Dear Friends,
As "the nine days" and "three weeks" have passed, it is time to transform this time of mourning to a time for rebuilding, spiritually and physically. Plans for our local "mikdash" (=shul portion of our new facility) are well underway, as we prepare the drawings for city review! A special thank you to Uri Ghelman of Habitat Construction and Moises Weber for their efforts in coordination and putting together the architectural and other plans!
Chabad Stuff
- The mommy & me program has completed their third class with three classes left for the summer session. It's not too late to join. Visit the website for photos and more information!
- The Lunch and Evening Torah Studies classes will resume this coming Thursday. Please join us. Click here for the class syllabus.
- We are gearing up for the High Holidays and Sukkot & Simchas Torah at Chabad of Uptown! See www.chabaduptown.org for details, schedule and reservation information. A postcard will come in the mail with this theme:
Wishes
- Our condolences goes out to the family of Ian Wilder upon his untimely passing this past Wednesday. His family accompanied him to be interred in Israel.
- Our condolences are also extended to Alan Gover upon the passing of his mother Beatrice Shore, Libbi Brocho, Gover.
- Mazel tov is extended to Aviad & Adi Hazan upon the birth of a baby boy!
Shabbos "Nachamu" Schedule
The Shabbat after the Ninth of Av is called Shabbat Nachamu ("Shabbat of Consolation") after the opening words of the day's reading from the prophets ("haftara"). This is the first of the series of readings known as "The Seven of Consolation" read in the seven weeks from the Ninth of Av to Rosh Hashanah.
Links: The Intimate Estrangement; Consolation; Shabbat Nachmu
Friday, July 31
- 7:30 pm Services
- 7:58 pm Candle Lighting
- Sermon: Vaetchanan: To Enter the Promised Land
There have been times in everyone’s life when we’ve wanted something truly and deeply, only to find that in the end what we desired would not be ours. The heartbreak that results can sometimes be tempered by concluding that the object of our desire was really not good or healthy for us in the long run, physically or spiritually. But what if our desire was rooted in purity and holiness? What if what we wanted was only good? What if we devoted our entire lives to achieve a certain goal only to find that our hopes and dreams would not be fulfilled? It is therefore difficult to imagine a moment more tragic than the one in this week’s parsha where Moshe unsuccessfully pleads with G-d to be permitted to enter the Land of Israel. We’ll examine the source of Moshe’s desire and despair, and contrast it with the very different desires of the Jewish people who Moshe had led through the desert for 40 years.
Shabbos "Nachamu", August 1
- 9:00 am PrePrayer Kabbailistic Insights
- 10:00 am Shacharis
- Sermon: What Ever Happened to Romance?
It was considered the greatest holiday of the year, the day in ancient times which brought together many a Jewish couple. Yet the reason for this festival seems strange: it is the day they completed cutting firewood for the Altar.
A deeper reflection on this episode teaches us the deepest feature necessary for a relationship: The ability to truly celebrate the life and success of your partner without the need to be the center of attention. You're looking for true romance? Discover the story of the 15th of Av. - 8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of Our Fathers Chapter 3 - 8:54 pm Maariv, Havdala & Shabbos Ends
Looking forward to seeing you!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie