Weekly Message 02.27.2025 Parashat Tetzaveh
- jccwestpasco
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Parashat Tetzaveh (Command) Exodus 27:20 - 30:10
2nd Torah Parashat Zachor - Deuteronomy 25:17 - 19
HafTorah Samuel I 15:2 - 34
Dear friends,
Thanks to all who made the last Shabbat special for Chris and me as we celebrated her birthday and my Bar Mitzvah anniversary with a wonderful cholent lunch and special thanks to Eileen for preparing the feast! I encourage all to celebrate and share happy life cycle events by sponsoring a Kiddish luncheon with your congregants!
This Shabbat we observe the second of the four special Shabbats before Passover, Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembrance always occurring on the Shabbat before the holiday of Purim. We remember the evils inflicted upon us, and all humanity symbolized by Amalek, Hamen, and all who exhibit hate and discrimination. We must remember that we must conquer the concept of evil wherever we see it. It is clear that nobody is born to hate others and that it is a learned trait. In addition to remembering the evils existing in the world, we must also remember the ultimate triumph of good over evil, and the heroes who have helped heal and save the world. This Shabbat we look forward to celebrating Purim on Monday eveing as we read in the Megillah about the heroics of Queen Esther and Mordechai and rejoice with communal gatherings to give thanks with special food (think Hamantaschen!) and charity.
Please join me and your friends and congregants for Shabbat services this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 am in-person or virtually, on Zoom as we continue our reading of the Book of Exodus with the appointment of the Kohanim and the special reading from a second Torah and a Haftorah unique to Shabbat Zachor. And please consult the schedule of activities below and show your support by attending as many as you can beginning with Sunday's Interfaith program as we join with the regional Islamic community as they observe Ramadan and share a break-fast meal with us. And on Monday, we celebrate Purim together. Also, it is important that you register for the March 8th event by March 2nd as we need to prepare the refreshments, etc. This will be one of our most important communitywide events of the year and I urge you to participate and greet our neighbors to our shul!
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
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ZOOM LINK FOR FRI & SAT:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Shabbat Services 2/27 @ 7:00 pm, 2/28 @ 9:30 am
Time: This is a recurring meeting Fri & Sat
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
Join instructions
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COMING EVENTS - MARK YOU CALENDARS
Sunday, March 1 We will be taking part in an Interfaith program and Ramadan break-fast meal 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:
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!
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