Chabad of West Orange County

Chabad of West Orange County Serving the Jewish community of West Orange County for over 40 years

Calling all Jewish kids! Starting Sept 7 We have an amazing program planned!
08/21/2025

Calling all Jewish kids! Starting Sept 7
We have an amazing program planned!

Thank you so much to the Jewish Community Foundation OC for awarding Chabad of West OC grants to help fund our Senior p...
07/01/2025

Thank you so much to the Jewish Community Foundation OC for awarding Chabad of West OC grants to help fund our Senior programs, Shabbat Delights and Chabad Soup N Shmooze programs.

12/08/2023

Rabbi's Message
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Who is not familiar with the saga of Yosef being sold by his brothers, as it unfolds in this week's Portion of Vayeishev. What a daunting experience for a young lad of seventeen, who went from having a comfortable, warm home, basking in his father's love and attention, to being a servant in the house of Potiphar in Egypt. And if that wasn't enough, he was then degraded to the status of a prisoner on false charges. The Portion speaks of Yosef’s success in Egypt, not once, but twice: “Whatever he put his hand to, G-d made successful,” (39:3); and again when he was imprisoned, “And “G-d was with him and made everything he did successful” (39:23). There are two types of success stories. There’s a person who sees success in the labor of his hands. There's “mazal” in all that he puts his hand to, albeit with G-d’s help. But there is a greater success story that does not depend on the person’s brilliance, acumen, or hard work. It is success that is precisely the workings of G-d.

Yosef was blessed in the work of his hands in the house of Potifar; but it was in prison at a low point in his life, which would have totally dejected someone of lesser faith, that he achieved a higher level of success. He remained Yosef Ha'Tzadik, merited salvation, and was elevated as viceroy of Egypt, revealing that G-d was with him.

Our life in exile mirrors Yosef's ordeal in Egypt. As a people we have gone through years of ups and downs, struggling through difficulties even while enjoying success among friendlier nations. We suffered persecutions, pogroms and holocausts, and are still reeling from the heinous October 7 massacre. But rather than draining our spirit and strength, our tenacity in clinging to our faith, to Torah, and mitzvot, continues to gain momentum and greater success, openly revealing that G-d is with us at all times.

The 8-day festival of Chanukah, which begins Thursday evening, is a similar success story. A miraculous victory of a small Hasmonean army over a mighty enemy that sought "to make them forget G-d's Torah and deny His decrees." But while the Greeks saw "holiness" in beauty, the Maccabees saw beauty in holiness and prevailed! It's a victory for which we give thanks through kindling the Chanukah lights with pride, hope, and prayer that their glow will shine toward a brighter future, leading us from this low point in exile to an ever-greater elevation with the ultimate redemption of our people in a world that recognizes the beauty in holiness! May it be soon!

Shabbat Shalom, and a joyous, bright Chanukah!
Rabbi Aron D. Berkowitz

11/24/2023

Rabbi's Message
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In this week's Portion of Vayeitzei, Yaakov, the" Ish Tam," the wholesome, honest son of Yitzchak and Rivkah, flees his brother's wrath and goes to his uncle Lavan in Aram for refuge. Very soon, Yaakov learns that there are no limits when it comes to fraud and deception. Lavan, the "Arami," (transpose the letters and it spells the Hebrew word "ramai," meaning swindler), was a professional con-artist who could change his word in a blink of an eye. Yaakov remained strong in the face of all the falsehood and trickery; G-d was with him, and he walked away laden with spiritual and material wealth.

In today's world, we, the descendants of Yaakov are swept up in a web of falsehood, from fake news and propaganda, to deceit, dishonesty, and anti-Semitism that has been unleashed in every part of the globe – may G-d protect us all. Sometimes it feels that we are battling a web of chaos and confusion, thwarting our quest for calm and peaceful co-existence and impeding the path to a kinder, brighter world. But as Yaakov had the strength to stand up to adversity, we have the power to do so as well. Yaakov's dream, envisioning a ladder standing on earth and its top reaching heaven gives us a clue.

