Community News

See What’s New in 2022

Beth David

Sunday, May 15, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Beth David Blood Drive

For reservations contact redcrossblood.org and mention sponsor code TBD

Saturday, June 11, 6:15 pm

Dinner, 5:30 pm 14th annual Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament $50 per person

RSVP to Beth David by June 7th www.templebethdavid.org

Friday, June 17, 7:30 pm

Celebrate the Father in Your Life at Shabbat Services at Beth David 6100 Hefley Street Westminster, California 92683

Temple Beth Ohr

Saturday, May 14, 6:00-10:00 pm

Temple Beth Ohr, La Mirada celebrates its 65th anniversary in their newly remodeled social hall, 15721 Rosecrans Avenue, La Mirada. Comedian Avi Leiberman will provide entertainment. Silent auction and memories slideshow along with heavy hors d’oeuvres complete the evening. Tickets and/or sponsorship form can be found at tbolm.org.

JFCS Support Groups

Did you know that JFCS offers ongoing support groups via Zoom?

Currently, we have two groups called “Coping and Connecting”. Both groups are open for community members to attend. These groups began in mid-2020 in response to the isolation and stress many were feeling because of the coronavirus pandemic and the drastic lifestyle changes that characterized its impact. Our group sessions, one on Tuesdays and one on Thursdays, run from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

Also offered is our Caregiver Support Group for those who are primary caregivers for aging parents, spouses, or loved ones with disabilities. This group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Why participate in a support group? There are benefits to communicating with others who share similar current life experience, the most important of which is the reassurance that one is not alone to face life’s difficulties. Sharing concerns and emotions as well as ideas, solutions, and resources in a safe, nonjudgmental environment brings great comfort and renewed will to participants.

For more information, call JFCS at 562.427.7916 or email us at jfcs@jfcslongbeach.org

NCJW

Thursday, May 12, 6:00-7:30 pm

Filling Hugpacks for Foster Youth

At the Alpert JCC on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus

We will have two teams assembling the backpacks, one for Kindergartners through 2nd grade and one for middle school students. Joining us are four representatives from Long Beach Rotary, our grantor for books for the early grades. Many helping hands are needed, so join us in giving a “hug” to vulnerable children entering the foster care system. Individually wrapped snacks and drinks are provided, and doing good will feel so great. RSVP by emailing communityservice@ncjwlongbeach.org or leave a message at 657.235.2511.

Sunday, June 12

Charter Day & Hannah G. Solomon Presentation

Mix, Mingle and Celebrate

Two locations: 1:30-3:00 pm House parties with fun food refreshments, hors d’oeuvres (TBA). 3:30-5:30 pm Charter Day Program with national leaders on Zoom, entertainment, desserts and Installation of officers along with a silent auction at Temple Beth Shalom in Bixby Knolls.

For more information call 657.235.2511 or email info@ncjwlongbeach.org. or www.ncjwlongbeach.org

Virtual at home events

Movie Discussions

Thursday, May 26, 7:00 pm

On Hulu and Amazon

Flee-animation movie based on a fleeing Afghan refugee

Nominated for best foreign film 2022

Thursday, June 23, 7:00 pm

On Amazon

Courier-with Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel Brosnahan (With insights to how the Cuban Missile crisis was averted due to spies)

Register for Movie Night at www.ncjwlongbeach.org

NCJW Welcome Circle for Afghan Refugees

As part of a HIAS Welcome Circle, National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Long Beach & West Orange County Section (NCJW GLB & WOC), will soon be welcoming three single women from Afghanistan into our community. All three of them speak English, they have BA’s in Agriculture and were enrolled in Master’s programs when their lives were upended and they were forced to flee their homes with little other than the clothes on their back.

NCJW GLB & WOC has located temporary housing but will need to find a more permanent solution as well as furnishings, help them to find jobs, sign them up for public benefits such as TANF and SNAP among many other responsibilities. NCJW cannot do this alone!

There are numerous opportunities for the community to help NCJW GLB & WOC in its efforts through volunteering, donating furniture, gift certificates, and most importantly cash. To donate go to AfghanRefugeeResettlement/donate and select Immigration Services Fund. If you have specific items (clothing, furniture, appliances, etc.) or want to volunteer, please email welcomecircle@ ncjwlongbeach.org. and explain how you can help these women feel welcome in Long Beach!

Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society (OCJGS)

The Orange County Genealogical Society was formed in 1971 with a great deal of assistance from then Orange County Historian, Donald Clark. We have evolved from a handful of dedicated people to a membership well over 500.

Sunday, May 22, 10:00 am Ken Bravo: Finding Frieda

Ken will tell the amazing story of how he tracked down a long-lost cousin who had emigrated to the US, having lost contact with the rest of the family during WW II and the Soviet period.

Sunday, June 12, 10:00 am Marian Smith: Immigration records

Register for free in advance at the OCJGS website when the links become available.

CSULB Jewish Studies Program

Monday, May 23, 7:00 pm via ZOOM

The CSULB Jewish Studies Program is delighted to sponsor a talk by Dr. Jeffrey Blutinger. His topic will be “Kosher at Last: Jewish Women Comics in America.”

The earliest American Jewish women in comedy, people like Fanny Brice, Belle Barth, Sophie Tucker, and Pearl Williams, were referred to as “unkosher comediennes.” In this talk, Dr. Blutinger will trace the struggles of Jewish women to perform as comics on stage. While Jewish women such as Barbra Streisand and Madeline Kahn shone on the silver screen, the situation was quite different for women who wanted to do stand up. Totie Fields and Joan Rivers paved the way for Jewish women to perform as comics on stage and on television.

The talk will be illustrated with a lot of jokes and clips of comic performances, so this should be both fun and enlightening. This event is free and open to the public. To obtain the Zoom link, please email: Jeffrey.Blutinger@csulb.edu.

California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ)

Wednesday, May 11, 11:00-1:30 pm 58th Humanitarian Awards Celebration

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802

Each year, CCEJ celebrates the contributions of community members who have dedicated their lives and careers to promoting equality and justice in Long Beach and Southern California. Join us to honor a distinguished group of folks with the CCEJ Humanitarian Award, the Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award, and the Building Bridges Award.

Friday, May 20, 8:30-4:00 pm

Racial Justice Roots Convening

Long Beach City College 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, CA 90808

Please join us to increase your knowledge and skills for anti-racist practices and connect you with others who want to build unity and solidarity for racial justice.