Weekly Message 03.20.2026 Parashat Vayikra

Parashat Vayikra (and He called) Exodus Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26

HafTorah Isaiah 43:21 - 44:23

VAYIKRA

Dear friends,

Thanks to all who have assisted in and attended our variety of spring programs, the last of which was our Havdalah Game Night last Saturday night as we met to bid adieu to Shabbat and welcome the new week with Havdalah and an evening of socializing with our shul community friends while enjoying board games, all of which were new to me! Thanks to Wendy Seldin and Eileen Hochstadt for organizing this event and looking forward to future get togethers.

All of our spring activities, study, and prayer are leading us to the observance of the Passover festival which begins in less than two weeks! As our Haggadah instructs us, an important part of that preparation is to ensure that those who are hungry can be assisted. The declaration of Ha Lachma Anya, the bread of affliction, tells us "All who are hungry, come and eat! All who are in need, come and celebrate!"

כָּל דִכְפִין יֵיתֵי וְיֵיכֹל, כָּל דִצְרִיךְ יֵיתֵי וְיִפְסַח

And on Tuesday, April 24th between 11 am and 2 pm, our community has the opportunity to fulfill that mitzvah by volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries in Holiday to provide food, clothing, and hope to those in our community who are in need. Whether you have volunteered in the past or if this would be your first time, please consider donating this small amount of time and energy. You will be guaranteed a meaningful experience and a great start to the Passover celebration!

To register, sign up at this link https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK

This Shabbat we begin a new book of the Torah, that of Vayikra (Leviticus). Throughout this book, we temporarily leave the historical narrative and concentrate on the rituals of the past that began with the sacrifices associated with the Tabernacle in the wilderness and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Sacrifices, which since the loss of the Temple are now accomplished through prayer and adherence to the mitzvot, the majority of which are introduced to us in the Book of Leviticus. We replace the sacrifices at the altar with prayer, study, and good deeds as "the eternal spiritual sacrifices on the altars of our hearts." In our Haftorah for this Shabbat, the prophet Isaiah implores the exiled Hebrews in Babylonia to return to those precepts, a return that will lead to a return to the Holy Land.

Please join me this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am as we begin the Book of Vayikra, continue our preparations for Passover, and pray and study together as a community. And again, sign up to volunteer on Tuesday if you possibly can!

And of course, please join us at our flea market/craft show on Sunday and at all of our other activities outlined below!

Shabbat Shalom!

Ron Becker,

Spiritual Leader

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ZOOM LINK FOR FRI & SAT:

Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09 to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting. 

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***** COMING EVENTS - MARK YOU CALENDARS *****

Sunday, March 22 We will host a large "flea market/craft show" style 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

Saturday, March 28 at 1 pm following Shabbat services. We will gather to view and celebrate the Chasco Boat Parade viewing on the Banks of the Cotee River at the parking area on Grand Boulevard between Vermont and Kentucky Avenues in New Port Richey.

Thursday, April 2 First Day of Pesach religious services at 9:30 am including the annual prayer for dew, precious dew מוריד הטל Followed by the Annual Community Passover Seder at 3 pm. Call 727-847-3814 for further information and to make reservations.

Saturday, April 4 We will observe Shabbat Chol Hamoed (Intermediate days of Pesach) with the chanting of Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs as services beginning at 9:30 am.

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.

Thursday, April 9 We will observe the last day of Passover with services beginning at 9:30 am which will include the Yizkor (Memorial) prayers.

Saturday, April 25 We are one of the sponsors of the annual African American Club Scholarship dinner at 4 pm at the Seven Springs Country Club at 3535 Trophy Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34655 just off Little Road. We will carpool from the synagogue. All are encouraged to attend this important community fundraising event. See the flyer.

Sunday, May 3 Please plan 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. The event will begin at 1 pm. Please register at Women of Distinction - Reaching New Summits | Jewish Federation of Florida's Gulf Coast The cost is $36/person for the program and reception, and we will carpool from the synagogue.