Parashat Vayeira (and He appeared) Genesis 18:1 - 22:24
HafTorah - Kings II 4:1 - 37
Dear friends,
This week I begin by recounting the awesome, inspirational events we attended this week. On Sunday, November 10th, a group of us (Chris Becker, Laura Bernas, Ana Calderon, Eileen Hochstadt, Barbara D. Johnson, Debbie Robinson, Amy and I) traveled to the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Community Center to attend the march of the Holocaust era Torahs rescued from Czechoslovakia after the Shoa in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the trust that enable the Torahs to be loaned to synagogues throughout the world including the one that we have on display in our shul.
We joined approximately 50 other congregations, museums, and community centers from throughout Florida in marching and then staffing our table to meet the hundreds of those in attendance and discuss our particular Torah. In addition, there were memorable presentations and a film in which a Torah narrates in the "first person" about its journey from the early European shtetl, through the terrors of the Shoah, through being hidden by those who would ultimately lose their lives to the Nazi abominations, through their discover after the war, and finally to their new homes in shuls like ours throughout the world. Ours is on permanent display in the sanctuary. If you haven't already seen it, please make it a point to do so soon!
The other event took place on Tuesday, November 12th, the dedication of this year's Metropolitan Ministries holiday tent on Little Road. Again, we were treated to an inspirational film and presentations to kick off the season as we prepare to serve approximately 330,000 families in need of food, clothing, and toys. So many have not completely recovered from Covid and then were hit by the devasting storms this fall. Our synagogue has been volunteering at the tent for several years and we also volunteer monthly throughout the year at the Metropolitan Ministries headquarters on Route 19 in Holiday. In addition to providing material necessities, by volunteering, we give people hope, which is the organization's theme. One reading in particular was particularly inspiring, that of Jeremiah chapter 29 in which our Prophet urges those who were exiled to Babylon with him after the horrific destruction of the Temple and the entire Hebrew community of Jerusalem to not despair despite how gloomy the future appeared. Even though they were destined to spend 70 years in Babylon, they were encouraged to plant crops, wed, have children, and make the very best of their situation. Then they will be prepared to return to the Promised Land. So, we in Pasco County want to assist those who have lost their homes and their livelihoods to live the most normal life possible until they too can return to their own homes, i.e. Promised Lands.
There is still time to sign up to volunteer to help those in need in the Holiday Tent. Our synagogue will volunteer as a group on Tuesday, November 26th and Thursday, December 19th both days from 11 am until 2:30 pm. To register, just click on this link https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK If you can't make it on either of those days, you are welcome and encouraged to sign up for any of the days that the tent is operating. And if you are unable to volunteer, please consider making a financial contribution to Metropolitan Ministries or any of the organizations that are providing hope through food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities.
This Shabbat we chant the powerful Torah chapters 21 and 22 in the Book of Genesis (Bereshit), the same readings that we chanted on the two days of Rosh Hashanah beginning with the birth of Isaac, and including the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael, and the Akeda, the binding and near sacrifice of Isaac. There are so many themes to discuss, many of them difficult to comprehend. But we learn that with the separation of Ishmael from his brother, two opposing nations resulted. These two nations have had a stormy relationship through most of the ensuing years including of course the tragedies of our own time. We ponder the near sacrifice of Isaac and marvel at Abraham's trust in Hashem while recoiling from the possibility of the sacrifice actually occurring. We also think of other more practical and urgent sacrifices that we should make as we raise families and support our communities. Let's be inspired by the upcoming Thanksgiving and Hanukkah holidays to make some of these sacrifices by staying in touch with family and friends, visiting the sick, homebound, and lonely, and volunteering to help feed the poor. Our Haftorah from the 2nd Book of Kings, Chapter 4 furthers this theme of assisting the poor to alleviate their suffering and get back on their feet.
Please join me this evening at 7:30 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am in-person and virtually on Zoom for our Shabbat services and help make a minyan as we enter this holiday season. Also, remember that we will be participating in the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Monday, November 25th at 7 pm at Temple Beth David in Spring Hill. In addition, mark your calendars for our Hanukkah events including:
Saturday, December 7th f or our pre-Hanukkah party while watching the holiday boat parade on the Cotee River.
Sunday December 29th for our sharing Hanukkah with those in assisted living at 2 pm and our annual holiday dinner and party at 6 pm (see below for details for both).
Shabbat Shalom!
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY and SATURDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Shabbat Services, Friday 11/15/2024 7:30 pm and 11/16/2024 9:30 am
Time: This is a recurring meeting Fri and Sat
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
Hanukah Party Save the Date
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