Bo (בא – Go)
Exodus 10:1–13:16 and Jeremiah 46:13–28
The last three plagues strike Egypt, forcing Pharaoh to release the Hebrews. In the haftarah, the prophet Jeremiah delivers a message of hope: God promises to save His people, bring them back to their land, and restore their prosperity.
Exodus 10:21
נְטֵה יָדְךָ עַל-הַשָּׁמַיִם, וִיהִי חֹשֶׁךְ
Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread.
A total darkness fell over the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, during the solar eclipse of 2019. Unlike the darkness in Egypt, which lasted three days, this darkness only lasted a few minutes. However, it left a strong impression due to its intensity.
The Jewish community in Guayaquil, one of the smallest in Ecuador, was formed with the arrival of Ashkenazi Jews in 1940, fleeing Nazi persecution. Initially established in an apartment, it moved several times. In 2012, the community inaugurated its new center with modern architectural design in the Urdesa citadel. The complex features green spaces, a synagogue, a kindergarten, and a mikveh for men and women, as well as a large social area with natural gardens and a pool for hosting events and activities.