Parshat Lech Lecha

October 23 - 24, 2026 · 13 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat Schedule

Friday, October 23

5:51pm

Candle Lighting

5:50pm

Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat / Maariv

Shabbat, October 24: Parshat Lech Lecha

9:15am

Morning Services (Shacharit)

~11:30am

Kiddush

~12:00pm

Shabbat Luncheon & Art Experience with Igal Fedida and Nefesh B'Nefesh (by reservation only)

5:30pm

Mincha, Third Meal (Seudah Shlishit), Maariv

6:50pm

Havdalah / Shabbat Ends

The Center City Eruv is UP! For eruv status and interactive eruv map, click here. (See below: we are having an Eruv Campaign November 7–10!!)

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.

Kiddush

Kiddush, Kiddush enhancements, and the Shabbat luncheon are sponsored by Nefesh B'Nefesh in honor of Shabbat Aliyah.

If you would like to co-sponsor or sponsor Kiddush for an upcoming week, please contact the shul.

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!

Mazal Tov!

The Mekor Habracha community wishes a heartfelt Mazal Tov to Shlomit and Aaron Singer on the birth of a baby girl! MAZAL TOV!

The Mekor Habracha community wishes a heartfelt Mazal Tov to Emily and Alex Lebow on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov as well to grandparents Marilyn and Ralph Schapira, and big sisters Leora and Ava! MAZAL TOV!

This Shabbat: Luncheon & Art Experience with Igal Fedida (Oct 24)

Join us this Shabbat for a special luncheon and art experience with 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.

If you would like to sign up last minute, we may still have space available: please email the shul right away or check the registration form • 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 Wednesday, October 28 to help shape our topics and speakers:

Take the Scientists in Synagogues survey →

Next Friday: Shabbat Dinner with Yirmiyahu Danzig (Oct 30)

Join us on Friday Night, October 30, for a special Shabbat dinner with Yirmiyahu Danzig, co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Jewish Community Relations Council's Center to Combat Antisemitism. Yirmiyahu is an educator and dynamic speaker who focuses on Jewish identity, Israel, history, and combating antisemitism and misinformation (@that_semite).

When: Friday Night, October 30, 2026
Menu: Catered meat dinner from Mike's Chicken in Lakewood (pareve options available)
Cost: $10 for Mekor members, $20 for non-members, $5 for children under 8 (Venmo @Mekor-Habracha)

DEADLINE: RSVP is required by this Sunday, October 25, so we can place the food order on time.

RSVP for Shabbat Dinner

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.

Center City Eruv Campaign: Now Live (Every Dollar Is Doubled!)

The Center City Eruv fundraising campaign is now live! The official campaign runs from November 7 to November 10. Please consider donating early to help ensure we reach our $75,000 goal. Thanks to generous matching donors, every dollar donated is doubled!

This vital campaign funds critical infrastructure upgrades: replacing aging materials with durable alternatives, implementing halachic enhancements, and providing better tools and inspection routes for our weekly eruv-checkers.

Double your impact: Donate early to the Center City Eruv campaign →

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.