Weekly Message 11.21.2025 Parashat Toldot
- jccwestpasco
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Parashat Toldot (Generations) Genesis 25:19 - 28:9
HafTorah Malachi 1:1 - 2:7
JACOB AND ESAU
Dear Friends,
This Shabbat, as we enter the Thanksgiving holiday week, we are reminded to be thankful for all we have; the love of family and friends, the comfort of our homes, and the ability to provide sustenance for ourselves and those we care for. We are also reminded that more people than ever are suffering from hunger and lack of housing and that if we are able, it is our obligation to practice Tikkun Olam and help repair this dire situation in the community surrounding us. Please read the suggestions for giving (both financial and through volunteering) at the end of this message and help in any way you can.
It is appropriate that during this week of many families' traditional observances, we read in the Book of Bereshit (Genesis) about family relationships, both the joys and the challenges. We read of the love and virtues of Abraham and Sarah and that of Isaac and Rebecca for each other. But as Rabbi Michael Dolgin oat Temple Sinai Congregation in Toronto states "the greatest threat to our civilization is a failure to communicate in an open way, combined with an unwillingness to listen to one another." We read of intrigue and deceit when it comes to the relationships with their children with huge consequences for society. The lack of honesty and open communication resulted in the breakup of family as Ishmael and Esau lose their birthrights and become the progenitors of rival nations. Thus, on this Thanksgiving holiday week, we can learn from our patriarchs' and matriarchs' virtues but also from their flaws. Rabbi Dolgin concludes with "To this day, hatred continues to run rampant in our world, and we dare not grow accustomed to it. We should recommit ourselves to truth, openness, and communication, and we must find the courage to stand against those who choose evil."
I am looking forward to sharing more thoughts on this week's Torah portion and Thanksgiving with you this evening at our Kabbalat Shabbat service at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am when we read the first triennial portion of the Sedrah Toldot (Genesis 25:19-26:22).
And as we enter this Thanksgiving week, we are reminded of the dire need of food and housing assistance for those less fortunate than us. Please consider volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries holiday tent on November 25th and December 18th (details and sign-up link below) and/or contributing funds to any of the many organizations that are feeding and clothing the needy especially at this important time of the year. Here are four suggestions, but there are many more!
Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 N. Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 https://www.metromin.org
Feeding Tampa Bay, 3264 Causeway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619 https://feedingtampabay.org
Volunteer Way, 806 Congress St, Port Richey, FL 34668 https://thevolunteerway.org
Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, PO Box 6095, Albert Lea, MN 56007 https://mazon.org
And here are some of our upcoming activities in November and December. I am looking forward to seeing you at many if not all of them!
With blessings for a happy and meaningful Thanksgiving observance and a
Shabbat Shalom!
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
Monday, November 24 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Temple Beth David at 13158 Antelope St, Spring Hill, FL 34609, 7 pm. We will organize a carpool from our synagogue.
Tuesday, November 25 Volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent on the grounds of Generations Church at 1540 Little Rd, Trinity, FL, 11:15 am-2:30 pm. Sign up at:
Jewish Community Center Group Link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Saturday, December 6 Pre-Hanukkah party and viewing of the annual New Port Richey holiday boat parade at the Cotee River (Grand Boulevard between Vermont and Kentucky Avenues), 6 pm
Friday, December 12 Pre-Hanukkah Shabbat bring your own dairy casserole dinner—we supply the potato latkes!, following a brief Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 14 Volunteering to bring Hanukkah cheer (song, food, and candle lighting ) to homebound residents of Trinity Place Assisted Living, 8684 Old County Road 54, New Port Richey, FL 34653, 2 pm
Thursday, December 18 Volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent on the grounds of Generations Church at 1540 Little Rd, Trinity, FL, 8:30 am-12 pm. Sign up at:
Jewish Community Center Group Link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Wednesday, December 31 New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance, 7:30 pm-12:30 am
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