Shabbat Shalom ~ Vayehi 2025

Shalom WJC Family,

For the last few days I have watched the devastation of the LA wildfires with horror. The chilling line of the “Unetana Tokef” prayer “Mi BaAish u’mi BaMayim” has been rattling around in my head. “Who by fire and who by water” indeed. It is yet another reminder, as was the depraved terrorist attack in New Orleans the week before, of just how precious life is and how fragile and unpredictable it can be. We pray for the souls of the victims and the strength of their families. We pray for the displaced and those who have lost everything. We pray for the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center in the total loss of their building (with gratitude that their people and Torah scrolls are safe). We pray for the welfare and effectiveness of firefighters and first responders.

 

I am including a few relevant links here:

1. A Prayer During the Southern California Fires 2025 which we will also incorporate into the Saturday morning service this Shabbat
2. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Fund
3. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Disaster Relief Fund

 

Please join us this Shabbat for our Friday night service to begin at 4:15. Saturday morning we will hold a beautiful Simple & Soulful Service starting at 10:15 in the chapel – our regular service will start in the sanctuary at 9:15. And Saturday afternoon we will have one mincha service with the b’nai mitzvah of Evan and Peter Glasser (mazal tov to their parents Sarah and Ken) and then those who wish can join in for our usual seudah shelishit learning and nosh in the Beit Midrash.

See you in shul,

RJA