Mazel tov! Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to share that just a few moments ago, our daughter Chaya and her husband Rabbi Shalom Burkis welcomed a beautiful baby boy. That makes us grandparents!

There are moments in life that do not just add joy to the calendar. They change the way we see everything.

Earlier this week, the women gathered for a beautiful Sefira Paint Night, exploring the Sefiros, the soul traits we refine during these weeks between Pesach and Shavuos. With color, conversation and creativity, we were reminded that each day of Sefira is another brushstroke. Another layer. Another opportunity to bring out the beauty Hashem placed inside each of us.

And this Shabbos, we read Parshas Emor, where the Torah speaks about the Kohanim, the Yomim Tovim, and the mitzvah of counting the Omer. It reminds us that holiness is not only found in great moments, but in the way we count each day, elevate each moment, and build a life of meaning.

Today is Pesach Sheni, the day that reminds us that no one is left out and it is never too late. A group of Jews came to Moshe Rabbeinu and said, “Why should we lose out?” They wanted their chance to bring the Korban Pesach too. That cry became part of Torah forever.

And in the middle of Sefira, while we are counting one day at a time, our family had something very special to count, Boruch Hashem: our first grandson! A new life, a new generation, and a very personal reminder that every day matters, every person matters, and every neshamah brings new light into the world.

As we count toward Shavuos, we are grateful for the brochos Hashem gives us, for the chance to grow, to create, to celebrate, and to pass it all forward.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The things you own can end up owning you

Reciting a blessing is far more than asking permission before enjoying food or anything in this world. It is a declaration of truth. Everything belongs to Hashem: the earth, its resources, our possessions, and even we ourselves. When a Jew says a brachah before eating, he is recognizing that he is not taking something for himself independently, but partaking as one who belongs to Hashem and lives within His world. Just as a servant of a Kohen is permitted to eat from the Kohen’s holy foods a part of the Kohen’s household, so too a blessing reminds us that we are Hashem’s servants, and therefore we are able to enjoy what is His. The brachah does not remove holiness from the world. It reveals our place within it.

This idea carries a powerful lesson for everyday life. Much of our frustration comes from feeling that things are ours and have been taken away, when the car breaks down, the business deal falls through, the credit card is lost, or even when a favorite coffee shop suddenly closes. Blessings train us to live differently, with gratitude instead of entitlement, and with trust instead of panic. When we remember that everything is entrusted to us by Hashem and never truly ours to control, disappointment becomes easier to carry. Instead of asking, “Why did I lose this?” we begin to ask, “What is Hashem guiding me toward next?” That mindset brings freedom, humility, and peace, because if everything belongs to Him, then every change is part of a larger plan.

Have a peaceful Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, May 2, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• 3 Tuesdays May 5-Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.
• 5 Wednesdays, May 6-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Thursday, May 7, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
• Tuesday, May 12, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Book of the People - Discover how the wisdom of G-d can be determined by humans. Register: www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
• Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS PARSHAS EMOR

FRIDAY, PESACH SHENI, MAY 1, IYAR 14
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:41 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 30
RSVP for Cindo de Shabbat May First Fridays Dinner www.yjphouston.org/cinco

SHABBOS, MAY 2, IYAR 15
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by Stephan Abergel in memory of his father, Masud ben Shalom z"l and by Dr. Michael Allon in memory of his mother, Rivka bat Aliza z"l
7:40 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 4
8:37 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 31
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 3, IYAR 16
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 4 & 7, IYAR 17 & 20
6:45 am Shacharis

This week’s parsha tells us: Kedoshim tihiyu ki kadosh Ani Hashem Elokeichem. Be holy, because I, Hashem your G-d, am holy.

It is a big statement. But the Torah does not leave holiness floating in the clouds. The parsha immediately brings it down to real life. Honor your parents. Keep Shabbos. Leave the corners of your field for someone else. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t stand by while another person is in danger. Love your fellow as yourself.

In other words, holiness is not running away from the world. Holiness is how a Jew stands inside the world.

That is exactly the feeling behind our upcoming Lag B’Omer Kumzitz with Bondi Hero Leibel Lazaroff.

Our nephew's Leibel’s story is not just a story of survival. It is a story of a Jew who was thrown into a moment of darkness and answered with light, courage, faith, and Jewish pride. That is holiness. Not dramatic holiness from a different century, but the kind we need right now.

The event is produced by YJP Houston, but it is open to the entire community and all ages. Because a story like this is bigger than one crowd. Lag B’Omer is a night of fire, music, warmth, and Jewish unity, and this year it feels especially fitting that we gather together around the fire to hear from someone whose life reminds us what it means to keep that Jewish flame burning.

Join us for an evening of music, inspiration, great food, and real Jewish strength!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The meaning of life is to give life meaning

The mitzvah of Orlah and Neta revai presents a strikingly counterintuitive progression. A person invests time and effort into cultivating a tree, only to find that its initial yield is entirely off-limits for three years. In the fourth year, the fruit remains beyond ordinary use, designated instead for a higher, sanctified purpose. Only in the fifth year does the fruit become fully permitted. The sequence appears inverted; one would expect a gradual ascent from the permissible to the sacred, not a movement from prohibition to sanctity and only then to ordinary use. 

This structure reflects a deeper principle in service of Hashem. The majority of human activity exists not in the realm of the explicitly commanded or forbidden, but within the domain of the permissible. This is the arena in which meaning is not prescribed, but created. The discipline imposed by the earlier stages cultivates restraint and awareness, shaping an individual who no longer relates to the world through instinct alone. By the time one reaches what is permitted, the question is no longer whether something may be used, but how it will be used. It is specifically within this realm of the ordinary that Judaism locates the greatest potential for growth: the transformation of the neutral into the purposeful, and the elevation of the everyday into an expression of divine service.

