Updates

Just a short reminder  of what it is happening over the next few days, the final Yom Tov days of Pesach.

Service times:

• Services and customs are similar to Shabbos.
• Evening services tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 pm.
• Morning services, Monday and Tuesday morning at 10 am (with Yizkor on Tuesday morning after the Torah reading).
• Tuesday evening at 6 pm followed by Moshiach Seudah.

Here are the highlights:

• Tonight, Sunday, we will have an all night study marathon beginning at 12 am. 
  About: It is customary to remain awake on the eve of the Seventh of Passover (i.e., tonight) and spend the entire night in Torah study and joyous celebration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea.
• Tuesday morning is Yizkor at approximately 12 pm. 
  About: Yizkor, the remembrance prayer for departed parents, is recited on Tuesday after the morning reading of the Torah. Links: The Yizkor Prayer; Honor Due to Parents; On Breavement and Mourning.
• Tuesday, at 6 pm will be Mincha, followed by Moshiah Seudah with four cups wine and matzah.
  About: The last day of Passover ("Acharon Shel Pesach") is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Haftarah (reading from the Prophets) for this day is from Isaiah 11, which describes the promised future era of universal peace and divine perfection. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of partaking of a "Moshiach's meal" on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the matzah eaten at "Moshiach's meal", the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the seder held on Passover's first days. Links: Haftarah for 8th of Passover; The Third Seder; Moshiach: an Anthology
• The complete Chabad of Uptown Pesach schedule can be found online at www.chabaduptown.org/Seder

Looking forward to seeing you!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Dear Friends,

We were overwhelmed with gratitude and the outpouring of well wishers on the occasion of the birth of our newborn daughter. We named her eight hours after she took her first breath at the firstborn siyum ceremony that was transformed into a baby naming with great fanfare. A nice crowd witnessed her naming of Bluma, after Chanie's paternal grandmother who passed away approximately 2 years ago. She was the daughter of the legendary Chabad Chassid, Rabbi Yankel Zuravitzer, and wife of R' Shimon Galperin. After emigrating from the Soviet Union in 1972, she lived in Nachlat Har Chabad, a neighborhood in Kiryat Malachi, in the south of Israel. May her memory be a blessing...

With gratitude to Hashem, we will celebrate Bluma Lazaroff's birth with a Shabbos kiddush, on Saturday, April 30 at 1 pm after morning services at 10 am. Please let us know if you intend to join us so we can plan accordingly.

As reality set in that Chanie was not going to be present for the last minute preparations and seder, Matt & Yael Trusch and Chanie's family who are now in town, pulled into high gear to prepare our full seders for 80 the first night and 50 the second night. A grand time was had by all in the end and it all came together!  On Tuesday  morning, with a slight Seder buzz, I trekked the 2 hour walk to St Lukes to find out that there was no way they would not let me climb the stairs to the 25th floor, because that maternity floor is on lockdown and it is too much trouble for them to turn it off. Thankfully, I figured out that Bluma was in Texas Children's and there is a good chance that Chanie was with her there too. Boruch Hashem I was right! Thankfully, it was also only four floors rather that 25! :)

That afternoon I headed back for another two hours to make it back just in time for the second seder…

All the kids said the Mah Nishtana wonderfully, four cups of wine and matzoh galore and a wonderful time was had by all.

This past week we began to count the omer and will do so every night until Shavuos. Count and learn about the omer and see the various reminder tools available at www.chabaduptown.org/omer

Please join us for these upcoming events for Young Professionals:

• Wednesday, May 4 Beyond Never Again - the life story of Holocaust survivor Lisa Struesand - On Facebook Here.
• Friday, May 13 Shabbat 100 under the stars - Dinner & Cocktails

Also, keep the holiday Lag B'omer on your charts (for all ages):

• Eve of Lag B'omer, Saturday, May 21 Lag bomer jamming night and BBQ.

This Shabbos Chol Hamoed Pesach we will continue with the Shul upstairs and the kiddush downstairs.

Friday, April 22 
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services 
- Before 7:35 pm Light Shabbos Candles (Blessings 1) 
                    Shabbat Dinner | Please RSVP 

Shabbos, April 23
- 9:00 am PrePrayer Kabbala Study
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit) 
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services 
- 8:17 pm Shabbat Ends

Passover Final Days Service Schedule

Sunday, April 24
- Before 7:36 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessing 2)
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- 12:00 am Late night Torah Study

Monday, April 25, 7th Day of Pesach 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- After 8:25 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessing 2)

Tuesday, April 26, Acharon Shel Pesach
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
           - 11:15 am Yizkor Memorial Service 
- 7:00 pm Mincha
- 7:30 pm Moshiach Seudah followed by Maariv Services (Click here for more)
- 8:32 pm Holiday Ends

IMPORTANT:
Wait one hour before eating chometz to allow the Rabbi to buy it back for you.

