Thoughts, notes and happenings...

Lag baomer Roundup, Shavuot and other stuff

Thursday, May 26, 2011 - 11:33 PM

Dear Friends,

LAG BOMER: This past Saturday night, on Lag Bomer, Chabad of Uptown celebrated a special Jamming night and BBQ evening together with song and great spirit. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who help setup, cook and cleanup! Chanan, Tanya, Rivital, Ron, Ady, Moshe, Ariel and Illana were great helping set up and clean up! On the menu? Roasted marshmallows, hot dogs, hamburgers, warm apple crumble and ice cream bar with all the toppings enjoyed by all. A special thank you to Rabbi Danny Gavin who led the musical havdalah and jamming night (and mazel tov on the recent birth of his son)!

ISRAEL: In light of the recent back anf forth between Israel and America on the delicate situation in the Middle East, this past Monday Rabbi Chaim was interviewed on the morning show with Lana and JP on 740 KTRH. Click hear to listen.

POLICE: Chabad.org/news ran an internationally syndicated "Talk of the Planet" on the Day of Prayer Rabbi Chaim lead at the HPD headquarters. Story here.

PARSHA thought: It is customary that on the Shabbat before a wedding, the bridegroom is called to the Torah. Shavuot, the festival which coincides with the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, represents the marriage of G-d and Israel; this is why the Torah portion of Bamidbar ("in the desert") is usually read on the Shabbat (or like this year, two Shabbats) before Shavuot. More on the parsha at www.ChabadUptown.org/Parsha

SHAVUOT this year is Tuesday-Thursday, June 6-8. Join us for All night Torah Study on Tuesday evening at midnight, 10 Commandments and Dairy Luncheon & Ice Cream Party at 11:30 am on Wednesday and Yizkor on Thursday. For the complete program, candle lighting and service schedule click here. Join 10 Commandments Ice Cream Party on Facebook here.

THIS SHABBOS is Shabbos Mevarchim Sivan, a special Shabbos that will include the recitation of the entire Tehillim and a special Kiddush & Farbrengen following davenning.

BLT: Please join us on this (and now, every) Sunday morning at 9:30 am for BLT! Bagels, Lox and Tefillin! What a great way to start a new week!

Join us!

Parshas Bamidbar Shabbos Mevarchim Sivan

Friday, May 27
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:57 pm | RSVP for dinner

Shabbos, May 28
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30 am
Services at 10:00 am
Followed by Kiddush & Farbrengen with best cholent this side of the expanded Mississippi!
Mincha at 8:00 pm
Ethics of our Fathers Chapter 5
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos Ends at 8:55 pm
Living Torah

See you on Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Houston Rabbi Offers Prayer During National Police Week

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 12:15 PM

Report from Chabad.org/news
By Tamar Runyan

Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff offered a prayer on behalf of the Houston Police Department as part of National Police Week events in the southeastern Texas city.

Speaking in front of the department’s downtown headquarters, Lazaroff, program director of Chabad of Houston, noted that the Torah provides for appointing officers to not just enforce the law, but to keep the peace as well.

His prayer included words for Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Police Chief Charles McClelland and all of those under his command. The rabbi, who also serves as program director for the Chabad-Lubavitch regional headquarters in Houston, also recalled the sacrifices of those who fell in the line of duty.

Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff Interview with Lana & JP on 740 KTRH

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - 4:12 PM

HPD Day of Prayer, Chazak & Lag B'omer

Thursday, May 19, 2011 - 11:36 PM

Dear Friends,

Close to 80 young professionals joined together with friends and to make new friends at last week's Shabbat Dinner under the stars! It was a great evening, only ending at 2 am!

This week, the Houston Police Department has hosted various events as part of Police week, honoring and remembering those who risk and at times unfortunately have given their lives in the call of duty. Yesterday, I was honored to represent the Jewish faith with some thoughts and prayers at the Police Week Day of Prayer downtown, at the Police Headquarters. While there, I shared an intimate moment with Alpos, a K9 for the department... :). Click here for some photos - more to be added from public affairs when received...

This Saturday night, please join us for an event for all ages, the Lag B'omer Jamming night. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Sponsor for $180....All you can eat and drink BBQ! Join the event on Facebook....