Have a fantastic Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, April 25, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, April 27, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• 4 Tuesdays Apr. 28-Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.
• 6 Wednesdays, April 29-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Thursday, April 30, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
• Tuesday, May 12, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Book of the People - Discover how the wisdom of G-d can be determined by humans. Register: www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, April 26, 7:30 pm - Ladies Sefirah Paint Night - A relaxing evening for women of personal growth and art with meaningful Sefirah inspiration. www.chabaduptown.org/watercolor
• Thursday, April 30, 8 pm - Virtual Speed Dating - Values Based Matches metatchabad.com/speeddating
• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS PARSHAS ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, IYAR 7
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:36 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 23
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, APRIL 25, IYAR 8
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
7:35 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
8:32 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 24
Living Torah

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, IYAR 8
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY APRIL 27 & 30, IYAR 10 & 13
6:45 am Shacharis

We are very grateful to celebrate the Bas Mitzvah of our youngest child, Menucha Lazaroff. May she grow to be a true Bas Chabad and bring much Yiddishe nachas to her family and to all of Klal Yisroel. It was especially meaningful to finish Pesach with family, and having our future son in law, Moshe Weiss, in town for Shabbos and for the Bas Mitzvah made the whole Yom Tov even more special.

This week, Israel is on all of our minds, and they need us now more than ever. We are excited to share breaking news!!! Our volunteer mission now has a new flight option through Rome on ITA Airways for any active Jewish adults 18+, (including age 50+). Register now before all the seats are gone! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

There is a powerful lesson in this week’s Parsha, Tazria-Metzora. The Gemara says that if someone with tzaraas enters a house uninvited, the homeowner has only a brief moment to ask him to leave, defined as "the time it takes to light a candle". It is such an unusual image for measuring time, and maybe that is exactly the point. When something is wrong, you cannot just stand there. You have to do something. Light the candle. Take action.

That is true in so many parts of life, and especially now. When there is darkness, when there is pain, when there is a need, the answer is not only to think about it or speak about it, but to add light in a real way through one more mitzvah, one more act of kindness, one more show of support, one more step forward.

As we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Iyar this Shabbos with two Sifrei Torah and extra special cholent with kishka, we look forward to welcoming you.

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Satiety is a dream which makes pleasure vanish.

The mitzvah of mikvah builds this contrast directly into marriage. It creates a rhythm of distance and return, times of restraint followed by renewed closeness, so that connection never becomes routine. Instead of relying on conflict or emotional drift to create space, it introduces a deliberate and healthy separation that preserves respect, desire, and renewal. The relationship is continually refreshed, like a honeymoon that keeps beginning again.

In our relationship with Hashem, the same pattern appears in a more internal form. There are moments of clarity when closeness feels self evident, and there are moments when that clarity recedes and what remains is effort without feeling, motion without immediate reward. Those shifts are not interruptions to the relationship but the very way it deepens, because they force a person to relate not only through experience but through choice. The bond is not sustained by constant emotional presence, but by the decision to continue reaching even when it is no longer naturally felt, and it is precisely that movement back toward Him, after absence, that creates a more enduring connection than presence alone ever could.

Have a joyous Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, April 18, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, April 20, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, April 22, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, April 23, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, April 26, 7:30 pm - Ladies Sefirah Paint Night - A relaxing evening for women of personal growth and art with meaningful Sefirah inspiration. www.chabaduptown.org/watercolor
• Thursday, April 30, 8 pm - Virtual Speed Dating - Values Based Matches metatchabad.com/speeddating
• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS ROSH CHODESH IYAR PARSHAS TAZRIA-METZORA

FRIDAY, ROSH CHODESH IYAR, APRIL 17, NISSAN 30
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:32 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 16
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, ROSH CHODESH IYAR, APRIL 18, IYAR 1
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
7:30 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 2
8:27 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 17
Living Torah

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, IYAR 2
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY APRIL 20 & 23, IYAR 3 & 6
6:45 am Shacharis

After the intensity and elevation of Pesach, the holiness is not meant to remain behind at the Seder table. It is meant to continue with us into everyday life.

What a beautiful Pesach it was at Chabad of Uptown. Baruch Hashem, over Yom Tov our doors were open wide and our tables were full, with more than 650 meals and guests sharing in Sedarim, Yom Tov meals, late night learning, Yizkor, and Moshiach’s Seudah. Behind the scenes, it took an enormous amount of preparation, including over 1,595 pounds of produce and meat from just two primary truck orders alone, all to help create a Yom Tov that felt welcoming, abundant, and uplifting for so many.

There is something especially moving about Pesach at Uptown. So many people around the table, so many conversations and so much heart. Every meal served was more than a meal. It was a chance to celebrate freedom together, to feel the warmth of community, and to bring Yom Tov to life in a real and meaningful way.

That gives us the gift for the days after Pesach. We do not leave the inspiration behind. We take the the joy, sense of connection, and the uplift of Yom Tov and bring it into the weeks and months ahead.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, helped us, sponsored, cooked, set up, cleaned, hosted, and made the Yom Tov so special.

And now, after Pesach, we wish everyone the traditional "a gut yohr and a freilechen tamid", a good year and enduring joy, carrying the warmth and simcha of Yom Tov into the days ahead.

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
What is done in love is done well.

The Torah teaches that nothing in Hashem’s world is without purpose, even when it appears flawed or lacking. In discussing kosher animals, the Midrash describes a striking future scene in which two mighty creatures, the Leviathan fish and the Shor Habar, a powerful ox, confront one another. Our sages explain that these are not just creatures, but symbols of two types of Jews. The “fish” represents one who moves easily and naturally in their Judaism, gliding through prayer, learning, and connection with Hashem. The “ox,” by contrast, represents one who must work hard for every step, struggling to feel inspired and pushing forward with effort. Each seems to have an advantage, and both paths are essential and valued in Hashem’s eyes.

This teaches us how to view ourselves and others. Not everyone experiences Judaism the same way; for some it feels natural and uplifting, while for others it can feel like an uphill climb. But difficulty is not a sign of failure; it is part of a different kind of greatness. The effort itself, the persistence, and the refusal to give up are deeply precious. A Jew must never feel discouraged if things don’t come easily, nor assume that others who seem more naturally connected are more valuable. Every step taken with effort and sincerity fulfills a unique purpose, and Hashem treasures both the ease of the “fish” and the hard-earned progress of the “ox.”

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, April 11, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, April 13, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, April 15, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, April 16, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, May 26, 7:30 pm - Ladies Sefirah Paint Night - A relaxing evening for women of painting, connection, and meaningful Sefirah inspiration.
• Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM IYAR PARSHAS SHEMINI

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, NISSAN 23
7:28 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
Omer Count 9
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, APRIL 11, NISSAN 24
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
7:30 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 1
8:23 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 10
Living Torah

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, NISSAN 25
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY APRIL 13 & 16, NISSAN 26 & 29
6:45 am Shacharis 

FRIDAY, ROSH CHODESH IYAR, APRIL 17, NISSAN 30
6:45 am Rosh Chodesh Shacharis
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast

April Events at YJP Houston

Where young Jewish professionals connect in a sophisticated, welcoming, relaxed setting with a spirited vibe.

Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2 | 8:15 pm
Uptown Pesach Seders

A refreshingly traditional Seder with Uptown flare. Join Chabad of Uptown for an elevated, warm, and spirited Pesach experience with great food, meaningful conversation, and a Seder that is authentic, engaging, and memorable.

We never want finances to stand in the way of participation.
If cost is a concern, please reach out confidentially.

Register here

Friday, April 3 | 7:30 pm
April First Fridays: Pesach Edition

Pesach Shabbat Dinner for Young Jewish Professionals. Celebrate Shabbat and Pesach together with great company, delicious food, spirited conversation, and the warm YJP Houston atmosphere you love.

Register by Tuesday for "advance" coupon!

Get tickets

Thursday, April 9 | 5:45 pm
Moshiach Seudah

Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a Feast of Moshiach. Join for an uplifting and meaningful gathering as we close out Pesach with song, inspiration, and the hope for redemption.

Wed-Sun., May 22-26
CYP Encounter Guatemala - SOLD OUT

Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals.

SOLD OUT

Trip details

Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7
Volunteer in Israel - Limited Spots!

Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel.

Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back.

A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+.

Learn more

Featured Gallery: Education and Sharing Day at the Texas Capitol

This past week, Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins from across Texas gathered at the State Capitol in honor of Education and Sharing Day, where Governor Greg Abbott signed the official proclamation recognizing the Rebbe’s enduring call to strengthen education, moral values, and acts of goodness and kindness. These photos capture a meaningful moment of Jewish pride, public leadership, and the growing impact of Chabad across Texas.

View gallery

Yesterday, Rabbi Chaim had the privilege of joining our colleagues from across Texas as a delegation of Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins met with Governor Greg Abbott in honor of Education and Sharing Day. Standing there together, representing the 43 branches of Chabad throughout the state, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for how far Yiddishkeit has reached and how much light continues to spread across Texas through the Rebbe’s vision.

One of the most meaningful moments for me (Chaim) personally was presenting the Governor, on behalf of my father, Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff, head rabbi of Chabad of Texas, with a custom siddur in a special presentation box opened to Modeh Ani, the first prayer a Jew says upon waking. Before anything else, before the noise and demands of the day, a Jew begins with gratitude. Modeh Ani reminds us that life itself is a gift, that our soul is returned with compassion, and that each morning begins with renewed purpose.

It felt especially fitting in the days before Shabbos Hagadol and just ahead of Pesach. Shabbos Hagadol is when we begin preparing not only our homes for Pesach, but our souls as well. Pesach is the festival of transmission, when the Torah tells us, V’higadeta l’vincha, “and you shall tell your child.” The foundation of Jewish life is not only what we know, but what we pass on. We do not keep it to ourselves. We place it into words, into homes, into rituals, into children, and into the next generation.

That is what made the moment in the Governor’s office feel so significant. We were speaking about education, and the Rebbe taught the world that education means far more than academics alone. True education shapes a person’s character, values, and sense of mission. It teaches a child not only how to succeed, but how to live. In many ways, that is the story of Pesach itself. A nation is born through parents teaching children, through memory becoming identity, and through gratitude becoming purpose.

As we enter this Shabbos Hagadol and prepare for the Pesach Seder next week, may we remember that our greatest task is not only to clean for Pesach, but to tell the story well. To speak with warmth, to teach with joy, and to pass on to our children and our community a Judaism that is alive. Because in the end, the future of the Jewish people will be shaped not only by what we remove from our homes, but by what we place into our own hearts and in the hearts of our children.

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can. 

In the Beis Hamikdash, the kohen, the very embodiment of holiness and spiritual elevation, would begin his day by clearing the ashes from the altar. He would change into simpler garments, as if stepping into work clothes, and carry them outside the camp. What might appear as a lowly or degrading task was, to him, sacred service. The same individual who offered the most elevated offerings also took responsibility for what looked like the leftovers, because in the service of Hashem, no act is defined by status. It is defined by whether it is what Hashem wants.

That perspective forces us to rethink the moments we are inclined to avoid. When we notice someone who needs help but instinctively feel it is beneath us, whether it is giving attention to someone overlooked, stepping into an uncomfortable situation, or helping a person who cannot repay us, that hesitation is the test. If Hashem created that person, that circumstance, and placed it in your awareness, then there is something there for you to do. Like the kohen with the ashes, the question is not whether the task feels important, it is whether you recognize it as yours.

Have an amazing Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

SHABBAT HAGADOL
On the Shabbos before the Exodus--Nissan 10th on that year, and this year--the first-born of Egypt, who occupied the senior positions in the priesthood and government, fought a bloody battle with Pharaoh's troops, in an effort to secure the release of the Israelites and prevent the Plague of the Firstborn. This "great miracle" is commemorated each year on the Shabbos before Passover, which is therefore called Shabbos HaGadol, "The Great Shabbat." (This is one of the rare instances in which a commemorative date in the Jewish calendar is set by the day of the week rather than the day of the month.) For more on the war of the Firstborn, see here.

PESACH IS COMING, APRIL 1-9!

Our Pesach website and Seder RSVP is now open!
Yes, Pesach is coming! Check out our Pesach mini-site with everything you need, including selling your chametz, buying hand-made round Shmurah Matzah for your seder table, RSVP for our seder table, our Pesach schedule and all kinds of Pesach readings and resources!  www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026

• Sell your chametz now! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
• Give to the Maos Chitim Fund to help local families celebrate Pesach with joy. www.chabaduptown.org/donate
• Get your handmade Shmurah Matzah for the Seder table at one of the local Kosher stores. We also have a special gift 2-pack for you - contact us while supplies last! 
• RSVP for the Seder www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• Complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, March 28, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, March 30, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2, 8:15 pm - Uptown Pesach Seders - A Refreshingly Traditional Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• Friday, April 3, 7:30 pm - April First Fridays - Pesach Edition - Pesach Shabbat Dinner for Young Jewish Professionals. www.yjphouston.org/pesachshabbat
• Thursday, April 9, 5:45 pm - Moshiach Seudah - Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach." More...
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
• Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

Mazel tov to Nathan & Nicole (Harari) Nakhmanovitch on their marriage!

