October 2021
The Rag Race: Jews and the Schmatta Trade
How and why did Jews come to dominate parts of the clothing trade in the United States in the late 19th century? Providing a lively tour of the clothing markets of antebellum America, this session will explore the unlikely path of Jews from the underside of the clothing trade to its upper reaches. Adam D. Mendelsohn is Director of the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Associate Professor of History at the University of Cape Town. He is the author of The…
Find out more »Member Meet Up: Wineappajewza
Wineappajewza Host: Sarah Garrick Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30 pm We are bringing the vineyard to you! Motzi on up to your favorite spot and join us for Wineappajewza Tuesday, October 26. Raise a glass….or five….from the comfort of your home, complete with literary, music, and delightful food pairings. Our wine guide will treat us to a fun-filled evening of wine tips, tricks, and trivia. The fun will continue after our wine tasting with some time to nosh and talk.…
Find out more »Platt Trip Informational Dinner
11th & 12th Grade Israel travelers, save the date! We will be having our Platt Trip Informational Meeting on October 26th at 6:30pm. The meeting will start with dinner, and the evening will be spent sharing various pieces of important information related to our trip, including our itinerary. Your high schooler won't want to miss it.
Find out more »Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker
Wednesdays mornings from 10:00-10:45 am Give yourself the gift of calm. Join Julie Potiker for this grounding way to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these forty-five-minute mindfulness sessions, you will experience bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment. For past sessions, visit: https://blubrry.com/balancedmind/ About Julie: Julie Potiker is a mindfulness expert with extensive teacher training in a variety of tools and methods, including Mindful Self-Compassion. Through her…
Find out more »Member Meet Up: Wednesday Afternoon Mahjong
Wednesday Afternoon Mahjong Hosts: Randy Savarese and Iloo Gruder Wednesdays, starting October 20 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm Register your foursome if you are interested and we will have tables and coffee available for your enjoyment. Please join us if you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player and do not have a partner. Space is limited. If you are interested, one member of your foursome should register on behalf of your group to reserve a table. No fee, but…
Find out more »Documentary Screening and Discussion: “SPARK: A Systemic Racism Story”
The tragedy of George Floyd’s death sparked a look at the historical context of deep-seated, systemic racism in America. In just 32 minutes, Spark explores the root causes of this systemic racism and proposes remedies in public safety, policing, criminal justice, and social norms. This short documentary is a call to action: Consider becoming a Black community ally. Spark, made by white allies, encourages recognition of unconscious bias and commitment to unlearning a historical narrative that redefined an entire race.…
Find out more »Jewish Genealogy as a Spiritual Pilgrimage
Arthur Kurzweil, the author of From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Personal History will explain how to successfully climb your family tree and why this pursuit can be a life-changing spiritual experience. Find out why there is no better time than now to begin or to continue your family history research--and how to do it! Often described as America’s foremost Jewish genealogist, Arthur Kurzweil’s name has become synonymous with Jewish genealogical research. His highly praised book, From Generation to Generation: How…
Find out more »Adult B’nai Mitzvah
Thursdays, October 14, 2021 – April 7, 2022 (no class Oct. 21, Nov. 25, Dec. 23, Dec. 30, 2021 / Feb. 24, March 17, 2022) 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., except as noted. Friday, May 6, 2022, Adult B'nai Mitzvah Shabbat at 6:15 p.m.) YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THIS…. Did you: Miss out on becoming a Bar or Bat mitzvah as a child? Recently convert to Judaism and are looking for your next learning opportunity? Interested in learning Hebrew and learning Judaism’s basic tenets to participate in…
Find out more »Introduction to Judaism: Fundamentals of Belief and Practice
Thursdays, October 7, 2021 – April 7, 2022 (no class Oct. 21, Nov. 25, Dec. 16, Dec. 23, Dec. 30, 2021 / Feb. 24, March 17, 2022) 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., except as noted. (Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, Learners Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2022, Graduation Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m.) Instructors: Beth Israel Rabbis Fee: Beth Israel members $225 per individual, $250 per couple*; Nonmembers $275 per individual, $300 per couple*. The fee includes books and…
Find out more »Erev Shabbat Chai Service
Welcome Shabbat with this inspirational service open to all in the Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary.
