Parashat Shoftim (Judges) Deuteronomy 16:16 - 21:9
HafTorah Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12
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Justice, Justice should you always seek so that you will live and inherit the land that Hashem is giving you.
צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ

Dear friends,
The theme for this Shabbat is Shoftim i.e., Justice. This concept goes far beyond judicial justirce to include our relationahips with people and all living creatures including the very land that we live on. It includes all aspects of "social righteousness" that enable us to become a "holy nation".
As we read the discourses in the Book of Deuteronomy, we realize how critical these lessons are to our own survival and well being. We are now only four short weeks before the High Holy Days and into the month of Elul as we reflect on the year that has raced by and commit ourselves to a better and more meaningful future for us and for the earth. I am looking forward to helping us all prepare for the upcoming "days of awe" through our study and prayer throughout this month of reflection.
This Shabbat, we gather as usual at 7:30 pm this evening and 9:30 am tomorrow morning in-person and on Zoom. All of our Holy Days activities will be presented on Zoom as well. If you will be attending vritually, please make certain that you have the Selichot pamphlet for the evening of September 9th and the High Holy Day Machzor edited by Rabbi Jules Harlow for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. You can pick them up at the office Monday-Thursday, 9 am-1 pm or call the office at 727-847-3814 to request copies to be mailed to you. If you choose the later, please do it soon so that they will arrive on-time!
In the meantime, please make every effort to attend our religious services during this month of Elul as we prepare together for this very special time of year.
Shabbat Shalom!
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Shabbat Service, Friday 08/18/2023 7:30 pm
Time: Aug 16, 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, 08/19/2023 9:30 am
Time: Aug 19, 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
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