9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Our Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Service at Irvine United Congregational Church (4915 Alton Parkway), led by Rabbi Rachlis and IUCC’s Pastor, Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano, on the theme “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Judaism And Christianity, But Were Afraid To Ask.” Rabbi Rachlis and Rev. Halverson-Cano will also share their memories, of the last 35 years, of University Synagogue and IUCC celebrating Thanksgiving together. Rabbi Rachlis and Rev. Halverson-Cano will dialogue on the topic and answer your questions. If you wish, you can email Rabbi Rachlis at rabbi@universitysynagogue.org any questions on the theme for him or Rev. Halverson-Cano in advance by Friday, November 17 at noon. University Synagogue and IUCC’s Choirs and Cantor Braier will sing in Hebrew and English.

The American holiday of Thanksgiving, based on the Biblical Harvest Festival of Sukkot, is one of our most cherished celebrations as Jews, because it strives for inclusivity across the religious, racial and ethnic diversity that is the hallmark of our American democracy. In a country and world that are so polarized today, we need to celebrate the ideal of one indivisible nation and world. Especially, when we are feeling such pain over the Israel-Hamas War and the fate of our beloved hostages, we want to be with our allies and supporters from other faith traditions. One of the first people to contact University Synagogue, after the brutal murders in Israel on October 7, was Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano to offer her church’s support to the Jewish community.

Please register below. Enter names of all attendees in the Notes section.