Avraham, are we the children that you dreamed of?
Are we the shining stars you saw at night?
You know it’s true, we still call you Avinu.
Our father, our pride, we got your soul inside, take us home...
(Listen to the complete song "Avraham" by 8th day here)
Lech Lecha, opens with Avraham’s journey, not just to a new land but to a new destiny. When G-d reassured Avraham that he would be greatly rewarded for his righteousness, Avraham expressed his pain. “What is the point of all the reward and wealth if I have no heir to inherit it?” G-d took him outside and showed him the stars of the sky, promising that his descendants would be as numerous and radiant as those shining lights above.
Avraham’s dream was not only to inspire followers but to raise generations who would live his mission, with stars that shine with his light. That dream is alive today. Every time a girl is born, a Bar Mitzvah boy is called to the Torah, or a new couple builds a Jewish home, Avraham’s promise is fulfilled again.
This week, our community celebrated that legacy in four beautiful ways:
Mazel tov to Josh & Meira Young on the birth of a baby girl,
to Jorge & Margot Toporek on the birth of a baby girl,
to Noah Mart on his Bar Mitzvah,
and to Solomon & Batia Berezin on their marriage!
Each simcha is a living continuation of Avraham’s vision, the next link in an eternal chain of faith, family, and light.
This theme has also threaded through our learning this week as we explored how to continue Avraham’s legacy in our own lives at the YJP Wednesday Dinner Class & Social and in the Heart of Prayer series, where we examined the opening words of the Amidah, “Shield of Avraham.”
This coming week we continue that journey of discovery with two exciting new learning opportunities. On Tuesday evenings, the wider community is invited to a six-week JLI course, “The Kabbalah of Meaning,” exploring Jewish wisdom for finding purpose and connection in every part of life. On Wednesday nights, our young professionals launch CYP Academy: “Decoding the Talmud,” an engaging four-week deep dive into the stories, structure, and spirit of the book that defines Judaism. (Registration below).
Each class, like each simcha, is another way we fulfill Avraham’s dream to live lives of purpose, faith, and light that ripple far beyond ourselves.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
In a world where you can be anything, be genuine.
This week’s parsha welcomes Avraham onto the stage of history, a man whose authenticity reshaped the world. Surrounded by a society devoted to idols and appearances, Avraham dared to live with conviction and purpose. When his nephew Lot was taken captive, Avraham risked his life to save him, proving that true belief demands moral responsibility. After vanquishing four kings and their mighty armies to rescue Lot, the King of Sodom offered him the spoils of war, saying, “Ten li hanefesh”—“Give me the soul.” Avraham’s response showed that spiritual integrity could never be bought with material gain. That phrase, ten li hanefesh, still calls to us today: focus on the essence, not the excess.
We live in an age where image often overshadows substance, where social media can make life look polished but not always purposeful. Judaism reminds us to dig deeper and bring the soul back into what we do. The timeless call to “give me the soul” challenges us to act with sincerity: to give tzedakah with compassion, to pray with feeling, and to celebrate with meaning. When we let our inner values guide our outer lives, we follow Avraham’s path of genuine faith and moral courage. In doing so, we remind ourselves and our children that Judaism isn’t about perfection; it’s about authenticity, heart, and soul.
Have a phenomenal Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale & Mushka Cohen
- Shabbos, Oct. 31, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Monday, Nov. 3, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
- 6 Tuesdays, Nov 4-Dec. 9, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: The Kabbalah of Meaning - Jewish Wisdom for Finding the Purpose that Connects all Parts of Life - Register
- 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
- Thursday, Nov. 6, 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.
- 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 - Largest First Fridays in Texas! Young Jewish Professionals from across Texas unite for a Shabbat weekend of inspiration, connection, and community. www.chabadyoung.com/tx
- 12 Sundays, Nov 16-Feb. 1, 11 am - Hebrew Scouts: Level Up Your Hebrew! Dive into an exciting 12-week adventure with Chabad of Uptown and YJP Houston! Strengthen your Hebrew reading, explore roots and word patterns, and boost your skills in a fun, friendly setting with Rabbi Yosef Cohen and team. www.chabaduptown.org/hebrew
- Thurs. Nov. 20, 12 pm - Lunch N' Learn: Kabbalah of Kosher - A peek behind the meaning and purpose of Kosher Dietary Laws www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
- Mon.-Wed., Dec 22-31- CYP Israel Encounter 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
- Thurs.-Sun., Jan. 16-18 - CYP Encounter Crown Heights Shabbaton - Join us as we head to NYC for the Encounter Crown Heights Shabbaton set to take place over MLK Weekend! A weekend like no other, a chance to connect with hundreds Jewish young professionals from around the world and experience an unforgettable weekend in Crown Heights. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! www.cypshabbat.nyc
Mazel tov to Jorge & Margot Toporek on the birth of a baby girl!
Mazel tov to Josh & Meira Young on the birth of a baby girl!
Mazel tov to Noah Mart on his Bar Mitzvah!
Mazel tov Solomon & Batia Berezin on the marriage!
SHABBOS PARSHAS LECH LECHA
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, CHESHVAN 9
6:18 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
6:30 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, NOVEMBER 1, CHESHVAN 10
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush sposnored by Yonatan & Liora Tzion
6:15 pm Mincha
Torah Study
7:11 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
Change the Clocks, Fall Back one Hour!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, CHESHVAN 11
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY & THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 & 6, CHESHVAN 12 & 15
6:45 am Shacharis