Another wonderful week of classes! Monday Shabbos Law, Tuesday Meditation Lunch, Tuesday evening JLI's Purposeful Life with Rabbi Moishe Traxler, Wednesday graduation of YJP Houston's Talmud Dilemmas, Thursday night Gates of Trust! Looking forward to another week of well attended classes on Shabbos morning at 9 am Torah Or and Shabbos afternoon laws of Adar / Purim!
As Jews, we are like a single entity; united at our core. Just look to this week’s Torah portion for one of the greatest examples of this: Moshe ascended the mountain for 40 days. When he didn’t return on what the people mistakenly calculated as the 40th day, they assumed that he had died. Certain rabble-rousers incited the others to create a replacement for their leader — the infamous Golden Calf.
Although Moshe himself obviously wasn’t involved in creating the idol, nor was the majority of the Jewish nation, because of their inherent unity even those who were technically innocent were affected by this horrendous act. Moshe, who wasn’t even present when it occurred, was demoted in Hashem’s eyes. As a result, it became his responsibility to beg Hashem for forgiveness and atone for all the people — which he did successfully, because it was personal for him.
The same is true across the board: when a single member of our nation is in crisis, it becomes all of our collective responsibility to help that one Jew. How much more so when many of our fellow Jews find themselves in peril — the feeling of Jewish unity and shared responsibility must be front and center for all of us.
Since the events of October 7, the worldwide Jewish nation has proven that we are indeed one entity. We continue to demonstrate that no matter where we may be, physically or spiritually, and no matter the pushback we may receive, every single Jew around the world will stand up for our brothers and sisters. We learn Torah, pray, donate, do extra mitzvahs, and demand their safe return.
Most importantly, we demand of Hashem to bring an end to all the suffering of our fellow Jews, with the coming Moshiach, may it be today!
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Tuesdays, March 5 - JLI: Advice for Life: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Guidance for Leading a More Purposeful Life - Experience the Rebbe’s exceptional approach to uncovering timeless meaning in everyday questions of health, work, family, fulfillment, struggle, and inner peace. Register
- Sunday, March 10, 9:30am-4pm - Mental Health First Aid Join a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. CEU credits available. RSVP
- Sunday, March 24, 4 pm - Purim in the Jungle & Drum Circle - Join us for an unforgettable Jungle themed Purim party for the whole family and community, bringing friendship and fun together! www.chabaduptown.org/jungle
UPCOMING YJP HOUSTON EVENTS:
- TONIGHT! Friday, March 1, 6 pm Moroccan Shabbat First Fridays - Enjoy a Moroccan Themed evening with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. Bring your friends, ages 21-39! Friday Night Services: 6:00PM, Shabbat Candle Lighting: 6:03PM, Shabbat Dinner 7:00PM, $18 until Thursday, $25 after. Use promo code: advance www.yjphouston.org/casablanca
- Saturday, March 23, 9:30 pm - YJP, YAD & Jewston Murder Mystery Purim for Young Professionals - An interactive comedy murder mystery dinner professionally produced by the The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show. Just beware! The killer is hiding somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect! www.yjphouston.org/mysterypurim
- March 29-31: CYP Shabbaton Encounter Texas - YJP Houston will host an exciting weekend of soulful connections and enriching encounters, fostering personal and spiritual growth. Registration includes the full programming, including all meals, classes, group discussions, social mixes, axe throwing, entertainment and volunteering opportunities, from Friday afternoon - Sunday afternoon More & RSVP www.chabadyoung.com/tx
Mazel tov to Mark & Osi Croock and grandparents, our Gabbai Emiritus, Dr. Alan & Chagit Croock on the birth of a baby girl!
Shabbos Parshas Ki Sisa
Friday, March 1, 21 Adar I
6:00 pm Evening Services
6:03 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
7:00 pm RSVP for Moroccan Shabbat First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/casablanca
Shabbos, March 2, 22 Adar I
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis Services
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by the Benjaminov Family, in memory of Rafi's grandfather, Menachem Zvi Ben Sara z"l, מנחם צבי בן שרה ז״ל
6:00 pm Mincha
Laws of Adar / Purim
6:58 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
Sunday, March 3, 23 Adar 1
8:00 am Shacharis
Monday-Friday, March 4-8, 24-28 Adar 1
6:45 am Shacharis
Good Shabbos!