In the Book of Esther, we read that Purim is a time for "feasting and merrymaking," as well as for "sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor" (Esther 9:22). In addition to reading the M'gillah (Book of Esther), celebrants dress in costumes, have festive parties, perform "Purim-spiels," silly theatrical adaptations of the story of the M'gillah, send baskets of food (mishloach manot) to friends, and give gifts to the poor (matanot l'evyonim). (From: https://reformjudaism.org/purim-customs-and-rituals) This year, our Matanot L'evyonim project is…

Join us for Beth Israel's Hunger Banquet, a meal to learn about world hunger and poverty. This is an interactive, experiential, and memorable event hosted by our Social Action Committee that you will never forget. ATTENTION TEENS: To volunteer as part of Good Deeds Day, visit https://motivsandiego.org/app/project/gbFY8ZbAXG3NnZS4K

Join our Team and help make San Diego No Place for Hate®! Register: https://support.adl.org/team/210967 For information about the Walk, visit: https://support.adl.org/event/adl-san-diego-walk-against-hate-2019/e211578 When is the Walk? May 19, 2019, at 8:30 AM-12 PM in Liberty Station, Point Loma. Registration opens at 8:30 AM. The Walk will begin at 9:45 AM. How long is the Walk? Two laps on the Walk route is equal to 5K. The Walk Against Hate & Diversity Expo began in 2010 at ADL Philadelphia. Here in San Diego, we are celebrating…

During the last school year more than 23,000 children were identified as homeless in San Diego County. Students experiencing homelessness and in foster homes face many hardships – having the right school supplies shouldn’t be one of them. Students equipped with the school supplies they need are able to participate fully in the classroom from the first bell. Every student should have that opportunity. You can play a significant role in a child’s life when school reopens in the fall. Please…

Join us anytime between 6:00pm-8:00pm for a Poster and Shirt Making Party in advance of Pride Parade! The annual San Diego Pride Parade, on July 13th, 2019, is the largest single-day civic event in the region and is among the largest Prides in the United States, attracting over 200,000 people. To learn more and sign up to march with Beth Israel, visit: https://cbisd.org/programs/beth-israel-marches-san-diego-pride-parade/ Materials will be provided (A supply of 20 blank white t-shirts in Med, L, and XL will be available) as…

This August, join Reform Jewish rabbis, cantors, adults, and teens from congregations across the state as we gather in Sacramento to lobby for a better California. We'll urge our legislators to make the Golden State reflect our Jewish values of justice, compassion, and wholeness. The event takes place on Tuesday, August 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the State Capitol. This is RAC-CA’s most powerful and transformative event of the year. We'll teach you how to lobby and…

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Cook and Serve for the JFS Safe Parking Program By providing meals, our volunteer dinner groups provide both nutritious food and a sense of community. With a focus on stopping the downward spiral of homelessness, Safe Parking offers not just a reliable place to stay, but also a welcoming environment, meaningful resources, and dignified support to create a pathway to housing while meeting people where they are now.

FOOD DRIVE FOR MAMA’S KITCHEN Help us collect food to benefit Mama’s Kitchen, a support organization for those living with HIV/AIDS. Mama’s Pantry, a program of Mama’s Kitchen, provides a nutritional shopping opportunity at no cost for men, women, and children of San Diego County affected by HIV/AIDS. We will be collecting food all month of November, there will be bins on the Beth Israel campus starting November 1st in the synagogue foyer. You can help by purchasing one or…

Sunday, November 10, 10:00 a.m. (at the home of Paul & Eva Dickstein) Help Send a Care Package! Donate to create a care package (cost $32) to send to active duty soldiers serving our country and/or come to help us pack the boxes. To donate or to sign up to help pack, contact Paul Dickstein at pwdbicycle@aol.com

Please join the Jewish Community Foundation, Congregation Beth Israel, Interfaith Community Services, and Alliance for Regional Solutions for this eye-opening experience. This program is designed to provide participants with an interactive experience to better understand what it means to live in a low-income family, struggling to survive from day today. There is a $10 participation charge to reserve your space. All proceeds will be donated to organizations serving vulnerable populations. Past participants have commented on how impactful the experience was to understand what low-income San…

Helping a refugee resettle can be a years-long commitment. It requires the coordinated action of a broad support network, and the compassion of everyday people like you—who understand that no one asks to be a refugee, and who commit to helping them overcome traumatic pasts and move toward a more stable future. Please consider joining us. Refugees arrive in San Diego with their memories, their hopes, and a few belongings. Together we can help Welcome them Home. Refugee families arrive…

If you have ever turned on the TV (or opened your mail box) within a couple of weeks of an election, you’ve probably seen all of the commercials for propositions and local measures that will be on the ballot.  The onslaught can often make it confusing to decipher what a yes or no vote would really accomplish. Don’t lose focus on the dozens of candidates.  Come learn about those propositions and who's supporting/paying for the “lovely” adds.  The session, led by…