Weekly Message 06/19/2020 Parashat Shlach Lecha-Send Out

Numbers 13:1 - 15:41

Dear friends,

As another Shabbat approaches, we reach a major turning point in our Torah study and in the history of the Hebrew people. Our Torah reading is the sedrah (portion) of Shelach Lecha in the book of Bamidar (Numbers) and recounts the sending of spies across the river into Israel to prepare the multitude to enter, conquer, and settle in the promised land.

As a result of the disastrous report of all the spies with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, the Hebrew nation will be made to suffer forty more years of wandering in the wilderness so that all (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb) who were adults when leaving Egypt will have died and only the young generation and those born in the wilderness who did not experience the mentality of slavery would enter the land.

In the meantime, the children of Israel would learn the remainder of the Mitzvot and gain confidence in their ability to fight for freedom and then govern themselves. It's a very relevant lesson for all of us at all times and at all stages of our lives. I will have more to say about overcoming fears at our service which begins at 7:30 pm at the JCC and on Zoom. To log into the service from home, please follow the instructions below:

Topic: JCC West Pasco

Time: Jun 19, 2020 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09

Meeting ID: 497 903 0958

Password: 5QdVaA

As we remain in the grip of the pandemic and the economic recession it has caused, lets continue to support those who are feeding the hungry during this very critical time. In addition to the other local and regional organizations I have recommended, Feeding Tampa Bay is doing remarkable work in alleviating hunger and keeping hopes alive. It is very easy to make a donation either at the website at

https://feedingtampabay.org/

or by sending a check to:

Feeding Tampa Bay

Attn: Ashley Ehrman

4702 Transport Dr Bldg 6

Tampa, FL 33605

Through the heroic efforts of our President Eileen Hochstadt, we have reconnected with our beloved longtime member Fortune "Mazel" Schultz. She is in an assisted living facility in Kansas City and can be reached by phone at 913-522-4052. Chris and I spoke with her yesterday. Let's now shower her with phone calls from her JCC friends and let her know how much she is loved and missed by all!

Chris and I look forward to seeing you all virtually at 7:30 tonight.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ron

Ron Becker,

Spiritual Leader