This Shabbos has been declared by the White House as “Shabbat 250,” a national Shabbat in honor of America’s 250th birthday. It is a beautiful moment to pause and think about the gift of Shabbos itself.
Someone once asked Senator Joe Lieberman how he was able to make big decisions when he was unavailable every Shabbos?
He answered with a question of his own: How do you make big decisions if you are never unavailable?
That is the power of Shabbos. One day a week to unplug from the noise, step away from the rush, and reconnect with Hashem, with family, with community, and with our own soul.
As I shared with Chabad.org News, “Keeping Shabbat is always a beautiful and important thing. It is taught that if the Jewish people only kept two Shabbats, Moshiach would be here, and the time for that has already come. Shabbat 250, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, is a beautiful idea. It’s the perfect opportunity to unplug and connect with G-d, your family, and your community in a real and meaningful way.” (Complete article posted on chabaduptown.org)
The timing could not be more meaningful. This week is Shabbos Mevarchim Sivan, as we bless the new month that brings us to Shavuos and the giving of the Torah. We also read Parshas Bamidbar, when the Jewish people are counted and shown that every single person matters, every family matters, and every soul has a place in the Jewish people.
For our family, this Shabbos is especially meaningful as we prepare for Rivky’s wedding this Sunday. We invite the women of the community to join us for Rivky’s Shabbos Kallah this Shabbos at 5:30 pm at Chabad of Uptown, a special gathering of family, friends, and heartfelt blessings in honor of the kallah.
May this Shabbos be a true Shabbat 250, a Shabbos of rest, connection, family, community, and blessing, and may we celebrate many simchas together.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
When the government needs a census taken, they don’t usually send the nation’s finest. They send whoever answers the ad: college students between semesters and that one neighbor who somehow has time for everything. Census-taking is not exactly the kind of job people brag about at family gatherings. But when Hashem wanted a census of the Jewish people, He sent Moshe and Aaron. The greatest leaders of the generation became census counters, because this wasn’t about statistics; it was about souls. Counting Jews meant making sure every person felt seen, valued, and essential, because no Jew is ever just a number.
That job still exists today, and it belongs to all of us. It means noticing the person who feels invisible, encouraging the one who doubts themselves, and helping people feel strong in the very places they struggle most. Sometimes the greatest leadership is not standing in front of a crowd, but standing beside one person and reminding them of their worth. When we help others recognize how much they count, we are doing the holiest kind of counting there is.
Have a stupendous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
- Shabbos, May 16, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- 3 Wednesdays, May 20-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
- 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
- Tuesday 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Sunday, May 17, 1:30 pm - Friendship Circle Adults Kickoff Event - Join Friendship Circle Adults for a fun afternoon of friendship, food, and excitement featuring a kosher pizza party, bowling, and arcade games at 13311 Westheimer Rd, Suite #100, Houston, TX 77077. A joint project of Houston Friendship Circle and YJP Houston. RSVP: [email protected]
- 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
Mazel tov to Eric Stevelman and Dori Jezmir on their engagement!
SHABBOS MEVARCHIM SIVAN, PARSHAS BAMIDBAR
FRIDAY, MAY 15, IYAR 28
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
7:50 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
Omer Count 44
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS MEVARCHIM, MAY 16, IYAR 29
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Mevarchim Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Kamman family, in honor of R' Avraham Kamman's birthday
7:50 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 6
8:48 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Omer Count 45
Living Torah
SUNDAY, ROSH CHODESH SIVAN, MAY 17, SIVAN 1
8:00 am Shacharis
Followed by Rosh Chodesh monthly breakfast, sponsored by the Lazaroff family in honor of Rivky's marriage to Moshe Weiss
MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 18 & 21, SIVAN 2 & 5
6:45 am Shacharis
SHAVUOT SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, SIVAN 5
7:54 pm Evening Holiday Services and light Yom Tov candles
After services Holiday Dinner RSVP
11:30 pm Take the Mic! A Night of Torah: Small Talks. Big Impact.
Lineup of Torah talks on many Jewish subjects. Apply to Present
www.chabaduptown.org/takethemic
SHAVUOS DAY 1, FRIDAY, MAY 22, SIVAN 6
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:00 am Special children’s service with games, activities and more
11:15 am Reading of the Ten Commandments followed by dairy Kiddush and ice cream party at 1:00 pm
7:00 pm YJP Shavuos Ice Cream Social and Ten Commandments
www.yjphouston.org/icecream
8:00 pm Mincha and Maariv Holiday Services
Before 7:54 pm Light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles from a pre existing flame
After services Holiday Dinner RSVP
SHAVUOS DAY 2, SHABBOS, MAY 23, SIVAN 7
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services, Shacharis
11:45 am approx. Yizkor Memorial Service
After services Kiddush Lunch
7:55 pm Mincha Services
8:53 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Yom Tov ends