Yesterday, on Tisha B'Av we sat low and mourned what was destroyed. This Shabbos, in the Haftorah we hear the words, “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami,” “Comfort, comfort My people.” This is a double consolation. We are not only emerging from Tisha B’Av, we are also approaching Tu B’Av, one of the most joyous days of the Jewish year.

This movement from mourning to joy does not mean forgetting what was lost. It means answering loss by building.

Perhaps there could be no more fitting way for our community to enter Shabbos Nachamu than by welcoming a Sefer Torah to Chabad of Uptown. Completed just three weeks ago in Israel in memory of Avrohom Leib and Shoshana Joslyn Feldman ע״ה, the beloved parents of Dorit Kamman, it will be read from for the first time in Houston this Shabbos at 11:15 am.  We invite you to share in this meaningful celebration tomorrow as their memory and our communal joy continue through more Torah, more mitzvos and more Jewish life. A celebratory Kiddush will follow.

This Sunday, the celebration continues at our YJP White Party at the Lanes as we prepare for Tu B’Av on Wednesday. The Talmud teaches, “There were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. On these days the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? ‘Young man, raise your eyes and see which you select for yourself…’”

The Rebbe often taught that simchah (joy) is not merely something we wait to experience after the Redemption. Simchah itself breaks through boundaries and helps bring Redemption closer. And redemption is not only the ultimate redemption of our people from exile. It is also the personal redemption each of us needs from whatever confines us: from pain, loneliness, fear, disappointment or a chapter that has felt impossible to move beyond.

The circle dances of Tu B’Av, with no beginning and no end, express a joy that rises beyond limitations. They remind us that no difficulty is the final word, no darkness defines the whole story and, with Hashem’s help, every person can step beyond yesterday’s boundaries into a brighter and more joyful tomorrow.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

THE COHEN CORNER
Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity. 

The Torah's most famous declaration begins with a word that is easy to pass over: Shema. Before we proclaim Hashem as our One G-d, we first must listen. To pause for a moment, set aside the distractions competing for our attention, and become fully present. That opening word is far more than an introduction to a prayer. It reminds us that faith begins with paying attention. Throughout Jewish history, Jews have said these words in times of joy, in the routines of everyday life, and in moments of unimaginable hardship. Yet before saying anything about Hashem, the Torah first asks us to gather ourselves. Gather your scattered thoughts and bring your attention into one place before declaring what matters most. 

It is surprisingly easy to spend an entire day physically present while mentally somewhere else, thinking about tomorrow's meeting during dinner, checking your phone while someone is speaking, or rushing through a mitzvah before moving on to the next task. The challenge of Shema is to notice when that happens and bring yourself back. When you're learning Torah with a friend, sitting across the table from your family, saying a blessing before a meal, or spending a few quiet moments in prayer, try to be fully there. We cannot stop our minds from wandering altogether, but we can keep choosing to return. Every time we do, we are already living the first lesson of Shema.

Have a phenomenal Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Shabbos, July 25, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, July 27, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, July 29, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
• Thursday, July 30, 8:00 pm - Evening Chassidus
• Tuesday, September 1, 12:00 pm - Lunch & Learn: Tehillim, Faith in Uncertain Times - RSVP at chabaduptown.org/lunch.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Shabbos, July 25, 11:15 am - Welcome the New Kamman / Feldman Sefer Torah! - Join us this Shabbos Nachamu as we read for the first time in Houston from a Sefer Torah completed in Israel in memory of Avrohom Leib and Shoshana Joslyn Feldman ע״ה, beloved parents of Dorit Kamman. A celebratory Kiddush will follow.
• Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes! www.yjphouston.org/whiteout
• Friday, August 7, 7:30 pm - Welcome to Houston: Citrus & Herbs August First Fridays Shabbat Dinner - New to Houston or already part of the YJP family? Join us for our August First Fridays Citrus & Herbs Shabbat. Whether you just moved here or have been with us for years, come enjoy a fresh summer dinner, welcome new faces, reconnect with friends and celebrate Shabbat together with the YJP Houston community. Services 7:30 pm, Candle Lighting 7:52 pm, Dinner 8:45 pm yjphouston.org/welcome.
• Sunday, August 9-Monday, August 17 - Volunteer in Israel: Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel. A community volunteer mission for active adults ages 18 and up, including those 50+. Israel needs us again. We are going back! - www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip
• 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.
• Sunday, August 23, 12:30 pm - FCYA Shofar Factory with Friends - Create it, blow it, own it! Join volunteers of YJP Houston with FCYA (Friendship Circle of Houston - Young Adults) to fabricate shofars together with Young Adults with special needs for a morning of fun, camaraderie and integration. $10 prepaid with coupon code “advance,” $18 at the door. RSVP at yjphouston.org/fcyashofar.

