News | News

Get Ready for Camp! | Jlife

Give your child a Jewish, active and healthy summer! Camp Sholom at Temple Beth Sholom, offers a day camp for youth in Orange County.

"We are back on our new campus for a summer of adventure, fun, personal growth, new friendships and memories! Join us for field trips, arts and crafts, Jewish learning and more!"

News | News

Friends of the IDF | Jlife

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors, under the leadership of John Klein z’l, to provide for education and the wellbeing of the men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as well as the families of fallen soldiers. Headquartered in New York City, FIDF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that operates 15 regional offices in the United States and Panama.

Learn a bit about FIDF and the Lone Soldier Program.

News | News

Lev Echad | Jlife

No matter what uniform they wear, all first responders are heroes. From the soot-covered firefighter “yellows” to the EMT “blues,” these uniforms make a statement.

Lev Echad is an Israeli organization that was established in 2005. The organization is dedicated to putting volunteers in the right places when it matters most. In fact, it is the only Israeli organization that is entirely devoted to empowering and mobilizing volunteer efforts in times of emergency.

News | News

Yom Kippur in Israel | Jlife

Getting a jump on this day of observance

Yom Kippur in Israel

News | News

Start-app Nation | Jlife

With apps fOR every aspect of life, a push of a button on a mobile device is all it takes for the day to go from mundane to exciting.

Quite a few of these apps were made in Israel so it’s no wonder why Israel continues to be known as the “Startup Nation.”

Politics | Op-Ed

Second Chances | Jlife

Amongst other things, Shavuot reminds us to give everyone a second chance. After Moses came down the mountain carrying the tablets the first time, he shattered them. Up until that particular moment, there had been no more precious gift ever given to anyone, or any people, and it was gone…….in the blink of an eye.

Thoughts on Shavuot and Second Chances.

Politics | Op-Ed

A Meditation on Meditation | Jlife

I recently participated in a Jewish meditation session, which was beautiful, relaxing and deeply spiritual. For the other people in the room.

Mayrav Saar tells us how she really feels about meditation.

Politics | Op-Ed

Coaching for Peace | Jlife

In August 2014, I moved back to Jerusalem to play on the city’s professional women’s team. My basketball career has always included coaching as well as playing so I accepted a position to coach the 9th-10th grade girls team that is part of the same club as my professional team.

My daughter Rebecca (26) is a professional basketball player in Israel and is also a much sought-after coach. She is in her second year coaching for PeacePlayers International; below are her reflections on the experience.

Politics | Op-Ed

Reeling in the Millennials | Jlife

As a member of the millennial generation, limited participation of women in Torah study, life in the Old Country or even growing up in a predominately Jewish neighborhood—are a few of many aspects to the Jewish experience that are foreign to me.

The identity issues that face Jewish millennials.

Politics | Op-Ed

Kvetch & Kvell: The Iran Nuclear Deal | Jlife

"Huckabee is absolutely right."

Former Laguna Niguel City Councilman Eddie Rose gives his take on the Iran Nuclear Deal.

History | Culture

Jewish Values and Shavuot | Jlife

As we know, Shavuot is the time when the Jewish people accepted the Torah and became Hashem’s nation. When we read the book of Ruth to children, we teach them the values of tzedakah, commitment, making choices, kindness, sharing, respect and faith.

"Throughout the story there are numerous examples of individuals focusing on each other. Most notably, Naomi and Ruth create a mutual relationship through their faith and determination."

History | Culture

Who Stood at Sinai? | Jlife

According to A midrash, “Every Jew who ever was, and ever will be born, stood together at Sinai when the mountain smoked and trembled and G-d revealed the law to them.” We assume that meant men, women and children. But not everyone sees it that way.

Highlighting the new "Women of the Wall" movement in Israel.

History | Culture

From Pesach to Shavuot | Jlife

You shall count for yourselves— from the day after the Shabbat, from the day when you bring the Omer of the waving—seven Shabbats, they shall be complete. Until the day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count, fifty days… -Leviticus 23:15-16

According to the Torah (Lev. 23:15), we are obligated to count the days from Passover to Shavuot. This period is known as The Omer. An omer is a unit of measure. On the second day of Passover, in the days of the Temple, an omer of barley was cut down and brought to the Temple as an offering. This grain offering was referred to as the Omer, and that’s why we refer to it as the Counting of the Omer.

History | Culture

Light Over Darkness | Jlife

Light is the overarching, central, definitive metaphor for Jewish understanding of all of reality…

Hanukkah begins four days before the new moon – the darkest night in the month of Kislev and the closest to the winter solstice, the longest and darkest day of the month. Like many other faiths, the Jewish holiday of Chanukah brings light into the darkest time of the year.

History | Culture

It’s Not All Latkes & Dreidels | Jlife

Hanukkah is more than eating a bounty of latkes and donuts, spinning dreidels, and watching cartoon Adam Sandler sing 8 Crazy Nights. Each year friends whip out the “Ugly Hanukkah Sweaters,” double-fisting gelt and gefilte into their mouths while lighting candles, unsure if the menorah should ignite from the left or the right

So how do we find meaning in a tradition that as children means presents, and as adults, mirrors the theme of elongated holiday parties?

