Yesterday, Rabbi Chaim had the privilege of joining our colleagues from across Texas as a delegation of Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins met with Governor Greg Abbott in honor of Education and Sharing Day. Standing there together, representing the 43 branches of Chabad throughout the state, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for how far Yiddishkeit has reached and how much light continues to spread across Texas through the Rebbe’s vision.
One of the most meaningful moments for me (Chaim) personally was presenting the Governor, on behalf of my father, Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff, head rabbi of Chabad of Texas, with a custom siddur in a special presentation box opened to Modeh Ani, the first prayer a Jew says upon waking. Before anything else, before the noise and demands of the day, a Jew begins with gratitude. Modeh Ani reminds us that life itself is a gift, that our soul is returned with compassion, and that each morning begins with renewed purpose.
It felt especially fitting in the days before Shabbos Hagadol and just ahead of Pesach. Shabbos Hagadol is when we begin preparing not only our homes for Pesach, but our souls as well. Pesach is the festival of transmission, when the Torah tells us, V’higadeta l’vincha, “and you shall tell your child.” The foundation of Jewish life is not only what we know, but what we pass on. We do not keep it to ourselves. We place it into words, into homes, into rituals, into children, and into the next generation.
That is what made the moment in the Governor’s office feel so significant. We were speaking about education, and the Rebbe taught the world that education means far more than academics alone. True education shapes a person’s character, values, and sense of mission. It teaches a child not only how to succeed, but how to live. In many ways, that is the story of Pesach itself. A nation is born through parents teaching children, through memory becoming identity, and through gratitude becoming purpose.
As we enter this Shabbos Hagadol and prepare for the Pesach Seder next week, may we remember that our greatest task is not only to clean for Pesach, but to tell the story well. To speak with warmth, to teach with joy, and to pass on to our children and our community a Judaism that is alive. Because in the end, the future of the Jewish people will be shaped not only by what we remove from our homes, but by what we place into our own hearts and in the hearts of our children.
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can.
In the Beis Hamikdash, the kohen, the very embodiment of holiness and spiritual elevation, would begin his day by clearing the ashes from the altar. He would change into simpler garments, as if stepping into work clothes, and carry them outside the camp. What might appear as a lowly or degrading task was, to him, sacred service. The same individual who offered the most elevated offerings also took responsibility for what looked like the leftovers, because in the service of Hashem, no act is defined by status. It is defined by whether it is what Hashem wants.
That perspective forces us to rethink the moments we are inclined to avoid. When we notice someone who needs help but instinctively feel it is beneath us, whether it is giving attention to someone overlooked, stepping into an uncomfortable situation, or helping a person who cannot repay us, that hesitation is the test. If Hashem created that person, that circumstance, and placed it in your awareness, then there is something there for you to do. Like the kohen with the ashes, the question is not whether the task feels important, it is whether you recognize it as yours.
Have an amazing Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
SHABBAT HAGADOL
On the Shabbos before the Exodus--Nissan 10th on that year, and this year--the first-born of Egypt, who occupied the senior positions in the priesthood and government, fought a bloody battle with Pharaoh's troops, in an effort to secure the release of the Israelites and prevent the Plague of the Firstborn. This "great miracle" is commemorated each year on the Shabbos before Passover, which is therefore called Shabbos HaGadol, "The Great Shabbat." (This is one of the rare instances in which a commemorative date in the Jewish calendar is set by the day of the week rather than the day of the month.) For more on the war of the Firstborn, see here.
PESACH IS COMING, APRIL 1-9!
Our Pesach website and Seder RSVP is now open!
Yes, Pesach is coming! Check out our Pesach mini-site with everything you need, including selling your chametz, buying hand-made round Shmurah Matzah for your seder table, RSVP for our seder table, our Pesach schedule and all kinds of Pesach readings and resources! www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026
- Sell your chametz now! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
- Give to the Maos Chitim Fund to help local families celebrate Pesach with joy. www.chabaduptown.org/donate
- Get your handmade Shmurah Matzah for the Seder table at one of the local Kosher stores. We also have a special gift 2-pack for you - contact us while supplies last!
- RSVP for the Seder www.chabaduptown.org/seder
- Complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule
UPCOMING CLASSES:
- Shabbos, March 28, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Monday, March 30, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Wed. & Thurs. April 1-2, 8:15 pm - Uptown Pesach Seders - A Refreshingly Traditional Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
- Friday, April 3, 7:30 pm - April First Fridays - Pesach Edition - Pesach Shabbat Dinner for Young Jewish Professionals. www.yjphouston.org/pesachshabbat
- Thursday, April 9, 5:45 pm - Moshiach Seudah - Following the custom of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, Passover concludes with a "Feast of Moshiach." More...
- Wed-Sun., May 22-26 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua - SOLD OUT
- Mon.-Tues., June 29-July 7 - Volunteer in Israel - Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel - Israel Needs Us Again. Let’s Go Back. A community volunteer mission for active adults 18 and up, including those 50+! www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip
Mazel tov to Nathan & Nicole (Harari) Nakhmanovitch on their marriage!
SHABBOS HAGADOL PARSHAS TZAV
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, NISSAN 9
7:19 pm Mincha & Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 pm Shabbat Services
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, MARCH 28, NISSAN 10
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush sponsored by Jessica Pfrenger in honor of her mom's Hebrew birthday, Bonnie Pfregner.
7:20 pm Mincha
Torah Study - Laws of Pesach
8:14 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, NISSAN 11
The Rebbe's Birthday
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY MARCH 30, NISSAN 12
6:45 am Shacharis
PESACH IS APRIL 1-9!
www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2026
PESACH FIRST DAYS SCHEDULE 2026
TUESDAY, MARCH 31 | CHAMETZ RIDDANCE
Sell Your Chametz! Click Here
8:04 pm Search for Chametz
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 | FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN | EREV PESACH
5:55 am Fast of the Firstborn Begins
6:45 am Shacharis
7:30 am Siyum for Fast of the Firstborn
11:19 am Finish Eating Chametz Before
12:22 pm Burn Chametz Before
7:22 pm Light Holiday Candles
7:25 pm Evening Services
First Uptown Seder, RSVP
THURSDAY, APRIL 2 | PESACH DAY 1
10:00 am Morning Service
Prayer for Dew
Lunch Kiddush After Service
7:25 pm Evening Service
AFTER 8:17 pm Light Candles
Count the Omer, Night 1
Second Uptown Seder, RSVP
FRIDAY, APRIL 3 | PESACH DAY 2
10:00 am Morning Service
Lunch Kiddush After Service
BEFORE 7:24 pm Light Shabbat Candles
7:25 pm Yom Tov Mincha and Shabbat Services
Count the Omer, Night 2
April First Fridays - Pesach Edition www.yjphouston.org/pesachshabbat
SHABBOS, APRIL 4 | PESACH DAY 3
10:00 am Morning Service
Lunch Kiddush After Service
7:25 pm Shabbos Mincha
8:18 pm Maariv, Havdallah, and Shabbos Ends
Living Torah Video
SUNDAY, APRIL 5 | PESACH DAY 5
8:00 am Morning Service
MONDAY & TUESDAY, APRIL 6-7 | PESACH DAYS 5-6
7:00 am Morning Service