SHABBOS HAGADOL PARSHAS TZAV

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, NISSAN 9
7:19 pm Mincha & Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Shabbat Services
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, MARCH 28, NISSAN 10
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by Jessica Pfrenger in honor of her mom's Hebrew birthday, Bonnie Pfregner.
7:20 pm Mincha
Torah Study - Laws of Pesach
8:14 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, NISSAN 11
The Rebbe's Birthday
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY MARCH 30, NISSAN 12
6:45 am Shacharis 

PESACH IS APRIL 1-9!
www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026

PESACH FIRST DAYS SCHEDULE 2026
TUESDAY, MARCH 31 | CHAMETZ RIDDANCE
Sell Your Chametz! Click Here
8:04 pm Search for Chametz

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 | FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN | EREV PESACH
5:55 am Fast of the Firstborn Begins
6:45 am Shacharis
7:30 am Siyum for Fast of the Firstborn
11:19 am Finish Eating Chametz Before
12:22 pm Burn Chametz Before
7:22 pm Light Holiday Candles
7:25 pm Evening Services
First Uptown Seder, RSVP

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 | PESACH DAY 1
10:00 am Morning Service
Prayer for Dew
Lunch Kiddush After Service
7:25 pm Evening Service
AFTER 8:17 pm Light Candles
Count the Omer, Night 1
Second Uptown Seder, RSVP

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 | PESACH DAY 2
10:00 am Morning Service
Lunch Kiddush After Service
BEFORE 7:24 pm Light Shabbat Candles
7:25 pm Yom Tov Mincha and Shabbat Services
Count the Omer, Night 2
April First Fridays - Pesach Edition www.yjphouston.org/pesachshabbat

SHABBOS, APRIL 4 | PESACH DAY 3
10:00 am Morning Service
Lunch Kiddush After Service
7:25 pm Shabbos Mincha
8:18 pm Maariv, Havdallah, and Shabbos Ends
Living Torah Video

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 | PESACH DAY 5
8:00 am Morning Service

MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 6-7 | PESACH DAYS 5-6
7:00 am Morning Service

Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back.

This week we begin Sefer Vayikra, the book that opens with Hashem calling to Moshe from the Mishkan and teaching the avodah of the korbanos. At first glance, korbanos can feel distant from modern life, yet their message is deeply personal and strikingly relevant. The word korban comes from karov, to come close. Vayikra reminds us that Judaism is not only about what we believe, but about how we draw close. When there is pain, we do not turn away. When there is holiness to build, we step forward. As Hashem calls, a Jew responds.

That message feels especially powerful right now as we officially announce our upcoming volunteer mission to Israel. At a time when our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel are carrying so much, this is our chance to come close in the most real way possible. Not only in spirit. Not only in prayer. But with our presence, our hands, our time, and our hearts. There is something profoundly Vayikra about boarding a plane to help another Jew. It is a living expression of korban, of kiruv, of love, solidarity, and responsibility.

Our last YJP Houston mission  with Birthright Israel & Mayanot left a deep mark on everyone who joined. We came home uplifted, connected, and changed by the privilege of giving and standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Israel. Now, as another opportunity opens before us, we are once again being called, this time inviting all active adults 18 and up, including those 50+. Called to show up. Called to strengthen others and be strengthened ourselves. Called to discover that when we give to Am Yisroel, we ourselves are drawn closer to Hashem, to our people, and to who we are meant to be.

As we enter this Shabbos of Vayikra, may we hear that call clearly. May each of us find our own way to respond with action. And may those who join this journey to Israel go as shluchim of our entire community, bringing comfort, hope, and pride, and returning with blessings and inspiration for us all.

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Don't just go through the motions. 

The Torah’s discussion of korbanot teaches a striking truth: no offering has meaning on its own. Every detail, the animal, the procedure, the precision, could be carried out perfectly, yet remain empty if it lacks inner intention. A sacrifice was never just an act; it was meant to express something real within. Without that, it becomes a hollow ritual. And yet, the opposite is also true: feeling alone is not enough. A person could be filled with inspiration and never act on it, and nothing would change. The korban demanded both, the physical deed and the inner spirit brought together into a single offering.

That same balance plays out in familiar moments. A person might drop a few dollars into a charity box out of habit while scrolling their phone, or rush through a blessing over food without a second thought, or show up to a holiday meal more out of routine than presence. Those actions have made an impact, but the person wasn't in them. They feed someone, mark a moment, keep a connection alive. Feeling bad for someone struggling financially but never offering help, or feeling inspired during a meaningful moment but not carrying it into real change captures the reverse. The goal is to bring the two together, to take the same small acts and fill them with awareness. To pause before giving and think about the person receiving, to say a blessing with even a moment of focus, to show up not just physically but emotionally. The action stays the same, but the experience becomes something deeper and fully alive.

Have a wonderful Shabbos! 

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

PESACH IS COMING, APRIL 1-9!

Our Pesach website and Seder RSVP is now open!
Yes, Pesach is coming! Check out our Pesach mini-site with everything you need, including selling your chametz, buying hand-made round Shmurah Matzah for your seder table, RSVP for our seder table, our Pesach schedule and all kinds of Pesach readings and resources!  www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026

• Sell your chametz now! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
• Give to the Maos Chitim Fund to help local families celebrate Pesach with joy. www.chabaduptown.org/donate
• Get your handmade Shmurah Matzah for the Seder table at one of the local Kosher stores. We also have a special gift 2-pack for you - contact us while supplies last! 
• RSVP for the Seder www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• Complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, March 21, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, March 23, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Tuesday, March 24, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Irreversible Freedom with Rabbi Yosef Cohen. Enjoy an upscale lunch with like-minded friends for a spirited Torah class and meaningful discussion.
• Wednesday, March 25, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, March 26, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2, 8:15 pm - Uptown Pesach Seders - A Refreshingly Traditional Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• Thursday, April 9, 5:45 pm - Moshiach Seudah - Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach." More...
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
• Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS PARSHAS VAYIKRA

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, NISSAN 2
7:15 pm Mincha & Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Shabbat Services
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, MARCH 21, NISSAN 3
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush 
7:15 pm Mincha
Torah Study - Laws of Pesach
8:09 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, NISSAN 4
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY, MARCH 23 & 26, NISSAN 5 & 8
6:45 am Shacharis 

PESACH IS APRIL 1-9!
www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026

So much is happening this week. And it all means one thing: Pesach is almost here!

