Updates

Everyone's been asking me how the conference was. My good friend Rabbi Eli Friedman, of Chabad of Calabasas, CA, posted these thoughts that perhaps expresses what I'm really trying to say:

THE NUMBERS ADD UP

It’s the International Conference of Chabad Shluchim (Emissaries) and all the Chabad rabbis on this planet are invited to New York.  

It’s a conference, and you know what’s all the rage at conferences? Numbers.

How many couples are there out there as Shluchim?

How many Chabad centers exist in the world today?

How many new centers opened since the last conference?

A quick Google search will show all those answers and it’s recommended, because the numbers are happy and encouraging, thank G-d.  

But if we call the weekend by it’s other name - the biggest Farbrengen ever, anywhere - we start thinking about other numbers. 

Numbers you cannot find with Google. 

Numbers you read not only with your eyes but with your heart and your soul. 

Since the Rebbe launched this Shluchim movement in 1950:

How many arms and heads were wrapped  and crowned in Tefillin? 

How many homes glowed with Shabbat candles?

How many Sukkahs stood proudly for the first time?

How many Seder tables were graced with Shmura Matzah for the first time?

How many Mezuzot were fastened to how many doorposts? 

How many tears of joy brimmed in how many eyes as parents watched their children embracing the lost traditions of their beloved grandparents and great grandparents? 

How many elderly hearts, hardened and turned against faith by concentration camps, leapt for joy as their grandchildren rejoiced in Hebrew School and sang, “I’m a Jew and I’m proud and I’ll sing it out loud!”

How many fists pounded on how many dining room tables - tables heretofore used once a year on Thanksgiving - drumming exuberantly to “Shalom Aleichem” on yet another newly elevated Friday night? 

How many “Ah!”s burst forth from how many little mouths as they deciphered that Kamatz Alef is “Ah!”?

How many somersaults happened at how many Simchat Torah services, as Jews discover, to their disbelief, that it’s fun to be Jewish?

How many defenses were lowered in how many minds as people discovered that Shul is actually a place for prayer and community, you don’t need a ticket and you don’t need to pay admission?

How many glasses were smashed under how many heels as how many Jewish boys and girls realized their stubbornly held dream of marrying Jewish?l

How many Jewish books were purchased and how many pages of Chumash, Gemara, Tanya and other Torah books were studied and turned? 

How many more pairs of Tefillin and Tzitzit and how many millions of Kippahs have been sold?

How many miles came off of how many Jewish cars as their owners discovered the gift of resting on Shabbat?

How many more Torah Scrolls have been written over the 70+ years of Chabad House culture? 

How many Israeli soldiers and border guards were visited on their bases and made to feel like a million bucks because the Shluchim remembered them? 

How many Kosher certifications, groceries, restaurants and products have cropped up around how many people who started keeping Kosher? 

How many more petitions for Moshiach have been received in Heaven? And how many more Shema’s, Modeh Ani’s, Aleinu’s, Ashrei’s and Amidah’s?

The numbers would be staggering. Beyond belief.

Believe it. This snowball of Mitzvot has been rolling for more than seven decades, getting bigger and bigger and picking up speed with every passing Kinus, and if you’re reading this, you are a part of that avalanche of Yiddishkeit.

May G-d bless the Shluchim, the people who they inspire and who inspire them, and may G-d bless the Rebbe who got this ball rolling with the fulfillment of his deeper desire: the coming of Moshiach.

The time is now. The numbers add up. Lchaim!

THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to all our PARTNERS who make it all happen. Click here to view the must-watch replay of the keynote address by George Rohr at the Kinus closing banquet, with a message to the shluchim and his fellow supporters.

PARSHA

In this week's Torah portion we are introduced to Jacob and Esau, twin brothers who couldn't have been more different from one another.

Esau was a hunter, while Jacob was a scholar, spending all his time studying Torah and delving into the Divine secrets of Creation.

As descendants of Jacob, we are entrusted with the gift of Torah and the ability to connect to G‑d by studying His wisdom. Every time a Jew studies Torah, our connection to G‑d deepens.

You can study Torah alone or with a group, you can study for hours or for a few minutes. The main thing is, make Torah study central to your life!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Mazel tov!  Mazel tov Yair Ilouz for putting on Tefillin for the first time! May you continue to make your family and entire community proud!

Upcoming Events:

• Wednesdays, Nov. 30 &  Dec. 7, 8 pm - YJP Houston CYP Academy: Stop Chasing Happiness - An intellectually exciting journey into your own mind and psyche. Relevant and fascinating topics, paired with delectable dinner.  - Click here to register. 
• Fri. Dec. 2, 6 pm - Chinese Shabbat Dec. First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/chinese
• Wed. Dec. 14, 8 pm: YJP Houston PreChanukah - Launch party for Hakhel year of "Ambassadors of Light" project! Get a menorah kit and candles for yourself and to share with others! Graduation ceremony of the CYP Academy Happiness course.
• Sun. Dec. 18, 4:30 pm - Chanukah in the Snow - Community Hakhel Post Oak Menorah Lighting www.chabaduptown.org/snow
• Tues. Dec. 20, 7:30 pm - Chanukah Fire & Snow - Young Jewish Professionals 20s & 30s party in style around the fire in snow (yes, SNOW) with gelt s'mores, hot cocoa, drinks and music. Dinner Buffet, Sufganiyot & Latkes www.yjphouston.org/snow
• Jan. 13-15 - Join our CYP Shabbaton to NYC! Amazing News!!! As we have hit a Hakhel sized group you can now use coupon code "YJPHouston" for the half price $200 rate, a $200 savings! Can not be used in conjunction with the $50 "refer a friend" promotion. www.cypshabbat.nyc

Shabbos Parshas Toldos

Friday, November 25, Rosh Chodesh Kislev
Mincha and Candle Lighting at 5:05 pm
Torah Study
Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos November 26, 2 Kislev
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush sponsored by Andrew & Elyse Goldstein in honor of their children
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at  6:01 pm
Living Torah

Sunday November 27, 3 Kislev
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Mon.-Fri., Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 4-8 Kislev
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos & a good Chodesh!

The Chabad of Uptown community is overwhelmed with gratitude for your outpouring love and financial support in the annual matching campaign! 264 donors made the magic open to raise more than $100,000 to assist in the operations of Chabad of Uptown and YJP Houston. Thanks to your support the broad programming for babies, children, bar and bat mitzvahs, teens, young professionals, weddings, families and seniors are able to happen. Your shul is in regular operation and dinner and lunches served every week. The feeling of "Hakhel", the year of gathering and supporting one another, was felt in a very strong way!

Every year on the last Shabbat of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, thousands of Chabad rabbis from around the world gather in New York City for the Kinus Hashluchim — the international conference of Chabad emissaries.

I had the opportunity to inscribe a letter vov in one of 36 Torah scrolls that will go to communities around the world, to be completed at the Kinus.

In addition to arranging the logistics, which include feeding thousands of rabbis for an extended weekend and planning innovative workshops and creative programming, the organizers are tasked with coming up with a theme to be highlighted throughout the Kinus.

The theme of this year’s Kinus is obvious: Hakhel, the year of gathering. Besides for the Kinus itself serving as a massive Hakhel gathering, the overall focus of the conference will be the importance of bringing Jews together in Jewish settings throughout the year. While Chabad rabbis are always bringing Jews together, in a Hakhel year we double our efforts.

But one need not be a rabbi to host or organize a Hakhel gathering. Invite some friends over and have your own Hakhel gathering! Use this how-to guide and download our monthly packets with suggested programs and tips.

