American Premiere of The Violin Maker May 9, 10 and 11, 2025
International City Theatre
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Don’t miss this special opportunity to see the world premier of The Violin Maker at International City Theatre in Long Beach. The show closes Sunday, May 11.
Beautifully written and performed, this remarkable work is a tribute to the Weinstein family (who established the exhibit Violins of Hope) that was driven by a passion to honor professional and amateur musicians who perished in the Holocaust.
The Violin Maker is a new play by Ronda Spinak (Artistic Director of The Braid) and Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum with music curation by Dr. Noreen Green (founding director of LA Jewish Symphony). This important work is based on the true story of Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein. He gathered and restored ruined violins that survived the Holocaust and ultimately created a remarkable collection known throughout the world as the Violins of Hope.The Violin Maker opens April 25th for a three-week run. Previews are April 23 and 24.
Saturday, May 10 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
Monday, May 12 at 9:30 am PT | 12:30 pm ET ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Should the Song of Songs be X Rated?
with Rabbi David Lazar Unlike most books in the TaNaKah, Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) does not focus on narrative, law, wisdom or historical events. Instead it is erotic poetry in which lovers express passionate desire through the exchange of words fragrant with adoration and desire. We will explore what led our Sages to imagine that this book was suitable for the Jewish scriptural cannon and how church patriarchy reinterpreted classical rabbinic understanding. Please join us! Click here for details and to register Watch recordings of past ALI classes
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.
Tuesdays at 2pm PT | 5pm ET May 6 - Parent & sibling loss May 13 - Open group May 20 - Spousal loss May 27 - Child loss
Thursdays at 5pm PT | 8pm ET May 1- Spousal loss May 8 - Child loss May 15 - Parent & sibling loss May 22 - Open group
UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS
Jewish Meditation at the JCC Sunday, May 18th at 9:30am
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND VIRTUAL LEARNING
IAC Orange County and the Merage JCC present
Celebrate Israel - A Community Festival
Sunday May 18 at 11:00 am
Merage JCC | 1 Federation Way in Irvine
CELEBRATE ISRAEL is an annual festival that brings the spirit of Israel to Orange County with activities for all ages—kids, teens, young adults, and adults.
Enjoy entertainment, delicious kosher food, and a joyful atmosphere filled with Israeli culture, energy, and pride.
Scroll down for sponsorship opportunities and information
For the past decade, Urban Voices Project has empowered individuals affected by homelessness through making music, offering connection, healing, and a path toward stability.
The work of UVP has created a ripple effect of transformation across Los Angeles and beyond.
Sponsorship packages include promotional opportunities, ticket bundles to the event, engagement opportunities with our Skid Row choir and visibility before an engaged audience of community leaders, advocates, and arts patrons.
For more information about sponsorship or patron opprtunities, please contact Kate Richards Geller, Executive Director (917) 514-1891 | kate@urbanvoicesproject.org
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 9, 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.
JCoOC is an exempt organization in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code EIN: 36-4844121
