Updates

Wow, we just had quite a week for the history books. Sorry we were not able to communicate to our list by email with limited power. However using text and whatsapp messages amazing things happened. Send us a whatsapp with the word "subscribe" if you would like to be added to the Chabad of Uptown whatsapp group. The stories can write books full but Shabbos is coming soon. Briefly, scores of people looked out for each other, checked in, stop their exploding leaks,delivered food and simply showed a loving heart to their neighbors in need.

Chabad of Uptown lost power on Sunday night and Monday but got it back on Tuesday early morning. Area community and families without power on Tuesday stopped in for warmth, coffee, hot food and wifi while Chabad's power was on on Tuesday. Many sought shelter overnight while they had no power in their own homes. We even had a minyan Shacharis on Wednesday morning with all those seeking shelter, however, it was without power. Yet when we said chapter 20 if Tehillim for all those without power, at the final verse the power went on! However, Chabad of Uptown power was spotty and on and off on Wednesday until the evening it finally came on until the writing of this email.

SNOVID 2021: That time when you finally had toilet paper, but you didn’t have toilet water 

We would like to thank all of the selfless volunteers who did so much to help their neighbors in need. Cooking, shopping, delivering and being a listening ear to everyone else's war stories. Here is a story from the Jewish Herald Voice

On Monday, Chabad of Texas activated the emergency response system. If you still need help in any way reach out to your local Chabad center and they will try their best to assist you under these extraordinary circumstances. While many Chabad Houses remained without power, some sustaining significant damage, yet they were selflessly taking care of the community.  For some updates, visit www.chabadhouston.com/relief.

Many Chabad Centers also fell victim to freeze damage, including Chadad at UT-Austin, which had its main floor completely flooded from burst pipes.

The Chabad Lubavitch Center’s mikvah pumps, which are stored outdoors, froze over, while damage also was incurred at Aishel House, Chai Learning Center in West Houston and Chabad in League City, among others.

Please give generously to your local Chabad house relief fund. For Chabad of Texas choose "Storm Relief" on the drop down at www.chabadhouston.com/donate or paypal at www.paypal.me/chabadtexas.

For Chabad of Uptown relief efforts visit www.chabaduptown.org/donate. You can also using cashapp, venmo or paypal: @chabaduptown zelle: [email protected] Direct app links: 

http://paypal.me/chabaduptown

http://venmo.com/chabaduptown,

http://cash.app/chabaduptown.

However the show must go on and the indiscriminate clock has brought Shabbos upon us!

Parshas Zachor - This being the Shabbat before Purim, on which we celebrate the foiling of Haman the Amalekite's plot to destroy the Jewish people, the weekly Parshah is supplemented with the Zachor reading (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth. Of all of the Torah readings year round this one is the one that is most required to read. If you are not making it to shul for whatever reason, be sure to read it at the very least from a Chumash.

Purim! - Yep it's this coming week! The complete schedule is below. We lost a week and are keeping the registrations forms open! If you intend on joining the covid-safe young professional party on Thursday night or community party on Friday please register ASAP so we can plan accordingly. If you plan to only attend a megillah reading, you can simply reply to this email.

PARSHA: Where Did All the Materials for the Tabernacle Come From?

Building a Temple in the desert!? Where do you get all the materials from? more…

SHABBOS ZACHOR PARSHAS TERUMAH

Friday, 7 Adar  - February 19
Candle Lighting at 5:56 pm
Mincha at 5:55 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:30 pm

Shabbos Zachor, 8 Adar - February 20
Chassidus at 9 am
Latest Morning Shema at 9:44 am
Shacharis at 10:00 am
Reading from second Torah, Parshas Zachor
Mincha at 5:55 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:51 pm
Living Torah

COMPLETE PURIM SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25
5:37 am Fast of Esther Begins
6:45 am Shacharis Services
5:45 pm Fast of Esther Mincha
6:43 pm Fast Ends & Maariv 
7:00 pm Megillah Reading
Followed by YJP Houston Purim Magic Maskedquerade - RSVP REQUIRED www.yjphouston.org/purimmagic
9:30 pm Late Night Megillah Reading

