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sukkot_newShanah Tovah!

It’s beginning to feel a lot like fall!  Days are getting shorter, college football has kicked off, pumpkin is in everything and the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot is upon us. This year, we are so excited to have Jewish Family Service’s first ever Sukkah designed and constructed by the San Diego New School of Architecture.

And we’re even more excited to invite our SJSP/Jewish Big Pals families to be our guests at a Sukkah celebration on October 1. Please see our Events & Holidays Spotlight below for more information. Hope you can make it!

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Shabbat San Diego Mega
Challa Bake

October has even more to offer! It’s time again for Shabbat San Diego, a community-wide, inclusive weekend of events to engage every San Diego household in Shabbat! This year we will celebrate together from October 26th – 28th. It all kicks off Thursday, the 26th, at the annual Community Mega Challah Bakes now at FIVE locations across the county.  

On Friday night, the 27th, SJSP will be hosting a potluck dinner for single parent families at our campus in Kearny Mesa. More details to come. I hope you can join us to enjoy the peace, tranquility and well-being of Shabbat. 

Did you know our Jewish Big Pals program currently has Big Pals ready to be matched with Little Pals? Little Pals are girls and boys in 2nd grade-12th grade from a single-parent or non-traditional homes who could benefit from a supportive relationship with a caring adult. Our matches not only have fun together, but ultimately build trusting relationships that have a positive impact on your child’s journey to adulthood. If you and your child(ren) are interested in exploring the idea of being matched with a Jewish Big Pal, contact Susan Cohn at susanc@jfssd.org.

We hope to see you and your children soon,  

malissa_winicki_signature

Malissa Winicki
Manager, Family Connections
and Community Engagement
malissaw@jfssd.org
(858) 637-3328

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Susan Cohn
Jewish BigPals Coordinator
susanc@jfssd.org
(858) 637-3056

In this issue:

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SJSP: Discussion Group

What is it?

  • Meet with other Jewish single parents encountering the issues, challenges, and triumphs of raising a child on their own. 
  • A light dinner is provided and a child activity program is available.
  • Newcomers welcome! 

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 | 5:30 - 7:30pm (5:30 - 6:00 dinner & social) – San Diego 
JFS – JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS CAMPUS
8788 Balboa Avenue, San Diego 92123

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 | 6:00 - 7:30pm – North County
Temple Solel
3575 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff by the Sea 92007
Meet in the small social hall.

*Space is limited - RSVP to Malissa Winicki at (858) 637-3328 or malissaw@jfssd.org.

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SJSP & Jewish Big Pals – JFS Sukkah Decorating Party

Sunday, October 1, 2017 | 2:00-3:30pm
Jewish Family Service
Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus
Turk Family Center
8804 Balboa Avenue
San Diego 92123
 
We are happy to welcome JFS families as the first guests to our newly designed custom Sukkah. Let’s celebrate!  Beautifying the Sukkah is a Mitzvah that in which everyone can take part. We will have plenty of supplies for participants to create pictures for the walls and paper chains and decorations for hanging from the roof. Everyone who visits the JFS Sukkah the rest of the week will be able to admire the artistic contributions of our SJSP families and our Big and Little Pals. Contact Malissa for SJSP at malissaw@jfssd.org and Susan Cohn for Jewish Big Pals at susanc@jfssd.org

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SJSP Celebrates Shabbat San Diego 

Friday, October 27, 2017 | Potluck Dinner – 6:30pm
Jewish Family Service
Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus
8788 Balboa Avenue
San Diego 92123

Shabbat San Diego is a community-wide celebration of Shabbat over Oct. 26th – 28th. One of the hallmarks of Shabbat San Diego is to is to have Shabbat dinner with others in our community. SJSP will host this potluck dinner at our beautiful offices in Kearny Mesa, contact Malissa for SJSP at malissaw@jfssd.org for more details.   

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JFS Employment and Career Services

Career Kick-start 
November 7, 9, 14 & 16 | 9:00am-12:00pm

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Jewish Family Service
JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS CAMPUS
Turk Family Center
8804 Balboa Avenue
San Diego 92123

Do you feel stuck in your job search? Are you ready to take the steps to move into the career you’ve always wanted? Do you want professional career guidance to get you started? Kick your job search into high gear with JFS Employment & Career Services' intensive, two-week course designed for people actively looking for employment. To register, click here.

