Refugee Shabbat Programs and Upcoming Events with JCoOC
03/05/2021 02:36:03 PM
Mar5
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Jewish Collaborative of Orange County
Jewish Collaborative in the News: Click here to read The New American Judaism by OC authors Ed Heyman and Joel Kotkin. Ed and Joel will be our Havdalah Together guests Saturday, March 20.
Parashat Ki Tisa is loaded with drama. Why was it chosen as the scriptural anchor for this year's HIAS's Refugee Shabbat? Broadly, at this point in the Exodus narrative, the band of Israelites newly liberated from their suffering in Egypt are now refugees wandering in the desert, not exactly sure to what end. They have been told by Moses and Aaron that God has their back, but that's about it. Just as they are beginning to trust Moses as their guide toward some kind of security and freedom, he disappears atop Mt Sinai for 40 days and they now feel abandoned on top of everything else. Their fear leads to the creation of the Golden Calf - a big No No! God informs Moses (during their long, intimate conversation during which God is giving hundreds of covenantal laws that Moses will later need to relay to the people) that all hell has broken loose at the foot of the mountain. The rest of the story is not pretty, but a great read!
This is also Shabbat Parah, the third of four special Sabbaths prior to Passover that involve reading from a 2nd Torah on Shabbat morning. Tomorrow we will read Numbers 19, the law of the Red Heifer, to remind us that Passover is coming and we must begin preparing ourselves to be in a state of purity so we can "offer our Paschal Sacrifices in the Temple" three weeks from now. In modern Jewish parlance, that means Passover is only 3 weeks away. The first seder is March 27 so start cleaning now.
The story of the Golden calf and Shabbat Parah often coincide. Our Sages, of blessed memory, noted that one cow initiated a sin that defiled the people and drove them away from God, while the other was a purifying agent that allowed people to come close to the Divine in the holy Temple.
Often the thing that leads to our downfall can be the catalyst for our redemption. Rabbi Michael Gold, a wonderful teacher and pastor currently living in Florida, shares this example in a recent d'var Torah: "A person who is suffering from a drug addiction is often helped to make the most of their treatment by someone who, in the past, had the same addiction. A former addict is the often the best healer of a current addict."
This logic applies to why we as Jews must leap to action in response to what is currently the greatest refugee crisis in history. We have not and can never lose sight of our foundational refugee status. The world Jewish community, disproportionate to our size as a people, has been at the forefront of providing relief, guidance and hope to displaced persons across the globe.
A model of community compassion and activism locally is the Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees, formed nearly four years ago by members of many different OC congregations. National organizations like HIAS, American Jewish World Service and Refugee Action Fund are but a few examples of organizations we can support with our time and resources that invite the Jewish people to be God's redemptive agents on earth now that we, thank God, are in a position of safety and security for now.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, March 5 at 7:00 PM CAMPFIRE SHABBAT JCoOC joins Congregation Beth Am of San Diego's Campfire Shabbat this evening.
This a musical service led by Rabbi David Kornberg and Ephron Rosenzweig, with guitar and lots of fun, camp-style songs.
SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES AT TEMPLE BETH EMET, ANAHEIM
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Jason Feddy are guest leaders at Temple Beth Emet. This (mostly traditional) service will be dedicated to refugees and asylum seekers through music and testimony. Join the livestream here.
Saturday, March 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, March 6 at 8:00 PM (PST) HAVDALAH TOGETHER | SEEKING REFUGE IN 2021: COMPLEXITIES & SOLUTIONS
Following havdalah we welcome a dynamic panel dedicated to mitigating the global refugee crisis. Each panelist, an expert in a different aspect of the struggles facing refugees and asylum seekers will provide updates, explore solutions to this crisis, and share opportunities to volunteer. Join us on Zoom or Facebook. More...
Monday, March 8 at 9:30 AM ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Everybody Counts: Welcoming Refugees and Asylum Seekers Into Our Communities Guest lecturer Julie Gersten, Executive Director of Refugee Action Fund will facilitate a text-based discussion on what it means to count refugees and asylum seekers as valuable contributors to our society. No RSVP required. Join on Zoom and Facebook.
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 additional organizations committed to Jewish Recovery work. Please click here for the event flyer. Early bird registration available extended through March 10. Register here.
Beginning Sunday, April 11 PATHWAYS INTO JUDAISM Registration is now open for this 18-week course designed for anyone looking to explore and/or enrich their knowledge about what Judaism has to offer as a spiritual path, evolving culture, and sacred way of life. More information and registration link 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
