February 11, 2026 | Sh'vat 24, 5786 | | | |
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday, Bad Bunny delivered one of the most unapologetically American halftime shows I have ever seen - singing entirely in Spanish, centering Puerto Rican culture, and declaring, “Mi patria, Puerto Rico. Seguimos aquí. (My homeland, Puerto Rico. We’re still here).
Benito is from Vega Baja - the very same town my father and family come from - so this was very personal for me.
The imagery was not random. Some background for you: the sugarcane fields displayed evoked the island’s complicated colonial history and the labor that built empires. The dangling phone and electric power lines felt like a quiet but unmistakable nod to Hurricane Maria - to fragility, neglect, and resilience; to the way Puerto Ricans stayed connected when systems failed them (I have experienced many times while on the island). And when he handed his Grammy to a little boy, it was more than sweet. It was prophetic. It said: You belong in this story too.
What we witnessed on that field was culture, history, and love carried proudly onto the biggest stage in the country - a reminder that America has always spoken in many languages, carried many flags, and been built by many hands.
As a Jew and Rabbi with proud Puerto Rican ancestry and lineage, I felt a powerful confluence in that moment - a people holding onto identity, memory, and hope in the face of dismissal. That is a story the Jewish community knows well.
The Torah reminds us: “Be strong and courageous… for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go” (Book of Joshua 1:9). Strength here is not about dominance. It is about dignity. And courage is not about erasing difference. It is about standing firmly in who we are.
So what do we do with it?
We refuse to shrink. We teach our children their stories. We honor our ancestors. We sing our songs - in Hebrew, in Spanish (in my case), in English - without apology. We create communities where complexity is strength, not threat. And we remember that bringing our full, authentic selves into public space is not an act of defiance; it is an act of blessing.
America is strongest when we do not flatten difference, but when we stand tall in who we are - and offer that fullness, generously, to one another.
Jason Nevarez
Senior Rabbi
rabbinevarez@cbisd.org
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Friday, February 13
6:15 pm Erev Shabbat Family Service (Dominican Republic Service Learning Trip Sendoff), Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube)
Saturday, February 14
Torah Portion: Mishpatim, Exodus 21:1-24:18 Haftarah: II Kings 12:5-16
9:00 am Torah Study; Leader: Rabbi Elana Ackerman Hirsch, Feuerstein Family Activity Center (diverse access, join us here)
10:30 am Shabbat Lay Led Service, Foster Family Chapel (YouTube)
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2026 BETH ISRAEL TRIP TO ISRAEL
June 28 - July 7
Journey through Israel on an immersive experience of history, resilience, innovation, and hope. Led by Rabbi Jason and Nicole Nevarez, meet educators, journalists, and community leaders, explore museums and ancient sites, and engage with programs supporting war-wounded soldiers and trauma victims.
Enjoy Israel’s flavors through ethnic tasting tours, bustling markets, and cultural experiences, and take part in hands-on volunteering and meaningful learning opportunities that inspire reflection, dialogue, and connection, not to miss!
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No One Should Struggle Alone: The Kindness Initiative Serving Our San Diego Jewish Community
Wednesday, February 18 @ 6:30 pm
Join us to learn about the Kindness Initiative, hear its inspiring story, and help spread the word about this vital work in our community. Hear firsthand from Keren-Dee Hamui, Executive Director, about how this dynamic organization is transforming lives across our San Diego Jewish community.
This month’s Men’s Club Speaker’s Forum & Dinner is co-sponsored by the Men’s Club and Women of Beth Israel.
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Women of Beth Israel Presents: A Rosh Chodesh Series
Thursday, February 19 @ 5:30 pm
Women of Beth Israel is excited to be offering a new Rosh Chodesh Series, under the guidance of Rabbi Ackerman Hirsch. Each month we will discuss a different topic. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
If you already registered and paid for all or certain sessions, re-registration is not required. Please RSVP by February 15.
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Shira Chadasha Erev Shabbat Services
Friday, February 20 @ 8:30 pm
Join us on Friday, February 20 at 8:30 pm for our Shira Chadasha Services (New Song) in the Foster Family Chapel. Replenish your soul with contemporary music and prayer in this intimate and informal service open to all and followed by an Oneg. This is in person only (no livestream available).
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Caring Community Hamantaschen Party Bake!
