The week ahead offers many opportunities for community connection. We hope you will be able to take advantage of some powerful and celebratory programs that are happening throughout OC.
This Sunday and Monday we celebrate Rosh Hodesh Iyar, the month that bridges Passover in Nissan to Shavuot in Sivan. Please join the Collaborative and Realize Paradise on Sunday, May 1 at 4:45pm as Kohennet Rachel Kann takes us on a spiritual journey that includes meditation, poetry, chant and soulful sharing. Treat yourself to 90 minutes of YOU time. Click here to join on Zoom.
YOM HAZIKARON: Yom HaZikaron LeHalalei Ma'arakhot Yisrael ul'Nifge'ei Pe'ulot HaEivah
יוֹם הזִּכָּרוֹן לְחַלְלֵי מַעֲרָכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְנִפְגְעֵי פְּעֻלּוֹת הָאֵיבָה
Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism is Israel's official remembrance day, enacted into law in 1963. The observance always occurs on the day before Yom Ha’atzmaut. In 5782 it will be observed on the 3rd of Iyar, coinciding with Wednesday, May 4th. Please join Shevet Tapuz – the OC chapter of Israeli Scouts – for a special memorial service at the JCC. Click here for more information.
YOM HA’ATZMAUT: This celebration commemorates the miraculous day in 1948 (May 14th) that Israel signed its Declaration of Independence. Because it corresponded with the Hebrew date 5 Iyar in that year, Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated according the Jewish calendar. To avoid Sabbath desecration, it may be commemorated one or two days before or after the 5th of Iyar when it falls too close to Shabbat. Because the 5th of Iyar coincides with a Friday this year, it will be observed on Thursday, May 5 (the 4th of Iyar). Synagogues throughout Orange County are holding festivities throughout the week. Click here to learn more.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – May 5th
Three local interfaith councils – Newport/Mesa/Irvine, Greater Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach – will be hosting events in recognition of this annual observance always held on the first Thursday of May. Click here for more information about these three events.
Formalized in 1952 by the United States Congress, people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” The president is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day (Shouldn’t we all be praying everyday?)
While this was not created as an interfaith observance per se, multifaith groups across the nation have come to use this dedicated day to share different rituals and observances associated with prayer in various religious traditions. Often a theme is selected by a group to center the event.
The constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer was unsuccessfully challenged in court by the Freedom From Religion Foundation after their attempt was unanimously dismissed by a panel of a federal appellate court in April 2011. In the early days of America’s history, the Second Continental Congress from 1775 until 1783 established a national day of fasting and prayer, as did President John Adams in 1798 and 1799. Thomas Jefferson established a day of prayer and thanksgiving while he served as governor of Virginia.
COUNTING THE OMER: Today is the 13th day of the omer, a 49-day period with agricultural origins that has evolved into a time for personal growth and introspection. Click here to learn about the art of counting these days and how different Jewish communities engage with this special practice. Join JCoOC on Mondays, May 2 and 9 for an exploration of how the discipline of Mussar that focuses on character development serves to enrich one’s omer observances. Mussar maven, Rabbi Marcia Plumb, is our esteemed ALI scholar for the next two weeks. Learn more and register here.
The following poem was written by Kohennet Rachel Kann in honor of the Jewish month of Iyar (known for its important role in birthing Revelation at Sinai), from her published collection titled How to Bless the New Moon.
Meyaledet / Midwife
How holy to give
your own generative soul
over
to space-holding
for the throes of creation.
How divine to carve out
sweet time for this
devotional
revelation-archeology.
What a dedicated shepherding:
to lead the lonely dreamlamb
through the midnight wetness
of the undulating tunnel,
from the dark cave
of secretive sacrifice
into the bright altar-bath
of broad daylight.
The sacred excavation
of helixed antiquity
and brand-newness,
the exhuming of newborn
remembrancer,
the gentle
brushing away of debris,
the unveiling,
the making of your own heart
into a hothouse
where the most frangible flowers
can root,
flourish,
grow.
Shabbat Shalom, Hodesh Tov and Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameah,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and The Collaborative Team
