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

Shavuot - RSVP required

Hey!

We  have been hard at work trying to provide a meaningful Shavuos for our community of young professionals, community, adults and children. We can only figure this out, with your help!

  • Shavuos start this Thursday night. Ten commandments are read Friday morning. We will read it at 11:20 am. Full schedule below. By filling out this form it will allow us to be able to provide a positive Ten Commandments & Shavuos experience for all. Limited space available. PLEASE fill out this form so we can plan accordingly. https://forms.gle/NjnHXBy596xxaz1r6

As we want the Ten Commandments Torah reading to be a positive experience for the children, we are limiting the program to less than 20 minutes. Please only bring children strapped in a stroller or old enough to stay with a parent the entire time. We will provide a make-your-own cupcake bagged activity and mouth watering chocolate dipped cheesecake balls to-go.

See below for our reopening protocols in English & Hebrew.

  • In support of the very limited services, as well as for those that choose or need to stay home, we have a complete section of resources for "Shavuot in the Age of Corona". Check it out here!
  • YJP: Join us tonight at 8 pm for a PreShavuot Cheesecake Bake! Click here for more details.
  • Last night Chanie joined the 8 Galperin Sisters, producing 8 recipes for one divine Shavuos menu - LIVE! Watch the replay here.

Mazel tov Josh Neuman on his engagement to Chaya Stolberg of Chicago!

With wishes for a Happy Shavuos,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

AnchorCHABAD OF UPTOWN
Shavuot Schedule - RSVP Required

Read Phase 1 Reopening Protocols Below

Thursday, May 28 
Make an Eruv Tavshilin
7:58 pm Light Yom Tov Candles 
8:00 pm Evening Holiday Services 
Study Torah All Night - At Home


Friday, May 29 
10:00 am Morning Services

    * 11:20-11:40 am Reading of Ten Commandments (Simultaneous adults and special children's program)​​​​
BEFORE 7:58 pm (from a pre-existing flame) Light Shabbat & Yom Tov Candles
8:00 pm Mincha & Maariv Shabbat & Holiday Services



Shabbos, May 30
10:00 am Morning Services

    * 11:45 am approx. Yizkor Memorial Service

8:00 pm Mincha Services

8:57 pm Maariv, Havdalla, Shabbat & Yom Tov Ends

Sunday, May 31
8:30 am Shacharis

VIRTUAL CHABAD ONLINE
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass

DAILY WEEKDAYS
8:15 am - Daily Shacharis Prayer

TUESDAY
12:00 pm - Parsha Class

WEDNESDAY
8 PM YJP CLASS

THURSDAY
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law (Intentions Should be for the Sake of Heaven)
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha (The Mitzvah to Building a Sanctuary) - May 28 / Shavuos - no evening class.

AnchorCHABAD OF  UPTOWN
Phase 1 -  Reopening Plan

PLEASE READ MESSAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY
Our maximum capacity with distancing indoor is 25. If you want to attend a minyan, please let us know before a Shabbos or Yom Tov  so we can know our count.

  • Face masks are required for adults at all times while in the building. One may wear a mask on Shabbos without an eruv if the intent is to (also) protect oneself, not only those around you. 
  • If you experiencing any flu-like symptoms, fever (over 100.4), are not feeling well or have been exposed to someone who has Covid like symptoms, please do not attend. 
  • The security guard will be providing body temperature screening and hand sanitizer before entry, ensure mask compliance and will be the only one to operate the door.
  • We encourage all those who are over 65 or have underlying medical conditions to please consider the risks very carefully before you come to Shul or any public space, even with the listed precautions.
  • You may bring your own tallis, siddur and chumash and leave it overnight on your claimed chair. Please stay in your seat for the entire davening. Please repeat using the same chair for all services. For those who don't have a talis, siddur or chumash, the shul will provide.
  • No one will touch the Aron Kodesh or the Torah besides the Baal Koreh / the Torah reader. He takes the Torah out, reads the aliyos, does Hagbah and Gelila and puts the Torah back. All others should be at least 6 feet away from the Torah reader. Aliyos will be given with social distancing. When someone is called up, the baal koreh opens the Torah to where it will be read and leaves it open, securing it that it does not roll open further. He steps away from the bima while maintaining social distancing from everyone around him. The one honored with the aliya approaches the bima, looks at the words, does not touch the Torah at all, says the brochos and steps back while maintaining social distancing from everyone around him. The baal koreh returns to the bima and reads the section.
  • Besides for the special program on Shavuot, Friday, May 29 at 11:20-11:40 am, we unfortunately, we cannot yet accommodate children under 12 years of age. Any children 12+ must stay with the adults during the whole service. We understand how important it is for children to be able to come to Shul. Please understand that this is a temporary measure and we are hoping to be able to welcome children back to Shul at the earliest possible time. 
  • There will be no Kiddush / meal served after davening. Kiddush will be made after davening for all to answer amen (only) so one can drink water before walking home. Kiddush should be made individually at home as well.
  • Please touch as few surfaces as possible with your bare hands.
  • Please minimize the need to use the restroom. In case of need, you may use the restroom at your own risk. Please use the provided sanitizer for your hands before touching any surfaces and line the toilet seat with toilet paper before use. Close the toilet seat lid before flushing. Wash hands well with soap and water.

