Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

…for all the ways YOU helped foster collaborative Judaism in 2023 and for ushering us into a promising 2024!

Don't miss JCoOC's inaugural learning adventure!
Join us on Thursday, January 11 for a Zoom information session with trip leaders Cantor Matt, Rabbi Marcia and tour coordinator, Esther. Registration deadline is January 20th. It's going to be fantastic!

January 5, 2023 | 24 Tevet 5784 |  Parashat Shemot

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

JCoOC programs are seeded and grow through
🌱 your generosity 🌱

JCoOC CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Advanced Learning Institute with Daniel Levine: The Medieval Debates that Gave Us Modern Judaism: "What All this Means for Us Today"  | Monday, January 8 at 9:30am PT ​​​​​​

• ​​​​​​​Jewish Great Britain ​​​​​​​​​​​Zoom Information Session ​​​​​for those interested in learning more about our upcoming excursion to Great Britain in June of 2024 | Thursday, January 11 at 9:30am PT | 12:30pm ET
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Online Jewish Bereavement Support Groups | This week: Teen and Adult Child Loss | Thursday, January 11 at 5:00pm PT
• OC Egal Nightly Minyan at 6pm PT | Sunday-Thursday

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Online Jewish Bereavement Support Groups | This week: Parent and Sibling Loss | Thursday, January 18 at 5:00pm PT​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• Sundays in Silence and Spirit | Jewish meditation session at the JCC with Rabbi K'vod Wieder | Sunday, January 21 at 9:30am
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Gan Laguna T”u b’Shevat Hike | At Aliso and Woods Canyon Regional Park in Laguna Niguel | Sunday, January 28 at 9:30am | Contact Sarah for more information
• ​​​​​​​Stars of David Performance featuring Rabbi Marcia Tilchin, Cantor Judy Sofer and colleagues at Temple Beth Israel of Pomona | Saturday, February 3 at 7:30pm​​​​​​​
• A Sacred Music, History and Cultural Tour of Great Britain | June 19 - 28, 2024

• Gaining Insight into the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Exploring Attitudes within Israel and from Arab States with Professor Paul Liptz | January 7, 2024, 10:00am PT on Zoom
• 4th Annual Kol Tefilla Gathering in Los Angeles | January 19-21, 2024

• ​​​​​​​Ruach Nashim Shabbaton - A women’s retreat for the body, mind, and spirit in Ojai, CA | March 8 – 10, 2024

JCoOC Programs This Week

Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:30am PT 
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
The Medieval Debates that Gave Us Modern Judaism with Rabbi Daniel Levine
The Great Jewish thinkers of the Middle Ages were philosophers, poets, mystics and physicians - working out in their own minds how to reconcile evolved Jewish practice with primary philosophical schools of thought. Rabbi Daniel will take us on a 4-week journey into the great minds of the time and their enduring impact on the trajectory of Jewish thought and practice that are still manifest today.
​Click here to register.
Click here ​​​​​​to access recordings of previous sessions.

Wednesday, January 11, 2024
9:30am PT | 12:30pm ET
SUMMER ADVENTURE ZOOM INFORMATION SESSION
Thinking about joining us in England for our Sacred Music, History and Culture Tour of Great Britain in June of 2024? We’d love to travel with you! All are welcome to attend a zoom informational session with the trip leaders. RSVP here to receive the zoom link

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.

SPIRITUALITY, GRIEF AND HEALING

Click here to learn about ongoing support groups led by Chaplain Fran Chalin, BCC, MSW 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
the House of Ruach Foundation.

January dates:
4th - Spousal loss
11th - Child loss
18th - Parent and sibling loss
25th - Circle of Hope & Healing

February dates:
1st - Spousal loss
8th - Child loss
15th - Parent and sibling loss
22nd - Circle of Hope & Healing

January 25th session will feature special guest, Rabbi Ilan Gazer

ONGOING WAYS TO SUPPORT ISRAEL

Thank you to everyone who has donated to support grassroots tzedakah that is making a difference for Israeli soldiers and civilians every day.
Our fundraising efforts on Israel's behalf are ongoing.

Embrace Israel Bracelets
Another tzedaka opportunity to support our brothers and sisters in Israel
Order through Instagram here

COLLABORATIVE TRAVEL

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OF INTEREST

All are invited to attend this annual shabbaton hosted by the USCJ, Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles and the Clergy Leadership Incubator. Treat yourself to a weekend of musical immersion and inspiration.
Click here to register

Stars of David performance has been rescheduled for February 3, 2024 at 7:30pm

Featuring Cantors Judy Sofer, Paul Buch, Daniel Freedman, Toby Schwartz, Marcia Tilchin and David Perper with David Spear on piano.

This musical review, based on Abigail Pogrebin's book of the same name, relates through music how some of America's most prominent and influential performance artists, philantropists, and civil servants were impacted by their Jewish histories and identities. Learn about Gwyneth Paltrow, Leonard Nimoy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and many others in this funny and poignant musical revue.

Join a growing, diverse and multigenerational contingent of OC Jewish women choosing to indulge in Ruah Nashim, led by master teacher and spiritual leader Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer.  A special gift to yourself.  Register HERE ​​​​​​​

If you'd like to learn more about Ruach Nashim, please contact Andrea Alfi or Sandy Rothberg

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.