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26
6:45 am Shacharis
7:30 am Megillah Reading at Chabad of Uptown

11:00 am Megillah Reading at Donna Ella in The Galleria Level 1 near Westin Oaks
12:30 pm Megillah Reading at Beauty & Beyond in The Galleria Level I near Nordstrom

12:34 pm Wash Hamotzi before halachic midday for Purim Feast (as it is Erev Shabbos)
Try to wash Hamotzi no later than the halachic 10th hour at 3:29 pm. If that time has also passed, one should still wash hamotzi before Shabbos. 

1:00 pm Seniors Party & Megillah Reading at Brookdale Galleria - 2929 Post Oak
(Brookdale reading not open to the public, due to COVID health protocols)

3:00 PM COMMUNITY MEGILLAH READING 
RSVP required www.chabaduptown.org/magic
Followed by individually packaged Purim feast and magic show

6:01 pm Light Shabbos Candles & Mincha
6:30 pm Evening Shabbat Services

Menucha & Bluma for the 3rd place win! Thousands of women and girls, Shluchos from around the world - literally - gathered for a virtual Kinus last weekend. Menucha and Bluma entered a contest to bring to life the message of being part of one family - The Rebbe's Army - "Chassidim Ein Mishpacha". They decided to make a video about Jonas, and the assistance of three Shluchim families helping each other help Jonas and their entry won third place! You can watch the replay here. Here is Menucha celebrating their win :) >>

Tonight is Rosh Chodesh Adar! We will have the monthly Shacharis at 6:45 am! Reply to this email if we can count on you for the minyan.

Purim is almost here! We are working hard to create a safe and fun environment for all for Purim! There are many choices to perform the mitzvah with Chabad of Uptown - CLICK HERE

"When Adar enters," the Talmud declares, "we increase in joy." For this is "the month that was transformed for them from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity" (Esther 9:22) by the great miracle and victory of Purim. Our sages advise that the month of Adar is an auspicious time for the Jewish people, so that if a Jew is faced with a challenging event (i.e., a court case, a medical procedure, etc.) he should endeavor to schedule it during Adar. Links: 4 Reasons to be Happy; more on joy.

Parshat Shekalim - When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, each Jew contributed an annual half-shekel to the Temple. The 1st of Adar marked the beginning of the collection of the shekalim. In commemoration, the Torah reading of the Shabbat that falls on or before Adar 1 is supplemented with the verses (Exodus 30:11-16) that relate G-d's commandment to Moses regarding the first giving of the half-shekel. "Parshat Shekalim" is the first of four special readings added during or immediately before the month of Adar (the other three being "Zachor", "Parah" and "Hachodesh") Links: The Shekalim Reading with commentary; Partner; Tzedakah: Charity

Three Sefer Torahs - This Shabbat is unique in that three Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and read from in the public Torah reading: one scroll for the weekly Parshah, a second scroll for the Rosh Chodesh reading, and a third scroll for the Shekalim reading. 

The Party at Sinai

When we think about spiritual experiences, we picture prayer, meditation, or perhaps a solitary walk in nature. Yet that is not how the Torah describes the Jewish people’s experience at the greatest Divine revelation in history, the giving of the Torah at Sinai. more…

SHABBOS SHEKALIM PARSHAS MISHPATIM

Friday, Rosh Chodesh Adar, 30 Shevat - February 12
Rosh Chodesh Adar Shacharis at 6:45 am
Candle Lighting at 5:51 pm
Mincha at 5:50 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:30 pm

Shabbos Shekalim, Rosh Chodesh 1 Adar - February 13
Chassidus at 9 am
Latest Morning Shema at 9:47 am
Shacharis at 10:00 am
Mincha at 5:50 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:46 pm
Living Torah