In these final hours of 2020, please consider investing in Jewish collaboration, compassion and community with a year-end gift to the Jewish Collaborative. Thank you!
On this final day of 2020, we thank you for enriching our work through sharing your hearts, humor, ideas, prayers and generosity. In almost every way it was a year of extraordinary growth and purpose for the Collaborative because of unveiled possibilities and potential that had yet to be revealed prior to our necessary virtual pivot.
I remember the first time I realized the religious significance of January 1st. Assuming that Jesus’ birth occurred on December 25, January 1st would have been the 8th day of his life, ergo the day of his circumcision and his entry into the covenant of Judaism. The Gregorian Calendarthat we now follow was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregor the XIII as a “fix” to the miscalculations of the Julian calendar. Until 1960, the Catholic church referred to January 1st as the “Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord” and the “Octave of the Nativity.” The first name was dropped by the church after 1960 (learn why inthis 2015 article by Nicholas Frankovich), but I am moved as a Jewish person to know that the most commonly observed restart day for the the world - if it is not going be the 1st of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah) - is the celebration of a very famous Jewish person’s bris!
Biblical lore has accorded Elijah the Prophet the job of heralding the coming of the world’s ultimate redeemer (AKA, the Messiah). That is one reason why we invite Elijah to our Passover seders – in anticipation of our ultimate redemption – and why he gets the first plate of bagels and lox at every brit milah – because we never know if perhaps this newly-covenanted newborn – now considered complete on the 8th day of life – may be God’s redeeming agent. For those who believe that Jesus was that agent, his job began on the 8th day of his life - January 1st. Through a Jewish theological lens, it makes perfect sense!
In Jewish tradition, the 8th day of a person’s life - day 1 after a complete cycle of 7 - is magical and brimming with potential. Scott and I entered our son and two daughters into the covenant of Abraham and Sarah on the 8th day of their lives, and we loved pioneering new rituals for our daughters in this extraordinary time when people, regardless of gender, can be recognized for their messianic potential.
The outrageous turmoil the world has experienced from last January 1st through today includes, but is not limited to:
the unprecedented challenge of an unbridled world pandemic that is responsible for the lonely deaths of millions
the greatest number of natural disasters in recorded history due to irreversible global warming
the frightening growth of world populism fostering divisive and corrupt leadership in many countries
the proliferation of economic inequality everywhere
the continued rise in numbers of forcibly displaced people around the planet
We sure could use some holy help right about now!
Each of us, through our goodness, has the capacity to help mitigate the sadness, despair and physical deprivation all around us. I doubt the Messiah is going to show up tomorrow, but, while we wait, we can each do our part every day in 2021 to be a blessing through engaging in acts of loving kindness, honesty and showing respect for all of God’s creation.
On behalf of our entire staff and Board of Directors, I wish you wholeness of heart, mind and spirit in 2021.
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
The Jewish Collaborative of Orange County innovates, supports and collaborates on community programming that enriches the landscape of Jewish life in OC and beyond, encouraging 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
