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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 Korach Numbers 16:1 - 18:32
The Levite Korach ben Izhar, accompanied by Reubenites Dathan and Abiram, incites a mutiny against Moshe and Aaron. They ask why the two have set themselves above and apart from the community, as the entire congregation is holy. Korach and his fellow plotters stand at the entrance of the Tabernacle and summon the people to join them.
Standing with them are 250 elite members of the community, who offer the ketoret (incense) to show they are worthy to be priests.
HaShem reveals his plan to annihilate the evildoers. Moshe and Aaron beg HaShem not to punish the whole community. They are told to stand back. The earth opens and swallows Korach and his household. A fire consumes the ketoret-offerers. Their fire pans are melted and used to make plating for the altar, a sign that only Aaron and his descendants may offer incense.
HaShem warns of a plague upon the people, who are frightened and continue to question the leadership of Moshe an Aaron.
To avert the threatened plague, Aaron offers the ketoret properly. His staff miraculously blossoms and brings forth almonds. His designation as high priest is thus affirmed.
The Levites are assigned to Aaron to aid the priests in their performance of sacred duties. HaShem commands that the priests be given a terumah from each crop, as well as firstborn sheep and cattle. The Levites are to receive all the community's tithes, and must set aside one-tenth of these tithes as a gift to 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!