FEATURED MAHJONG PHOTOS
Mahjong, friendship and a beautiful night out  -  Our Women’s Social brought together beginners and experienced players for an evening of connection, laughter and community at Chabad of Uptown. Whether they came alone or brought a friend, there is always a seat at the table.

SHABBOS NACHAMU PARSHAS V'ESCHANAN

FRIDAY, JULY 24, MENACHEM AV 10
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:02 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, JULY 25, MENACHEM AV 11
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Nachamu Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Kamman family in honor of welcoming the New Torah completed just three weeks ago in Israel in memory of Avrohom Leib and Shoshana Joslyn Feldman ע״ה, the beloved parents of Dorit Kamman
8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
8:58 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JULY 26, MENACHEM AV 12
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY, JULY 27 & 30, MENACHEM AV 13 & 16
6:45 am Shacharis

This has been a week of whiplash, and also a week that reminded us what our people are made of.

Rabbi Chaim spent 24 hours at the CYP Kinus in Austin, together with young shluchim from around the world, watching one of the fastest growing corners of our movement gather to strengthen each other for the work ahead. It was genuinely energizing to see that kind of growth and commitment in one room. Before and after, we were pulled between a funeral, two shivas for children who lost young parents far too soon, and a bris.

Life does not organize itself into neat categories, and this week proved it. A newborn entered the covenant of Avraham the same week families sat low to the ground processing a loss with no easy explanation. But even in the hardest moments, there was so much light. A new soul welcomed into our people. A room full of young shluchim building the future. Communities showing up for each other in shiva homes with real love.

This week is called Shabbos Chazon, the Shabbos before Tisha B'Av, when we read Parshas Devarim. The name comes from the opening word of the haftorah, Chazon Yeshayahu, Isaiah's vision. There's a well known teaching among the Chassidic Masters that on this Shabbos every Jew is shown a vision of the future Beis Hamikdash, even if we don't consciously perceive it. It's a vision worth holding onto, especially this week.

We are deep in the Nine Days now, and next week we arrive at Tisha B'Av itself, the day our sages tell us the Moshiach will be born. The same day marked for our deepest mourning is also the day associated with our greatest birth. That alone tells you everything about how our tradition sees darkness, never as the final word.

That's the lesson for life. We don't get to choose when joy and sorrow show up. We do get to choose to hold onto the vision anyway.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

THE COHEN CORNER
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. 

Preparing the Jewish people to enter the Land of Israel, Moshe’s unusual farewell speech revisits some of the nation's most painful failures. Yet he does so in code, mentioning only the names of places that quietly allude to those episodes. Moshe wanted the people to reflect on their mistakes without reliving the embarrassment of having them publicly rehearsed. After forty years of leading, defending, and sacrificing for them, he knew that preserving their dignity would accomplish far more than recounting every detail of their shortcomings. 

Have you ever had a manager tell you, "You're doing it wrong"? Your first instinct was probably not to improve, but to explain or defend yourself. Yet when we are correcting a spouse, guiding a child, or advising a friend, we often forget what it feels like to be on the receiving end. Moshe teaches that lasting influence comes not from exposing another person's faults, but from preserving their dignity. When people feel respected, they become far more motivated to change.

