WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

This week we complete the Book of Genesis with Parshat Vayechi. The name literally means “and he lived” and is one of the ironic examples that actually introduces the end of Jacob’s life as it did with Sarah, when it stated this is the “life of Sarah” in declaring her passing. However, in this case, it includes Jacob’s last 17 years on this earth. Indeed, some explain that those years, when he was free of pain and able to enjoy his family in peace was when he truly lived. Rabbi SR Hirsch has the opposite, seemingly harsher take, when he says that in fact he was only really living up to that point because without challenge and trials, life loses a lot of its significance. We hope to achieve a balance of these two approaches, recognizing that we should always strive to grow while at the same time being free from that which is truly painful in life.

COVID POLICY: For the safety and comfort of the congregation, we request everyone ages 5 and above must be fully vaccinated to enter the building.  All people over the age of 2, while inside the building, must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose, regardless of vaccination status. 

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