matter what the politicians and the rabbis say, this won’t be ok. And even if I say a few extra lines of prayer or psalms, offer some money to charity, it doesn’t feel like it will push back the wall of darkness. Emotionally, I feel numb. And no, it’s not because of the enormity of the situation, it’s because I just feel really numb most of the time. And sometimes when I watch the news, all of the horror makes me feel something, but is that good? Is feeling awful at all the pain good? For what purpose? Numb and hopeless isn’t any way to go through life, although most of us do. And it’s interesting because I doubt anyone except those closest to me (and everyone reading this) would assume that’s how I feel a lot of the time. When I nonchalantly told a therapist about how I didn’t speak to my father for 20 years, she pointed out that I was so clinical about it. She said that most people feel something about that. But I just...didn’t feel anything. I became sad

or frustrated that I don’t feel something. And then at least I was feeling. So perhaps that’s what this experience is like also. We know too much to know. There’s too much information, and as such, we’re blind. The pain is too enormous, the numbers too big for us to really get it. I grew up on a steady diet of bagels, butter, and learning about the Holocaust. From like age four. I promised I’d never teach my kids about it because for me, being Jewish meant going in a boxcar to Auschwitz. And Hanukkah gelt. And while I built new understandings around Judaism, when news like this breaks, I’m that four-year-old kid again waiting on the train to take me away. And part of me is numb from the enormity. But then I remember being in the Holocaust museum and there was this picture of a little child standing on a train platform. And, looking at the picture, I realized that child was the same age as my daughter and then I thought about her never seeing me again and dying in an oven...and finally I lost it. And when you see the blood spattered walls, or the woman finally succumbing to being burned alive — and that’s just one person, one wall, one life...the enormity hits you. I feel hopeless, angry and lost. And sometimes I wish it was as easy as just giving up my life because, like Rabbi Akiva, at least there’s something to that. continues on page 23 >>

Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 21

LITERATURE

WRITTEN IN FIRE by T.S. McNeil

tremcneil1980@gmail.com

Reclusive Rebel Whether it is fair or not, some authors get known for only one book, to the point it is assumed that one title is all they did, such as “Winnie the Pooh” author A.A. Milne and Ann Bronte with “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.” Another assumed one-book-wonder (mostly owing to his tendency towards selfisolation) is J.D. Salinger and his classic novel “Catcher In the Rye.“ Getting an early start in literary life, Salinger enrolled at New York University to study Special Education at the age of 17. Salinger found his place after taking a writing course with then well-known fiction magazine editor Whit Burnett. He finished three short stories, leading to his first publication in Story magazine in 1940, when Salinger was still only 21. Already showing elements of what would be seen in his most famous work, the accepted story, titled “The Youths” is set up as a series of four vignettes following essentially aimless teenagers during the interwar period. This was followed by a series of submissions to the notoriously difficult New Yorker magazine, with titles including “I Went To School with Adolf Hitler” all being rejected. Finally, he got a breakthrough at the tail end of 1941, when the New Yorker finally accepted one of his pieces, “A Slight Rebellion Off Madison.” This was the first appearance of the highly principled, if slightly nihilistic, teenage protagonist Holden Caulfield. Any further literary aspirations had to be put on hold when Salinger was drafted

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A high point during Salinger’s military service was a meeting with Earnest Hemingway, one of his main influences.

into WWII, where he saw action in some of the most famous and brutal battles in the war, directly fighting the Nazis at The Battle of the Bulge and on D-Day, as well as at the lesser known Battle of Hurtgen Forest, somehow managing not to be counted among the 33-55,000 U.S. casualties. A high point during his service was a meeting with Earnest Hemingway, who was one of Salinger’s main influences. The old Hartman said of the young Salinger after reading some of his work: “Jesus, he has a helluva talent.” Returning home to America at the end of the war, Salinger got back to work writing, telling several people, for about six years, that he was going to be writing a novel based on the hero of “Slight Rebellion Off Madison.” Such declarations were met with increasing levels of humoring skepticism. Then in 1951 Little Brown published “The Catcher in the Rye.”