Have a fantastic Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Shabbos, July 18, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Sunday, July 19, 6:00 pm - Women’s Mahjong Social - Beginners welcome, come alone or bring a friend. RSVP at chabaduptown.org/mahjong
• Tuesday, July 21, 12:00 pm – Lunch & Learn: Hashem's Hidden Home. Discover the Beis Hamikdash that was never destroyed and the eternal sanctuary that still exists today. Lunch included. RSVP: chabaduptown.org/lunch
• Wednesday, July 22, 8:50 pm – Tisha B'Av Evening of Study & Reflection - Join us for the reading of Megillat Eicha as we commemorate the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. Fast begins at 8:21 pm, Maariv at 8:48 pm followed by Eicha.
• Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes! www.yjphouston.org/whiteout
• 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.
• Sunday, August 23, 12:30 pm - FCYA Shofar Factory with Friends - Create it, blow it, own it! Join volunteers of YJP Houston with FCYA (Friendship Circle of Houston - Young Adults) to fabricate shofars together with Young Adults with special needs for a morning of fun, camaraderie and integration. $10 prepaid with coupon code “advance,” $18 at the door. RSVP at yjphouston.org/fcyashofar.

SHABBOS CHAZON PARSHAS DEVARIM

FRIDAY, JULY 17, MENACHEM AV 3
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:05 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, JULY 18, MENACHEM AV 4
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
8:05 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 2
9:02 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JULY 19, MENACHEM AV 5
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY, JULY 20, MENACHEM AV 6
6:45 am Shacharis

WED,, EREV TISHA B'AV, AUG. 22, 8 MENACHEM AV
6:45 am Shacharis
1:28 pm Refrain from general Torah Study
Seudah Hamafsekes, egg dipped in ashes.
8:21 pm Fast Begins
Refrain from eating and drinking, bathing, wearing of leather footwear, and marital relations
8:48 pm Maariv
8:55 pm Eichah Reading (Lamentations) 

THURS., TISHA B'AV, AUG. 23, 9 MENACHEM AV
Ritual wash (negel vasser) only to knuckles
6:45 am Shacharis with Torah Reading
No Tallis and Tefillin at Shacharis
7:45 am Kinos - Lamentations
1:26 pm Midday - Resume sitting normally
7:30 pm Mincha – Talis, Tefillin, Krias HaTorah
8:47 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Fast Ends
Ritual wash hands fully
Nine day mourning practices of no meat or wine continue through tomorrow Friday, 1:28 pm (halachic midday).
As this year the Tenth of Av falls on Friday, bathing, cutting hair, and laundry are allowed even before halachic midday in preparation for Shabbos.

This past week, we had the joy of celebrating Rabbi Chaim's birthday together with so many members of our Chabad family. Thank you to everyone who joined us, sent warm wishes, called, texted, or reached out in so many thoughtful ways. We are truly grateful for your friendship, your kindness, and for being part of our lives. The greatest gift is the privilege of sharing this journey together with such a wonderful community.

This week's double parshah, Matos-Masei, speaks about journeys. Masei recounts the forty-two travels of the Jewish people through the wilderness, teaching us that every stop, every challenge, and every milestone has purpose. Looking back on another year of life, we recognize that our own journeys are also guided by Hashem, with each experience preparing us for the next stage of growth.

This Wednesday evening also marks the beginning of the Nine Days, a period when we lessen our joy as we mourn the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. Yet even as we remember what was lost, we continue moving forward with purpose. The journeys described in Masei remind us that no exile is permanent. Every step brings us closer to our ultimate destination, the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash with the coming of Moshiach.

May we merit to transform these days of mourning into days of joy, and celebrate together in Jerusalem, speedily in our days.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

THE COHEN CORNER
Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. 

The tribes of Reuven and Gad asked to settle on the fertile lands east of the Jordan instead of joining their brethren in the Holy Land because they owned abundant livestock. In presenting their request, they said, "We will build sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our children," placing their flocks before their families. Rashi notes that in his response to them, Moshe deliberately reversed the order: "Build cities for your children and enclosures for your sheep." Their mistake was not that they loved their livestock more than their children, but that they believed their ability to care for their families depended primarily on the size of their herds. Moshe corrected this subtle but profound misconception. We are obligated to work diligently and responsibly, but our livelihood does not come from our efforts alone. Our work creates the vessel; Hashem provides the blessing.

