ATTENTION
DUE TO OUR KITCHEN STAFF HAVING COVID THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE BUILDING THIS WEEKEND. WE WILL BE HAVING ZOOM SERVICES ONLY, NO IN HOUSE SHABBAT SERVICES ON FRIDAY EVENING NOR ON SATURDAY MORNING. WE WILL RESUME IN HOUSE AND ZOOM SERVICES, BEGINNING FRIDAY JULY 29TH.
Parashat Pinchas (Aaron's Grandson) Numbers 25:10 - 30:1
HafTorah Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Dear friends,
As we enter what some call the "dog days" of summer, we have entered a period of semi-mourning known as "the three weeks" between the 17th day of the month of Tammuz (Shiva Asar B'Tammuz) and the 9th day of the month of Menachem Av (Tisha B'Av).
It was during this period, that both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed by the Babylonians and then the Romans. Israel was fraught with corruption and immorality and as predicted in the Torah, those acts led to destruction and banishment. During this period, we contemplate the importance of living righteous lives, individually and as a community. We will chant the three Haftorot of Rebuke beginning with the prophet Jeremiah, Chapters 1 and 2 this Shabbat.
Our Torah portion of the week is Parashat Pinchas. This portion is all about leadership, something we are dealing with anxiously even in our own time and place. We read that Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron is a true zealot, and he is rewarded with the priesthood as the children of Israel prepare to enter the land. To continue the theme of leadership, we learn that Moses passes the torch to Joshua who will assume the role of political, military, and emotional leader of his people in the land of Israel, much as Moses had in Egypt and in the wilderness. As we read about and experience examples of poor leadership throughout the world, we can learn from the examples of Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Pinchas and emerge from the three weeks of mourning with nine weeks of consolation and resolve to do better. And then we will truly be ready for the High Holy Days which follow immediately after.
As you read this, I will be on my way first to South Carolina and then to Delaware for our annual reunion with lifelong friends. Fortunately, our good friend and fellow congregant Elliot Shapiro will be returning to lead services along with our beloved president Eileen Hochstadt for the next three Shabbatot. Services will be held on Zoom ONLY at 7:30 pm tonight and 9:30 am on Saturday morning. I wish you all the best throughout this period and look forward to rejoining you in-person on August 12th.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom Meeting
Friday, 7 22 2022 7:30 pm
Topic: Shabbat Service
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
Saturday, 7 23 2022 9:30 am
Topic: Saturday Service
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA