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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 Vayeshev Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Jacob and his family settle in Canaan. Jacob favors his son Joseph, the first born of his beloved Rachel. He makes for him a special robe of fine wool. His brothers, jealous of the favoritism, and plot to kill him. His oldest brother, Reuben, pleads for his life, and asks that he be thrown in a well instead, thinking that he might return to rescue him from the pit later in the day. Joseph is finally sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites, who sell him in turn to the Egyptian Potiphar.
The brothers dip Joseph’s fine coat in sheep’s blood and tell their father his favorite has been devoured by a wild beast. Jacob goes into mourning.
Judah has married the daughter of businessman and has three sons. His first son, Er died soon after his marriage to Tamar. The second son, Onan, was to fulfill the mitzvah of yibbum, but he too died. Tamar returned to her father’s home.
Judah, now a widower, embarked on a trip. Seeing Tamar by the side of the road he does not recognize her but is intimate with her and she becomes pregnant. When her pregnancy becomes evident, she is brought before Judah, who orders her execution for harlotry. She produces personal effects from Judah’s visit to her and is absolved.
Joseph serves successfully in the home of Potiphar, who puts him in charge of his household. Potiphar’s wife flirts with him, but he rebuffs her. In revenge, she tells her husband that Joseph has made advances to her and he is thrown in prison. The prison warden puts him in charge of the other prisoners.
Two of Pharaoh’s officers, now out of favor and imprisoned, ask Joseph to interpret their dreams. One will be restored to service, Joseph says, while the other will be hung. Joseph pleads with the one who will live, asking him to intercede for him, but the request is forgotten.
We recently celebrated a Bar Mitzvah at Magen David (socially distanced, of course). Mazal Tov to Shmuel and his family on reaching this beautiful milestone and for sponsoring a delicious Kiddush To Go!
