Professor Jacob Goldberg Lecture Series

POSTPONED

Monday, March 16 - 18, 2026 | 7:00 PM
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

Join us for a captivating lecture series on Israeli and Middle Eastern politics with Professor Jacob Goldberg, Harvard-educated expert and former advisor to Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Explore Arab-Israeli and American-Israeli relations, global diplomacy, and regional challenges. Gain rare insights into Israel’s strategic landscape from one of its leading political thinkers.

Price:
3-Pack: $120| JCC Member $83
By the Day: $42 | JCC Member $36

Brunch & Briefing with Professor Goldberg

POSTPONED

Friday, March 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Lawrence Family JCC

Join us for an exclusive brunch and intimate conversation with Professor Jacob Goldberg, a foremost expert on Middle Eastern politics and former advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Building on his recent lecture series, Professor Goldberg will offer timely insights into Israel’s political landscape and international dynamics. Come with your questions for a thought-provoking debrief and engaging dialogue in a relaxed setting. Brunch will be provided.

Price: $90 | JCC Member $72

Death Wings Workshop

Sundays, January 25, April 12 & May 17, 2026 | 10:00 am
Lawrence Family JCC

In Partnership with Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego

The Death Wings Workshop is a hands-on creative ritual for remembering and letting go. This workshop, created by theatrical performer, playwright, artist and teacher Bess Welden, is a three-hour session for small groups to gently open up to thoughts and feelings about loss and grief while engaging in a meaningful art project. Facilitated by Lawrence Family JCC CEO Betzy Lynch, this community workshop will allow us to not only normalize loss but celebrate what letting go liberates in us, all while creating your very own set of mini-wings.

DISCLAIMER:Space for this program is limited. If you do register, please make every effort to attend. If plans have changed and you are no longer able to attend, please contact laurenl@lfjcc.org

Price: Complimentary

Death Wings Workshop: April 12 Add to Cart

Death Wings Workshop: May 17 Add to Cart

Fudaism! A Healthy, Just, and Jewish Relationship with Food

Wednesdays April 15, 22 & 29, 2026 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

The cliché of the food-loving Jewish bubbe is well known. But Jewish fascination with food goes back to Jacob and Esau’s fight over a bowl of stew. In this 3-week course with Rabbi Mike Rothbaum, explore how Jews have celebrated, blessed, and even fought over food throughout our texts, lands, and history. Previous experience with eating required.

Price: $50 | JCC Member Price: $36

Fudaism! A Healthy, Just, and Jewish Relationship with Food Add to Cart

Shalomaland: A Walking Tour of San Diego's Jewish History

Thursdays, | 10:30 am
Various Locations Around San Diego

Back by popular demand, Shalomaland returns for a second season to explore San Diego's rich Jewish history! Guided by scholar Dr. Joellyn Zollman, we will journey to key Jewish sites across the city, revealing the resonant, layered history of Jewish life in San Diego. From San Diego pioneer Louis Rose to the visionary Jonas Salk, this four-session class will reveal the vibrant Jewish legacy embedded in our fine city.

Ohr Shalom Synagogue and Banker’s Hill
Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 10:30am-12:00pm

After visiting Temple Beth Israel, San Diego’s first synagogue, in our previous session, we now journey to the site of the congregation’s second home - Ohr Shalom Synagogue. Along the way, we’ll explore the Banker’s Hill neighborhood and understand what life was like for downtown San Diego’s Jewish community on the other side of World War II.

Exploring La Jolla through the eyes of Jonas Salk, Louis Kahn, and Roger Revelle
Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 10:30am-12:00pm

For this final class session, we will highlight three Jewish innovators who left an indelible mark on San Diego - Jonas Salk, Louis Kahn and Roger Revelle. In this journey in around the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, we will explore how Salk, Kahn and Revelle influenced the North County region as we know it today and how their significant impact is felt far beyond the Jewish community.


DISCLAIMER:Please note that this class requires a minimum enrollment in order to proceed. If this minimum enrollment is not met, the class will be cancelled. In the event of a cancellation, all enrolled students will be notified and will receive a full refund or the option to credit their registration fee to a future event. Additionally, as many of these sessions take place outside, in the case of poor and/or unsafe weather conditions, sessions will be rescheduled as needed. In the case of a session needing to be rescheduled, you will be given the option to move your registration to the new class date, credit your registration fee to a future event, or receive a refund

Price:
Individual Classes: $30 | JCC Members: $25
4-Class Bundle: $100 | JCC Members: $80

Shalomaland: April 16 Add to Cart

Treasures of the Jewish Music

Thursdays | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Astor Judaica Library
Lawrence Family JCC

Step into the rich tapestry of Jewish musical heritage with. Eileen Wingard and a community of music aficionados as they showcase and appreciate iconic musical gems from the Astor Judaica Library’s Jewish music collection.

Recorded music curated and hosted by Eileen Wingard, retired San Diego Symphony violinist

Jewish Holidays:
Music for Lag B'Omer, April 16, 2026, Special guest TBA
Music for Yom Yerushalayim, June 4, 2026, Special guest TBA

Price: Complimentary

Music for Yom Hazikaron: April 16 Add to Cart

Music for Yom Yerushalayim: June 4th Add to Cart

Scholar-in-Residence Series: A Journey Through Jewish Mindfulness and Mysticism with Rabbi Matthew Ponak

Thursday-Saturday, April 23 - 25, 2026
Lawrence Family JCC

Join us for this journey of spiritual and mystical exploration as guest Rabbi Matthew Ponak guides us through Jewish history and text through the lens of mysticism and Kabbalistic practice. Joined by other mindfulness and spirituality scholars, this program will include traditional education opportunities, immersive learning and provide you with the tools to apply these teachings to your everyday life.

Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 7:00 pm
Embodied Wisdom: Jewish Mysticism in Practice

Join author Rabbi Matthew Ponak for an evening exploring the spiritual insights of his book Embodied Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism for All People. In conversation with Betzy Lynch, CEO of the LFJCC, Ponak will discuss how Jewish mystical teachings can deepen our understanding of everyday life while connecting us to something greater. Blending ancient Kabbalistic wisdom with contemporary insight, this conversation invites us to explore spirituality that is grounded, compassionate, and accessible to all.

Friday, April 24, 2026 | 10:00am
Understanding Hebrew Letters as Forms of Divine Expression

The Hebrew letters are more than marks on a page. In the Jewish mystical imagination, they are living forms of divine expression - vessels through which creation itself is articulated. In this special Shabbat session, Rabbi Ponak will share his contemplative reflections on the sacred aleph-bet and provide a pathway into the architecture of sacred language.

Saturday, April1 25, 2026
The Four Worlds Service | 10:00 am
Inspired by the structure of the Shabbat morning prayers, the Four Worlds Service is a journey through Body, Heart, Mind, and Soul. Rabbi Matthew guides participants through four simple practices that reflect these inner worlds: Qi Gong movement for the body, niggun (wordless melody) singing with guitar for the heart, a poetic spiritual reading for the mind, and meditation for the soul. Rooted in Kabbalah and the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi, the service offers a meaningful alternative to traditional siddur-based prayer. Each practice invites reflection, connection, and a sense of the sacred in a way that is open and accessible to all.

An Evening of Jewish Mindfulness and Mysticism | 7:15 pm
Close out the Scholar-in-Residence series with an evening of learning, reflection, and shared practice. We begin with community Havdallah, followed by an Opening Plenary with Rabbi Matthew Ponak and LFJCC CEO Betzy Lynch exploring the topic of “Temple 1.0, Temple 2.0, Prayer, What’s Next”. From there, dive into breakout sessions led by Rabbi Ponak and other local mindfulness educators, offering tools for presence and spiritual grounding. We end the day together in community with a shared gathering and meditation.

Pricing:
Entire Series (Thursday - Saturday): $66 | JCC Members: $53
Single Day Program (Thursday or Saturday): $36 | JCC Members: $30
Friday: Complimentary

Scholar-in-Residence: Entire Series (Thursady- Saturday) Add to Cart

April 23 | 7:00 pm - Embodied Wisdom: Jewish Mysticism in Practice Add to Cart

Rhythms of Wisdom

Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Experience a joyful drumming class blending global rhythms with Jewish tradition. Explore beats like Samba and Beledi, create grounding rhythms, and improvise in a playful, supportive space. Reflect on Jewish teachings and spiritual themes, connecting rhythm with holidays and wisdom. No experience needed; all instruments provided. Come as you are and let rhythm guide your journey.

Price: $45 | JCC Member Price: $36

Rhythms of Wisdom Add to Cart

Jewish Spirit Song Jam with Adam Shames

Thursdays, May 7, May 14, & May 21 2026 | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Lawrence Family JCC

Join song leader Adam Shames for an interactive session of live music, creative expression, and community singing. With guitar in hand, Adam will guide a joyful mix of classic and contemporary Jewish songs in Hebrew and English. Bring your voice, instruments, and rhythm makers - or use ours - as we sing, drum, and improvise together. Limited to 24 participants.

Price: $36 | JCC Members $30

Jewish Spirit Song Jam with Adam Shames Add to Cart

Frontier | 36th Annual SDIJFF Mid-season Screening

Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 7:00 pm
David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family JCC

1943. Franco has sealed the path of Jews fleeing Nazi persecution across the Pyrenees. At a border crossing in a small village, Manel Grau, a civil servant with a Republican past, chooses to defy his superiors and help refugees cross into safety.

Price: $20 | JCC Member $17

Learn More

Frontier | 36th Annual SDIJFF Mid-season Screening

JEWISH POETS-JEWISH VOICES: The Magic of Spoken Word

Tuesdays | 7:00 PM
Lawrence Family JCC

Celebrate the 19th season of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices! Experience an enriching evening as three talented local poets, handpicked by the JP-JV committee, share their compelling presentations. Following their performances, indulge in a half hour of open mic, where you're invited to share your own voice. Join us for a captivating night filled with spoken word and moments of introspection.

Hosted by Joy Heitzmann, refreshments.

May 19: Featured poets: David Chait, Betzy Lynch, Donna Rolfe; open mic.
Price: Complimentary

May 19th Add to Cart

Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y: Adeena Sussman

Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 7:00 pm
Congregation Beth Am
5050 Del Mar Heights Road | San Diego, CA 92130

Join us for a delicious evening with Adeena Sussman! Adeena will share stories, recipes, and the flavors behind her culinary journey, in conversation with Debbie Kornberg, of SPICE + LEAF. Adeena is here with her new book: Zariz: 100 Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y Recipes.

Presented in partnership with Congregation Beth Am

Price:
Premium Ticket – Includes Book + Meet & Greet: $56 | Member $45
Ticket – Includes Book: $36 | Member $30
Ticket – No Book: $24 | JCC Members: $20

Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y: Adeena Sussman Add to Cart