Our Covid-19 guidelines can be found here.
Welcome to our synagogue!
Magen David Sephardic Congregation (MDSC) is a Modern Orthodox synagogue founded in 1966. Our building is ideally located to serve worshippers from Bethesda, Rockville, and Potomac (Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC).
Our distinctive Sephardic character is a source of pride for us, but membership in MDSC is not exclusive. Visitors may hear not only “Welcome” but “Bienvenue” and “Bienvenidos” – and from our many Israeli members, a hearty “Shalom”. In this diverse and vibrant environment, a biseleh Yiddish is not out of place.
A more welcoming, caring congregation you won’t find. We think our energy and devotion will inspire you to share in our prayer services and learning sessions.
We invite people of all levels of Jewish knowledge and awareness to explore their personal growth here, supported by others in this warm, outgoing community. Magen David is the go-to gathering place for Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and perceptions.
We hope you will explore this website to learn about the life of our community and the breadth of our mission. If you're not already on our mailing list, it’s easy to sign up. Just send a request to our executive director, Andrea Choobineh, at office@magendavidsephardic.org.
Parashat HaShavuah Behar-Bechukotai Leviticus 25:1 -- 27:34
On Mount Sinai, HaShem tells Moshe the order and laws of the Sabbatical year; every seventh year all work on the land should cease, and its produce become free for those who wish to take it.
After seven Sabbatical cycles, a Jubilee year occurs. In addition to keeping the land unworked, all indentured servants are to be set free, and all ancestral estates previously sold may be returned to their original owners, according to circumstances monitored by the priests.
There are additional laws governing land sales, and HaShem delineates the prohibitions against fraud and usury.
HaShem promises that if the people of Israel will keep his commandments, they will enjoy prosperity and live in peace and safety in their land. They are warned that if they do not obey, they may be punished with exile, poor harvests, physical maladies, defeat by enemies, and other forms of persecution. Nevertheless, they are promised that even if they must dwell in the lands of their enemies, they will retain the protection of HaShem.
We recently celebrated a Bar Mitzvah at Magen David (socially distanced, of course). Mazal Tov to Nathan and his family on reaching this beautiful milestone and for sponsoring a delicious Kiddush To Go!
