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New operators say no changes planned for historic Temple Beth Israel, except perhaps the pews
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)— The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted last month to move forward with a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) and Ground Lease for the renovation and development of Heritage Park in Old Town with the Heritage Park Company L.P., a subsidiary of Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG).
“We are very pleased with the County’s decision,” said Fred Grand, president of PHG. “As the operators of Old Town’s Hacienda Hotel, we are dedicated to the improvement of the entire Old Town San Diego area. Working with the local community, we look forward to creating and maintaining a revitalized Heritage Park. ”
As part of the agreement, PHG assumed operations and maintenance of Heritage Park beginning on July 1, 2009. With oversight by San Diego County, PHG will develop the budget, plans and scope of work to complete $4 million worth of renovations and repairs to the Park’s existing buildings, as well as manage the existing leases and operate the renovated buildings.
{Ryan Aguinaldo, PHG sales and marketing director told San Diego Jewish World that no exterior changes were planned for the Victorian-era Temple Beth Israel, which is within Heritage Park's front yard. He said pews within the historic structure may be moved in and out of the old synagogue building according to the needs of parties renting the premises. On occasions, he suggested, parties may prefer to have tables and chairs.
{Aguinaldo said the bima and ner tamid would remain untouched as would the historic building's stained glass windows. Temple Beth Israel, built in 1889, was the first home of what is today Congregation Beth Israel in La Jolla. The second and immediate past home was the synagogue building at 3rd and Laurel Streets, now used by Ohr Shalom Synagogue.}
The Ground Lease for Heritage Park includes a 58.5 year term with two 10-year options. PHG’s proposed plan includes contributing $8.3 million to the historic re-creation of four Victorian-era style buildings to be used as lodging – with approximately 84 guestrooms total in both the existing buildings and the re-creations. The plan also allows public access to the Park itself, both for outside touring and community use of the park area adjacent to the entrance. All architectural designs will be created with input from the local community and reviewed and approved by the City of San Diego.
Although San Diego County has jurisdiction over Heritage Park, it has decided to defer the entitlement process to the City of San Diego. PHG will begin obtaining all necessary entitlements prior to close of escrow for Ground Lease.
As a long time member of the Old Town community, PHG President Fred Grand, has been active in the local community for more than two decades and is currently the president of the Old Town Chamber of Commerce.
Give your old car to JFS, get 'Corvettes' in return
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—Donors who give their used automobiles to Jewish Family Service between now and August 24 not only will receive a tax deduction, but also will be eligible for a free meal for two (up to $50 total) at the Corvette Diner at Liberty STation.
Jewish Family Service says proceeds from the donated automobilie will be used to defray costs for more than 50 JFS programs now providing services to the hungry, elderly and needy.
The acceptance of this offer will result in a $50 reduction from the actual tax deductible amount of your vehicle donation, according to JNF
More information is available at the JFS website.
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Bibliyogi Marcus Freed to teach course Aug. 2 in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)— World renowned Bibliyogi Marcus Freed of London, England, comes to San Diego to teach Bibliyoga, a way to engage people of all ages to access ancient Jewish wisdom through the body.
He will teach “Water Sequence: Energy Infusion and Creative Flow on Sunday August 2, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Prana Yoga Center at 1041 Silverado Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. Pre registration is required by calling 858-456-2806 or emailing info@prana-yoga.com.
This workshop is part of a series exploring how each natural element can bring peace and healing to our lives.
According to Freed, "Bibliyoga is a method that helps access your soul in a way that is practical, fun and uplifting. It engages your body, mind and spirit through a combination of dynamic movement and engaging in sacred texts. The practice is life-enhancing, helping you to achieve balance and inner peace. Easy to begin and suitable for all ages, it is a whole new body-soul experience. Sessions are designed around Kabbalistic and Biblical themes for spiritual engagement.
"Bibliyoga is soulfood for the body. We realize our potential and find physical-spiritual uplift through powerful yoga and Torah wisdom. Think yoga with a Jewish twist, where you experience the full stretch and sweat of a great yoga session whilst being uplifted with the thoughts of our spiritual masters. You'll leave re-energized by a full body-soul workout."
Marcus J Freed followed a path toward becoming the Bibliyogi through his journeys as a performer, writer and educator. His spiritual development included 12 months at a spiritual retreat in the mountains of Efrat, Israel, at Yeshivat HaMivtar. It was there that he studied enlightenment texts with three great Talmudic masters, Rabbis Chaim Brovender, Dovid Ebner and Shlomo Riskin.
Marcus gained degrees from the Universities of Birmingham and London, but he met his next teacher at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, where yoga guru Edward Clark was teaching acting and movement. Marcus entered into a spiritual and yogic pupilage with these teachers which continue today. Bibliyoga is concerned with extreme innovation while being connected to a tradition that stretches back 5000 years. Bibliyoga has been taught in 15 countries.
RJC hears Harvard law student
and author Joel Pollak Aug. 4
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—The local chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition hosts Harvard Law Student Joel Pollak at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, Aug. 4, at the La Jolla home of Jim and Sari Esserman.
Pollak won some national attention for his sharp questioning of U.S. Rep. Barney Frank at a Harvard forum about Frank's rol in the subprime mortgage crisis. He served as a volunteer writer for John McCain's unsuccessful cmpaign for the presidency and is the author of Don't Tell Me Words Don't Matter; How Rhetoric Won the 2008 Presidential Election.
The event is free for RJC members and $20 for guests. Call (310) 478-0752 or email California@rjchq.org to reserve.
Senator Boxer wants to read about your health care experiences
WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release) -- U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (Democrat, California) says she would like to hear about constituents' experiences--good and bad--with the health care system to help her and fellow members of Congress shape new legislation for the nation.
If you have a story to share, the senator asks that you send it via http://boxer.senate.gov/features/healthcare/submit.cfm to her offices.
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