KJ Happenings
12 Kislev 5781 | 28 November 2020
Weekly Schedule
PARASHAT VAYETSE
Songs for Shabbat

EREV SHABBAT

Friday 11/27
Candle Lighting 4:26 pm
Minha & Arvit – at Home

SHABBAT
Saturday 11/28
Shaharit & Musaf – at Home
Minha, Seuda & Arvit - at Home
Havdallah 5:29 pm
Birkat Halevana

WEEKDAYS
Sunday 11/29
Virtual Talmud Torah
classes by Zoom!

Sunday-Friday
Shaharit – at Home
Minha & Arvit - at Home
Membership & Sponsorship
Call 310.474.0559 or click here to email Sarah.
Rabbi's Message
by Rabbi Natan Halevy
BSD
 
The story of Jacob continues in this week's parasha, or Torah portion. ‘Vayetse’ literally means ‘he went out’ on a journey: “Jacob left Be’er Sheva, and he went to Haran.” The Zohar interprets this verse as a spiritual story taking place. In the story, the soul leaves the higher realms to come to this world. The place left, “Be’er Sheva,” signifies the oath the soul makes with Hashem before descending to this world. The world is called “Haran,” connected to the word “haron,” which signifies the irritation of Hashem by our negative actions in this world which openly oppose His will. Although going to “Haran” embodies an obvious spiritual descent, “Haran” is also where Jacob marries, creating a family of tribes who will lead to the nation of Israel. 
 
How did Jacob end up on his spiritual journey? As we have mentioned before, Abraham and Isaac were inclined towards spiritual extremes. Abraham was connected with kindness, while Isaac, with justice and righteousness. These spiritual tendencies explain the unique, individual connections they had to their respective sons, Ishmael and Eisav, who each had a special connection to their father’s spiritual energy.
 
Jacob balanced the spiritual energies of Abraham and Isaac by blending, merging and interweaving their energies. Jacob attained the spiritual levels of Abraham and Isaac, and also drew those energies down, bringing them further into our physical reality. This is why Jacob symbolizes the attributes of ‘Mercy’ and ‘Beauty.’ The mercy of our forefather Jacob is why he is most connected to us in all of our exiles and in troubling times. Jacob represents the ability to express power and spirituality in the most challenging of times.

Help in Troubled Times
Dear community,

In these challenging and sometimes difficult times, Rabbi Halevy is available to listen, offer spiritual counseling and helpful resources. Click here to send him a message.

Wishing you peace, health, and sustenance,

Board of Directors
Torah Learning & Melodies from Kahal
This year marks the 4oth Anniversary of the Sephardic Educational Center (SEC), and we are proud of the many successful achievements of the SEC over these past 40 years. An online 40th Anniversary celebration, with Hanukkah candle lighting and music, will take place on Tuesday Night, December 15th on the 6th Night of Hanukkah. The program will feature greetings, tribute videos, Sephardic and Israeli music, and of course Hanukkah candle lighting. We look forward to seeing you on December 15th!
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Refuah Shelema

Sassoon Ezra
Sally Amron
Sylvia Cohen
Esther Duke
Mehry bat Miriam Hakimipour
Tilda Levy
Yvonne Moalim
Florice Newberry
Aliza bat Rahel
Aliza bat Victoria
Chaya Chana bat Batya
Katie bat Farha
Miriam bat Yetta
Miryam bat Malka
Moshe Ezra ben Mazal Tov
Chaya Rachel bat Simcha Ruhama
Dina bat Rahel
Rahel bat Ramah Regina
Karen bat Chana Meir
Eti Esther bat  Fortuna
Ezra ben Rahel
Albert Nissan ben Victoria
Mark Jonah
Reuven Halevi ben Batsheva
David ben Tova
Joseph Sassoon
Yosef Haim ben Aharon Elisha
Odette bat Louise
Dina bat Simha / Diana Solomon
Rachel Bakhash / Rahel bat Dina


 

In Memoriam

We remember these yahrzeit anniversaries from November 28th to December 5th 2020. We light memorial candles, donate tsedaka, and attend Shabbat services to honor the memory of our loved ones.

12 Kislev / Shabbat, November 28th
Yedidyah Yehudah Yedidyah ben Yehudah

13 Kislev / Sunday, November 29th
Eliza Maslavi Eliza bat Tifaha
Maximus Edwin Jonah Moshe ben Meir

14 Kislev / Monday, November 30th
Helen Levi Habiba Havah bat Farha

15 Kislev / Tuesday, December 1st
Nora Isaac Ives Naima bat Simcha
Sassoon Menashe Sassoon Sasson ben Menashe Sasson

17 Kislev / Thursday, December 3rd
Naim Lavi Naim ben Moshe
Moshe Mehry Moshe ben Moosa

18 Kislev / Friday, December 4th
Raphael Emquies Raphael ben Salomon

KAHAL JOSEPH CONGREGATION
Rabbi Natan Halevy
Sassoon Ezra, Senior Hazzan
Saeed Jalali, Hazzan

Yvette Dabby, President
Orly Kattan, Senior Vice President

Sarah Bouchoucha, Administrator
Dafna Ezran-Young, Editor
Penina Meghnagi Solomon, Administrative Assistant