Commentaries tell us that the Hebrew word "sulam," a ladder, has the same numerical value as the word Sinai, as Kol (voice), and as mamon (money), each equal to 130. Clearing the way for the emergence of truth is to climb the ladder that bridges earth and heaven. Today, while our brothers and sisters are fighting a physical war to safeguard Eretz Yisrael, the holy land that G-d promised His people, we, on the home front must do the same. We can do it through Torah, by renewing our commitment made at Sinai; by letting our voice be heard in sincere prayer and Psalms, and in generous giving of our money through Tzedakah. With a solid footing here on earth by living Jewishly, we can look forward to an ascent that brings the world to a level where "truth will finally sprout from the ground," (Psalms 85) and righteousness will prevail. May we merit G-d's words to Yaakov as he left his home in fear of the malice of Esau and Lavan, words that are so encouraging this very day (28:15): "I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will return you to this land; I will not forsake you until I do what I promised!" And may this be fulfilled without delay, with the coming of Mashiach!
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Shabbat Shalom and a thankful Thanksgiving,
Rabbi Aron D. Berkowitz

10/06/2023

Message from the Rabbi 
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The holiday of Sukkot lifted our soul with abundant joy. But it is not over yet. As we transition into the year ahead, joy is the spice that gives us the strength to overcome every daily challenge, and it breaks down all limitations that bar us from reaching greater heights.

The momentum resumes with Shemini Atzeret that will be celebrated this Shabbat and will continue with the joy of Simchat Torah on Motzoei Shabbat and Sunday. Shemini Atzeret, the 8th day that concludes the Festival of Sukkot, we can reach a level of holiness and joy, we are told, that all fasting on Yom Kippur could not achieve. Shemini Atzeret is also the day we recite Tefilat Geshem, the prayer for rain. The word “geshem” is also the root word for “materialism,” and we pray the rain will be the source of “material” blessing and a wellspring for earthly abundance.

And then we move on to Simchat Torah, the joy of dancing with the Torah, when every Jew, scholar, layman, young, old, learned or unlearned has an equal opportunity to carry the Torah that is our source of life and has “carried” our people throughout the ages, ensuring our survival. And as we dance Hakafot, encircling with the Torah, it brings us full circle to a new beginning, from concluding the last words in the Portion of Zot HaBracha, “All that Moshe did before the eyes of Bnei Yisrael” and starting again with the first words in Bereish*t, “In the beginning G-d created heaven and earth.” The connection is obvious. It was the Children of Israel who saw with their own eyes the miracles and wonders; they saw that Moshe was G-d’s messenger of truth and the Torah he transmitted was G-d’s Torah of truth, and they knew without a doubt that G-d is the Creator of heaven and earth and there is none else aside Him.

As we celebrate with the Torah, joining with joyous hearts and buoyant spirits, we, the recipients of the Torah Moshe taught us, know this, too. As we say daily in our Aleinu prayer, “know and take to heart that G-d is in the heaven above and the earth below…” So let’s recommit to Torah study, to serving Hashem and doing a mitzvah with joy, and let’s merit to dance together to greet Mashiach, speedily in our day!

Shabbat Shalom and a Chag Samayach,
Rabbi Aron D. Berkowitz

08/27/2023

Shavua tov!

08/26/2023

Message from the Rabbi
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Last week's hurricane that affected our West Coast, a region that is usually hurricane-free, came with consistent alerts and warnings for precaution in light of an impending disaster. There were numbers to call in emergency, sandbags to prevent flooding, and a rush to stock up on necessary staples. Meteorologists already predict an above-normal hurricane season this year in other parts of the country. As we approach the new year, this gives us food for thought not only about hurricanes that are, G-d forbid, physically and materially destructive but spiritually as well.

Today's spiritual hurricane is the breakdown of time-tested values, the breakdown of the family unit and parental guidance, of rapidly changing morality, ethics, justice, and human dignity. It's a hurricane of lax attitudes toward responsibility for one's actions and belief in doing as one pleases. As we prepare for the year ahead, and as a people committed to living according to Torah teachings and values, may G-d spare us from all levels of hurricanes, in whatever form or fashion.