It is easy to fall into the same mindset today. We tell ourselves that if we just work a little longer, answer one more email, or close one more deal, then we will finally have the time and security to invest in what truly matters. Yet in chasing the "sheep," we can unintentionally neglect our families, our Torah learning, our prayer, and our mitzvos, believing they must wait until after our financial goals are achieved. The Torah reminds us to reverse that order. Put what is truly essential first, trusting that Hashem is the One Who sustains us. When we make room for the things that matter most, while continuing to work with honesty and diligence, we acknowledge that we are not the ultimate providers. We are responsible for the effort; Hashem is responsible for the blessing.

Have an incredible Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

THIS WEEK IN JEWISH CUSTOMS
"Nine Days" Begin
"When Av begins, we diminish [our] rejoicing" (Talmud, Taanit 26b).

Thsi Wednesday is the 1st of Av, when "The Three Weeks" mourning period over the destruction of the Holy Temple--which began 13 days earlier on Tammuz 17--enters an intensified stage. During "The Nine Days" from Av 1st to the Ninth of Av, a heightened degree of mourning is observed, including abstention from meat and wine, music, bathing for pleasure, and other joyous and enjoyable activities. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent Halachic authority for details).

Consumption of meat and wine is permitted on Shabbat, or at a Seudas Mitzvah (obligatory festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of a mitzvah) such as a Bris (circumcision), or a "Siyum" celebrating the completion of a course of Torah study (i.e., a complete Talmudic tractate). The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the custom of conducting or participating in a Siyum on each of the Nine Days (even if one does not avail oneself of the dispensation to eat meat).

Citing the verse (Isaiah 1:27) "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with Tzedakah," the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study (particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple) and charity during this period.

Links: When and (How) to be Sad, www.thethreeweeks.com

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Friday, July 10, 7:30 pm – Aggie Houston & Alumni Summer Shabbat at Chabad of Uptown - Join Aggies, alumni, friends, and the Houston Jewish community for a warm Shabbat experience. Open to all. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
• Shabbos, July 11, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Wednesday, July 8, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
• Thursday, July 9, 8:00 pm - Evening Chassidus
• Sunday, July 19, 6:00 pm - Women’s Mahjong Social - Beginners welcome, come alone or bring a friend. RSVP at chabaduptown.org/mahjong
• Tuesday, July 21, 12:00 pm – Lunch & Learn: Hashem's Hidden Home. Discover the Beis Hamikdash that was never destroyed and the eternal sanctuary that still exists today. Lunch included. RSVP: chabaduptown.org/lunch
• Wednesday, July 22, 8:50 pm – Tisha B'Av Evening of Study & Reflection - Join us for the reading of Megillat Eicha as we commemorate the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. Fast begins at 8:21 pm, Maariv at 8:48 pm followed by Eicha.
• Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes! www.yjphouston.org/whiteout
• 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.
• Sunday, August 23, 12:30 pm - FCYA Shofar Factory with Friends - Create it, blow it, own it! Join volunteers of YJP Houston with FCYA (Friendship Circle of Houston - Young Adults) to fabricate shofars together with Young Adults with special needs for a morning of fun, camaraderie and integration. $10 prepaid with coupon code “advance,” $18 at the door. RSVP at yjphouston.org/fcyashofar.

Baruch & Shani Shkerzi on the birth of a baby girl, Emanuel

SHABBOS MEVARCHIM PARSHAS MATOS-MAASEI

FRIDAY, JULY 10, TAMMUZ 25
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:06 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for "Aggie" Shabbat Dinner www.yjphouston.org/shabbat250

SHABBOS, JUNE 11, TAMMUZ 26
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Scheiner family in honor Alyssa'a birthday
8:05 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 1
9:05 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JULY 12, TAMMUZ 27
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY, JULY 13, TAMMUZ 28
6:45 am Shacharis

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, ROSH CHODESH AV
6:45 am Shacharis
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast 

THURSDAY, JULY 16, AV 2
6:45 am Shacharis

This week, Rabbi Chaim  had the honor of being in Israel for a very moving Siyum Sefer Torah, a Torah completion ceremony, in Bat Ayin, written in memory of Dorit Kamman’s parents. Standing in the hills of Eretz Yisroel, watching a new Torah welcomed with song, joy, and tears, was a powerful reminder of what keeps our people alive. No matter where we are, and no matter what we have endured, we return again and again to Torah, to Eretz Yisroel, and to the unbreakable chain of Jewish life.

