Weekly Message 01.16.2026 Parashat Va'eira
- jccwestpasco
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
Parashat Va'eira (and I appeared) Exodus 6:2 - 9:35
HafTorah Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
Dear friends,
Thanks to all who prepared and participated in the wonderful Shabbat luncheon honoring the birthdays of Eileen and Natalie, and Chris and my wedding anniversary. It is great to share not only our prayers and studies, but also a communal get together. Please consider sponsoring a Shabbat luncheon to honor any of your upcoming lifecycle milestones!
It is fitting that we have begun the Book of Exodus (Shemot) as we approach Martin Luther King Day. Like the prophet Moses, King symbolized the struggle to achieve freedom from bondage and like Moses, he didn't live to experience the culmination of his efforts but saw the promised land from the mountaintop. From the words of Rabbi Dan Ross from the Central Synagogue in New York "Though slavery does not directly touch many of us today, slavery does indeed still exist in our world. Furthermore, we live on a planet sweltering with heat of injustice and oppression. Hunger, poverty, cancer, climate change, violence, terrorism — these are the godless plagues of the modern world. And the message of the Ten Plagues of old is that we as Jews must act when we see these horrors, even if they befall our enemies. We must do this because, to borrow the words our great American prophet, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Unfortunately, there is still much to be done to overcome bondage, hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness, by advancing the achievements of Moses and Dr. King further. On Monday, January 19th, our synagogue will once again participate in the ML King Day activities as described in the calendar section below. Please plan on participating!
This Shabbat we read Chapter 6:2-7:7 in Exodus and are introduced to many of the words of our Passover seder beginning with: Exodus 6:6-8 "I am the Eternal. I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements. And I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God. And you shall know that I, the Eternal, am your God who freed you from the labors of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession, I am the Eternal." Moses is instructed to lift the spirit of the Israelites which has been crushed by bondage. This is the first of many times that Moses must perform this task as those who were enslaved are not immediately able to leave their "comfort zones" unto new uncharted territory with which they are unfamiliar.
Please join me at services tonight at 7:30 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am in-person or virtually on Zoom and please take advantage of the many social and volunteer opportunities below.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
Monday, January 19 We will once again participate in the communitywide Martin Luther King Day observance on Monday, January 19th. 10:30 AM – Symbolic Walk: The day begins with a short walk from the Union Baptist Church, located at 6235 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey, FL 34668 to the historic Booker T. Washington Schoolhouse down Pine Hill Road. 11:00 AM – Main Celebration: The march ends at the African American Club of Pasco, located in the Booker T. Washington Schoolhouse at 6105 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey, FL 34668, where the formal program begins. Program Highlights: The event features performances from local children and youth, sacred melodies, creative tributes, and guest speakers which include our president, Eileen Hochstadt. We have participated in this important inspirational interfaith event for many years and hope to have a great turnout again this year!
Tuesday, January 27 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Friday, January 30 We will have a Shabbat dinner catered by Argento's immediately following our Kabbalat service which will begin ½ hour earlier than usual at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, February 1 We will be volunteering at the synagogue for another "Mitzvah Day" to help restore and beautify the building and grounds at 9 am followed by our Tu B'Shevat seder.
Sunday, February 1 We will be celebrating Tu B'Shevat celebrating the rebirth of trees and all of nature's bounty with a Tu B'Shevat seder on Sunday, February 1st at 11 am featuring "first fruits" including dates, figs, olives, and sweet treats. It is a time to reflect on humanity's role as stewards of nature.
Saturday, February 21 We will celebrate Ron Becker's Bar Mitzvah anniversary and Chris Becker's birthday with a Kiddish luncheon immediately after morning services. All are invited to help celebrate together as a synagogue family and all are encouraged to sponsor festive meals to honor special life cycle events!
Tuesday, February 24 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Monday, March 2 We will be celebrating the joyous holiday of Purim on Monday, March 2nd beginning with a social hour (with lots of Hamantaschen and ice cream) at 6 pm and followed by the reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther) at 7 pm.
Sunday, March 8 We will be hosting a lecture by Nancy Sinkoff, Professor of Jewish Studies and Academic Director of the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers University at 2 pm. Her topic is "Did American Jews Ever Agree About Israel" and the talk will be followed by a reception in the Spigelman Room featuring delicious desserts crafted by our own Megan Hochstadt of "Meganables Edibles". The program is sponsored by the Rutgers University Foundation and will be open free of charge to the public. It will be a unique opportunity for us to hear from a distinguished scholar on a critical topic that concerns us all.
Tuesday, March 24 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
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Topic: Shabbat Services 1/16 @ 7:00 pm, 1/17 @ 9:30 am
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