Our Torah Portion, Ki Tetzei, gives us 74 mitzvot through which we can build up protection against negative occurrences and go forward with confidence toward a new year. We are told that when one builds a new home, a "Ma'akeh," a protective guard-rail must be put up at the highest point of the structure to prevent injury (22:8). Chassidut explains that this is not only in the context of a new home, but applies to any new venture in life, any new opportunity and, yes, embarking on a new year. Being careful on our own is not sufficient. It takes a strong external barrier, strong resolve and tenacity to overcome daily challenges and protect us from any downpour, downfall or harm. And this barrier needs reinforcement every year. The alerts are heard in the month of Elul with the sound of the shofar; we respond by stocking up on our good credit with extra mitzvot and positive action in Teshuvah and Tzedakah; and we know we can call G-d's toll-free number for His forgiveness by sincere Tefillah and earnest resolutions to make tomorrow better than today.

In doing so, may we merit G-d's comfort and ultimate protection as conveyed by the prophet Isaiah in this week's Haftara: "G-d's kindness will not depart from us and His covenant of peace will not falter," leading to a safe, secure, healthy, and happy year for our people, world over, and the end of our exile, with the coming of Mashiach!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Aron D. Berkowitz

08/19/2023

Message from the Rabbi
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The Hebrew word for labor or work is Avodah, also translated as service. The Holy Service consistently carried out when we had our Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim is referred to as Avodah. Our Sages also speak of prayer as Avodah She’b’Lev – the service of the heart. Not “hard” work, but a daily routine of “heart” work.

However, our Avodah – which leads to living a life of purpose and value - is not a paradigm for special days of the year. It’s not an occasional or part-time service, fragmented and kept for convenient times, but rather a full-time, steady service incorporated into all our ways at home and away, in the synagogue and at work. Our service of prayer, tzedakah, and acts of kindness require constant exercise to be effective, just as physical exercise must be consistent to be beneficial. So, too, we need to jump to do a mitzvah, bend down to uplift the downtrodden, stretch out a hand to help the poor and lonely, run to study Torah, stand upright in our Judaism, and raise our head in gratitude toward our Father in Heaven, if we are to reap the benefits of a wholesome, healthy, and meaningful spiritual life.

The month of Elul prods us to refocus on our personal Avodah. Perhaps this is what the verse in this week’s Parsha of Shoftim is telling us, (18:13) “Tamim Tehiyu, - You shall be complete with G-d.” As we rethink our spiritual itinerary, we aim for harmonious, whole, well-balanced, and integrated lives in accordance with Torah teachings that enrich every day.

Elul may be a propitious yearly “bargain season” for getting the best returns for our sincere efforts in teshuva, tefillah and tzedakah. We need just to do the "heart" work and tune into our souls to feel G-d's closeness and love. Yet, it comes easier when we spread our powerful purchasing power over the course of the year, accruing daily merits in preparation for greeting Our Father, Our King, who is now easily accessible in the field, waiting for us to approach and grant us His maximum blessings, materially, physically, and spiritually, and the ultimate blessing of our complete redemption! Seize the moment, actually the 29 days ahead; have a blessed Chodesh, and a blessed year!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Aron D. Berkowitz

07/31/2023

Sometimes you look at yourself in the mirror and you feel unqualified. You know yourself, your failures and your faults, and you don't feel like you could be a model for others.

You say, "I should teach others? I should provide guidance?!"

So we tell you, “Yes. Because that is your place upon this planet: We live in a time when all those who know Alef must teach Alef and those who know what comes after Alef must teach that too.”

“And G‑d Above, who formed you and put you in the here and now, He knows who you are and how you are and what you are capable of accomplishing. If He believes in you, you must as well.”

