Parashat Vayikra ((and He called) Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26
HafTorah Isaiah 43:21 - 44:23
Dear friends,
As I write this, we are now less than two weeks before Pesach and preparations are now completed at a frenzied pace! A reminder that we are zooming in the 1st half of the Seder once again. Please make certain that you still have the Maxwell House Haggadah that we used last year, and if not, call Marie at the office at 727-847-3814 so she can mail you one or more in time for the Seder which begins at 5:30 pm on Wednesday April 5th. Zoom login instructions will be sent to you via e-mail a day or two earlier. We will be together virtually for about an hour until we reach the festival meal when we will leave the session and enjpy the traditional meal with family and friends.
And there is no better way to dispose of some of our Chometz than to join us at our home on Grand Boulevard between Kentucky and Vermont Avenues across from the Cotee River to enjoy each other's company and watch the beautifully decorated vessels float by during the annual Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade. We will gather after services at 1 pm on Shabbat afternoon, April 1st at the gazebo. Just bring some lunch and a lawn chair if you don't want to sit on the park bench. We'll provide beverages, Railroad Square Bakery challah, and parking! I am recovering rapidly here at Solaris Rehab in Hudson and will almost certainly be home on April 1st to greet you all at Shabbat services and at the river! Again, thanks for all your good wishes, get-well cards, calls, visits and good cheer throughout the duration of my lengthy illness. And a special thanks to Perry, Eileen, and Elliot for leading our Shabbat services so well!
Now, for this Shabbat, we pause from our historical narrative as we completed the book of Exodus last Shabbat and now begin the book of Vayikra (Leviticus). This section of the Torah introduces the mitzvot, many of which are still relevant today and form the basis of our justice and moral codes. The multitude of sacrifices that were commanded for atonement and appreciation are detailed throughout. We continue to read them despite their no longer taking place in post-Temple days. These sacrifices are recalled in our Musaf (additional service) prayers at the end of our Shabbat morning services, but have now been replaced by prayer, good deeds, charity, kindness to people, animals, and the environment, and adherence to the mitzvot.
Please join in tonight at 7:30 pm and tomorrow morning at 9:30 am in-person or virtually on Zoom to ensure that we have a minyan.
Chris and I are looking forward to sharing Shabbat, the boat parade, Pesach, and all of our spring season activities with you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Shabbat Service, 03/24/2023, 7:30 pm
Time: Mar 24, 2023 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
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Saturday:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Saturday Service, 03/25/2023, 9:30 am
Time: Mar 25, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA