Why not sponsor a Kiddush lunch or Seudah Shelisheet in honor or memory of a loved one? Contact Andy Suissa at andyhas4@aol.com or 301-346-4212 for more information.

Members Teaching Members

Wednesday, March 18, 7:30 pm

The Jews of Spain: Past, Present and Future...?

From the arrival of the Jews in Spain to the various Golden Ages they enjoyed under Islam and Christianity, Spanish Jewry thrived for many centuries. That all came to thundering conclusion in the 15th century with the Spanish Inquisition and Expulsion. Their absence prevailed for hundreds of years until they began to trickle back to the Iberian peninsula in the 19th century. Today, the Jewish community there is still small in size but always growing in stature. Will the growing tide of Anti-Semitism in Europe turn back the clock on Jewish progress in Spain?

Join us for this interesting talk that traces the last 1,000 years of Spanish Jewry and whether their future will be as turbulent as their past.

This event is free to all, but registration is required.

Please rsvp using this link or email the office at office@magendavidsephardic.org

Moises Hassan is a lecturer at the University 'Pablo de Olavide' in Sevilla, Spain. Born in Sevilla, Moises is of Moroccan and Algerian heritage. When his father arrived in Sevilla from Morocco in 1964, he organized the few Jewish families that were living there and re-established the "Israelite Community of Sevilla". He later became President of the community until he passed away in 1995. Moises now focuses on Jewish studies across a broad spectrum but as a native of Spain, he has particular insight into the long lost community of Jews who left that country over five centuries ago.

Sisterhood Educational Program

"The Wonderous Mysteries of Kabbalah"

Wednesday, March 25th, 7:30pm
Followed by light refreshments

As part of our ongoing educational programming at MDSC, the Sisterhood is pleased to invite you to a lecture on, "The Wondrous Mysteries of Kabbalah."

Kabbalah, the world's oldest body of spiritual wisdom, contains the long-hidden keys to the secrets of the universe as well as to the mysteries of the human heart and soul. Kabbalistic teachings explain the complexities of the material and the nonmaterial universe, along with the physical and spiritual nature of all humanity.

Join Ariel Viener, a teacher from The Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles, as he guides us through an introduction to Kabbalah and what its study has to offer us.

This event is open to everyone, but registration is required.

Please email or call the office at 301-770-6818

About the Speaker

Growing up in Israel, Ariel Viener began studying Kabbalah in 2006 and became a teacher in 2008. Ariel is motivated to use the wisdom of Kabbalah to completely remove pain and suffering on both an individual and global scale. He has a degree in homeopathic medicine and currently oversees Kabbalah study groups in Washington D.C. and Boston, MA

Parshat Hashavuah Series At MDSC

Please join us for Parshat Hashavuah Thursday nights, from 8-9pm.

Classes will be presented by guest lecturer, Rabbi Zvi Teitelbaum

Light refreshments will be served.

This program is free and open to everyone.

Sisterhood News

The sisterhood book club is reading The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. A discussion will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 7:30pm, at a location to be determined. Please let Orly at omechaly@gmail.com know if you would like to participate.

If you would like to participate with a group that will be volunteering at the Manna Food Center please email Debbie Shemony at dshemony@hotmail.com.

If you can help out any Shabbat morning with Kiddush preparation please email Orly at omechaly@gmail.com. We need your support!

Fight Hunger: A Unique Volunteer Opportunity Awaits You!

Did you know...

that in Montgomery County, one of the most affluent counties in the country, hunger is around every corner?
that each month, thousands of people in the county rely on emergency food programs to put food on the table for their families?
that one in three students (32%) attending Montgomery County Public Schools qualifies for a free lunch?

These are REAL indications of the poverty that exists in our community.

If you want to make a difference, even a small dent in the fight against hunger, Magen David has a way that you can help. The sisterhood is starting a new volunteer program with Manna Food Center, a non-profit organization that serves as the main food bank in Montgomery County.

Every other month we will organize a small group of volunteers (8-10) to go to Manna to volunteer with packing, sorting or boxing up food. The minimum age for volunteering in the warehouse is 17.

If you are interested in doing Tikkun Olam this awesome volunteer opportunity is for YOU!

Please respond to Debbie Shemony (dshemony@hotmail.com) to confirm your interest in participating. Once the program kicks off in mid February, she will email you with specific dates and times to sign up.

Thank You,
MDSC Sisterhood

Free Hebrew Program for Kids

We're happy to announce that our popular, Hebrew Program with Maria is back. Held weekly on Tuesday nights, from 5:00pm-6:00pm, this free class is open to all children ages 7-12.

For more information or to register, please contact the office at 301-770-6818 or by email at office@magendavidsephardic.org

Breakfast at MDSC

Join us Monday through Friday to start your day with both spiritual AND physical nourishment. Shaharit begins at 7am; noshes follow immediately after prayers.

