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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 Vayigash Genesis 44:18 - 47:27
Judah pleads with Joseph to release Benjamin, arguing that his old father, Jacob, will die of heartbreak if he is not returned home with the others. He offers himself as a slave in Benjamin’s stead. Moved by the closeness of the brothers, Joseph tearfully reveals his true identity, leaving the brothers speechless.
The brothers are overcome by shame and remorse for their treatment of Joseph and for selling him to slave traders, but Joseph explains, “It was not you who sent me here, but HaShem, who planned my life in ways that would lead to my saving the region from famine.”
The brothers hurry home to tell Jacob that Joseph is alive and well. Overjoyed, the patriarch journeys from Canaan, bringing his sons and their families, seventy persons in all, and is reunited with his beloved Joseph after 22 of mourning his presumed death. On his way to Egypt he is told not to fear living in Egypt, that HaShem will make him a great nation.
Joseph introduces his father to Pharaoh, who asks him his age, to which Jacob replies that he has lived for 130 years full of hardship and loss. Jacob blesses Pharaoh, who has treated him kindly.
Joseph manages the famine in Egypt on behalf of Pharaoh, acquiring for him vast amounts of land and livestock in exchange for food and seed. Pharaoh allows Joseph’s family to live in the fertile Goshen area. The Children of Israel prosper in the land.
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!