That message feels especially timely as we enter the Three Weeks, which began yesterday with the fast of 17 Tammuz. These are days of mourning for the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, but they are also days when we look forward with longing to its rebuilding. We do not mourn as people stuck in the past. We mourn as people who know that something greater is still ahead.

Parshas Pinchas speaks about the daily offerings and the special korbanos brought in the Beis Hamikdash. The daily offering is also one of the things we mourn on 17 Tammuz, as it was on this day that the daily korban stopped. Even as we mourn its halting, the Torah reminds us of what we are yearning to return to, a world filled with holiness, closeness to Hashem, and visible Jewish pride.

That is also why our upcoming volunteer mission to Israel matters so much. We have new dates with El Al flights departing from Miami, and we need to confirm by this weekend before the seats are released. If you have been thinking about joining, now is the time to let us know: www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip

And on a personal note, this week is both Rabbi Chaim's birthday and birthdate. This year, July 4 and 19 Tammuz fall on the same day! As is customary among Chabad Chasidim, we will be making a birthday farbrengen this Shabbos at the kiddush. Please join us to say l’chaim together, share words of Torah, and turn these days into a time of strength, unity, and renewed commitment.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

THE COHEN CORNER
Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying. 

Children are remarkable observers. They notice far more than we realize, absorbing not only the values we teach but the priorities we live. Tzelofchad's daughters, hearing that portions of Eretz Yisroel were being divided according to male heads of households, courageously demanded their family's rightful share in the Land of Israel. The Sages explain that their father, Tzelofchad, had given his life out of profound devotion to Hashem and the Jewish people. Decades after his passing, that same passion lived on in his daughters. They inherited not merely his beliefs, but his willingness to act on them.

Our greatest influence is not the speeches we deliver but the example we set. If Torah, mitzvos, kindness, and Jewish life are only ideas we admire, our children will admire them too. But if they watch us rearrange our schedules for a mitzvah, open our home to guests, study Torah consistently, or make sacrifices for what we believe in, those values become part of who they are. Children rarely become what we tell them to be. More often, they become who they watch us become. 

Have a terrific Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Friday, July 3, 7:30 pm - All-American 250 BBQ Shabbat First Fridays for young Jewish professionals, with services at 7:30 pm, candle lighting at 8:08 pm, and BBQ themed dinner at 8:45 pm. $20 with promo code advance until Thursday, $36 after. RSVP at www.yjphouston.org/250shabbat
• Shabbos, July 4, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, July 6, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, July 8, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
• Thursday, July 9, 8:00 pm - Evening Chassidus
• Sunday, July 19, 6:00 pm - Women’s Mahjong Social - Beginners welcome, come alone or bring a friend. RSVP at chabaduptown.org/mahjong
• Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes! www.yjphouston.org/whiteout
• 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.
• Sunday, August 23, 12:30 pm - FCYA Shofar Factory with Friends - Create it, blow it, own it! Join volunteers of YJP Houston with FCYA (Friendship Circle of Houston - Young Adults) to fabricate shofars together with Young Adults with special needs for a morning of fun, camaraderie and integration. $10 prepaid with coupon code “advance,” $18 at the door. RSVP at yjphouston.org/fcyashofar.

Mazel Tov Alex and Ally Wolansky on the birth of a baby girl, Sophia Miriam!

SHABBOS PARSHAS PINCHAS

FRIDAY, JULY 3, TAMMUZ 18
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:08 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for YJP All-American 250 BBQ Shabbat First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/shabbat250

SHABBOS, JUNE 4, TAMMUZ 19
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen in honor of Rabbi Chaim's birthday!
8:05 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 6
9:07 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JULY 5, TAMMUZ 20
8:00 am Shacharis

MONDAY & THURSDAY, JULY 6 & 9, TAMMUZ 21 & 24
6:45 am Shacharis

They say, nostalgia is not what it used to be.

