Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

March 18, 2022 | 15 Adar 2 - Shushan Purim 5782 Parashat Tzav

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

We hope you had a meaningful Purim holiday on Wednesday night and Thursday. It was an honor for JCoOC to convene 10 different communities stretching from Santa Clarita to San Diego for a virtual Purim celebration that reached more than 100 households. If you missed hearing Megillat Esther read this year on the 14th of Adar, enjoy this recording of the Collaborative's Positively Playful Purim featuring 6 cantors, 3 rabbis, plus beloved musicians Jason Feddy and Leeav Sofer. As a special bonus, Leeav debuted two songs from Mostly Kosher's new album, The World is Yours.

The world may be ours, but it is in a hot mess!  Many of us are doing our best to be of service and try to make sense of the human-instigated violence and suffering we see before us. I share with you this editorial written for the Jerusalem Post by Rabbi Professor David Golinkin, Director of the Schechter Institutes in Jerusalem titled Purim to Putin: Insights on the Ukraine War from the Book of Esther.

Acts of charity and prayer are working hand in hand to keep us from feeling totally helpless. Those looking for avenues for spiritual expression of sadness, grief and hope for a speedy end to this horrific nonsense may find the New York Times article, How Readers Around the World are Praying for Ukraine, written by Tish Harrison Warren, a helpful guide.

On a happier note, please join us this Sunday to hear from two of the founders of Roots / Shorashim / Judur - Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Khalil Sayegh - friends and neighbors living in the West Bank working together to create a safe space for productive dialogue and community projects that heal. They will be in Orange County this Sunday, March 20 at 4pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Tustin. RSVP HERE.

Shabbat Shalom u'mevorakh,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin

Friday, March 18 at 6:00pm PT
FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT

JCoOC and Temple Isaiah invite you to Shabbat evening services led by Eric Dangott, Jason Feddy, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin with a special refugee update by Jackie Menter.
Join on Zoom | Join on Facebook

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.

Saturday, March 19 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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Monday, March 21 at 9:30am PT
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Join UCI Professor Julia Lupton for part three of Shakespeare and Jewish Wisdom. This week's class is titled Woman Wisdom: Shakespeare’s Female Truth-Seekers Access previous class recordings, learn more and register here.
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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. 

Saturday, March 26 at 1:30pm 
PIECE-FUL PROTEST
Join JCoOC, HaNefesh and Miriam's Circle for a private tour of this powerful social justice quilting exhibit featuring the work of nationally renown quilter, Allyson Allen. RSVP to Sheila Silver at octoy97@hotmail.com. At NCC in Laguna Beach. Click here for address and additional information.

Friday March 25 at 6pm PT
FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT
JCoOC joins Temple Beth Emet in Anaheim for their monthly Friday night service and dinner, featuring Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Cantor Zev Brooks. RSVP for dinner Carren Pulverman by Wed. 3/23 at 714-402-6555. Address: 1770 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. Livestream here.

Sunday through Thursday 6:00pm PT
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

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.