Mazel tov!
Some days the daily Torah study of "Chitas" feels like it is speaking directly to the day you are living.
Today we study the sixth Torah Aliyah for Friday, where speaks about the values assigned in the Torah to different stages of life. At first glance, it seems like a technical section about pledges and donations to the Beis Hamikdash. But Rashi opens up something much deeper. When the Torah speaks about someone over sixty, Rashi points out that as people age, their value is measured differently describing older woman in the home is a treasure in the home and a good sign for the home. The Torah is teaching us to see age not as decline, but as blessing, wisdom, warmth, and strength that holds a home and a family together.
How beautiful that on this very day, when Chitas speaks about the stages of life and the value of every age, our family had the zechus to celebrate the bris of our first grandson. He was given the name Levi Yitzchak, after the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.
A bris is one of those moments where generations meet. A tiny baby is brought into the covenant of Avraham Avinu, carrying a holy name, a holy legacy, and the hopes and brachos of parents, grandparents, family, and community.
And to top it all off, we look forward to celebrating our future son-in-law Rabbi Moshe Weiss’s ufruf this Shabbos! From a bris to an ufruf, from a new baby entering the covenant to a chosson preparing to build a Jewish home with our daughter Rivky, iy"h, we are reminded again how precious every stage of life is, and how much blessing there is when family and community celebrate together.
Last week’s Lag B’Omer with Leibel Lazaroff was also something very special. The evening brought together people of all ages for inspiration, Jewish pride, music, food, warmth, and an unforgettable message of strength and resilience. You can check out the photo album here, and read the beautiful article linked to in the Jewish Herald Voice preview below.
Please don’t miss this week’s classes and programs listed below, and be sure to sign up for Shavuos. We would love to celebrate and receive the Torah together.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
The seventh year is Shemittah, a Sabbatical year in which Jews are not permitted to plant or reap. After five years of continual planting, the sixth year’s growth is naturally less abundant, yet G-d assures us that this year will sustain us for that year, the seventh year, and beyond. There are times when life feels exactly like that “sixth year,” when we are tired, stretched thin, and just trying to keep up. In that state, we may still find ourselves in demanding relationships or situations where every ounce of patience is tested. Even then, we try to respond better than we feel, pausing, holding back, choosing patience. And often, what makes the difference is not perfection but effort itself, which can soften a moment and shift the tone of a relationship in ways we could not predict.
On a deeper level, this points to the flow of history toward the era of Moshiach, a time of rest and clarity after long spiritual labor. We may feel that earlier generations had greater strength, while we are spiritually depleted and running on empty, yet it is precisely in this “sixth year” state that our efforts are most meaningful. When results feel smaller and effort feels harder, every act of perseverance carries greater weight. When a Jew still learns, davens, or does a mitzvah with whatever strength remains, that effort itself sustains us and moves us closer to the final redemption, just as the sixth year is what carries us into Shemittah and beyond.
Have a delightful Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
JHV, Thursday, May 7, 2026 - YJP hosts spirited Lag B’Omer with Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff YJP Houston’s annual Lag B’Omer kumzitz (musical gathering) drew a warm and spirited crowd to Chabad of Uptown on Monday, May 4, for an evening of music, inspiration and community. Traditionally, a YJP (Young Jewish Professionals) Houston event has been for its members only. However, this year’s kumzitz was open to the broader community in honor of its featured guest, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff. More...
- Shabbos, May 9, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Tuesday, May 12, 12 pm - Lunch & Learn: Book of the People - Discover how the wisdom of G-d can be determined by humans. Register: www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
- 2 Tuesdays May 12-Jun. 1, 7:30-9 pm - JLI Course: For All Humankind - Discover Judaism’s ethical message for all people and the values that shape a good life, a just society, family, education, and a more peaceful world. Registration required.
- 4 Wednesdays, May 13-June 10, 7:30-9:00 pm: CYP Academy: Judaism Decoded - Discover the origins and evolution of Jewish tradition in this new 6 week course exploring the inner workings of Torah interpretation and Jewish law. Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward any upcoming CYP trip. www.yjphouston.org/decoded
- Thursday, May 14, 8:00 pm - Heart of Prayer
- Sunday, May 31, 12 pm - End of Life Pre-Planning Luncheon - Gain practical guidance on Jewish perspectives, funeral planning, and estate preparation with expert insights. Register, www.chabaduptown.org/plan
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Thursday, May 21, 11:30 pm - Shavuos: Take the Mic! - An evening of Torah and inspiration featuring 5-minute insights, panels, and debates. Share your own Torah insight and join a night of learning. www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
- Friday, May 22 at 11:15am - Hear the 10 Commandments read on their 3,338th anniversary, followed by our annual Dairy Kiddush & Ice Cream party! Fun-filled Children's Program! More info at www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule
- Friday, May 22, 7 pm - YJP Shavuot Ice Cream Social - For the love of ice cream, & the love of Torah, we are excited to invite you to join us in celebrating Shavuot with an elegant evening with 10 gourmet toppings & 10 Commandments! 7 pm - Ice Cream Social & 10 Commandments, 8 pm - Shavuot Holiday Services Followed by Traditional Holiday Dinner www.yjphouston.org/icecream
- Wednesdays, May 27 & June 3, 6:30 pm – Women: The Foundations Series A 2-part expert series offering Jewish and medical support for before, during, and after pregnancy. RSVP: www.chabaduptown.org/foundation
- Tuesday, June 9, 7:00 pm - Men’s Summer BBQ Bash - An evening of smoky flavors and summer fun with BBQ chicken, meats, cold beverages, and great company. $25 suggested donation. www.chabaduptown.org/guys
- Sun.-Mon., June 28-July 6 - 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
SHABBOS CHAZZAK PARSHAS BEHAR-BECHUKOSAI
FRIDAY, MAY 8, IYAR 21
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:45 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 37
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, MAY 9, IYAR 22
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Lunch Kiddush
7:45 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 5
8:43 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 38
Living Torah
SUNDAY, MAY 10, IYAR 23
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 11 & 14, IYAR 24 & 27
6:45 am Shacharis