This Shabbos is filled with meaning.

It is Shabbos Mevarchim, when we bless the coming month of Nissan, the month of redemption and the month of Pesach. It is Shabbos Chazak, as we complete Sefer Shemos and strengthen one another with the words Chazak, chazak, v’nischazek. We also read from a second Torah for Parshas Hachodesh, reminding us of the very first mitzvah given to the Jewish people as a nation, the sanctification of the new month, and turning our attention fully toward Pesach. All of this comes together with Parshas Vayakhel Pekudei, a parsha about building something holy, meaningful, and lasting.

In simple terms, this is the Shabbos that tells us Pesach is here!

That means now is the time to get ready and to help others do the same.

• Our full Pesach section is now live at www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026
• Please give now to the Maos Chitim Fund to help local families celebrate Pesach with  joy. www.chabaduptown.org/donate
• Be sure to sell your chametz now at www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
• Be sure to get your handmade Shmurah Matzah for the Seder table at one of the local Kosher stores. We also have a special gift 2-pack for you - contact us while supplies last!
• You can RSVP for the Seder at www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• For the full Pesach candle lighting and service schedule, visit www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule

As we prepare for Pesach this year, we do so at a time when the world feels shaken, with war involving Iran and with painful reminders that even Jewish communities in the United States are not untouched by hatred and violence. Yet this is exactly when the strength of a Jew shines brightest. We gather, we give, we prepare, and we trust in Hashem. May this Shabbos and the coming month of Nissan bring healing, protection, and peace, and may we very soon see days of true redemption for Israel and for the entire world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

The Torah describes a discussion between Moshe and Betzalel about building the Mishkan. Moshe first instructed that the furnishings be made, even before the structure itself. Betzalel understood Hashem’s instructions to mean that the structure should come first and the furnishings afterward, just as a home is built before it is filled with furniture. Moshe’s approach teaches that even when the environment is not yet elevated, one small deed can begin shaping the space around us into a dwelling place for the Divine.

Holiness does not begin only when life is perfectly arranged. It begins with small acts that bring light into ordinary moments. Inviting a neighbor over for coffee, affixing a mezuzah to the front door, or placing a charity box in the office breakroom and giving a few coins each day can quietly transform everyday spaces. These simple choices introduce sanctity into our lives and gradually shape a world that reflects our highest ideals. 

Have a remarkable Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, March 14, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, March 16, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, March 18, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, March 19, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, March 15, 6:30 pm - Women Resin & Rose Mezuzah Workshop - Design your own resin Mezuzah case and explore the mystical powers of the Mezuzah www.chabaduptown.org/resin
• Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2, 8:15 pm - Uptown Pesach Seders - A Refreshingly Traditional Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• Thursday, April 9, 5:45 pm - Moshiach Seudah - Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach." More...
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT

Mazel tov to Michal Tubi on her engagement to Sam Levy!

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM, CHAZAK, HACHODESH, PARSHAS VAYAHKEL-PEKUDEI

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, ADAR 24
7:11 pm Mincha & Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Shabbat Services
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, MARCH 14, ADAR 25
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Reading of Parshas Hachodesh
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush Benjaminov Family in memory of Menachem tzvi ben sara z”l and by Seth Frydberg Shabbat of Thanks to the Uptown community & Rabbis and his mom's Jewish Birthday
7:10 pm Mincha
Torah Study - Laws of Pesach
8:05 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, ADAR 26
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY, MARCH 16, ADAR 27
6:45 am Shacharis 

ROSH CHODESH NISSAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, NISSAN 1
6:45 am Shacharis 
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh Breakfast

Although Purim is now behind us, its message lingers.

• VIDEO: FOX26 Houston on Ancient Persia & Iran War - Click
• PHOTOS: YJP Asian Purim - Click
• PHOTOS: Community Purim Under Construction - Click
• JHV: Young Jewish Professionals celebrate Asian-themed Purim - Click

The Megillah is not only a story we retell once a year. It is our living memory. A vulnerable Jewish minority in ancient Persia faced a terrifying decree, the fear was real, and yet the Jewish people endured and emerged stronger. Purim reminds us that Jewish survival is not accidental. Even when Hashem’s name is absent from the Megillah, His presence is felt in every turn. Redemption does not always arrive with sea splitting miracles. Sometimes it unfolds quietly, through the right people stepping forward at the right time.

In our own time, the Purim story can feel less like ancient history and more like a familiar pattern. Enemies rise, rhetoric intensifies, and yet Am Yisrael Chai! The joy of Purim is not escapism. It is defiance. It is the Jewish people saying: we are still here, and we will continue to live as Jews with pride.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, spoke about Jewish pride and Jewish security in the same breath. Never to hide who we are, never to apologize for our identity, and at the same time to take strength and security seriously, spiritually and physically. Faith is not passive. It empowers action, responsibility, and the confidence to build.

And that is the most natural “aftermath” of Purim: building. Not only surviving, but constructing a future.

That is why, as we move from Purim into the season of weddings and new beginnings, the timing feels especially meaningful in our home. On the heels of Purim’s celebration of Jewish continuity, we are blessed to share the engagement of our daughter Rivky to Moshe Weiss of Charlotte, North Carolina. A marriage is more than a beautiful event. It is a public declaration that the Jewish story continues. Another home. Another link. Another chapter written with faith and joy.

May the joy of Purim remain with us, and may it translate into confidence in our people and in the enduring promise that the Jewish story continues, stronger and prouder with each generation.

Shabbat Shalom and Am Yisrael Chai!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. 

The story of the second tablets in this week’s parsha teaches a powerful lesson about beginnings. The first tablets were given with thunder, lightning, and a roaring spiritual energy that shook the world. It was dramatic, bold, and overwhelming. Those tablets did not last. The second tablets, given later and far more quietly, endured. Yet the quiet second set only worked because they came after the fiery beginning. A lasting commitment is built by beginning with a powerful burst of inspiration that later settles into a steady, sustainable flame.

As Jews, we are actually quite good at this kind of beginning. When the year starts, we come in strong: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the holidays ignite us with purpose and resolve. But beginnings happen more than once a year. Every month, every week, and even every day can blast off with that same passion. Start off your month with the Rosh Chodesh prayers, your Sunday morning with a sincere prayer and tefillin on your arm, and your everyday by reciting Modeh Ani from your mishloach manot mug. When each beginning starts with that kind of fire, the rest of it has something real to keep burning.

Have a fantastic Shabbos! 

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

THIS SHABBAT: PARSHAS PARAH
The Torah reading of Parah (Numbers 19) is added to the weekly reading. Parah details the laws of the "Red Heifer" and the process by which a person rendered ritually impure by contact with a dead body was purified. When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, every Jew had to be in a state of ritual purity in time for the bringing of the Pesach offering in the Temple. Today, though we're unable to fulfill the Temple-related rituals in practice, we fulfill them spiritually by studying their laws in the Torah. Thus, we study and read the section of Parah in preparation for the upcoming festival of Passover. Links: The Parah reading with commentary, The Calf's Mother

PESACH IS COMING, APRIL 1-9!

Our Pesach website and Seder RSVP is now open!
Yes, Pesach is coming! Check out our Pesach mini-site with everything you need, including selling your chametz, buying hand-made round Shmurah Matzah for your seder table, RSVP for our seder table, our Pesach schedule and all kinds of Pesach readings and resources!  www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026

• Sell your chametz now! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
• Order handmade Shmurah matzah www.chabaduptown.org/ordermatzah
• RSVP for the Seder www.chabaduptown.org/sederrsvp
• Complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, March 7, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, March 9, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 pm - Women's Torah and Tea with Chanie and Chanale - RSVP to Chanie (713-419-3962) or Chanale (954-716-9353)
• Wednesday, March 11, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, March 12, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Friday, March 6, 6:30 pm – Rodeo Shabbat – YJP First Fridays – Dress in your best Rodeo Houston gear and enjoy a spirited Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s, great food, great people, and classic Houston vibes www.yjphouston.org/rodeoshabbat
• Sunday, March 15, 6:30 pm - Women Resin & Rose Mezuzah Workshop - Design your own resin Mezuzah case and explore the mystical powers of the Mezuzah www.chabaduptown.org/resin
• Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2, 8:15 pm - Uptown Pesach Seders - A Refreshingly Traditional Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
• Thursday, April 9, 5:45 pm - Moshiach Seudah - Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach." More...
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT

Mazel tov to Rivky Lazaroff on her engagement to Moshe Weiss of Charlotte, NC!

SHABBOS PARAH PARSHAS KI SISA

FRIDAY, MARCH 7, ADAR 17
6:06 pm Mincha & Shabbos Candle Lighting
6:30 pm Shabbat Services
RSVP for Rodeo Shabbat YJP First Fridays Dinner www.yjphouston.org/rodeoshabbat
Sponsored in part by Noam Fella in memory of her grandfather Yosef ben Mazala, לע"נ יוסף בן מזלה, ע"ה

SHABBOS, MARCH 8, ADAR 18
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Biblically Mandated (by some opinions) Reading of Parshas Parah
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush Sponsored in honor of Ruth Yaffa Shamooelian's Bat Mitzvah
6:05 pm Mincha
Torah Study
7:01 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MARCH 9, ADAR 19
8:00 am Shacharis

MON. & THURS., MARCH 9 & 12, ADAR 20 & 23
6:45 am Shacharis 

This week New York reminded us how quickly the world can freeze, and how a Jew refuses to be frozen. I (Rabbi Chaim) flew from Toronto into New York for my appointment to bake matzah, knowing I would probably get snowed in, and I did. The storm dumped 19.7 inches in Central Park, one of the biggest snowfalls in the city’s recorded history, and the city even issued an emergency order keeping non essential vehicles off the streets. 

But that is exactly the point. 

When it comes to what matters, we do not wait for perfect conditions, we show up anyway. And then Hashgachah Pratis lined up the rest. I still got home just in time to catch Chanie before she went to see Menucha’s production at Torah Day School, and then they flew out to Chicago for Bluma’s production at Lubavitch Girls High School. Both were stars, and we are still hearing the excited feedback from people who were there.

This Shabbos is Parshas Zachor, the Shabbos before Purim, when we remember Amalek, the force that tries to cool us off with fear, cynicism, and hesitation. We answer by remembering and by turning the coldest moments into warmth, light, and joy. May it be Hashem’s will that every evil plan is overturned, and we greet Moshiach now.

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

P.S. We look forward to seeing you for both Megillah readings and for the Purim events! Complete schedule at www.chabaduptown.org/happypurim

THE COHEN CORNER
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

The tzitz, the golden plate worn by the Kohen Gadol on his forehead, engraved with the words “Holy to Hashem,” was required to rest on his forehead constantly. Of all the priestly garments, why stress its constant presence? Because the tzitz represents more than ceremonial attire. Positioned on the forehead, the seat of awareness and identity, it proclaims a steady, visible commitment. It is not an emotional surge or a fleeting inspiration, but an enduring declaration. This is who I am. This is what I stand for.

Judaism understands that inspiration rises and falls. A person may experience powerful moments in prayer, study, or reflection, but daily life quickly intervenes. The tzitz teaches that what must remain constant is not the intensity of feeling, but the clarity of commitment. A Jew carries forward the conclusions reached in moments of depth and lives by them even when the heart feels ordinary. The same is true in relationships. Love is not sustained by perpetual intensity. It is sustained by remembered commitment. In marriage, in friendship, in community, we do not need dramatic emotion every day. We need constancy. We need the quiet resolve that says, “I have thought about this, I have chosen this, and I remain devoted.”

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, Feb. 28, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Tuesday, March 10th, 7:00pm - Women's Torah and Tea with Chanie and Chanale - RSVP to Chanie (713-419-3962) or Chanale (954-716-9353)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, March 1 (Purim theme), 10:30 am - Mommy & Me - Join a nurturing and engaging morning designed for mothers and babies (newborn to 2 years) to learn, play, and connect in a warm Jewish environment. www.chabaduptown.org/mommy
• Monday, March 2, 6:45 pm - YJP Asian Purim - YJP in their 20s and 30s featuring a Megillah reading followed by an Asian Purim themed party with Lion Dance and Martial Arts show, sushi and Chinese buffet, and a top shelf open bar www.yjphouston.org/asian
• Tuesday, March 3, 5:00 pm – Community Purim Under Construction - Axe Throwing – Celebrate Purim with the whole community at a high energy Under Construction themed Purim featuring Megillah reading, axe throwing, delicious buffet dinner, drinks and music for a fun and spirited evening chabaduptown.org/construction
• Friday, March 6, 6:30 pm – Rodeo Shabbat – YJP First Fridays – Dress in your best Rodeo Houston gear and enjoy a spirited Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s, great food, great people, and classic Houston vibes www.yjphouston.org/rodeoshabbat

Mazel tov to Zeesy (Sydney) Roah on her engagement to Dovid Aronoff of Montreal!

SHABBOS ZACHOR PARSHAS TETZAVEH

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, ADAR 10
6:00 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
6:02 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, FEBRUARY 28, ADAR 11
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Biblically Mandated Reading of Parshas Zachor
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen Sponsored by the Pfrenger family in memory of Bonnies parents' yarzteits Yaakov Moshe Ben Yechiel, a"h, and Sarah bat Yitzchak, a"h
6:00 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:56 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, ADAR 12
8:00 am Shacharis

FAST OF ESTHER, MONDAY, MARCH 2, 13 ADAR
5:31 am Fast Begins
6:45 am Shacharis Services
6:00 pm Fast of Esther Mincha
Machtzis Hashekel
6:46 pm Fast Ends & Maariv

PURIM EVE, MONDAY, MARCH 2
6:46 pm Maariv & Community Megillah Reading
Followed by YJP ASIAN PURIM - RSVP REQUIRED
10:00 pm Late Night Megillah Reading

PURIM DAY, TUESDAY, MARCH 3
6:45 am Shacharis
7:30 am Megillah Reading at Chabad of Uptown
Three mitzvos after hearing daytime megillah: Gifts of Food, Charity to Poor, Feast
11:00 am Seniors Party & Megillah Reading at Brookdale Galleria - 2929 Post Oak
PURIM UNDER CONSTRUCTION - RSVP REQUIRED
Special thanks to Mr. Daniel Casslasy
5:00 pm Community Purim Party
5:15 pm Megillah Reading

THURS., MARCH 5, ADAR 16
6:45 am Shacharis

Hello from the middle of a whirlwind trip from around the world…. Today I (Rabbi Chaim) returned from a very short trip to Israel in time to see Mendel for his graduation. From there, I arrived for this Shabbos in Toronto to be with Levi for Father and Son Shabbos. Then it is on to Monsey on Sunday to bake matzah, and Crown Heights on Monday to deliver a mental health workshop to Yeshivah staff. Will definitely fit in a must stop at the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Every time I go to Israel, it highlights the deep connection between our people and our land. The streets, the stones, the families, and the faces carry a heritage dating back millennia. And even though I was just there a few weeks ago with our YJP volunteer trip, going again only reinforced something even more.

It reminded me how important it is to give back.

I am excited to share that we have secured a community trip to volunteer in Israel, open to the entire community (over 18) for June 29-July 7.

Even more exciting: the trip is all inclusive for only $2,000 total (other than some meals). This includes:
* Round trip flight from Houston
* Hotel accommodations
* Breakfast daily
* Daily volunteering opportunities
* Additional Israel experiences and meaningful touring

If you are interested in joining the trip, please reply to this email so we can add you to the short list. Seats are limited, and we expect the trip to fill up quickly.

This week’s Parshah, Terumah, is all about building a home for Hashem through heartfelt giving, each person contributing what they can. There is no better way to live that message than by showing up, rolling up our sleeves, and building hope and strength together.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER

We do not truly value what we are handed. We value what we help build.

“Make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell within them.” The verse famously does not say within it, but within them. The Mishkan was never meant to be merely a structure in the desert, but a force that would transform a people. Until this point in the Exodus story, the Jewish people had lived as recipients of miracles. Manna fell, water flowed, protection surrounded them. Now they were invited to contribute, to give, to build. This marked a turning point from passive dependence to active partnership. By asking for their materials, their craftsmanship, and their hearts, Hashem granted them dignity. Human beings cherish what they create, and when we invest ourselves in something, it becomes part of who we are. The sanctuary was not only a dwelling for the Divine presence, but the means through which the people themselves became that dwelling.

Judaism is not designed to be inherited passively or observed from the sidelines. The mitzvot are not only behaviors but invitations to adopt Hashem’s perspective. Lighting Shabbat candles is not only an act of ritual but a declaration that we can bring light into darkness. Giving tzedakah is not only generosity but a reorientation of how we view ownership and responsibility. Keeping kosher is not only discipline but moral awareness. More than compliance, Hashem desires that our minds adopt His worldview and our hearts feel His priorities. The true sanctuary is built when our actions, emotions, and intellect align with a higher vision. 

Have a fantastic Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, Feb. 21, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, Feb. 23, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
• Tuesday, Feb 24, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa Listen in on the surprising, practical questions your ancestors asked rabbis across Jewish history.  Registration required
• Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7:30–9:00 pm - CYP Academy: How Success Thinks - Jewish Secrets for Leading a Productive Life. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher to any upcoming CYP trip! www.yjphouston.org/success.
• Thursday, Feb. 26, 8:00pm -  The Heart of Prayer - In depth look at the prayer book, picking apart the prayer structure and meaning exploring the mechanics and mysticism that comprise Jewish prayer.
• Tuesday, March 10th, 7:00pm - Women's Torah and Tea with Chanie and Chanale - RSVP to Chanie (713-419-3962) or Chanale (954-716-9353)

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, March 1 (Purim theme), 10:30 am - Mommy & Me - Join a nurturing and engaging morning designed for mothers and babies (newborn to 2 years) to learn, play, and connect in a warm Jewish environment. www.chabaduptown.org/mommy
• Monday, March 2, 6:45 pm - YJP Asian Purim - YJP in their 20s and 30s featuring a Megillah reading followed by an Asian Purim themed party with Lion Dance and Martial Arts show, sushi and Chinese buffet, and a top shelf open bar www.yjphouston.org/asian
• Tuesday, March 3, 5:00 pm – Community Purim Under Construction - Axe Throwing – Celebrate Purim with the whole community at a high energy Under Construction themed Purim featuring Megillah reading, axe throwing, delicious buffet dinner, drinks and music for a fun and spirited evening chabaduptown.org/construction
• Friday, March 6, 6:30 pm – Rodeo Shabbat – YJP First Fridays – Dress in your best Rodeo Houston gear and enjoy a spirited Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s, great food, great people, and classic Houston vibes www.yjphouston.org/rodeoshabbat

SHABBOS PARSHAS TERUMAH

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, ADAR 3
5:57 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, FEBRUARY 21, ADAR 4
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen Sponsored Anonymously in memory of Batya Liba bat Shmuel A"H
5:50 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:51 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, ADAR 5
8:00 am Shacharis

MON. & THURS., FEB. 23 & 26, ADAR 6 & 9
6:45 am Shacharis

Today, 26 Shvat 5786, marks a milestone for us: 20 years, two decades, since our first Jewish program in an established Uptown location.