News | Local News

Not Your Typical High School Club | Jlife

Many teens have been a part of the Bureau of Jewish Education’s (BJE) community since childhood… for some it may be their first experience with the organization. Either way, BJE wants everyone to know just how welcome they are.

It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that BJE announces some upcoming changes to its program structure.

News | Local News

In Our Own Back Yard | Jlife

Twenty years after the gavel heard around the world acquitting O.J. Simpson of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, Jewish Federation & Family Services and Nicole’s youngest sister Tanya Brown are giving a voice to women who are victims of domestic violence.

The Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse reminds us there are cultural implications to consider.

News | Local News

The Maccabi Games | Jlife

Team OC sent a team of 81 teens (ages 13-17) and 14 coaches to the 2015 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest in Fort Lauderdale. Team OC was successful in both competition and in spirit. Winning accolades for being the most animated (and loud!) team at the Games.

They joined over 1,500 participants from across the globe in a weeklong event of games, arts, service and fun. “The opportunity to connect so many teens to the Jewish community and Israel is epic!

News | Local News

Orange County’s Jewish History: The House of Hippolyte | Jlife

Hippolyte (pronounced “Hippo-leet”) Cahen was born in Oran, Algeria in 1847 and emigrated to the U.S. as a young man. He lived for a short time in San Francisco before moving to Anaheim, and ten years later, in 1878, he became a naturalized citizen.

Cahen had a beautiful Victorian house built for their growing family.

News | Local News

A Shooting Schmiracle! | Jlife

Most people don’t know the history of bagels. Beginning as a simple piece of bread, it wasn’t until Moses shot a 9mm bullet through the center of the doughy-delicacy, piercing an aesthetically pleasing hole, that the first “holy” breakfast food for the Hebrew people was created. Now a staple in every Jewish kitchen, we often forget to appreciate the history of what has become synonymous with Jewish soul food.

Okay, maybe Moses didn’t own a handgun, and tracing the origins of bagels can be discussed later. However, Jews with guns is a topic which interests many people in Orange County. Recently, roughly 125 individuals, mainly but not exclusively Jewish, came together for the “Bullets & Bagels” event on August 23 at Raahauges Outdoor Range in Corona to share their passion for firearms.

Miscellaneous | Interviews

No Longer Silent | Jlife

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomed back the esteemed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater this past April, with an incredible piece by Artistic Director Robert Battle, “No Longer Silent.” Originally created in 2007, it was part of a concert of choreography that brought to life long-forgotten scores by composers whose work the Nazis labeled “degenerate” and banned. The piece is set to “Ogelala,” a piece that Jewish Czech composer, Erwin Schulhoff, composed between 1922 and 1925.

A conversation with Robert Battle about his production, "No Longer Silent".

Miscellaneous | Interviews

Dance Your Way Fit | Jlife

Jlife magazine recently had the pleasure of catching up with dancer and celebrity fitness trainer Ilyse Baker to get the “skinny” on all things fitness related. Here are just a few of her pearls of fitness and dance wisdom.

Ilyse Baker lets JlifeOC in on her dance and fitness secrets.

Miscellaneous | Interviews

Woman in Gold | Jlife

Jlife had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Schoenberg about his historic case.

Randol E. Schoenberg and Marie Altmann successfully sued the Austrian government for restitution of Gustav Klimt's classic painting "The Woman in Gold".

Miscellaneous | Interviews

Dennis Ross | Jlife

Ambassador Ross talks about Israel, the Middle East, and more.

Jlife sits down with Ambassador Dennis Ross.

Miscellaneous | Interviews

A Conversation with Rabbi Artson | Jlife

A conversation with Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson about the Jewish Conservative Movement's shift to embrace LGBT participation and rabbinic ordination.

Family & Parenting | Family & Relationships

Kosher Dog | Jlife

This is Darla. She is a rescue dog.

This is Darla. She is a rescue dog.

Family & Parenting | Family & Relationships

The Healthy Mind Platter | Jlife

As parents, how much time have we spent obsessing over sunscreen re-application, paid double for the organic grapes, or attempted veggie-concealing recipes? (I’m right there with you!)

"And, while each one of these is important, even we sunscreen-lathering, organic fruit-eating, veggie-hiding moms agree that there is much more that goes into creating healthy children."

Family & Parenting | Family & Relationships

Mensching Around | Jlife

Menorah trees, gingerbread houses and sweaters are the latest additions to the ancient tradition. These new customs not only prove to be another way to include non-Jewish friends and family in the Festival of Lights but are also a way to reinforce Jewish identity during this time of year.

Unlike its Christmas counterpart, children are meant to play with Mensch on a Bench.

Family & Parenting | Family & Relationships

Kosher Dog | Jlife

Teddy Bassman was “knighted and crowned” the summer of 2013 when his family hosted three teenagers from Great Britain for the JCC Maccabi Games and Artsfest.

Teddy is a Coton De Tulear and in the 17th century his ancestors, from Madagascar, were called upon to be companions for royalty. We are so happy that “Sir Tedward” has finally gotten back to his roots and calling.

Family & Parenting | Family & Relationships

Teaching Gratefulness | Jlife

“Who is rich? Those who rejoice in their own portion” – Pirke Avot 4:1.

Teaching gratefulness is not a new concept. References to gratefulness abound in Pirke Avot.