Find out more »Virtual Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Torah Study will be virtua ONLY on Zoom continuing at 9:00 a.m.. You can connect via your computer or telephone using Zoom. You can register just once for all future sessions: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rf--gqTgpE9Ey74eFhwi60yVUeUNpsp14https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uJcqc-GhqzIswQYDIgFGeKY4EgkXp7tauAT After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Come occasionally or come every week. These eclectic and lively discussions about the week’s Torah portion consider the text through traditional and modern commentaries, as well as through the lenses of history, ethics, sociology…
Find out more »Virtual Shabbat Lay Led Service
An informal service, open to all, featuring prayer, singing and Torah discussion in a relaxed and friendly setting. For the Zoom link, please contact Gordon Glenn at gaglenn@prodigy.net to be added to the Lay Led Service list. For those who do not have your own Mishkan Ti’filah for Shabbat, you can get a Kindle version for $4.99 at the following link: Amazon/Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Mishkan-Tfilah-Shabbat-Reform-Siddur-ebook/dp/B016R0HSLU/ref=sr_1_2 If you have an iPad or iPhone, you can download a Kindle App from the iTunes Store and…
Find out more »Member Meet Up: Knitting and Crocheting for Caring Community
Knitting and Crocheting for Caring Community Host: Netanya Cranford and Melanie Book Sunday, October 31 during Religious School Once you’ve gotten the kiddos settled into Religious School, come join us in the Price Family Courtyard at Beth Israel (masks please) to knit and crochet items for Caring Community. We will supply the yarn and knitting needles, just bring yourself! If you need to freshen up your knitting or crocheting skills, Netanya and Melanie have offered to provide some direction, but…
Find out more »Member Meet Up: Bicycle ride up the coast
Bicycle ride up the coast Host: Alison and Steve Prager Sunday, October 31 during Religious School Drop the kids off at Religious School or just come and join for a 20 mile round-trip bike ride up the coast. Meet at the top level of the Temple parking structure and plan to leave no later than 9:15 am. If desired, others can go for a longer ride. Road bicycles only. Registration will be limited to 20 folks. No fee, but please…
Find out more »Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet
Seth Rogovoy presents a multimedia program exploring the Jewish influences in the life and work of the Nobel Prize-winning rock poet. With the aid of video, audio clips, still images and textual comparison, Rogovoy will illustrate how Bob Dylan’s songwriting has always been profoundly rooted in Jewish writings, including the Torah, the Prophets, the Talmud, liturgy, and mysticism. Seth Rogovoy is a writer, radio commentator, lecturer, and concert and record producer. Termed “American Jewry’s greatest Dylan scholar” by Religion News Service, Seth is the…
Find out more »November 2021
Virtual Food Drive supporting Mama’s Kitchen
Beth Israel is once again proud to partner with Mama's Kitchen for our November Food Drive! Mama's Kitchen provides medically tailored nutrition and meals to San Diego County neighbors living with HIV, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease. Last year, Mama's Kitchen home-delivered more than 528,000 meals to San Diegans in need. Please help me support Mama's Kitchen by making a Virtual Food Drive donation through my page. The process is fast, easy, and secure.…
Find out more »Shavua Tov Cafe
Start your week off on a positive note. Join Katey Lindley, Director of Caring Community, every Monday morning at 9:00 am on Zoom with your favorite morning wake-up beverage, as we explore Jewish quotes, humor and blessings. What could be bad? No fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. For Beth Israel members only. RSVP just once to receive the Zoom link and password.
Find out more »“From Rajisthan to the World, the History and Culture of the Roma” led by Yale Strom
For many people, the word Gypsy evokes an air of mystery and romance and scenes of unbridled dancing, fortune-telling, music, and brightly painted caravans of horse-drawn carriages. The word “Gypsy” has become synonymous with the kind of wanderlust and exhibitionism we find tempting and dangerous, fantasies kept hidden deep within ourselves, rarely acted upon. No other ethnic group in the world has its name so popularly used as an adjective by an artist (all too often written with a small…
Find out more »Ethiopia: The Land of Origins
Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture and great modern challenges. Within its borders, you’ll find the world’s fourth-holiest Islamic city, along with the oldest continuously-occupied town south of the Sahara. Compelling antiquities include the medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and Gheralta, palaces and temples dating back 3,000 years, the magnificent 17th century castles…
Find out more »That Sounds Familiar: The Stories of Adam & Eve, The Garden of Eden and Noah in Context
The stories in the first few chapters of Genesis are familiar to us all; we know what we see in our mind’s eye when we hear the phrase “forbidden fruit,” or what we envision when we think of the ark that Noah built. But how were these stories heard in a world where Zeus, Marduk, or Amon-Ra reigned supreme? The stories of the nascent world had elements that would have been easily recognizable and understandable to the ancient audiences, but…
Find out more »