Purim is in full swing double, triple (see below) and more with:
- over 150 hearing megillah last night and
- 130 young professionals staying on to celebrate Purim Night at the Shuk,
- beautiful minyan this morning in Shul,
- Megillah Readings and Parties at the Brookdale Galleria Senior home
- and for the Israel Consulate of Houston.
- We still have more megillah readings for the homebound
- and house parties.
- and, Don't miss the community Purim in "the Stadium" at Chabad of Uptown this afternoon at 4:30 pm with Megillah Reading at 6 pm!
- let us know if you're staying for Shabbos dinner!
With Purim this week, we are reminded of the importance of Jewish pride and resilience. The Megillah teaches us about Mordechai’s unwavering refusal to bow or bend before Haman’s demands, despite being part of a small and scattered minority. Mordechai’s courage and the steadfastness of the Jewish people ultimately led to an extraordinary transformation—from despair to joy, from darkness to light.
This lesson is at the heart of Purim. It calls on us to stand tall in our identity, even when challenges arise. Jewish pride is not just about holding firm to our values; it is about knowing that our actions, no matter how small, can inspire others and bring about positive change. Mordechai and Esther’s faith and bravery reminds us that by staying true to who we are, we pave the way for miracles and redemption.
Today, we continue to face moments that test our commitment to our faith and values. Purim encourages us to respond with dignity, courage, and pride. This is how we transform challenges into opportunities for growth and light, ensuring that the legacy of Mordechai and Esther lives on in each of us.
May this Purim inspire us all to embrace our Jewish identity with pride and strength, bringing “light, joy, gladness, and honor” into our lives and the world around us.
Wishing you a joyous Purim and Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
It's so amazing to be able to celebrate Purim with the Uptown Jewish community!
Have a fabulous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale and Mushka Cohen
JEWISH CUSTOMS
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"Triple Purim" Adar 15 is "Shushan Purim" -- the day on which Purim is observed in Jerusalem and in other ancient walled cities (not Houston), in commemoration of the fact that in the ancient walled city of Shushan the original Purim celebration was on this date. When Shushan Purim falls on Shabbos -- as it does this year -- a unique phenomenon results: the "Triple" or Three-Day Purim (Purim Meshuleshes). Because a number of the Purim mitzvot cannot be performed on Shabbos, the observances are spread over a period of three days: the megillah reading and Giving to the Poor on Friday; Al Hanissim -- the special Purim addition to the daily prayers and Grace After Meals -- on Shabbat; and Sending Food Gifts to Friends and the Purim meal -- on Sunday. For the details of these laws, see summary and links in yesterday's Laws & Customs. For more on the Three-Day Purim, click here. (The Three-Day Purim phenomenon is unique to Shushan Purim, since the regular Purim -- Adar 14 -- cannot fall on Shabbos in the present-day configuration of Jewish calendar.)
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS:
- Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 am - Mommy & Me with Chanale Cohen - REGISTER
- Shabbos, March 21-22 - Community Shabbaton "From Surviving to Thriving" with scholars in Residence, Rabbi Yisrael & Vivi Deren of Stamford, CT. www.chabaduptown.org/shabbaton
- Sat., & Sun. April 12-13 - Uptown Pesach Seders - A Refreshingly Traditional Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
- Sunday, April 20 - Moshiach Seudah - Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach."
UPCOMING YJP EVENTS:
- Thurs. March 20, 7:30 pm - Third Thursdays Happy Hour – Heights Bier Garten - No charge, no maximum capacity, no RSVP. Yes drinks, yes new people, yes fun. See you there! www.yjphouston.org/biergarten
- Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 pm - Career Coaching Network Event - Bringing together an impressive and powerful group industry executives www.yjphouston.org/career
- Monday, March 31, 8 pm Met@Chabad Virtual Speeddating www.metatchabad.com/speeddating
- Wed-Sun., May 7-11 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua
- Wed.-Thurs., July 2-10 - Meaningful, memorable and amazing volunteering trip to Israel this summer, eligble ages 18-50 —and the price is insane - as low at $599! www.chabadyoung.com/israel
THIS WEEK'S CLASSES:
- Shabbos, March 15, 9:00 am - Chassidus - Torah Or with Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff
- Monday, March 17, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
- Wednesday, March 19, 7:30 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
- Thursday, March 20, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
PURIM, SHUSHAN PURIM & SHABBOS KI SISA
PURIM DAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, ADAR 14
PURIM IN THE STADIUM - RSVP REQUIRED
4:30 pm Community Purim Party
6:00 Megilla Reading
7:12 Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
7:30 Kabbalat Shabbat
8:30 pm RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHUSHAN PURIM, SHABBOS, MARCH 15, ADAR 15
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services
Shabbat Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Pfrenger family marking the yartzeit and in memory of Yaakov Moshe ben Yechiel and by the Izak family marking the yartzeit and in memory of Eliyahu Avrohom Ben Chaim Halevi
7:10 pm Mincha
Torah Study
8:06 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbat Ends
Living Torah Video Magazine