Parashat Chayei Sarah (life of Sarah) Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
HafTorah Kings I -1:1 -31
Dear friends,
We had the second of our interfaith activities yesterday as we hosted the quarterly mental health summit of the Lifeline devoted entirely to the tragic happenings in Israel and Gaza. We explored the background and context to the age-old disputes, how it is affecting the mental health of people throughout the world as emotions are spilling over, and how we as an interfaith community can show the world that yes, it is possible for people of different cultures to live together in harmony. The next event will be a Thanksgiving Interfaith Service at Temple Beth David in Spring Hill on Tuesday, November 21st at 7 pm, to which we are all invited to participate. We will be carpooling so please let me know if you need a ride or can provide one. This week's Suncoast News has an article about our first interfaith service on October 29th and can be accessed at:
https://www.suncoastnews.com/news/pasco/pasco-spiritual-leaders-appeal-for-peace-abroad-at-home/article_57d5d1b8-7a60-11ee-a926-83c24798c142.html
Please continue to support our efforts to help unite our community, fight anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and become better citizens. I am happy to report that we will have 7 volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries on November 21st as well. Thanks to all that help make us a caring and holy community that hopefully will be shining example and blueprint for the possibilities of peace for those who surround us.
This week's Torah portion Chayei Sarah, literally the "life of Sarah" actually begins with her passing. We are left wanting to know more about her later life as we lose contact after the near sacrifice of her son Isaac. This Shabbat we read and study Chapter 24 of the Book of Genesis (Bereshit) and are introduced to our second matriarch Rebecca and are immediately struck by her kindnesses and virtue. Our Haftorah from the Book of Kings describes David's last days and the leadership transition to his son Solomon. Our services will be in-person and virtual on Zoom as usual and will begin at 7:30 pm this evening and 9:30 am tomorrow morning. Please join us to help make the minyan for those saying Kaddish and so we can read the Torah.
And please hold the following dates for our Hanukkah celebrations:
Saturday, December 2nd at 6 pm---Havdalah followed by potato latkes and other goodies at our home at the Cotee River Park while we enjoy the annual winter holiday boar parade.
Sunday, December 3rd 11 am-1 pm---Hanukkah related items on display and for sale in the Spigelman Room
Friday, December 8th at 6:30 pm --- Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by Shabbat/Hanukkah dinner
Sunday, December 10th 11 am-12:45 pm---Hanukkah related items on display and for sale in the Spigelman Room
Sunday, December 10th 1:15-2:30 pm---Hanukkah celebration (food, candle lighting, song, and cheer) with the residents of Trinity Place Assisted Living, new home of Rabbi Al Goldberg
Hope to see you at many, if not all, of these events!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY:
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Topic: Friday Service, 11/10/2023 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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SATURDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Saturday Service, 11/11/2023 9:30 am
Time: Nov 11, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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