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Updates

Thoughts, notes and happenings...

Chabad of Uptown and personal diary updates! Please comment on our posts, we would love to hear from you!

2020 too?

As 2021 comes to a close we are thankful for all of the amazing moments this year has brought. We look forward to 2022 and hope it doesnt become 2020 too. We have a full report for you below.

As you consider how to give your final donation dollars for the year, before Shabbos, would you consider supporting Chabad of Uptown? There are many options! www.chabaduptown.org/donate. You can also use cashapp, venmo or paypal: @chabaduptown. zelle: [email protected] Direct app links: http://paypal.me/chabaduptown, http://venmo.com/chabaduptown, http://cash.app/chabaduptown

We also accept stock and property donations. We also remind you to please have Chabad of Uptown in mind when you consider your legacy gifts in your will.

Wondering what you will be supporting? Here is a little glimpse of a recap. Click on the month name for a full report with links to photos, vids, news stories and more!

January

  • The opening of the brand new Bellaire Bagel Shop Bakery
  • Another packed saving lives schedule of a blood donor day!
  • Gathered on the plaza with YJP for a covid-safe, spiritually infused mixology class, with insight into the relevance of the "New Year for Trees".
  • Passing of Mimi Toubin (sister of Michael Pasternak), Ronnie Levy (friend of Maurice, Torah connection), Miriam Mizrahi (grandmother of Avi Sheleg)
  • Mazel tov to Oded and Maayan Bibas baby boy

February

  • Sold out crowd for the outdoors covid safe First Fridays
  • Chanie attends the virtual Kinus for the Chabad women leaders
  • Menucha & Bluma win in the kinus competition.
  • SNOVID 2021: Freezing power outage causes a warm overflowing of kindness from and for all.
  • Rabbi Chaim's Purim interview with Melissa Wilson of FOX26
  • YJPHouston Purim Magic Masked-querade is SOLD OUT! 
  • Record amount of covid safe megillah readings all night and day
  • Yocheved Schwarzman passing of her sister in law in Florida

March

  • We finally catch our breath reporting a Purim including 12 covid-safe megillah readings! 
  • Selling the chametz of the community and of the Israeli Consulate
  • Rabbi Chaim shows the seder plate on Fox 26
  • Passing of Dror Zadok's mother in Jerusalem

April

  • Covid safe packed Pesach seders and services
  • Education and Sharing Day is marked in Houston and Texas
  • As vaccinations become more widely available more and more community have been able to start coming to shul again.
  • Lag B'Omer on the Plaza with YJP enjoying good times, BBQ and smoked brisket.
  • Hard emotions to celebrate as more details of the horrible tragedy in Meron were filtering in
  • Engagement of Andres Van Dam and Michelle Banaim.
  • Shmuel & Hava Rottman have a baby girl

May

  • The Met@Chabad speeddating has record numbers of signups, with Houston top of the leaderlist
  • A call for mitzvos for our brethren in Israel
  • Reporting on an amazing Shavuos
  • Levi graduates TDS
  • Shabbos Social for 40+

June

  • Partner with Moishe House Gift of Life / The Jewish Value of Saving a Life
  • Online session of Mental Health First Aid
  • Tragedy is Surfside
  • Nathaniel and Rivka Assayag have a baby girl!
  • Passing of the husband of Maxine Epstein and our shamash Michael Pasternak, o.b.m.

July

  • Tisha B'Av observed
  • Tu B'Av White Party with Axe Throwing
  • Sofer comes for annual tefillin and mezuzos checking
  • Josh Young and Meira Rosenthal are engaged!

August

  • Completion and dedication of new Torah
  • The winds of Elul are starting to pick up speed

September

  • Storm Ida Fuel Relief to New Orleans
  • Beautiful Rosh Hashana, Shabbos of Return and Yom Kippur, including a full sefardic minyan throughout
  • Sold out and packed crowd for Sukkos holiday meals and parties with the community, Moishe House and JHype
  • The Brookdale senior home get a brand new sukkah and our annual Sukkos and lulav and esrog visit and shakes
  • Guy & Melissa Ohana have a baby girl, Amy Rivkah!
  • Yonatan and Noa Deutsch have a baby boy!

October

  • We hit the road with a new routine of full weeks of classes and a daily minyan! 
  • Rabbi Chaim attends the Kinus in person
  • Kids Mega challah bake
  • Passing of the father of Katie (Sokol) & Ben Razinovsky, Dr. Abraham Sokol.
  • Mazel tov to Ella Kamman on her bas mitzvah 
  • Colin and Alessandra Falk have a baby boy!
  • Vanessa and Chanan Wolf have a baby girl!

November

  • Successful crowd funding #bethematch campaign
  • Rabbi Chaim features Artisanal Latkes for Chanukah with Fox 26 Houston & Lina deFlorias!
  • Matt Minchen is engaged to Rachel Poulin of Dallas!

