November 11, 2026 | Kislev 1, 5787 | | | |
Dear Friends,
On this Veterans Day, I find myself thinking about my grandfather, George Shapiro (z”l), who served our country in both World Wars - first in the Army during World War I, and later in the Navy during World War II.
As an immigrant, my grandfather understood both the promise of America and the sacrifices required to defend it. Yet what I remember most is how he spoke about those with whom he served. His fellow soldiers and sailors came from different backgrounds, faiths, and walks of life. He spoke of them as his brothers and sisters, people who always had his back, just as he had theirs. Their differences mattered far less than the trust, loyalty, and shared humanity that bound them together.
My grandfather understood something we desperately need to remember today: Some of the most meaningful relationships in our lives are not with those who see the world exactly as we do, but with those who help us see it more fully.
For decades, Congregation Beth Israel and First United Methodist Church of San Diego have cultivated such a relationship. We have celebrated, mourned, stood alongside one another in difficult moments, traveled to Latin America, and discovered that the bonds between us run far deeper than our theological differences.
At a time when so much of our public discourse encourages us to define ourselves by whom we oppose, our interfaith friendships remind us that conviction need not come at the expense of compassion.
The prophet Isaiah imagines God's house as beit tefillah l'chol ha'amim - "a house of prayer for all peoples" (Isaiah 56:7). Not a world without differences, but one in which those differences need not prevent us from recognizing the sacred in one another.
This Sunday at 4:00 p.m., we will gather at Beth Israel for our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with First United Methodist Church. I hope you will join us.
This gathering will be especially meaningful as it marks our final Thanksgiving service with Pastor Trudy as First United Methodist's lead pastor. She will offer this year's sermon, and I hope we will turn out in meaningful numbers to express our gratitude for her friendship, gracious leadership, and unwavering commitment to our shared relationship.
As we honor our veterans this week, I return to my grandfather's example. He and his fellow servicemembers did not need to believe alike to stand together. They understood that their lives and futures were bound up with one another.
In a fractured world, that lesson remains as urgent as ever. And the friendships we choose to nurture become a statement about the future we believe is possible.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Jason Nevarez
Senior Rabbi
rabbinevarez@cbisd.org
| | 6:15 pm Erev Shabbat Family Services, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube) | | Torah Portion: Tol’dot, Genesis 25:19 – 28:9, Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7 | | 9:00 am Torah Study; Leader: Rabbi Yael Ridberg, Feuerstein Family Activity Center (diverse access) | 10:00 am The congregation celebrates a B’nei Mitzvah Service, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube) | 10:30 am Shabbat Lay Led Services, Foster Family Chapel (YouTube) | | 4:00 pm The congregation celebrates a B’nei Mitzvah Service, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube) | | 4:00 pm Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube) | | | | |
Women of Beth Israel Presents: A Rosh Chodesh Series
Thursday, November 12 @ 5:30 pm
| Join Women of Beth Israel as we begin our second Rosh Chodesh series under the guidance of Rabbi Elana Ackerman Hirsch, who will also lead this month’s gathering. Celebrate the new moon through study, conversation, and sisterhood, with a different topic and speaker each month. | | | | |
46th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 15 @ 4:00 pm | Beth Israel
| Celebrate gratitude and community at our Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, featuring the choirs of Beth Israel and First United Methodist Church of San Diego, followed by a reception. Please bring new socks in all sizes to benefit the clients of Father Joe’s Villages. | | | | |
BIBS: Beth Israel Babies is back!
