Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

The Collaborative Community extends condolences to Sharon and Mark Berman, Deborah and Gordon Smith and extended family on the passing of beloved mother, Brina Rosenbaum – 

Brina bat Tzvi Hersh u’Frumeh Eshkeh.  T’hi Zichra Barukh 

April 29, 2022 | 28 Nisan, 5782 | Parashat Achrei Mot
13th Day of the Omer

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

The week ahead offers many opportunities for community connection. We hope you will be able to take advantage of some powerful and celebratory programs that are happening throughout OC.   
 
This Sunday and Monday we celebrate Rosh Hodesh Iyar, the month that bridges Passover in Nissan to Shavuot in Sivan. Please join the Collaborative and Realize Paradise on Sunday, May 1 at 4:45pm as Kohennet Rachel Kann takes us on a spiritual journey that includes meditation, poetry, chant and soulful sharing. Treat yourself to 90 minutes of YOU time. Click here to join on Zoom.
 
YOM HAZIKARON: Yom HaZikaron LeHalalei Ma'arakhot Yisrael ul'Nifge'ei Pe'ulot HaEivah  
יוֹם הזִּכָּרוֹן לְחַלְלֵי מַעֲרָכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְנִפְגְעֵי פְּעֻלּוֹת הָאֵיבָה‎ 
Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism is Israel's official remembrance day, enacted into law in 1963. The observance always occurs on the day before Yom Ha’atzmaut. In 5782 it will be observed on the 3rd of Iyar, coinciding with Wednesday, May 4th. Please join Shevet Tapuz – the OC chapter of Israeli Scouts – for a special memorial service at the JCC. Click here  for more information. 
 
YOM HA’ATZMAUT: This celebration commemorates the miraculous day in 1948 (May 14th) that Israel signed its Declaration of Independence. Because it corresponded with the Hebrew date 5 Iyar in that year, Yom Ha'atzmaut is celebrated according the Jewish calendar. To avoid Sabbath desecration, it may be commemorated one or two days before or after the 5th of Iyar when it falls too close to Shabbat. Because the 5th of Iyar coincides with a Friday this year, it will be observed on Thursday, May 5 (the 4th of Iyar). Synagogues throughout Orange County are holding festivities throughout the week. Click here to learn more.
  
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – May 5th 
Three local interfaith councils – Newport/Mesa/Irvine, Greater Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach – will be hosting events in recognition of this annual observance always held on the first Thursday of May. Click here for more information about these three events. 

Formalized in 1952 by the United States Congress, people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” The president is required by law  to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day (Shouldn’t we all be praying everyday?)

While this was not created as an interfaith observance per se, multifaith groups across the nation have come to use this dedicated day to share different rituals and observances associated with prayer in various religious traditions. Often a theme is selected by a group to center the event.   

The constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer was unsuccessfully challenged in court by the Freedom From Religion Foundation after their attempt was unanimously dismissed by a panel of a federal appellate court in April 2011. In the early days of America’s history, the  Second Continental Congress from 1775 until 1783 established a national day of fasting and prayer, as did President John Adams in 1798 and 1799. Thomas Jefferson established a day of prayer and thanksgiving while he served as governor of Virginia.  
 
COUNTING THE OMER: Today is the 13th day of the omer, a 49-day period with agricultural origins that has evolved into a time for personal growth and introspection. Click here to learn about the art of counting these days and how different Jewish communities engage with this special practice. Join JCoOC on Mondays, May 2 and 9 for an exploration of how the discipline of Mussar that focuses on character development serves to enrich one’s omer observances. Mussar maven,  Rabbi Marcia Plumb, is our esteemed ALI scholar for the next two weeks. Learn more and register here. 
 
The following poem was written by Kohennet Rachel Kann in honor of the Jewish month of Iyar (known for its important role in birthing Revelation at Sinai), from her published collection titled How to Bless the New Moon. 
 
Meyaledet / Midwife  
 
How holy to give  
your own generative soul  
over  
 
to space-holding  
for the throes of creation. 
 
How divine to carve out  
sweet time for this 
devotional  
revelation-archeology. 
 
What a dedicated shepherding: 
to lead the lonely dreamlamb 
through the midnight wetness 
of the undulating tunnel, 
 
from the dark cave  
of secretive sacrifice  
into the bright altar-bath 
of broad daylight. 
 
The sacred excavation 
of helixed antiquity  
and brand-newness,   
 
the exhuming of newborn  
remembrancer, 
the gentle  
brushing away of debris, 
the unveiling,  
 
the making of your own heart  
into a hothouse 
where the most frangible flowers  
can root, 
flourish, 
grow. 
 
Shabbat Shalom, Hodesh Tov and Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameah, 
 
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and The Collaborative Team 

Friday, April 29 AT 6:00PM
FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT

With Temple Beth Emet in Anaheim. Special guest Dale Schatz joins Rabbi Tilchin and Cantor Zev Brooks for a spirited service. Livestream here or join in person at 1770 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim, 92804.

Saturday, April 30 at 2pm
TWELVE STEPS AND 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.

Sunday, May 1 at 4:45pm
REALIZE ROSH HODESH
Join Kohnet Rachel Kann of Realize Paradise for a meditative online New Moon / Rosh Hodesh experience. Read more. No RSVP required. Join us on Zoom here.

Monday, May 2 at 9:30am
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Mussar and the Omer: Mussar maven, Rabbi Marcia Plumb, of Congregation Mishkan Tefillah in Boston will explore the connection between the spiritual practices of Mussar and moving through the Omer in a purposeful way.
​​​​​​​Click here for more information and to register.

Sunday through Thursday at 6:00pm
OC EGAL NIGHTLY MINYAN
If you are looking for a place to say Mourner's Kaddish, observe 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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Thursdays at 7pm beginning May 5th
ONLINE JEWISH BEREAVEMENT GROUP REGISTRATION OPEN
JCoOC will begin cohort two of our online Jewish bereavement support group facilitated by Chaplain Fran Chalin M.S.W. / M.J.C.S. Fran specializes in grief education with more than 30 years experience helping people navigate trauma and process loss. Learn more and register here.
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JCoOC UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, May 20 at 6pm
SHABBAT BY THE SHORE
Join Rabbi Marcia Tilchin, Jason Feddy, and special guest Rabbi Aviva Funke for a soulfull Shabbat service and potluck dinner at a private home in San Clemente. Click here to RSVP.

Click here   to listen to excerpts from Aviva's recently released album, Yismeku: Sacred Sounds of Kabbalat Shabbat.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Tuesday, May 3rd from 5:00 - 7:00PM
OC CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN FRIENDRAISER
You are invited to enjoy an evening of lakeside drinks and appetizers while getting to know Climate Action Campaign with a short presentation by Policy Advocates and Organizers Ayn Craciun, Lexi Hernandez, and Executive Director, Nicole Capretz. Click here to view the invitation. RSVP by April 20th.

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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.