December

  • Reporting a packed Chanukah with events almost every night including the ccommunity Post Oak Book Trail and YJP Boat Party
  • Two beautiful events for the Hebrew speaking community, in partnership with the Chabad Israeli Center of Houston
  • Josh and Meira (Rosenthal) Young have a baby girl!
  • Debra (Gross) and Alex Hebner are married! 
  • Passing of the wife of Dr. Irving Gold, Toby Gold.
  • Passing of the father of Norman Lazarus, Bernhard Lazarus
  • IN THE FINAL HOURS OF 2021, BEFORE SHABBOS, YOU DONATE TO CHABAD TO PARTNER WITH YOUR COMMUNITY! 

These events are coming up!

Shabbos Mevarchim Shevat Parshas Va'eira

Friday, December 31, Teves 27
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 5:15 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:00 pm

Shabbos, January 1, Teves 28
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30 am
Services at 10 am
Mincha at 5:15 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:13 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, Jan. 2, Teves 29 - Shacharis at 8:00 am

Rosh Chodesh Shevat
Mon. Jan. 3, Shevat 1 - 
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Tues-Fri., Jan. 4-7, Shevat 2-5 - Shacharis at 6:45 am

Have a good Shabbos!


advance merit

These events are coming up!

 

 PARSHA: Advance Merit

G-d paid us forward, because He believed we would justify His belief in us. more…

 


 

 

Shabbos Parshas Shemos

 

Friday, December 24, Teves 20
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 5:11 pm
Torah Study
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner - www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, December 25, Teves 21
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
Mincha at 5:10 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:08 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, Dec. 26, Teves 22 - Shacharis at 8:00 am
Mon.-Fri., Dec. 27-31, Teves 23-27 - Shacharis at 6:45 am

Have a good Shabbos!

 

these photos speak Hebrew

This was a week of practicing our Hebrew! We hosted two beautiful events for the Hebrew speaking community, in partnership with the Chabad Israeli Center of Houston! Check out the pics here!

This week is Parshas Vayechi, when Yaakov Avinu clearly states his end of life wishes to his children. It is a week that each year we discuss the sensitive topic of end-of-life matters. It is sensitive, yet a very meaningful one. Learn how you can protect yourself, your family and all of us at www.shabbosvayechi.orgIn addition, while you consider your legacy, please consider leaving a gift to Chabad of Uptown.

Vayechi is also the final Parsha of Chumash Bereishis, when we announce Chazak Chazak V'nischazek with great energy when we come to the final verse. We wish each and every one of you that may you feel the Chazak, the strength, in your lives, physically, emotionally and spiritually!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

  • Friday, Jan. 7, 6 pm - YJP First Fridays Shabbat Dinner
  • Fri-Sun, Jan. 14-16 - YJP NYC Shabbat Experience Use promo code CYPENCOUNTER to save - www.cypshabbat.nyc

We wish a hearty Mazel tov to Ziv Mesilaty on his graduation from UH! 
We wish a hearty Mazel tov to Jessica Pfrenger on her graduation from Texas A&m! 

 

 

Parsha: Sworn to Success

Why was it so important for Jacob to be buried in the Holy Land immediately? more…

 


 

Shabbos Chazak Parshas Vayechi

 

Friday, December 17, Teves 13
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 5:07 pm
Torah Study
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner - www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, December 18, Teves 14
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:05 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, Dec. 19, Teves 15 - Shacharis at 8:00 am
Mon.-Fri., Dec. 20-24, Teves 16-20 - Shacharis at 6:45 am

Have a good Shabbos!

 


boat party pics are in!

The final days of Chanukah were lit! On Motzei Shabbos. Jewish young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s celebrate Chanukah in style, departing for South Shore Harbour Resort, Latke Bar, Drinks, Music & Sufganiyot, Havdalla and Menorah Lighting at Sea! Check out these pics of the boat party

Many thank yous to Solomon Berezin for his YJP Wednesday class this week on the Jewish benefits of being present and leading a session on meditation! The class was followed by an impromptu farbrengen marking the Chassidis holiday of Hey Teves. The gathering itself was inspiring enough that at midnight I (RC) booked a ticket to NY to visit the ohel for two hours and return home to be able to harness the energy and joy of this special day.

What is this all about? Tevet 5 is celebrated as a day of rejoicing in the Chabad-Lubavitch community. On this date in 1987, U.S. Federal Court issued a decision in favor of Agudas Chassidei Chabad regarding the ownership of the priceless library of the 6th Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn. The ruling was based on the idea that a Rebbe is not a private individual but a communal figure synonymous with the body of Chassidim. The Lubavitcher Rebbe (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak's son-in-law and successor) urged that the occasion be marked with time devoted to study from Torah books ("sefarim") as well as the acquisition of new Torah books. Links: Learn more about Hey Tevet. Watch: A Movement on TrialThe Rebbe's Library

Like many Jewish book stores, our local Jumbo Judaica has a sale of $10 off any book for your child and 20% off additional book purchases. The sale ends today at 3 pm.

We will have two great events next week for the Hebrew speaking community.

