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Rivky’s Wedding to Hashem’s Wedding with Us

Thu, 21 May 2026 11:44:00 AM

We are filled with gratitude as we celebrate the wedding of our dear Rivky to Moshe Weiss this week. Thank you to everyone for your warm wishes, brachos, and love during this very special time for our family.

This week also brings us to Shavuos, the wedding day of the Jewish people and Hashem. At Har Sinai, we stood at the foot of the mountain “like one man with one heart,” in complete unity, ready to receive the Torah.

Interestingly, we find a similar expression when the Egyptians chased after the Jewish people at the sea. They too are described as pursuing “with one heart, like one man.” So what is the difference? Why is the unity of the Jewish people so holy, while the unity of the Egyptians was so destructive?

Perhaps the answer is in the order.

Sometimes people come together because they share the same feelings, interests, excitement, or “love at first sight.” They begin with “one heart,” and hope that later they will become “one man,” with shared values, direction, and mission. But that does not always happen.

The Jewish way is the opposite. We begin with “one man,” a shared purpose, shared values, and a shared mission in life. From that comes “one heart,” true love, deep connection, and lasting unity. Not only love at first sight, but love at second sight, a love that grows from commitment and purpose.

As we prepare to receive the Torah once again, may we come to Shavuos like one man with one heart, united in our purpose and inspired in our hearts, to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

The Shavuos highlights are:

Tonight: All night Torah learning
Tomorrow: Reading of the Ten Commandments, the most important moment of the entire holiday
Shabbos: Yizkor, for those who have lost a parent

Please do not miss the reading of the Ten Commandments tomorrow. It is the central moment of Shavuos, when we relive receiving the Torah at Har Sinai! And of course, afterward there will be a beautiful, decadent dairy kiddush and ice cream party! Complete schedule at www.chabaduptown.org/sinai

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.

When it comes to most things in life, we like to keep our options open. We listen to podcasts, read books, follow someone online, and take the parts that “speak to us.” If an idea makes sense, we keep it. If it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient, we move on. We’re used to approaching life like consumers, sampling different perspectives and building a worldview that fits us. And honestly, that makes sense. Nobody wants to blindly follow something they don’t believe in.

But Torah asks for something deeper. At Sinai, the Jewish people said, “We will do, and we will understand.” In other words: we’re in, even before we fully get it. That sounds almost backwards in a world where we’re trained to commit only after we feel fully convinced. But think about the relationships that matter most in life. Nobody waits to understand another person to the zenith before loving them, trusting them, or building a relationship with them. Real connection always comes with a leap. The Jewish people weren’t saying, “We don’t care about understanding.” They were saying, “This relationship matters enough that we’re willing to grow into the understanding.” Torah is not just information to analyze from a distance; it’s something meant to shape us from within. Not just to teach us ideas, but to slowly align the regular choices in our daily lives with something greater than ourselves.

Kabolas Hatorah BeSimcha Uvepnimiyus!
May we receive the Torah with joy and inwardness!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

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
Shabbos, May 23, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
3 Wednesdays, May 27-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
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:

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 (Open to community to hear 10 Commandments)- 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
Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
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

Mazel tov to Rivky and Moshe Weiss on their marriage!

SHAVUOT SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, SIVAN 5
Make an Eruv Tavshilin! www.chabaduptown.org/2327
7:54 pm Evening Holiday Services and light Yom Tov candles
After services Holiday Dinner & Sheva Brochos RSVP
Sheva Brachos Hosts: Diana and Michael Basist, Jason Fischer, Seth Frydberg, Deanna and Justin Haedicke, Menucha Lederman, David Marcus, Chaim Ziv and Arielle Mesulati, Avi and Dalia Mesulaty, Erica Newmann-Corre, Jared Orkin, Ben and Katie Razinovsky, Rachel Rosenthal, Alyssa Scheiner, Noah Stubblefield, Samuel Szames, Noam Yaari
11:30 pm Take the Mic! A Night of Torah: Small Talks. Big Impact.
Lineup of Torah talks on many Jewish subjects. Apply to Present
www.chabaduptown.org/takethemic

