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 Re'eh Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
Moshe sets before the Israelites the choice between a blessing and a curse. There will be blessings if they obey the commandments of HaShem, but if they turn away, especially to other gods and other customs, they will be cursed.
Moshe instructs them in the laws they are to observe, and how to observe them. These include the law requiring the people to worship in a single centralized place, a place far away from and unlike the places used by previous inhabitants of the land – a pure place, one chosen by HaShem.
Moshe strongly admonishes the people not to follow other gods and their prophets, and to resist those who try to persuade them to do so. He reviews the laws concerning kashrut, detailing what may and may not be eaten. He explains laws regarding the Sabbatical year, Hebrew slaves, tithing, and first-born animals.
The three pilgrim festivals, Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot are explained.
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!
