Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

An NCJW initiative, Repro Shabbat is an annual Shabbat celebration honoring the Jewish value of reproductive freedom, always coinciding with Parashat Mishpatim. 

Dr. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch shares his insights on Judaism and Reproductive Rights as understood through the exegetical lens of this week's parashah.

Suzanne Kurtz Sloan wrote this article for NCJW:
Repro Shabbat Brings a Jewish Lens to Reproductive Freedom

Over 2,000 communities and individuals are honoring Repro Shabbat this weekend. It’s not too late to make your plans!
 
Find a list of community events in your area on the Repro Shabbat website and join a local celebration in person or virtually!
 
If you’d like to observe Repro Shabbat at home, we hope you'll make use of these​​​​​​ resources. 

​​​​​​​The Torah of Reproductive Freedom

Become an Advocate
​​​​​​​
Blessing, prayers and discussion topics for Repro Shabbat

 JCoOC will be joining Temple Beth Emet in Anaheim on February 10th. Shabbat services begin at 9:30am and are followed by a kiddush luncheon hosted by Sisterhood.

1770 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Watch the LIvestream here

Kosher Dill Pickleball for a Cause!
Help JCoOC support Israel and our community
Register here ​​​​​​​for our March 31st fun-raising afternoon

February 9, 2024 | 30 Sh'vat 5784 |  Parashat Mishpatim
Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph​​​​​​​

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

• Repro Shabbat at Temple Beth Emet in Anaheim | February 10
• 12 Steps & Torah |  Saturdays at 2:00pm PT on Zoom
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Advanced Learning Institute with Rabbi K'vod Wieder : Neo-Hasidism - A Creative Approach to Making Jewish Meditation and Spirituality Accessible | Monday, February 12 at 9:30am PT 
• ​​​​​​​Online Jewish Bereavement Support Groups | This week: Parent and Sibling Loss | Thursday, February 15 at 5:00pm PT​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• OC Egal Nightly Minyan at 6pm PT | Sunday-Thursday

• Advanced Learning Institute with Bex Rosenblatt: Governance and Leadership in the Tanakh | Monday, February 19 at 9:30am PT 
• Sundays in Silence and Spirit | Jewish meditation at the JCC with Rabbi K'vod Wieder | Sunday, February 19 at 9:30am

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Circle of Hope and Healing: Loss and Grief in the LGBTQ+ Community | Thursday, February 29 on Zoom 5:00pm PT

• Taharah Training | March 17 at 1:30pm  
• Gan Laguna Pint-size Purim Party | March 23 at 3:30pm

• ​​​​​​​Circle of Hope & Healing Virtual Film Screening and Panel Discussion​​​​​ - March 28 at 3pm PT
• 2nd Annual Kosher Dill Pickleball Tournament: Dink It Forward | March 31st at 1pm | RSVP here
• A Sacred Music, History and Cultural Tour of Great Britain | June 19 - 28, 2024 | Registration is now open

• Dan Nichols in Orange County this weekend

• ​​​​​​​AJU's From the Holocaust to Hamas: The Faces of Antisemitism ​​​​​​| Four Thursdays | Feb 8-29, 2024
• ​​​​​​​Worlwide Wrap OC | February 11, 2024
• NCJW's Repro Shabbat | February 9-10, 2024
• In Sooth I Know Not Why I Am So Sad performance at UCI's Little Theater | February 17, 2024

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

JCoOC Programs

Saturday, February 10, 2024
REPRO SHABBAT
JCoOC joins Temple Beth Emet in Anaheim for their annual Sisterhood Shabbat during which we will honor the Jewish value of reproductive freedom and pikuah nefesh. An NCJW initiative, Repro Shabbat always coincides with Parshat Mishpatim. Find community observances in your area by clicking here. ​​​​​​​
Shabbat services begin at 9:30am followed by a luncheon hosted by TBE's Sisterhood.
1770 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
​​​​​​​Watch the LIvestream here

Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 9:30am
WORLDWIDE WRAP OC - Two locations
The custom of wearing tefilin is ancient, powerful, and for many people unfamiliar. This international program brings together lifelong, occasional, and never-before tefilin wearers (women and men) to learn, pray and discover the spiritual secrets manifest in this sacred traditional practice. All are welcome!
​​​​​​​Temple Beth Emet Wraps for Israel
9:45am with special guest, Rabbi Mike Mymon
1770 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Temple Beth El of South OC
9:30am with Rabbis Wieder and Tilchin.
To register, email kvod@tbesoc.org
2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Monday, February 12, 2024 at 9:30am PT 
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Neo-Hasidism: A Creative Approach to Making Jewish Meditation and Spirituality Accessible with Rabbi K'vod Wieder 
In this final session of his 3-week series, Rabbi K’vod will focus on "Meditation in Jewish Tradition." Throughout this course we have learned how the Neo-Hasidic movement that started in the early to mid 20th century began reclaiming essential principles and teachings that have made Jewish spiritual practice accessible for today’s seekers.
​Click here to register. Watch previous sessions ​​​​​​​