It is a funny line, but maybe it is also true. We often look back and wonder about the way things used to be. With all the ways we are connected today, are we more productive or less? Are we more present or more distracted? Are we building more, or simply moving faster? I am not sure.

This Shabbos, we mark the chassidic holiday of Yud Beis Tammuz, the day of liberation of the Frierdiker Rebbe from Soviet prison.

One thing is clear. The Frierdiker Rebbe did not allow the pain of the past to define the present or limit the future. This Shabbos, on Yud Beis Tammuz, we celebrate his redemption, which allowed him to continue his sacred work and eventually reestablish Lubavitch on American shores, helping spark a renaissance of Jewish life around the world in the difficult years after the war.

The Frierdiker Rebbe himself wrote that his liberation was not a personal event alone, but a celebration for every Jew. “It was not me alone whom Hashem redeemed on Yud Beis Tammuz, but also all who cherish our holy Torah, who observe mitzvos, and even one who is merely called by the name Israel.”

In this week’s parsha, Chukas, the Torah tells us of the passing of Miriam and Aharon. Their passing was not only a personal loss. Chazal teach in Taanis 9a that the Jewish people received three great gifts in the desert through their three great leaders, the well in the merit of Miriam, the clouds of glory in the merit of Aharon, and the manna in the merit of Moshe.

When Miriam passed away, the well ceased. When Aharon passed away, the clouds of glory departed. The manna, of course, continued, because Moshe was still alive. Yet the well and the clouds did not remain only memories of a better yesterday. Chazal tell us that they returned in the merit of Moshe.

Moshe did not allow the Jewish people to become a nation defined by what they had lost. He led them forward. The blessings of the past became strength for the future, and the Jewish people continued their journey with faith, courage, and joy.

As America prepares to celebrate 250 years, we can and should look back with gratitude at what this free country has given us. Here, we have been able to live openly and proudly as Jews, to build shuls, schools, mikvaos, camps, kosher institutions, and vibrant Jewish communities.

Fighting antisemitism is important. We must stand up against hate and protect our people. But a Judaism defined only by our enemies is a Judaism of yesterday. The Jewish people of today need living Judaism, proud Judaism, Jewish Judaism, Torah and mitzvos, Jewish homes, Jewish joy, and the confidence to make a difference in the world.

The past can inspire us, but it cannot replace our mission today.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

THE COHEN CORNER
Peace is not the absence of differences, but the ability to live together with them.

This week's Parshah contains one of the Torah's most famous prophecies about Moshiach. Bilaam foretells that a future king will arise who will "crush" and "uproot" the nations of the world. At first glance, it sounds as though Redemption will come through conquest. Yet the prophets describe a very different future, one in which all humanity serves Hashem together. The Rebbe explains that what Moshiach will uproot is not people, but selfishness. He will not erase our differences or force everyone to become the same. Rather, the ego that drives hatred, jealousy, and division will give way to a world where every individual and every nation contributes its unique strengths toward a common purpose.

In many ways, we have already seen a glimpse of this possibility. Modern society has shown that people of different cultures, religions, and backgrounds can work together, build communities, and pursue shared goals while remaining distinct. The challenge is that we often become consumed by what separates us instead of what unites us. The Torah's vision of Moshiach teaches us to stop defining people by their differences and start building around our shared values and common purpose. We do not have to agree on everything to move in the same direction. Every time we choose common ground over conflict, and shared purpose over personal pride, we bring the world one step closer to the Redemption for which we are waiting.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Shabbos, June 27, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Sunday, June 28, 4:30 pm - Siyum Sefer Torah in Bat Ayin, Israel - Torah Scroll Dedication in memory of R. Avraham and Shoshana Feldman a’h, the parents of Dorit Kamman. The celebration will begin at Beit Shlomo Hall in Bat Ayin, Israel, and the completed Torah will later be brought to Houston to be housed at Chabad of Uptown. If you are in Israel, join us!
• Monday, June 29, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, July 1, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
• Thursday, July 2, 8:00 pm - Evening Chassidus
• Friday, July 3, 7:30 pm - All-America 250 BBQ Shabbat First Fridays for young Jewish professionals, with services at 7:30 pm, candle lighting at 8:08 pm, and BBQ themed dinner at 8:45 pm. $20 with promo code advance until Thursday, $36 after. RSVP at www.yjphouston.org/250shabbat
• Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes! www.yjphouston.org/whiteout
• 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 CHUKAS-BALAK

