Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

This weekend, the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County is among the many Jewish communities around the world who are partnering with NCJW for Repro Shabbat that always coincides with Parshat Mishpatim. Schools, synagogues and individual groups will be sharing a range of resources that elucidate what Jewish tradition teaches about reproductive health, rights, and justice.
Click here to access their toolkit of resources.

Gan Laguna and Realize Rosh Hodesh are happening this weekend. Click on the above images to learn more, RSVP and access Zoom links.

Purim is coming March 6-7 🎉 
Send mishloach manot (delicious gifts) to family and friends and support NA’AMAT. Click here to place your order by February 23rd.

February 17, 2023 | 26 Shevat 5783 | Parashat Mishpatim 

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

Dear Friends:

On Monday, February 20, Americans will enjoy a federal holiday. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington's Birthday (February 22), it subsequently became an amalgamated recognition of Washington's birthday and Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12). Then, in 1971, as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act - instituted to create more three-day weekends for our nation's workers - the third Monday in February became known more broadly as Presidents' Day, and it is popularly observed as a long weekend to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

JEWS AND PRESIDENTS' DAY
In 2018, historian Paul Finkelman wrote a piece for the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent titled Jews and Presidents Day.  He begins: "We measure presidential greatness by combining challenges each leader faced and his successful resolutions. By this standard, both Washington and Lincoln are always numbered among the Top 3 — along with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. For Jews, Presidents Day has a special meaning. Both Washington and Lincoln were remarkable friends of American Jews, and their lives and careers resonate as models for religious liberty and the treatment of minorities." Enjoy the rest of the article HERE.

OUR HEARTS TURN TO THE EAST...
One of the greatest privileges of being an American Jew in the 20th and 21st centuries has been that we can love, support and feel at home both in American and Israel.  Many of us are pained and concerned about the future of Israel's stability should some of the proposed laws and shifts in governmental power be enacted.  Some say the country is on the brink of a civil war.  If this is true, we must all prepare to experience greater tensions and divisions within world Jewry and escalated anti-Zionist / anti-Semitic incidents everywhere.  We are all impacted by what happens in our homeland.

A LECTURE WORTH WATCHING
This past Wednesday, I attended a Zoom lecture with Professor Yossi Shain, hosted by the Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism, whose mission is to impart modern Judaic values informed by pluralistic movements into Israeli society.  Professor Shain's presentation and the Q and A that followed were very informative. I am pleased to share the ​​​​​​​recording with JCoOC's readers, and for those seeking resources to better understand what is happening and how we can help, I encourage you sign up to receive Daniel Centers emails.   

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IS A JEWISH VALUE
For the last four years, inspired by the current work of National Council of Jewish Women, the weekend that we read Parashat Mishpatim has become designated as Repro Shabbat - an annual time for American Jews to talk about the importance of reproductive justice in the Jewish tradition. Among the 53 laws presented in this parashah are those that directly impact women when they are raped or hit/abused while pregnant and suffer the loss of their fetus. As would be expected in the ancient world, the women have no voice and their sexuality is a business matter between men. But the Torah makes clear that the fetus is not considered a lost life for which damages must be paid.  There is a lot to unpack!

Whether you observe Shabbat at home, in community or in synagogue, I invite you download this wealth of resources for learning and discussion prepared by the NCJW educational team and identify a few to share with others for discussion. On the heels of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) that overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), this annual opportunity to focus on the ethical nature of reproductive rights and justice should be of critical importance to every person in this country.

SUPPORT EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY AND SYRIA
Neary two weeks after this catastrophic event, people are just beginning to assess the magnitude of destruction and loss. The best way we can help is to share our financial resources to support organizations providing direct relief in the region. Here are some suggested donation sites:

• Embrace Relief ​​delivering supplies directly where needed
• ​​​​​​​IsraAID: An Israeli Rescue and Relief Organization that responds to natural disasters around the world
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Amercian Red Cross
• Jewish Federations of North America
• Joint Distribution Committee
• Catholic Relief Services

We are certainly living in "interesting" times. Judaism challenges us at every turn to make each day count and never give up hope.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin

​​​​​​​Join the Collaborative on our first

purpose-driven mission to Israel in November of 2023.

Click here to learn more.

Join JCoOC's Monthly Giving Circle
in support of our unique mission and programs

Friday, February 17 at 6:00pm
FAMILY SHABBAT DINNER AND SERVICES
5pm (dinner) | 6pm (family service)
The Jewish Collaborative joins Temple Beth Tikvah for their monthly community Shabbat dinner and family-friendly service led by Rabbi Marcia Tilchin, Rabbi Miriam Van Raalte, Rachel White & friends.
In-person at 1600 N Acacia Ave, Fullerton
Join the LIVEStream here.

Saturday, February 18 at 10:00am
SERVICES, LUNCH AND LECTURE
AT TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH
Join Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and Rabbi Daniel Levine for Repro Shabbat 2023. Morning services will include the Kol Tikvah singers, some great learning and a special luncheon lecture by Professor Scott Spitzer on the current state of Presidential Scholarship.
In person: 1600 N. Acacia Ave., FullertonLivestream

Saturday, February 18 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 18 from 3-5pm 
GAN LAGUNA GOES 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 4:30pm
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 

Monday, February 20 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.

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 here to 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 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.

Co-sponsored by the Jewish Collaborative of OC and House of Ruach.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Starting Sunday, March 12 | 5-6:30pm PT
ALI IN THE EVENING
Scott Spitzer, Associate Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fullerton, will be teaching his course on the Politics of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The class will explore the multiple and oftentimes conflicting narratives of major inflection points in Israel’s relationships with her surrounding neighbors and with the Palestinians.
12 Sundays, beginning March 12.
​​​​​​​Register here.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

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.

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

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.

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

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.