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Volunteer with JFS

foodmobile_delvery_mDeliver a Fresh Meal and Smile to an Isolated Adult
When you are a volunteer driver for Foodmobile, you routinely brighten the day of a homebound older adult or younger disabled adult by delivering a warm meal and a smile. Foodmobile volunteers deliver delicious, kosher meals to homebound older adults and younger disabled adults throughout San Diego County, Monday–Friday, 10:30am–1:30pm. Volunteers are often the only daily visits these individuals receive. Meal deliveries and smiles go a long way. Start the process by filling out the Foodmobile volunteer application

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Jewish Value Spotlight: Sukkot and the JFS Sukkah

You are invited to the new, one-of-a-kind
JFS SUKKAH to celebrate SUKKOT

What is Sukkot (translated into English as “booths” or “huts”)?

It is a festival of Thanksgiving: for the food we harvest, the homes we live in, and for the natural world that surrounds us. The dates for Sukkot this year are October 4-11, 2017. SJSP and Big/Little Pals and their families are invited to a Sukkah Decorating Party on Sunday, Oct. 1st, 2:00-3:30, at JFS, 8788 Balboa Avenue, San Diego 92123.

What is a Sukkah?

It is a temporary booth (reminding us of the booth farmers erected in the fields during the harvest) where – for seven days - we eat, meet, gather with family and friends, and even recall the wisdom, faith and courage of our ancient ancestors. It is a mitzvah (commandment) to eat in the Sukkah!

What else do you during Sukkot

Throughout the Sukkot holiday we fulfill the mitzvah of “shaking the lulav” in the Sukkah. The lulav is made up of 4 species: a palm, myrtle and willow branch and the wonderfully fragrant etrog (similar to a lemon). The lulav reminds us of the important connection between Sukkot, our natural world and the precious resources we take from our environment.

Why does Jewish Family Service have a Sukkah? 

One of the most beautiful mitzvot associated with Sukkot is the commandment to “dwell in the Sukkah.“ (Leviticus 23:42,43). Sukkot is a wonderful time to practice the Jewish value of welcoming guests. That is one of the reasons why JFS has a Sukkah. As we sit together in our fragile, temporary Sukkah, we take note of every precious day and are thankful to be in the company of people who care about each other.

JFS Sukkah (Sneak Preview)
JFS Sukkah

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October 4, 2017 | 6:00pm
Sukkot Under the Stars – Temple Emanu-El

Join us for an outdoor celebration in our courtyard. Reserve by October 2nd to purchase a dinner of pizza and salad for $10 per person. Or bring your own dairy or pareve picnic dinner – no reservation required. Our Klezmer Band, Honorable Menschen, will also be there to liven up the evening. The service starts at 6 pm, with dinner following at 7:30pm. A great evening for all ages. Call (619) 286-2555 for more information.

October 5, 2017
Do Something Nice Day

On the heels of Yom Kippur, plan out something nice you can do for someone today, or several someones!

coastal roots sukkot festivalOctober 8, 2017 | 2:00-6:30pm
Sukkot Festival – Coastal Roots Farm  

Join us for a fall harvest festival celebrating the four species.The event will include storytelling, live music, food vendors, rhythm and dance, lulav making, farm tours, art, and more! $15 suggested donation; all are welcome. Register at coastalrootsfarm.org/events or contact nora@coastalrootsfarm.org for details.

October 12, 2017 | 6:30pm
Simchat Torah Family Service and Celebration – Tifereth Israel Synagogue
Share the joy and celebration that surrounds the holiday that concludes our High Holy Day season. With music provided by Tifereth Israel’s Ad Hoc Polyphonic Klezmer Orchestra we’ll dance and sing throughout our hakafot (Torah processions). Together, we’ll rejoice and celebrate the conclusion of the reading of the Torah. The festivities are for all ages and not to be missed. Have you ever seen a Torah opened all the way? We’ll invite all of the children to sit on the floor while the adults unroll a scroll and surround them with the words of the Torah. This is always a spectacular site and a special memory for our children. Invite friends and family to enjoy the fun! Click here for more information.

