Parashat Ki Tavo

Dear Friends,

In this week’s parasha, Ki Tavo, the Torah speaks about the mitzvah of bringing the bikkurim, the first fruits, to the Beit HaMikdash. When a person brought their fruits, they also made a special declaration, recalling the journey of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Land of Israel.

What’s maybe even more powerful here than the act of giving, is the reminder of our shared story. We are not just individuals with our own achievements, but part of something larger. A people. A family.

And that’s exactly what makes the Jewish Community of the Algarve so special.

Here, in one of the most beautiful corners of the world, we’ve built more than just a community, we’ve built a family. Whether you’re a long-time resident or just visiting, you feel it: warmth, connection, and care. Like the bikkurim, everyone brings something different and averyone adds to the beauty of Am Yisrael and together we create something greater than any one of us could do alone and therefore we can vivedly say: Am Yisrael Chai!

Shabbat Shalom, and may we continue to grow together in joy and unity especially during the month of Elul.