This Yom Kippur our shul was alive with the sound of prayer. Two simultaneous minyanim, main and Sefardi, were filled to capacity. By the time we gathered for the break-fast there was barely room to stand. The walls could hardly contain the spirit of our community.
We are deeply grateful to all who made the day so meaningful.Thank you to our chazzanim, Daniel Gavin and Ziv Mesulaty, whose heartfelt prayers uplifted both the main and Sefardi minyanim. Thank you to Elana, Hank, and Ella for leading the children’s program and babysitting with such care, giving parents peace of mind while their children experienced the beauty of Yom Kippur in their own way.
Parshas Haazinu teaches that the Jewish people are like a song. Every voice matters and together they create a harmony that cannot be silenced. Two years ago, on October 7, 2023, on Simchas Torah, our enemies tried to shatter that harmony with massacre and war. Our response is the opposite, to sing louder, to gather stronger, and to celebrate deeper.
This year on October 7 we will fill the sukkah to the brim. On Simchas Torah we will flood the shul with dancing and joy. And going forward we will expand, both literally and figuratively.
Literally, with a new mikvah, kitchen, and generator so our facilities match the strength of our spirit. Figuratively, by opening our hearts and minds to more Jewish experiences through the classes, programs, and celebrations listed below.
The Jewish people have always turned pain into purpose and challenge into growth. Together, we will do the same, building a community that overflows with light, resilience, and joy.
We invite you to be part of this mission of growth, here at home and in Israel. Join our volunteer solidarity mission to Israel this December and stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters.
Wishing you a good Shabbos and a happy and joyous Sukkos.
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
P.S. We got a few extra sets of Lulav & Etrog! Be sure to put UPTOWN in the notes. Click here.
P.P.S. To accommodate the ever growing crowd, we are building a huge 1,080 sq foot sukkah this year (up from 750 sq ft) for a budget of approx. $3,000 for the sukkah, labor, schach and tables. Please consider being a sponsor? www.chabaduptown.org/donate. You can also use cashapp, venmo or paypal: @chabaduptown or zelle: [email protected].
THE COHEN CORNER
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
In the Torah portion of Haazinu, Moshe delivers a powerful, poetic song on the last day of his life, expressing a sweeping account of the relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people. It begins with grandeur and grace, describing Hashem’s nurturing care in the wilderness and His unwavering protection. Yet, it doesn’t shy away from the lows: it foresees times when the people will falter, when they will feel distant from Hashem and face hardship. And still, the song ends on a promise of renewal and redemption, with Hashem ultimately restoring joy and justice to His people. Remarkably, this very song, with all its highs and lows, was sung by the Leviim in the Beis Hamikdash every Shabbos, reminding us that even the difficult verses of life belong to a greater harmony.
This teaches a powerful lesson: every moment, whether joyous or challenging, is a note in the song of our lives. Just as we don't judge a melody by a single measure, we shouldn't judge our journey by a single difficult day. In times of doubt or struggle, we can remind ourselves that we are simply in a quieter stanza, and the music is not over. During a period of uncertainty at work or in a relationship, instead of despairing, try to view it as a transition toward something deeper. Like the joy of Sukkot that follows the introspection of Yom Kippur, our most lasting happiness often emerges after we’ve grown through adversity. Keep showing up. Keep listening. The music is still playing, and it’s beautiful.
Have a stupendous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale & Mushka Cohen
UPCOMING EVENTS & HOLIDAYS:
- Friday, Oct. 3, 6:45 pm - Moroccan Shabbat October First Fridays - Join Young Jewish Professionals For a Morrocan Themed Shabbat Dinner at YJP Houston – where spirits run high! www.yjphouston.org/casablanca
- Mon., Tues. & Fri. Oct. 6, 7, 10 - Community Sukkot Dinners Under the Stars
- Thurs., Oct. 9, 12 pm - Sukkos Lunch & Learn: Joy Amid Judgement: The Case of the SukkosCelebration RSVP at www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
- Saturday, October 11, 9 pm - Sukkah Night Live w/ YJP, YAD & Olami - Join young professionals in their twenties and thirties inside the Sukkah for a Saturday night like no other, featuring ComedySportz live show, where the laughs are fresh the food is endless and the vibe is pure joy. www.yjphouston.org/snl
- Tues. Oct. 14 12:15 pm - Shemini Atzeret Yizkor with special Service to Honor the Memory of the Oct. 7 massacre
- Thurs Oct. 14, 6:30 pm - Simchat Torah Uptown - Dance like a Star!
- Nov. 7-9, Dallas CYP Texas Encounter - Young Jewish Professionals from across Texas unite for a Shabbat weekend of inspiration, connection, and community.
- Mon.-Wed., Dec 22-31- CYP Israel Volunteer Trip - Meaningful, memorable and amazing volunteering trip to Israel this summer, eligible ages 18-50 —and the price is insane - as low at $599! www.yjphouston.org/israeltrip
SHABBOS PARSHAS HA'AZINU
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, TISHREI 11
6:46 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
6:45 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Moroccan Oct. First Fridays Shabbat Dinner www.yjphouston.org/casablanca
SHABBOS, OCTOBER 4, TISHREI 12
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by Daniel & Amanda Timianko in honor of the time spent learning and growing Jewishly at Chabad of Uptown
6:45 pm Mincha
Torah Study Laws of Sukkos
7:39 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, TISHREI 13
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY, EREV SUKKOS, OCTOBER 6, TISHREI 14
6:45 am Shacharis
6:43 pm Light Holiday Candles
6:45 pm Mincha & Evening Services
Community Sukkot Dinner Under the Stars - RSVP required
TUESDAY, SUKKOS DAY 1, OCTOBER 7, TISHREI 15
7:19 am Sunrise - Earliest Lulav & Esrog
9:00 am Chassidus Torah Study
10:00 am Morning Services
Kiddush Lunch in the Sukkah
Lulav & Etrog Available for public use
6:45 pm Mincha & Evening Services (Maariv)
After 7:35 pm Light Holiday Candles
Sukkot Dinner Under the Stars - RSVP required
WEDNESDAY, SUKKOS DAY 2, OCTOBER 8, TISHREI 16
7:19 am Sunrise - Earliest Lulav & Esrog
9:00 am Chassidus Torah Study
10:00 am Morning Services
Kiddush Lunch in the Sukkah sponsored by the Benjaminov family in memory of his grandfather, Raphael Ben Hanna, z’’l
Lulav & Etrog Available for public use
6:45 pm Mincha
7:34 pm Maariv, Havdalla & Holiday Ends (Chol Hamoed begins)
THURSDAY, CHOL HAMOED SUKKOS, OCTOBER 9, TISHREI 17
7:00 am Morning Services
7:20 am Sunrise - Earliest Lulav & Esrog
Lulav & Etrog Available for public use
FRIDAY, CHOL HAMOED SUKKOS, OCTOBER 10, TISHREI 18
7:00 am Morning Services
7:21 am Sunrise - Earliest Lulav & Esrog
Lulav & Etrog Available for public use
6:38 pm Light Shabbat Candles
6:40 pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
Community Sukkot/Shabbat Dinner Under the Stars - RSVP required