  • Sun. Dec. 12, 9:00 pm - HEBREW: Shiur with Harav Snir Gueta - www.chabaduptown.org/gueta
  • Mon. Dec. 13, 8:00 pm - HEBREW: Ladies Night Out with Chef Oshrit Abergel - RSVP required
  • Fri-Sun, Jan. 14-16 - YJP NYC Shabbat Experience/ Use promo code CYPENCOUNTER to save - www.cypshabbat.nyc

The extended Chabad family wish sincere condolences to Norman Lazarus and family on the passing of his father, Bernhard Lazarus. May his memory be for a blessing.

Shabbos Parshas Vayigash

Friday, December 10, Teves 6
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 5:05 pm
Torah Study
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner - www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, December 11, Teves 7
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:02 pm
Living Torah
 

Sunday, Dec. 12, Teves 8 - Shacharis at 8:00 am
Monday, Dec. 13, Teves 9 - Shacharis at 6:45 am

Fast of Asara B'Teves - Tuesday, Dec. 14, Teves 10
Fast Begins at 5:49 am
Shacharis at 6:45 am 
Mincha with Torah Reading at 4:55 pm
Maariv at 5:50 pm
Fast Ends at 5:51 pm

Wed.-Fri., Dec. 15-17, Teves 11-13 - Shacharis at 6:45 am

Have a good Shabbos!

imagine we had 10 nights of Chanukah?

This Shabbos Chanukah is unique in that three Torah scrolls are taken out and read from in the public Torah reading: one scroll for the weekly Parshah, a second scroll for the Rosh Chodesh reading, and a third scroll for the Chanukah reading. (The only other occasions on which three scrolls are taken out are Simchas Torah, and when Rosh Chodesh Adar or Rosh Chodesh Nissan fall on Shabbos).

Wow, what a Chanukah it has been! Packed with Chanukah cheer, yet we have three more nights of celebration to go!

  • Sunday: 120 revelers, young and old, enjoyed an evening of Chanukah literacy as they walked the 18-step Chanukah book trail, bringing the story of Chanukah to life. Consul General of Israel Hon. Livia Link-Raviv shared a message as part of the public menorah lighting program. The book trail will be featured during daylight hours throughout the rest of Chanukah in the secured front lawn of Chabad of Uptown throughout Chanukah. Check out the pics here and on FB here!
  • Monday: We lit the menorah with a short program for the staff and shoppers of HEB and then the kids participated in the Galleria menroah lighting
  • Tuesday: We joined Torah Day School for a family Chanukah show and dinner. T'was the cutest thing!
  • Wednesday: We joined a wedding in NJ
  • Thursday: We had our annual Lazaroff familly "Latke ovent", an evening of latkes and Chanukah gelt sharing. We then stopped in to wish a mazel tov to the Bellaire Bagel Shop, that has now celebrated their complete Jewish ownership and this will be the first Shabbos that they will be closed!
  • Tonight, Friday night: YJP Chanukah Shabbat - Dec. First Fridays - www.yjphouston.org/shabbatchanukah
  • Tomorrow, Sat.  night: YJP Chanukah Boat Party - www.yjphouston.org/boat
  • Sunday night: Hoops and Hanukkah! Tickets available exclusively at www.chabadoutreach.org/hoops

And, save the date for these events coming up!

We wish a mazel tov to Josh and Meira (Rosenthal) Young on the birth of a baby girl!

We wish a mazel tov to Debra (Gross) and Alex Hebner on their marriage this week!

The extended Chabad family wish sincere condolences to Dr. Iriving Gold and family on the passing of their wife, mother and grandmother, Toby Gold. May her memory be for a blessing.

Shabbos Chanukah Rosh Chodesh Teves Parshas Miketz

Friday, December 3, Kislev 29
Chanukah before Shabbos Candle Lighting at 5:04 pm
Be sure the Chanukah candles or oil has enough to burn until at least 5:49 pm

Mincha at 5:04 pm
Torah Study
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for YJP Chanukah Shabbat - Dec. First Fridays - www.yjphouston.org/shabbatchanukah
Sponsored in part by the Minchen family in honor of the engagement of Matt Minchen to Rachel Poulin of Dallas!

Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Teves I, December 4, Kislev 30
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Chanukah Rosh Chodesh Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by Moshe Melnik & Family marking the yartzeit and in memory of his father Sender ben Zalman Hakohen.
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Torah Study
Maariv
Start to say winter V'Sein Tal Umatar in the Amida
Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:01 pm
At home, Havdalla before Chanukah Candles
Living Torah
YJP Houston Chanukah Boat Party - Only a handful of tickets left! www.yjphouston.org/boat

Sunday Rosh Chodesh Teves II, Dec. 5, Teves 1 - Shacharis at 8:00 am
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast sponsored by the Melnik Family

Mon.-Fri., Dec. 6-10, Teves 2-6 - Shacharis at 6:45 am 

Have a Happy Chaukah, a good month and a good Shabbos!

 

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