This week’s parsha, Behaalosecha, begins with Aharon HaKohen lighting the Menorah in the Mishkan.

Rashi explains that Aharon was commanded to kindle each flame “until the flame rises on its own.” A true lamplighter does not simply bring light. He helps another flame become steady, strong, and able to shine.

That image has been on my mind as Chanie and I prepare for the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Mikveh Taharas Yisroel this Sunday.

For years, the Houston Mikveh has been one of the quiet foundations of Jewish life in our community. Much of what happens at the mikveh takes place away from the public eye, with sensitivity, warmth, privacy, and care.

This Sunday, we will celebrate two groups of people who helped bring more light to this mitzvah.

First, we will honor the generous donors who made this renovation possible. The Menorah needed a vessel to hold the light. In the same way, this mitzvah deserves a setting that reflects its holiness, with beautiful renovated interiors, greater comfort, and long awaited private parking.

Then, we will honor the 22(!) volunteer mikveh attendants, the lamplighters of this mitzvah.

Night after night, they give of their time, their energy, and their hearts to make sure that women in our community are welcomed, supported, and cared for at one of the most meaningful moments in Jewish family life. They do this quietly, consistently, and with tremendous dedication, sometimes under challenging circumstances.

Their service is not always visible, but its impact is felt throughout our community. They are there in the background, serving as the backbone of the entire operation.

This Sunday’s celebration is about making a big deal about the people who make this mitzvah possible: the donors who created the vessel for the light, and the attendants who help that light shine night after night.

Please join us this Sunday, June 7, at 12:00 pm, at Mikveh Taharas Yisroel, 10900 Fondren Road. Check out the Mikveh here and you can RSVP for the event here.

There will be an outdoor ribbon cutting honoring the donors, followed by an indoor dessert reception honoring the volunteer attendants.

Your presence will help show our appreciation for this important milestone and for the dedicated people whose generosity and quiet work bring so much light to our community.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Where a person's thoughts are, that is where the whole person is. 

The Torah downplays the fact that the Jewish people brought the Korban Pesach only once during their forty years in the desert. This is surprising, since they had legitimate reasons not to bring it. Perhaps the disappointment was not in their inability to perform the mitzvah, but in the absence of a longing to do so. At the very least, they should have wanted it.

This teaches an important lesson about spiritual growth. We do not always feel excited about Torah, prayer, or other G-dly pursuits. Sometimes it's hard to study Torah after a long day, to focus during davening, or to choose a meaningful mitzvah over entertainment, comfort, or distraction. The Torah is teaching us that even when we are not yet there, the desire to get there matters. A person may not love learning, but can want to love learning. They may struggle to connect in prayer, but wish they felt more connected. Hashem values not only our achievements, but our aspirations. Sometimes the greatest spiritual accomplishment is simply refusing to give up on wanting more.

Have a fantastic Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Friday, June 5, 7:30 pm - Summer Garden Shabbat First Fridays - Join YJP Houston with services, candle lighting, and a beautiful summer garden Shabbat dinner. $20 until Thursday with promo code advance, $36 after. RSVP at yjphouston.org/garden.
• Shabbos, June 6, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, June 8, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
• Wednesdays, June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - The Truth of Sinai - Did 600,000 people really hear G-d speak at Mt. Sinai over 3000 years ago? www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Thursday, June 11, 8 pm: Inner Faith & Jewish Resilience - A study of the Rebbe’s final published maamar, V'Atah Teztzaveh, exploring its powerful message of inner faith, Jewish resilience, and purposeful living as preparation for Gimmel Tammuz
• Sunday, June 14, 6:30 pm - Shabbat in an Hour for Today’s Busy Women - Cooking demo and tasting with Chanie & Chanale, blending traditional and modern Shabbat recipes. RSVP at chabaduptown.org/cook.
• Tuesday, June 16, 12:00 pm - Independence Illusion Lunch N’ Learn - Explore whether spiritual growth can be completely self-directed and what true independence means in Jewish life. RSVP at chabaduptown.org/lunch.
• Shabbos Weekend, August 21-23 - Men’s Shabbos at the Ohel - Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this Shabbos is a chance to recharge, reflect, and connect with the Rebbe’s timeless vision during an inspiring weekend of Jewish growth and brotherhood.

SHABBOS PARSHAS BEHAALOSECHA

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, SIVAN 20
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:02 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for YJP Summer Garden June First Fridays Shabbat Dinner www.yjphouston.org/garden

SHABBOS, JUNE 6, SIVAN 21
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by Menucha Lazaroff in memory of Yona David, a"h, ben Yaffa, tichye
8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 2
9:01 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, SIVAN 22
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY JUNE 8 & 11, SIVAN 23 & 26
6:45 am Shacharis

Just a few weeks ago, we gathered at Chabad of Uptown for a very moving Lag BaOmer kumzitz with our nephew Leibel Lazaroff, who survived the terror attack at the Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia.