Tuesday, February 24 @ 6:30 pm
Join us as Sari Hartman leads us in the art of Hamantaschen making. In Caring Community true fashion, we are making it a party with Jello shots, lottery scratchers, Purim Trivia, and masks for all! All Hamantaschen donations to Caring Community are welcomed! Be prepared to celebrate our Jewish identity and resilience as we remember Esther’s bravery and Vashti’s chutzpah! All materials are provided.
Sari has generously donated delicious DUBAI CHOCOLATE HAMENTASCHEN to be raffled off at the end of the evening!! This is going to be a party you won’t want to miss! Space is limited. RSVP today!
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Member Meet Up: JewJam
Saturday, February 28 @ 12:30 pm
Join us for JewJam, a monthly gathering for the joy of playing, singing, learning, and also just listening to Jewish music. Participants suggest songs and provide music. We’ve played Israeli, Yiddish, Sephardic and synagogue music and have sung in English, Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino. All levels welcome.
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Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 1
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Get your wristbands in advance for a discounted early-bird price of $30, covering all games, jumpies, slides, activities, and Vashti's Salon. Starting February 22, wristbands will be $35.
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San Diego Blood Bank Donation
Sunday, March 1
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
As part of our commitment to our community, Beth Israel is hosting a blood drive.
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Purim Service & Spiel: Sincerely Spooky Spiel
Tuesday, March 3 @ 6:00 pm
Attend the tale of Esther like you’ve never seen it before. Why has King Achashveros never been seen in the sunlight? What happens when Mordechai rises from his tomb? And if there’s something strange in your Persian neighborhood, who are you gonna call? Find out at this Sincerely Spooky Spiel…IF YOU DARE!
Join us in the Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube).
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Purim Pizza Dinner
Tuesday, March 3
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Before this year's Spooky Spiel, grab a perfectly normal slice at this annual dinner hosted by the Lee & Frank Goldberg Family Religious School.
| | | MONTHLY AND WEEKLY OFFERINGS | | | Anniversaries: Week of 2/11 -2/17 | | |
Linda & Michael Bennett on 57 years!
Eva & Paul Dickstein on 40 years!
Diane & Buddy Voit on 31 years!
Lee-Ann & Matthew Silver on 22 years!
Elaine Galinson & Herbert Solomon on 12 years!
Leanne Hirsch & Jonathan Walker on 6 years!
| | Julie Alper, Eugene Ben Sara Sophia, Miriam Bat Sarah, Moshe Ben Dina, Chayim Shalom ben Yehudit u’Peretz, Barbara Cohen, Denese Garrick, Wilfred Garrick, Dick Gordon, Stan Herskovitz, Tanya Jablon, Sheldon Larry, Barry Pearlstein, Norman Rozansky, Galina Rubalchenko, Iosif Sakhnin, Sofia Sakhnina, Richard Savitch, Melanie Schwimmer, Rhonda Schwartz, Harriet Shumacher, Mimi Shuman, Sara bat Sheindel Leah Shteyn, Debbie Simmons, Annie Stone, Patricia Ungar, Cathy Weil, and Marilyn Weisman. | | If there is a loved one who is in need of healing, and you would like their name announced during Friday evening services, please fill out the form above. Names will be read for a four-week time period and must be renewed every month. | | |
The Kindness Initiative - 3S: Steaks, Scotch, & Suits (poker)
March 1, 2026 @ 12 pm
Join the Men's Committee for a wonderful poker afternoon supporting Jewish families in need. Enjoy juicy kosher steaks, bring your best scotch for an afternoon of tasting, and compete for prizes & bragging rights.
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Hillel's Annual Benefit
March 1, 2026 @ 1:00 PM PST
Hillel at Davis and Sacramento
328 A St, Davis, CA, 95616
We're excited to honor Rabbi Cantor Jeremy Gimbel at Hillel's Annual Benefit on March 1 in Davis. Rabbi Cantor Gimbel is a UC Davis alumnus (Class of 2008) and will perform at this wild west-themed event benefitting Jewish life at UC Davis, CSU Sacramento, and the surrounding localities in our region. Hillel serves as a vital home for Jewish students who are exploring their identities and always striving to be their unique selves. Many of our students are from San Diego and find a welcoming community here when they are away from home for the first time in their lives. If you would like to give in honor of Rabbi Cantor Gimbel, we would be touched to have your support for our Wild West Annual Benefit!
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Beth Israel
9001 Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
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www.cbisd.org
858 535-1111
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