More than 30 times throughout the Five Books of Moses and the Prophetic Writings we are adjured to show compassion for, assist, and "welcome the stranger." For the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County this has been an integral aspect of our social justice work since our founding. In 2016 JCoOC partnered with the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees to help raise over $30,000 of aid sent directly to Syria. The volunteers on this project went on to establish the Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees.
JCoOC is a signatory to theHIAS Welcome Campaign -- a partnership of over 450 Jewish organizations across the country committed to making our communities more welcoming to refugees.
March 5 and 6 is HIAS's National Refugee Shabbat. In recognition of the unique contribution refugees make to our country, we invite you to participate in the three events described below, as well as additional programs being held across Orange County in recognition of Refugee Shabbat.
Saturday, March 6 at 9:30 am -- Shabbat Morning Services at Temple Beth Emet Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Jason Feddy are guest leaders at Temple Beth Emet in Anaheim. This (mostly traditional) service will be dedicated to refugees and asylum seekers through music and testimony. Please join via livestream HERE.
Saturday March 6 at 8:00 pm - Havdalah Together Panel
"Seeking Refuge in 2021: Complexities and Solutions" This week Havdalah Together welcomes a dynamic panel of volunteers and professionals living in Orange County, dedicated to mitigating the global refugee crisis. Each panelist is an expert in a different aspect of the struggles facing refugees and asylum seekers both locally and abroad. We share updates, explore solutions to this crisis, and offer opportunities to volunteer and advocate.
Joining us will be Tim Burns -- Board Member, Orange County Justice Fund, Julie Gersten -- Executive Director, Refugee Action Fund, Jackie Menter -- Project Director, Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees, and Lynn Abraham-Yadlin -- past Chair, Home For Refugees. Read more about the program, these organizations, and the panelists here.
Please invite your friends and join us on Zoom Saturday evening by clicking here. No RSVP required.
Monday, March 8 at 9:30 am ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Everybody Counts: Welcoming Refugees and Asylum Seekers Into Our Communities Join ALI Monday morning with guest Julie Gersten, Executive Director of Refugee Action Fund. Through text-based learning, Julie will facilitate a discussion on what it means to count refugees and asylum seekers as valuable contributors to our society. Join in on Zoom here. No RSVP required.
To view a complete list of Orange County and HIAS programs taking place in recognition of Refugee Shabbat CLICK 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