It was an unforgettable evening. Around the fire, with music, stories, and quiet moments of reflection, Leibel shared not only what he lived through, but the strength, faith, and Jewish pride that carried him through it. One of the people who had a deep impact on his life in Australia was my Chabad colleague, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, of blessed memory, who was murdered that night.

This week, a chilling and deeply moving photo came to light. It shows Rabbi Eli Schlanger, of blessed memory, together with Leibel Lazaroff, thank G-d alive and well, at the Chanukah by the Sea menorah lighting, shortly before the massacre. The photo was found on the camera of photographer Peter Meagher, of blessed memory, who was also murdered that night. His camera was later recovered and returned to his widow, revealing some of the final moments of light, joy, and Jewish pride before terror struck.

And now, from that darkness, another light has emerged.

Rabbi Schlanger had been working on a book with Australian journalist Nikki Goldstein, whom he first met while serving as a hospital chaplain. She was facing a serious medical emergency, and their conversations turned to G-d, purpose, morality, healing, and how to live a more meaningful life. In January 2025, they decided to put those conversations into writing.

Less than a year later, as the manuscript was nearing completion, Rabbi Schlanger was murdered.

A book written to heal a fractured world was left unfinished, its author brutally taken.

Nikki was shattered. But with the blessing of Rabbi Schlanger’s family, she resolved to finish what they had begun. This week, that sacred effort came to fruition with the release of *Conversations With My Rabbi: Timeless Teachings for a Fractured World*.

The book explores Judaism’s universal moral values and the timeless wisdom that speaks not only to Jews, but to all of humanity. Every page carries Rabbi Schlanger’s warmth, clarity, Chassidic depth, and unmistakable wit.

You can now purchase Conversations With My Rabbi: Timeless Teachings for a Fractured World here.

I encourage you to get a copy. Read it. Share it. Buy one for a family member, a neighbor, a colleague, or a friend. This is not only a Jewish book. It is a human book, for anyone searching for meaning, for moral clarity, and for a more G-dly way to live.

You can read more about the book, the co-authors, and lessons within at ChabadUptown.org/ConversationsBook.

Rabbi Schlanger believed with all his soul that we can make this world better, one conversation, one mitzvah, one act of goodness at a time. Nothing would make him prouder than knowing that his voice continues to inspire people to bring more light into a fractured world.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. 

Three groups served in the Mishkan: the Leviim who carried its structure, the Kohanim who blessed the people, and the princes of each tribe who brought offerings for its dedication. At first glance, some of these contributions seem greater than others, while the princes’ offerings all appear to be exactly the same. Yet the Torah records each one separately, emphasizing that no two acts of service are truly identical. Every individual brought something that no one else could bring. The Mishkan was built not through uniformity, but through the unique role, perspective, and contribution of each person. Naso teaches that Hashem does not seek copies; He values the distinct gifts that each soul contributes to the whole.

This idea becomes tangible in everyday life. The work you do, the kindness you show, the mitzvah you perform, and the support you give others all matter in ways that no one else can replicate. Two people may give the same amount of tzedakah, study the same Torah passage, or light Shabbos candles, but no one can bring your perspective, your sacrifices, or your heart to those actions. Your efforts are not measured only by what they produce, but by the unique piece of yourself that you invest in them. Holiness is not reserved for extraordinary people or extraordinary moments. It is found in ordinary actions performed by unique individuals. The Jewish people are strongest not when we are all the same, but when each of us contributes the gift that only we can give.

Have an amazing Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, May 30, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan
• Monday, June 1, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• 2 Wednesdays, June 3-10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• 2 Thursdays, June 4 & 11, 8 pm: V’atah Tetzaveh: A Maamar for Our Times - A two part study of the Rebbe’s final published maamar, exploring its powerful message of inner faith, Jewish resilience, and purposeful living as preparation for Gimmel Tammuz

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Wednesday, June 3, 7:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series - Your Body in Action Learn how to support your pelvic health before, during and after pregnancy for strength, comfort and long term wellbeing. Second session in a 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
• Friday, June 5, 7:30 pm - Summer Garden Shabbat First Fridays - Join YJP Houston with services, candle lighting, and a beautiful summer garden Shabbat dinner. $20 until Thursday with promo code advance, $36 after. RSVP at yjphouston.org/garden.
• Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
• Sunday, June 14, 6:30 pm - Shabbat in an Hour for Today’s Busy Women - Cooking demo and tasting with Chanie & Chanale, blending traditional and modern Shabbat recipes. RSVP at chabaduptown.org/cook.
• Shabbos Weekend, August 21-23 - Men’s Shabbos at the Ohel - Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this Shabbos is a chance to recharge, reflect, and connect with the Rebbe’s timeless vision during an inspiring weekend of Jewish growth and brotherhood.

