EnjoyTorah Sparks: Creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty.
The world has changed in the span of a week. On Monday, February 6, a series of violent earthquakes struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. The confirmed death toll as of February 10 is close to 23,000, but is expected to rise precipitously. Close to 7000 buildings have been destroyed in more than 12 cities. Two cities in Turkey, Maras and Hatay, are essentially obliterated. Close to 70,000 people have sustained non-fatal injuries, and at least 320,000 people are now displaced.
This is a three-dimensional cataclysm: First, there is the 7.8 earthquake itself and the aftershocks. Second, bitter cold weather. Those who escaped crumbling structures are navigating extreme cold, rain and snow. At first people tried to keep warm in their cars, but within a few days vehicles used all their fuel and deliveries into these devasted areas are halted. Third, rampant hunger is taking its toll. Food is scarce and people are starving.
Many people in Orange County have lost family and friends. A husband and wife from Turkey were in OC visiting their older children when they learned that their two younger sons – both college age – were found in the first wave of dead bodies. Another young OC woman learned that her sister, brother-in-law and their three children, who lived on the 3rd story of an 8-story building, are all dead, but it may take months before their bodies are recovered. Family and friends are staying with them around the clock because they are so distraught.
When a disaster like this happens, we realize that, as part of one human family, it is our duty to provide support and comfort in whatever ways we can to help those in need. Bodies of the dead are piling up in hospital courtyards. Israel is one of a few neighboring countries that was able to set up mobile medical units both in Turkey and Syria almost immediately. Clothing, blankets and supplies are being transported by air as fast as we can get them there, and faith-based organizations around the world are raising millions of relief dollars to purchase essential equipment - like generators - to provide desperately needed electricity. A solidarity vigil was held last night at Pacifica Institute in Irvine and almost every religious faith was represented.
This is only the beginning. Search and clean-up missions will be going on for months if not years. We encourage you to donate whatever you can immediately to:
Embrace Relief delivering supplies directly where needed (click here or scan the QR code below)
IsraAID: An outstanding Israeli Rescue and Relief Organization that is usually first to respond to natural disasters around the world
The Jewish Collaborative extends condolences to the Temple Beth Sholom community on the tragic loss of Monica and Irv Engel, pillars of the congregation for over 40 years. There will be a Celebration of Life at TBS on Monday, Feb 13th, at 3:00 pm. Watch the livestream here. May their legacy of extraordinary hesed endure as a great blessing for all of us. T''hi Zikhrom Barukh.
THIS WEEK WITH JCoOC
Friday, February 10 at 6:30pm SOUL SPARK SHABBAT AT TBESOC Join Cantor Natalie Young, Rabbi Kvod Wieder, Cellist Steve Velez and other musicians for a meditative, soulful journey into Shabbat that weaves sound, silence and poetry into Sabbath liturgy. In-Person: 2A Liberty; Alisa Viejo in the Rotunda Livestream
Saturday, February 11 at 10:00am MINYAN AM EHAD AT TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH Join Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Rabbi Daniel Levine for Shabbat morning services followed by a community lunch. In person: 1600 N. Acacia Ave., FullertonLivestream
Saturday, February 11 at 2pm PT TWELVE STEPS AND TORAH JCoOC partners with Our Jewish Recovery(OJR) every Shabbat afternoon for Torah study informed by the wisdom of Twelve Step recovery. Join us on Zoom(new link). For more information and to be added to the Twelve Steps & Torah email list, click here. For a full menu of OJR programs and meetings click here.
Saturday, February 11 at 6:30pm PT THE YIDDISHKEIT OF "SAY ANYTHING" JCoOC is proud to welcome TBT cantorial fellow Gabrielle Newman as she explores the band Say Anything's decision to include aspects of Jewish identity throughout their mainstream music. Join us on ZoomPasscode: cTTtd1 Or on Facebook LIVE.
Monday, February 13 at 9:30am ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE From Catastrophe to Hope - Session 4 of 4 Rabbi David Lazar guides us in a close reading of the Biblical Book of Joel in an attempt to understand the circumstances surrounding its composition, use of other biblical materials and how it has been understood over the centuries. See the class recordings here
Monday, February 13 at 5:30pm PT SURVEY OF JEWISH HISTORY Newcomers are welcome to join Rabbi Daniel Levine's engaging tour of Jewish history fusing biblical, rabbinic and scholarly sources. Register Here to join our class. Watch recordings of previous classes here.
Saturday, February 18 from 3-5pm GAN LAGUNA DOES GARDENING This exciting new program for families with children ages 0-5 and their siblings meets once a month at a private home in Laguna Beach. Featuring Rabbi Marcia Tilchin, Dale Schatz, Lauren Carroll and friends. Music, crafts, nosh and good company!RSVP here.
Sunday, February 19 at 4:45pm REALIZE ROSH HODESH JCoOC and friends join Realize Paradise founder, Kohennet Rachel Kann, for a guided writing journey under the new moon. Through the artistic medium of choice, participants will take a virtual creative journey into the new Jewish month of Adar that begins on Tuesday night February 21st at sundown. Open to all. Join on Zoom or Facebook LIVE
Sundays through Thursdays 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 hereto receive the private Zoom link. All are welcome.
Saturday, Feb 25th & Sunday, Feb 26th HILLTOP PLAYERS PREMIERE All are invited to attend IMAGINE, a musical review directed by Elizabeth Kent. This inaugural production of Hilltop Players at Temple Beth Tikvah, Orange County's newest young people's theatre program, is proudly co-sponsored by The Jewish Collaborative's BIMAH initiative. Click here to purchase tickets.
Click here to learn about upcoming ongoing support groups led by Chaplain Fran Chalin M.S.W./M.J.C.S. and to express interest in participation. Weekly meetings will address issues associated with specific types of loss. Hosted by the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County and House of Ruach.
FEBRUARY 2023 SCHEDULE
Thursdays at 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET on Zoom
February 2 - For those grieving Spouses and longtime companions. (1st Thursday of every month) February 9 - For those grieving Teen and adult children.
(2nd Thursday of every month)
February 16 - For those grieving Parents and guardians. (3rd Thursday of every month)
February 23 - For those grieving Siblings and close friends.
(4th Thursday of every month)
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Participants on Mesubakh will hear a multiplicity of voices. We will learn about Israel’s remarkable diversity and multiple narratives through personal meetings and shared meals with an array of speakers and teachers, all of whom consider Israel and Palestine their home. Learn more here.
Former neo-Nazi speaker, Jeff Schoep, will share his story about leaving the world of extreme hate. March 8, 2023 from 8am to 10am at Congregation Shir-Ha-Ma'alot Click here to RSVP
JCoOC's Advanced Learning Institute invites you to explore in depth “Understanding the Arab Israeli conflict.” Taught by Dr. Scott Spitzer. 12 Sundays from 5:00pm to 6:30pm PT | Starting March 12 Learn more and register here
Saturday night, February 25th & Sunday, February 26th All are invited to attend IMAGINE, a musical review directed by Elizabeth Kent. This inaugural production of Hilltop Players at Temple Beth Tikvah, Orange County's newest young people's theatre program, is proudly co-sponsored by The Jewish Collaborative's BIMAH initiative. Click here to 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