Wednesdays, November 18; December 2, 9, 16 @ 9:15–10:00 am
| BIBS is a warm, engaging participation class for babies and the adults who love them! Enjoy age-appropriate play, exploration, music, movement, and early Jewish experiences at Beth Israel’s Bill & Sid Rubin Preschool in the UTC area. $15/class. | | | | |
Speaker’s Forum & Dinner Sponsored by the Men’s Club
More Than a Conversation: The Power of Human Connection at House of Israel
Wednesday, November 18 @ 6:30 pm
| Hear from Stephanie Nisan, President of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, about how one-on-one conversations with visitors from around the world build bridges, challenge misconceptions, and create meaningful human connections. | | | | |
Men’s Club at Father Joe’s Villages
Sunday, November 29 @ 8:30 am
| Join the Men’s Club to serve brunch at Father Joe’s Villages. All Beth Israel members are welcome, including youth ages 10 and older accompanied by a parent. Share in this rewarding mitzvah and connect with fellow volunteers! | | | | |
Latkes & Vodka, A World of Light
Thursday, December 3 @ 6:30 pm
| Join Women of Beth Israel for Latkes & Vodka: A World of Light! Enjoy delicious latkes, festive cocktails and mocktails, and Chanukah traditions from around the world. Share a favorite family tradition, recipe, or photo to be considered for the celebration. Visit the event page for submission details. | | | | |
Men's Club Latkes for Preschool
Wednesday, December 9, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm
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Grab your favorite spatula and join the Men’s Club to prepare and serve latkes to our preschool children and families.
All Beth Israel members are welcome! Please RSVP to Jeff Harris by December 1.
| | Light Up Your Chanukiah, Erev Shabbat Chanukah Services & Night of Lights Oneg | |
Friday, December 4
5:00 pm Young Family Chanukah Shabbat, Foster Family Chapel
6:00 pm Light Up Your Chanukiah (BYO chanukiah), Price Family Courtyard
6:15 pm Erev Shabbat Chanukah Services, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube), followed by Night of Lights Chanukah Oneg, David & Dorothea Garfield Social Hall
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The Building for the Future Campaign is enhancing our campus for generations to come. From restoring and improving our sacred spaces to creating a new progressive mikveh, these projects will strengthen our congregation and expand opportunities for Jewish life, learning, worship, and connection.
If you have not yet made your campaign commitment, we invite you to join us by November 30. Your support will help make these important improvements possible and ensure Beth Israel continues to be a welcoming home for our community for generations to come.
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Women of Beth Israel is counting on you!
Celebrate the blessings in your life by supporting Women of Beth Israel. Your donation helps sustain meaningful programs, Religious School scholarships, camperships, Caring Community projects, and opportunities for connection. Together, we can continue strengthening our Beth Israel community for generations to come.
| | MONTHLY & WEEKLY OFFERINGS | | Anniversaries: Week of November 11–17 | | |
Lynn & Richard Altes on 32 years!
Debra & Eric Geller on 24 years!
Stacey & Joshua Wallach on 22 years!
Kim & Adam Leitzes on 17 years!
Jessica & Andrew Bleier on 16 years!
Tamar Caspi & Mark Romano on 14 years!
Roxanne & Peter Neems on 14 years!
Kimberly & Michael Center on 13 years!
Judy & Joshua Turnbull on 13 years!
| | Nicole Ahadian, Julie Alper, Wendy Batterson, Sondra Berman, Robert L. Berman, Susie Elitzky Shoshana bat Yehudit, Nathan Elitzky Naftuli ben Aharon Labe, Perach bat Feigele, Sherwin Friedman, Denese Garrick, Wilfred Garrick, David Gilmore, Joey Gilckman, Lee Goldberg, Sheila Goldfarb, Dick Gordon, Tanya Jablon, Richard Katz, Lisa Kutner, Sandra Levinson, Julieta Velasco Medenilla, Leah Belloew McCune, Alison Okim, Barry Pearlstein, Stacey Rael, Leovigildo Rodriguez, Maria Rodriguez Iturbe, Nanci Roth, Norman Rozansky, Galina Rubalchenko, Sarah Bat Batya u’ Moshe, Sarah Yocheved bat Channah, Sandy Shearer, Harriet Shumacher, Mimi Shuman, Rhonda Schwartz, Debbie Simmons, Audrey Slater Ratner, Heather Smith, Marty Stern, Cathy Weil. | | |
Beth Israel
9001 Towne Centre Drive San Diego, CA 92122
cbisd.org | 858-535-1111
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