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, TAMMUZ 11
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:08 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, JUNE 27, CHAG HAGEULAH YUD-BEIS TAMMUZ
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Yud-Beis Tammuz Farbrengen
8:05 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 5
9:07 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, CHAG HAGEULAH YUD-GIMMEL TAMMUZ
8:00 am Shacharis
4:30 pm Siyum Sefer Torah Bat Ayin, Israel 
in memory of R. Avraham and Shoshana Feldman a’h, the parents of Dorit Kamman

MONDAY, JUNE 29, TAMMUZ 14
6:45 am Shacharis

THURSDAY, JULY 2, FAST OF 17 TAMMUZ
4:56 am Fast Begins
6:45 am Shacharis w/ Fast of 17 Tammuz Selichos & Torah Reading
7:45 pm Mincha w/ Torah Reading
8:54 pm Maariv & Fast Ends

There is a famous slogan every proud Texan knows, “Come and take it.”

It began as the proud Texas cry of courage and determination, a refusal to surrender something precious. This week’s Torah portion gives us a deeper and more eternal version of that message.

Korach challenged Moshe and Aharon, arguing that since the entire nation is holy, no one should hold a unique position of leadership or priesthood. But Korach’s mistake was that he tried to take a crown that was not his to take.

Our sages teach that there are three crowns, the crown of priesthood, the crown of kingship, and the crown of Torah. The crown of priesthood was given to Aharon and his descendants. The crown of kingship was given to David and his descendants. But the crown of Torah remains open and available to every single Jew, כל מי שירצה יבוא ויטול, whoever wants may come and take it.

That is the powerful lesson of Parshas Korach. Not every role belongs to every person, but Torah belongs to every Jew. It is not locked away for rabbis, scholars, or people who grew up with more background. It is our inheritance. The only question is whether we are ready to claim it.

We saw a beautiful expression of this this past week at Shabbos in an Hour with Chanie and Chanale, which has been getting rave reviews all week. The excitement was not only about the delicious food or helpful tips. It was about Jewish women taking hold of Shabbos, bringing its warmth, peace, and joy into their homes, and discovering that holiness is not out of reach. It is practical. It is personal. It is ours.

That is the message of Torah, come and take it. Take a mitzvah. Take a moment of learning. Take a Shabbos candle, a Shabbos table, a word of prayer, a step closer. The crown of Torah is waiting, and every one of us has the power to wear it.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
Admiration is easy; participation is what makes the difference

This week’s Parshah, Korach, tells the story of a man with great ambition. Korach desperately wanted to become the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, a position that carried not only honor but also tremendous responsibility and sacrifice. While Korach’s rebellion was misguided, there is one quality we can learn from: his desire for spiritual greatness. Korach did not want to admire holiness from afar; he wanted to attain it himself. If only we all shared that same yearning to grow closer to Hashem and live lives of greater holiness.

Too often, however, we are content to let others do the sacred work while we watch from the sidelines. We support shuls, teachers, and community leaders, but sometimes forget that Judaism is meant to be lived personally, not merely appreciated. It is a little like being an enthusiastic sports fan who never steps onto the field. There is certainly value in supporting those who lead and inspire, but each of us has our own role to play. Let us not be content to remain spectators while others do it for us. Let each of us participate in the Jewish mission, and let us do it personally.

