We went so big we don't fit in the studio!! This morning, FOX26 Heather Sullivan & Melissa Wilson joined Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff & Bluma Lazaroff with Cory Weinberg's creation of this year's truly largest gragger known to man, standing 10ftx12ft tall! The Jewish holiday of Purim begins this Saturday evening and lasts until Sunday evening. Watch how Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff explains the meaning behind the holiday on Fox26 here.
We are indeed in Texas, and we gotta go big! You think last year's gragger was big? It was "only" 4x7 ft! This years measures in 12 x 10 ft tall! Come see it for yourself at Chabad of Uptown's Motzei Shabbat megillah reading! Complete schedule and registration link to the Purim parties are below. JHV calls him "The Grogger Guy"... lol
The holiday of Purim commemorates the Jewish people’s victory over the wicked Haman and the antisemites of his day. The fortune of the Jewish people turned from bleakness and dread to complete and utter victory, seemingly overnight.
But the seeds for this victory were actually planted in the words of Haman himself. In introducing his proposed plan to annihilate the Jews, he said, “There is one nation, spread and splintered among the nations.” What he was implying was that despite the G-d of the Jews always coming through for His people, in this instance the Jews are splintered and lacking unity, and therefore they will no longer have Hashem's protection.
His mistake was that he didn’t pay heed to his own words. Even while referring to the Jews as “spread and splintered” he still called them “one nation” – even in their lower moments, they were still one. And that’s what eventually led to his downfall and our victory.
Throughout history, including nowadays, the Jewish people may seem to be divided and lacking a unified front. However, even under such circumstances, that element of Jewish unity can never be extinguished. No matter how splintered we may seem, we are still “one nation”—a single entity.
That’s why our enemies will never stand a chance against us – Am Yisrael Chai!
Good Shabbos and happy Purim!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
P.S. Today is the last day for early bird tickets to next week's Young Professionals Texas Shabbaton! YPs from across Texas and beyond will gather for a weekend of Jewish pride and community activism. Register below and read more about it in the JHV here.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
- 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
- Tuesday, April 2, 12-1:30 pm - Pesach 15 Steps to Freedom - Lunch & Learn - At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opportunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP
UPCOMING YJP HOUSTON EVENTS:
- 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
Shabbos Zachor Parshas VayikraFriday, March 22, 12 Adar II
7:17 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
7:30 pm Kabbolas Shabbos
8:30 pm RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, March 23, 13 Adar II
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis Services
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
2:00 pm Early Mincha
6:00 pm Torah Study
8:11 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
PURIM SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
PURIM EVE, MARCH 23, 13 ADAR II
9:00 pm Megillah Reading
Followed by YJP, YAD & Jewston
PURIM MURDER MYSTERY DINNER - RSVP REQUIRED
11:30 pm Late Night Megillah Reading
PURIM DAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 14 ADAR II
8:00 am Shacharis | 8:40 am Megillah Reading at Chabad of Uptown
11:00 am Seniors Party & Megillah Reading at Anthology of Tanglewood - 504 Bering Dr.
1:00 pm Seniors Party & Megillah Reading at Brookdale Galleria - 2929 Post Oak
4:00 pm Megillah Reading
Followed by party for whole community
PURIM IN THE JUNGLE - RSVP REQUIRED
Monday-Friday, March 25-29, 15-19 Adar II
6:45 am Shacharis
Good Shabbos!