 With wishes for a wonderful and enjoyable rest of Pesach,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie 

• Today, the 11th day of Nissan,  my teacher and mentor, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born in 1902. Links: TheRebbe.org, A Timeline biography, 54 Years, 54 Ideas, Contemporary Chassidic Stories of the Rebbe, More on the Rebbe
  
  In honor of this date, the President Proclaimed Education and Sharing Day: The White House proclamation honors the 109th anniversary of the birth of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. more...
  
  To emphasize the vital role of education in society, the United States annually marks "Education and Sharing Day U.S.A." Established in 1978 by a joint Congressional resolution, Education Day U.S.A. focuses on the very foundation of meaningful education: instructing our youth in the ways of morality and ethics, and teaching them an appreciation for divine inviolable values. The Presidents designate annually Education and Sharing Day U.S.A. on the anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, who dedicated his life to the cause of education. Links: Education and Sharing Day U.S.A Homepage, A blueprint for meaningful education, The Rebbe's talks on the importance of education, A brief history , Yearly commemoration of "Education and Sharing Day U.S.A."
   
• Pesach is finally here! We were honored to host Rabbi Chaim's parents this past shabbos, and honored to have Chanie's parents and three of her siblings for this Shabbos and Pesach as well!
   
• Mendel started piano lessons last week and is very excited to put his first two lessons to work. He has borrowed a keyboard and is making fine progress.
   
• The Shabbat before Passover is termed Shabbat HaGadol ("The Great Shabbat") in commemoration of the "great miracle" that happened in Egypt on this day, heralding the Exodus from Egypt five days later (see "Today in Jewish Hstory"). Shabbat HaGadol customs include reading a portion of the Haggadah (from "Avadim hayinu..." to "...al kol avonotainu"), which tells the story of the Exodus; it is also customary that the rabbi of the community delivers a lecture in which he elaborates on the laws of Passover and their significance, in preparation for the festival.
   
• It is an ancient and widespread custom for the firstborn to fast on the day before Passover. This commemorates the miracle which spared the firstborn Jewish sons from the plague which struck down the firstborn sons of the Egyptians.
  This fast is treated leniently. Thus, if there is a festive meal held that is connected with a mitzvah, for example, the celebration of a circumcision or of a siyum (the completion of a tractate of the Talmud) the firstborn son participates in the meal rather than fasting.
  It is therefore customary to arrange for a siyum to take place in the synagogue after morning prayers on the fourteenth of Nissan, this year on Monday, April 18. The firstborn sons who are present participate in this festive meal and, having broken their fast, may continue to eat for the rest of the day.
  Rabbi Chaim will complete an entire tractate of Talmud so you won't have to fast! (No, he will not teach the whole book then! He has learned it all already! He will just finish the last few lines there!
  So don't fret! Come start your day off with a mitzvah! :)
  For more info on this custom and even more and details click here: www.chabaduptown.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1678/jewish/The-Fast-of-the-First-Born.htm
   
• We are getting ready and gearing up for dual double wamo Uptown and in depth style Seders
  Pesach is always our favorite time of year with quality time spent with family and friends. But, unfortunately there are many that do not have family or funds to make their Pesach enjoyable. Our sages teach that before Pesach it is imperative on every community to ensure that all have their Pesach needs met. We were especially moved by outpouring of voluntary contributions for needy families by many of you. It is testament to the special dynamic of our warm and caring community. Feel free to join as well by visiting www.chabaduptown.org/donate and write "Maos Chitim" in the comments field.
   
• Besides for the Seders, there is also a special prayer that is said on the first day of Pesach (Tuesday), during the morning services. The month of Nissan marks the ends of the "season of rains" in the Holy Land. Beginning with the Mussaf prayer of the 1st day of Passover, we omit the passage in our prayers praising G-d's greatness as a provider of rain (Mashiv haruach umorid hageshem), substituting it with the words Morid hatal ("Who brings down dew").