Sunday, there will be a citywide Houston Lag B'omer Unity Parade and Celebration. The parade will leave at 2 pm from the JCC via bayou (Police Escort) to Seven Acres where there will be a concert, rally, games, program and raffle. More information at www.LagBaOmerInHouston.com.

This week we will complete the book of Vayikra with great fanfare as we proclaim "Chazak" when we conclude the parsha of Bechukosai. In it we read, "He shall not exchange it nor substitute another for it" (27:33). The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught, that every person was born to a mission in life that is distinctly, uniquely and exclusively their own. No one--not even the greatest of souls--can take his or her place. No person who ever lived or who ever will live can fulfill that particular aspect of G-d's purpose in creation in his stead.

Make it happen! More Parsha thoughts at www.chabaduptown.org/parsha

Shabbos Parshas Bechukosai
Friday, May 20
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:52 pm | Shabbos Dinner - www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos May 21
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 9 am
Services at 10 am - Chazak completion of Vayikra
Followed by sumptuous kiddush
Mincha at 7:55 pm
Ethics of our Fathers Chapter 4
Maariv and Shabbos Ends at 8:50
Havdalla followed by Jamming Night, Fire & BBQ at 9:30 pm

See you Shabbos and Lag B'omer!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Condolences & Funeral Info - Kasoff / Silverman

Friday, May 13, 2011 - 3:06 PM

The Chabad of Uptown community extends its condolences to the Silverman and Kasoff families on the passing of Betty (Basha Feigel) Silverman z"l. Wife, mother and grandmother for many long years of the Silverman and Kasoff Families

The funeral will be held at Emanu El Memorial Park on Sunday, May 15 at 12:45 pm May we share only Simchas.

Hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar aveilei tzion v'yerushalayim

Post your condolences below by clicking on "Post a Comment" below.

Make a donation in her honor >

City of Houston likes Chabad of Uptown...

Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 11:37 PM

Are you great? Our Parsha says that "You shall not defraud one another" (25:14). Rabbi Bunim of Peshischah taught that legally, it is only forbidden to defraud one's fellow. But a Chassid must go beyond the letter of the law, and take care not to delude himself, either... More thoughts at www.chabaduptown.org/parshah

We look forward to an amazing evening at the Shabbat Under the Stars for Young Professionals! It is not too late to join! RSVP at www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner! Hay, you can also pick up one of those Uptown lids! (See youtube :))

Mazel tov!! At a hearing today before the City of Houston Planning Commission, it was voted unanimously to change 4311 Bettis Drive to a new name; now hearing cropped.jpg replatted and known as the Chabad of Uptown Subdivision! This is the first step towards our goal to build the sanctuary, meeting hall and parking necessary for our ever expanding programming! One small challenge is to raise the funds necessary... :). They like us, why don't you LIKE Chabad of Uptown at www.facebook.com/youngchabad!

Saturday night, March 21 will be our now annual Lag B'omer jamming night. Bring your instruments, eat great BBQ, dance around the fire, hang out and meet new friends and have a great time! Click here for info.

The community wide lag B'omer parade and celebration will be held on Sunday afternoon leaving from the JCC and concluding at seven acres. Click here fore more info.

Chabad at Texas is making a raffle (www.agraffle.com) that will go to fund events at Texas A&M sponsored by Chabad at Texas A&M. Grand prize of $10,000, Second prize of $1,000, Third prize of $500. Tickets are only $36 each! Purchase 5 tickets enter a separate raffle for an iPad 2! 10 tickets, enter an additional raffle for a free trip for two around the world! Purchase tickets at www.agraffle.com. To learn more about Chabad at A&M, visit: www.JewishAggies.com

Shabbos Parshas Behar
Friday, May 12
Services at 7:30 pm
Light candles at 7:48 pm | Shabbat Dinner Under the Stars for Young Professionals

Shabbos, May 13
Pre prayer Kabbala Study 9 am
Services at 10 am
This week's kiddush is sponsored by Ben Shamoolian in memory and on the occasion of his grandfather's upcoming yartzeit, Rabbi Yehudah ben Shmuel. May his memory be for a blessing.
Mincha at 7:50 pm
Pirkei Avos Chapter 3
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:45 pm
Living Torah

See ya on Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

OK to celebrate Bin Laden death? | Shabbat 100 under the stars!

