Enjoy Torah Sparks- creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty.
The key narrative in this week’s parashah centers on distrust, resentments, lust for power and personal insecurities run amok. Three separate groups of dissenters appear to come together to question the authority of Moses and topple his leadership. What is striking is that while all leaders make mistakes, even the very best will question themselves when faced with a barrage of acrimony and accusation.
In the Book of Numbers, chapter 16, we learn that Korah (a first cousin of Moses), and three other rebels – Datan, Aviram and On - ban together to rise up against Moses and rally 250 additional Israelites to back them. Regardless of whether their accusations of Moses have validity or not, these people are upset and demand to be heard.
What is not specifically stated in this story but obvious by the unfolding drama, is that Moses has reached a tipping point. His abilities to handle the pressures of leadership are not what they were in the days when he was able to talk God off the ledge, like in the golden calf narrative and other Exodus stories.
Moses demands to speak with his opponents, Datan and Aviram, and when they do not agree to meet with him, Moses cries out to God that he has done nothing to hurt these people and that God should not listen to them. Of course, it's God he’s talking to. Doesn’t God already know that? What we observe in this shockingly timely narrative is the chipping away of Moses' confidence in his own abilities and judgement. Relentless animosity can do that to you – just ask anyone who works under hostile working conditions.
In the end, God does punish the self-serving purveyors of lies and anger- mongers, but the story from beginning to end is not pretty.
At this unprecedented moment in history, it is incumbent on all of us to understand these stories of dissent and verbal assault in parashat Korah as an opportunity to look inward. When society begins to unravel in such a dramatic way, we all have a role to play – if not directly during the decline, then certainly in the repair that is desperately needed in the aftermath of inevitable disaster.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, July 1 at 6:30pm FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT Temple Isaiah: Join Eric Dangott along with Congregation Sholom for 6:00pm Schmooze and 6:30pm Shabbat services on Zoom.
Or HaMidbar: Join Rabbi David Lazar for Shabbat services at 6:30pm by Livestream or on Facebook.
Saturday, July 2 at 8:30 and 9:30am
MINYAN AM EHAD Join Rabbi Tilchin and friends at Temple Beth Emet for Torah Study and Breakfast at 8:30am followed by Shabbat morning services beginning at 9:30am. Join in person at 1770 W. Cerritos Ave in Anaheim or by livestream at 9:30am for services only.
Saturday, July 2 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.
Please note we are using a NEW ZOOM LINK.
Class resumes July 11 at 9:30am ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE No class this Monday July 4th. Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth in the Bible with Bex Rosenblattconcludes on July 11with The Birth and Rebirth of Israel. Join on Zoom or Facebook. Enjoy previous class recordings here.
Beginning September 1st ONLINE JEWISH BEREAVEMENT GROUP The next 8-week cohort of JCoOC's online bereavement group begins on Thursday, September 1. Group meetings are two Thursdays a month at 6pm. Meetings are faciliated by a professional grief counselor. Learn more and sign up here.
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.
UPCOMING JCoOC EVENTS
Monday-Friday July 25-29 at UCI SHAKESPEARE AND SACRED TEXT Join us for some or all of this multi-day midsummer retreat in partnership with the New Swan Shakespeare Theater. It will be an adventure in text study and the performing arts, bracketed by two festive meals and special programs. Options include attend everything, seminars only, or performances only. Read more and register here.
The August 3rd LGBTQ+ training for Jewish professionals will be led by JQ staff. This program is sponsored by JCoOC. No cost to attend. Lunch is included. Learn more and register here.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
The Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees is partnering with HIAS to resettle refugees from Ukraine. Email info@OCJCR.org to recieve detailed information. Two upcoming Zoom sessions will answer questions and offer guidance about volunteer roles and the application process. Welcome Circle applications are due by July 22nd. INFO SESSIONS
"WITNESSES" OPENS SOON To learn more about the creation of this facinating production, watch the recordingof JCoOC's June 25th Havdalah Together program featuring Raymond Zachary, the Judaic accuracy historian for the production.
Driving Out Darkness is a one-day, immersive learning experience for leaders in Orange County’s civic, governmental, non-profit, religious, educational, media and law enforcement sectors. We will explore past and current manifestations of antisemitism and their relationship to other forms of hate, gain valuable tools and uncover strategies for countering rising levels of hate in our community, and expand our networks for greater effectiveness in our shared efforts. Learn more and register here.
TheJewish 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.
Jewish Collaborative of Orange County 2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd. Newport Beach, CA 92660
November 10,17,24 and December 1
Mondays - 9:30 am PT | 12:30 pm ET Register here
When you think about biblical women, what images and words come to mind? Temptress? Victim? Women subjugated by husbands or fathers? Close textual reading reveals that these stereotypes are incongruous with the actual lived experiences of female characters in TaNaKh. In this course we will gain some new insights into the extraordinary women that populate the pages of our Holy Scriptures.
Dror Israel: Educating for Hope and Healing in Times of War
Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00pm
Sivan Bamberger, International Development Director for Dror Israel
Hosted at a private home in Orange RSVP HERE
Bringing Heaven Down To Earth: Integrating High Holy Day Wisdom into Everyday Life
Grounded in the Jewish prophetic value of Pikuach Nefesh, JQ offers free virtual monthly and drop-in support groups for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies. Learn more
ExploringJudaism.org is about embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism and our personal search for meaning and learning. No matter who you are or your experience in Judaism there is something to learn and explore.
JCoOC is an exempt organization in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code EIN: 36-4844121
