This week has been filled with blessing and inspiration
Last night the Houston Jewish community gathered in support of Aishel House and celebrated the incredible kindness that this organization brings to Houston. It was an evening that reminded us how much light is created when people show up for one another with heart and compassion.
This morning that sense of blessing continued as we welcomed a new baby into the covenant at a joyous bris at Chabad of Uptown. Parshas Vayishlach speaks of Yaakov becoming Yisroel and receiving a new name that reflects a higher purpose. A bris is the living expression of that transformation. It is the moment a child begins his personal journey of Jewish identity and connection. Every act of chesed and every new beginning strengthens the Jewish future.
As we look toward next week, we prepare for the celebration of Yud Tes Kislev, the Rosh Hashana for Chassidus. It marks the liberation of the Alter Rebbe and the beginning of a new era of revealed Torah that continues to shape our lives today. We will honor this day with a special communal dinner and farbrengen, uplifted by the musical presence of two outstanding Houston Symphony artists, Sergei Galperin on First Violin and Sasha Potiomkin on Clarinet. Their heartfelt nigunim will add a soulful layer to an evening of meaning, inspiration, and unity.
We hope you will join us for Yud Tes Kislev and share in an evening filled with inspiration, community, and the uplifting nigunim of our Houston Symphony guests www.chabaduptown.org/chassidus.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
Resilience is not about never facing storms. It is about learning to stand steady in them.
After twenty years immersed in the moral chaos of Lavan’s world, Yaakov approaches his fateful meeting with Esav surrounded by his family. As he nears the encounter, he sends a simple message ahead: “I lived with Lavan.” On the surface it sounds like a report of where he had been, but it was really a declaration of inner strength. He was saying, “I remained myself, even managing to raise a family with clarity and purpose, in a place determined to make me someone else.” Yaakov’s true victory was not won through strategy or negotiation. It was won long before, in his quiet refusal to let his environment shape his identity.
The practical message is simple: you do not need perfect conditions to stay grounded. You just need one steady anchor you keep returning to. Whether you are a single adult navigating the unpredictability of daily life or a parent raising children in a fast and noisy world, holding onto one meaningful practice, a moment of prayer, weekly Shabbos candles, or a steady Torah study session that speaks to you, creates stability from the inside out. Yaakov teaches us that real strength is not about escaping challenges but about staying centered through them.
Have a marvelous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES:
- Shabbos, Dec. 6, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- 9 Sundays, Dec. 8-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
- Tuesday, 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
- Wednesday, 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
SHABBOS PARSHAS VAYISHLACH
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, KISLEV 15
5:04 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Belated Pink Shabbat First Fridays Dinner www.yjphouston.org/pink
SHABBOS, DECEMBER 6, KISLEV 16
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush sponsored in honor of the birthdays of Jochen Pfrenger and Nina Pfrenger and by Benjaminov Family marking the yartzeit of Tuvia bat Rachel a"h on 17 Kislev
5:00 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:01 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, KISLEV 17
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, KISLEV 18
6:45 am Shacharis
19 Kislev Dinner & Farbrengen - Rosh Hashana for Chassidus
RSVP at www.chabaduptown.org/chassidus
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, KISLEV 21
6:45 am Shacharis