SHAVUOS DAY 1, FRIDAY, MAY 22, SIVAN 6
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:00 am Special children’s service with games, activities and more
11:15 am Reading of the Ten Commandments followed by dairy Kiddush, ice cream party & Sheva Brochos at 1:00 pm
Ice cream bar sponsored by the Goldstein Family in memory of Elyse’s mother, Shaindel Miriam bas Esther
7:00 pm YJP Shavuos Ice Cream Social and Ten Commandments (Open to community to hear 10 Commandments)
www.yjphouston.org/icecream
8:00 pm Mincha and Maariv Holiday Services
Before 7:54 pm Light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles from a pre existing flame
After services Holiday Dinner & Sheva Brochos RSVP

SHAVUOS DAY 2, SHABBOS, MAY 23, SIVAN 7
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:45 am approx. Yizkor Memorial Service
After services Kiddush Lunch & Sheva Brochos sponsored by Ben and Katie Razinovski in honor of Yonatan's 3rd birthday
7:55 pm Mincha Services
8:53 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Yom Tov ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 24, SIVAN 8
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 25 & 28, SIVAN 9 & 12
6:45 am Shacharis

The Question Joe Lieberman Asked Back

Fri, 15 May 2026 2:28:00 PM

This Shabbos has been declared by the White House as “Shabbat 250,” a national Shabbat in honor of America’s 250th birthday. It is a beautiful moment to pause and think about the gift of Shabbos itself.

Someone once asked Senator Joe Lieberman how he was able to make big decisions when he was unavailable every Shabbos?

He answered with a question of his own: How do you make big decisions if you are never unavailable?

That is the power of Shabbos. One day a week to unplug from the noise, step away from the rush, and reconnect with Hashem, with family, with community, and with our own soul.

As I shared with Chabad.org News, “Keeping Shabbat is always a beautiful and important thing. It is taught that if the Jewish people only kept two Shabbats, Moshiach would be here, and the time for that has already come. Shabbat 250, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, is a beautiful idea. It’s the perfect opportunity to unplug and connect with G-d, your family, and your community in a real and meaningful way.” (Complete article posted on chabaduptown.org)

The timing could not be more meaningful. This week is Shabbos Mevarchim Sivan, as we bless the new month that brings us to Shavuos and the giving of the Torah. We also read Parshas Bamidbar, when the Jewish people are counted and shown that every single person matters, every family matters, and every soul has a place in the Jewish people.

For our family, this Shabbos is especially meaningful as we prepare for Rivky’s wedding this Sunday. We invite the women of the community to join us for Rivky’s Shabbos Kallah this Shabbos at 5:30 pm at Chabad of Uptown, a special gathering of family, friends, and heartfelt blessings in honor of the kallah.

May this Shabbos be a true Shabbat 250, a Shabbos of rest, connection, family, community, and blessing, and may we celebrate many simchas together.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

When the government needs a census taken, they don’t usually send the nation’s finest. They send whoever answers the ad: college students between semesters and that one neighbor who somehow has time for everything. Census-taking is not exactly the kind of job people brag about at family gatherings. But when Hashem wanted a census of the Jewish people, He sent Moshe and Aaron. The greatest leaders of the generation became census counters, because this wasn’t about statistics; it was about souls. Counting Jews meant making sure every person felt seen, valued, and essential, because no Jew is ever just a number.

That job still exists today, and it belongs to all of us. It means noticing the person who feels invisible, encouraging the one who doubts themselves, and helping people feel strong in the very places they struggle most. Sometimes the greatest leadership is not standing in front of a crowd, but standing beside one person and reminding them of their worth. When we help others recognize how much they count, we are doing the holiest kind of counting there is.

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

UPCOMING CLASSES:

Shabbos, May 16, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.

3 Wednesdays, May 20-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
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
Tuesday 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday, May 17, 1:30 pm - Friendship Circle Adults Kickoff Event - Join Friendship Circle Adults for a fun afternoon of friendship, food, and excitement featuring a kosher pizza party, bowling, and arcade games at 13311 Westheimer Rd, Suite #100, Houston, TX 77077. A joint project of Houston Friendship Circle and YJP Houston. RSVP: dovid@friendshiphouston.com
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
Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
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

Mazel tov to Eric Stevelman and Dori Jezmir on their engagement!

