Updates

The Seders are now behind us, but Pesach does not end with the Seders. After the first two days of the holiday, there are four “intermediate” days called Chol Hamoed, followed by two more days of holiday, with the seventh day of Pesach, commemorating the day that the Jewish people miraculously crossed the Red Sea, a week after escaping Egypt.

The final day of Pesach celebrates the future redemption with the coming of Moshiach. To highlight this, Chabad families and communities host a special “Moshiach’s Meal” in the final hours of the day, where we eat matzah, drink four more cups of wine, and pray that indeed this be the last time we celebrate the holiday in exile. Please let us know if you will be joining us for the Moshiach Seudah.

We pray that the declaration at the end of the Seder be more than just words, but that next year — and even sooner — we will actually be in Jerusalem with Moshiach!

Good Shabbos and Good Yom Tov!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S. This Tuesday is Yizkor and Moshiach Seudah. You can find the complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule below and at www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Tuesday, April 30, 11:30 am - Yizkor Memorial Service
• Tuesday, April 30 6:00 pm - Moshiach Seudah - On the eighth and final day of Pesach, let's close out the holiday together with a special farewell meal, called the Moshiach Seudah. Enjoy wine and matzah, discuss words of Torah and inspirational stories, sing Chassidic melodies, and find out why this day has a special energy related to the coming of Moshiach. www.chabaduptown.org/3967478
• Friday, May 3, 7:30 pm - Taco 'Bout Shabbat - May First Fridays - Join Young Jewish Professionals for a Taco Shabbat Dinner at YJP Houston – where spirits run high! 7:30pm – Friday Night Services, 7:42pm – Candle Lighting, 8:30pm – Shabbat Dinner, RSVP $18 until Thursday, $25 after Use promo code: advance www.yjphouston.org/tacos
• Saturday, May 25, 9:30 pm - YJP Lag B'omer BBQ

NEW COURSES & NEW ONGOING TORAH CLASSES

• Thursdays, 8 pm (begins May 2) - The Heart of the Prayer Book - In depth look at the prayer book, picking apart the prayer structure and meaning exploring the mechanics and mysticism that comprise Jewish prayer.
• Wednesdays, 11 am (begins May 8) - The Tanya - Study the basic book of Chabad philosophy and a classic in terms of applied “intellectual Kabalah”. Its stated aim is to show a path to realizing one's purpose and developing a deeper relationship with G‑d. Attain insights into yourself and the world around you with these fundamental teachings of Kabbalah, exploring and solving the dilemmas of the human soul. 
• 4 Wednesdays, May 8, 22, 29, June 5 - CYP Academy: Beyond Rituals - It's not what you know, it's what you do - Reveal the soul of Jewish ritual life and how to make each mitzvah personal, and a way to connect to something beyond ourselves. www.yjphouston.org/beyond
• 4 Tuesdays, May 21-June 11, 7:30 pm - JLI: Decisions of Fate - Explore the guiding Jewish values that help inform choices on common medical questions. This course will equip students with the tools to chart a path through four areas of medical ethics: experimental treatments, extending life, pregnancy questions, and caring for a body. Gain an enriching perspective on how the Jewish ethical tradition helps us confidently navigate fateful decisions. Course Syllabus and Registration
• Tuesday, May 28, 12 pm - What Really Happened at Sinai - Monthly Lunch & Learn, this month in preparation for Shavuot.  At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opportunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP

SHABBOS CHOL HAMOED PESACH
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 18 NISSAN | PESACH DAY 4
Evening Service 7:30 pm
Shabbos Candle Lighting 7:38 pm
Omer Count, At Night 4     
Shabbat Dinner - RSVP www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
      
SHABBOS, APRIL 27,19 NISSAN | PESACH DAY 5
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Morning Service 10:00 am
Lunch Kiddush After Service     
Evening Service 7:35 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends 8:34 pm
Omer Count, At Night 5     
Living Torah Video     
      
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 20 NISSAN | PESACH DAY 6
Morning Service 8:00 am

FINAL DAYS OF PESACH YOM TOV
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 20 NISSAN | PESACH EVE 7
Candle Lighting  7:39 pm
Evening Service  7:40 pm
Omer Count, At Night 6     
Holiday Dinner - RSVP     
 
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 21 NISSAN | PESACH DAY 7
Late Night Torah Study (AKA Sun. night) 12:00 am
Morning Service 10:00 am
Lunch Kiddush After Service     
Evening Service 7:40 pm
Omer Count, at night 7     
Light Candles AFTER 8:36 pm
 
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 22 NISSAN | PESACH DAY 8
Morning Service 10:00 am
Yizkor Memorial Service11:30 am
Mincha Service  5:30 pm
Moshiach Meal 6:00 pm
Evening Service 8:36 pm
Omer Count, at night 8     
Havdalla & Holiday Ends 8:36 pm

WED.-FRI., MAY 1-3, 23-26 NISSAN
Morning Service 6:45 am

Good Shabbos and Good Yom Tov!