SHABBOS PARSHAS NASO

FRIDAY, MAY 29, SIVAN 13
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:58 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, MAY 30, SIVAN 14
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by Jason Fischer in honor of the Chabad of Uptown community
8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 1
8:57 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 31, SIVAN 15
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY JUNE 1 & 4, IYAR 16 & 19
6:45 am Shacharis

We are filled with gratitude as we celebrate the wedding of our dear Rivky to Moshe Weiss this week. Thank you to everyone for your warm wishes, brachos, and love during this very special time for our family.

This week also brings us to Shavuos, the wedding day of the Jewish people and Hashem. At Har Sinai, we stood at the foot of the mountain “like one man with one heart,” in complete unity, ready to receive the Torah.

Interestingly, we find a similar expression when the Egyptians chased after the Jewish people at the sea. They too are described as pursuing “with one heart, like one man.” So what is the difference? Why is the unity of the Jewish people so holy, while the unity of the Egyptians was so destructive?

Perhaps the answer is in the order.

Sometimes people come together because they share the same feelings, interests, excitement, or “love at first sight.” They begin with “one heart,” and hope that later they will become “one man,” with shared values, direction, and mission. But that does not always happen.

The Jewish way is the opposite. We begin with “one man,” a shared purpose, shared values, and a shared mission in life. From that comes “one heart,” true love, deep connection, and lasting unity. Not only love at first sight, but love at second sight, a love that grows from commitment and purpose.

As we prepare to receive the Torah once again, may we come to Shavuos like one man with one heart, united in our purpose and inspired in our hearts, to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

The Shavuos highlights are:

Tonight: All night Torah learning
Tomorrow: Reading of the Ten Commandments, the most important moment of the entire holiday
Shabbos: Yizkor, for those who have lost a parent

Please do not miss the reading of the Ten Commandments tomorrow. It is the central moment of Shavuos, when we relive receiving the Torah at Har Sinai! And of course, afterward there will be a beautiful, decadent dairy kiddush and ice cream party! Complete schedule at www.chabaduptown.org/sinai

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. 

When it comes to most things in life, we like to keep our options open. We listen to podcasts, read books, follow someone online, and take the parts that “speak to us.” If an idea makes sense, we keep it. If it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient, we move on. We’re used to approaching life like consumers, sampling different perspectives and building a worldview that fits us. And honestly, that makes sense. Nobody wants to blindly follow something they don’t believe in.

But Torah asks for something deeper. At Sinai, the Jewish people said, “We will do, and we will understand.” In other words: we’re in, even before we fully get it. That sounds almost backwards in a world where we’re trained to commit only after we feel fully convinced. But think about the relationships that matter most in life. Nobody waits to understand another person to the zenith before loving them, trusting them, or building a relationship with them. Real connection always comes with a leap. The Jewish people weren’t saying, “We don’t care about understanding.” They were saying, “This relationship matters enough that we’re willing to grow into the understanding.” Torah is not just information to analyze from a distance; it’s something meant to shape us from within. Not just to teach us ideas, but to slowly align the regular choices in our daily lives with something greater than ourselves.

Kabolas Hatorah BeSimcha Uvepnimiyus!
May we receive the Torah with joy and inwardness!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Shabbos, May 23, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• 3 Wednesdays, May 27-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social (Open to community to hear 10 Commandments)- For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
• Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

Mazel tov to Rivky and Moshe Weiss on their marriage!

SHAVUOT SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, SIVAN 5
Make an Eruv Tavshilin! www.chabaduptown.org/2327
7:54 pm Evening Holiday Services and light Yom Tov candles
After services Holiday Dinner & Sheva Brochos RSVP
Sheva Brachos Hosts: Diana and Michael Basist, Jason Fischer, Seth Frydberg, Deanna and Justin Haedicke, Menucha Lederman, David Marcus, Chaim Ziv and Arielle Mesulati, Avi and Dalia Mesulaty, Erica Newmann-Corre, Jared Orkin, Ben and Katie Razinovsky, Rachel Rosenthal, Alyssa Scheiner, Noah Stubblefield, Samuel Szames, Noam Yaari
11:30 pm Take the Mic! A Night of Torah: Small Talks. Big Impact.
Lineup of Torah talks on many Jewish subjects. Apply to Present
www.chabaduptown.org/takethemic

SHAVUOS DAY 1, FRIDAY, MAY 22, SIVAN 6
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:00 am Special children’s service with games, activities and more
11:15 am Reading of the Ten Commandments followed by dairy Kiddush, ice cream party & Sheva Brochos at 1:00 pm
Ice cream bar sponsored by the Goldstein Family in memory of Elyse’s mother, Shaindel Miriam bas Esther
7:00 pm YJP Shavuos Ice Cream Social and Ten Commandments (Open to community to hear 10 Commandments)
www.yjphouston.org/icecream
8:00 pm Mincha and Maariv Holiday Services
Before 7:54 pm Light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles from a pre existing flame
After services Holiday Dinner & Sheva Brochos RSVP

SHAVUOS DAY 2, SHABBOS, MAY 23, SIVAN 7
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:45 am approx. Yizkor Memorial Service
After services Kiddush Lunch & Sheva Brochos sponsored by Ben and Katie Razinovski in honor of Yonatan's 3rd birthday
7:55 pm Mincha Services
8:53 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Yom Tov ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 24, SIVAN 8
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 25 & 28, SIVAN 9 & 12
6:45 am Shacharis

This Shabbos has been declared by the White House as “Shabbat 250,” a national Shabbat in honor of America’s 250th birthday. It is a beautiful moment to pause and think about the gift of Shabbos itself.

