211210 1201 SPARK OF LOVE AND ADOPT A BATTION PARTICIPATIONFrom:Roberta Scharlin Zinman
To:Gmail 2; Stanton@ci.stanton.ca.us; rchun@avcity.org; Frances Marquez; joneill@ggcity.org;
desdgwick@lagunahillsca.gov; nhatch@cityoflagunawoods.org; shasselbrink@cityoflosalmaitos.org;
cgamble@cityofrsm.org; jkalmick@sealbeachca.gov; vrossini@villapark.org; ehernandez@yorba-linda.org;
Donald.Waagner@ocgov.com; micheles@cityofapalma.org; spark@buenapark.com; jmuller@danapoint.org;
ankuo@cityofirvine.org; srains@cityoflagunaniquel.org; mtettermer@lakeforestca.gov; wardk@san-clemente.org;
jessielopez@santa-ana.org; lclark@tusinca.org; Lisa.Bartlett@ocgov.com; esachs@cityofmissioinviejo.org;
tt@westminster-ca.gov; mttemer@lakeforestca.gov
Cc:Rabbi Zalman & Bassie Marucs; rabbibecker@gmail.com; Councilman Ed Sachs; SERGIO.PRINCE@OCGOV.COM;
Reardon, Rhonda
Subject:SPARK OF LOVE AND ADOPT A BATTION PARTICIPATION
Date:Friday, December 10, 2021 12:01:00 PM
Dear Members of the OC Fire Authority Board:
I am writing to bring to your attention an issue with two programs in which your cities and the OC
Fire Authority participate. The first is the Spark of Love Holiday gift program and the second is the
Adopt a Battalion program. Let me start by stating that I COME TO ADD, NOT TO SUBTRACT. I want
it clear up front that I am not asking you to stop the participation of your city in these wonderful
projects. However, I bring this to your attention in the hope that you will, as Governmental
Agencies, recognize your obligation that any program in which you participate is OPEN TO
EVERYONE AND WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION OR BIAS.
As I understand each of these programs, the goal is to collect presents which will then be given to
various organizations which will distribute them to needy children. The collection and the
distribution occurs during the Christmas holiday season. It is my further understanding that NONE
OF THE ORGANIZATIONS GETTING THESE GIFTS IS INVOLVED IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND THAT
NO PRESENTS ARE GIVEN OUT SPECIFICALLY FOR JEWISH CHILDREN DURING THE HOLIDAY OF
HANUKKAH/CHANUKAH WHICH IS OFTEN DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON BUT CAN, LIKE THIS
YEAR, START AND END BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Specially regarding the Adopt a Battalion program,
there appears to be NO EFFORT to insure that Jewish children, whose parents are in the military,
WILL GET OR RECEIVE HANUKKAH/CHANUKAH PRESENTS DURING THEIR HOLIDAY. Instead, they get
“Christmas” gifts, wrapped in Christmas wrapping, which, frankly, is inappropriate and problematic.
As a Jewish member of Orange County for the past almost seven years, I find it distressing and
disturbing that these programs, sanctioned by the Cities of this County, do not treat Jewish children
with the same loving care and concern as Christian ones. While we are but a small part of this
population, we Jews do exist and thrive in Orange County, a county which has a terrible anti-Semitic
history. This county and its cities can do and must do better.
Hanukkah/Chanukah has already ended this year but now it the time to start remodeling both of
these programs to include Jewish children in 2022. Anything that I can do to help, I will be happy to
do. As a retired person with experience in government work, I understand that systems can be hard
to change and stand ready to assist you in making this change. I can be reached at the phone
numbers below, via email or by mail, also below.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Roberta Scharlin Zinman 21476 Miramar, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, 949 215-0103 and 818 903-
1537
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