Tipping the apple cart of “respectable” literature, particularly in America, the book’s first-person narration expressed the hopes and rage of American youth in the post-war era in an unflinching way many found to be shocking, having a similar effect to, fellow New York Jew Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl.” Many critics and moral guardians at the time damned the book as immoral and perverse because of Holden Caulfield’s free-wheeling language and mode of expression, including various slurs and acknowledgement of the very existence of sex, which was still getting books such as “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” banned nation-wide in America. The reading public felt differently, as so often happens, basically voting with their wallets, putting the book onto the Bestseller’s List and into its eighth edition within the first two months. The fame and controversy was more than Salinger had bargained for, and while there were a smattering of stories after “Catcher in the Rye,” it was a full ten years before he published his largely forgotten second novel “Franny and Zooey.” Technically a compilation of two separate works, one a short story about a character named Franny and a novella following Zooey each published separately in 1955 and 1957 respectively, the combined novel seamlessly tells the story of the youngest members of the Glass family. Too clever by half, they both seek to escape what they are smart continues on next page >>

Israeli Lifestyle continued

Personal Development & Judaism continued

Back in Maryland, I’m waitlisted for two El Al flights but returning soldiers correctly have priority. Next priority painfully belongs to parents and siblings of the dead, maimed and missing. About to light candles in my mother’s senior housing complex for the third time in as many weeks, my prayers are aimed at Heaven, imploring upon G-d to watch over my beloved people, my blessed country, my precious son who is at the Gaza border and for the welfare of Jews everywhere who, again, are under-siege and fighting, for our very existence. A

was that the work starts inside of me. As someone who has built a business around powerful questions that evoke dramatic transformation, I am checking in with myself now more than ever. My ego, whether it shows up as insecurity or inflation, often sabotages my truest and highest version of self. Comparing myself to others in either direction, upward or downward, polarizes me and renders me mostly useless in a world where I have a mission to contribute. The unity begins within, not just between us and our neighbor, or us and our friend/partner, but even and especially between us and ourselves. How do we speak to ourselves? Are we encouraging and supportive of our own efforts? Do we love and accept how we are created? What do we need most from others and how can we become providers of that need first? The division begins deep, deep inside. Lastly, one of my heroes is my sister, Charlene Seidle, another treasure of San Diego. If anyone wants to find ways to help our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel, please send her a message. It can look like dollars, or minutes, or even workshopping ideas together. We are one and are tasked to stand strong, stand together. A

Religion continued My wife pointed out that I’m somewhat of an extremist. And maybe there’s something between 0 and 100; 0 being numb and detached and 100 dying a martyr. So what’s in between? Maybe it’s being honest. Maybe it’s not giving a passionate speech in a nice tie with inspiring music behind me talking about how we the Jewish people will go on forever. We will. But that doesn’t resonate with me now. That feels like clickbait for the people wanting to feel good and like they are doing something. Where was that inspiring speech when the bullets were ripping people apart? Will those who will pay the ultimate price in the near future feel inspired as they lay dying? If my mind and body allow, when I lay dying, here’s what I want to think: I’ve had a really blessed life. G-d gave me so much and my biggest mistake was (is) not appreciating it more; I love my family and my people and if I knew more, I’d love more; I actually want more time because it’s hard to leave. And the crazy thing is, I usually can only get to a place of appreciation when I consider my last breath. But because so many people have already breathed their last breath, and more will die in the future (and no, I’m not casting aspirations G-d forbid–even if one more person dies it’s too much), maybe for them I can get to that place when I can appreciate my life more. And that’s it. It’s not political or religious or factual—or it’s all of the above. When we think about our end, we’ll wish it hadn’t gone by so fast. So if that’s how it ends, perhaps we can try to appreciate it more while it happens. I can work on being honest. And I hope there is some value to that. A