Someone once asked Senator Joe Lieberman how he was able to make big decisions when he was unavailable every Shabbos?

He answered with a question of his own: How do you make big decisions if you are never unavailable?

That is the power of Shabbos. One day a week to unplug from the noise, step away from the rush, and reconnect with Hashem, with family, with community, and with our own soul.

As I shared with Chabad.org News, “Keeping Shabbat is always a beautiful and important thing. It is taught that if the Jewish people only kept two Shabbats, Moshiach would be here, and the time for that has already come. Shabbat 250, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, is a beautiful idea. It’s the perfect opportunity to unplug and connect with G-d, your family, and your community in a real and meaningful way.” (Complete article posted on chabaduptown.org)

The timing could not be more meaningful. This week is Shabbos Mevarchim Sivan, as we bless the new month that brings us to Shavuos and the giving of the Torah. We also read Parshas Bamidbar, when the Jewish people are counted and shown that every single person matters, every family matters, and every soul has a place in the Jewish people.

For our family, this Shabbos is especially meaningful as we prepare for Rivky’s wedding this Sunday. We invite the women of the community to join us for Rivky’s Shabbos Kallah this Shabbos at 5:30 pm at Chabad of Uptown, a special gathering of family, friends, and heartfelt blessings in honor of the kallah.

May this Shabbos be a true Shabbat 250, a Shabbos of rest, connection, family, community, and blessing, and may we celebrate many simchas together.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. 

When the government needs a census taken, they don’t usually send the nation’s finest. They send whoever answers the ad: college students between semesters and that one neighbor who somehow has time for everything. Census-taking is not exactly the kind of job people brag about at family gatherings. But when Hashem wanted a census of the Jewish people, He sent Moshe and Aaron. The greatest leaders of the generation became census counters, because this wasn’t about statistics; it was about souls. Counting Jews meant making sure every person felt seen, valued, and essential, because no Jew is ever just a number.

That job still exists today, and it belongs to all of us. It means noticing the person who feels invisible, encouraging the one who doubts themselves, and helping people feel strong in the very places they struggle most. Sometimes the greatest leadership is not standing in front of a crowd, but standing beside one person and reminding them of their worth. When we help others recognize how much they count, we are doing the holiest kind of counting there is.

Have a stupendous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, May 16, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• 3 Wednesdays, May 20-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan
• Tuesday Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, May 17, 1:30 pm - Friendship Circle Adults Kickoff Event - Join Friendship Circle Adults for a fun afternoon of friendship, food, and excitement featuring a kosher pizza party, bowling, and arcade games at 13311 Westheimer Rd, Suite #100, Houston, TX 77077. A joint project of Houston Friendship Circle and YJP Houston. RSVP: [email protected]
• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
• Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

Mazel tov to Eric Stevelman and Dori Jezmir on their engagement!

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM SIVAN, PARSHAS BAMIDBAR

FRIDAY, MAY 15, IYAR 28
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:50 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 44
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM, MAY 16, IYAR 29
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Mevarchim Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Kamman family, in honor of R' Avraham Kamman's birthday
7:50 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 6
8:48 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 45
Living Torah

SUNDAY, ROSH CHODESH SIVAN, MAY 17, SIVAN 1
8:00 am Shacharis
Followed by Rosh Chodesh monthly breakfast, sponsored by the Lazaroff family in honor of Rivky's marriage to Moshe Weiss

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 18 & 21, SIVAN 2 & 5
6:45 am Shacharis

SHAVUOT SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, SIVAN 5
7:54 pm Evening Holiday Services and light Yom Tov candles
After services Holiday Dinner RSVP
11:30 pm Take the Mic! A Night of Torah: Small Talks. Big Impact.
Lineup of Torah talks on many Jewish subjects. Apply to Present
www.chabaduptown.org/takethemic

SHAVUOS DAY 1, FRIDAY, MAY 22, SIVAN 6
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:00 am Special children’s service with games, activities and more
11:15 am Reading of the Ten Commandments followed by dairy Kiddush and ice cream party at 1:00 pm
7:00 pm YJP Shavuos Ice Cream Social and Ten Commandments
www.yjphouston.org/icecream
8:00 pm Mincha and Maariv Holiday Services
Before 7:54 pm Light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles from a pre existing flame
After services Holiday Dinner RSVP

SHAVUOS DAY 2, SHABBOS, MAY 23, SIVAN 7
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:45 am approx. Yizkor Memorial Service
After services Kiddush Lunch
7:55 pm Mincha Services
8:53 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Yom Tov ends

Mazel tov!