Thursday, February 15 - 5:00 to 6:30pm PT
ONLINE JEWISH BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Groups led by Chaplain Fran Chalin, BCC/MSW 
February dates:
1st - Spousal loss
8th - Child loss
15th - Parent and sibling loss
29th - Circle of Hope & Healing
Click here for more information and to express interest

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.

Monday, February 19, 2024 at 9:30am PT 
ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE
Governance and Leadership in Genesis
with Bex Rosenblatt
In this series, we look to Genesis for biblical ideals of governance and leadership. Contrasting God, Abraham and Joseph, we will consider the shortcomings and successes of three very different models. This week's topic: "In the Image of God:  In the beginning, God created order out of chaos."
Other dates: February 19 and 26
​Click here to register. Watch previous sessions ​​​​​​​

New ALI class starting March 4th
RSVP here

JCoOC is proud to partner with JQ International and Beth Chayim Chadashim for our next Circle of Hope & Healing program
RSVP here

Pack your bags and join us in Great Britain this summer!
There are still a few spots open for additional travelers
Learn more here ✈️ 

UPCOMING SPECIAL SHABBATOT AND PROGRAMS

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 veteran attendees Andrea Alfi ​​​​​​​or Sandy Rothberg

ONGOING WAYS TO SUPPORT ISRAEL

JCoOC has been raising funds for grassroots relief efforts to help civilians and soldiers in Israel. A percentage of the proceeds from our upcoming Kosher Dill Pickleball Fundraiser will be dedicated to supporting continuing needs of victims of terror, displaced persons and the IDF.

Please join us for this fun, community-building event and consider becoming a sponsor. Thank you!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Community Havdalah & Music Event
with Dan Nichols

Friday Night, February 9th at 7:00pm, at Shir HaMa’alot
CBI clergy will join SHM colleagues and Dan Nichols for a rockin' Friday night service. Watch LIVE here

Saturday Morning, February 10th at 9:30am, at CBI
Dan Nichols and SHM clergy will join CBI for a special Rosh Chodesh Shabbat morning. ​​​​​​​Watch LIVE here

Havdalah and Concert Hosted by CSP
Saturday Night February 10th at 7:00 PM, at Shir HaMaalot
Includes pre-event dinner option served by The Lime Truck. Doors open at 5:30 PM.

From the Holocaust to Hamas: The Faces of Antisemitism
Four Thursdays at 12pm PST | Free | Online

The Whizin Center for Continuing Education at American Jewish University presents Professor Michael Berenbaum teaching an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted nature of antisemitism through various historical and contemporary lenses. This profound examination of the different manifestations and historical roots of antisemitism will shed light on its evolution from the darkest chapters of history to present-day persecution and terror.

Please consider making a donation to support this and other valuable AJU learning programs open to the public.

February 8, Session 1: Christian and Muslim Anti-Judaism and Antisemitism 
February 15, Session 2: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Other Big Lies 
February 22, Session 3: Nazi Antisemitism – Why, however bad things are today, this is not the same 
February 29, Session 4: Contemporary Antisemitism: Sources, Goals, Priorities, Crises 

In Sooth I Know Not Why I Am So Sad
Written and directed by Aaron Henne

UCI's Little Theater
February 17, 2024 at 7:00pm

Reserve your spot now - seats are limited!

The Jewish Community Foundation Orange County’s Weissman Arts, UCI New Swan Shakespeare Center, and the ADL welcome Theatre Dybbuk back to Orange County to debut the OC rendition of The Merchant of Venice (Annotated).  This provocative theatre utilizes contemporary and early modern texts and music to blend Shakespeare, history, and current social discourse to explore prejudice and antisemitism today.

Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes with an intermission. Recommended for ages 14 and up. 

Space is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available. 
Funding for the Weissman Arts Program is made possible by a generous legacy gift from the Albert Weissman & Rhoda Yvette Weissman Endowment Fund at Jewish Community Foundation Orange County.

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.