This will be Rabbi Rachlis' topic for Torah study during services on “Masaay,” Numbers 33-36.  The portion concerns Biblical Israelites who act like present day Jihadists, destroying everyone in their path of holy war, but who also oppose capital punishment and protect the rights of women.  Biblical morality’s ambiguities are no less confusing than our contemporary dilemmas.  The text will be handed out.

Services will be led by Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier.  He will describe his incredible life’s journey from surviving the Holocaust to facing anti-Semitism in the military to becoming a U.S. citizen and being honored with our country’s highest award. 

5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat services with singing, dancing and Torah marching led by Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier and storytelling with Pre-School Director Heidi Kahn.

6:00 p.m. Shabbat Dinner for All Ages, with a special invitation to prospective members!  As a way of introducing prospective members to University Synagogue, there will be no charge for dinner for non-members.  Menu:  Green salad, brisket, roasted red potatoes, vegetables, fruit and cookies for dessert and pasta and vegetables for children. Adults $18; Children 12 and under: $7.  All members’ children 12 and under are free!  RSVP.

6:30 p.m.  Early Family Fun Oneg Shabbat. Children and their parents may join us at the “kids’ tables” after dinner for a project and a special treat to eat.

7:00 p.m. “Shabbat Alive” for All Ages.   Shabbat Alive is our jazz and pop service with a combo of musicians led by Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier.  All children and adults with birthdays this month will be honored.

8:15 p.m.  Former three-term Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin, a Jewish refugee from Switzerland, who also served as Deputy Secretary of State, will speak on her new book “Pearls, Politics and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead.”  Ms. Kunin will appear through a generous grant from The Roslyn and Joseph Baim Family Foundation.

8:15 p.m.  Late Family Fun Oneg Shabbat.  Children and their parents are invited to join us for an art project and special treat to eat.

8:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.   Tours of University Synagogue for members and non-members alike.  Learn the background of the design and the art of our building that makes it so special.  Learn about what we offer.

9:15 p.m.  Oneg Shabbat for everyone

6:45 p.m.  Shabbat Beach Services, for all ages, in Laguna Beach. Bring a blanket or chairs to Crescent Bay Park in North Laguna and celebrate summer, watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.  Join Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier for an unforgettable evening of nature, singing and joy.  If necessary, the rain location will be at University Synagogue.  From Irvine/Newport Beach, drive south on PCH, pass Emerald Bay and then watch for a two-story large brown wooden office building at the corner of Crescent Bay Drive.  Make a right and go to the end of the street for Crescent Bay Park.  You can park on Crescent or PCH—bring quarters for PCH.  You may want to carpool.  (Bathrooms will be available at a member’s home on Crescent Bay Drive.)

Family BBQ Open House for member families with children and all new and prospective members, featuring a bounce house and Israeli dancing. Schmooze with Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier, take a tour of our classrooms and meet our new Education Director, Norma Grinfeld and Pre-School Director, Heidi Kahn.  RSVP.

August 8, 2008 - Tibor Rubin, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who was long denied the honor because of political and military anti-Semitism.

August 15, 2008 - Sports attorney and agent Leigh Steinberg will speak on  “Winning With Integrity” and The Merage Israeli CEOs. 

September 5, 2008 - Madeleine Kunin, former Vermont Governor will speak on her new book “Pearls, Politics And Power: How Women Can Win And Lead.“

October 9, 2008 - Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, the new Dean of UCI Law School, will be our speaker on Yom Kippur afternoon immediately following the morning service at 1:30 p.m.

November 7, 2008 - The Merage Israeli CEOs will speak on “Israel At Sixty.“

December 5, 2008 - Dr. Yaron Brook, President of the Ayn Rand Society, will speak on “Liberty And Freedom For All.“

January 30, 2009 - Professor Rachel Elior, Chair of the Department of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, will speak on “Demystifying Jewish Mysticism.“

February 20, 2009 - Dr. Norman Ornstein, CBS Political Analyst and Congress expert.

April 24 - Former MIT Professor Leonard Fein, founding editor of Moment Magazine and founder of MAZON: A Jewish Response To Hunger, will speak on “Now That We Can Be Who We Said We would Be If Only We Could Be: Are We?”