TORAH READING FOR 20 CHESHVAN 5787 Oct 30-31, 2026
SHAZOOM ONLY 6:30 PM Oct 30, 2026
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND ALL THE VICTIMS OF CONFLICT
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” CCAR, New York 2007, p.98
SIM SHALOM tovah uv’rachah, chën vachésed v’rachamim, alëinu v’al kōl Yisraël ‘amécha, [v’al kōl yoshvëi tëvël, v’imru: Amën.]
GRANT PEACE, goodness and blessing, grace, kindness, and mercy, to us and to all Your people Israel [and all who inhabit the earth, and let us say: Amen.]
PARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/vayeira
Vayeira (וַיֵּרָא – I (God) Appeared [to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]) – Genesis 18:1-22:24
The Eternal appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre as he was sitting at the entrance of the tent at about the hottest time of the day. – Genesis 18:1
SUMMARY
- Abraham welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son. (18:1-15)
- Abraham argues with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (18:16-33)
- Lot’s home is attacked by the people of Sodom. Lot and his two daughters escape as the cities are being destroyed. Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt. (19:1-29)
- Lot impregnates his daughters, and they bear children who become the founders of the nation’s Moab and Ammon. (19:30-38)
- Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah as his wife after Abraham claims that she is his sister. (20:1-18)
- Isaac is born, circumcised, and weaned. Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away; an angel saves their lives. (21:1-21)
- God tests Abraham, instructing him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. (22:1-19)
HAFTARAH
Ashkenazim II Kings 4:1-37
Sefardim II Kings 4:1-23
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
Until further notice, we will meet on Fridays for Shazoom only. Please see the NEW Shazoom schedule below. Read this week’s Torah Portion at https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.18.1-22.24 and the Haftarah at https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.4.1-4.37.
RECOMMENDED READING
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/vayeira
By: Rabbi Tori Greene
PRAYERS
FOR OUR COUNTRY From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” p.376
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL p.552
O HEAVENLY ONE, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel which marks the dawning of hope for all who seek peace. Shield it beneath the wings of your love; spread over it the canopy of Your peace; send Your light and truth to all who lead and advise, guiding them with Your good counsel. Establish peace in the land and fullness of joy for all who dwell there. Amen.
FOR HEALING – El Na R’fa Na Lah!
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of abuse, brutality, conflicts, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds especially directed at individuals and specific communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, conflict, disease, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds, and war.
This coming week, 20 Cheshvan through 26 Cheshvan, we lovingly remember:
Roy Bart
Father of Aileen Contapay
Carol Coss
TKH Memorial List
Lord Jonathan Sacks
Am Yisrael
Yehudit Toledano
Friend of Ruben Gomez
Gil ben Yitzchak
Uncle of Ruben Gomez
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
SHAZOOM ONLY
NOTE: ACCESS TO THE WEEKLY SHAZOOM MEETINGS HAS BEEN CHANGED.
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: Oct 30, 2026 06:30 PM Arizona
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall do him no wrong. The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Lev. 19:33
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat – Gut Shabbos!
-Ruben
PS – Shazoom and Observances schedule through December 2026 (Arizona Time Zone):
October 30, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
November 6, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[November 8-9, Sunday-Monday – Sigd (Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 days after Yom Kippur)]
[November 9-11, Monday-Wednesday – Rosh Chodesh Kislev]
[November 11, Wednesday – Veterans Day]
November 13, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
November 20, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[November 26, Thursday – Thanksgiving Day]
November 27, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
December 4, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm (Erev Chanukah, First Candle)
[December 5, Friday – Chanukah on Shabbat]
[December 5 to 12, Saturday-Saturday – Chanukah]
[December 9-10, Wednesday-Thursday – Chag HaBanot–North African Chanukah Festival of Daughters]
[December 9-11, Wednesday-Friday – Rosh Chodesh Tevet]
December 11, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm (Chanukah Eighth Candle)
[December 12, Saturday – Chanukah on Shabbat]
December 18, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[December 20, Sunday – Asara B’Tevet – Fast, Siege of Jerusalem]
December 25, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[December 31, Thursday – Secular New Year’s Eve]
January 1, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[January 1, Friday – Secular New Year’s Day 2027]