Weekly Message 10.23.2026 Parashat Lech Lecha
Parashat Lech Leccha (Go Forth) Genesis 12:1 - 17:27
HafTorah Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16
Dear friends,
Greetings from the land of New Jersey where this week, Chris and I are enjoying the company of our families and friends and the beautiful fall colors and weather. Getting away from the everyday routines in our lives and our local environments and catching up with important people in our lives helps strengthen our connections with people and places and energizes us within our own local communities.
And our brief trip away from home provides food for thought about this week's Torah reading in which Avram and Sarai leave the comfort of their communities but instead of returning home as we will, they become sojourners without a strictly defined goal apart from eventually having a permanent home. They proceed on the trust for Hashem's promise and the loyalty and concern for what is right in a world where very little is "right". In our triennial reading of Genesis (Bereshit) 14 and 15, we encounter a world of wars and mistrust. Avram rises above it to rescue his nephew and gain the respect and trust of others while dealing with disappointments such as not bearing a child to carry on after him. Yet his loyalty to Hashem and trust in the ultimate goal of settling in the land entrusted to him gained him and his eventual descendants a covenant for all time.
Just as Avram trusted in Hashem, the Prophet Isaiah in this week's Haftorah (40:27-41:16) encourages us to practice loyalty and trust to enable us to reach our ultimate goals.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Eternal is G-d from of old, Creator of the earth from end to end, who never grows faint or weary, whose wisdom cannot be fathomed. Who gives strength to the weary, fresh vigor to the spent. Youths may grow faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but they who trust in G-d shall renew their strength as eagles grow new plumes. They shall run and not grow weary; they shall march and not grow faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
יִ׃
As we continue to discuss the themes of Genesis, please join in on our religious service and study this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am in-person or virtually on Zoom. And continue to participate in the many activities during this season as detailed below.
And PLEASE consider volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries headquarters on October 27th and at the holiday tent on November 24th and December 22nd. Together and with very little sacrifice of time and effort, we can make great strides in helping our community! Please sign up at the links below and I will look forward to working with you in fulfilling this very much needed Mitzvah.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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ZOOM LINK FOR FRI AND SAT:
JCC West Pasco is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: JCC West Pasco Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 23, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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COMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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 BEFORE NOVEMBER 17TH to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Saturday, November 14, 2026 Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
Thursday, November 19, 2026 joint Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Temple Beth David, 7 pm
Tuesday, November 24, 2026 We will volunteer at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent at Generations on 1540 Little Road in Trinity, 11:30 am-3 pm. Please sign up BEFORE NOVEMBER 17TH at https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Friday, December 4, 2026 We will enjoy a joyous Shabbat/erev Hanukkah celebration with candlelighting before our Kabbalat Shabbat service, and potato latkes and sufganyot (jelly donuts) after. Bring your own menorah for the lighting of the first candle, 6:30 pm
Saturday, December 5, 2026 We will enjoy the annual holiday boat parade on the Banks of the Cotee River between Vermont and Kentucky Avenues in New Port Richey beginning with Havdalah and latkes, sufganyot (jelly donuts) and other Hanukkah treats while watching the decorated boats float by, 6 pm
Sunday, December 6, 2026 We will celebrate Hanukkah with the residents of the Trinity Place Assisted Living Center at 8684 Old Route 54 in New Port Richey, 2 pm
Sunday, December 6, 2026 We will enjoy a Hanukkah dinner party, 4 pm
Saturday, December 12, 2026, Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
Tuesday, December 22, 2026 We will volunteer at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent at Generations on 1540 Little Road in Trinity, 11:30 am-3 pm. Please sign up BEFORE DECEMBER 15TH at https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Thursday, December 24, 2026 We will enjoy a movie at the synagogue and Chinese dinner at a local restaurant. Stay tuned for details!
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