Written in Fire continued enough to see as the fakeness of the constructed world around them. Later, Salinger published the oddly titled “Rise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters” and “Seymour: An Introduction” in 1963. Each of the novellas were first published in the New Yorker in the 1950s. Both carried on what is now known as the “Glass Trilogy’’ involving other members of Franny and Zooey’s family. Alternatively referred to as a novella, and an uncollected column of short stories, the exact format isn’t clear, “Hapworth 16, 1924” was Salinger’s last original work of fiction. The narrative is presented as a long letter written by Seymour, the oldest of the Glass siblings, to their parents while at summer camp. The letter details the brother’s experience of trying to fit in with their peers despite their high level of intelligence and creativity, which are more often than not met with hostility. Feelings of alienation Salinger shared; he moved full-time to a farm house in Cornish, New Hampshire and never published or made a public appearance again. His seclusion and the speculation that soon surrounded it, only made him even more famous, if only for “Catcher in the Rye,” the Glass Family series coming too late to capture wider attention. A

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San Diego Celebrates Unity With the Shabbat Project by Makayla Hoppe Since 2014, thousands of Jews across San Diego have come together to celebrate Shabbat for one special weekend. What started as a grassroots movement in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2013 has now spread to 1,500 cities across 100 countries. The Shabbat Project “brings together Jews from all walks of life and all levels of observance to keep one Shabbat, celebrated in a spirit of global Jewish unity.” This year, The Shabbat Project will take place on Nov. 3 and 4. “Fire is the number one secret weapon of the Jewish community,” said Shabbat San Diego Manager Simone Abelsohn,“because the beauty of knowing I’m lighting my Shabbat candles here in San Diego, but so are millions of people around the world, it’s kind of empowering. Disconnect, but connect. You’re just connecting with the world — the spiritual world — and it’s a very special, unique thing.” The Shabbat Project in Johannesburg began as an Orthodox event, but each

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FEATURE

city has adapted it for its own Jewish community. “When [the project] went viral, the two co-founders of Shabbat San Diego... took the project to their rabbi, and the rabbi said, ‘An Orthodox project won’t work here, so you could meet each other and figure something out — make something amazing happen,’ which they did,” Simone explained. “They recreated the Orthodox project...into a Shabbat with lower boundaries where every Jew can find their place within Shabbat to connect and celebrate. They got all of our Jewish organizations and schools and synagogues to open up their doors to members and non-members alike to join in for this one special global Shabbat.” The San Diego chapter of the project is eager to celebrate its 9th year with expanded offerings and events. To kick off the weekend on Thursday, Nov. 2, Shabbat San Diego will be holding a special farmers market at the Lawrence Family JCC front parking lot from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Whether it’s food or Judaica, everything you’ll need for the day is available, with each vendor coming from a Jewish-run business. Prepared meals will be available for purchase from food trucks and the LFJCC kosher kitchen. A special feature of this year’s market is “Bubbe’s Biergarten.” Jewish-owned breweries and cideries have donated their goods, and visitors have the opportunity to share a L’chaim. “It will be a chance for people to come together within the market,” Simone added. The annual Mega Challah Bake will also take place that thursday. This year will include a Challah Make, Take and Bake through the local Shabbat

San Diego partners. The Mega Challah Bake is a staple of the weekend’s events. For Friday, Nov. 3, participants can register to either host or be hosted for a Shabbat dinner. “We are going to use Shabbat to open up your home and invite people in, Jewish or non-Jewish,” Simone said. “...Use Shabbat as a way to educate people on our Jewish community and you can use it as a topic against antisemitism and prevention.” Shabbat will begin that Friday evening. Traditionally, two candles are lit 18 minutes before sundown, followed by a Kiddush and then sharing the loaves of challah. Friday evening dinner will allow all members of the community to come together and share what Shabbat means to them. Shabbat ends Saturday evening after sundown. It is estimated that over 20,000 San Diegans will participate in The Shabbat Project, and the San Diego chapter only hopes that number will grow with time. “Shabbat is a chance to sit with each other and peacefulness, a chance to connect after a stressful week, a chance to disconnect — however you choose to do that,” Simone said, “and just being true with your health and with yourself. Take care of your own mental health. You know, check out and check in. Check in with yourself, check in with your family, check in with your loved ones and just truly use it as a base to unwind and connect. But instead of connecting with everyday life, make it something unique and special.” A Registration for Shabbat San Diego events can be found at shabbatsandiego.org.

Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 25

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NEWS San Diego’s Nonprofit Arts and Culture Sector Creates $1.1 Billion Impact A new study by the Americans for the Arts shows that San Diego’s nonprofit arts and culture industry supported 16,900 jobs and more than $1.1 billion in local economic activity last year. All 50 states and Puerto Rico were measured in this study. $528 million was categorized as event-related spending by audiences: restaurant dining, parking/ transportation and even childcare.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus kicks off new season with new works The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus returns to Mandeville Auditorium at UCSD for two nights this November, kicking off their 2023-24 season with “This Soil” on Nov. 4 and 5.

The all-volunteer symphony and chorus will perform modern compositions by Kristen Kuster, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Gala Flagello.

“Arts and culture is a critical industry that supports jobs, generates tax revenue, strengthens the tourism economy and makes San Diego more enjoyable for all of us,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This study demonstrates that arts and culture enhances our quality of life and boosts our city’s economy.”

Standing in Solidarity and Praying for Peace Jewish Family Service shares in our community’s heartbreak and outrage over the news of the horrific attacks against Israel. We’re especially thinking of our friends in San Diego’s sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev. Their close proximity to Gaza makes their community especially vulnerable. It is with a heavy heart we share that our friend Ofir Libstein z”l, Mayor of Sha’ar HaNegev, was murdered as he defended his community. We mourn the lives lost and we pray for healing of those wounded and the safe return of those who have been kidnapped. We join Jewish communities around the world in standing in solidarity with the people of Israel. Together, we pray for a swift resolution and peace for Israel. Deborah Bucksbaum Chair, Board of Directors

Michael Hopkins, MSW Chief Executive Officer

If You Need Support This news also impacts our local community, including our JFS staff who have family, friends and colleagues in the region. The Center for Jewish Care at JFS is committed to providing support to all San Diego Jewish community members. If you or someone you know needs support, we’re here for you. Please reach out to jewishcare@jfssd.org or (858) 637-3018.

Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 27

Local Offerings BY EILEEN SONDAK

BROADWAY SAN DIEGO broadwaysd.com Broadway-San Diego will launch the “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in Concert” tour on Nov. 4 at the Civic Theatre. Next at the Civic is “Mamma Mia!” The musical will sing up a storm at the Civic with its ABBA tunes Nov. 7-12— with San Diego’s Elisa Milendez in a leading role.

CYGNET THEATRE cygnettheatre.com Cygnet Theatre’s world premiere, “The Little Fellow (or The Queen of Tarts Tells All”) a historical drama that sounds fascinating, continues through Nov. 19.

CORONADO PLAYHOUSE coronadoplayhouse.org Coronado Playhouse is mounting a production of the musical, “Xanadu,” through Nov. 12.

28 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

“Xanadu” at Coronado Playhouse. Photo by Ken Jacques.

LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATRE

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

lambsplayers.org

lajollaplayhouse.org

THRU NOV 12: Jane An adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s masterwork, “Jane Eyre,” delights fans of the novel.

The La Jolla Playhouse will turn the spotlight on highly-acclaimed star Matthew Broderick in the world premiere of a comedic adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ literary classic, “Babbitt.” The show–about a successful middle-aged man seeking more meaning in his life–will run Nov. 7 through Dec. 3. It has all the earmarks of a hit.

Following on Nov. 25, Lamb’s will combine the casts of two recent hits (“Respect” and “Million Dollar Quartet”) to make one joyous holiday show. “Respectfully Christmas” will be ensconced at the Lamb’s Coronado home Nov. 25 through Dec. 24.

SCRIPPS RANCH THEATRE scrippsranchtheatre.org Scripps Ranch kicked off its season with “The 39 Steps,” a mix of mystery and madcap comedy. The show will continue through Nov. 19.

Matthew Broderick in “Babbit” at La Jolla Playhouse.

Jewish Responses to Dying, Death and Mourning SAVE THE DATE: JANUARY 20-21, 2024

NORTH COAST REP northcoastrep.org

Ohr Shalom Synagogue has secured partial funding from the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) for a weekend of informative presentations and valuable discussions regarding the subject we all must address: dying. The objectives are to update our knowledge of Jewish laws and customs and become better prepared to deal with our own death and that of a loved one.

THRU NOV 19: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde The suspenseful drama has been described as “wicked and witty, passionate and terrifying.” It will keep audiences spellbound with its twists and turns.

Presenters on Saturday/Sunday January 20/21, 2024 will include Alex van Frank, Attorney and Death Doula, Rabbi Aliza Berk, Marriage & Family Therapist and Jewish Educator, Rabbi Scott Meltzer, Sr. Rabbi, Ohr Shalom, Peter Krantz & Vince Storniolo of Am Israel Mortuary and Rabbi Ralph Dalin, Community Chaplin.

NCRT will feature Randy Otto as Winston Churchill Nov. 6 & 7. “I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce” is on tap for Nov. 30-Dec. 3.

Details are now being planned. This will be an Ohr Shalom event, and open to the entire Jewish community.

(619) 231-1456 | office@ohrshalom.org 2512 Third Ave, San Diego 92103 | ohrshalom.org

Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens at LJMS.

THE LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY theconrad.org The La Jolla Music Society will start the month off with a dance performance, “Turn it Out W/ Tiler Peck & Friends.” American Railroad Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens follows on Nov. 10, and on the 11th, Disney Pixar’s Coco Liveto-Film Concert. Alisa Weilerstein Fragments 2 is set for Nov. 16, followed by pianist Mao Fujita on Nov. 19. Flor de Toloache rounds out the month on Nov. 30. LJMS extended its outdoor concert series as well. Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 29

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Food Sage Roasted Cauliflower with Butternut Puree And just like that, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While turkey may be the centerpiece of your meal, get creative when it comes to side dishes and switch things up with a vegetarian dish that will satisfy meat lovers and vegans alike! Slow roasted cauliflower gets its flavor from a simple herb paste and a splash of apple juice. As it cooks, it becomes fall-apart tender for a show stopping dish that your guests can dig into. I serve it over a sweet butternut squash, but feel free to use sweet potatoes in place of the squash. Serving a crowd? Cut your cauliflower into florets and roast on a sheet pan instead of keeping the head whole! SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS:

PREPARATION:

• 1 medium cauliflower head, leaves removed

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sage, garlic, salt, onion powder, thyme and rosemary. Add a sprig of rosemary and bay leaf in the center of an 8x8-inch baking dish. Place the trimmed cauliflower head on top of the herbs, and cover with the oil and spice mixture. Add the apple juice to the pan.

Cover with foil, and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and roast for an additional 45 to 50 minutes, or until tender.

While the cauliflower is cooking, place the butternut squash cubes on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil, and kosher salt. Roast for 45 minutes.

Remove the squash from the oven and transfer to a blender or food processor with broth, butter, maple syrup and chili flakes, blending until smooth. Add 1 to 2 tbsp. additional broth, as needed.

To serve, heat the 3 tbsp. of olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Place a paper-lined dish beside the stove. Add the sage leaves and hazelnuts and cook until the leaves are crispy, about 1 minute. Remove leaves and nuts, placing on a paper towel. Set aside.

Spread the puree onto a serving dish. Top with the cauliflower and garnish with the fried sage and hazelnuts.

