September 2022
Roots of Antisemitism and Its Contemporary Resurgence
Dive into the uneasy questions of antisemitism in politics with the editors and contributors of Looking for an Enemy: 8 Essays on Antisemitism. From medieval accusations that Jews murder Christians for their blood to the modern-day conspiracy theories animating present-day political discourse, it’s clear that the belief that Jews are plotting against society never dies—it just adapts to suit the times. Join the editor and contributors of Looking for an Enemy: 8 Essays on Antisemitism and AJU's President Dr. Jeffrey Herbst for a nuanced,…
Find out more »Fighting Internalized Antisemitism
Find your Jewish pride and reclaim your Jewish story with author Ben M Freeman, and AJU’s President, Dr. Jeffrey Herbst. How do we reclaim our Jewish story if we never knew how to tell it in the first place? Join AJU’s President, Dr. Jeffrey Herbst and author/educator Ben M. Freeman for an engaging conversation on Jewish pride, internalized antisemitism, and so much more. Discover why Jewish people need to reject the shame of antisemitism imposed by the non-Jewish world and how to define your…
Find out more »California State Ballot Measures with Jason Bercovitch
Tired of watching commercials about Prop 27? Worried about how long your ballot is going to be? Concerned that a yes vote means no and a no means yes? Have no fear, help is here. Join us to learn about all the statewide propositions and local ballot measures you will have a voice in deciding this November. Our temple member Jason Bercovitch will give a non-partisan, unbiased presentation on what each proposition would actually do, who supports and opposes each proposal, and…
Find out more »October 2022
Volunteer at Rachel’s Women’s Center
Rachel’s Women's Center provides overnight, emergency, short/midterm, safe and sober shelter for homeless women. To sign-up for a volunteer slot, follow this link. Congregation Beth Israel's Women of Beth Israel and Social Action Committees invite you to help us feed 28-32 hungry, homeless women on the second Sunday of even-numbered months, at Rachel's Women's Center (plus Christmas Day!). We appreciate sign-ups for one or more slots/dates, as explained below. Our plans for the next dates & times, subject to the updates below, are: At the present time--All pickups…
Find out more »Pursuing Justice – Union for Reform Judaism
Join us for one or both online sessions. “Justice, Justice, you shall pursue” commands the Bible. Delve into foundational Jewish teachings about a systemic approach to justice, including the obligation to provide for society’s most vulnerable and to set up a fair legal system. Tuesday, October 18; 8-9:30 p.m. ET Explore the proud tradition of social justice activism by the Reform Movement and where we stand today on contemporary concerns like civic engagement and anti-racism. Put your learning into action…
Find out more »Pursuing Justice – Union for Reform Judaism
Join us for one or both online sessions. “Justice, Justice, you shall pursue” commands the Bible. Delve into foundational Jewish teachings about a systemic approach to justice, including the obligation to provide for society’s most vulnerable and to set up a fair legal system. Tuesday, October 18; 8-9:30 p.m. ET Explore the proud tradition of social justice activism by the Reform Movement and where we stand today on contemporary concerns like civic engagement and anti-racism. Put your learning into action…
Find out more »November 2022
November Collection benefitting G’mach: San Diego’s Jewish Gift Closet
Beth Israel encourages all members and guests to bring new items from the below list throughout the month of November 2022, to help support G'mach: San Diego's Jewish Gift Closet. G'mach is an acronym for Gemilut Chasadim or Deeds of loving-kindness. Items donated to the G'mach are given for free to recipients in need from their warehouse located off Miramar Road. Item List: Shampoo Conditioner Toothpaste Toothbrushes Deodorant Soap Shaving cream Disposable razors Kitchen mixing bowls Cooking utensils Pots Pans…
Find out more »Broad commonalities & differences of the Abrahamic faiths, addressing the question of: Who is my neighbor?”
