Chabad Mission Viejo

06/22/2026

Thank you, thank you to the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County, for 4 amazing Grants for our Chabad Center!!

We received four generous Grants for Chanukah Wonderland 2026, Cteens of All Orange County, The Senior Social Club & Smile on Seniors, and for Jewish Heritage Tours!!

We are so appreciative to the Foundation approvers, and to the Grant Committee.

06/19/2026

A Proud Parent Moment

As many of you know, our son Mendel works for JEM (Jewish Educational Media). In honor of Gimmel Tammuz, he recently helped produce this powerful new film about the Rebbe.

Bassie and I are incredibly proud of him and the entire JEM team for creating such a thoughtful and inspiring presentation.

The Rebbe’s message continues to touch lives and inspire people around the world. We are delighted to share this video with our community and hope you will take a few moments to watch and reflect on its message.

We hope you enjoy it.

Rabbi Zalman & Bassie Marcus

06/18/2026

Today is Gimmel Tammuz, the anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing.

For me, this day is not primarily about looking back. It’s about moving forward.

The Rebbe spent his life helping people recognize something powerful: that each of us matters, that each of us has a unique mission, and that one person can change the world.

Recently, Bassie Marcus and I traveled to New York for her birthday and to visit the Ohel. On the way, we finally stopped at Shirley Chisholm State Park, a beautiful park built on what was once a landfill.

As we walked through the park, I was reminded of a remarkable story.

When Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, was assigned to the Agriculture Committee, she was upset. She wanted to help struggling families in the inner cities, not deal with agriculture.

Then she met the Rebbe.

While everyone else saw a setback, the Rebbe saw an opportunity.

He pointed out that America had surplus food while millions were hungry. Maybe, he suggested, this assignment was exactly where she could make the greatest difference.

She took those words to heart. The result was expanded food assistance programs and the creation of WIC, which has helped millions of women and children.

Years later, Shirley Chisholm said:

“If poor babies have milk and poor children have food, it’s because this Rabbi in Crown Heights had vision.”

That was the Rebbe’s gift. He taught people to see possibility where others saw obstacles, purpose where others saw disappointment, and opportunity where others saw dead ends.

On this Gimmel Tammuz, I’m reminded that sometimes the place we least want to be is exactly where G-d needs us to make the greatest impact.

May we each find the courage to embrace our mission and bring a little more light into the world.

Purpose ShirleyChisholm MakeADifference

06/12/2026

Another successful Jewish Bible Heritage Tour!

This week we were delighted to welcome Pastor Jason, his daughter, and a member of his congregation for a Jewish Bible Heritage Tour at Chabad. During their visit, they explored Jewish history, traditions, and sacred objects, viewed a Torah scroll, engaged in meaningful conversation, and even had the opportunity to make challah and experience one of Judaism’s most cherished traditions firsthand.

This visit was made possible through the efforts of Dawn Kalaie, our Jewish Bible Heritage Tour Coordinator. Dawn’s leadership, outreach, and dedication have been instrumental in the growth and success of this program. Through her hard work, individuals, schools, community organizations, and neighborhood groups have the opportunity to be welcomed through our doors to learn about Judaism in a warm and engaging environment.

We are deeply grateful to Dawn for her vision and commitment to building bridges of understanding and friendship throughout our community.

If you, your family, school, homeschool group, civic organization, or community group would like to experience a Jewish Bible Heritage Tour, we would love to host you. These tours offer a unique opportunity to explore Jewish life, history, traditions, and the Jewish roots of the Bible through hands-on experiences and meaningful dialogue.

To schedule a tour, please contact our office. We look forward to welcoming you!

06/10/2026

It’s a happening summer at CJC. 📖 Tonight, June 10, 6:00 PM
Final Session of “For All Humankind”
Our concluding class exploring the timeless Jewish ideas and values that continue to shape our world.

🧘 This Thursday, June 11, 7:00 PM
JMoms Stretch & Connect
An evening of movement, connection, and inspiration for Jewish moms. Click here to register

📚 This Shabbat Morning, June 13, 11:00 AM
RCS Women’s Class

🍽️ This Shabbat Lunch & Learn, June 13, 1:00 PM
Join us for a special Shabbat lunch in honor of Bassie’s birthday and in loving memory of Sandi Rikelman’s mother, Carol. Click here to RSVP

🔥 Next Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 PM
Mensch Club Backyard BBQ & Farbrengen
A relaxed evening of great food, friendship, inspiration, and a special guest speaker. Address provided upon RSVP.

📖 Shabbat, June 20, 1:00 PM
Special Lunch & Learn
Commemorating the Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe with meaningful discussion and inspiration. Click here to RSVP

🔤 Beginning Thursday, July 2, 10:30 AM
Read It In Hebrew
A new five-week women’s course designed for beginners and those looking to refresh their Hebrew reading skills before the High Holidays. Limited Space! Click here to register.

🇺🇸 Beginning Wednesday, July 8, 6:00 PM
NEW JLI Course: Sinai and Civics
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, discover how Jewish values helped shape America’s founding ideals and continue to influence society today. Click here to register

06/10/2026

This Monday, we had the honor of visiting the office of Don Wagner and receiving a proclamation recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month in Orange County.

We are grateful to Supervisor Wagner for taking the time to meet with us and for his continued support of the Jewish community. It was a pleasure to tour the office, learn more about the work being done on behalf of Orange County residents, and meet the dedicated members of his staff. We enjoyed the warm welcome and appreciated the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people.

A special thank you to Saga Conroy for coordinating this meaningful recognition and helping make our visit possible. We truly appreciate her partnership and support.

Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our country, our state, and our local community, while also recognizing the values of faith, family, service, and community that continue to enrich American life.

We look forward to welcoming Supervisor Wagner and his team to the Chabad Jewish Center of Mission Viejo in the near future and continuing to strengthen the relationships that help make our community so special.

Thank you, Supervisor Wagner and the Orange County Board of Supervisors, for this meaningful honor.

Community Chabad ✡️🇺🇸

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Shmooze club with Beth Krom