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp. ground sage • 1 tsp. granulated garlic • 1 tsp. kosher salt • ½ tsp. onion powder • ½ tsp. dried thyme • ½ tsp. dried rosemary • 1 sprig rosemary • 1 bay leaf • 1/3 cup apple juice Butternut Puree: • 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 tbsp. olive oil • ½ tsp. kosher salt • 2 to 3 tbsp. water or vegetable broth • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, or non-dairy alternative • 2 tsp. maple syrup • Pinch red chili flakes Fried sage, to serve: • 3 tbsp. olive oil • 1 handful fresh sage leaves • ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts

Cheshvan – Kislev 5784 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 33

ADVICE

ASK MARNIE

by Marnie Macauley, M.S. | marniemacauley@gmail.com

Israel Factoids Fascinating Facts Hebrew: A Re-Birth Hebrew, the language of study, religion, formal and literary works, ceased being a spoken language around 250 B.C.E. It took an early Zionist, Eliezer BenYehuda (1858-1922), to realize that a common language would be required. Upon landing in Jaffa in 1881 (from Lithuania), he established the first only Hebrew-speaking household, worked tirelessly on modernizing Hebrew and began work on the first modern dictionary, completed by his wife and a son after his death. All 16 volumes were finally published in 1959. “Dear G-d...” Hundreds of people a year write prayers and difficulties and mail them to, you guessed it — G-d. The address? “G-d, Jerusalem, Israel.” So where does the mail go? First they go to the Israeli Post Office’s Dead Letters Department, then each letter, collected in a velvet bag, is posted into a crack in the Western Wall. Israeli Diet? According to author Tim Boxer, when Shimon Peres visited Vice President George Bush, Bush told Peres about the benefits of his tennis game, inquiring how the Prime Minister stayed so fit. It wasn’t a terrific secret. “I run the Israeli cabinet,” replied Peres.

Achievements Israel accounts for less than 1/1000th of the world’s population, and is the 100th

34 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM November 2023

”In Israel, in order to be a realist, one must believe in miracles” — David Ben Gurion

smallest country, yet is a world leader in many areas. • Relative to its population, Israel accepts more immigrants per capita than any other nation. • When Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister in 1969, she became only the second elected female world leader in modern times. • Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship — and the highest rate among women and those over 55 — in the world. • Israel has the highest percentage of home computers per capita. • Israel has more museums per capita than any other country. • Israel is the only country to enter the twenty-first century with a net gain in the number of trees. • In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted 22,000 Ethiopian Jews to safety. • When an earthquake struck Western India in January 2001, Israel sent an

entire field hospital, including medical staff and equipment, to help treat injured civilians. • Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000, as opposed to 85 per 10,000 in the U.S.. More, it has the highest ratio of university degrees to its population, the highest per capita ratio of scientific publications and patents filed, and proportionally, it has the largest number of startup companies in the world. • Israelis designed the most impenetrable flight security, and advises the U.S. re: airborne security threats. • Israeli scientists developed the first fully developed no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer treatment. • The cell phone was developed in Haifa by Motorola-Israel. • Windows NT software was developed by Microsoft-Israel. • The Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel. • Voicemail technology was developed in Israel. • AOL’s instant message program was designed by an Israeli software company. • Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the U.S. in Israel.ºA

DIVERSIONS

In PBS series ‘Little Bird,’ a Jewish woman uncovers her traumatic Indigenous past by Shira Li Bartov, JTA News When Jennifer Podemski’s Indigenous mother gave birth at 17, social workers removed Podemski from a Toronto hospital and put her into the foster care system. It was only through the efforts of one social worker, who was retiring, that she was reunited with her mother at three months old. The social worker had saved Podemski from the infamous “Sixties Scoop,” a policy in Canada between the 1960s and 1980s that tore thousands of Indigenous children from their families and put them into the child welfare system. Now a filmmaker, Podemski has drawn heavily on her experience in co-creating “Little Bird,” a six-part series on PBS.

Co-creator Hannah Moskovitch said she felt a heavy sense of responsibility, as a Jew, approaching a story about the near annihilation of a culture. Although the histories are entirely different, some elements of state-executed plans to destroy the Indigenous people in North America and the Jews in Europe looked similar to her — from the meticulous bureaucracy and dutifully law-abiding foot soldiers to the dehumanizing language of “solutions” to Indigenous “problems.” A

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