THIS THURSDAY IS GIMMEL TAMMUZ - THE REBBE'S YARTZEIT
Over twenty five years after the Rebbe's passing, his presence is felt stronger than ever. His teachings continue to inspire and guide us, and his insights remain as fresh and relevant as if they were given today. Each of us is a beneficiary of the Rebbe's inspiration in one way or another, and our lives are affected by his visionary leadership.
This Wednesday night & Thursday Gimmel Tammuz, on the anniversary of his passing (June 22), let's celebrate the Rebbe's vision. Let's honor his life's mission to bring goodness and kindness into this world. Let's do one more mitzvah, one more good deed, to make this world a better place.
Chanie will lead an "Evening of Inspiration" on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. Open to whole community. Dinner will be served. Please RSVP here.
Rabbi Chaim will be traveling this week to New York to visit the Rebbe's resting place, known as "the Ohel". Throughout our history, the holy resting places of the righteous have served as our spiritual oases. The gravesites of our patriarchs and matriarchs, as well as those of our great sages, are viewed in our tradition as places of prayer and introspection and have provided solace to us for millennia. The Rebbe would frequent the resting place of his father-in-law, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn, of righteous memory, where he would stand and pray for hours on behalf of the thousands of people who sent him their requests.
Today, many people visit the Rebbe's resting place—known as the Ohel—each day, and many more send in their requests for prayers and blessings.
It will be our pleasure to bring letters and blessing requests on behalf of you and your family which you may drop off at Chabad of Uptown or send to via email. While writing the letter or email, remember to include the Hebrew names of the people you are asking requests for, as well as their mother's Hebrew name. It is also customary to commit to add one more Mitzvah, as a merit to receive G-d's blessings
PARSHA THOUGHT
A group of spies is dispatched to survey the Promised Land, but upon their return, they deliver a discouraging account. The people become apprehensive, and as a consequence, Hashem decrees that they must wander in the desert for forty years. It appears to be a rather bleak turn of events.
However, what follows is significant. A series of laws is introduced, specifically pertaining to the Land of Israel. The instructions commence with the words, "Speak to the children of Israel and tell them: ‘When you will come to your homeland, which I give you...’”
Interestingly, most of the people who hear these laws will never set foot in the land. Yet, they are being granted access to the teachings concerning the land. Why? Because for the Jewish people, it is never too late. Regardless of how distant we may feel or how far we may have strayed, we remain incredibly close to the Promised Land and the arrival of Moshiach!
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
Congratulations to our daughter Rivky who graduated 12th grade this week from Lubavitch Girls High School in Chicago! We were able to work in being present for her graduation ceremony that was a meaningful and joyous event!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Wednesday, June 21, 7:30 pm: An Evening of Inspiration - Marking Gimmel Tammuz the Yartzeit of the Rebbe, lead by Chanie Lazaroff
- Thursday, June 29, 12 pm Lunch & Learn: Heaven, Hell and Afterlife What do Jews believe? why does it matter?
- July 7 All American BBQ July First Fridays Shabbat Dinner www.yjphouston.org/shabbatusa
- July 12-16 CYP Encounter to Mexico City www.chabadyoung.com/mexico or Montauk, NY www.chabadyoung.com/montauk
- Wed. Aug 2 - The White Party - Tu B'av
- August 8-13 National Jewish Retreat, Palm Springs, CA www.jretreat.com
Shabbos Mevarchim Tammuz Parshas Shelach
Friday, June 16, 27 Sivan
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 8:06 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, June 17, 28 Sivan
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Mevarchim Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen in honor of 28 Sivan & Gimmel Tammuz
Study of Rebbe Teachings 6:30 pm
Mincha at 8:06 pm
Pirkei Avot Chapter 3
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 9:05 pm
Living Torah
Sunday, June 18, 29 Sivan
Shacharis at 8:00 am
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, Mon.-Tues., June 19-20
Shacharis at 6:45 am
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh Breakfast
Wednesday, June 21, Eve of Gimmel Tammuz
"Evening of Inspiration" at 7:30 pm. Open to whole community. Light dinner & refreshments will be served. Please RSVP here.
Wed.-Fri. June 21-23, 2-4 Tammuz
Shacharis at 6:45 am
Good Shabbos!