Updates

The seasons have changed, our daylight hours have become increasingly shorter, and the nights have become longer and colder. It is hard to believe that a month and a half has passed since the horrific Simchat Torah massacre on October 7th. Israel is at war, and our hostages have still not returned.

We are now in the Jewish month of Kislev, the month when we celebrate the victory and power of light. Though it is such a dark month outside, it is also a month of miracles and a time when the glow of the candle shines its brightest. As the blackness lingers outdoors, we need to create greater brightness within.

Throughout the history of the Jewish people, many nations have tried to destroy us and snuff out our light. But we remain here today, still shining the light of Divine morality, spreading the beautiful teachings of the Torah, and performing mitzvot.

This week, we read more about our third patriarch, Yaakov Avinu. The name Yaakov is made up of a yud, which is the smallest letter and refers to the essence of Hashem, and eikev, which means “heel,” the lowest part of the body. The mission of the Jewish people is to bring the light of Hashem into even the lowest and darkest reaches of our world.

It’s an awesome undertaking, but light prevails, even over the most intense darkness.

As in the days of our past, may this month usher in great miracles for our nation.

With prayers for the security of the land of Israel, the safety of our brave soldiers, and the immediate return of all our hostages,

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Upcoming Events:

• 7 Mondays, 7:30 pm - Laws of Cooking / Bishul on Shabbos - Inaugural Class of HalachaU - HalachaU is a weekly class (for all adult ages) that studies Torah law in Depth, with an emphasis on modern application. Register here - www.chabaduptown.org/6123170
• 2 more Tuesdays, Nov. 21 - Dec 5th 2023 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - JLI: The World of Kabbalah - Course syllabus and to register click here.
• Friday, December 1, 6 pm: YJP Souper Shabbat - Dec. First Fridays: Enjoy a variety of hearty soups, salads and more with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. www.yjphouston.org/souper
• Thursday, Dec. 7, First Night of Chanukah, 6:30 pm - Post Oak Menorah Lighting in cooperation with the Uptown Houston District - Uptown Park Park, Corner of Post Oak Blvd and Uptown Park Blvd
• Saturday,  Dec. 9, Third Night of Chanukah, 8:30 pm - YJP Houston Chanukah at the Chocolate Factory Light up Chanukah in style with Young Jewish Professionals 20s & 30s at the "Chocolate Factory"! Enjoy themed drinks, festive music, delectable treats and eats, sufganiyot, and latkes www.yjphouston.org/chocofactory
• Jan 12-14, 2024 - CYP Shabbat in NYC! - The CYP Shabbat Experience - Meet the People. Explore the Sites. Feel the Energy. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable Shabbat weekend alongside an all-star lineup and hundreds of young professionals from around the world. Register by Nov. 15 and save $200! Including accommodations, meals and local transportation with group  www.cypshabbat.nyc

Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei

Friday, November 24, 11 Kislev
Candle Lighting & Mincha 5:05 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, November 25, 12 Kislev
Chassidus at 9am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored in part by Sharon & Peter Loftspring in honor their daughter Elana
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Seder Niggunim
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 6:01 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, November 26, 13 Kislev
Shacharis at 8:00 am - at the Melnik Shiva

Monday-Friday, Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 14-18 Kislev
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!

These are the amazing pictures of the Shluchim convention (emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe).

1st: Is the official pic. Rabbi Chaim is that guy to the left of the tree on the right, at the top of the trunk below the branches... :)

2nd: These Chabad Rabbis in Israel could not attend the Chabad convention in NY because they are serving in the IDF. Prayers to them and all the brave members of the IDF. May G-d protect them all. Am Yisroel Chai!

3rd: Israeli Shluchim that could not leave now (because they are helping their community).

All 3 together plus the ones that didn’t make it to the pictures are the spiritual army our Rebbe sent across the globe. We all gathered this past weekend, thousands of Chabad rabbis from around the world gathered in New York City for our annual conference, the International Kinus Hashluchim. This year, key events — like the group trip to the Ohel and the grand banquet — were moved up several hours to allow our colleagues in Israel, who made a unanimous decision to remain at their posts during Israel’s time of need, to join from a concurrent event via live feed.

Just a few days later, a historic gathering took place in Washington DC, bringing together Jews from all walks of life and all political denominations, in support of our brothers and sisters in Israel in an unprecedented display of Jewish pride and unity.

There is another global unity undertaking that you can join — the writing of a Torah scroll for the merit of the safety of the people of Israel.

The Torah is the common denominator that unites all Jewish people. Special Torah scrolls are being written in Israel, in which every single Jewish person may purchase a letter to become part of the Torah and unite together. Besides fulfilling (at least in part) the Biblical commandment to write a Torah scroll, having a letter in these scrolls connects you and Jewish people all over the globe, in Israel and the Diaspora, into one Torah-created unified entity.

