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How have Jews shaped San Diego and how has San Diego shaped the Jewish American experience? This lecture uses the San Diego History Center’s current exhibition as a springboard to address these questions, using art, artifacts, documents and video, to present a historical narrative of San Diego Jewish life that considers the interplay between region...

Explore the historical evolution of the relationship between Judaism and Islam, between Jews and Muslims, broadening our understanding and challenging our assumptions. 

One of the most well-known but surprising stories in the Hebrew Bible is the story of the Golden Calf at Mount Sinai. We will study the story in its context and discuss its problems, solutions, and purpose.

Tapestry brings together hundreds of people from diverse ages, backgrounds, learning styles and interests for one evening to learn, socialize and be inspired. The evening will begin with a Community Havdalah and continue with two sessions (24 topics to choose from) and concludes with an Elegant Dessert Reception (*Dietary laws strictly observed) ...

This innovative new course explores the pivotal events of 1947 and 1967 - following the 1917 Balfour Declaration - as key moments when Zionism unleashed new thinking about the meaning of Jewishness for generations to come.  This course engages participants in an open and pluralistic discussion about issues of peoplehood, ethics and theology as...

You don’t have to be Jewish to LOVE Melton. Attend a FREE Taste of Melton and find out what’s behind the buzz. Melton Learning is a fun and open way to learn the basics (and beyond) of Judaism in a pluralistic environment designed for adults at all levels of knowledge and background. Melton classes begin  This sample lecture which will be...

Explore the treasure of irresistible jokes from the Israelite relationship with God to the growing divide between cultural and religious Judaism in the early 21st century. 

MATTI FRIEDMAN-SPIES OF NO COUNTRY: SECRET LIVES AT THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL A tale of Israel’s first spies who would emerge, after Israel’s War of Independence, as the nucleus of the Mossad, Israel’s vaunted intelligence agency. It’s about the complicated identities of these young spies, but it’s also about Israel’s own slippery and fascinating...

Rabbi Lenore Bohm was one of the first 50 women ordained by the Reform movement and the first woman rabbi to serve in San Diego County. In this presentation, Rabbi Bohm will talk about the events that led to the women being ordained in all movements of Judaism, beginning in 1972.  Amusing and unexpected vignettes from her life as a student, a...

Join the CJC for an exclusive curator-led tour of the San Diego History Center’s exhibit “Celebrate San Diego! The History and Heritage of San Diego’s Jewish Community.” Walk through the art, artifacts, documents and videos with Dr. Joellyn Zollman to explore the vibrant Jewish history in San Diego.  Produced in conjunction with the San...

Hear the history of the businesses that occupied the space where the gallery stands today, including details about the seedy underbelly of San Diego’s “New Town”. Speakers include local historians from Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) and the gallery building owners.  The “Sterling Hardware Building” was built in 1924 and designated...

This class will allow students the opportunity to explore the world of ballet and the many Broadway shows that use ballet technique - CATS, WEST SIDE STORY, and OKLAHOMA - just to name a few! While learning basic ballet technique for the stage, students will learn fun and exciting combinations inspired by musical theatre's best. 

In this lecture Stark will discuss Mark Chagall, the world’s preeminent Jewish artist, a master of dreams and storytelling. Chagall’s unique expressive and poetic paintings will be discussed with their images of childhood memories, floating people, flying goats, brides and grooms and fiddlers on the roof.  We’ll look at Chagall's paintings,...