Due to realities beyond our control, we must report that this weekend will be our final days of Pesach at Chabad of Uptown. 😉
We hope you are having a wonderful holiday. We have had a beautiful Yom Tov as well, with wonderful seders outdoors under the sky and well attended minyanim throughout the chag, with covid-safe protocols of course.
Speaking of covid, any adult of any age in Houston who wants to get the vaccine can get the vaccine. For those of you looking, anyone we know that have closely followed the leads in this Facebook group have got their vaccine within a few days. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vaccinatehouston/
Now we are heading into the final days of Pesach, here are some highlights:
- First Fridays Pesach Edition - What is different this First Fridays from all other First Fridays? It's Pesach! Join Young Jewish Professionals Pesach Shabbat, of course with crunchy matzah and choice wine / grape juice with Young Jewish Professionals, ages 21-39, over a physically distanced and individually served outdoor Shabbat Dinner on the Uptown Plaza. 7:23 pm - Candle Lighting, 7:30 pm – Masked Friday Night Services, 8:15 pm – Outdoor Pesach Shabbat Dinner. LIMITED SEATING OCCUPANCY. RSVP REQUIRED. Masks required indoors or outdoors within 6 ft outside of your pod $18 until Thursday, $25 after Use promo code: advance. www.yjphouston.org/pesachshabbat
- Night of Learning - It is customary to remain awake on the eve of the Seventh of Passover (i.e., tonight) and spend the entire night in Torah study and joyous celebration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea.
- "Song of the Sea" Torah Reading - On the Seventh Day of Passover we read how on this day the sea split for the Children of Israel and drowned the pursuing Egyptians, and the "Song at the Sea" sung by the people upon their deliverance.
- Yizkor - Yizkor, the remembrance prayer for departed parents, is recited on Sunday the last day of Pesach, after the morning reading of the Torah. Links: The Yizkor Prayer, Honor Due to Parents, On Breavement and Mourning.
- Moshiach's Meal - The last day of Pesach is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Haftarah for this day is from Isaiah 11, which describes the promised future era of universal peace and divine perfection. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of partaking of a "Moshiach's meal" on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the matzah eaten at "Moshiach's meal", the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the seder held on Passover's first days. Links: Haftarah for 8th of Passover, The Third Seder, Moshiach: an Anthology
FRIDAY, APRIL 2 | DAY 6 EREV SHABBOS
Morning Service at 6:45 am
Candle Lighting at 7:23 pm
Evening Service at 7:25 pm
Omer Count
YJP First Fridays Pesach Edition - www.yjphouston.org/pesachshabbat
SHABBOS, APRIL 3 | DAY 7
Late Night Torah Study (AKA Fri. night) at 12:00 am
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Evening Service at 7:25 pm
Omer Count
Light Candles AFTER 8:18 pm
SUNDAY, APRIL 4 | DAY 8
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Yizkor Memorial Service at approx. 11:45 am
Mincha Service at 5:30 pm
Outdoor Moshiach Meal at 6:00 pm
Evening Service at 8:18 pm
Omer Count
Holiday Ends at 8:18 pm