Honor your father and your mother, that you may long endure on the land that the Lord you God is assigning to you.(Exodus 20:12)
We read this elusive verse in the Ten Commandments this week in Parashat Yitro. What does honoring our parents really entail? It is a question contemplated by the Torah sages for centuries. According to the early rabbis, making sure that they are properly dressed, housed and fed if they cannot meet these basic needs on their own is very important. Helping them live with dignity as they age is paramount.
One of the countless tragic byproducts of living through a pandemic is that so many people are having to confront illness and death alone. That loved ones cannot be at the bedsides of parents, spouses, etc.. during their final days or hours is unspeakably sad and has significant impact on how we are able to process our losses.
Please join us Saturday night for a special presentation by VITAS Healthcare Chaplain, Fran Chalin, who will facilitate a conversation on How to Cope with Grief and Trauma During COVID-19. Please join us Saturday, February 6 at 5:30pm on Zoomor Facebook for our weekly Havdalah Together program.
As most of the world faces the pandemic globally from the comfort of our homes, the United Nations cites there are close to 80 Million internationally displaced people living life in limbo in the most dire of circumstances who are at risk for contracting COVID-19. Vaccinations for refugees and asylum seekersare nearly non-existent, making it so much harder for willing volunteers who desire to ease their suffering, to do so without putting their own lives in danger.
The Jewish Collaborative has supported and collaborated with organizations like the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees and the HIAS Welcome Campaignsince we "opened our doors" five years ago. Yesterday, in a move that recognizes the value and importance of the Jewish mandate to Welcome the Stranger, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order to rebuild the US Refugee Admissions Program and address the impact of climate change on migration. This will take tremendous planning and collaboration with organizations like HIAS working to provide aid to refugees globally, and grassroots groups like the Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees (OCJCR) working in our own community.
On March 5-6, Jewish organizations across the country will be holding special events for National Refugee Shabbat, a HIAS initiative. The Jewish Collaborative will continue to inform our readers about community-wide Refugee Shabbat programs offered that weekend, including our own.
With hope and prayers for your physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, we wish you a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Jackie Menter
Friday, February 5 at 7:00 PM CAMPFIRE SHABBAT WITH CONGREGATION BETH AM, SAN DIEGO JCoOC joins Beth Am for their monthly musical service led by Rabbi David Kornberg & Ephron Rosenzweig, with guitar and lots of fun, and camp-style songs. Click here for livestream.
Saturday, February 6 at 2:00 PM (PST) TWELVE STEPS AND TORAH Shabbat afternoon Torah study informed by the wisdom of Twelve Step recovery. Led by Rabbis Marcia Tilchin and Ilan Glazer. Join us on Zoom.
Saturday, February 6 at 5:30 PM (PST) HAVDALAH TOGETHER
Coping With Grief and Trauma Fran Chalin shares her experiential wisdom gleaned from her front-line work in palliative care as a Chaplain for VITAS Healthcare. Havdalah will conclude the program.
Monday, February 8 at 9:30 AM ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Dr. Reinhard Krauss, returns to lead us in conversation about Moses, the Teacher – Jesus, the new Adam – Muhammed, the Prophet: The Role of the founding figures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Wednesday, February 11 at Noon REFUGEE & ASYLUM POLICY IN THE US Hear from legal and policy experts from the ACLU, Kids in Need of Defense, World Relief, and Immigrant Defenders Law Center on the newest shifts in refugee and asylum policy and what to expect in the coming months. To learn more and to register, click here.
Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 am (PST) ZOOM GALI GALI Beginning Feb 13, Rabbi Aviva Funke and Scott Spitzer will lead a fun, spirited, musical family Shabbat celebration each 2nd Saturday of the month. Learn more here. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link.
Saturday, February 13 at 6:30 pm (PST) HAVDALAH TOGETHER
& NEW MOON UNION Our Havdalah service will be followed by a muti-sensory New Moon / Rosh Hodesh program in partnership with Kohenet Rachel Kann and Realize Paradise. You will not want to miss this unique experience. Register here.
Thursday, February 25 at 5:30 pm A POSITIVELY PLAYFUL PURIM The Jewish Collaborative joins with six congregations for a fun-filled Purim program with something for the entire family.
5:30pm Family Fun 6:15pm Ma'ariv 6:45pm Megillah and Shpiel
March 13 and 14 STEPPING INTO LIBERATION A virtual retreat for those connected to recovery. Offered by JCoOC in partnership with Our Jewish Recovery, Beit T'Shuvah and many more organizations. Please click here for the event flyer. More information coming soon. Early bird registration available before March 3.Register here.
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