Sponsored by the MDSC Men's Club.

Bikur Cholim

MDSC has formed a committee to participate in Bikur Cholim, "visiting the sick". Bikur cholim provides comfort and support to those that are ill and the elderly. Bikur Cholim can include such activities as:

visiting patients in the hospital, rehabilitation center, or nursing home
visiting people who are home bound
driving people to doctor appointments
grocery shopping and errands
telephoning the sick or isolated senior

If you are aware of any member of our community in need, please contact the members of the Bikur Cholim committee. If you would like to participate in this very rewarding mitzvah, please contact Jacob Elbaz at elbazj@gmail.com 202-257-8518

Good Deeds Day this Sunday

Be the GOOD you want to see in the world.

Walk In Volunteer Sites:

Washington DCJCC (1529 16th St NW Washington, DC)
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Assemble meal and hygiene kits for the vulnerable in our community. Kits will include oatmeal and soup for the hungry as well as dental, first aid, and toiletry items for the homeless.

JCC of Greater Washington (6125 Montrose Road Rockville, MD)
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Various projects include making fleece scarves/blankets, sorting toiletry items and preparing food items for those in need.

Gesher and JCC of Northern Virginia (Gesher Day School, 4800 Mattie Moore Ct Fairfax, VA)
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Various projects include garden beautification, food preparation and blanket making.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (6101 Executive Blvd. North Bethesda, MD)
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Help deliver food packages to Holocaust survivors and low income families in the Greater Washington area.

Israel's Elections: Analyze the Results Live

Magen David is proud to be a co-sponsor along with the JCRC's Israel Action Center and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

Tuesday, March 17, 7:00pm

A real time analysis of the results of the Israeli elections as they unfold.

Explore the societal aspects, and the political implications of the voting trends, as we follow the results live from Israel.

Featuring election results analysis by Neri Zilber, Visiting Scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Light refreshments will be served.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Jewish Federation, 6101 Executive Blvd.,North Bethesda, MD 20852

RSVP required, Click here

PJ Library

Magen David is a proud sponsor of the PJ Library

PJ Library� (PJ, as in "pajamas") provides families raising Jewish children from 6 months-8 years old with a FREE treasury of high-quality, expertly-selected and kid-tested (!) Jewish books and music each month. Keep an eye out for your special delivery of books.

PJ Library in Greater Washington is a gift from The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the United Jewish Endowment Fund and generous local donors.

Shabbat Opportunities for Our Children

We would love to see your child participate more actively in Shabbat services! There are many opportunities for children of all ages to take part in the prayers.

Girls 5-10 years old, and boys 5-12, may do one or more of the following:
1) Assist with opening and closing the Ark when we remove/return the Torah scrolls
2) Carry the Sefer Haftarot (post-Bar Mitzvah boys may carry the Torah)
3) Stand at the Tevah and assist in chanting Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night), Nishmat Kol Hai, Yishtabach, Shema Yisrael, El Adon, Kedusha or Ein Kelohenu.

Boys who can read Hebrew and are 7 years of age or older may read an Aliyah of the Torah and/or Haftara on Shabbat. Girls who can read Hebrew may prepare to chant a section of Shir Hashirim on Friday Night, or a portion of one of the Megillot on Purim, Pesah, Shavuot or Sukkot.

Please contact the Gabbai and make arrangements for your child to take advantage of one of these beautiful opportunities for participation in our services.

Rami Levi ramilevi77@gmail.com

Haftara Requests

Please note that if you wish to read the Haftara on a specific Shabbat you must communicate this to the Gabbai four weeks in advance. The first person to reserve a particular Haftara will be given that Haftara - no reassignments will be made, regardless of circumstances. Since the Gabbai cannot take responsibility for keeping track of all of your memorial dates, azkarot, etc., please be sure to take the initiative and reserve the Haftarah that you need four weeks ahead of time. You can reach the Gabbi at 301-775-9662 or by email at ramilevi77@gmail.com.

In The Community...

Israel Dance Festival, March 21 & 22, more information can be found here

Explore Israel on a Taglit-Birthright Israel: Shorashim-JNF Israel Adventure Trip

With Shorashim and JNF you experience the awesome adventure of Israel from the inside, through the eyes and hearts of Israeli participants. Travel for 10 days with Israeli friends and staff who share the beauty, excitement and complexities of their country with you.
This trip is a gift from Taglit-Birthright Israel. For more information or to register now, visit israelwithisraelis.com.

In The Sanctuary...

Please note that it is customary not to enter or leave the sanctuary during the silent Amida.

Eruv Status

To check the status of the eruv, call 240-627-1661 later Friday afternoons.

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