Parshat Bereshit / Mevarchim Chodesh Marcheshvan

October 9 - 10, 2026 · 29 Tishrei 5787

Shabbat Schedule

Friday, October 9

6:13pm

Candle Lighting

6:15pm

Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv

Shabbat, October 10: Parshat Bereshit (Mevarchim Chodesh Marcheshvan)

9:15am

Morning Services (Shacharit)

~11:45am

Bagel Brunch Kiddush

5:00pm

Pre-Mincha Classes

6:00pm

Mincha, Third Meal (Seudah Shlishit), Maariv

7:09pm

Havdalah / Shabbat Ends

The Center City Eruv is UP! For eruv status and interactive eruv map, click here.

Please help the Center City Eruv with a donation. And, if you're able, the best way to support the Eruv is to become an eruv-checker. Speak to Rabbi Hirsch or Rabbi Gotlib if you are interested in this opportunity.

For more details on Shabbat zmanim, weekly services, sponsorship opportunities, Mishebeirach requests, and programming, please visit the Mekor website.

Bagel Brunch Kiddush

This week's Bagel Brunch Kiddush is sponsored by Talia Berday-Sacks and Sam Major in honor of the 21st anniversary of Sam's Bar Mitzvah. Mazal Tov!

We greatly appreciate all of the contributions and gestures, great and small, that make Mekor the inclusive and welcoming community that we are.

We are especially thankful to those who sponsor, set up, and clean up our Shabbat dinners, kiddush, and third meal. Thank you for all of your help!

Youth Programs: Mini Minyan & Shmuel Alef

Mini Minyan: Mini Minyan will be held every Shabbat. Mini Minyan starts around 10:20am and is for anyone in elementary through middle school.

Shmuel Aleph Class: Shmuel Aleph will meet each Shabbat at 3:00pm throughout the year. It is for 6th to 8th graders. Contact Yoella Epstein at yoella.epstein@gmail.com for location info.

Thank You for a Wonderful Holiday Season

As we conclude the holiday season from Rosh Hashanah through Simchat Torah, thank you to our generous High Holiday donors, everyone who joined the shul as members, our baalei tefillah, readers, gabbaim, meal hosts, sukkah builders, meal volunteers, and everyone who joined us to celebrate together. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead at Mekor!

Center City Eruv Campaign: Every Dollar Is Now Doubled!

This major eruv campaign will fund essential infrastructure upgrades: replacing aging materials with durable, long-lasting ones, incorporating additional halachic enhancements, and improving our checking tools and routes to make weekly inspections faster and more reliable.

Towards our $75,000 campaign goal, thanks to a few generous sponsors, every dollar donated is now doubled!

Double your impact: Support the Center City Eruv campaign →

Shabbat Luncheon & Art Experience with Acclaimed Artist Igal Fedida — Shabbat, Oct 24

Join us at Mekor Habracha for a special Shabbat luncheon and art experience featuring guest speaker and acclaimed Israeli artist Igal Fedida, co-sponsored by Nefesh B’Nefesh. Igal will share his personal “Lech Lecha” journey of courage, creativity, and resilience.

When: Shabbat, October 24, 2026
Art Display: On display throughout Shabbat, with viewing hours Saturday night (8:30 PM to 10:00 PM) and Sunday (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM). A portion of art sales will be donated to Mekor Habracha.
Luncheon: $10 for members, $20 for non-members, $5 for children under 8 (Venmo: @Mekor-Habracha).

Click here to register for the luncheon • View event flyer (PDF)

Scientists in Synagogues: Community Survey

Thanks to Marilyn Schapira and Rabbi Gotlib, Mekor was one of only nine synagogues nationwide selected to participate in Scientists in Synagogues (a project of Sinai and Synapses). We will be hosting a special Science Shabbaton exploring the intersections of Judaism and modern science.

Please take 5 to 10 minutes to complete the brief pre-program survey by October 28 to help shape our topics and speakers:

Take the Scientists in Synagogues survey →

Mercaz Chesed Project: Volunteers Needed!

Join Mercaz for a meaningful chesed opportunity helping children living in local shelters. Volunteers will play games with the children and help serve and share lunch.

Sunday, October 25 | 12:30 to 2:30 PM
1340 Brown Street, Philadelphia

Additional dates: December 20, February 28, and April 18.

Service hours available! For more information, email mercazphilly@gmail.com or follow @mercazphilly on Instagram.

Donations to Mekor

We deeply appreciate donations -- large and small -- to help support our shul. To make your contribution, please use this link.

Support of Israel: Events & Initiatives

In addition to the information below, please visit our new Support of Israel website page for announcements about initiatives online and across the greater Philadelphia Jewish community, all in support of Israel. See our newest entries about how you can support civil defense efforts in Israel.

To view the latest prayer for the welfare of soldiers of the IDF and all victims of terror click here.

Divrei Torah

Click here to read Rabbi Hirsch's latest Torah articles on Substack.

Click here to read Rabbi Gotlib's latest articles on Substack.

Sunnie Epstein's weekly Divrei Torah on the Parshiot HaShavuah can be found on YouTube here.

Daily Minyan

We welcome everyone to join us for a Minyan, whether it's once a week or every weekday!

Please email the Shul to RSVP or to join the Minyan WhatsApp group. RSVPs are appreciated.

Morning and evening weekday services are followed by a brief halachic insight by Rabbi Hirsch or Rabbi Gotlib. Amud Yomi follows most morning services.