One nation, one Torah, one G‑d. Click here to join.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

• Mazel tov to Shay & Hila Ben Lulu on the birth of a baby boy!
• We wish a refuah shleima, a speedy recovery, to Sara bas Devora, Barbara Melnik!
• We extend our sincere condolences to Dorit (& Chaim) Kamman and family and the passing of her father, אברהם לייב בן יצחק מנשה, Avraham Leib Ben Yitzchok Menashe in Israel.
• We extend our sincere condolences to Deedee Hoffer on the passing of her grandmother.
• We extend our sincere condolences to Bonnie & Jochen Pfrenger, Sara, Jessica, Nina & the entire Pfrenger family on the passing of their dear son, brother & nephew Jonas Pfrenger יונה דוד בן יבלחט"א יפה, ע"ה Yonah David ben, יבלחט"א, Yaffa, ע"ה

Upcoming Events:

• 8 Mondays, 7:30 pm - Laws of Cooking / Bishul on Shabbos - Inaugural Class of HalachaU - HalachaU is a weekly class (for all adult ages) that studies Torah law in Depth, with an emphasis on modern application. Register here - www.chabaduptown.org/6123170
• 3 more Tuesdays, Nov. 21 - Dec 5th 2023 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - JLI: The World of Kabbalah - Course syllabus and to register click here.
• Thursday, Dec. 7, First Night of Chanukah, 6:30 pm - Post Oak Menorah Lighting in cooperation with the Uptown Houston District - Uptown Park Park, Corner of Post Oak Blvd and Uptown Park Blvd
• Saturday,  Dec. 9, Third Night of Chanukah, 8:30 pm - YJP Houston Chanukah at the Chocolate Factory Light up Chanukah in style with Young Jewish Professionals 20s & 30s at the "Chocolate Factory"! Enjoy themed drinks, festive music, delectable treats and eats, sufganiyot, and latkes
• Jan 12-14, 2024 - CYP Shabbat in NYC! - The CYP Shabbat Experience - Meet the People. Explore the Sites. Feel the Energy. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable Shabbat weekend alongside an all-star lineup and hundreds of young professionals from around the world. Register by Nov. 15 and save $200! Including accommodations, meals and local transportation with group  www.cypshabbat.nyc

Shabbos Parshas Toldos

Friday, November 17, 4 Kislev
Candle Lighting & Mincha 5:07 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, November 18, 5 Kislev
Chassidus at 9am in memory of Yonah David ben, יבלחט"א, Yaffa, ע"ה
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Seder Niggunim
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 6:02 pm
Living Torah

The Pfrenger family will (also) be sitting Shiva at Chabad of Uptown on Motzei Shabbos, Saturday night, Nov. 18, with visitation from 7:15-8:45 pm
A special Mishnayos Study session will be held in memory of Yonah David ben, יבלחט"א, Yaffa, ע"ה

Sunday, November 19, 6 Kislev
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Monday-Friday, Nov. 20-24, 7-11 Kislev
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!

These pictures of engaged Torah students are all from this week!

We are witnessing a movement. An awakening.

In Israel and abroad, Jews who have not felt strongly connected to Israel or the Jewish people are suddenly feeling pulled to do more (and more) mitzvot.

People who have not stepped foot in a synagogue in decades are now showing up for services. Torah classes are well attended. Thousands of pairs of tefillin have been donated. Tens of thousands of women worldwide are lighting Shabbat candles, many for the first time. People who just two weeks ago couldn’t see eye-to-eye religiously or politically are now hugging each other on the streets.

As I witness this outpouring, I honestly wonder, why? Why has atrocity caused this spiritual awakening? Why does suffering create such an expression of unity?

What we are witnessing right now is the Jewish soul screaming, G‑d, I want to connect with you.

The trivial things that were taking up so much of our energy have been crushed. The curtain has been pulled back, and the facade of our reality has crumbled, leaving our essence exposed.

So, I do an extra mitzvah, because G‑d, You are the only eternal truth. I connect with my fellow Jew, because no matter how much we quibble or disagree, we are one. I know this not because I have read or studied it, not because I can even express it in words, but because my soul intuitively understands.

Because right now, deep down, we feel—no, we know!—with certainty, that we are the People whom G‑d promised will succeed in transforming the evil and depravity of this world to usher in the greatest light, morality, and peace for all humanity.

With heartfelt prayers for the safety of the Jewish People and the immediate return of all the hostages,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S. Join Rabbi Chaim on Sunday at 11:30 am, Houston time, at the "Banquet" closing ceremony of the annual Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries streaming live at www.chabaduptown.org/kinus

Upcoming Events:

• 8 Mondays, 7:30 pm - Laws of Cooking / Bishul on Shabbos - Inaugural Class of HalachaU - HalachaU is a weekly class (for all adult ages) that studies Torah law in Depth, with an emphasis on modern application. Register here - www.chabaduptown.org/6123170
• 4 more Tuesdays, Nov. 14 - Dec 5th 2023 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - JLI: The World of Kabbalah - Course syllabus and to register click here.
• Thursday, Dec. 7, First Night of Chanukah, 6:30 pm - Post Oak Menorah Lighting
• Saturday,  Dec. 9, Third Night of Chanukah, 8:30 pm - YJP Houston Chanukah at the Chocolate Factory
• Jan 12-14, 2024 - CYP Shabbat in NYC! - The CYP Shabbat Experience - Meet the People. Explore the Sites. Feel the Energy. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable Shabbat weekend alongside an all-star lineup and hundreds of young professionals from around the world. Register by Nov. 15 and save $200! Including accommodations, meals and local transportation with group  www.cypshabbat.nyc

Shabbos Mevarchim Kislev Parshas Chayei Sarah

Friday, November 10, 26 Cheshvan
Candle Lighting & Mincha 5:11 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, November 11, 27 Cheshvan
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim 8:30 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 12, 28 Cheshvan
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Monday-Friday, Nov. 13-17, 29 Cheshvan-4 Kislev
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1 Kislev
Shacharis at 6:45 am followed by monthly breakfast

Good Shabbos!