get out!

When the Jewish people were enslaved in Egypt, they were very close to becoming completely assimilated into Egyptian culture. For 200 years they learned from the Egyptians and even attempted to become more like them. In fact, in some ways they were so similar to the Egyptians that some angels attempted to convince G‑d to just leave them there.

But three things kept them separate from their Egyptian hosts, and are what ultimately earned them redemption: they maintained their Jewish names, their Jewish way of dress, and their Jewish language.

All three of these are external, only relevant to people outside of ourselves, yet when it came to being deserving of redemption, that’s what mattered. By being proud of their heritage and wearing it on their sleeves every day, the Jewish people demonstrated that, as assimilated as they may have been, they would always be Jewish.

No matter what happens to the Jewish people throughout history, our Jewish pride must always remain at the forefront of everything we do. And that will lead to the ultimate redemption and the coming of Moshiach!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

Upcoming Events:

• Wed. Jan. 25, 8 pm - My Story: An Evening with Holocaust Survivor Bob Ullman - Hear Bob's story of his family's narrow escape of 26 people from Belgium in 1940 and what a being a Jew means to him today.
• Produced by YJP Houston, by popular demand the evening is open to the community. www.yjphouston.org/bob RSVP "BOB STORY" via TXT: 7134193960
• 4 Wednesdays, Starting Feb. 1, 8 pm - The Jewish Dating Course - An intellectually exciting journey into what G-d has to say about love, relationships, marriage, and building an everlasting life together. www.yjphouston.org/dating

Shabbos Shemos

Friday, January 13, 20 Teves
Candle Lighting and Mincha at 5:25 pm
Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, January 14, 21 Teves
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush celebrating the birthday of our Gabbai, Chaim Kamman
Mincha at 5:25 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at  6:22 pm

Sunday, January 15, 22 Teves
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Mon.-Fri., Jan. 16-20, 23-27 Teves
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!