Weekly Message 02.20.2026 Parashat Terumah

Parashah Terumah (Offering) Exodus 25:1 - 27:19

HafTorah Kings I 5:26 - 6:13

Ark of the Covenant

Dear friends,

This week we began the Hebrew month of Adar, the month in which we are commanded to "increase our joy" as we will soon to celebrating the holiday of Purim and the festival of Passover. And to help us "increase our joy" Chris and I are celebrating her birthday and my Bar Mitzvah anniversary with a cholent lunch tomorrow (Saturday, February 21) after Shabbat morning services which begin at 9:30 am. When we first came to this community, our synagogue served cholent every Shabbat. Sadly, the preparers of the feast have long since left us, but we will attempt to revive the tradition this week!

I am looking forward to sharing my Bar Mitzvah anniversary with you as we read and study the Torah portion of Terumah in the Book of Exodus and the Haftorah from the Book of Kings. The Torah portion contains the details of the construction of the Mishkan (the portable Tabernacle) that accompanied the children of Israel in the Wilderness and the Haftorah contains a similar description of the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem supervised by King Solomon. The description is followed by these inspiring words 1 Kings 6:11-13):

וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃

הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֜ה אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֣ה בֹנֶ֗ה אִם־תֵּלֵ֤ךְ בְּחֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֥ אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֺתַ֖י לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּהֶ֑ם וַהֲקִמֹתִ֤י אֶת־דְּבָרִי֙ אִתָּ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי אֶל־דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽיךָ׃

וְשָׁ֣כַנְתִּ֔י בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֥א אֶעֱזֹ֖ב אֶת־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

Then the word of Hashem came to Solomon, “With regard to this House you are building—if you follow My laws and observe My rules and faithfully keep My commandments, I will fulfill for you the promise that I gave to your father David: ,I will abide among the children of Israel, and I will never forsake My people Israel.”

Rabbi Hilly Haber concludes a D'Var Torah on Shabbat Terumah with these words:

"The Tabernacle is gone; the Temple is no more. But the legacy we built together in the wilderness lives on in Jewish communities everywhere-and wherever people struggle to be free".

However with Hashem remaining in our midst in our places of worship, our homes, in nature, and everywhere we go, let us build on this inspiration and help make this a better world! With this in mind, please help us make a strong minyan as we "increase our joy" this Shabbat, tonight at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am.

And please note the upcoming activities below and help support your synagogue by participating in as many as you are able!

Shabbat Shalom,

Ron Becker,

Leader

Saturday, February 21 We will celebrate Ron Becker's Bar Mitzvah anniversary and Chris Becker's birthday with a Kiddish luncheon featuring cholent 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. For this luncheon, we will be reviving our home made cholent casserole!

Sunday, March 1 We will be taking part in an Interfaith program at the Rose Court Ballroom at 4934 E. Busch Blvd on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa's Temple Terrace at 6:30 pm. Carpooling will be arranged.

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 and attract Rutgers alums to our synagogue. Please register by March 2nd at the latest to attend at the link below:

You are cordially

invited to a reception and talk with:

Dr. Nancy Sinkoff

Academic Director, The Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, and Professor of Jewish Studies and History at Rutgers University

Sunday, March 8, 2026

2:00–4:00 p.m.

Jewish Community Center of West Pasco

9841 Scenic Drive

Port Richey, FL 34668

Register Here

Sunday, March 22 We will host a large "flea market/craft fair" event in the parking lot of the synagogue between 9 am and 3 pm which will feature many vendors selling a variety of goods with food and drink available and a chance to share an event with old friends and make new ones! Admission is free, and booths are available for vendors at a cost of $20. Anyone who is interested in being a vendor should contact the office at 727-847-3814.

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

Thursday, April 2 We will hold our annual Passover seder at 3 pm. Details to follow soon!

Tuesday, April 7 We will observe Yom HaShoah at 6 pm at the New Port Richey City Hall at 5919 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652 with the annual proclamation and presentations of the Mayor and City Council.

Saturday, April 25 We are cosponsoring the annual African American Club Scholarship dinner at Seven Springs Country Club at 3535 Trophy Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34655 just off Little Road. All are encouraged to attend this important community fundraising event.

Sunday, May 3 Please save the date to attend the gala Jewish Federation of Florida's Gulf Coast Women of Distinction celebration. This year we honor Ana Calderon for all that she has done for our synagogue and the community. Details on location, time, and cost to follow!