Enjoy Torah Sparks- creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty.
Tickets to see the Israel Philharmonic perform in Orange County go on sale August 1st. Click hereto learn more.
An Unexpected Voice of Reason In this week’s parashah, the well-regarded prophet, Bilaam, son of Beor is summoned by Moabite King Balak to curse the Israelites so he can overcome them in battle before they threaten his kingdom. Not an Israelite, Bilaam is a legitimate prophet who already has a relationship with and reverence for the God of Israel. He knows from the get-go that Balak's request will send him on an ill-fated mission, but like many in his position, he is swayed by power, prestige and the promise of great wealth. For a period of time, Bilaam loses his way and, in classic fable fashion (think Aesop), it is his devoted donkey (whose mouth is opened by God) that helps him come to his senses. The donkey’s flat-out refusal to move forward saves Bilaam from imminent Divine punishment.
There is a piece of Bilaam in all of us. Most people have good instincts, but often there is so much noise coming at us from every direction that we are compelled to make unhealthy and, at times, unethical choices. In light of what is going on across the globe, we can see daily examples of how people working in public office are particularly susceptible to losing sight of their core mission – to make life better and safer for the people who elected them to office. This trend is so commonplace that, when we encounter leaders who are able to maintain integrity and consistency in service to their constituencies, we are a bit in awe.
The story of Bilaam and his loyal donkey can inspire us to come back to ourselves in a way that enables us to comprehend the veiled blessings in our midst and invite us to realize the wholesome ways that we can better do God’s will on earth. It begins by cultivating a deeper connection to our animal instincts (our inner-donkeys, if you will) so we are less swayed by shiny promises that both alure and mislead.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, July 15 at 6:30pm FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT JCoOC invites you to join Or HaMidbar (Spiritual Judaism in the Desert) virtually with Rabbi David Lazar. Click here for links to join via Zoom or Facebook and to access the Or HaMidbar Kabbalat Shabbat prayer sheet.
Saturday, July 16 at 10:00am MINYAN AM EHAD Rabbi Marcia Tilchin leads Shabbat morning services at Temple Beth Shalom in Long Beach. Join via livestream or in person at
3635 Elm Ave in Long Beach.
Saturday, July 16 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.
July 18, 25, August 1 & 8 at 9:30am ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE As we prepare to observe the 9th of Av on August 6th and 7th, Rabbi David Lazar leads us in an exploration of four pressing social justice issues tearing at the fabric of our country. Read more and register here.
In-person and virtual options. Can't attend during the day? Meet us at the theater for performances of Shakespeare's Fool, Comedy of Errrorrs, and Pericles. Click hereto purchase tickets to one or more plays.
Wednesday, July 27 at 7:00pm AT UCI JEWISH MUSIC IN THE AGE OF SHAKESPEARE Cantor Matt Austerklein, scholar-in-residence, will present a special lecture based on his doctoral work on the professionalization of Ashkenazi cantors in early modern Europe (1500-1800), an era of profound musical experimentation. join in person or on Zoom. Click here for details.
Thursday, July 28 at 4:45pm REALIZE ROSH HODESH The new month of Av calls upon us to be mindful of tradgedies past and present. Kohenet Rachel Kann of Realize Paradise takes us on a spiritual journey that includes meditation, poetry, chant and soulful sharing.Read more here. Join us on Zoom.
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 pre-register 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
"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.
Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees The Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees is holding a back-to-school drive through July 20th to provide the 100 students at Core Academy in Anaheim with school supplies. 95% of Core's students are refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia. To help by purchasing an item from the Amazon wishlist, please click here.
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.
Thursday, November 3 at 8pm
ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC Tickets go on sale August 1 for the Israel Philaharmonic Orchestra performance in Orange County on November 3rd at 8:00pm at the Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. The concert will feature and all-Prokofiev program.
Click the image to the left to view the full size flyer. Click here to read more and purchase tickets.
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
