Weekly Message 09.04.2026 Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech
Parashat Nitzavim (Standing); Vayalech (And Moses went) Deuteronomy 29:9 -31:30
HafTorah Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9
Dear friends,
All our preparations for the High Holy Days are nearly complete. We have cleaned the sanctuary and throughout this month of Elul we have been listening to the blasts of the shofar and the words of Psalm 27 "The Lord is My Light". And on Shabbat morning following our religious service and Kiddush we will complete the transformation of the sanctuary by replacing the Torah and Bimah covers with pure white ones and we will swap out our Siddurim for the High Holy Day Machzorim. And on Saturday evening at 7 pm after a social hour and Havdalah, as we all come together again after summer vacations, we will chant the Selichot prayers. Then on Sunday, September 6th we will gather at Beit Olam Cemetery in Trinity at 10 am and then at Grace Memorial Cemetery in Hudson to fulfill the High Holy Day tradition of Zachor (memory) as we chant El Molei Rachamim memorial prayers for those interred there and for those family members and friends interred at other cemeteries as well. And as we will need a minyan to chant the Mourner's Kaddish in memory of all, it is important for all to attend at least one of those gatherings. Then we celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the following Shabbat!
This Shabbat we near the completion of the Book of Deuteronomy (29:9-30:14) and we read the last of the seven Haftorahs authored by the Prophet Isaiah (61:10-62:9) chanted between Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashanah. In our Torah reading and study, our greatest Prophet Moses completes his third and final discourse to the entire multitude gathered around him as his incredible life nears its end. This discourse is meant not only for those who are about to enter the Promised Land, but for all generations to follow. It applies to all people regardless of their circumstances in life. He reassures the people that they will not be forsaken and that they will obtain blessings by following Hashem's commandments. Our triennial portion concludes by reassuring that the words of Adonai should be in the hearts and minds of all and at all times (30:14).
Our Haftorah for this Shabbat is always read immediately before Rosh Hashanah. Appropriately, Isaiah's words are full of spiritual exultation and celebration beginning with our opening verse (61:10).
שׂ֧וֹשׂ אָשִׂ֣ישׂ בַּֽיהֹוָ֗ה תָּגֵ֤ל נַפְשִׁי֙ בֵּֽאלֹהַ֔י כִּ֤י הִלְבִּישַׁ֙נִי֙ בִּגְדֵי־יֶ֔שַׁע מְעִ֥יל צְדָקָ֖ה יְעָטָ֑נִי
כֶּֽחָתָן֙ יְכַהֵ֣ן פְּאֵ֔ר וְכַכַּלָּ֖ה תַּעְדֶּ֥ה כֵלֶֽיהָ׃
I greatly rejoice in Hashem,
My whole being exults in my G-d,
Who has clothed me with garments of triumph,
Wrapped me in a robe of victory,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a turban,
Like a bride bedecked with her finery.
Hope to see you in shul for Shabbat and Selichot services and wishing you a Shabbat Shalom!
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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ZOOM LINK FOR FRI & SAT- INCLUDING SAT EVENING
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Topic: JCC West Pasco Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 4, 2026 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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And please check out the calendar below and participate in our many services and activities!
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 Aves 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, Saturday, September 26, 2026
Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah 9:30 am
Hoshanah 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, 2026
Social hour 7 pm
Services 8 pm
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UP COMING ACTIVITIES:
Thursday, September 24, 2026 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
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 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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