This week, Parshas Yisro feels alive.
I (Chanie) am in New York (along with my fellow Shlucha, Chanale), standing together with more than 4,000 women at the annual Kinus Hashluchos representing Chabad communities from all 50 states and over 100 countries. It is the largest annual Jewish conference of women leaders in the world. Different languages, cultures, and communities, yet bound by one shared mission. To live Torah and bring light wherever we are sent.
When the Jewish people arrived at Sinai, the Torah tells us “vayichan sham Yisrael” in the singular. Rashi explains that we encamped k’ish echad b’lev echad, like one person with one heart. That unity was not uniformity. It was one of shared purpose.
That same spirit fills this gathering.
One of those women is my dear childhood friend, classmate, shadchan, and now my sister in law for 25 years, Manya Lazaroff.
For over 18 years, Manya has taught Jewish students to stand proudly, to live with conviction, and to respond to challenge by adding light. This Chanukah, those teachings were lived in real time.
In words that traveled around the world, Manya wrote, “The trauma is real, and yet we cannot allow the darkness to become internal.” That message did not deny pain. It elevated response. It reminded us that light is a choice.
Leibel reflected that same clarity. As he recovered and learned how many people around the world had davened and done mitzvos in his merit, he said simply, “That’s why I’m alive.”
Chabad.org - After Her Son Was Shot at Bondi, Manya Lazaroff Had to Live What She Taught
This week, we were blessed to welcome Leibel home to Texas. What we felt in that moment was vayichan. A community standing together. One heart. One purpose. Surrounded by light.
Channel 39 - Rabbi shot in Bondi Beach terror attack returns back to Houston
Standing here at the Kinus, when we will be reading Parshas Yisro, the message is unmistakable. Sinai was not a moment in history. It is a living call.
In the ongoing battle between darkness and light, the outcome is not predetermined. It depends on each of us.
With the coming of Moshiach, the world will be filled with clarity, unity, and light. But that future is built by the choices we make today.
When we choose to stand up tall pursuing unity over division, action over fear, and light over despair, we embody vayichan, standing together like one person with one heart.
May this be our call. That we strengthen one another. That we live what we teach. And that through our unity, our mitzvos, and our shared purpose, light will always win.
Be the Light and Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
Motivation is easy. Consistency is the real work.
Anyone who has ever started a diet, taken on a new habit, or made a meaningful life change knows the pattern. Inspiration ignites quickly, everything feels possible, and commitment feels effortless until routine, stress, or inconvenience sets in. Parshat Yisro speaks directly to this reality. Yisro arrived inspired by the Exodus, yet Moshe retold the story to him, emphasizing not only the miracles but also the hardships that followed. Moshe was not sharing information, he was setting expectations. Joining the Jewish people, or any path of growth, is not about the initial high, but about what happens when the excitement fades and the work begins.
That lesson plays out in everyday life. A person feels inspired to lose weight, put away their phone on Friday night, or begin to keep kosher more carefully. At first it feels meaningful and uplifting. Later it feels challenging. The difference between a passing moment and lasting change is preparation. When you expect the flame to eventually dim, you do not panic; you plan ahead, setting realistic boundaries and building simple systems to sustain the growth. In doing so, inspiration is no longer a fleeting spark, but the foundation for a life steadily moving upward.
Have a beautiful Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES:
- Shabbos, Feb. 7, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Monday, Feb. 8, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
- 3 Tuesdays, Feb 10-24, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa Listen in on the surprising, practical questions your ancestors asked rabbis across Jewish history. Registration required
- 3 Wednesdays, Feb. 11-25, 7:30–9:00 pm - CYP Academy: How Success Thinks - Jewish Secrets for Leading a Productive Life. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher to any upcoming CYP trip! www.yjphouston.org/success
- Thursday, Feb. 12, 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Friday, Feb. 6, 6:00 pm - Shabbat Shaloha - YJP First Fridays in Hawaii - Celebrate “Shabbat in Hawaii” with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s at this month’s Hawaiian Style First Friday Shabbat Dinner & Cocktails www.yjphouston.org/shabbatshaloha
- Saturday, Feb. 7, 1 pm – Shabbos Lunch Kiddush in Memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson – Join us for a Shabbos Kiddush and Farbrengen marking the 38th yahrzeit of the Rebbetzin, held on Shabbos Parshas Yisro and in honor of Bob Ullman's birthday, sponsored in part of Elyse & Andrew Goldstein
- Sundays, Feb. 15 (Winter theme) & March 1 (Purim theme), 10:30 am - Mommy & Me - Join a nurturing and engaging morning designed for mothers and babies (newborn to 2 years) to learn, play, and connect in a warm Jewish environment. www.chabaduptown.org/mommy
- Monday, March 2, 6:45 pm - YJP Asian Purim - YJP in their 20s and 30s featuring a Megillah reading followed by an Asian Purim themed party with Lion Dance and Martial Arts show, sushi and Chinese buffet, and a top shelf open bar www.yjphouston.org/asian
- Tuesday, March 3, 5:00 pm – Community Purim Under Construction - Axe Throwing – Celebrate Purim with the whole community at a high energy Under Construction themed Purim featuring Megillah reading, axe throwing, delicious buffet dinner, drinks and music for a fun and spirited evening chabaduptown.org/construction
- Friday, March 6, 6:30 pm – Rodeo Shabbat – YJP First Fridays – Dress in your best Rodeo Houston gear and enjoy a spirited Shabbat dinner with Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s, great food, great people, and classic Houston vibes www.yjphouston.org/rodeoshabbat
SHABBOS PARSHAS YISRO
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, SHEVAT 17
5:46 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for YJP Houston Shabbat Shaloha - Hawaiin First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/shabbatshaloha
SHABBOS, FEBRUARY 7, SHEVAT 20
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Reading of Ten Commandments
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen in Memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson marking the 38th yahrzeit of the Rebbetzin and in honor of Bob Ullman's birthday, sponsored in part of Elyse & Andrew Goldstein
5:45 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:41 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, SHEVAT 21
8:00 am Shacharis
MON. & THURS., FEB. 9 & 12, SHEVAT 22 & 25
6:45 am Shacharis