Weekly Message 12.05.2025 Parashat Vayishlach

jccwestpasco
11 minutes ago
3 min read

Parashat Vayishlach (and he sent) Genesis 32:4-36:43

HafTorah Obadiah 1:1-21

Dear friends,

I am sorry to begin this week's message on a sad note. We have just learned that our member Debra Michaud passed away on Thanksgiving Day. May we all together with her family and friends be blessed by her memory.

Thanks to Carl Vengel who sponsored the wonderful Kiddush luncheon last Shabbat afternoon. Spending time while sharing a meal with congregants and friends is very special and I encourage all to follow Carl's example to mark significant life cycle events, holidays, or for no particular reason other than to brighten our synagogue life and spend quality time with friends. It needn't be fancy, just a way to connect and enhance our services.

And another opportunity to celebrate and connect will be tomorrow (Saturday) evening when you are all welcome to gather at our home on the Cotee River (6822 Grand Blvd, New Port Richey) at 6 pm for Havdalah and to enhance our anticipation of Hanukkah with potato latkes, sufganyot (jelly donuts) and other treats while we gather at the river to watch the annual New Port Richey holiday boat parade. We have enjoyed hosting this event for many years and look forward to our gathering together for this once again.

This Shabbat we will continue to read and study the Book of Bereshit (Genesis) 32:4-33:20, the first triennial of the portion of Vayishlach. We learn that Jacob finally comes to grips with his past actions, his fears, and worries about his future as he wrestles with and overcomes an angel securing a blessing and becoming Israel, the first time that Israel is mentioned in the Torah. The name Israel is then used to refer to all of his descendants and the Promised Land. Prior to this incident, Jacob has lived a life of deceit having tricked his brother Esau out of his rightful inheritance and then having been deceived himself by his Uncle Leban. With newfound resolve and courage, Jacob finally meets up with Esau and his army and Esau, recognizing Jacob's contrition, embraces him and holds no grudges allowing Jacob to finally be freed from his fears and guilt feelings. This is a powerful lesson for us all.

I am looking forward to seeing you for our Shabbat service tonight at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am and of course at 6 pm for the boat parade! See below for all of our activities for the month of December.

And a reminder of how important our service is for the mission of Metropolitan Ministries to feed the hungry and provide hope to all. The deadline to sign up to volunteer on December 18th is Saturday, December 6th at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK Please make an effort to join us so that we can meet our quota and serve our community and click on the link today!

Shabbat Shalom,

Ron Becker,

Spiritual Leader

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 am