LJ Soroptimists seek scholarship applicants
The deadline is approaching to apply for the Violet Richardson Award, an annual scholarship for La Jolla high-school girls given by the Soroptimists of La Jolla.
The award recognizes volunteer efforts to improve the community and world with a $500 scholarship prize, plus $250 for the winner’s favorite charity.
The Violet Richardson Award is open to young women in high school between the ages of 14 and 17. Applications are available by e-mailing [email protected], or by calling Rita Gottschalk, (858) 869-5769. Entry deadline is Monday, Dec. 3.
The winner of the La Jolla Soroptimists Richardson Award will be eligible to compete at the regional level, which also awards a matching contribution to the recipient’s charity, on up to the finalist award for one of the regional winners.

Garden Club hosts Holiday Tea
The La Jolla Garden Club will celebrate its 30th Holiday Tea on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Torrey Pines Christian Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North.
The tea will feature a bazaar, bake sale and opportunity table, with lots of holiday treats and gifts. Musical entertainment will be provided by Synergy, a flute and guitar duo.
Tickets are a $10 donation, which goes to support the club’s horticultural scholarships and conservation projects.
The Holiday Tea will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.
For information and tickets call Fran Sheinbein, (858) 450-1769.

Chabad, Charriol host Menorah Lighting
The Chabad Jewish Center of La Jolla and Charriol Boutique will celebrate the age-old tradition of the kindling of the Chanukah menorah with a grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
The event will take place at the Charriol Boutique, 1227 Prospect St., at 6:15 p.m. The kindling will be followed by Chanukah gifts, treats and entertainment.
“The idea of a public menorah-lighting ceremony goes back to the original Chabad philosophy of taking the holiday of Chanukah, as it is in Jewish law, to the streets and making it a festive environment for people of all religions and backgrounds to appreciate the idea of light over darkness, of good over evil,” said Rabbi Baruch Ezagui, director of the Chabad Jewish Center.
The kindling ceremony in La Jolla will be one of many around the world. The event is part of Chabad’s international Chanukah Outreach Campaign, which has been going on for about 40 years, according to Ezagui.
“The Chanukah Outreach Campaign is an international campaign which has been credited for bringing Chanukah to the level it is today in the public field of holidays to the extent that Chanukah became a mainstream holiday,” he explained.
Chanukah is a holiday of human triumph, of the ability to overcome challenges, which is why it resonates well with people of all backgrounds, Ezagui added.
The Chabad of La Jolla is trying to get fire fighters who were deployed in fighting the recent San Diego wildfires to participate in the lighting ceremony and to honor them for bringing light back to San Diego.
For more information contact Chabad of La Jolla, (858) 455-5433.

Historian will visit The Bishop’s School
Historian Dr. Robert Dallek will visit the campus of The Bishop’s School Dec. 3 through 7 as the school’s first Scholar-in-Residence.
Dallek is an expert on American history and the U.S. presidency, specializing in American presidents. He has written books about Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. His newest book is “Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power.”
During his residence, Dallek will meet with students in seminars, lectures and classroom talks.
He will speak on “An Historical Look at the Contemporary Presidency” Thursday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. at Sherwood Auditorium at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St.
The free lecture is open to the public. Since seating is limited, reservations must be made by calling (858) 459-4021, Ext. 790, or by visiting www.bishops.com.

JCC invites families to Hanukkah Happening
The 24th annual Hanukkah Happening will be held Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive.
The event will feature live music, games and craft booths, youth activities, food including a bake sale and a silent auction.
Hanukkah Happening runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $2 for JCC members, $3 for non-members.
For more information, call (858) 457-3030.