We are grateful that we are able to reopen and look forward to the time when we can resume all programs and activities without the above precautions. Until then, we ask you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that our families and community remain safe and healthy.

פתיחה מחודשת, שלב ראשון, שבת.

אנא קראו את ההודעה בשלמותה!

מכיוון שעלינו להמשיך בריחוק החברתי, בית הכנסת יכול להכיל עד ל-25 אנשים. אם ברצונכם להשתתף במיניין אנא צרו עמי קשר. 

  • המתפללים מתבקשים לחבוש  מסיכה כל עוד נמצאים בבניין. לידיעתכם- ניתן לחבוש מסיכה ללא עירוב, כל עוד יש לאדם כוונה להגן גם על עצמו ולא רק על הסובבים אותו
  • במידה ואת/ה חשלא בטוב ומגלה סימנים דמויי שפעת - חום (מעל ל100.4 מעלות פרנהייט), או ששהית בקרבת אדם שמגלה סימנים דומים, אנו מבקשים ממך לא להגיע לבית הכנסת
  • השומר שבכניסה יבצע בדיקת חום, יספק אלכוג'ל לפני כניסה, יוודא חבישת מסיכה ויהיה היחיד שיפתח ויסגור את הדלת.  
  • בני 65 ומעלה ואנשים בקבוצת סיכון‐ אנו ממליצים לשקול בחומרה את הסיכונים לפני שאתם מגיעים לבית הכנסת או כל איזור ציבורי אחר. אפילו ולמרות שאנו נוקטים בכל אמצעי הזהירות הנ
  • ניתן להביא סידור, טלית וחומש מהבית ולהשאיר אותם עד למחרת על הכיסא. יש לשבת על אותו כסא למשך כל התפילה ולמשך כל התפילות הבאות. למי שאין סידור, טלית ו / או חומש ניתן יהיה להשתמש באלו של בית הכנסת
  • הבעל קורא - קורא בתורה, יהיה היחיד שיוכל לפתוח את ארון הקודש. הוא יוציא את התורה, יקרא את העליות, יעשה הגבהה, גלילה והחזרת התורה. ​​​על כל שאר המתפללים לעמוד לפחות 6 פיט מהבעל קורא. ניתן לקבל עלייה ממרחק. כשמישהו נקרא לעלות, בעל הקורא יפתח את הארון,  יפתח את התורה בעמוד בו קוראים, וישאיר את הספר פתוח. על מנת להמנע מפתיחת הספר יתר על המידה. הוא יתרחק מהבימה, רחוק מכולם. ה"עולה לתורה" יתקרב  לבימה, יסתכל על המילים ללא כל מגע בספר התורה. הוא יאמר את הברכות ויפסע אחורנית, בריחוק חברתי מכל הנוכחים. בעל הקורא יחזור לבימה ויקרא את חלקו.
  • חוץ מהתוכנית של 20 דקות בשבועות בבוקר, למרבה הצער אין ביכולתנו לאפשר לילדים מתחת גיל 12 להגיע לבית הכנסת.  כל ילד מעל גיל 12 שיגיע לבית הכנסת יצטרך לשהות עם הוריו. אנו מבינים את החשיבות של הגעת ילדים לבית הכנסת ומקווים לאפשר זאת  בזדמנות הראשונה שזה יתאפשר
  • לא יוגש אוכל לכבוד שבת מברכים, נעשה קידוש לאחר התפילה וכולנו נענה אמן. על מנת שאפשר יהיה לשתות לפני היציאה לבתים.  יש לעשות קידוש בבתים עצמם כשאתם חוזרים אליהם
  • אנא השתדלו להמנע מלגעת במשטחים בידיים חשופות
  • אנו מציעים להימנע משימוש בשירותים, במידה ואין ברירה אחרת - השימוש בשירותים יהיה על אחריות המתפללים.
  • אנא השתמשו באלכוג'ל לפני נגיעה במשטחים והשתמשו בנייר טואלט על מושב האסלה. יש לסגור את מכסה האסלה לפני שמורידים את המים.  וכמובן - לרחוץ ידיים היטב  עם סבון!