Some days the daily Torah study of "Chitas" feels like it is speaking directly to the day you are living.

Today we study the sixth Torah Aliyah for Friday, where speaks about the values assigned in the Torah to different stages of life. At first glance, it seems like a technical section about pledges and donations to the Beis Hamikdash. But Rashi opens up something much deeper. When the Torah speaks about someone over sixty, Rashi points out that as people age, their value is measured differently describing older woman in the home is a treasure in the home and a good sign for the home. The Torah is teaching us to see age not as decline, but as blessing, wisdom, warmth, and strength that holds a home and a family together.

How beautiful that on this very day, when Chitas speaks about the stages of life and the value of every age, our family had the zechus to celebrate the bris of our first grandson. He was given the name Levi Yitzchak, after the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.

A bris is one of those moments where generations meet. A tiny baby is brought into the covenant of Avraham Avinu, carrying a holy name, a holy legacy, and the hopes and brachos of parents, grandparents, family, and community.

And to top it all off, we look forward to celebrating our future son-in-law Rabbi Moshe Weiss’s ufruf this Shabbos! From a bris to an ufruf, from a new baby entering the covenant to a chosson preparing to build a Jewish home with our daughter Rivky, iy"h, we are reminded again how precious every stage of life is, and how much blessing there is when family and community celebrate together.

Last week’s Lag B’Omer with Leibel Lazaroff was also something very special. The evening brought together people of all ages for inspiration, Jewish pride, music, food, warmth, and an unforgettable message of strength and resilience. You can check out the photo album here, and read the beautiful article linked to in the Jewish Herald Voice preview below.

Please don’t miss this week’s classes and programs listed below, and be sure to sign up for Shavuos. We would love to celebrate and receive the Torah together.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

The seventh year is Shemittah, a Sabbatical year in which Jews are not permitted to plant or reap. After five years of continual planting, the sixth year’s growth is naturally less abundant, yet G-d assures us that this year will sustain us for that year, the seventh year, and beyond. There are times when life feels exactly like that “sixth year,” when we are tired, stretched thin, and just trying to keep up. In that state, we may still find ourselves in demanding relationships or situations where every ounce of patience is tested. Even then, we try to respond better than we feel, pausing, holding back, choosing patience. And often, what makes the difference is not perfection but effort itself, which can soften a moment and shift the tone of a relationship in ways we could not predict.

On a deeper level, this points to the flow of history toward the era of Moshiach, a time of rest and clarity after long spiritual labor. We may feel that earlier generations had greater strength, while we are spiritually depleted and running on empty, yet it is precisely in this “sixth year” state that our efforts are most meaningful. When results feel smaller and effort feels harder, every act of perseverance carries greater weight. When a Jew still learns, davens, or does a mitzvah with whatever strength remains, that effort itself sustains us and moves us closer to the final redemption, just as the sixth year is what carries us into Shemittah and beyond.

Have a delightful Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

JHV, Thursday, May 7, 2026 -  YJP hosts spirited Lag B’Omer with Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff YJP Houston’s annual Lag B’Omer kumzitz (musical gathering) drew a warm and spirited crowd to Chabad of Uptown on Monday, May 4, for an evening of music, inspiration and community. Traditionally, a YJP (Young Jewish Professionals) Houston event has been for its members only. However, this year’s kumzitz was open to the broader community in honor of its featured guest, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff.  More...

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, May 9, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Tuesday, May 12, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Book of the People - Discover how the wisdom of G-d can be determined by humans. Register: www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
• 2 Tuesdays May 12-Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.
• 4 Wednesdays, May 13-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Thursday, May 14, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
• Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS CHAZZAK PARSHAS BEHAR-BECHUKOSAI

FRIDAY, MAY 8, IYAR 21
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:45 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 37
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, MAY 9, IYAR 22
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
7:45 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 5
8:43 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 38
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 10, IYAR 23
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 11 & 14, IYAR 24 & 27
6:45 am Shacharis

Mazel tov! Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to share that just a few moments ago, our daughter Chaya and her husband Rabbi Shalom Burkis welcomed a beautiful baby boy. That makes us grandparents!

There are moments in life that do not just add joy to the calendar. They change the way we see everything.

Earlier this week, the women gathered for a beautiful Sefira Paint Night, exploring the Sefiros, the soul traits we refine during these weeks between Pesach and Shavuos. With color, conversation and creativity, we were reminded that each day of Sefira is another brushstroke. Another layer. Another opportunity to bring out the beauty Hashem placed inside each of us.