October 14, 2017
Old Town's Fall Festival

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is kicking off the fall season with its annual free Fall Festival.The museums and merchants in the state park will be richly decorated and will host family friendly games, activities and entertainment reminiscent of an old-fashioned harvest celebration. A pumpkin-carving demonstration will take place from noon to 4:00 PM under a large shade tree in the center of the town plaza. Musical entertainment and face painting will also take place in the central plaza. Free craft activities will include pumpkin painting, corn shucking, environmentally friendly bird feeders and corn husk dolls in a specially decorated Harvest Home. Participating merchants in the state park will also have craft activities inside their stores. Click here for more information.

del mar harvest festivalOctober 15 – 17, 2017
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show – Del Mar Fairgrounds

This festival includes 24,000 handmade American art & crafts in hundreds of booths, all day entertainment, and kids’ activity center. Each Harvest Festival features hundreds of artisans exhibiting American handmade items including beautiful jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, original art, hand-turned wood, music, ceramics and much more. Enjoy three fun-packed days of shopping, stage and strolling entertainment, and festival food all for the price of one ticket. Remember to get your hand stamped to return as many times as you want without paying again. There's something for everyone in the family, including Kidzones with craft activities for the little ones in most venues. Click here for more information.

October 16, 2017
Dictionary Day

Dictionary Day is in honor of Noah Webster, considered the Father of the American Dictionary. Noah Webster was born on October 16, 1758.  The objective of this day is to emphasize the importance of dictionary skills, and seeks to improve vocabulary.  Webster began to write his dictionary at the age of 43. It took him 27 years to finish it! In addition to traditional English vocabulary, it contained uniquely American words. Whether it is looking it up in the actual book, or using your app on your phone, learn some new words today.

October 18, 2017 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Beth Israel Men’s Club Dinner Forum  

Rabbi Martin Lawson will be our guest speaker where he will discuss “Jewish Views of Bio-Ethics, difficult medical decisions and end-of-life issues.” This program is open to the entire San Diego Community, both men and women. Temple or Men’s Club membership is not a requirement to attend. A buffet dinner will be served. The dinner fee is $15.00 with an RSVP and $18.00 without registering in advance. You can RSVP below. If you wish to register via telephone, contact us at (858) 900-2598, or send us an email at cbimensclub@gmail.com. Click here for more information.

2017 wow festivalOctober 19 – 20, 2017
La Jolla Playhouse  - Without Walls
La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) is four days of immersive and eclectic theatre for adventurous art lovers, thrill seekers and families. Now in its third outing, the festival lands in downtown San Diego from October 19 – 22! From the waterfront to Barrio Logan, artists from San Diego to Berlin will create vibrant, interactive experiences that amplify the energy of the city. You are invited to discover San Diego in new, unexpected ways in this unique festival where the city is the stage and you are both participant and performer. Click here for more information.

October 21 – 22nd | 10:00am-5:00pm
San Diego Kids Expo & Fair – Del Mar Fairgrounds
Expect to see 150 local and national companies that have products and services catered to kids and families. Meet instructors and coaches teaching karate, soccer and football. Or sign up for a gymnastics, talent or dance school. Pet a furry friend like a miniature donkey or touch exotic animals like a huge a snake! Help your budding scientist with experiments or building with one of our STEAMmakers. Let your child make an art masterpiece at a potting wheel or art activity. Ride the trackless train or take a break and catch a kid performance or Magic Show on our Central Park stage or a rockin' kids band at our outdoor Rock n' Roll stage. Help your kids stay healthy with dentist, chiropractic and wellness companies. Get a photo with your child’s favorite princess or movie character. There's so much to see and lots of free indoor activities! For the Outdoor Fair, get your wristbands and head outside. There will be zip lines, a Euro Bungee, a human hamster Ball or Xorbing Ball. Play a game of Lazer Tag or cool new video game in the Gaming Trailer! Or head to the treetops on the Coconut Climb! Got a little one? The inflatable Playland is the place for them, filled with lots of jumpies, mini Xorbing Balls and an obstacle course! Click here for more information.

Every Sunday - House of Israel – FREE!
Visit this showcase of Israeli culture, history, and innovation in the heart of Balboa Park. Click here for more information.

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Edible Art Project – Make Your Torah for Simchat Torah

edible TorahIn October we also celebrate, Simchat Torah which means "Rejoicing with the Torah". This Jewish holiday celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle.

  1. Take two pretzel sticks (rods or dippers, or some such shape, long and straight).

  2. Dip the tops of the sticks into the frosting. Use peanut butter or soy-butter if you prefer.

  3. Use sprinkles to stick to the frosting and approximate decorative finials on your scroll. 

  4. Take a fruit roll-up or fruit leather, preferably a flavor that does not look quite so much like raw bacon, and wrap it around the two pretzel sticks.

  5. If your pretzels are too close together, add a broken piece in between before you roll the fruit leather around them. The broken piece acts as a spacer, the better to mimic the bulk of a tiny scroll inside the mantle.

Enjoy this fun and EASY project!

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