Before you read further, please LISTEN to THIS! Sound familiar? Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Rosh Hodesh Elul. Today begins the next phase of our journey toward AT-ONE-MENT, a state we hope to achieve in full by the end of Yom Kippur, 39 days from now. Beginning this morning – the 1st of Elul – we will hear the sound of the shofar every day (except on Shabbat) to help us prepare for the Days of Awe. With the proliferation of YouTube and all things internet, hearing the shofar every morning is but a click away.
Fifteen years ago, Jewish musician and innovator Craig Taubman launched a project titled "Jewels of Elul" – daily doses of inspiration to help us use this precious month of spiritual preparation to understand that whatever regrets, hopes and longings that we may feel are shared by others, and we can draw insight from their open-hearted wisdom. Enjoy today’s first reflection written by Orange County daughter, Rabbi Nicole Guzik and consider signing up to receive “a-jewel-a-day” for the rest of the month. I love them!
I am also a big fan of ‘God Cast’ – a series of short animated divreiTorah that were first created in 2009. The project ran for several years and there are multiple episodes associated with every parashah in the Torah as well as holidays and the megillot. Rabbi David Saperstein wrote and narrated one for Parashat Shoftimin 2009 that is as relevant as ever. Considering some of today’sheadlines (two different links), I find the cautionary and timeless wisdom in Shoftim stunningly apt.
One of the historical uses of the Shofar in community is to announce imminent danger. Never in my life could I have dreamed up a news article titled Put a Face Mask on Your Shofar So You Won't Blast the Virus to Worshipers.And it’s not even Purim! Synagogues and communities around the world have been investing untold hours trying to figure out how to make this year’s New Year celebration a source of connection and meaning, even if we cannot hug one another and sing our hearts out together in worship. As this article highlights, we are thinking about things we have never considered before. God forbid our commandment to hear the shofar could lead to even one serious illness or worse.
The Jewish Collaborative is about to unveil our robust menu of religious services, events and programs that will make up this year’s 5th annual High Holiday Series: “Experience the New Year INside and OUTside the Box.” We hope you will be able to join us for one, some or all of our programs, many of which are offered in collaboration with other organizations.
You bring the face masks. We'll bring the mahzors. We will be delighted to deliver prayerbooks, apples, honey and a traditional round hallah to your home. Consider inviting one other family within your personal circle of friends to join you in your back yard. If possible, watch services on a large monitor (as opposed to on your phone or laptop) so they feel more present and special.
We are grateful that you are connected to the Collaborative, and hope we can enhance your New Year experience.
For those of you who missed seeing “That’s Entertainment!” on August 16, CLICK HERE to enjoy the performance at your leisure. Please be sure to join us for our second program, “A Shabbat to Remember,” with Sam Glaser and Neshama Carlebach on September 11 at 5:30pm.
The entire Collaborative Team joins me in wishing you a happy, healthy, sweet New Year.
Shabbat Shalom u’mevorakh, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, August 21 Special Friday Night by Candlelight tonight at 6PM(earlier than our usual time). We will be joining Temple Beth Shalom of Long Beach, with Cantor Judy and Leeav Sofer for a spirited, collaborative Kabbalat Shabbat service and gathering. Click below to join on Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/y2w2jhy7
Saturday, August 22 Havdalah Together at 8:45PM Dale Schatz joins Rabbi Marcia Tilchin for an uplifting musical Havdala Service to usher in the new week. Join us on Zoom or on Facebook LIve.
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Tuesday, August 25 at 10am Cantor and Storyteller, Marcia Lane, joins us for session 3 of her 4-part series "The Art of Jewish Storytelling: From the Bible to the Borscht Belt." This week's session is Galut – Stories from Jewish Communities Around the World The Jewish story takes on the flavor of the various communities to which Jews traveled, reflecting their struggles and triumphs living in a sometimes hostile, sometimes insular environment.
with "A Shabbat To Remember!" Jewish music visionaries Sam Glaser and Neshama Carlebach will help our community usher in the final Shabbat of 5780 and pay tribute to the 19th anniversary of September 11th. If you have not yet registered for our Festival of Friends programs, please click here.
The Jewish Collaborative of Orange County innovates, supports and collaborates on community programming that enriches the landscape of OC Jewish life and encourages individuals, couples and families to connect their passions and purpose with Judaism.
Jewish Collaborative of Orange County 2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd. Newport Beach, CA 92660
