What an amazing week! Over 150 young professionals came together for Sukkah Night Live, celebrating Judaism with laughter, music, and pure joy. (See photos here)
That spirit flowed right into Simchas Torah, where the energy was electric and the dancing filled with heartfelt connection. Everyone held the Torah close, feeling its warmth and unity.
Now we open the Torah anew with Parshas Bereishis, a time for new beginnings. It is said in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Chabad Rebbe, that the way one conducts oneself on Shabbos Bereishis sets the tone for the entire year.
Let us take the inspiration of Simchas Torah and bring it into daily life. Do not just hold the Torah. Read it. Learn it. Live it. Speak it. Start with Hebrew. Experience the Hebrew Lab this Sunday with a sample class in reading and speaking Hebrew at www.chabaduptown.org/hebrew.
Let us begin the year uplifted in body, soul, and spirit.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
In the first Torah portion, Bereishis, after Adam and Chava eat from the Tree of Knowledge, Hashem’s first question to humanity is not “Why did you do it?” but rather, “Where are you?” This question isn’t geographical, it’s existential. It invites self-awareness: Where are you in your life right now? Are you in alignment with your values, or are you hiding behind blame, shame, or habit? Unlike accusatory "why" questions that provoke defensiveness, this divine prompt is an opening for introspection and growth. Adam, unfortunately, responds by deflecting blame first to Chava, then to Hashem Himself, missing the opportunity to take ownership and begin repair.
This same choice faces us daily. When someone forgets something, lets us down, or behaves in a way we find annoying, our instinct is often to lash out with “why” questions: Why can’t you ever…? or Why are you like this? But the smarter move is to flip the lens inward and ask, Where am I right now? Am I reacting or responding properly? Owning or avoiding? That simple shift from accusation to awareness frees us to act with intention instead of habit. In any moment of tension or disconnection, Hahsem’s question echoes: “Where are you?” The answer we give, in attitude and action, determines not just who we are, but who we’re becoming.
Have a marvelous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale & Mushka Cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS:
- Shabbos, Oct. 18, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Sunday, Oct. 19, 11 am - The Hebrew Lab - Conversational and Hebrew Reading Courses - Have an upcoming trip to Israel planned? Always wanted to speak Hebrew, but could not find the time? Want to read the prayers (more fluently) in Hebrew? Join the open house for free for a preview of two simultaneous courses! www.chabaduptown.org/hebrew
- Monday, Oct. 20, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
- Wednesday, Oct 22 & 29, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social - Weekly Contemporary Jewish Classes for Young Professionals and FREE DINNER!
- Thursday, Oct. 23, 8:00 pm - The Heart of Prayer - In depth look at the prayer book, picking apart the prayer structure and meaning exploring the mechanics and mysticism that comprise Jewish prayer.
- 4 Wednesdays, November 5 – 26, 7:30–9:00 pm - CYP Academy: Decoding the Talmud - Inside the Story, Substance, and Significance of the Book That Defines Judaism. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher to any upcoming CYP trip! www.yjphouston.org/talmudacademy
- Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 pm Thanksgiving Shabbat - Nov. First Fridays - Come celebrate a fall themed Shabbat with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner & Cocktails www.yjphouston.org/fall
- Nov. 7-9, Dallas CYP Texas Encounter - Young Jewish Professionals from across Texas unite for a Shabbat weekend of inspiration, connection, and community. www.chabadyoung.com/tx
- 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 MEVARCHIM MARCHESHVAN, PARSHAS BEREISHIS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, TISHREI 25
6:30 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
6:31 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Sponsored by Marc & EllenAnn Sands marking the completion of Kaddish recitation in memory of his mother, Malka bas Shmuel, a"h
SHABBOS, OCTOBER 18, TISHREI 26
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen
6:30 pm Mincha
Torah Study
7:23 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, TISHREI 27
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, TISHREI 28
6:45 am Shacharis
WED-THURS, ROSH CHODESH MARCHESHVAN, OCTOBER 22-23, TISHREI 30-MARCHESHVAN 1
6:45 am Rosh Chodesh Shacharis
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast sponsored by Uriel in memory of his sister