The New Shul

Parshat Vayetzei

In this week’s parashah, Vayetzei, the Torah tells the story of Yaakov’s journey to Haran. When Yaakov arrives there, he meets a group of shepherds who have gathered their flocks around a well, which is sealed by a huge rock. Yaakov asks the shepherds what they are waiting for — why don’t they go ahead and water their flocks so that they can return to the field? The shepherds answer that the rock is so large that it takes all the shepherds working together to move it. That is why they have to wait for everyone to arrive.

The Maggid of Kozhnitz understood that as a metaphor for the spiritual work that we do as a prayer community. Individually, our strength is limited. It is hard to break through to the source of living water. But if we join our voices and our hearts together, we have a better chance of bringing God into our world. It is not that we can’t pray alone. It is just easier to move the rock when we are all together.

Together, may we reach the source of living water that renews us all.

  • Shabbat services at The New Shul are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. The kiddush this Shabbat, November 9, is sponsored by the shul.
  • Childcare is available from 10 am to 12 noon on Shabbat mornings. Beyond Bim Bom for grades 2 to 5 meets this Shabbat from 10:15 to 11:30 am.
  • Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am and on Wednesday mornings at 7 am.
  • On Sunday November 17 at 10:30 am, The New Shul community will prepare holiday gift packages for needy families and home-bound seniors, to be distributed by the Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Please call or email for further information.
  • The New Shul Coffee House is on Saturday night December 7 at 7:30 pm. Join us for live music and other entertainment by our local talent. The cost is $5 per adult at the door