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM SIVAN, PARSHAS BAMIDBAR

FRIDAY, MAY 15, IYAR 28
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:50 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 44
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM, MAY 16, IYAR 29
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Mevarchim Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Kamman family, in honor of R' Avraham Kamman's birthday
7:50 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 6
8:48 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 45
Living Torah

SUNDAY, ROSH CHODESH SIVAN, MAY 17, SIVAN 1
8:00 am Shacharis
Followed by Rosh Chodesh monthly breakfast, sponsored by the Lazaroff family in honor of Rivky's marriage to Moshe Weiss

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 18 & 21, SIVAN 2 & 5
6:45 am Shacharis

SHAVUOT SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, SIVAN 5
7:54 pm Evening Holiday Services and light Yom Tov candles
After services Holiday Dinner RSVP
11:30 pm Take the Mic! A Night of Torah: Small Talks. Big Impact.
Lineup of Torah talks on many Jewish subjects. Apply to Present
www.chabaduptown.org/takethemic

SHAVUOS DAY 1, FRIDAY, MAY 22, SIVAN 6
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:00 am Special children’s service with games, activities and more
11:15 am Reading of the Ten Commandments followed by dairy Kiddush and ice cream party at 1:00 pm
7:00 pm YJP Shavuos Ice Cream Social and Ten Commandments
www.yjphouston.org/icecream
8:00 pm Mincha and Maariv Holiday Services
Before 7:54 pm Light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles from a pre existing flame
After services Holiday Dinner RSVP

SHAVUOS DAY 2, SHABBOS, MAY 23, SIVAN 7
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:45 am approx. Yizkor Memorial Service
After services Kiddush Lunch
7:55 pm Mincha Services
8:53 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Yom Tov ends

Bris, ufruf, week overflowing blessings - PHOTOS

Fri, 8 May 2026 11:59:00 AM

Mazel tov!

Some days the daily Torah study of "Chitas" feels like it is speaking directly to the day you are living.

Today we study the sixth Torah Aliyah for Friday, where speaks about the values assigned in the Torah to different stages of life. At first glance, it seems like a technical section about pledges and donations to the Beis Hamikdash. But Rashi opens up something much deeper. When the Torah speaks about someone over sixty, Rashi points out that as people age, their value is measured differently describing older woman in the home is a treasure in the home and a good sign for the home. The Torah is teaching us to see age not as decline, but as blessing, wisdom, warmth, and strength that holds a home and a family together.

How beautiful that on this very day, when Chitas speaks about the stages of life and the value of every age, our family had the zechus to celebrate the bris of our first grandson. He was given the name Levi Yitzchak, after the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.

A bris is one of those moments where generations meet. A tiny baby is brought into the covenant of Avraham Avinu, carrying a holy name, a holy legacy, and the hopes and brachos of parents, grandparents, family, and community.

And to top it all off, we look forward to celebrating our future son-in-law Rabbi Moshe Weiss’s ufruf this Shabbos! From a bris to an ufruf, from a new baby entering the covenant to a chosson preparing to build a Jewish home with our daughter Rivky, iy"h, we are reminded again how precious every stage of life is, and how much blessing there is when family and community celebrate together.

Last week’s Lag B’Omer with Leibel Lazaroff was also something very special. The evening brought together people of all ages for inspiration, Jewish pride, music, food, warmth, and an unforgettable message of strength and resilience. You can check out the photo album here, and read the beautiful article linked to in the Jewish Herald Voice preview below.

Please don’t miss this week’s classes and programs listed below, and be sure to sign up for Shavuos. We would love to celebrate and receive the Torah together.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

The seventh year is Shemittah, a Sabbatical year in which Jews are not permitted to plant or reap. After five years of continual planting, the sixth year’s growth is naturally less abundant, yet G-d assures us that this year will sustain us for that year, the seventh year, and beyond. There are times when life feels exactly like that “sixth year,” when we are tired, stretched thin, and just trying to keep up. In that state, we may still find ourselves in demanding relationships or situations where every ounce of patience is tested. Even then, we try to respond better than we feel, pausing, holding back, choosing patience. And often, what makes the difference is not perfection but effort itself, which can soften a moment and shift the tone of a relationship in ways we could not predict.

On a deeper level, this points to the flow of history toward the era of Moshiach, a time of rest and clarity after long spiritual labor. We may feel that earlier generations had greater strength, while we are spiritually depleted and running on empty, yet it is precisely in this “sixth year” state that our efforts are most meaningful. When results feel smaller and effort feels harder, every act of perseverance carries greater weight. When a Jew still learns, davens, or does a mitzvah with whatever strength remains, that effort itself sustains us and moves us closer to the final redemption, just as the sixth year is what carries us into Shemittah and beyond.

