Mix of events comes after the holidays
By Ilene Schneider
November in Jewish Orange County is about as eclectic as it gets. You can bake challah with more than 1,000 of your closest friends, attend a gala celebrating the IDF, gain addiction awareness, learn about Jewish culture in Africa, start on your Chanukah shopping and more.
Saturday, November 2
9:30 AM
Hole Mole
Congregation B’nai Israel will hold CBI Coastal Hole Mole Shabbat at University Park Community Center, 1 Beech Tree Lane, Irvine. Rabbi Adam Greenwald, Amy Robinson Katz, Carl Cedar and Leeav Sofer will lead the Hal’lu Shabbat service, followed by lunch.
Friday, November 8
4 PM
to Saturday, November 9
6 PM
Serenity Shabbat
On the Shabbat of November 8-9, Congregation Beth Jacob will host the OC Serenity Shabbat. JFFS and JAAN, the Jewish Addiction Awareness Network, hold four Serenity Shabbats each year to raise awareness and understanding of addiction in our Jewish community and to learn how the wisdom of Judaism teaches about the spiritual practice of recovery.
Sunday, November 10
2:30 PM
Music of the Abayudaya
Temple Judea, 24512 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods (949-830-0470) will host an afternoon of the music of the Abayudaya Jewish Community in Uganda. Rabbi Gershom Sizumo, leader of almost 2,000 Jews living in Eastern Uganda, will sing for us and with us.
Sunday, November 10
5:30 PM
FIDF Gala
Connect to Israel and its heroes as the Orange County Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) hosts its 3rd Annual Gala Dinner, A Night of Heroes, at Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Boulevard, Irvine. Learn more at www.fidf.org.
Tuesday, November 12
10:30 AM
Interfaith Alzheimer’s Service
University Synagogue’s Bridges Program and Alzheimer’s Orange County will have an interfaith service, led by Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and Cantor Ruti Braier. The service for families, caregivers and interested members is specially adapted for individuals with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. There will be a Bagel Kiddush after the service. Please RSVP by Thursday, November 7, at 714/ 292-6148.
Thursday, November 14
9:30 AM
TVT Open House
Tarbut V’Torah (TVT) Department of Admissions will hold a continental breakfast, information meeting about TVT, grades TK through 12, and tour of the school. It will start at the TVT Upper School Multi-Purpose Room, 5 Federation Way, Irvine (949-509-9500; bfisco@tarbut.com).
Thursday, November 14
7 PM
OC Mega Challah Bake
Join more than 1,000 of your closest friends at the OC Mega Challah Bake at the Momentous Sports Center, 14522 Myford Road, Irvine (714/389-7900). An initiative of the OC Jewish community, the event is the effort of a diverse group of Jewish women seeking to bring the community together.
Thursday, November 21
12:15 PM
Etrog Education
The OC Community Scholar Program (CSP0 presents a lecture about the etrog by Dr. David Moster called “How a Chinese Fruit Became a Jewish Symbol. It will take place at the Las Lomas Community Center, 10 Federation Way, Irvine, across from the Jewish Federation Campus. Learn more at www.occsp.org.
Sunday, November 24
9:30 AM
Shoppers Paradise
Bring your friends and your shopping list to the Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood Holiday Boutique. There will be food and vendors galore. Origami Owl Custom Design Jewelry offers customizable jewelry pieces, lockets, charms, bracelets, earrings and watches. The Jewelry Junkie, a crafter for many years, will show off wares crafted from repurposed objects. Oh Fudge Marla will be on hand with amazing flavors. The congregation is at 2625 N. Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana (714-628-4600).
Sunday, November 24
7:30 PM
Personal Holocaust History
Mark Biederman will present an extraordinary story of his 20-year quest to uncover gold coins his father had buried in his backyard in Poland before being sent to a concentration camp. Along the way, Mark uncovered many fascinating facts about his family which involved Schindler, Mengele and Hitler. His book will be available for purchase after his talk at Congregation Beth Jacob, 3900 Michelson Drive, Irvine (949/786-5230).