Organizations present online programs until further notice
By Ilene Schneider
With an end in sight for COVID-19 restrictions, Jewish organizations are still offering classes, services and other options online to keep the community connected until further notice. Here is a selection of events taking place during June. Stay safe, tune in and enjoy these creative endeavors.
Tuesday, June 2
Noon
ADL Orange County
A webinar entitled “Is Free Speech Destroying Itself Online?” brings together UC Irvine Law School Professor David Kaye (a leading legal expert on free speech and the internet) and Lenora Claire (an online activist who has been a target of online hate and harassment). This webinar will include brief presentations, discussion and an opportunity to ask the experts questions.
America’s deep commitment to free speech is being challenged with the unparalleled power of online activity used to spread hate, bigotry and extremism. What happens with unfettered online behavior crosses the line to unlawful conduct—both online and on the ground? Just as we are not permitted to yell fire in a crowded movie theater, are there limits to what can be sent or posted online? Where are those limits and who gets to draw them?
For more information, visit https://orangecounty.adl.org/event/forum/.
Tuesday, June 2
7:30 PM
CSP Zoom Program
Join CSP for a “Late Night” event with H. Alan Scott, a gay comedian who grew up Mormon, survived cancer, converted to Judaism and finally became a man when he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at the age of 34. His story, both humorous and very poignant, communicates a universal message about finding your place in the world and discovering your true identity. According to Arie Katz, CSP founder/director, “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you may even re-arrange your living room furniture!” You can prepare for our evening with Scott by watching the official trailer for his movie – “Latter Day Jew.”
For more information, please call (949) 682-4040 or visit www.occsp.org.
Wednesday, June 3
12:30 PM
CSP Zoom Program
Rabbi Menachem Bombach, a community leader and educational entrepreneur in the Haredi community in Israel, will present “Haredim Cannot Be Isolated Anymore,” a conversation. Rabbi Bombach, who studied at the Vizhnitz Ahavat Yisrael yeshiva and the Mir yeshiva, holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Moreshet Yaakov College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Hebrew University. He is the founder and head of the “Netzach” Haredi educational network, which combines religious and secular studies and aims to educate students to become observant haredim who are also prepared for practical living.
Recently, Bombach created a stir when he took a dramatic step—at least as seen through his community’s norms—by teaching his students about Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for its fallen IDF soldiers. The video of the class has gone viral and has been seen by hundreds of thousands of Israelis.
For more information, please call (949) 682-4040 or visit www.occsp.org.
Thursday, June 4
12:30 PM
CSP Zoom Program
A discussion called “Israelis and the Jewish-Christian Dialogue: Old Problems, New Challenges” promises to be engaging. It is now over 70 years since the first initiatives were taken towards a Jewish-Christian dialogue in the Western world but a corresponding dialogue in the local Israeli context of indigenous Arab Christians and Israeli Jews is only just developing. In what way does the Israeli Jewish-Christian dialogue differ from that going on in the West? What are its major characteristics, and to what extent does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict influence the encounter? What is the role of Jewish-Christian dialogue in Israel and what are its implications for Jewish-Muslim relations, as well as for Jewish-Christian relations outside of the Holy Land?
Hana Bendcowsky is the program director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations (JCJCR). She holds an M.A. degree in Comparative Religions from Hebrew University and has 20 years of practical experience in interfaith activities in Israel and abroad. She teaches in varied institutions, colleges, academic programs and Christian seminaries, including the IDF, governmental offices and institutions. She also works as a tour educator in Jerusalem. Her expertise is the Christian Communities in Israel and Jewish-Christian Relations in the Israeli context.
For more information, please call (949) 682-4040 or visit www.occsp.org.
Friday, June 5
7 PM
University Synagogue
The special guest at Shabbat services will be two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Eric Lichtblau. Rabbi Arnold Rachlis will interview him about his books on Jewish heroism during the Holocaust and ex-Nazis brought into the US surreptitiously by the CIA. He will also discuss his newest book-in-progress on the rise of Anti-Semitism in America today. Lichtblau was a Washington reporter for the New York Times for 15 years, and before that, for the Los Angeles Times. He has also written for The New Yorker and Time and has been a frequent guest on NPR, MSNBC and other networks.
Monday, June 8
10 AM
The Rose Project
A presentation called “Catch-67: What is the Israel Debate Really About?” will feature Micah Goodman Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. On the 53rd anniversary of the Six-Day War, and with the potential looming for Israeli annexation of all or part of the West Bank/Judea & Samaria, this presentation will give insight into the values that have shaped the Israeli debate over these territories for nearly two generations and will make the case for pragmatism in a dispute in which a comprehensive solution seems impossible.
This is the concluding presentation for “OC iEngage: Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” a community learning initiative in partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute. iEngage has brought together hundreds of learners in Orange County, empowering them to engage civilly on divisive issues through discourse grounded in Jewish values. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information contact Lisa@JFFS.org.
Tuesday, June 9
7 PM
Merage Jewish Community Center
“Calming the Chaos with the Truth Coach – Kelly Accetta” is especially timely. Internationally acclaimed coach Kelly Accetta offers pointers on bringing calm to our lives in the face of crisis. She will talk about finding joy, protecting it and sharing it.
For details, contact sarip@jccoc.org.
Monday, June 15 through Thursday, June 18
6:30 PM
Merage Jewish Community Center
Play Poker with the J by choosing one of three nights for Texas Hold ‘Em No Limit (limited to 27 players per night) and then the Final Tournament on Thursday, June 18. Cost is $25 per person ($20,000 buy in through Pokerstars.net- chips are free). There will be a prize for each table winner and grand prizes for top 3 final table winners. Create a username on www.Pokerstars.net. The tournament will be held online with Pokerstars.net and Zoom.
For more information, contact sarip@jccoc.org.
Sunday, June 14
10 AM
Congregation B’nai Israel
Get a preview of virtual camp at Camp B’nai Ruach by attending a free trial day. While it is very disappointing to be unable to meet in person because of the current COVID-19 situation, there will be opportunities for fun virtually. Director Sheri Bilewitz said, “As a parent myself I worried about many of the same things you may have: too much screen time, bored learning, too much parent involvement, my kids aren’t moving enough. We used these concerns in our planning to make sure we could make camp a fun, interactive, engaging experience for all ages with little to no parent direct involvement.”
Virtual camp will cost $90 for members and $110 for non-members. All supplies are included in this cost. In order to assure a cohesive, interactive, and meaningful camp, there will be limited spaces. Register ASAP to assure your child a ruach filled summer.
Contact B’nai Israel at cbi18@cbi18.org.