Weekly Message 12.26.2025 Parashat Vayigash
- jccwestpasco
- 27 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Parashat Vayigash (and he approached) Genesis 44:18 - 47:27
HafTorah Ezekiel 37:15-28
Dear friends,
What a wonderful Hanukkah week this has been. We were blessed to share the celebration with our JCC family as we prayed, partied, and served the community together. Now as we begin our winter season, please continue to join in with your synagogue family as we continue our mission. See the schedule of upcoming events at the end of this message.
This Shabbat, we continue our reading and study of the Book of Bereshit (Genesis)
with Chapter 44:18-45:27 where Joseph's brothers travel to Egypt during the famine to seek food and appear before him without recognizing him. Imagine the brothers' shock and amazement when Joseph reveals himself as a prince. They are clearly contrite and have learned a valuable lesson to treasure family while putting jealousy aside. Judah's pleas for his younger brother Benjamin before he knew of Joseph's identity reflects how far they came. Our reading ends with Jacob's learning that the son who he was tricked into thinking was dead, is indeed very much alive and thriving, 45:26-27. This is a truly "all ends well" story, but more importantly it reinforces how important it is for us to respect and treat well all humanity, whether they are relatives or not.
Please join me tonight at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning as we delve further into the passages that we will be reading. As many are away during this vacation week, it is imperative that we have a minyan for those who are saying Kaddish, so please try to attend one or both days if you are in town and possibly can! Much appreciated!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron
Wednesday, December 31 New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance, 7:30 pm-12 am. See the flyer below!
Monday, January 19 We will once again participate in the communitywide Martin Luther King Day observance on Monday, January 19th. 10:30 AM – Symbolic Walk: The day begins with a short walk from the Union Baptist Church, located at 6235 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey, FL 34668 to the historic Booker T. Washington Schoolhouse down Pine Hill Road. 11:00 AM – Main Celebration: The march ends at the African American Club of Pasco, located in the Booker T. Washington Schoolhouse at 6105 Pine Hill Road, Port Richey, FL 34668, where the formal program begins. Program Highlights: The event features performances from local children and youth, sacred melodies, creative tributes, and guest speakers. We have participated in this important inspirational interfaith event for many years and hope to have a great turnout again this year!
Sunday, February 1 We will be volunteering at the synagogue for another "Mitzvah Day" to help restore and beautify the building and grounds at 9 am followed by our Tu B'Shevat seder.
Sunday, February 1 We will be celebrating Tu B'Shevat celebrating the rebirth of trees and all of nature's bounty with a Tu B'Shevat seder on Sunday, February 1st at 11 am featuring "first fruits" including dates, figs, olives, and sweet treats. It is a time to reflect on humanity's role as stewards of nature.
Monday, March 2 We will be celebrating the joyous holiday of Purim on Monday, March 2nd beginning with a social hour (with lots of Hamantaschen and ice cream) at 6 pm and followed by the reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther) at 7 pm.
Sunday, March 8 We will be hosting a lecture by Nancy Sinkoff, Professor of Jewish Studies and Academic Director of the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers University at 2 pm. Her topic is "Did American Jews Ever Agree About Israel" and the talk will be followed by a reception in the Spigelman Room featuring delicious desserts crafted by our own Megan Hochstadt of "Meganables Edibles". The program is sponsored by the Rutgers University Foundation and will be open free of charge to the public. It will be a unique opportunity for us to hear from a distinguished scholar on a critical topic that concerns us all.
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