Rabbi's Israel Reflections | Stars of David in Long Beach 2/16 | Climate Action Events Feb 3-13 | Shabbat Shalom!
01/31/2025 01:17:56 PM
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Hostage Square in Tel Aviv and Memorial Garden at the Nova Festival Site
Dear Friends,
Shabbat Shalom. I returned to California last Friday from my first visit to Israel since October 7, 2023. It was a very meaningful and inspiring trip filled with nostalgia, sadness and beauty all rolled into a week. As the country still awaits the return of 90 hostages, continues to wage war against cells of terror and is feeling the economic impact of a 16-month collapse of its tourist industry, Israeli citizens are going about their lives, enjoying delicious meals, showing up for work, and the new construction country wide is astounding.
Being there as the recent hostage deal was solidifying and as the first 3 young women were released into the arms of their mothers was breathtaking. We met with soldiers, families that lost children on and after October 7, people living within the Gaza envelope who hid for days in their safe rooms not knowing when it might be safe to emerge. Each personal story was moving in a different way, and hearing them first-hand reinforced for me and my fellow travelers the sense that we are extended family at heart.
It was also interesting to be there as the USA was experiencing a peaceful transfer of power between two very different administrations. The United States has been Israel’s most essential ally since President Harry Truman recognized Israel’s independence within hours of its declaration on May 14, 1948. As with any significant relationship, some periods are more tense than others, but America has always understood Israel’s purpose as a safe haven for Jewish people world over and appreciated having Israel is an essential geopolitical friend in the Middle East.
How the relationship will proceed with a new cast of leaders fills many of us with wonder. It’s my pleasure to share this recently recorded conversation between Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevititled "Israel In Ceasefire" as part of Hartman Institute'sFor Heaven’s Sake series. They raise some fascinating questions and dilemmas from the Israeli perspective that certainly gave me pause. I hope you find it thought provoking.
Still waiting for that dull moment? Me too! Thank goodness we have Shabbes.
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful Shabbat and purposeful week ahead, Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Jewish musician Mikey Pauker and Beautiful Way Records in partnership with SoCal Jewish organizations present Interfaith LA Fire Benefit Concert Saturday, February 8 at 6:30pm The Pico Union Project - 1153 Valencia St
Read Rabbi Tilchin's special message 🌎Time to Feel, Process and Engageto access a range of learning and action opportunities on behalf of environmental justice and stewardship
Throughout the day on February 13, 2025, Dayenu Circles from around the country will join forces with Jewish Earth Alliance for their annual virtual lobby day with senate and congressional leaders in the 119th Congress.
There is no time to wait! Unprecedented wildfires in California, hurricanes on the eastern seaboard and ferocious tornados throughout the midwest are crying out for humanity to make environmental stewardship a priority in every aspect of our lives. Please join Dayenu Orange County and the Jewish Collaborative for this empowering experience.
Responding to the climate crisis requires new forms of imagination, particularly in a time of increased drought and wildfires - especially in Southern California. In this third event in a series featuring the four elements (Water, Air, Fire, and Earth), please join us for an interfaith exploration of fire with a focus on Indigenous approaches to fire stewardship. Learn about wildfire prevention and recovery. Join together in collective learning and healing, and find out what you can do to make a difference.
Optional tour of the synagogue with Rabbi Marcia Tilchin 6:30-7:00 pm
JCoOC programs and community service projects are seeded and grow through 🌱 your generosity🌱
Gender Disparity in the Torah led by Rabbi Tilchin | February 11 at 7pm | Part of the "Shining the Light of Torah in Today's World" series at TBESOC in Aliso Viejo
Saturday, February 1 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. For more information and to be added to the Twelve Steps & Torah email list, click here For a full menu of OJR programs and meetingsclick here
February 3, 2025 Monday - 9:30 am PT | 12:30 am ET ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Grief and Trauma in the Wake of Natural Disaster: How Community Can Help with Chaplain Fran Chalin, BCC/MSW In response to the shocking devastation caused by the LA fires, seasoned grief counselor Chaplain Fran Chalin will help us begin to understand what Los Angelians may expect to feel in the weeks, months and years to come and the best ways for others to be supportive. Extreme natural disasters are the new normal, and we will need one another to face the future with courage and sensitivity. Click here for details and to register
Tuesdays at 2pm PT | 5pm ET Feb 4 - Parent & sibling loss Feb 11 - Open group Feb 18 - Spousal loss Feb 25 - Child loss
Thursdays at 5pm PT | 8pm ET Feb 6 - Spousal loss Feb 13 - Child loss Feb 20 - Parent & sibling loss Feb 27 - Open group
Beginning March 6, JCoOC’s Jewish Bereavement Support Network will be hosting a 6-week in-person grief group at the Merage JCC in Irvine on Thursdays from 1:00-2:30pm. Registration opening soon
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.
Are you concerned about the decimation of our planet? Join members of OC’s Jewish community committed to working together to speak up, take action and educate others. Dayenu Orange County is waiting for you!
What is a Dayenu Circle and why would I want to be part of it? Dayenu Circles—small groups of people working on climate action—are a way for you to make powerful, positive change with a Jewish voice. Together with just a few friends, fellow community members, or neighbors you can join or create a Dayenu Circle that can be your homebase for climate action.
Flowers Aren't Enough Written and performed by Naomi Ackerman Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2pm | Alpert JCC 3801 E. Willow St. in Long Beach In partnership with Temple Beth Ohr, Home Shalom, and Advot Project
Flowers Aren’t Enough is about Michal, a young woman who falls into a relationship that grows increasingly abusive over time. A composite of several true stories woven together, Ms. Ackerman has combined voices of women from different cultures and backgrounds to create an awareness-raising performance designed to open conversations about domestic violence and debunk the incorrect assumption that only uneducated, poor women from troubled families can be victims. A dessert reception and discussion featuring representatives from Long Beach Women’s Shelter, JFCS, and social worker Karen Fenton-Strauss from Temple Beth Ohr will follow the performance.
Shining the Light of Torah on Today’s World Four presentations demonstrating how study can propel us to action
February 11 with Rabbi Marcia Tilchin Gender Disparity
Israel Philharmonic Tribute: Heartbeat of a Nation Wednesday, March 26, 2025 5:30pm Pre-concert Dinner Reception at The Park Club 8:00pm Performance at Segerstrom Concert Hall
Click here to access a roster of upcoming courses, guest lectures and special programs offered virtually as well as recordings of past programs.
AJU online learning offers classes for adults seeking to build Jewish skills and knowledge and hosts lectures by internationally acclaimed scholars, artists, authors and geo-political experts. Something for everyone!
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.
Mondays May 19, 26 and June 16, 2025 9:30 am PT | 12:30 pm ET Register here
This question in 2025 has deep personal and political consequences with roots in ancient Jewish debates. Rabbi Daniel will trace how ideas of Jewish identity have shifted across time - from biblical categories to the modern crises of belonging. We will explore why there has never been one clear answer to the question of Jewish identity and why the debate itself may be essential to Jewish continuity.
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.
Each challah is an edible work of art, baked fresh and hand-braided especially for you! Choose from raisin, traditional, sesame seed and poppy seed. For more information, visit theblessedbraid.com.
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