 אנו מודים על האפשרות שניתנה לנו לפתוח חלקית את בית הכנסת למשך השבת הזו. אנו מקווים ומצפים לימים בהם נוכל לחזור לשגרה מלאה. עד אז אנו מבקשים את ההבנה ושיתוף הפעולה שלכם על מנת שנוכל לשמור על בריאות הקהילה והמשפחות של כולנו. 

It's a process

We are actively working on a plan to allow Shul minyanim in a very limited and safe fashion. Please reply if you would like to join a minyan.

  • COMMUNITY May 26: Join Chanie for 8 Sisters, 8 Recipes, 1 Divine (Shavuos) Dairy Menu! See image >
  • YJP May 27: Let's make Shavuot cheesecake together! More...

We are grateful to have been able to provide Shabbos for frontline healthcare workers, seniors and homebound during this time. You can sponsor one at chabaduptown.org/donate and select "Covid Relief", "Covid Frontline Worker" or "Seniors-Homebound".

  • We have had to say goodbye to Tal and Alon Mandel, who have moved to Israel. May you have much success and health!
  • Mazel tov Dr. Rachel and Elliott Levine on the birth of a baby boy!

 

Balancing Competing Values

It often seems that we struggle to keep a healthy balance between all of our sometimes conflicting aspirations. more…

 

 


SHABBOS MEVARCHIM SIVAN - PARSHAS BAMIDBAR

 

FRIDAY, IYAR 28 - MAY 22
Candle Lighting at 7:54 pm
Mincha and Kabbolas Shabbos at 7:55
Shema and Count Omer 44 after 8:39 pm

SHABBOS, IYAR 22 - MAY 23
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
Shacharis at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 9:49 am
Latest Shacharis at 10:59 am
Torah Reading of Bamidbar
Molad for Sivan: Friday, 11:42 am & 13 chalakim

Mincha at 7:55 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 6
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:53 pm
Count Omer 45
Living Torah #17 at www.70years.com

WEEKDAY VIRTUAL CHABAD
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass

DAILY
Shacharis at 8:15 am

TUESDAY
12:00 pm - Parsha Class
May 26: 7 pm 8 Sisters, 8 Recipes Cooking Demo - See flyer for login info

WEDNESDAY
8 PM YJP CLASS - May 27: PreShavuot Cheesecake Bake
You buy the ingredients list that we will publish and join us on zoom as we make the same cheesecake together in preparation for Shavuot, observed this year May 28-30!

THURSDAY EREV SHAVUOS
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law / All Man's Intentions Should be for the Sake of Heaven
No evening class at 8:00 pm in observance of Shavuos

never a lost case to celebrate!

Today is Pesach Sheni. It commemorates when those who could not bring the Pesach sacrifice approached Moshe and Aaron "Why should we be deprived" from being able to participate in the Pesach sacrifice. In response to their plea, G-d established the 14th of Iyar as a "second Passover" (pesach sheini), giving them a "second chance" to bring the sacrifice. A powerful lesson as taught by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, "The Second Passover means that it's never a 'lost case.'" There is a custom of eating matzah on this day.

On Lag Baomer, we will have multiple opportunities for engaging and meaningful programs for you to join!

  • Community: Eve of Lag Baomer Stories, Songs & S'mores​​​​​​​ around the firepit. ZoomZitz around the firepit with your own smores, enjoying stories and song!
  • Neighborhood: Throughout the day Mendel will be performing music on The Uptown Porch. Enjoy a neighborhood walk or a drive, passing Chabad of Uptown, and enjoy the music!
  • Citywide:Drive-Up Lag Baomer Celebration & BMX Acrobats Show 
  • YJP Houston: Shulem Lemmer LIVE - A Lag Baomer virtual Musical experience

Lag Baomer BMX Drive Up ShowNot even a year old, but already saving lives, Hatzala of Houston will be joining the national fundraiser for Hatzalah chapters of North America. Please support our team to help them meet their goal!

A devoted community member donated custom material, washable and reusable face masks for the community. We have a limited quantity. Please let us if you would like to get one!

