Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

March 11, 2022 | 8 Adar 2, 5782
Parashat Vayikra | Shabbat Zachor

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

Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget! (Deuteronomy 25: 17-19) 
 
As this is Shabbat Zachor (the Shabbat of Remembrance), the above scriptural verses will be chanted from an additional Torah scroll in synagogues this weekend as we prepare for the holiday of Purim (March 16-17). The irony of this passage is stunning. We are commanded for all time to remember what horrors the Amalekites inflicted upon the weary Israelites by blotting out the name of Amalek. How is that supposed to work? 
 
The writers of Torah may have instituted this commandment because they knew that, for all time, there would be an “Amalek” (and sometimes more than one) in every generation. It is nothing short of holy aspiration to imagine that there actually could be a time when all those who abuse and destroy the meek and innocent to satisfy their greed and thirst for power would be utterly eradicated from under heaven. 
 
For the past several weeks the world has been horrified by the senseless suffering of Ukrainian citizens and the insanity of their aggressors. The question we are all consumed with is: What can we do to help?  How do we mitigate the impact of today’s Amalek? CLICK HERE  to learn about HIAS’ Emergency Response in Ukraine as they try to ensure aid for Ukraine’s most vulnerable displaced persons. JCoOC will do its best to keep our readers updated on humanitarian efforts in which we can all participate. 
 
Please join us tomorrow night – March 12 at 6:30pm at Temple Beth El of South County (2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo) for an outdoor interfaith Candlelight Vigil in Support of Ukraine. 
 
As Shabbat Zachor coincides this year with Parashat Vayikra, the opening of the Book of Leviticus (an ancient guide to Godly communication when the sacrificial cult was operative), we share this powerful poem by Rick Lupert (Rick@poetrysuperhighway.com):   
 
PEACE OFFERING 
 
And from the peace offering, he shall bring a fire offering to the Lord
Leviticus 3:9 

In the oldest days peace came
in the form of slaughter. 

You can read the details of the ritual –
Which animal, what happens

with its kidneys and liver,
how it all becomes      smoke.

Not far away and a couple millennia
gone by, the chief oligarch

brings a three mile convoy
of peace

and claims of NAZIs to sweep away.
Our pale of settlement

gets more pale.
Around the world the banks

make a forceful peace –
An electronic siege.

The technology of war
has kept up.

Meanwhile, the number of
living humans fluctuate.

Who or what do I need to
slaughter today to have my

peace offering heard? There’s nothing
in the fine print about this. 

May the One who Creates Peace in the heavens
Bring peace to all people everywhere.

Shabbat Shalom.
The Collaborative Team 

Friday, March 11 at 4:00pm PT
FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT

JCoOC joins Temple Beth El South Orange County for a Purim Shabbat Festival beginning at 4:00pm. Come in costume ready to enjoy food, carnival games, face painting, a BMX Freestyle show and more. Shabbat services begin at 6:00pm. 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo.

Saturday, March 12 at 2:00pm PT
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.
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Saturday, March 12 at 6:30pm
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR UKRAINE
Join faith leaders and members of the OC faith community to raise our voices for peace and solidarity. Learn about opportunities to support humanitarian relief efforts for victims of this unjust war. View the flyer here. The vigil will be held at Temple Beth El South Orange County: 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo.

Monday, March 14 at 9:30am PT
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Join UCI Professor Julia Lupton for part two of Shakespeare and Jewish Wisdom. This week's class is titled “Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue”: Shakespeare and Equity. Access last week's class recording, learn more and register here.
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Wednesday, March 16th 6am to 1pm PT
TA'ANIT ESTHER DAY OF STUDY
JCoOC is proud to partner with Hadar for this day of learning. The Fast of Esther (13th of Adar) offers an opportunity to reflect, pray, and mark moments of need. We’ll explore the particular history behind the Fast of Esther and the ways in which fasting, prayer, and justice all wind together. Learn with us all day or hop on for a single session. View the schedule and register here.

Wednesday, March 16 at 7:15pm PT
A POSITIVELY PLAYFUL PURIM
JCoOC brings together 10 SoCal communities to celebrate Purim virtually with a shared Megillah reading interspersed with 1960s song parodies. Costumes encouraged. No RSVP required. Join on Zoom or Facebook. 
View all of JCoOC's Purim activities.

Saturday, March 19 at 10:00am PT
ZOOM GALI GALI FAMILY SHABBAT
During this interactive program, Rabbi Aviva Funke and friends engage young children and their parents in the Joy of Shabbat through interactive music, storytelling and prayer.Click here to learn more and register.

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. Learn more and register. 

Sunday through Thursday 6:00pm Pacific
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.

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Please join HIAS and the Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees to learn how to become a part of this initiative on Friday March 18th at 10am on Zoom. Register here. 

Welcome Circles for the second wave of Afghan evacuees are forming now! 3,500 Afghans evacuated from Kabul are now being transferred to the States from U.S. military bases abroad.

HIAS Welcome Circles will resettle the next wave of Afghan arrivals in Phase II of this community sponsorship initiative.

March 20 at 4:00pm in Tustin
Save the date for Two Peoples in One Land. Click here to learn more about this grassroots, transformative initiative. Seating is limited. Register here.

Saturday, March 26 in Laguna Beach at 1:30pm
Join JCoOC, HaNefesh and Miriam's Circle Sisterhood at NCC in Laguna Beach for a special tour of this extraordinary quilting exhibit featuring the work of internationallly renown textile artist Allyson Allen. RSVP to Sheila Silver at octoy97@gmail.com. Read more 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.