Parashat Va'era (and I appeared) Exodus 6:2 - 9:35
HafTorah Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
Dear friends,
I greet you this week having been inspired by our participation in the Martin Luther King Day event in our community. There was a record turnout for the march and the incredibly uplifting program and reception that followed. This year's theme centered around Dr. King's words:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
Only light can do that;
Hate cannot drive out hate;
Only love can do that.
We had speakers from faith communities in our region together with poetry and song, and even more inspirational, song and dance recitals from the youth. I spoke on Dr. King's bonds with the Jewish community and his identity as the modern-day Moses coincidentally at the time of year when we begin the Book of Exodus (Shemot). I wish that more members of our JCC community could have attended, but I will publish my remarks in the next (March/April) edition of the Schrier.
So, in the spirit of celebrating freedom, we continue reading the Book of Exodus in the Torah this Shabbat covering Moses and Aaron's continued frustrating interactions with the Pharoh of Egypt whose heart continues to harden despite enduring almost unthinkable plagues.
In our Haftorah, we once again hear the words of the Prophet Ezekiel who experienced the destruction of the Temple and was carried into exile by the Babylonians. He predicts that Egypt too will be overrun by Babylonia demonstrating that they too will be punished for their misdeeds. In addition, Israel will be restored through faith and observance. Please come to shul this evening at 7:30 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am to pray, study, and discuss the themes of Exodus in person or virtually on Zoom.
And please mark your calendars for our upcoming Shabbat luncheons. As we enter the new Hebrew month of Shevat, on Saturday, February 1st, we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah anniversary of Gregory Cohen with a luncheon following services with a Kiddush luncheon sponsored by his parents Paula and Barry. Then on Saturday, February 15th, we celebrate the joyous holiday of Tu B'Shevat and President's Day weekend with a special seder that will feature new fruits of the season as we witness the rebirth of the fruit trees that blossom in Israel and coincidentally, here in Florida as well!
Please continue to support your synagogue with your presence at our Shabbat, Yom Tov, community and volunteer events!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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