Shabbat Shalom, Friend!

September 30, 2022 * Parshat Vayeilech

Shabbat Shuvah

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Walking Together

We watched this past week as Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers and the surrounding areas. While we here in the Tampa Bay area are feeling extremely blessed, we know that we must now reach out to those who are now trying to put their lives back together.

This week’s parsha begins with the words Vayeilech Moshe, “and Moshe walked”. In a midrash, we learn that Moshe went to each Israelite tent, each family to say goodbye and give each person blessings. Moshe approached each person and saw himself in them.

As we clean up our yards from small debris, put away our hurricane kits, and replace the groceries that we may have stressed eaten while we waited to see which direction the storm would turn, please consider picking up a few items to give to those who did not fare as well as we did as we could have been them.

If you are comfortable literally walking into those spaces, see the message below from our Federation. They are sponsoring a bus this coming Sunday to help those in Venice, FL with clean-up. If you cannot go yourself, we can still give something of ourselves. Please consider dropping off donations at either of the JCCs with some of the items below. If you cannot make it to the JCC, you can drop items at the synagogue.

May this week bring calm and introspection as we walk toward Yom Kippur.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Blatt

Dear Community Member,

Hurricane Ian has caused significant damage in communities south of Tampa. Now is the time for the Jewish people of our region to join forces and send help where it’s needed most. We need volunteers to lend a hand to holocaust survivors (and others) in the Venice, Florida area.

The Tampa JCCs & Federation and Chabad Chai Center are chartering a bus this Sunday, October 2. The bus will leave the Chabad Chai Center at 606 S. Tampania Ave. at 9:30 AM and it will depart Venice around 5:00 PM and have us back by 7:00 PM.

We will provide food and water for the day. We ask that you bring your own work gloves, if possible, and dress appropriately for the weather. If you have power tools that may be helpful and can be transported easily, please feel free to bring those as well.

If you can help, please email mark.segel@jewishtampa.com with your name and cell phone number. The bus has limited capacity and seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you can't join us, we are still collecting supplies. As of right now, we're collecting water, non-perishable food and hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, etc.). These items can be brought to either JCC location during business hours Friday, September 30 – Friday, October 7. Please check our website for hours of operation.

Bryan Glazer Family JCC

522 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606

JCC on the Cohn Campus

13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa, FL 33625

In addition, the Jewish Federations of North America has opened a mailbox to accept financial donations for relief efforts at https://jfeds.org/2022HurricaneRelief. All funds raised will be used for the victims of Ian throughout Florida.

Thank you for helping those who need our help!

Mark Segel

Get ready for the High Holy Days with Nachum!

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