Rabbi's Blog

Dear Haverim,

At University Synagogue, we vary our Shabbat programming, so it’s not “the same old” each week.  We are always trying to reflect the diversity of interests of our members and to do outreach to the general community. 

Often, someone attends our services for the first time because of the theme, then continues coming, and then eventually joins our community.

So, please consider these interesting experiences that are coming up over the next 4 weeks, and be with us:

• Friday, June 30, at 7:00 p.m., “The Joys and Challenges of Aging” will be addressed by University Synagogue member Michael Berman, who will discuss ways to make post-retirement living the most rewarding time of life, during Shabbat services, led by University Synagogue members Bill and Valerie Jacobs.  Michael teaches an Adult Education class on this topic at our congregation and wants us to enjoy our senior years to the fullest.  (Click here to RSVP for our in-person services.)

• Friday, July 7, at 6:00 p.m. BBQ Shabbat Dinner and 7:00 p.m., “Americana Shabbat” will be the theme of services when the Cantor and I will lead this service focused on some highlights of American Jewish history.  In addition to Cantor Braier, the following University Synagogue members will be leading contemporary protest and patriotic songs:  Dr. Eric Alcouloumre, Zach Nelson, David Pearl and Charlotte Stone.  So, celebrate our country’s history and heritage on the Shabbat after Independence Day.  (Click here to RSVP for the dinner and our in-person services.)

• Friday, July 14, at 6:00 p.m., we’ll host a delicious Shabbat Dinner with a new group of Merage Israeli Executive Fellows, and SDSU Prof. Lawrence Baron, who will speak on “Projecting Israel in Hollywood Films,” during 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Alive Services.  Our Synaplex Shabbat will include a new group of Merage Israeli Executive Fellows, whose specialty is Food Tech, who will briefly introduce themselves during the service.  Prof. Baron will discuss the role of Israel in Hollywood films, beginning in 1949 when Hollywood produced Sword in the Desert, a sympathetic film about Israel’s recent struggle for independence. 

For the next two decades, American movies portrayed Israel as the natural homeland for Holocaust survivors, the David that slew Goliath, and the modern embodiment of the spirit that had motivated Americans to revolt against England and settle the West.  Although this consensus started to fray in the 1980s, most American motion pictures depicted Israel’s methods of combating domestic and foreign terrorism positively.  This talk traces the evolution of Hollywood’s images of Israel and the broader political factors that influenced them. 

Shabbat Alive services are always joyous and full of music with our Cantor and band, so please be with us.  At each dinner table, there will be a few Merage Israeli Fellows, so don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about their professions, their lives and contemporary Israel.

(Click here to RSVP for the dinner and our in-person services.)

•  Friday, July 21, at 6:15 p.m., enjoy Shabbat Dinner at Laguna Beach’s Crescent Bay Point Park overlooking the ocean. (Please bring your own dairy dinner.)  Then, at 7:00 p.m., we’ll share a lively and joyous service for all ages, sitting in an amphitheater, gazing at the ocean.  These services combine informality, fun, spirituality, and gratitude as we celebrate the power of nature in our lives.  (Click here to RSVP for our Beach Service.)

• Of course, there will be Shabbat services each week, but here are  some to especially save:  Fridays, August 11, at 7:00 p.m., for “Saving Israel’s Democracy,” August 25, at 5:00 p.m., for our “Introduction To Reconstructionism and University Synagogue” for prospective members and anyone interested in our philosophy, followed by a 6:00 p.m. Shabbat dinner, and 7:00 p.m. “Shabbat Alive” services on the topic “Jewish Life On The Best (West) Coast,” and September 8, at 5:00 p.m., for a Family Shabbat Dinner and 5:30 p.m. Family Service for “Pet Shabbat” (outdoors, so bring your pets). 

• There are also two more Saturday afternoon concerts on July 15 at 6:30 p.m. and August 5 at 5:00 p.m., and so much more to do this summer at University Synagogue.

(If you want to watch our services on Livestream, there’s no need to RSVP – just click the link on our homepage at the time of the service or anytime thereafter.  However, please note that our Beach services and Pet Shabbat services will not be available on Livestream).

Summer is always special at University Synagogue, whether in our building or by the beach.  Dress casually, bring family and friends, and enjoy the diversity of University Synagogue.

Kyits Yafeh/Have a beautiful summer,

Rabbi Arnie Rachlis