This week, two beloved members of Chabad of Uptown, Fredell Lore and Bob Ullman, gave a priceless gift to the next generation.
Fredell presented a remarkable 5-foot menorah, made of steel nails and copper Judaic symbols, to the children of Camp Gan Israel at the all new Chabad Lubavitch Educational Campus. The menorah was commissioned by her in 1984 from Holocaust survivor and master coppersmith Erwin Thieberger. It was inspired by a similar menorah Fredell had seen on display at the White House. Thieberger, who survived 14 concentration camps, including Auschwitz, shaped nails, symbols of suffering, into vessels of light, incorporating stars of David and steel shofars like the one he once fashioned in the camps for Rosh Hashanah when no real one was available.
Alongside Fredell’s gift, Bob Ullman shared his story. As a young child, he and his family narrowly escaped Nazi-occupied Belgium. Now a proud Jew in Houston, he stood before our campers and reflected on what it means to live Jewishly, freely, and with purpose.
In this week’s parsha, Devarim, Moshe begins his final address to the Jewish people. The man who once called himself slow of speech becomes the one to articulate our nation’s mission and memory. These words that Moshe spoke were not just to inform, but to remind and inspire.
Fredell’s menorah speaks too. It speaks without words. Its light, its history, its very materials, tell a story of resilience. Presented to children at camp, it now becomes part of their story as well.
As we enter the Nine Days and prepare for Tisha B’Av, we remember not only the destruction in our history but the rebuilding that follows.
From brokenness comes light.
From silence, a voice.
From nails, a menorah.
May we each find ways to speak our truth, share our light, and pass on our legacy to the next generation.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie Lazaroff
The past Sunday a wonderful group of women made Jerusalem inspired tambourine masterpieces to hang in their room, ready for these times of darkness to turn to light with the coming of Moshiach!
THE COHEN CORNER
A different language is a different vision of life.
As Moshe stood in the final days of his life, he undertook one of his most profound missions, not simply as a prophet or leader but as a translator. The Book of Devarim tells how he rendered the Torah into 70 languages, despite his audience speaking only Hebrew. Why put in all that effort right then? Because Moshe knew that language shapes how people see the world. Translation wasn’t just practical; it was spiritual. He showed that the Torah’s truth applies every person, in every place and time. By translating the Torah himself, Moshe ensured that its eternal wisdom could penetrate the unique mental and emotional frameworks of every nation.
Each of us is called to be a translator in our own right. We may not speak dozens of languages, but we navigate many “languages” in daily life: science, business, art, technology, or even simple acts of kindness. Living as a Jew today means expressing Torah values in those spaces. Whether by acting with integrity at work, showing compassion, or adding purpose to routine, we can bring G-d’s wisdom into our world. Like Moshe, we’re tasked with making holiness real and relatable wherever we are.
Have a fantastic Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale & Mushka Cohen
This Shabbos is called Shabbat Chazon and Saturday night and Sunday is Tisha B'av. The complete Shul schedule is below. For the complete guide and customs click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Friday, August 1st - First Fridays YJP Breakfast for Dinner Shabbat. Enjoy breakfast for dinner with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner including French Toast Challah, Smoked Salmon, Frittata, Spinach Fruit Salad & Granola, Dips, Hearty Chicken & Matzah Ball Soups, Chicken & Waffles, Hamburger Hash, Roasted Veggies, Mimosas, and much more! www.yjphouston.org/breakfastshabbat
- Saturday August 2, 9 pm - Tisha B'Av Evening of film, study and reflection - Reading of Megillat Eicha - Book of Lamentation followed by a special film "Woman in Gold", ABOUT THE FILM: Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family.
- Tuesday, August 5th at Noon - Lunch & Learn: Mazel and Zodiac Signs: A glimpse into the Jewish Perspective. Does your Mazel define who you are? 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 at www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
- Sunday, August 10th - The White Party: Sunset Boat at Sea. Join Houston Young Jewish Professionals in their 20’s and 30’s for a sunset at sea and business networking in your summer white cocktail attire! $60 full price… But right now it’s just $45 with code advance (until Aug.7 ! Only a few tickets left, so, grab your spot! www.yjphouston.org/whiteboat
We wish a hearty mazel to Nathan Nakhmanovich and Nicole Harari on their engagement!
SHABBOS CHAZON PARSHAS DEVARIM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, AV 7
7:30 Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
7:56 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Breakfast 4 Dinner August First Fridays Shabbat www.yjphouston.org/breakfastshabbat
Sponsored in part by the Amrani brothers marking the first yartzeit of their father Eliyahu ben Yosef a"h in 9 Av and by Yocheved Schlachter
SHABBOS, AUGUST 2, AV 8
9:00 am Chassidus at 9:00 am
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush co-sponsored in honor Shira's time at Chabad of Uptown by Shira Mattuck and Zac Bodner
1:27 pm Refrain from general Torah study
2:20 pm Early Mincha
No Pirkei Avos, No Egg & Ash
Fast begins at 8:14 pm
Shabbos ends 8:52 pm
Say Baruch Hamavdil bein Kodesh L'Chol
Change out of leather shoes, leave on Shabbos clothes
Maariv & Havdalla Candle 9:10 pm
Megilat Eicha - Book of Lamentations 9:20 pm
Followed by a moving documentary film, "Woman in Gold"
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, AV 9
Ritual wash (negel vasser) only to knuckles
8:00 am Shacharis with Torah Reading
No Talis & Tefillin by Shacharis
9:00 am Kinos - Lamentations
1:27 pm Midday - Resume sitting normally
7:15 pm Mincha – Talis, Tefillin, Krias HaTorah
8:39 pm Maariv, Havdalla (on wine only) & Fast Ends
Kiddush Levanah
MONDAY, AUGUST 4, AV 10
6:45 am am Shacharis
1:27 pm Nine day mourning practices cease (i.e. meat and wine, music, recreational bathing)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, AV 13
6:45 am Shacharis