EnjoyTorah Sparks: Creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty.
Dear Friends,
This past week was significant in Israel's history as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was elected to an unprecedented sixth term in office. If his fragile coalition holds, things look ever bleaker for the future of pluralistic Judaism in Israel. I invite you to read this short synopsis of how his reelection could impact the non-Orthodox Jewish communities throughout Israel and many others living in the country. CLICK HEREfor a clear synopsis of the final voting breakdown and Israeli Parliament's new configuration.
As we prepare to "go to the polls" right here at home this coming Tuesday, know that voting is both a gift not to be taken for granted and an essential obligation. We must do all we can to protect what has been, for better and worse, a functioning democracy for nearly 250 years. The gift of "government by the people for the people" is in peril, and voting is the first step toward combatting looming authoritarianism or worse.
Next Shabbat we will know more about the work that lies ahead of us. No matter what happens, may we all have the strength to move forward with hope and vigor as our ancestors have been forced to do time and again during periods of political uncertainty.
On a joyful note, I invite you, your friends and family to register for JCoOC's first Kosher Dill Pickleball Tournament and Latke Fest as a player, learner or spectator. There will be great activities for kids, the opportunity to compete or improve your Pickleball skills, and fun prizes in the spirit of Hanukkah. This community-wide celebration of the season with a Jewish cultural twist is open to all, and we hope you can join us. Please tell your friends!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Register here to participate in this community-wide pre-Hanukkah celebration. All are welcome! Learn to play America's fastest growing sport, or show off your Pickleball skills, and help support the Jewish Collaborative's robust Tzedakah campaigns and Creative Arts initiatives. Fun for all even if you don't play Pickleball:
Register as a spectator and cheer on our players.
Catering by Blueberry Hill | Entertainment by Creative Parties for Kids
🎻 Music by Mostly Kosher 🎶. | 🕎 Hannukah Bazaar 🕎
Saturday, November 5 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.
Monday, November 7 at 9:30am ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Jewish Music and Migration in Europe 1550-1650 | Italy: Salamone Rossi, Leon Moderna, & Jews in the Italian Arts. The era of Shakespeare, Galileo, and Newton was also one of great migration and musical growth for Jewish communities across the Mediterranean. This class will uncover the little told history of diverse Jewish musical cultures which form the foundation of Jewish soundscapes today. Join us on this musical journey taught by Cantor Matt Austerklein. Read more and register here. To watch last week's class on Germany, click here.
Monday, November 7 at 5:30pm PATHWAYS INTO JUDAISM A Survey of Jewish History - Class 2 of 10, only on Zoom. Rabbis Daniel Levine and Marcia Tilchin will lead participants through 4000 years of Jewish history, beginning with Abraham and Sarah and concluding with the creation of the modern State of Israel. Join anytime. All classes will be recorded and available for viewing. 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.
Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 FLOWERS AREN'T ENOUGH Flowers Aren’t Enough tells the story of Michal, a young woman who falls into an abusive relationship. The monologue breaks the common myth that domestic violence is only the plight of the poor. Ms. Ackerman weaves the voices of women from different cultures and backgrounds into a performance that encourages social change. Hosted by Temple Beth Tikvah and the Jewish Collaborative. Click here for more details and to RSVP.
5:30pm Tuesdays online starting Nov. 22
BEGINNING HEBREW READING CLASS This class is designed for students new to Hebrew decoding and a great refresher for people that want to review their reading skills. The linguistic focus will be on building skills to increase comfort with prayerbook Hebrew. Schedule: Tuesdays online 5:30-6:30 PT | 8:30-9:30pm ET. Read more and register here.
UPCOMING JCoOC and COMMUNITY EVENTS
All are invited to join OCJCR's monthly Book Club series at any time.
On Friday, November 11 at 1:00pm on Zoom facilitator Sam Kolodezh will lead us in a conversation about author Dina Nayeri's auto-biographical account of her family's escape from Iran to the US as told in The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You. Read more and register here.
Tuesday, November 8 at 7pm KRISTALLNACHT COMMEMORATION The Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education and the Fish Interfaith Center present an annual student-led Interfaith Service of Remembrance in commemoration of Kristallnacht on November 9-10,1938 and the unspeakable events that followed. Click here for details.
Bare Bones Theatre | L’Dor v’Dor | Tues. Nov 15th | Laguna Beach This tender story about a mixed-race Jewish family facing the decline of its patriarch. The first part of this trilogy received rave reviews, and this new play is sure to inspire meaningful conversation about life and death with post-play facilitator Andrea Deerheart. Tickets are $30 for General Admission and $50 for VIP seating, which includes a drink from the bar. Click here for more details and for link to purchase tickets.
Sunday, Nov. 20 4:00-5:30 PM Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
NOVEMBER 12–20, 2022 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a national effort that we participate in every year by creating a county-wide campaign to draw attention to homelessness in Orange County. Read more about the United To End Homelessness campaign in Orange County here. Second Annual State of Homelessness Address Monday, November 14, 2022 | 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM First United Methodist Church 420 West 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Learn More and Register
Is Housing a Human Right? | Virtual Panel Discussion Thursday, November 17, 2022 | 12:00 to 1:00 PM | Online Read More and Register
#HHWeekOC Coffee Talk | Central Orange County Thursday, November 17, 2022 | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Artisan by 7 Leaves and Crema Bakery 10065 Garfield Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Read More and Register
#HHWeekOC Coffee Talk | North Orange County Friday, November 18, 2022 | 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Pilgrim's Coffee House 124 West Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832 Read More and Register
#HHWeekOC Coffee Talk | South Orange County Saturday, November 19, 2022 | 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Ziggi's Coffee 27525 Puerta Real #Ste. 500, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Read More and Register
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