Have a good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

SHABBOS PARSHAS EMOR

FRIDAY, PESACH SHENI, IYAR 14 - MAY 8
Eat Matzah today
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat at home at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:46 pm
Shema and Count Omer 30 after 8:30 pm


SHABBOS, IYAR 15 - MAY 9
Shacharis at home at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 9:53 am
Latest Shacharis at 11:01 am
Read Parshas Emor

Mincha at 7:45 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 4
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:43 pm
Count Omer 31
Living Torah #15 at www.70years.com

WEEKDAY VIRTUAL CHABAD
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass

DAILY
Shacharis at 8:15 am

MONDAY EREV LAG BAOMER
8:30 pm - Stories, Songs & S'mores

TUESDAY LAG BAOMER
Throughout Day Mendel Performing Music on the Uptown Porch
12:00 pm - Parsha Class
5:00 pm - Drive-Up Lag Baomer Celebration & BMX Acrobats Show www.lagbaomerinhouston.com
7:30 pm - YJP Shulem Lemmer LIVE - A Lag Baomer virtual Musical experience www.facebook.com/events/255813599118030

WEDNESDAY
8 PM YJP CLASS - May 13: Jewish Bedroom the Holy of Holies 
Intimacy in Jewish thought

THURSDAY
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law (Moral & Ethical Rules a Person Should Adopt)
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha (The Mitzvah to Appoint a King - Part III)

getting stronger!

We hope you are doing well, staying home as much as possible and staying healthy! 

This Shabbos we complete the book of Vayikra and declare Chazak Chazak Vnischazek! As Texas eases restrictions we hope and pray and everyone stays healthy and strong and those who need to be strengethened are strengthened.

Withing you a good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie 

 

Finding the Hidden Sweetness

Under the tragic circumstance of the exile, we realize that we are guarantors for each other because we are part of one whole. more…

 

 

 

SHABBOS PARSHAS BEHAR-BECHUKOSAI

FRIDAY, IYAR 21 - MAY 15
Candle Lighting at 7:50 pm
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat at home
Shema and Count Omer 37 after 8:35 pm

SHABBOS, IYAR 22 - MAY 16
Shacharis at home at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 9:51 am
Latest Shacharis at 11:00 am
Read Parshas Behar-Bechukosai

Mincha at 7:50 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 5
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:48 pm
Count Omer 38
Living Torah #16 at www.70years.com

WEEKDAY VIRTUAL CHABAD
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass

DAILY
Shacharis at 8:15 am

TUESDAY
12:00 pm - Parsha Class

WEDNESDAY
8 PM YJP CLASS - May 20: The 10 Commandments & Social Distancing
Examining the 10 commandments and its relevant lessons in today's reality of social distancing and isolation

THURSDAY
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law (Vengeance and Bearing a Grudge)
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha

compassion with humility

Many have asked if we will be opening Chabad of Uptown today as part of Phase 1 of the reopening of State of Texas. You may have seen the letter of Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff on behalf of all Chabad facilities across the state. Briefly, no, we are not opening at this time. At the next phase we will assess and consider the reality then and determine at that time what to do. I have included the letter below the schedule in case you missed it. For now, please join our virtual programs, stay home, safe and healthy!

We have daily Shacharis and four classes every week to join, as listed below, as well as a fun Lag B'omer program planned for MondayMay 11 at 8:30 pm - Lag B'omer Stories, Songs & S'mores. chabaduptown.org/liveclass.

Thank you to all of our YJP volunteers showing compassion and delivering First Fridays Shabbat-to-go sponsored by Yocheved Shwarzman in memory and marking the 5 Iyar fourth yartzeit of her husband, Yitzchak ben Asher Zelig, a"h. Thank you to all of our Shabbat-to-Go sponsors! Shmuel & Michelle Amber, Jose & Viviane Cohen, Marissa Finkelman, Jason Fischer, Andrew & Elyse Goldstein, Amanda Gross, Maria Itkin, Yosef Kerzner, Elina Shtreyzman & John Weinberg.

