Who is joining our 19 Kislev Farbrengen? You are (hopefully :)). And so are two incredible Houston Symphony musicians, Sergei Galperin, First Violin, and Sasha Potiomkin, Clarinet, who will fill the night with inspiring nigunim.
As our nation pauses for Thanksgiving, it is the perfect moment to reflect on the blessings that surround us. At Chabad of Uptown and YJP Houston, our greatest blessing is the people who make this community a home. Your presence, your friendship, and your spirit shape the energy and warmth that so many experience here.
Parshas Vayeitzei gives us a beautiful message for this moment. Yaakov dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, and when he awakens he realizes that an ordinary place becomes a gateway to holiness when filled with purpose and connection. That is exactly what you help create here every week.
Houston, remarkably, carries this message in its own story. In 1973, during a historic meeting between President Zalman Shazar and the Rebbe, my father Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff stood by as the Rebbe lovingly referred to Houston as a gateway to heaven, inspired by the city that launches missions skyward. That blessing continues to inspire everything we build together.
This week we also shared a beautiful women’s farbrengen celebrating Chanie’s birthday, a moment filled with inspiration and the unique warmth that comes from women gathering to uplift one another.
And now, as 19 Kislev approaches, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for the gift of Chassidus. Its teachings illuminate our path and uplift our personal lives, our families, and our community. We look forward to celebrating the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus together at our 19 Kislev Dinner and Farbrengen, elevated by heartfelt nigunim and the soulful artistry of our Symphony guests.
We thank you for being an essential part of this Houston gateway, where heaven and earth meet through learning, friendship, music, and vibrant Jewish life.
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
The test of a strong building is not in calm weather, but in the storm
In Parshas Vayeitzei, Leah names her sixth son Zevulun and expresses hope that Ya'akov will now “make his permanent home” with her. The Sages highlight a deeper message: Ya'akov represents a life of Torah learning, while Zevulun symbolizes engagement with the practical world of commerce and responsibility. By tying Ya'akov’s home to Zevulun, the Torah hints that spiritual life must be anchored not only in study, but also in the real world challenges that shape and strengthen character.
The lesson is timeless. A life built only on theory or isolation may stand tall in peaceful moments but can collapse when the winds of pressure or temptation blow. But when we bring our values into our work and responsibilities, we create a sturdier foundation. Consider the modern professional who discovers a billing error in his or her favor — easy to ignore, easier to justify. Yet choosing honesty, even when no one would notice, transforms a routine workday into a moment of spiritual strength. That is today’s Zevulun: someone who carries Torah values into meetings, emails, finances, and choices. When we live this way, we influence the world more than it influences us, building a home and a soul that can withstand any storm.
Have a remarkable Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES:
- Shabbos, Nov. 29, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- 10 Sundays, Nov 30-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
- Monday, Dec. 1, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
- 2 Tuesdays, Dec. 2 & 9, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: The Kabbalah of Meaning - Jewish Wisdom for Finding the Purpose that Connects all Parts of Life - Register
- 2 Wednesdays, Dec. 3 & 10, 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
- Wed., Dec. 17, 8 pm - Chanukah YJP Dinner, Class & Social - Chanukah Edition of the weekly dinner, class & social
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Fri. Dec. 5, 6:00 pm - YJP Pink Shabbat - December First Fridays. Candle lighting at 5:04 pm, Services at 6:00 pm followed by Shabbat dinner. RSVP before Thursday $20, $36 after
- Mon. Dec. 8, 6:30 pm - 19 Kislev Dinner & Farbrengen - Rosh Hashana for Chassidus - Celebrating Rabbi Shneur Zalman's release from Czarist Prison and the start of a new era in the teaching of Chassidus, with musical nigun accompaniment by Houston Symphony’s Sergei Galperin (First Violin) and Sasha Potiomkin (Clarinet). www.chabaduptown.org/chassidus
- Dec. 14-22 - Celebrate Chanukah! - Check out the full calendar of our six Chanukah events and celebrate all eight nights in Uptown style! www.chabaduptown.org/light
- Sun. Dec. 14, 4 pm - BMX Chanukah and Annual Post Oak Menorah Lighting in cooperation with the Uptown Houston District. Giant menorah lighting, BMX Bike Show, Car Menorah Parade Drive-By, Fresh Donuts, Latkes, Gelt and Drinks, Festive Music. RSVP required, free admission. www.chabaduptown.org/bmx
- Tues., Dec. 16, 10:30 am - Chanukah Mommy & Me - Join a nurturing and engaging Chanukah program designed for mothers and babies (newborn to 2 years) to learn, play, and connect in a warm Jewish environment. www.chabaduptown.org/mommy
- Thurs. Dec. 18, 4:30-6:00 pm - Heights Chanukah Celebration! Join us for a lively Chanukah gathering featuring a festive Menorah Lighting, hands-on Challah Painting, live music, and delicious treats. A warm, joyful celebration that adults will enjoy and kids will love... come share the light together! RSVP at www.chabaduptown.org/heights
- Fri. Dec. 19, 5 pm - Chanukah Shabbat Dinner - Uptown style, where spirits run high! Candle lighting at 5:08 pm, Shabbat services 6 pm followed by dinner. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
- Sat. Night, Dec. 20, 9:00 pm - YJP Houston & Moishe Pod Chanukah Donut Factory Party - Fry & decorate your own donut, latke grazing board, hot chocolate bar, the Dreidel wheel, themed drinks and music, and sufganiyot. www.yjphouston.org/fry
- 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 of Jewish young professionals from around the world and experience an unforgettable weekend in Crown Heights. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! www.yjphouston.org/nyc
Thu, Nov 27, 2025 - Houston Chabad rabbis join 6,500 colleagues for international conference - Some 6,500 Chabad rabbis and Jewish leaders from around the globe gathered in Brooklyn, N.Y., from Nov 13 to 16 for the annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries, the largest Jewish conference and rabbinic gathering in the world. Nineteen of Houston’s 24 Chabad rabbis attended the conference, representing 17 Chabad institutions across the Greater Houston Area. [...] Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff, associate director of Chabad Lubavitch of Texas, said that while interest in Chabad programs originally peaked following Oct. 7, many previously unaffiliated Jews in the area have awakened to the importance of their Jewish identity and continue to participate in Jewish programming. “Even though it’s two years later, Jews in Houston are still seeking out that community, tradition and meaning, and that’s what we’re here to provide.” More...
Mazel tov to Felix & Yael Digilov on the birth of a baby girl!
Mazel tov to Yonatan & Leora Tzion on the birth of granddaughter in Jerusalem!
Mazel tov to Dor & Koral Zaguri on the birth of a baby boy!
SHABBOS PARSHAS VAYEITZEI
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, KISLEV 8
5:04 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat at www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, NOVEMBER 29, KISLEV 9
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush sponsored by Jose & Viviane Cohen in honor of his father's continued health, Moshe HaKohen ben Alo, sheyichye
5:00 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:00 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, KISLEV 10
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY & THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 & 4, KISLEV 11 & 14
6:45 am Shacharis