Weekly Message 06.12.2026 Parashat Shelach
- jccwestpasco
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
Parashat Shelach (Send) Numbers 13:1 -15:41
HafTorah Joshua 2:1-24
Dear friends,
it has been an exciting and fulfilling week in our household this week as our middle grandson Nathan graduated from Gulf High School, and we are preparing for our 56th consecutive annual trip to the beach in Delaware where we will spend the next two weeks while spending a couple days in Rockville, Maryland to celebrate our newborn great nephew's bris. So, lots are happening in our family!
This Shabbat, we come to a turning point in our journey towards the Promised Land and in effect, it causes us to examine the turning points in our own lives. Just as the children of Israel cowered at the thought of proceeding when they heard the negative reports of the spies that Moses sent to scout out the land, we too have faced (and will continue to face) many decisions that will change the direction of our futures. When we face a turn in the road, which way shall we turn? Will we allow fear of challenges to cloud our future, just as the spies' report caused a rebellion and desire to turn back and become slaves in Egypt once again, or will we choose to meet the challenges? As we face a world with many problems. will we be a "light among nations" or will we turn back to a place where we might be more comfortable? Let us be like Joshua and Caleb who were the only ones to urge the Children of Israel forward and as a result were the only ones who left Egypt as adults to enter the land and become the first leaders in the land following the incredible rule of our greatest prophet, Moses. Our reading will consist of the first triennial portion of the Sedrah of Schlach Lecha (Bamidbar 13:1-14:7)
There is so much to be studied and learned in this week's Shabbat observance, and I hope to share these and other thoughts with you at our services this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am (when we mark the Bar Mitzvah anniversary of Barry Cohen with a celebratory Kiddush luncheon) both in-person and virtually on Zoom. As I will be in Delaware, you will see me on Zoom.
And as noted, this Shabbat morning is Barry Cohen's Bar Mitzvah anniversary, and it features one of the most stirring Haftorahs (Joshua 2:1-24) of the year. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Joshua sends spies into the land and the report and resulting conquering of the land by a new generation of Israelis results.
And please note the summer and early fall activities below and be a part of our wonderful community by participating in as many as you can!
Shabbat Shalom
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOU CALENDARS
Saturday, June 13 We will host our monthly Game Night and Havdalah at 7 pm.
Friday, June 19 We will have a Shabbat "Juneteenth" dinner after services which will begin at 6:30 pm (note the earlier starting time).
Tuesday, June 30 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
Wednesday, July 8 We will be participating in Jewish Heritage Night at Tropicana Field when the Rays take on the New York Yankees at 6:40 pm. We will be carpooling from the synagogue parking lot at 4:30 pm. In addition to the game and sitting with our Jewish friends from throughout our region, each participant will receive a commemorative jersey.
Thursday, July 23 We will observe Tisha B'Av with the reading of the Book of Lamentations (Eichah) composed by the Prophet Jeremiah at 9 am.
Tuesday, July 28 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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HIGH HOLY DAY SCHEDULE
Selichot Saturday, September 5, 2026
Social hour 7 pm
Havdalah and Selichot services 8 pm
Cemetery Visitations, Sunday, September 6, 2026
Beit Olam Cemetery in Trinity 10 am
Grace Memorial Cemetery in Hudson 11:30 am
Erev Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September 11, 2026
Services followed by community dinner 6:30 pm
Rosh Hashanah, first day, Saturday, September 12, 2026
Morning services 9:30 am
Mincha/Maariv services 6:30 pm
Rosh Hashanah, second day, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Morning services 9:30 am
Tashlikh at the Cotee River on Grand Blvd between Vermont and Kentucky St 3 pm
Erev Shabbat Shuva, Friday, September 18, 2026
Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv services 7 pm
Shabbat Shuva, Saturday, September 19, 2026
Services followed by luncheon honoring adult B'nai Mitzvah anniversary 9:30 am
Community Sukkah decoration, Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10 am
Kol Nidre, Sunday, September 20, 2026
Kol Nidre and Erev Yom Kippur services 6:30 pm
Yom Kippur, Monday, September 21, 2026
Morning services 9:30 am
Mincha service 6 pm
Yizkor service 7 pm
Neila service 7:20 pm
Havdalah followed by community break-the-fast meal 8 pm
Erev Sukkot, Friday, September 25, 2026
Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah 7pm
Sukkot, Tuesday, Saturday, September 26, 2026
Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah 9:30 am
Hashanah Rabbah, Friday, October 2, 2026
Services 9:30 am followed by community brunch at Panera's
Erev Shemini Atzeret, Friday October 2, 2026
Services 7 pm
Shemini Atzeret, Saturday, October 3, 2026
Services 9:30 am including the Yizkor memorial service
Simchat Torah, Saturday, October 3, 2025
Social hour 7 pm
Services 8 pm
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