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: January 25 Add to Cart

Death Wings Workshop: April 12 Add to Cart

Death Wings Workshop: May 17 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.

Temple Beth Israel at Heritage Park in Old Town
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 10:30am-12:00pm

Continuing the tour of San Diego's acclaimed Jewish historical sites, we make our way to Temple Beth Israel, located in Old Town. During this session, Joellyn will share the history of San Diego's first synagogue and the role it has played in the city's Jewish past, present and future.

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: February 19 Add to Cart

Shalomaland: March 19 Add to Cart

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

Great Jewish Musicians Series:
December 18: Great Jewish Pianists, Special guest: Irina Bendetsky, Russian-born pianist
February 19: Great Jewish Conductors, Special guests: David Amos, Music Director, TICO; Robert Gilson, Music Director, San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra

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

Great Jewish Conductors: Feb 19th Add to Cart

Great Jewish Conductors: Feb 19th Add to Cart

Music for Yom Yerushalayim: June 4th Add to Cart

EAST COUNTY LECTURE SERIES:

Understanding and Navigating Spiritual Distress
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 10:30 AM
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd, San Diego, CA 92119

Join us for a thoughtful exploration of spiritual distress - how it arises in times of global uncertainty and in the challenges of our personal relationships. In this lecture led by Susan Freeman, Rabbi and Director of Spiritual Life for Jewish Family Service of San Diego, we will learn how to recognize and name different expressions of spiritual struggle, and discover pathways within Jewish tradition and beyond that can help cultivate resilience, healing, and spiritual well-being.

The Rabbi, The Reverend & Jerusalem: Can Fiction and Friendship Heal What Politics Can't?
Tuesday, February 24, 2025 | 10:30 AM
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd, San Diego, CA 92119

Jerusalem is the spiritual heart of three great religions as well as a place of enduring discord. It's also the inspiration for new novels by two San Diego authors: Here There Is No Why by Phil Graubart, former senior rabbi at Congregation Beth El in La Jolla, and A Rooftop in Jerusalem by Michael Kinnamon, former general secretary of the national council of churches. Their unique presentation will touch on the power of fiction to bridge social divisions, the importance of interfaith understanding at a time when politics seem so fractured, and the city of Jerusalem as a symbol of religious longing and conflict.

These programs are presented in partnership with Tifereth Israel Synagogue

Price: Complimentary

The Rabbi, The Reverend & Jerusalem | Feb 24 Add to Cart

Moses, Freud, and the Buddha: Paths to Mindfulness and Mental Wellness

Tuesdays March 10, 17 & 24, 2026 | 10:00 am
Lawrence Family JCC

This course led by clinical psychologist and meditation teacher Dr. Oded Shezifi explores mindfulness as a pillar of modern mental wellness, tracing its roots from Freud’s early psychotherapy to ancient Buddhist meditation and Jewish spiritual teachings. Through lectures, discussion, and experiential practice, participants will engage with diverse traditions that support reflective, mindful living.

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.

Price: $45 | JCC Members: $36

Moses, Freud, and the Buddha: Paths to Mindfulness and Mental Wellness Add to Cart

JEWISH POETS-JEWISH VOICES: The Magic of Spoken Word

Tuesdays | 7:00 PM Joy Heitzmann, refreshments. | 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.

January 13, 2026, Jewish Poets of the Past: Itshe Slutsky, Russian-Yiddish Poet; Naomi Shemer, Israeli poet/songwriter. Ohr Shalom Choir, director, Elisheva Edelson. Readers, TBA. Selections curated by Janice Alper and Guri Stark.
March 10, 2026, Jewish Poets--Jewish Voices Student evening. Participating schools TBA; open mic.
May 19, 2026, featured poets: David Chait, Betzy Lynch, Donna Rolfe; open mic.
Price: Complimentary

March 10th Add to Cart

May 19th Add to Cart

Brunch & Briefing with Professor Goldberg

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

Brunch & Briefing with Professor Goldberg Add to Cart