Rosh HodeshAdar begins tonight! This weekend, JCoOC joins the National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW) and hundreds of communities across North America honoring February 12-13 asREPRO Shabbat, dedicated to highlighting the critical importance of advocating for reproductive health, rights and justice. The Jewish value of doing all we can to ensure that every woman has access to high quality, comprehensive health care as needed cannot be overstated. Rabbi Joe Mendelson, our guest darshan (speaker) during Friday Night by Candlelight, will share rabbinic and Torah wisdom that must inform our religious understanding of this issue. At 2:00pm today (PST), local independent Rabbi Heather Miller, founder of Keeping it Sacred, will be offering an engaging study session on this topic.
In this week's parashah, we read:
"When men fight, and one of them pushes a pregnant woman and a miscarriage results, but no other damage ensues, the one responsible shall be fined what the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is a serious injury [to the woman], you are to take life for life." (Exodus 21:22-23).
These two verses make clear that, if the mother is injured or killed as a result of this fight, her death renders it a completely different and much more serious case. Throughout Torah, God (and by extension all readers) are drawn into the stories of our foremothers and other female characters with respect to their personal choices and childbearing. Some of our greatest heroines and female prophets like Miriam and Deborah never become mothers. Other women like Leah and Tamar take sexual initiative, and Israelite history is forever changed by children born of their courage. Even within the thickly tribal patriarchy of the Ancient Near East, Torah tales and the rich midrashim they inspire indicate that women having agency over their bodies is essential to the healthy unfolding of history and the realization of God's will.
Rosh Hodesh Adar heralds "JOY AHEAD!" The Jewish Collaborative is delighted to offer some wonderful programs in anticipation of Purim and Passover:
Zoom Gali GaliFebruary 13 at 10am - What better day to pilot our heartwarming Family service with Rabbi Aviva Funke and Scott Spitzer? Every 2nd Saturday of the month.
New Moon Unioncelebration with Kohennet Rachel Kann tomorrow night at 6:30pm
ShabbaTogether February 19th at 6:30pm. Engage with friends old and new after services for Shabbat dinner and conversation. Every 3rd Shabbat of the month.
A Positively Playful Purim on February 25 in partnership with six other communities from Orange County and San Diego.
In chapter 8 of Megillat Esther, after the mass slaughter of all the Jews throughout 127 provinces has been averted, we chant: The Jews enjoyed light and gladness, happiness and honor. This verse is included in our weekly havdalah liturgy and we invite you to enjoy a lovely setting by Noam Katz.
The deep, thick cloud that has been looming over the entire world since last Purim and continues to linger has changed all of our lives in countless ways. One of the byproducts that has sustained us during this difficult time is our new-found openness to create meaningful, joyful connections virtually. We at the Jewish Collaborative are blessed by all who have enriched our Zoom communities these past 11 months. YOU are our light, gladness, happiness and honor. Thank you!
Shabbat Shalom and Hodesh Tov,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, February 12 at 5:30 PM FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT Guest song leader and musician, Dale Schatz joins Rabbi Marcia Tilchin for an uplifting musical Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv. Join on ZoomorFacebook.
Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 am (PST) ZOOM GALI GALI 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 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 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.
Monday, February 15 at 9:30 AM ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Dr. Reinhard Krauss, leads us in conversation for Part 2 of Moses, the Teacher – Jesus, the new Adam – Muhammed, the Prophet: The Role of the founding figures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Click here to learn more. Join on Zoom and Facebook.
Friday, February 19 at 6:30 PM SHABBATOGETHER ShabbaTogether is an opportunity to enjoy friends, old and new; immediately following Friday Night By Candlelight. Register here to be assigned to a break-out room at 6:30. Advance RSVP requested. ShabbaTogether takes place on Zoom only.
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. Early bird registration available before March 3.Register here.
The Jewish Collaborative of Orange County is a creative, collaborative, and compassionate community dedicated to innovating and supporting local and national programming that enriches the landscape of 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