It is wonderful to see so many of you as you stop by my new front porch office to chat. JHV actually did a front page feature of the "Porch Rabbi". Cute dog! :)

Many have fallen ill and many have died during this time period of coronavirus. Whether from the virus or otherwise, it has placed a strain on the families as they try to observe shiva mourning in this time of social distancing. The Shluchim & Shluchos Chabad emissaries of Texas now mourn the loss of a fifth parent in the matter a few weeks. We mourn the loss of my grandmother Guta Schapiro, mother to Rebbetzin Chiena Lazaroff; Rabbi Asher Zelig Gottlieb, father of Mrs. Malky Schmukler of League City; Rochel Yehudis Charytan, mother of Mrs. Leah Blecher of The Woodlands; Rabbi Chaim Osher Kahanov, father Mrs. Rivkie Block of S. Antonio and this week Rabbi Moshe Zaklikofsky, father Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky of Bellaire. Yes, I knew each of these people (and many more) personally in various ways. It makes this time so surreal and painful to absorb. 

I want to share a note about Rabbi Moshe Zaklikofsky for whom shiva is now being observed. For seven years, I was in Yeshivah in Oak Park, Michigan seeing Rabbi Z, (as we so affectionately called him), almost every day. I have spent considerable time looking through thousands of pictures in my albums. Almost every Rabbi appears in the center of the scenes in these pictures. Yet, I could not find the beloved Rabbi Z. It then dawned on me that Rabbi Z. was so humble he was always in the background, never pushing himself to the front, nor allowing anyone to honor him with front row status. However, the discerning eye of communal affairs can see his fingerprints on everything that was going on. How appropriate his shiva is observed during sefiras haomer, when we examine our own character traits of compassion with humility. Rabbi Z. was a complete personification of this. Yehi zichro baruch, may his memory be for a blessing.

As we complete a complete first week of Iyar, may the acronym for healing it represents of Ani Hashem Rofecha, I am Hashem your healer, come to fruition to heal and keep healthy one and all. We look forward to a time when we can all gather together again and celebrate!

Have a good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Mazel tov Flavio & Leila Nisenbaum on the birth of their first granddaughter!

 

PARSHAWho Was Itamar?

We first read of Itamar’s role when we are told of sums of gold, silver and other supplies that were used to build and furnish the Mishkan more…

 



 

SHABBOS PARSHAS ACHAREI KEDOSHIM

FRIDAY, IYAR 7 - MAY 1
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat at home at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:41 pm
Shema and Count Omer 23 after 8:25 pm


SHABBOS, IYAR 8 - MAY 2
Shacharis at home at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 9:56 am
Latest Shacharis at 11:04 am
Read Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim
Mincha at 7:40 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:38 pm
Count Omer 24
Kiddush Levana

Living Torah #14 at www.70years.com

WEEKDAY VIRTUAL CHABAD
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass

DAILY
Shacharis at 8:15 am

TUESDAY
12:00 pm - Parsha Class

WEDNESDAY
8 PM YJP CLASS - May 6: The Sacred Hair of the Jewish Woman
Origins of the Mitzvah and Kabbala of hair in Judaism, especially related to the sanctity of the hair of Jewish women.

THURSDAY
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law (Moral & Ethical Rules a Person Should Adopt)
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha (The Mitzvah to Appoint a King)

 

STATEMENT REGARDING REOPENING CHABAD OF TEXAS FACILITIES

Thursday, April 30, 2020
Iyar 6, 5780

Dear Texas Jewish Community and Friends,

Many weeks have passed since we began sheltering in place. Although we are physically isolated from one another, we remain spiritually and virtually connected. 

Although everyone is eager to resume a normal shul routine, we must take careful steps and weigh any move towards reopening against the safek pikuach nefesh (possible danger to life) that these decisions represent. 

Therefore, during the first phase of Gov. Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas that begins Friday, May 1, the 30 facilities of the Chabad centers of Texas will remain closed for on-site services, classes, and programs. As each county begins to assess the numbers during the phases of reopening, which according to the governor’s plan will not be before May 18, we will be in a better position to determine when and how services can resume.

Meanwhile, there are many online and virtual programs, including special programming marking Lag B’omer, being offered by Chabad centers throughout Texas. We encourage you to take advantage of your community leaders' creative activities and join virtually as we connect to each other and celebrate together.

We look forward to the day when we can once again gather in asking G-d A-lmighty to heal and protect all mankind and to express our gratitude for all those who have been healed and those who are healthy. Indeed, the current month of Iyar is referred to as the month of healing, as reflected in its name whose letters form an acronym for the phrase “Ani Hashem Rofecha (I am G-d, your Healer.)”  

On behalf of the 102 Shluchim and Shluchos leading the Jewish communities and Chabad Centers of the great State of Texas, we extend blessings for only good news and continued health, wealth and time to enjoy it,

Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff
Chabad-Lubavitch Texas Regional Director

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