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

JHV, Thursday, May 7, 2026 - YJP hosts spirited Lag B’Omer with Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff YJP Houston’s annual Lag B’Omer kumzitz (musical gathering) drew a warm and spirited crowd to Chabad of Uptown on Monday, May 4, for an evening of music, inspiration and community. Traditionally, a YJP (Young Jewish Professionals) Houston event has been for its members only. However, this year’s kumzitz was open to the broader community in honor of its featured guest, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff. More...

UPCOMING CLASSES:

Shabbos, May 9, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.

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
2 Tuesdays May 12-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.
4 Wednesdays, May 13-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 14, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
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:

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
Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
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 CHAZZAK PARSHAS BEHAR-BECHUKOSAI

FRIDAY, MAY 8, IYAR 21
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:45 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 37
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, MAY 9, IYAR 22
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
7:45 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 5
8:43 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 38
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 10, IYAR 23
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 11 & 14, IYAR 24 & 27
6:45 am Shacharis

Mazel tov! Its a Burkis boy!

Fri, 1 May 2026 11:44:00 AM

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

Bondi Hero Coming to Houston

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 2:25:00 PM

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

Breaking News: New Israel Trip Flight Through Rome

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 1:25:00 PM

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

650+ Guests, 1 Unforgettable Pesach - FOXNEWS

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:17:00 PM

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

Don’t Miss the Most Powerful Hours of Pesach

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 1:35:00 PM

Inspirational Program

Moshiach Seudah

Feast of Moshiach

Just when you thought you had seen it all, the final day of Pesach reveals an even higher freedom: the freedom of the ultimate redemption.

Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Pesach concludes with a special Feast of Moshiach.

This uplifting meal, complete with Matzah and four cups of wine, begins before sunset and is the perfect way to spiritually conclude Pesach while opening our hearts and minds to the coming redemption.

Highlighting the Final Days

All Night Learn

Tuesday, April 7

11:59 pm

Yizkor

Thursday, April 9

11:30 am

Moshiach Seudah

Thursday, April 9

5:45 pm

RSVP Appreciated

Complete Last Days Schedule

Tuesday, April 7 | Pesach Day 6

Evening Service

7:25 pm

Candle Lighting

7:26 pm

Omer Count, At Night 6

Holiday Dinner RSVP

Late Night Torah Study (AKA Tues. night)

11:59 pm

Wednesday, April 8 | Pesach Day 7

Late Night Torah Study (AKA Tues. night)

12:00 am

Morning Service

10:00 am

Lunch Kiddush After Service RSVP

Evening Service

7:25 pm

Omer Count, at night 7

Light Candles AFTER

8:21 pm

Shabbat & Holiday Dinner RSVP

Thursday, April 9 | Pesach Day 8

Morning Service

10:00 am

Yizkor Memorial Service

11:30 am

Lunch Kiddush After Service RSVP

Mincha Service

5:15 pm

Moshiach Meal RSVP

5:45 pm

Maariv, Havdalla & Holiday Ends

8:21 pm

Omer Count, at night 8

Seders, Pesach Shabbat, Israel & Photos - YJP Houston April Newsletter

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 2:33:00 PM

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.

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

We Put Modeh Ani on the Governor’s Desk

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 3:37:00 PM

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. We’re Going.

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:58:00 PM

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!

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

This Special Shabbos Means Pesach Is Coming Fast

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 1:43:00 PM

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

Purim is over but we're not done

Fri, 6 Mar 2026 12:37:00 PM

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!

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

The Blizzard Can't Stop This Mitzvah

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 1:14:00 PM

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

A whirlwind week, and a community invitation to volunteer in Israel

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:16:00 PM

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

www.chabaduptown.org | Blogs | Updates

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The Question Joe Lieberman Asked Back

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Mazel tov! Its a Burkis boy!

Bondi Hero Coming to Houston

Breaking News: New Israel Trip Flight Through Rome

650+ Guests, 1 Unforgettable Pesach - FOXNEWS

Don’t Miss the Most Powerful Hours of Pesach

Seders, Pesach Shabbat, Israel & Photos - YJP Houston April Newsletter

April Events at YJP Houston

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

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

Thursday, April 9 | 5:45 pm Moshiach Seudah

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

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

Featured Gallery: Education and Sharing Day at the Texas Capitol

We Put Modeh Ani on the Governor’s Desk

Israel Needs Us. We’re Going.

This Special Shabbos Means Pesach Is Coming Fast

Purim is over but we're not done

The Blizzard Can't Stop This Mitzvah

A whirlwind week, and a community invitation to volunteer in Israel

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

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

Thursday, April 9 | 5:45 pm
Moshiach Seudah

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

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