And this Shabbos, we read Parshas Emor, where the Torah speaks about the Kohanim, the Yomim Tovim, and the mitzvah of counting the Omer. It reminds us that holiness is not only found in great moments, but in the way we count each day, elevate each moment, and build a life of meaning.

Today is Pesach Sheni, the day that reminds us that no one is left out and it is never too late. A group of Jews came to Moshe Rabbeinu and said, “Why should we lose out?” They wanted their chance to bring the Korban Pesach too. That cry became part of Torah forever.

And in the middle of Sefira, while we are counting one day at a time, our family had something very special to count, Boruch Hashem: our first grandson! A new life, a new generation, and a very personal reminder that every day matters, every person matters, and every neshamah brings new light into the world.

As we count toward Shavuos, we are grateful for the brochos Hashem gives us, for the chance to grow, to create, to celebrate, and to pass it all forward.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The things you own can end up owning you

Reciting a blessing is far more than asking permission before enjoying food or anything in this world. It is a declaration of truth. Everything belongs to Hashem: the earth, its resources, our possessions, and even we ourselves. When a Jew says a brachah before eating, he is recognizing that he is not taking something for himself independently, but partaking as one who belongs to Hashem and lives within His world. Just as a servant of a Kohen is permitted to eat from the Kohen’s holy foods a part of the Kohen’s household, so too a blessing reminds us that we are Hashem’s servants, and therefore we are able to enjoy what is His. The brachah does not remove holiness from the world. It reveals our place within it.

This idea carries a powerful lesson for everyday life. Much of our frustration comes from feeling that things are ours and have been taken away, when the car breaks down, the business deal falls through, the credit card is lost, or even when a favorite coffee shop suddenly closes. Blessings train us to live differently, with gratitude instead of entitlement, and with trust instead of panic. When we remember that everything is entrusted to us by Hashem and never truly ours to control, disappointment becomes easier to carry. Instead of asking, “Why did I lose this?” we begin to ask, “What is Hashem guiding me toward next?” That mindset brings freedom, humility, and peace, because if everything belongs to Him, then every change is part of a larger plan.

Have a peaceful Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, May 2, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• 3 Tuesdays May 5-Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.
• 5 Wednesdays, May 6-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Thursday, May 7, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
• Tuesday, May 12, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Book of the People - Discover how the wisdom of G-d can be determined by humans. Register: www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
• Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS PARSHAS EMOR

FRIDAY, PESACH SHENI, MAY 1, IYAR 14
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:41 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 30
RSVP for Cindo de Shabbat May First Fridays Dinner www.yjphouston.org/cinco

SHABBOS, MAY 2, IYAR 15
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by Stephan Abergel in memory of his father, Masud ben Shalom z"l and by Dr. Michael Allon in memory of his mother, Rivka bat Aliza z"l
7:40 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 4
8:37 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 31
Living Torah

SUNDAY, MAY 3, IYAR 16
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 4 & 7, IYAR 17 & 20
6:45 am Shacharis

This week’s parsha tells us: Kedoshim tihiyu ki kadosh Ani Hashem Elokeichem. Be holy, because I, Hashem your G-d, am holy.

It is a big statement. But the Torah does not leave holiness floating in the clouds. The parsha immediately brings it down to real life. Honor your parents. Keep Shabbos. Leave the corners of your field for someone else. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t stand by while another person is in danger. Love your fellow as yourself.

In other words, holiness is not running away from the world. Holiness is how a Jew stands inside the world.

That is exactly the feeling behind our upcoming Lag B’Omer Kumzitz with Bondi Hero Leibel Lazaroff.

Our nephew's Leibel’s story is not just a story of survival. It is a story of a Jew who was thrown into a moment of darkness and answered with light, courage, faith, and Jewish pride. That is holiness. Not dramatic holiness from a different century, but the kind we need right now.

The event is produced by YJP Houston, but it is open to the entire community and all ages. Because a story like this is bigger than one crowd. Lag B’Omer is a night of fire, music, warmth, and Jewish unity, and this year it feels especially fitting that we gather together around the fire to hear from someone whose life reminds us what it means to keep that Jewish flame burning.

Join us for an evening of music, inspiration, great food, and real Jewish strength!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The meaning of life is to give life meaning

The mitzvah of Orlah and Neta revai presents a strikingly counterintuitive progression. A person invests time and effort into cultivating a tree, only to find that its initial yield is entirely off-limits for three years. In the fourth year, the fruit remains beyond ordinary use, designated instead for a higher, sanctified purpose. Only in the fifth year does the fruit become fully permitted. The sequence appears inverted; one would expect a gradual ascent from the permissible to the sacred, not a movement from prohibition to sanctity and only then to ordinary use. 