The San Diego School of Christian Studies (SDSCS) cordially invites you to celebrate and join the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 curriculum. Who is my neighbor? Engage with us in asking deep questions. How do we build relationships with those who are different from us? How can we understand “the other?” Join us as we explore these and many similar questions through 1) expert lectures and a panel discussion; 2) experiencing art from various cultures and religions; 3) and participating in…
Find out more »42nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Experience
Beth Israel and First United Methodist Church will join together for the 42nd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 13, at 4:00 p.m. This year Beth Israel is hosting the service (9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, CA 92122). The event will begin in the Sanctuary at 4:00 pm with communal worship. We will continue into the Social Hall at 5:00 pm for a community service project and festive meal. Please bring some of the following items to contribute…
Find out more »December 2022
December Collection benefitting Rachel’s Women’s Center
Beth Israel encourages all members and guests to bring new items from the below list throughout the month of December 2022, to help support Rachel's Women's Center. The mission of Rachel's Women's Center is to provide a safe, supportive environment and opportunities for women with few or no resources to gather, begin, and continue self-help efforts. To learn more, visit: https://ccdsd.org/homeless-womens-services/ The collection bin is located in the Sanctuary foyer. Item List: Bleach (gal) Bowls (175 ct) Clorox Wipes (85…
Find out more »Antisemitism Today: A San Diego Town Hall with Mayor Todd Gloria
Registration for this event is now closed.
Find out more »Placing Jewish Ritual Stones at Veterans’ Graves
Each year, thousands of volunteers across the country participate in the Wreaths Across America remembrance program to visit over two-thousand veteran and private cemeteries to place millions of remembrance wreaths atop the graves of our veterans. Here in San Diego, our WWA committee has initiated a practice to honor and remember veterans of the Jewish faith with the custom of placing Jewish Ritual Stones atop the veterans’ gravesites. Rabbi Cantor Arlene Bernstein will lead the opening ceremony for this meaningful…
Find out more »Volunteer at Rachel’s Women’s Center
Rachel’s Women's Center provides overnight, emergency, short/midterm, safe and sober shelter for homeless women. To sign-up for a volunteer slot, follow this link. Congregation Beth Israel's Women of Beth Israel and Social Action Committees invite you to help us feed 28-32 hungry, homeless women on the second Sunday of even-numbered months, at Rachel's Women's Center (plus Christmas Day!). We appreciate sign-ups for one or more slots/dates, as explained below. Our plans for the next dates & times, subject to the updates below, are: At the present time--All pickups…
Find out more »Volunteer at Rachel’s Women’s Center
Rachel’s Women's Center provides overnight, emergency, short/midterm, safe and sober shelter for homeless women. To sign-up for a volunteer slot, follow this link. Congregation Beth Israel's Women of Beth Israel and Social Action Committees invite you to help us feed 28-32 hungry, homeless women on the second Sunday of even-numbered months, at Rachel's Women's Center (plus Christmas Day!). We appreciate sign-ups for one or more slots/dates, as explained below. Our plans for the next dates & times, subject to the updates below, are: At the present time--All pickups…
Find out more »January 2023
Collection benefitting the village of La Guama, in the northwest region of the Dominican Republic
We are excited to announce that a delegation of teens and adults from Beth Israel will be participating in a Service Learning Trip to La Guama, a village in the northwest region of the Dominican Republic. During their time there, they will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by building a home for a local beneficiary family and participating in a cross-cultural exchange. They will also witness firsthand the harsh realities of poverty and have the chance to…
Find out more »Volunteer at Interfaith Shelter Jan 3 – Jan 14, 2023
Beth Israel and Interfaith Shelter Network are co-hosting guests at St. James by-the-Sea. Guests will arrive Tuesday, January 3rd, to officially launch the start of the eleven-day period at St. James. Each guest is pre-screened and receives additional case management support as they endeavor to get their lives on more solid footing. Guests will stay in the Parish Hall and will be with at St. James by-the-Sea on weekdays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 am the following morning. In addition…
Find out more »Men’s Club Speaker Forum: Antisemitism in Visual Art Since the Middle Ages
In general, when we talk about antisemitism, people think about the Nazis, the Holocaust, or contemporary antisemitism. The aim of this presentation is to show that antijudaism has been expressed in visual art since the early Middle Ages. This, and other types of discrimination have been encouraged by political and religious powers and these actions paved the way to persecution and genocide. Jews have been depicted as monsters, subhumans, animals, or demons. Medieval depictions of monsters were not designed simply…
Find out more »Poverty Simulation: Understanding Through Experience
The purpose of this simulation is to give participants a small taste of what life is like on an extremely limited income. During the simulation, participants will join the millions of U.S. citizens who live, for one reason or another, with incomes below the poverty line. They will be facing some of the many challenges that real low-income families face. This is an active event designed to give participants a first-hand glimpse of navigating the systems needed to survive and…
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