Today, 26 Shvat 5786, marks a milestone for us: 20 years, two decades, since our first Jewish program in an established Uptown location.
After a meaningful and successful Rosh Hashanah in 2005 at the Houstonian Club and Spa, we began searching for a permanent presence in the Uptown neighborhood. In 2006, we moved into what was once the Post Oak Gallery, a “little shul that could,” filled with big dreams and warm souls. In May of 2008, we relocated to a storefront at Pavilion Mall on Post Oak, and then, in May 2009, we merited moving into our current home on Bettis Drive.
Over these two decades, we have shared so much life together: countless beautiful community events, simchas, Yom Tov celebrations, and also the more difficult moments, standing together through passings of loved ones and annual yahrtzeits. Through it all, it has been a privilege to grow alongside you and to provide consistent, meaningful, and uplifting Jewish programming for our community.
This year brought an additional brachah (blessing). Since January 2025, the arrival of the Cohens has significantly expanded our impact, and we are deeply grateful for the strength, heart, and dedication they bring to our community every day.
And most importantly, we want to thank each and every one of you, our dear community and supporters, who make Chabad of Uptown the warm, magical, and special place it is: from babies to seniors, from young professionals to young families, and everyone in between.
There is something especially fitting about reaching this moment in Parshas Shekalim. The Torah asks each Jew to give not a full shekel, but a half, teaching that no one stands alone as a complete story. Each person is indispensable, yet each person is also meant to be part of something larger. A half shekel only becomes meaningful when it is joined with another half, and that is how the communal offerings were brought: not by isolated individuals, but by a people acting as one. Even today, when we replace the half shekel with tzedakah, the message remains the same: we sanctify our work and our lives by setting aside for Hashem, and we renew our commitment year after year with fresh energy. The half shekel also carries a promise across time: it helps repair what was, strengthens what is, and prepares the blessing of what will be. That is what a community does when every person counts, and every person contributes their half.
Please join us this week for a special Shabbos Mevarchim & Shekalim Kiddush and Farbrengen, celebrating 20 years of Chabad of Uptown!
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
The measure of a person is how they respond when no one is watching.
Throughout history, Jews have repeatedly stood on the front lines of moral struggle: opposing apartheid in South Africa, championing civil rights in America, advocating for human dignity in the face of terror. These actions are not just historical coincidences; they stem from a deep-rooted vision that the Torah calls us to: a “light unto the nations.” Even the seemingly simple commandment, “You shall not cook a young animal in its mother’s milk,” teaches this principle. It’s not only about the food itself, but about training our hearts to notice cruelty, to respect life, and to cultivate ethical sensitivity, even in situations where harm is not obvious. The mitzvos are, at their core, exercises in Divine awareness, designed to sharpen our conscience and guide our choices toward G-d’s compassionate and justice-filled worldview.
This principle shows up in how we choose Jewish education for our children, the communities we invest in, or even small daily acts of giving tzedakah or offering a thoughtful word. Just as kosher laws refine our moral instincts, these choices nurture awareness and empathy, preventing the numbing of our conscience. Living with ethical, mitzvah-oriented decisions transforms ordinary life into a daily practice of compassion and integrity. In doing so, we continue the timeless mission of our people: to shine as a moral beacon in the world, training ourselves and our community to live not only ethically, but consciously, courageously, and with heart.
Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
IN THE NEWS
Chabad of Uptown women celebrate Tu B’Shevat - JHV | Thu, Feb 12, 2026 - Chabad of Uptown hosted a Tu B’Shevat women’s event that brought together close to 45 women for an evening of learning, creativity and connection. The Feb. 1 program focused on making floral art focaccia from scratch, using vegetables and herbs as design elements, alongside a discussion of Tu B’Shevat and the significance of the seven special fruits of Israel. More...
UPCOMING CLASSES:
- Shabbos, Feb. 14, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Monday, Feb. 16, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
- Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn - Purim: Purpose in a World of Chance - Join our monthly Lunch & Learn to explore the Chassidic perspective on the deeper meaning behind the most joyous holiday of the year.
- 2 Tuesdays, Feb 17-24, 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
- 2 Wednesdays, Feb. 18-25, 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- 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 MEVARCHIM ADAR, SHEKALIM, PARSHAS MISHPATIM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, SHEVAT 26
5:51 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, FEBRUARY 14, SHEVAT 27
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Parshas Shekalim
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
5:50 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:46 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, SHEVAT 28
8:00 am Shacharis
MON.-THURS., FEB. 16-19, SHEVAT 29-ADAR 2
6:45 am Shacharis
TUES. & WED., FEB 17 & 18, ROSH CHODESH ADAR
6:45 am Rosh Chodesh Shacharis
Followed by monthly breakfast