Shabbos Hagadol Parshas Acharei 
Friday April  14
Services and candle lighting at 7:30 pm
    RSVP for dinner

Shabbos, April 15
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 9:00 am
Services at 10:00 am
    Special Shabbos Hagadol Torah Reading and Sermon
    Followed by a special kiddush and farbrengen
Mincha at 7:30 pm
 Reading of a portion of the Haggadah (from "Avadim hayinu..." to "...al kol avonotainu").
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos Ends at 8:25 pm
Living Toah

Complete Pesach and Candle Lighting Schedule
(why not print and post to your refrigerator?)
Chometz Removal
(see Chametz Wizard, laws or Pesach A-Z)
 

Sunday, April 17
- Sell Your Chometz, now! Do not wait for the last minute!
Click here to sell online. 
- After 8:19 pm Formal Search for Chometz 
Monday, April 18 (see laws or Pesach A-Z) 
- 5:38 am Firstborn Fast Begins  
- 6:45-7:30 am Teffilin wrap & Siyum ceremony for firstborns (or parents of firstborns under 13)
- Before 11:11 am Finish eating Chametz 
- Before 12:16 pm Finish burning Chametz
 

Passover I & II Services & Candle Lighting
(see The Seder, laws or Pesach A-Z)

Monday, April 18
- Before 7:32 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessings 2 & 4)
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services  
- 8:30 pm Communal Seders (Choice of Uptown Style - FULL   or In Depth  Seders)
                Last year's seder sold out two weeks before, please RSVP by April 8!
Tuesday, April 19 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services (Begin to Count Omer)
- After 8:28 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessings 2 & 4)
- 8:30 pm Second Communal Seders Choice of Uptown Syle  or In Depth  Seders 
                Last year's seder sold out two weeks before, please RSVP by April 8!
Wednesday, April 20 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)  
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- 8:28 pm Yom Tov Ends 
 

Intermediate Days Service Schedule

April 21-24 Intermediate days - No Teffilin Required

Friday, April 22 
- Before 7:35 pm Light Shabbos Candles (Blessings 1)
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services 
                    Shabbat Dinner | Please RSVP 

Shabbos, April 23
- 9:00 am PrePrayer Kabbala Study
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit) 
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services 
- 8:17 pm Shabbat Ends
 

Passover Final Days Service Schedule

Sunday, April 24
- Before 7:36 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessing 2)
- 7:35 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- 12:00 am Late night Torah Study

Monday, April 25, 7th Day of Pesach 
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 7:30 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- After 8:25 pm Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessing 2)

Tuesday, April 26, Acharon Shel Pesach
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
           - 11:15 am Yizkor Memorial Service 
- 7:00 pm Mincha
- 7:30 pm Moshiach Seudah followed by Maariv Services (Click here for more)
- 8:32 pm Holiday Ends

IMPORTANT:
Wait one hour before eating chometz to allow the Rabbi to buy it back for you.

Pesach Site | Schedule| Sell Chametz| Matzah| Seder| Moshiach Seudah | Store

 We look forward to seeing you at any or all of the many services!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Good news / bad news: Our first uptown style Seder is all sold out!!! We will only be taking reservations for the other Seders until tomorrow, Friday April 8, so please make sure you or our friends reserve before then. Our complete Pesach schedule and links to reserve for the seder that still have room are at www.chabaduptown.org/seder.

The downstairs shul, classroom and kitchen is already cleaned for Pesach and in use!! Are you ready for Pesach? Everything you can possibly need can be found on our website at www.chabaduptown.org/pesach. One thing that is very important to do NOW is to sell your chametz at www.chabadhouston.com/chametz

Chabad of Uptown was featured in aa internationally syndicated article "Excitement Builds Worldwide in Advance of Passover". See it posted here.

Save the dates for these upcoming events for Young Professionals:

• Wednesday, May 4 Beyond Never Again - the life story of Holocaust survivor Lisa Struesand
• Friday, May 13 Shabbat 100 under the stars - Dinner & Cocktails

Also, keep the holiday Lag B'omer on your charts (for all ages):

• Eve of Lag B'omer, Saturday, May 21 Lag bomer jamming night and BBQ.

Beginning this past Tuesday, Nissan 1, and continuing through Nissan 13, we recite the verses (from Numbers ch. 7) describing the offerings made by the "princes" (nesi'im) of the 12 tribes of Israel (see "Mishkan inaugurated"). Following the verses of the day's "Nasi," we recite a short prayer in which we say, "...if I, Your servant, am from the tribe of ___ whose section of the Nasi I have read today in Your Torah, may all the holy sparks and holy illuminations that are included within the holiness of this tribe shine upon me, to grant me understanding and intelligence in Your Torah and my awe of You, to do Your will all the days of my life...." More on this and the text of each day's Nasi can be found in Hebrew and English on our website.

We are honored to host Rabbi Chaim's parents this Shabbos, Rabbi Shimon & Chiena Lazaroff. Please join us!

Shabbos Parshas Metzorah

Friday, April 8
Services at 7:30 
    Light candles at 7:26 pm | RSVP for dinner! www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner 

 Shabbos, April 9
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 8:30 am
Services at 10:00 am
    Followed by Kiddush with the best cholent this side of _______________.
Mincha at 7:30 pm
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos Ends at 8:21 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, April 10
BLT = Bagel, Lox & Tefillin 9:30 am

See y'all on Shabbos, ya hear!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie 

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