Isaac married Rebecca, who married in this week’s Torah portion, pledged to emulate their parents, Abraham and Sara, and to keep their doors open for all people, with the goal of spreading recognition of G‑dliness. Their home functioned as perhaps the first Hakhel in history, and we take our cue from them to turn our own homes into beacons of Jewish light for all.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S. Join Rabbi Chaim on Sunday at 4:30 pm, Houston time, at the "Banquet" closing ceremony of the annual Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries streaming live at www.chabaduptown.org/kinus

Upcoming Events:

• Wednesdays, Nov. 30 &  Dec. 7, 8 pm - YJP Houston CYP Academy: Stop Chasing Happiness - An intellectually exciting journey into your own mind and psyche. Relevant and fascinating topics, paired with delectable dinner.  - Click here to register. 
• Fri. Dec. 2, 6 pm - Chinese Shabbat Dec. First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/chinese
• Sun. Dec. 18, 4:30 pm - Chanukah in the Snow - Community Hakhel Post Oak Menorah Lighting www.chabaduptown.org/snow
• Tues. Dec. 20, 7:30 pm - Chanukah Fire & Snow - Young Jewish Professionals 20s & 30s party in style around the fire in snow (yes, SNOW) with gelt s'mores, hot cocoa, drinks and music. Dinner Buffet, Sufganiyot & Latkes www.yjphouston.org/snow

Shabbos Mevarchim Kislev Parshas Chayei Sarah

Friday, November 18, 24 Cheshvan
Mincha and Candle Lighting at 5:07 pm
Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos November 19, 25 Cheshvan
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim 8:30 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Mevarchim lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by Yonatan & Liora Tzion & Liora
Mincha at 5:10 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at  6:02 pm
Living Torah

Sunday November 20, 26 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Monday-Wed., Nov. 21-23, 27-29 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Thursday & Friday, Nov. 24 & 25
Shacharis at 6:45 am followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast

Good Shabbos!

This week's Torah portion opens with G‑d appearing to Abraham three days after his circumcision.

At age 99, Abraham willingly accepted the fact that despite decades of worshiping G‑d and encouraging others to, he was still imperfect. When G‑d told him he had more to do, he didn't question and was prepared to move up a rung, despite already being the most devout person on the planet.

Abraham taught us that we must always look for ways to improve, even late in life and even after tremendous accomplishments. He also taught us that recognizing our imperfection should never prevent us from striving for greatness. Even when we are still working on improving ourselves, we can help others and work to make a difference in the world.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Mazel tov  Debra & Joel Ruby on the birth of a grandson in Chicago!

Around Chabad News:

• BREAKING! Monday and Tuesday will be the Chabad of Uptown and YJP Houston annual day of end-of-year giving! Keep it tuned to your inbox and social media to see how you can make a difference in the community by doing your part! Want to make a team? Let Chanie know!
• My G-d new JLI course is already a few weeks in, but it's not too late to join!
• CYP Academy is off to a great start! Join on the next three Wednesday nights to learn about Happiness! www.yjphouston.org/academy2 
• Amazing News!!! As we have hit a Hakhel sized group you can now use coupon code "YJPHouston" for the half price $200 rate, a $200 savings! Can not be used in conjunction with the $50 "refer a friend" promotion. www.cypshabbat.nyc
• Congratulations 🎉 to this week's 18 new graduates of  #MentalHealthFirstAid, with YJP & community members, young leaders and mental health professionals, hosted by YAD Houston of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and in partnership with the Jewish Family Service of Houston co-sponsored by Chabad of Uptown, YJP Houston & Amudim!

