The traffic guard at Hobby Airport asked me to loop around to pick up my daughter exiting the airport, since she was not yet actually at the curb. I, half amused, told him "I wish America would come up with a better way to pick up passengers at airports". The guard, with an accent, proceeds to tell me, "If you don't like it here, go back to wherever you came from". I said, "Excuse me? I was born in Houston, Texas, how about you?" He refused to answer me or show me his badge.
Bigot? Antisemite? Maybe, maybe not. He will probably think twice next time before rushing to judgement about someone.
However, someone shared with me an interesting and inspiring thought on this unfortunate experience. USA, a country of immigrants, has such strength, that a new immigrant feels so strongly for our country, that he is willing to take on defense for the brand.
The Jewish nation also had a transformation of identity as they stood at Mt. Sinai. Everyone who had left Egypt, may have been coming from many different levels of thought, experience and identity, took on a moment of "conversion" from the Hebrew Nation to the Jewish People. This week we saw the furtherance of terror wreak havoc in Israel. With pride, we stand together against our enemies. We stand ready at all times, to take on defense for the brand.
Each year, on Shavuot, there are a number of customs, including Saturday's learning all night, Sunday's eating dairy foods and Monday's Yizkor. However, the main objective is the reenactment of this transformation of Mt. Sinai, as every Jew, even newborns, are in Shul on Sunday to hear the Ten Commandments (not the Ten Suggestions :)).
Please join our family at Chabad of Uptown, on Sunday at 11:30 am. www.chabaduptown.org/sundae. Please RSVP at this (mobile friendly) link.
Mazel tov Ben & Regina Shamooelian & grandparents Rafael & Myra Levy on the birth of a son and grandson!
Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar & Shavuot
Friday, June 10
- 7:30 pm Mincha Services
- 7:45 pm Shloshim Memorial for Isaac Shwarzman, the father of Michal Zitvar.
- Before 8:04 pm Light Shabbat Candles (Blessings)
- 8:05 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, June 11
- 9:00 am Chassidus Torah Study
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 8:00 pm Shabbat Afternoon & Evening Holiday Services
- After 9:03 pm* Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessings)
- 11:30 pm RED-EYE with the Rabbi on RED BULL! All Night Learn-A-Thon
* From a pre-existing flame
Sunday, June 12
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
* 11am-1pm Special childrens' service w/ games, activities and more!
- 11:30 am Reading of Ten Commandments
followed by 1 pm dairy kiddush & SUNDAE SUNDAY Ice Cream Party 
- 8:00 pm Mincha & Maariv Holiday Services
- After 9:04 pm* Light Yom Tov Candles (Blessings)
* From a pre-existing flame.
Monday, June 13
- 10:00 am Morning Services (Shacharit)
- 12:00 pm approx. Yizkor Memorial Service
- 8:00 pm Mincha & Maariv Services
- 9:04 pm Yom Tov Ends
Have a good Shabbos and Good Yom Tov!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
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