Weekly Newsletters and Special Announcements

Israel’s war with Iran continues to unfold, and much of the country will spend Shabbat in miklatim (bomb shelters).

This recent podcast titled “This War is Real” features Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discussing the parallels between Rising Lion and past operations, the differences in Israelis’ experiences across the country, and their hopes and fears for the days and weeks ahead.

Visit Shalom Hartman Institute’s website to access the full library of For Heaven’s Sake podcasts.

Monday, June 23 at 9:00am PT on Zoom
A special Advanced Learning Institute program featuring Dr. Itamar Harari
The 39th World Zionist Congress Election Results and
Their Impact on Israel Today

June 20, 2025 | 24 Sivan, 5785 | Parashat Sh’lach

Register here to receive Torah Sparks: Creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty

JCoOC programs and community service projects
are seeded and grow through
🌱 your generosity 🌱

JCoOC CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

PROGRAMS THIS WEEK

• Soul Spark Shabbat and Jerusalem Shabbat | Friday, June 20 at 6:30pm and Saturday, June 21 at 9:30am | TBSOC - 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo | Watch the Livestream

• Twelve Steps & Torah | Saturday, June 21 at 2pm PT on Zoom
• Advanced Learning Institute: The 39th World Zionist Congress Election Results and ​​​​​​​Their Impact on Israel Today with Dr. Itamar Harari | Monday, June 23 at 9:00am PT Note the time change | Register here
• OC Egal Nightly Minyan at 6pm PT | Sunday-Thursday
• There will be no bereavement support programming June 15-30. Sessions will resume July 1

UPCOMING JCoOC PROGRAMS

• ​​​​​​​Advanced Learning Institute: Seminars in Jewish Thought with Rabbi Daniel Levine | Mondays, June 30 through August 25 at 9:30am PT | Register here
• Tuesday Online Jewish Bereavement Support Group | Parent & sibling loss | Tuesday, July 1 at 5pm PT
• Thursday Online Jewish Bereavement Support Group | Spousal loss | Thursday, July 3 at 5pm PT​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Sundays in Silence and Spirit ​​​​​​​with Rabbi K'vod Wieder | Sunday, August 17 at 9:30am | Merage JCC
• Shabbat by the Shore | Friday, August 15 6pm | At a private home

JCoOC PROGRAMS THIS WEEK

Friday, June 20 at 6:30pm
Saturday, June 21 at 9:30am
SOUL SPARK & JERUSALEM SHABBAT
Join Rabbi Kvod Wieder, Musician-in-residence Mikey Pauker and other musical guests for two multisensory prayer experiences guaranteed to soothe the soul.
Hosted at Temple Beth El of South Orange County | 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo

Watch the Livestream

Saturday, June 21 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 meetings  click here

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.

JEWISH BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT NETWORK

Groups led by Chaplain Fran Chalin, BCC/MSW
Click here for more information and to express interest

There will be no bereavement support programming June 15-30. Sessions will resume July 1.

Tuesdays at 2pm PT | 5pm ET
July 1 - Parent & sibling loss
July 8 -  Open group

July 15 - Spousal loss
July 22 - Child loss

​​​​​​​Thursdays at 5pm PT | 8pm ET
July 3 -  Spousal loss
July 10 - Child loss
July 17 - Parent & sibling loss
July 24 - Open group

ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE SUMMER SCHEDULE

VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Enrich your summer with Jewish learning
Visit the websites below to access current and past course and special program schedules:

• AJU Whizin Center for Open Learning: 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!
• HUC Connect: HUC Connect invites you to join participants from 55 countries to discover something new about Judaism and about yourself through webinars, courses and podcasts.
• Shalom Hartman Institute: Online courses, podcasts and programs that courageously address some of the most pressing issues of our time.
• Orange County Community Scholars Program: A colorful array of podcasts and videos of current and past lectures spanning 2001-2025.