Teach others and become

07/29/2023

Message from the Rabbi
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Another Tisha B'Av gone by, followed by Shabbat Nachamu – the Shabbat of Consolation – when we read the first of seven haftarot of consolation that begins with the words, "Nachamu, Nachamu Ami." We receive a double measure of consolation following a double destruction of both Temples. The Prophet Isaiah is told to bring the news of redemption. "A voice from G-d calls out saying: Clear the way in the desert to Jerusalem; straighten the highway in the wilderness for G-d, so His people can return from their exile." The Rebbe explains that the double expression of comfort indicates that G-d will not only remove the pain and suffering, but He will reveal how all that transpired in our long and difficult trek through exile was for our benefit. These encouraging and uplifting words give us the strength to forge ahead and double our efforts in Torah study and mitzvot, as this prophecy unfolds before our eyes. Regardless of the intensity of our despair and the problems that still exist, optimism is rooted in our faith in G-d. And it is this faith which enables us to see the light in the darkness that shines toward a better tomorrow and a brighter future.

In his parting words in this week's portion of Va'Etchanan, Moshe continues to review the past failures and encourages his beloved people to continue to live according to the teachings they heard directly from G-d at Sinai and to transmit these words to future generations: "And you shall observe the commandments that I command you, so that all will go well with you and with your children..." (4:40). A wise person, it is said, learns from past mistakes. Knowing our past, we realize that without G-d we cannot succeed, and with His help we will not fail.

The Parsha also speaks about the 3 Cities of Refuge, Arei Miklat, that Moshe set up east of the Jordan. These cities served as an asylum for one who killed unintentionally, offering protection from the wrath of the avenger. Signposts were put up on the roads, pointing toward these cities. Though these cities do not function at this time, Torah teaching is eternally relevant and of import for us today. A miklat is a shelter, a haven for protection. Our Sages tell us that the words of Torah have always been our spiritual miklat, but it is not enough that we ourselves study Torah. As we face a hostile world and apathetic society, it is our mission to stand up with pride and conviction as the signposts that point the way for those who wander aimlessly and search for meaning. It is our duty to be the role models for others to emulate, to show the way in Torah study, mitzvot, prayer, kindness, charity, and unity that will bring on the blessings of eternal peace, tranquility, joy and purpose, and the ultimate redemption with Mashiach that we yearn for and the world so desperately needs!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Aron D. Berkowitz

07/27/2023

On the Ninth of Av of the year 2449 (1312 BCE), the generation of Jews who came out of Egypt under Moses' leadership 16 months earlier were condemned to die in the desert and the entry into the Land of Israel was delayed for 40 years.

As related in Numbers 14, when the Spies that Moses sent to the Land of Canaan returned with their disheartening report (see "Today in Jewish History" for yesterday, Av 8), the people wept all night -- the night of Av 9th -- proclaiming that they'd rather return to Egypt than attempt to conquer and settle it; G-d decreed that the entire generation would wander in the desert for 40 years until the last of them died out, and that their children, under the leadership of Joshua, will enter the land He promised as Israel's heritage.

This is the first of five national tragedies that occurred on Av 9 listed by the Talmud (Taanit 4:6), due to which the day was designated as a fast day. The other four are: the destruction of the two Temples, the fall of Betar, and the plowing over of Jerusalem. (see below)

Holy Temples Destroyed (423 BCE and 69 CE)
Both the first and second Holy Temples which stood in Jerusalem were destroyed on Av 9: the First Temple by the Babylonians in the year 3338 (423 BCE), and the second by the Romans in 3829 (69 CE).

The Temples' destruction represents the greatest tragedy in Jewish history, for it marks our descent into Galut--the state of physical exile and spiritual displacement in which we still find ourselves today. Thus the Destruction is mourned as a tragedy that affects our lives today, 2,000 years later, no less than the very generation that experienced it first hand.
Yet the Ninth of Av is also a day of hope. The Talmud relates that Moshiach ("anointed one"--the Messiah), was born at the very moment that the Temple was set aflame and the Galut began. [This is in keeping with the teachings of our sages that, "In every generation is born a descendent of Judah who is worthy to become Israel's Moshiach" (Bartinoro on Ruth); "When the time will come, G-d will reveal Himself to him and send him, and then the spirit of Moshiach, which is hidden and secreted on high, will be manifested in him" (Chattam Sofer)

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