Shabbat Shalom from Shir Chadash!

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WWW.SHIRCHADASH.ORG

Friday

6:15 PM

Shabbat Evening Services

In-person and live-streamed

Saturday

9:30 AM

Shabbat Morning Services

followed by Kiddush Luncheon

sponsored by Debbie & Leon Pesses in honor of Leon's 75th birthday and the Baby Naming of their granddaughter,

Annie Elaine Pesses

In-person and live-streamed

Saturday

10 AM

Babysitting

Sunday

9:15 AM

Morning Minyan

followed by Men's Club breakfast

In-person and on Zoom

Wisdom from the Well:

Drawing from the Deep Reservoir of Jewish Knowledge

Matot-Masei: Reevaluating Priorities

In this week’s Torah portion the tribes of Reuben and Gad approach Moses with a request to settle on the east side of the Jordan River. They are drawn to the land because it is ideal for their livestock. However, Moses initially reacts with anger, perceiving their request as a potential act of disunity and a lack of support for the other tribes who still need to go to battle and conquer the Promised Land. He reminds Reuben and Gad of the importance of standing together, especially in times of war.

In their attempt to appease Moses, the tribes of Reuben and Gad make the following statement: “We will build sheepfolds for our livestock here and cities for our children. We will then arm ourselves quickly and go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place”.

Always the great teacher, Moses uses the opportunity to teach them a lesson. According to Rashi, Moses in his answer to the tribes of Reuben and Gad reverses their order of priorities, instructing them to “build yourselves cities for your children and enclosures for your sheep”.

With this subtle yet significant change, Moses adds a powerful teaching: it emphasizes that family and the well-being of our children should come before the accumulation of wealth and material possessions. Wealth and possessions, while important, should never overshadow our responsibilities to our loved ones.

In a world where material success often takes center stage, this teaching calls us to re-evaluate our priorities, encouraging us to live our lives in a way that reflects a commitment to family, community, and the greater good.

- Rabbi David Cohen-Henriquez

Parashot Matot + Masei

Shabbat Mevarchim HaChodesh

Torah: Numbers 32:1 - 33:49

Maftir: Numbers 33:47-49

Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4

The Torah reading for this week is in the panel above. If you do not have a Chumash at home, you can find it on the link below. We are reading Triennial Year 2, but you might like to read the full portion (“Full Kriyah”).

Brochure

Our Shabbat brochure with yahrzeits and simchas for this week is attached. You might wish to take special notice of those who are sick, and take a moment to direct your thoughts towards them.

Thank you!

Thank you to all those listed below who performed the mitzvah

of supporting our community this past week.

Caring Committee Fund

In memory of William Lassen

From: Sandy Lassen

General Fund

To: Leon Pesses

In honor of Leon Pesses' 75th Birthday

From: Jay & Marilyn Smolensky

To: Lisa and Elliot Finkelstein

In honor of Lisa and Elliot Finkelstein's 50th Anniversary. Mazel tov!

From: Melanie and Dr. Danny Bronfin

To: Lisa and Elliot Finkelstein

In honor of Lisa and Elliot Finkelstein. Mazel tov on the occasion of your 50th wedding anniversary.

From: Colin and Barbara Kawalsky

To: Lisa & Elliot Finkelstein

In honor of Lisa & Elliot Finkelstein's 50th Wedding Anniversary

From: Mr. & Mrs. Avrom Denn

To: The Barrocas Family

In memory of Simmy Barrocas

From: Miriam & Bruce Waltzer

To: Gail Fenton Pesses & Family

In memory of Sheila Fenton, sister of Gail Pesses

From: Mr. & Mrs. Avrom Denn

In memory of Pearl Sackett on her yahrzeit

From: Lisa & Michael Sackett

In memory of Celia Weinstein on her yahrzeit

From: Lisa & Michael Sackett

Isaac and Dora Niederman Holocaust Education Fund

In memory of Melanie Ellis Ehrlich's beloved Mother, Tina Ellis

From: Melanie & Ken Ehrlich

Men's Club

From: Linda & Scott Hart

Nat Leon Education Fund

In memory of Dr. William Leon

From: Renee Leon Sabel

Stan Bleich Lagniappe Fund

To: Lance & Sharon Sherry and Family

Our deepest condolences to Lance & Sharon Sherry and family on the loss of Mort Sherry

From: Steve and Pat Klein

Yahrzeit Fund

In memory of Sara Pailet

From: Marilyn Pailet Zackin

In memory of Frida Vigdorova

From: Sasha Raskina

In memory of Isaac Pailet

From: Sanford Pailet

In memory of Gilda Finkelstein

From: Sanford Pailet

In memory of Madeleine Goldberg

From: Sanford Pailet

In memory of Georg Gauff

From: Miriam & Bruce Waltzer

In memory of Helene Gauff

From: Miriam & Bruce Waltzer

In memory of Manuel Blitz

From: Marlene & Reuben Friedman

Click here to sign up!

The synagogues of West Esplanade - Shir Chadash, Beth Israel, Gates of Prayer, and Chabad - are joining together with a very special initiative to pray for Israel by collectively reciting the entire book of Psalms as a community each week that the Israel-Hamas war is ongoing.

Congregants are encouraged to sign up for one psalm each, which they will commit to reciting, in Hebrew or English, once weekly.

Together, with the power of our community and our faith, we can do our spiritual part to support Israel!