Thursday, May 5, 2011 - 11:48 PM

This past week billions have been glued to their TV sets, newspapers, internet, blogs, Facebook and Twitter. They've been gathering, sharing, debating and advising on any scrap of information and method of the daring raid and killing of Osama Bin Laden in his compound in close proximity to many of Pakistan's military forces.

On that same day in history, 28th day of Nissan / May 2, Jericho's wall collapsed before Joshua, Hitler was announced dead, The Rebbe calls out "I have done all I can... do all you can to bring Moshiach" and Osama was announced dead. I heard that Osama's death will be confirmed with the issuance of a death certificate in approximately 3.5 years. Come to think of it, killing Osama was the right decision. Too bad we didn't do it when we had the chance in 1996.

Hamas, (who has recently united with Fatah not for a common goal but for a common enemy), condemned the attack. (In light of that, I tweeted @youngchabad, "Hamas condemns killing Holy Warrior #OBL, yet, praises slaying of infants and school children. This is the PA to talk to?!"). Americans gathered in front of the White House and Times Square to celebrate. While the rest of the world debated whether the raid's execution (pardon the pun) and Bin Laden's "burial at sea" was justified, smart, correct or something to celebrate.

Many have Facebooked, Tweeted and asked me in person my opinion and thoughts on the events and feeling of celebration.

As a colleague of mine expressed: Your celebrating and your feeling a little guilty? You must be Jewish!

This conundrum is not a new one. Ironically, I spoke about this concept on the final days of Pesach. When Moshe parted the sea, the Jews crossed on dry land and the Egyptians drowned. The Talmud teaches us, that the angels in heaven wanted to sing praises to the Almighty. G-d rebuked them: My creatures, the work of My hands, are drowning in the sea and you will sing a song?! Yet, we see that a beautiful song was sung and written by the Jewish people that has become part of our daily liturgy, known as the Az Yashir. But, we do not see rebuke for our song?

The answer is, because the Angels live in a perfect world. A world where no evil pervades. We hope to live in that world as well. The timing is key - we will reach that perfection with the coming of Moshiach. We aspire and hope for that time, in prayer every day.

Meanwhile, however, we live in this world - a world that we must call evil out for what it is and stop it in its tracks. With the efforts of working all we can, to triumph good over evil, we will bring about this time of spiritual and physical utopia. But, our work is not over. Purim is celebrated when the war was won, months after Haman and his ten sons were killed. May Moshiach herald this perfect world, NOW!

In that vein, last night, over 60 of our weekly young professionals Wednesday's group gathered at one of their homes to hear the life story of Holocaust survivor Riki Roussos where she shared of the horrors of the Nazis and spoke of evil for what it is. She successfully encouraged all to leave inspired to be recommitted to their Judaism and the Land of Israel. Photos posted here.
Next Shabbos, the group of singles and couples will gather once more for a first Shabbat 100 under the stars dinner and cocktails! Intended for young professionals in their 20s and 30s, we hope you can join us or pass along the message to the appropriate friends and family! It is $18 now, but, will be $25 later! See the website and facebook for more details.
Sat. night, May 21, Lag b'omer will be a jamming night and bbq for all ages, beginning at 9:30 pm. See website and facebook for more details.
Our weekly classes are still ongoing, please join us for some Tanya! Wednesday nights, 8:30 pm for young professionals, Thursdays for all ages at noon lunch hour and in the evening at 8pm.

We thank all of you for all of your well wishes on the occasion of Bluma's birth and to all of you who came out to celebrate with us at the kiddush last week.

A huge mazel tov to Ilan and Julliette upon the birth of a baby girl making our Kohen Moshe Melnik a first time grandfather! The baby will be named, b'ezras Hashem on Shabbos during the Torah reading.

So please join us for another wonderful Shabbos in Uptown!

Shabbos, Parshas Emor

Friday, May 6
Services at 7:30 pm | RSVP for dinner at www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Candle lighting at 7:40 pm

Shabbos, May 7
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 9 am
Services at 10 am
followed by kiddush
Mincha at 7:45 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 2
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:40 pm
Living Torah

See you on Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S. A lot of the above ideas are collected from my thoughts posted and tweeted over the past week. Like it? Follow me at www.facebook.com/rabbichaim and www.twitter.com/youngchabad.