Jlife Extra
Movies, Lectures and More Begin an Exciting 2020
By Ilene Schneider
The Orange County Jewish community will start 2020 with a variety of activities at various locations. In addition to the Community Scholar Program (listed separately), there will be educational programs, social action programs, fundraisers, movies and informational events. Check them out and enjoy!
Saturday, January 4
9:30 a.m.
CBI Coastal offers Shabbat-a-Bing, Shabbat-a-Boom in honor of National Spaghetti Day. Come celebrate a Happy New Year with an Italian Shabbos at 1 Beech Tree Lane, Irvine, CA 92612.
Saturday, January 4
6:30 p.m.
Jewish Movie Night at Temple Bat Yahm presents Holy Lands in Packard Hall. There will be a snack and discussion before the screening. Admission is $2 at the door.
Saturday, January 4
7 p.m.
The Havdallah and White Elephant Sale at Temple Beth Emet will support the Women’s League. Each person is requested to bring a wrapped gift to be auctioned following the musical service.
Sunday, January 5
9 a.m.
The OC International Jewish Film Festival presents Leona at Regal Westpark 8 (3735 Alton Parkway, Irvine) with a bagel breakfast and introduction by screenwriter and psychologist Dr. Michael Berlin. This semi-autobiographical film relates the story of young Ariela, a Syrian-Jewish muralist from Mexico City, who finds herself torn between her family and her love for Ivan, a non-Jew. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Wednesday, January 8
12 p.m.
Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Spitz will provide the opportunity to read to gain experiences with mystical illumination, the meaning of the word Zohar. The class will be at Congregation B’nai Israel, 2111 Bryan Avenue, Tustin, CA 92782.
Saturday, January 11
4 p.m.
Temple Beth Sholom presents a Bourbon Tasting at Matthew and Lori Griffin Home.
There might not be anything more uniquely American than Bourbon whiskey. American whiskey brands often celebrate idealized values—independence, pragmatism, guts. Could there be any three better words to describe the Jewish people.
One of America’s oldest bourbon distilleries was founded by a Jewish immigrant. Jews in America redefined the brewing, distilling and selling of alcoholic beverages in America including whiskey.
In this class participants will taste some of the finest whiskies America has to offer, learn the impact that Jews had on this industry, cover the problems that Jews in Europe had with discrimination and assimilation and learn how upon their arrival in America, they were able to assimilate and have their ideas welcomed. These ideas included whiskey distillation. Cost is $36 per person with a limit of 18 people.
Saturday, January 11
6:30 p.m.
Temple Beth El presents a special program sponsored by Jewish Justice Advocates – a powerful conversation with Mohammed Al Samawi and Emily Primack. Mohammed Al Samawi is the award-winning author of The Fox Hunt: A Refugee’s Memoir of Coming to America. Emily Primack is the Major Gift Officer, Western Region for HIAS (a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3)refugee protection organization based in Silver Spring, MD).
Sunday, January 12
3 p.m.
Get involved in Social Action at CBI with Sunday Supper. Come cook, laugh, serve and help those less fortunate. Sunday Supper will be back at St. Paul’s starting in January.
Thursday, January 16
9:30 a.m.
Tarbut V’Torah will offer a continental breakfast and tour as part of an admissions open house. Meet the staff and learn about the award-winning day school.
Sunday, January 26
9 a.m.
The Brotherhood of Temple Beth David will be hosting a Texas Hold’em Tournament. If 40 people participate, the guaranteed first prize is worth $500.
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Orange County Community Scholar Program One-Month Scholar Prof. Paul Liptz
January 5-30, 2020
Fulfilling the Dream: The Fascinating Story of Modern Israel
The program is supported by an Impact Grant from Jewish Federation & Family Services made possible by the Leon Ninburg Estate. It is partially funded by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County, and it is honoring Roz and Elliot Vogelfanger.
Topics and sessions include:
Opening Lecture: Sunday Night January 5, 2020: Fulfilling the Dream: Living in a Fascinating World
Co-sponsored by the Merage JCC
Location: Merage JCC, 1 Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92612
Time: 7:00 PM reception, presentation starts at 7:30 PM
Tuesday Brown Bag Lunch Series: Creating A Nation
Dates: January 7, 14, 21 & 28
Time: 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Location: Merage JCC (1 Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92612)
Wednesday Evening Series: Politics and Politicians
Dates: January 8, 15, 22 & 29
Time: 7:15 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Merage JCC (1 Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92612)
Thursday Brown Bag Lunch Series: Israel’s Neighbors: Nationalism and Religion in a Complex Region
Dates: January 9, 16 & 23
Time: 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Location: Merage JCC (1 Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92612)
Private Patron/Legacy Event: 53 Years in Israel: A Personal Story
Saturday Night January 18, 2020, 7:30 PM
Closing Lecture: Looking Back to the Future: What Must We Do Now?
Thursday Night January 30, 2020
Location: Las Lomas Community Center Federation Way, Irvine, CA 92612
Time: 7:00 PM reception, presentation starts at 7:30 PM
For more information or to register for the programs, contact CSP at (949) 682-4040 or www.occsp.org.