The creation and dissemination of different pathways to Godly engagement is a very Jewish enterprise. The first major, ground-breaking shift for the Israelites happens between last week’s parashah, the end of the Book of Exodus, and the start of Vayikra (Leviticus) this week.
The sacrificial details that consume the first several chapters of Leviticus may at first glance seem like a big yawner to those of us who see that practice as ancient, barbaric or, at best, irrelevant. Look deeper. By associating specific types of sacrifices with the range of life experiences that inspire gratitude, repentance, celebration and more, the Torah acknowledges that God wants to connect with all people – men, women, rich, poor, righteous and morally weak – alike. The book of Leviticus honors the totality of the human condition and the realistic pendulum of life’s ups and downs.
The next major shift took off in the First Century CE when the act of daily, fixed prayer replaced sacrifice as our mode of Godly communication. Simultaneously, learning and study became an supplemental connection stream that evolved in extraordinary, diverse ways prior to and throughout the Middle Ages. The addition of an evolved mystical tradition in the 13th century and later Hassidism in the 18th century emerged to meet the spiritual vacuums that existed for the Jews living in those times who felt marginalized by what had become the predominant practices of their era.
Most of us grew up with a Judaism that centered around the American synagogue – a catchall center for worship, learning and cultural Judaism. Changes in Jewish life and behavior, related to unprecedented assimilation coupled with the murder of one third of the world’s Jewish population, became obvious to Jewish sociologists by the mid 20th century, but the real impact of anticipated trends only started to become evident to the masses in the 1990s and undeniable in the last 15 years.
The proliferation of Habad Houses throughout this country and around the world in the last twenty years, the growing DIYJ (Do It Yourself Judaism) Movement, and the expanding number of trained clergy and dedicated lay people who have made the bold choice to launch independent organizations that meet essential community needs is the current, but certainly not the final, chapter in the annals of major shifts in Jewish life.
With the advent of a world pandemic, the unexpected catapult into total virtual Jewish engagement for everything from life-cycle events to high points in seasonal worship like Zoom Passover Seders has really shifted the conversation and projected trends. While every Jewish institution was able to pivot with some measure of success, the newer, less bureaucratically run, more social-network-savvy organizations enjoyed a boon in 2020 that they could only have dreamed about prior to COVID-19.
Please join us this Saturday night for our weekly Havdalah Together, for an interview with authors Joel Kotkin and Ed Heyman about their recent article published in Tablet Magazine titled, “The New American Judaism.” In writing this article, their stated aim was twofold: “To describe the major forces shaping the future of American Judaism and to draw attention to the challenges that threaten the continued thriving of American Jewish religious practice, community building, and family life.”
In the book of Leviticus, by instructing the Israelites in a highly sophisticated sacrificial system, God is shaping what is meant to help religious practice, community building and family life thrive for the next 2,000 years of Israelite history. Let’s be honest. Since the day we got the hell out of Egypt, there have always been external and internal challenges that threaten Jewish stability and the future of our people. But, hey, we must be doing something right, because we are still talking about it nearly 4,000 years later.
Please join us at 8pm on March 20 to lend your voice to the conversation.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, March 19 at 5:30 PM FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT Jason Feddy joins Rabbi Marcia Tilchin to welcome in Shabbat. Join us for a musically uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv service.
Friday, March 19 at 6:30 PM SHABBATOGETHER The fun continues after Friday Night By Candlelight with ShabbaTogether. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and making some new connections. To join a virtual Shabbat table tonight please register here.
Saturday, March 20 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 20 at 8:00 PM
HAVDALAH TOGETHER - note new time We are back this week with special guests Ed Heyman and Joel Kotkin speaking about The New American Judaismand factors that are shaping the future of Jewish life. Read more about our presenters, the program, and their article here. Join on Zoom or Facebook.
Monday, March 22 at 9:30 AM ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Miriam Saperstein joins us for the second of two lectures on Zines, a cutting-edge medium for literary expression. We will explore award-winning zines and a have chance to try out the art form ourselves. Click here to learn more. Join on Zoom. Click here to view last week's class.
Sat., March 27 at 7:00 PM (PDT) FIRST NIGHT PASSOVER SEDER Join Jason Feddy & Ava Burton, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin & Scott Spitzer and Beth Krom for the 1st night of Passover. 6:30 PM optional social hour. 7:00 PM Seder begins. Click here for more details. Click here to register in advance.
NEW: Beginning on Saturday morning, March 27th, we will be offering a once a month unique Shabbat experience. Join us at 10am us for an uplifting departure from a traditional Shabbat service, featuring Kohenet Rachel Kann, cellist, Jackie Menter, Rabbi Aviva Funke and others. You will be invited to pray in new ways, and explore re-gendered liturgy. Click here to learn moreand find the Zoom link.
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