This structure reflects a deeper principle in service of Hashem. The majority of human activity exists not in the realm of the explicitly commanded or forbidden, but within the domain of the permissible. This is the arena in which meaning is not prescribed, but created. The discipline imposed by the earlier stages cultivates restraint and awareness, shaping an individual who no longer relates to the world through instinct alone. By the time one reaches what is permitted, the question is no longer whether something may be used, but how it will be used. It is specifically within this realm of the ordinary that Judaism locates the greatest potential for growth: the transformation of the neutral into the purposeful, and the elevation of the everyday into an expression of divine service.

Have a fantastic Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, April 25, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, April 27, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• 4 Tuesdays Apr. 28-Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.
• 6 Wednesdays, April 29-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
• Thursday, April 30, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
• Tuesday, May 12, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Book of the People - Discover how the wisdom of G-d can be determined by humans. Register: www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
• Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, April 26, 7:30 pm - Ladies Sefirah Paint Night - A relaxing evening for women of personal growth and art with meaningful Sefirah inspiration. www.chabaduptown.org/watercolor
• Thursday, April 30, 8 pm - Virtual Speed Dating - Values Based Matches metatchabad.com/speeddating
• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
• Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS PARSHAS ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, IYAR 7
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:36 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 23
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, APRIL 25, IYAR 8
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
7:35 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
8:32 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 24
Living Torah

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, IYAR 8
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY APRIL 27 & 30, IYAR 10 & 13
6:45 am Shacharis

We are very grateful to celebrate the Bas Mitzvah of our youngest child, Menucha Lazaroff. May she grow to be a true Bas Chabad and bring much Yiddishe nachas to her family and to all of Klal Yisroel. It was especially meaningful to finish Pesach with family, and having our future son in law, Moshe Weiss, in town for Shabbos and for the Bas Mitzvah made the whole Yom Tov even more special.

This week, Israel is on all of our minds, and they need us now more than ever. We are excited to share breaking news!!! Our volunteer mission now has a new flight option through Rome on ITA Airways for any active Jewish adults 18+, (including age 50+). Register now before all the seats are gone! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

There is a powerful lesson in this week’s Parsha, Tazria-Metzora. The Gemara says that if someone with tzaraas enters a house uninvited, the homeowner has only a brief moment to ask him to leave, defined as "the time it takes to light a candle". It is such an unusual image for measuring time, and maybe that is exactly the point. When something is wrong, you cannot just stand there. You have to do something. Light the candle. Take action.

That is true in so many parts of life, and especially now. When there is darkness, when there is pain, when there is a need, the answer is not only to think about it or speak about it, but to add light in a real way through one more mitzvah, one more act of kindness, one more show of support, one more step forward.

As we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Iyar this Shabbos with two Sifrei Torah and extra special cholent with kishka, we look forward to welcoming you.

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Satiety is a dream which makes pleasure vanish.

The mitzvah of mikvah builds this contrast directly into marriage. It creates a rhythm of distance and return, times of restraint followed by renewed closeness, so that connection never becomes routine. Instead of relying on conflict or emotional drift to create space, it introduces a deliberate and healthy separation that preserves respect, desire, and renewal. The relationship is continually refreshed, like a honeymoon that keeps beginning again.

In our relationship with Hashem, the same pattern appears in a more internal form. There are moments of clarity when closeness feels self evident, and there are moments when that clarity recedes and what remains is effort without feeling, motion without immediate reward. Those shifts are not interruptions to the relationship but the very way it deepens, because they force a person to relate not only through experience but through choice. The bond is not sustained by constant emotional presence, but by the decision to continue reaching even when it is no longer naturally felt, and it is precisely that movement back toward Him, after absence, that creates a more enduring connection than presence alone ever could.

Have a joyous Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, April 18, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, April 20, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, April 22, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, April 23, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Sunday, April 26, 7:30 pm - Ladies Sefirah Paint Night - A relaxing evening for women of personal growth and art with meaningful Sefirah inspiration. www.chabaduptown.org/watercolor
• Thursday, April 30, 8 pm - Virtual Speed Dating - Values Based Matches metatchabad.com/speeddating
• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
• Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS ROSH CHODESH IYAR PARSHAS TAZRIA-METZORA

FRIDAY, ROSH CHODESH IYAR, APRIL 17, NISSAN 30
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:32 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 16
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, ROSH CHODESH IYAR, APRIL 18, IYAR 1
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
7:30 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 2
8:27 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 17
Living Torah

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, IYAR 2
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY APRIL 20 & 23, IYAR 3 & 6
6:45 am Shacharis

After the intensity and elevation of Pesach, the holiness is not meant to remain behind at the Seder table. It is meant to continue with us into everyday life.

What a beautiful Pesach it was at Chabad of Uptown. Baruch Hashem, over Yom Tov our doors were open wide and our tables were full, with more than 650 meals and guests sharing in Sedarim, Yom Tov meals, late night learning, Yizkor, and Moshiach’s Seudah. Behind the scenes, it took an enormous amount of preparation, including over 1,595 pounds of produce and meat from just two primary truck orders alone, all to help create a Yom Tov that felt welcoming, abundant, and uplifting for so many.

