Anytime the Chabad community celebrated a milestone in the Rebbe’s life, he always noted that the celebration was not just about him but about the benefit the celebration could bring to the entire world.
The Rebbe’s birthday was originally not celebrated with much fanfare, but over the years of his leadership, the date became marked and eventually the Rebbe started holding farbrengens—Chassidic gatherings—for the occasion. At these events, he always emphasized that the celebration must have a greater purpose—for everyone gathered there to commit to making the world a better place for all of its inhabitants.
When people wanted to give the Rebbe gifts for his birthday, he always responded that the only gifts he wanted were those that would benefit everyone. And indeed, many new initiatives—to increase Torah and mitzvahs—were undertaken in his honor, and continue to bring light to the entire world.
We continue to pay tribute to the Rebbe’s incalculable impact on the world by once again celebrating his birthday this Sunday, 11 Nissan, April 2, through gifts of Torah and mitzvahs. And we pray that we will once again see our Rebbe, together with the coming of Moshiach, may it be very soon!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
SUNDAY IS TEXAS EDUCATION AND SHARING DAY IN HONOR OF THE REBBE
On Tuesday, March 28 a delegation of rabbis representing the 122 Chabad Lubavitch leaders serving the Texas Jewish community throughout the state, visited the Texas Capitol as a bi-partisan group of state leaders recognized Education and Sharing Day to be observed this year on April 2, 2023.
- Here are some photos
- Read the report in the Jewish Herald Voice.
- Video replay for Education and Sharing Day in the Texas State House HR623,
- Video replay for Education and Sharing Day in the Texas State Senate SR348
- Signed Resolution by Governor Greg Abbott
- Text of Resolution in Texas State House HR623
- Text of Resolution in Texas State Senate SR348
Pesach is coming, April 5-13! www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2023
Bringing the community together with the delicious taste of Shmurah Matzah! Bracha Gandjian leads the young professional volunteers from YJP Houston as they share the traditional Pesach gifts, a joint project of Chabad of Uptown, Hercenberg Mitzvah Mission & Chabad Young Professionals "Ambassadors of Freedom" Project. Do you have Shmura matzah for your seder?
- Sell your chametz now! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
- Complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule
This Shabbos, the Shabbos before Passover is termed Shabbat HaGadol ("The Great Shabbat") in commemoration of the "great miracle" that happened in Egypt on this day, heralding the Exodus from Egypt five days later. Shabbat HaGadol customs include reading a portion of the Haggadah (see schedule below), which tells the story of the Exodus; it is also customary that the rabbi of the community delivers a lecture in which he elaborates on the laws of Passover and their significance, in preparation for the festival.
Upcoming Events:
- Wednesday & Thursday, April 5-6 - The Uptown Seders - Learn from our ancestors! Gather with new and old friends to experience an authentic Pesach Seder with Uptown Flare! The first night is full, there are still some space available for second seder night. www.chabaduptown.org/seder
- Friday, April 7 - 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. RSVP by Tuesday! www.yjphouston.org/pesachfirstfridays
- Thursday, April 13 - Moshiach Seudah - Mystical Seder Grand Pesach Closing - Enjoy wine and matzah, discuss words of Torah and inspirational stories, sing Chassidic melodies, and find out why this final day of Pesach has a special energy related to the coming of Moshiach. www.chabaduptown.org/3967478
- May 3-7 Antigua Guatemala Trip - An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.yjphouston.org/guatemala
Shabbos Hagadol Parshas Tzav
Friday, March 31, 9 Nissan
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 7:22 pm
Services at 7:30 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, April 1, 10 Nissan
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Say the Nassi for 10 Nissan
Followed by Shabbos Hagadol Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
Torah Study of Rebbe's teachings at 6 pm
Mincha at 7:20 pm
Shabbos Hagadol Reading of Portion of Haggadah
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:16 pm
Living Torah
Sunday, April 2, 11 Nissan
Shacharis at 8:00 am
Mon.-Wed. April 3-5, 12-14 Nissan
Shacharis at 6:45 am
PESACH SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
Tuesday April 4, 14 Nissan | CHAMETZ RIDDANCE
Check for Chametz at 8:07 pm
Wednesday April 5, 15 Nissan | EREV PESACH
Fast of Firstborns Begins at 5:50 am
Shacharis at 6:45 am
Siyum for Fast of Firstborns at 7:30 am
Finish Eating Chametz by 11:17 am
Burn Chometz by 12:21 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:25 pm
Evening Service at 7:30 pm
First Uptown Seder - RSVP
www.chabaduptown.org/seder
Thursday April 6, 15 Nissan | DAY 1
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Prayer for Dew
Evening Service at 7:30 pm
Light Candles AFTER 8:19 pm
Count the Omer
Second Uptown Seder - RSVP
www.chabaduptown.org/seder
Friday, April 7, 16 Nissan | DAY 2
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Light Shabbat Candles at 7:26 pm
Evening Service 7:30 pm
YJP First Fridays Pesach Edition 8:30 pm
www.yjphouston.org/pesachfirstfridays
Good Shabbos!