A national project started by the Boston-based Jewish Arts Collaborative, BE THE CHANGE is an art and activism initiative inspired by the Jewish tenet of justice and drawing from the ritualistic Jewish Tzedakah box. It is about making space to talk about injustice and giving us all the necessary action steps to be agents of change in our local and global communities.

WEISSMAN ARTS collaborated with the Los Angeles-based Skirball Cultural Center, sharing four boxes from their recent mounting of BE THE CHANGE. Beyond the Skirball Cultural Center boxes, four additional boxes were commissioned for our Orange County community. Each box is designed by an artist and has a local Orange County organization serving as host and ambassador. The eight boxes are on display from April 7th through July 31st, 2024. Refer to the map and corresponding number to see the location and box details.

Join us on Sunday, October 20th, for a vibrant SUKKOT experience! Immerse yourself in the intersection of ancient harvest practices, sustainable farming, and artistic expression. Learn from guest chefs, farmers, and educators at our main Food Stage. Enjoy farm tours, cooking demos, interactive workshops including fermentation, and sessions on meditation, yoga, and more. There will be exciting activities for all ages. Stay tuned for more details and information to follow.

The WEISSMAN ARTS PROGRAM is brought to you through a generous legacy gift from the Albert Weissman and Rhoda Yvette Weissman Endowment Fund with Jewish Community Foundation Orange County.

On behalf of all of us at the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County and our greater community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Executive Director, Wendy Arenson, on receiving the prestigious Gail Littman Leadership Award from LIFE & LEGACY and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Presented at the national LIFE & LEGACY conference this May, the award recognizes outstanding leadership in integrating legacy giving into the culture of a community.

"Wendy's commitment to creating a strong and vibrant Orange County Jewish community is unmatched. She has worked diligently to engage as many organizations as possible in the program," said Arlene Schiff, Senior Advisor at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. "Her efforts with Life & Legacy continue as a significant flagship contributor to the growth, visibility, and success of the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County." 

Gideon Bernstein, JCFOC’s Board Chair, shares, “Wendy has helped our organization grow community collaboration, assets, endowments and legacies in our community, well beyond our founders' dreams. This award is a recognition of the tremendous achievements she has notched as the Executive Director of JCFOC.”

The Jewish Community Foundation Orange County joined the national LIFE & LEGACY initiative in 2013. Halfway through our 11th year of the program, we are proud to have 14 community partner organizations with more than 900 legacy commitments worth an estimated future value of $63.9 million, with $34.9 million already placed in endowments.

MAZAL TOV, WENDY, on this very well-deserved honor!

Thank you to our dedicated Board leaders, community partners, and volunteer lay leaders for your commitment to LEGACY. Together, we guarantee a Jewish tomorrow.

If you are interested in joining our LIFE & LEGACY community, contact Wendy Arenson at wendy@jcfoc.org. Let us honor YOU at the Endowment Book of Life celebration this October.

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