Don't forget to sell your chametz! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz

Do you have hand made Shmurah Matzah for your seder table? If not, we have one for you! Please reply to this email to let us know when you would like to pick it up (while supplies last...)

Today is the Rebbe's birthday, 11 Nissan. Every year on the Rebbe’s birthday, Chabad youngsters celebrate the milestone by fanning out around large cities worldwide to meet other Jews in the streets. They offer the men a chance to put on tefillin, Shabbat candles for the women, and everyone gets a package of handmade shmurah matzah for their Seders.

The Rebbe lived to serve the Jewish people, and these activities on his birthday are exactly the kinds of gifts he would want. Of course, this is not limited to the Rebbe’s birthday; it is something that Chabad boys and girls often do, but the 11th of Nissan is the highlight of our relationship with the Rebbe—the Rebbe’s personal day—and what better way to observe it than by doing what the Rebbe loved?

Nearly 30 years after his passing, we still celebrate the Rebbe’s birthday, and his inspiration is why Rabbi Chaim went to NY for a visit to the Ohel last night (yes, he's back), and our family live here and why our home is open to every Jew. It’s what drives us to deliver shmurah matzah to as many people as possible, to encourage people to do just one more mitzvah, and to represent the Rebbe in our part of the world. We live for making the Rebbe proud.

All the activities of our Chabad House, as well as every Chabad outpost around the world, are our birthday present to the Rebbe. And if you are involved with Chabad, or make an effort to reach out to other Jews, you are also part of this gift.

Happy birthday, Rebbe! L’chaim!

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Education and Sharing Day USA - 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."

SHABBAT HAGADOL - On the Shabbat before the Exodus--Nissan 10th on that 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 Shabbat before Passover, which is therefore called Shabbat 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 here! April 22-30! Check out the info on our Pesach website!
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/pesach2024

• 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

Shabbos Hagadol Parshas Metzora
Friday, April 19, 11 Nissan
7:30 pm Mincha & Kabbolas Shabbos
7:34 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
8:30 pm RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos Hagadol, April 20, 12 Nissan
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis Services
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen 
1:54 pm Mincha
Customary prep reading of portion of Haggadah
8:29 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends

Chametz Riddance, Sunday, April 21, 13 Nissan
8:00 am Shacharis Services
Check for Chametz at 8:18 pm

MONDAY, APRIL 22 | EREV PESACH
Fast of Firstborns Begins 5:28 am
Shacharis 6:45 am
Siyum for Fast of Firstborns 7:45 am
Finish Eating Chametz by 11:08 am
Burn Chometz by 12:14 pm
Evening Service    7:30 pm
Candle Lighting    7:36 pm
First Uptown Seder - FULL - contact us for waitlist
 
TUESDAY, APRIL 23 | DAY 1
Chassidus 9:00 am
Morning Service 10:00 am
Prayer for Dew  
Lunch Kiddush After Service
Evening Service 7:30 pm
Light Candles AFTER 8:31 pm
Count the Omer, Night 1     
Second Uptown Seder - RSVP     
 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 | DAY 2
Chassidus 9:00 am
Morning Service 10:00 am
Lunch Kiddush After Service
Evening Service 7:30 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Holiday Ends 8:32 pm
Omer Count, At Night 2
 
THURSDAY, APRIL 25 | DAY 3
Morning Service 8 am
Omer Count, At Night 3     
 
FRIDAY, APRIL 26 | DAY 4
Morning Service 8 am

Good Shabbos!

Don't forget to sell your chametz! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz

Do you have hand made Shmurah Matzah for your seder table? If not, we have one for you! Please reply to this email to let us know when you would like to pick it up (while supplies last...)

The month of Nissan started this week. It is the month of Pesach, when we celebrate our ancestors’ exodus from Egypt. But although the Exodus occurred more than 3,300 years ago, our sages remind us that in every generation, and indeed every single day, a Jew must view himself as having left Egypt too.

We all deal with our own Egypts — the various inhibitions that restrain us from being who we should be — and when we break free that is as great as the original Exodus.

Moreover, the name of the month itself implies that we can still experience a miraculous exodus even today. The word “Nissan” shares a root with the word “nes” – meaning, “miracle.” So not only can we break free from our inhibitions, we can do so in the most miraculous way possible, just like our ancestors did, and just as the Jewish people have done throughout history.

Our existence is miraculous in the first place, so it isn’t out of the question for us to demand that we continue seeing miracles. So as this month of miracles is now upon us, we turn to G-d and demand that He show us revealed miracles: may the Israeli hostages be freed, may the IDF succeed in its mission of protecting the Land of Israel, and may we finally experience the ultimate miracle – the coming of Moshiach!

