Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

Enjoy Torah Sparks - creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty.

February 18, 2022 | 17 Adar 1, 5782 | Parashat Ki Tisa

Click here to enjoy this week's segment of JFOC's series 

"סיפרי עמינו": Stories of Our People." 

Idol Worship Takes Many Forms 
 
When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered against Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who shall go before us, for that fellow Moses—the man who brought us from the land of Egypt—we do not know what has happened to him.” (Exodus 32:1) 
 
Let’s pause. In this week's parashah, do the Israelites actually believe that a man-made god (in this case - a golden calf) will be able to function on their behalf the way that Moses did? Would a stationary object have the capacity to confront Pharoah, facilitate miracles and act as a conduit to God?   
 
What were the newly liberated Israelites looking for? A focal point upon which to direct their fear, anger and frustration perhaps? Makes sense to me. 
 
In this day and age, when social networking and unregulated media has made fueling the flames of frustration and insecurity easier than ever, all too often our elected officials are made out to be like the disappeared Moses, accused of leadership failure when, in fact, they are making the best decisions they can with the tools they have in very stressful and uncertain times. Like Moses, our leaders do makes mistakes and have aspirations that are often unattainable. So do our spouses and children. So do we all.

Recalls and accusations of fraud are examples of current “golden calves” in the fraught political arena that give the most frightened and angriest among us a way to dance with wild abandon around a man-made idol that cannot actually be helpful and only consumes precious resources that could otherwise be earmarked to support and elevate our communities in tangible ways. 
 
We, the readers of Torah, know where Moses is as our ancestors are in a panic at the foot of Sinai. He isn’t getting a mani pedi. He is receiving life-giving instructions from God. Some Israelites knew this and did not participate in the frenzy, but, in the end, everyone suffered to some degree. 
 
As this is President’s Day weekend, I extend my deepest gratitude to all elected officials who have taken an oath to help their cities, counties, states and country. Relatively few people seek this kind of thankless job because they crave the limelight. Rather, like Moses, they feel a calling to serve - to help average citizens live in safety, comfort and with the ability to express thoughts freely without repercussion.   
 
On this Shabbat, when the future of America’s shining democracy is in peril as never before, I invite us to offer a Prayer for our Country that goes beyond lip service, but with a sincerity that leads to action and miracles: 
 
Our God and God of our ancestors: We ask Your blessings for our country - for its government, for its leaders and advisors, and for all who exercise just and rightful authority. Teach them insights of Your Torah, that they may administer all affairs of state fairly, that peace and security, happiness and prosperity, justice and freedom may forever abide in our midst.  
 
Creator of all flesh, bless all the inhabitants of our country with Your spirit. May citizens of all races and creeds forge a common bond in true harmony, to banish hatred and bigotry, and to safeguard the ideals and free institutions that are the pride and glory of our country.  

May this land, under Your Providence, be an influence for good throughout the world, uniting all people in peace and freedom - and helping them to fulfill the vision of Your prophet: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they experience war any more." And let us say: Amen. (1985 Siddur Sim Shalom, pg 415) 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin

Friday, February 18 at 6:00pm (PST)
FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT
Reach across the aisle to join Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Jason Feddy for JCoOC's inaugural "All the Presidents Shabbes," featuring musical favorites of past presidents, a special D'var Torah and some surprise guests. Join on Zoom or Facebook. 

Saturday, February 19th at 10:00am (PST)
ZOOM GALI GALI
Parents and grandparents are invited to join with their (grand)children for a festive, musical, and interactive Shabbat celebration with Rabbi Aviva Funke. For more information and to register click here.

Saturday, February 19 at 2:00pm (PST)
TWELVE STEPS & TORAH
Shabbat afternoon Torah study informed by the wisdom of Twelve Step recovery. Join us on Zoom. 
For more information and to be added to the Twelve Steps & Torah email list, click here.
​​​​​​​

Saturday, February 19 at 6pm (PST) HAVDALAH TOGETHER
Meet Susan Mattisinko and Robert De Leon, the organizers of OC's first Hazon Bike Ride, dedicated to raising awareness and support for Jewish Environmental Justice Work. They will be joined by a Sara Pilavin from Hazon and Mirele Golsmith, Founder of the Jewish Earth Alliance. Read more. Join on Zoom or Facebook.

Monday, February 21 at 9:30am (PST)
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Join Cantor Matt Austerklein's A Jewish Guide to the Orchestra, part three: Brass - Shofars, Horns, and the Tension Between Divine & Human Sound. This series covers the four major sections of the symphony orchestra, looking back at their antecedents in the Bible and across thousands of years of Jewish culture. To learn more, view last week's class, and register click here.
​​​​​​​

Tuesday, February 22 at 7:30pm

L'DOR V'DOR: AN ORIGINAL PLAY
Lauren Simon's new play, L'Dor v'Dor is part of a trilogy exploring assimilation, identity, race, and religion in a contemporary American families. Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Pastor Rod Echols will co-facilitate a post-play conversation on themes raised in the performance. Purchase tickets here.

Sunday through Thursday 6:00 (PST)
OC EGAL NIGHTLY MINYAN
If you are looking for a place to say Mourner's Kaddish, oberserve a yahrzeit, or participate in an evening minyan, OC Egal meets online five nights a week. Click here to receive the private Zoom link. All are welcome.

​​​​​​​

SAVE THESE DATES

Mondays in March at 9:30am (PDT)
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Professor and Shakespeare scholar, Julia Lupton, leads a three-part series, Shakespeare and Hebrew Wisdom Literature on March 7, 14, and 21. Click here to learn more and register. Join on Zoom or Facebook.

Wednesday, March 16 at 7:15pm 
A POSITIVELY PLAYFUL PURIM
JCoOC brings together ten SoCal communities to celebrate Purim virtually with a shared Megillah reading interspersed with song parodies from the 1960s. Costumes encourage. Learn more here. No RSVP required. Join on Zoom or Facebook.
​​​​​​​

Thursdays at 5:00pm beginning March 24
FOUNDATIONAL JEWISH KNOWLEDGE FOR ADULT LEARNERS
The next Pathways Into Judaism series begins March 24. This 18-week course is designed for those 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. The course will be taught by Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Cantor Caitlin Bromberg. Click here to learn more and register.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Sunday, March 6, 2022 • 8:00 AM
OC JEWISH ENVIRONMENTAL BIKE RIDE
JCoOC is a proud partner of Hazon's first OC Bike Ride supporting environmental education and sustainability efforts in Jewish communities throughout North America and Israel. Participation options: 10-50 mile routes in Irvine, CA from Merage JCC / TVT. Or join via JCC Spin Class (9am), Peloton Class (4pm), or Move on Your Own Anywhere option! To learn more, register, or become a team captain click here.

The Jewish Collaborative of Orange County is a creative, collaborative, and compassionate community mosaic dedicated to innovating and supporting local and national programming that enriches the landscape of Jewish life and encouraging individuals and families to connect their passions and purpose with Judaism.