Have an outstanding Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Shabbos, June 13, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• Monday, June 15, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• Wednesday, June 17, 8:00 pm: YJP Dinner, Class & Social
• Friday, July 3, 7:30 pm - All-America 250 BBQ Shabbat First Fridays for young Jewish professionals, with services at 7:30 pm, candle lighting at 8:08 pm, and BBQ themed dinner at 8:45 pm. $20 with promo code advance until Thursday, $36 after. RSVP at www.yjphouston.org/250shabbat
• Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes!
• 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 KORACH

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, TAMMUZ 4
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:07 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, JUNE 20, TAMMUZ 5
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 4
9:06 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, TAMMUZ 6
8:00 am Shacharis

MON. & THURS., JUNE 22 & 25, TAMMUZ 7 & 10
6:45 am Shacharis

This week’s Torah portion tells the story of the spies sent by Moshe to scout the Land of Israel. Their mission was clear: to gather information that would help the Jewish people prepare to enter the land. Yet while most of the spies lost confidence, Caleb and Joshua remained strong. They knew that when Hashem gives us a mission, He also gives us the strength to carry it out.

This past week, the guys got together for a BBQ Bash. Some asked: What was the occasion? The answer was simple: stam. No reason. Just because Jews should get together, enjoy each other’s company, and celebrate the joy of being Jewish.

That, too, is part of the Rebbe’s message. Judaism is not only for major milestones or moments of crisis. Every gathering, every mitzvah, every moment of Jewish connection adds light to the world.

This week, as we mark the Rebbe’s yahrtzeit on Thursday, Gimmel Tammuz, we are reminded of the Rebbe’s unwavering confidence in every Jew and in the mission entrusted to each of us. The Rebbe taught us to reach out to every Jew with love, to add in goodness and kindness, and to prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach, one mitzvah at a time.

In the coming days, I will be traveling to New York to visit the Rebbe’s resting place, known as the Ohel. It would be my honor to bring your name and prayer requests with me. Please send me your Hebrew name and your mother’s Hebrew name, along with any requests for blessing. You may also send your own letter directly at: www.chabaduptown.org/ohel

It is customary when asking for a blessing to take on an additional mitzvah, adding more light and merit into the world.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff

THE COHEN CORNER
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

The spies returned from the Land describing its powerful inhabitants and fortified cities. The people panicked. Despite everything they had witnessed and everything G-d had promised, they became convinced that the mission was doomed. Moshe's response was not a carefully reasoned argument. He sharply rebuked them, refusing to validate the narrative that had taken hold. And remarkably, it worked. The very next morning, the same people who had spent the night weeping in despair were ready to enter the Land. The obstacles had not changed, but the grip of fear had loosened.

We often experience something similar. A challenge appears, and before long we are no longer dealing with the challenge itself but with the story we have built around it. We begin to see failure before we have even begun, weakness where there is strength, and impossibility where there is opportunity. Sometimes the first step forward is not solving the problem but refusing to let fear define it. When we regain that clarity, we often discover that we are capable of far more than we imagined.

Have a phenomenal Shabbos!

Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen

UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES:

• Shabbos, June 13, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
• 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.
• Monday, June 15, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
• 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.
• Wednesday, June 17, 8:00 pm: YJP Dinner, Class & Social with Guest Rabbi Levi Marinovsky, Chabad of Cypress:  A Winner's Mindset - Maximizing My Potential: Discover the Rebbe’s practical approach to living with purpose, confidence, and impact in every area of life.
• Friday, July 3, 7:30 pm - Stars, Stripes & Shabbat - July First Fridays - An All-American Summer Shabbat featuring Texas BBQ, great company, and a relaxed summer atmosphere for young Jewish professionals. Services 7:30 pm. Candle Lighting 8:08 pm. Dinner 8:45 pm.  RSVP at yjphouston.org/firstfridays
• 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 MEVARCHIM TAMMUZ PARSHAS SHELACH

FRIDAY, JUNE 12, SIVAN 27
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:05 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

SHABBOS, JUNE 13, SIVAN 28
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Mevarchim Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by Erica Newman-Corre & her family in celebration of her birthday and in gratitude to the Uptown community 
8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
9:04 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, SIVAN 29
8:00 am Shacharis

ROSH CHODESH TAMMUZ, MON. & TUES., JUNE 15 & 16, SIVAN 30 & TAMMUZ 1
6:45 am Shacharis
Followed by Rosh Chodesh Breakfast, Day 1 sponsored by Norman Lazarus and Day 2 sponsored by Uriel Netanelav marking the yartzeit of his mother, Marusia bas Ziilpa, a"h

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