Upcoming Events:

• 4 Wednesdays, Nov. 9-Dec. 7, 8 pm - YJP Houston Launching CYP Academy: Stop Chasing Happiness - An intellectually exciting journey into your own mind and psyche. Relevant and fascinating topics, paired with delectable dinner.  - Click here to register. 
• Fri. Dec. 2, 6 pm - Chinese Shabbat Dec. First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/chinese
• Sun. Dec. 18, 4:30 pm - Chanukah in the Snow - Community Hakhel Post Oak Menorah Lighting www.chabaduptown.org/snow
• Tues. Dec. 20, 7:30 pm - Chanukah Fire & Snow - Young Jewish Professionals 20s & 30s party in style around the fire in snow (yes, SNOW) with gelt s'mores, hot cocoa, drinks and music. Dinner Buffet, Sufganiyot & Latkes www.yjphouston.org/snow

Shabbos Parshas Vayeira

Friday, November 11, 17 Cheshvan
Mincha and Candle Lighting at 5:10 pm
Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos November 12, 18 Cheshvan
Chassidus at 9 am 
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos lunch Kiddush 
Mincha at 5:10 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at  6:05 pm
Living Torah

Sunday November 13, 19 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Monday-Friday, Nov. 14-18, 20-24 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!

When Abraham discovered that there was only One G‑d, he didn’t keep it to himself. Instead, he made it his mission in life to share G‑d’s existence with anyone and everyone he encountered. There were others before him who believed in G‑d, most notably Adam, Noah, Shem, Eber, and more. But they for the most part kept their beliefs to themselves and their immediate circles.

Then along came Abraham who discovered the fallacy of idolatry on his own. No one else around him believed in G‑d, and he recognized the need for the entire world to believe in monotheism.

As descendants of Abraham, who inherited his innate faith in G‑d, we must also take it to the next level. Don’t be satisfied with living a good Jewish life yourself; share it with others! Invite others to experience the joy of Shabbat, share a Torah thought, or teach others to make a blessing over kosher food. The whole world is thirsty for this, and it is up to us to quench their thirst.

This will bring the ultimate redemption and the coming of Moshiach so much closer!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Mazel tov Alan & Sara Kirsch and the entire Kirsch and Van Dam family on the birth of a baby boy, Maurice - Chaim Aharon!

CYP SHABBAT IN NYC JAN. 13-15, REGISTRATION OPEN - $400 full price

 !!! SAVE $350 !!!

• Register this week (only) and save $100! - www.cypshabbat.nyc
• Take CYP Academy course (starts this Wednesday), get an additional $200 voucher! - www.yjphouston.org/academy1
• Refer a friend and get an additional $50 off.....

So you can end up going for just $50 + flight!

Reply to this email and we will send you our groups flight info.....

Upcoming Events:

• Nov. 4 6:30 pm - YJP Houston Fall Edition - Nov. First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/fall22
• Nov. 9, 9 am - 5:00 pm - Mental Health First Aid Training at Jewish Federation - Click here to register and for further info - Registration period expired. Complete form and let us know if you want to attend and we will try to get you in.
• 4 Wednesdays, Nov. 9-Dec. 7, 8 pm - YJP Houston Launching CYP Academy: Stop Chasing Happiness - An intellectually exciting journey into your own mind and psyche. Relevant and fascinating topics, paired with delectable dinner.  - Click here to register. 
• Sun. Dec. 18, 4:30 pm - Chanukah in the Snow - Hakhel Post Oak Menorah Lighting
• Tues. Dec. 20, 7:30 pm - Chanukah Fire & Snow - Young Jewish Professionals 20s & 30s party in style around the fire in snow (yes, SNOW) with gelt s'mores, hot cocoa, drinks and music. Dinner Buffet, Sufganiyot & Latkes

Shabbos Parshas Lech Lecha

Friday, November 4, 10 Cheshvan
Mincha and Candle Lighting at 6:15 pm
Services at 6:30 pm
RSVP for Fall Edition First Fridays Shabbat Dinner www.yjphouston.org/fall22

Shabbos November 5, 11 Cheshvan
Chassidus at 9 am 
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos lunch Kiddush sponsored by Michael Simozar in honor of the community and time spent here
Mincha at 6:15 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at  7:09 pm
Kiddush Levana
Living Torah

CLOCK CHANGES BACK ONE HOUR!

Sunday November 6, 12 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Monday-Friday, Nov. 7-11, 13-17 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!