There is something especially moving about Pesach at Uptown. So many people around the table, so many conversations and so much heart. Every meal served was more than a meal. It was a chance to celebrate freedom together, to feel the warmth of community, and to bring Yom Tov to life in a real and meaningful way.

That gives us the gift for the days after Pesach. We do not leave the inspiration behind. We take the the joy, sense of connection, and the uplift of Yom Tov and bring it into the weeks and months ahead.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, helped us, sponsored, cooked, set up, cleaned, hosted, and made the Yom Tov so special.

And now, after Pesach, we wish everyone the traditional "a gut yohr and a freilechen tamid", a good year and enduring joy, carrying the warmth and simcha of Yom Tov into the days ahead.

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
What is done in love is done well.

The Torah teaches that nothing in Hashem’s world is without purpose, even when it appears flawed or lacking. In discussing kosher animals, the Midrash describes a striking future scene in which two mighty creatures, the Leviathan fish and the Shor Habar, a powerful ox, confront one another. Our sages explain that these are not just creatures, but symbols of two types of Jews. The “fish” represents one who moves easily and naturally in their Judaism, gliding through prayer, learning, and connection with Hashem. The “ox,” by contrast, represents one who must work hard for every step, struggling to feel inspired and pushing forward with effort. Each seems to have an advantage, and both paths are essential and valued in Hashem’s eyes.

This teaches us how to view ourselves and others. Not everyone experiences Judaism the same way; for some it feels natural and uplifting, while for others it can feel like an uphill climb. But difficulty is not a sign of failure; it is part of a different kind of greatness. The effort itself, the persistence, and the refusal to give up are deeply precious. A Jew must never feel discouraged if things don’t come easily, nor assume that others who seem more naturally connected are more valuable. Every step taken with effort and sincerity fulfills a unique purpose, and Hashem treasures both the ease of the “fish” and the hard-earned progress of the “ox.”

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, April 11, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, April 13, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, April 15, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social 
• Thursday, April 16, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat, First Fridays - Join YJP Houston for a festive Taco Shabbat Dinner with great food, high spirits, and Uptown flair. www.yjphouston.org/cinco
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 pm - Bondi Hero Kumzitz, Lag B'Omer - An unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, fire pit, steaks, and soulful connection featuring Leibel Lazaroff’s story of survival and recovery after the Bondi attack. www.yjphouston.org/kumzitz
• Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
• Sunday, May 26, 7:30 pm - Ladies Sefirah Paint Night - A relaxing evening for women of painting, connection, and meaningful Sefirah inspiration.
• Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM IYAR PARSHAS SHEMINI

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, NISSAN 23
7:28 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
Omer Count 9
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, APRIL 11, NISSAN 24
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
7:30 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 1
8:23 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 10
Living Torah

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, NISSAN 25
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY APRIL 13 & 16, NISSAN 26 & 29
6:45 am Shacharis 

FRIDAY, ROSH CHODESH IYAR, APRIL 17, NISSAN 30
6:45 am Rosh Chodesh Shacharis
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast

April Events at YJP Houston

Where young Jewish professionals connect in a sophisticated, welcoming, relaxed setting with a spirited vibe.

Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2 | 8:15 pm
Uptown Pesach Seders

A refreshingly traditional Seder with Uptown flare. Join Chabad of Uptown for an elevated, warm, and spirited Pesach experience with great food, meaningful conversation, and a Seder that is authentic, engaging, and memorable.

We never want finances to stand in the way of participation.
If cost is a concern, please reach out confidentially.

Register here

Friday, April 3 | 7:30 pm
April First Fridays: Pesach Edition

Pesach Shabbat Dinner for Young Jewish Professionals. Celebrate Shabbat and Pesach together with great company, delicious food, spirited conversation, and the warm YJP Houston atmosphere you love.

Register by Tuesday for "advance" coupon!

Get tickets

Thursday, April 9 | 5:45 pm
Moshiach Seudah

Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a Feast of Moshiach. Join for an uplifting and meaningful gathering as we close out Pesach with song, inspiration, and the hope for redemption.

Wed-Sun., May 22-26
CYP Encounter Guatemala - SOLD OUT

Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals.

SOLD OUT

Trip details

Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7
Volunteer in Israel - Limited Spots!

Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel.

Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back.

A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+.

Learn more

Featured Gallery: Education and Sharing Day at the Texas Capitol

This past week, Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins from across Texas gathered at the State Capitol in honor of Education and Sharing Day, where Governor Greg Abbott signed the official proclamation recognizing the Rebbe’s enduring call to strengthen education, moral values, and acts of goodness and kindness. These photos capture a meaningful moment of Jewish pride, public leadership, and the growing impact of Chabad across Texas.

View gallery