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Pesach is coming, April 22-30! 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/pesach2024

• 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

JHV - Thu, Apr 11, 2024 Young Jewish Professionals gather for weekend of solidarity and inspiration - On Friday afternoon, March 29, the main hall of YJP Houston was beautifully set for a crowd of 150 from Houston, all over Texas and beyond. This was the beginning of CYP (Chabad Young Professionals) Encounter Houston Shabbaton, and the Friday night meal launched an exceptionally busy weekend. Participants enjoyed singing classic melodies together and meeting like-minded individuals from other cities. The young professionals were united by a shared heritage and seeking community spirit in troubling times for the Jewish people. More

Mazel tov to Daniel & Amanda Timianko on the birth of a baby boy!

Shabbos Parshas Tazria
Friday, April 13, 4 Nissan
7:29 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Mincha & Kabbolas Shabbos
8:30 pm RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, April 13, 5 Nissan
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis Services
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen 
1:55 pm Mincha
3:30 pm Community 3.1 mile walk to Baby Boy Timianko Bris
8:24 pm Havdalla and Shabbos ends

Sunday, April 14, 6 Nissan
8:00 am Shacharis Services

Monday-Friday, April 15-19, 7-11 Nissan
6:45 am Shacharis

Good Shabbos!

This week’s Torah reading contains a special section pertaining to the upcoming holiday of Pesach. In addition to the regular weekly reading, we read about the first Pesach the Jewish people observed while still in Egypt, when they were commanded to prepare a sheep for the first “Seder” in history.

Before they were able to observe Pesach, and before they even knew when the holiday would be, they first had to create a system for determining the dates of the Jewish calendar. In fact, this was the first mitzvah the Jews were given as a nation – to establish a Jewish calendar based on the monthly lunar cycle.

Every month, the High Court in Jerusalem would hear testimony from witnesses who saw the new moon, at which point the court would then establish that day as Rosh Chodesh – the beginning of the new month.

Today, in the absence of a High Court in Jerusalem, we follow a perpetual calendar that was set some 2,000 years ago. But even the calendar we use today still uses the same guidelines as our ancestors’ calendar did, following the lunar calendar and ensuring that all holidays occur at their appropriate times.

The reason the mitzvah to establish a calendar was chosen as the first of all 613 mitzvahs to be given to the Jewish people, is to remind us that mitzvahs are human activities. The only way to perform a mitzvah is by physically engaging with it, and only then does it have spiritual ramifications. We can’t meditate on a mitzvah, we need to actually do it.

So with the calendar, G-d shows us how even the most spiritual activities of the Jewish people, such as observing the festivals set forth in the Torah, depend on human involvement. The new months must be determined by a human court, and so too all of our mitzvahs must be as practical and down-to-earth as possible.

With prayers for the coming of Moshiach and the reestablishment of the High Court, when we will once again observe the mitzvah of determining the Jewish calendar in the most optimal fashion.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

CHABAD REPORT: Last Shabbos Young Jewish Professionals from across Texas and beyond gathered at Chabad of Uptown in Houston for a weekend of solidarity and inspiration. A happy hour kicked off a packed weekend at the Texas Encounter Shabbaton, where participants got to know each other and bring in the Shabbos with an inspirationally lead candle lighting ceremony. Shabbos was filled with spirited dinners, classes and workshops with scholars in-residence and guest speakers. As part of the inspirational weekend of the Texas Encounter Shabbaton, young Jewish professionals gave back to the community with volunteering at the world renowned Aishel House to cook and work in the garden in support of patients and families staying at the many hospitals of the world famous Texas Medical Center. Participants also volunteered with FCYA (Friendship Circle Young Adults) to prepare fresh sandwich lunch boxes and deliver to the homeless. Check out the photos here!

Pesach is coming, April 22-30! 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/pesach2024

• 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

Shabbos Hachodesh, Mevarchim Nissan, Parshas Shemini
Friday, April 5, 26 Adar II
7:25 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Mincha & Kabbolas Shabbos
8:30 pm RSVP for Brisket Shabbat Dinner - April First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/brisket

Shabbos, April 6, 27 Adar II
8:30 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
10:00 am Shacharis Services
Followed by Shabbos Mevarchim Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen 
7:25 pm Mincha
Torah Study
8:20 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends

Sunday, April 7, 28 Adar II
9:00 am Shacharis Services

Monday-Friday, April 8-12, 29 Adar II-4 Nissan
6:45 am Shacharis

Tuesday, April 9, Rosh Chodesh Nissan
6:45 am Rosh Chodesh Shacharis  
followed by monthly breakfast sponsored by the Melnik family

Good Shabbos!