After a meaningful and successful Rosh Hashanah in 2005 at the Houstonian Club and Spa, we began searching for a permanent presence in the Uptown neighborhood. In 2006, we moved into what was once the Post Oak Gallery, a “little shul that could,” filled with big dreams and warm souls. In May of 2008, we relocated to a storefront at Pavilion Mall on Post Oak, and then, in May 2009, we merited moving into our current home on Bettis Drive.

Over these two decades, we have shared so much life together: countless beautiful community events, simchas, Yom Tov celebrations, and also the more difficult moments, standing together through passings of loved ones and annual yahrtzeits. Through it all, it has been a privilege to grow alongside you and to provide consistent, meaningful, and uplifting Jewish programming for our community.

This year brought an additional brachah (blessing). Since January 2025, the arrival of the Cohens has significantly expanded our impact, and we are deeply grateful for the strength, heart, and dedication they bring to our community every day.

And most importantly, we want to thank each and every one of you, our dear community and supporters, who make Chabad of Uptown the warm, magical, and special place it is: from babies to seniors, from young professionals to young families, and everyone in between.

There is something especially fitting about reaching this moment in Parshas Shekalim. The Torah asks each Jew to give not a full shekel, but a half, teaching that no one stands alone as a complete story. Each person is indispensable, yet each person is also meant to be part of something larger. A half shekel only becomes meaningful when it is joined with another half, and that is how the communal offerings were brought: not by isolated individuals, but by a people acting as one. Even today, when we replace the half shekel with tzedakah, the message remains the same: we sanctify our work and our lives by setting aside for Hashem, and we renew our commitment year after year with fresh energy. The half shekel also carries a promise across time: it helps repair what was, strengthens what is, and prepares the blessing of what will be. That is what a community does when every person counts, and every person contributes their half.

Please join us this week for a special Shabbos Mevarchim & Shekalim Kiddush and Farbrengen, celebrating 20 years of Chabad of Uptown!

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

THE COHEN CORNER
The measure of a person is how they respond when no one is watching.

Throughout history, Jews have repeatedly stood on the front lines of moral struggle: opposing apartheid in South Africa, championing civil rights in America, advocating for human dignity in the face of terror. These actions are not just historical coincidences; they stem from a deep-rooted vision that the Torah calls us to: a “light unto the nations.” Even the seemingly simple commandment, “You shall not cook a young animal in its mother’s milk,” teaches this principle. It’s not only about the food itself, but about training our hearts to notice cruelty, to respect life, and to cultivate ethical sensitivity, even in situations where harm is not obvious. The mitzvos are, at their core, exercises in Divine awareness, designed to sharpen our conscience and guide our choices toward G-d’s compassionate and justice-filled worldview.

This principle shows up in how we choose Jewish education for our children, the communities we invest in, or even small daily acts of giving tzedakah or offering a thoughtful word. Just as kosher laws refine our moral instincts, these choices nurture awareness and empathy, preventing the numbing of our conscience. Living with ethical, mitzvah-oriented decisions transforms ordinary life into a daily practice of compassion and integrity. In doing so, we continue the timeless mission of our people: to shine as a moral beacon in the world, training ourselves and our community to live not only ethically, but consciously, courageously, and with heart.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

IN THE NEWS
Chabad of Uptown women celebrate Tu B’Shevat - JHV | Thu, Feb 12, 2026 - Chabad of Uptown hosted a Tu B’Shevat women’s event that brought together close to 45 women for an evening of learning, creativity and connection. The Feb. 1 program focused on making floral art focaccia from scratch, using vegetables and herbs as design elements, alongside a discussion of Tu B’Shevat and the significance of the seven special fruits of Israel. More...

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, Feb. 14, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, Feb. 16, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
• Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn - Purim: Purpose in a World of Chance - Join our monthly Lunch & Learn to explore the Chassidic perspective on the deeper meaning behind the most joyous holiday of the year.
• 2 Tuesdays, Feb 17-24, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa Listen in on the surprising, practical questions your ancestors asked rabbis across Jewish history.  Registration required
• 2 Wednesdays, Feb. 18-25, 7:30–9:00 pm - CYP Academy: How Success Thinks - Jewish Secrets for Leading a Productive Life. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher to any upcoming CYP trip! www.yjphouston.org/success.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sundays, Feb. 15 (Winter theme) & March 1 (Purim theme), 10:30 am - Mommy & Me - Join a nurturing and engaging morning designed for mothers and babies (newborn to 2 years) to learn, play, and connect in a warm Jewish environment. www.chabaduptown.org/mommy
• Monday, March 2, 6:45 pm - YJP Asian Purim - YJP in their 20s and 30s featuring a Megillah reading followed by an Asian Purim themed party with Lion Dance and Martial Arts show, sushi and Chinese buffet, and a top shelf open bar www.yjphouston.org/asian
• Tuesday, March 3, 5:00 pm – Community Purim Under Construction - Axe Throwing – Celebrate Purim with the whole community at a high energy Under Construction themed Purim featuring Megillah reading, axe throwing, delicious buffet dinner, drinks and music for a fun and spirited evening chabaduptown.org/construction
• Friday, March 6, 6:30 pm – Rodeo Shabbat – YJP First Fridays – Dress in your best Rodeo Houston gear and enjoy a spirited Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s, great food, great people, and classic Houston vibes www.yjphouston.org/rodeoshabbat

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM ADAR, SHEKALIM, PARSHAS MISHPATIM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, SHEVAT 26
5:51 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, FEBRUARY 14, SHEVAT 27
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Parshas Shekalim
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
5:50 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:46 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, SHEVAT 28
8:00 am Shacharis

MON.-THURS., FEB. 16-19, SHEVAT 29-ADAR 2
6:45 am Shacharis

TUES. & WED., FEB 17 & 18, ROSH CHODESH ADAR
6:45 am Rosh Chodesh Shacharis
Followed by monthly breakfast