We are filled with gratitude as we celebrate the wedding of our dear Rivky to Moshe Weiss this week. Thank you to everyone for your warm wishes, brachos, and love during this very special time for our family.
This week also brings us to Shavuos, the wedding day of the Jewish people and Hashem. At Har Sinai, we stood at the foot of the mountain “like one man with one heart,” in complete unity, ready to receive the Torah.
Interestingly, we find a similar expression when the Egyptians chased after the Jewish people at the sea. They too are described as pursuing “with one heart, like one man.” So what is the difference? Why is the unity of the Jewish people so holy, while the unity of the Egyptians was so destructive?
Perhaps the answer is in the order.
Sometimes people come together because they share the same feelings, interests, excitement, or “love at first sight.” They begin with “one heart,” and hope that later they will become “one man,” with shared values, direction, and mission. But that does not always happen.
The Jewish way is the opposite. We begin with “one man,” a shared purpose, shared values, and a shared mission in life. From that comes “one heart,” true love, deep connection, and lasting unity. Not only love at first sight, but love at second sight, a love that grows from commitment and purpose.
As we prepare to receive the Torah once again, may we come to Shavuos like one man with one heart, united in our purpose and inspired in our hearts, to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.
The Shavuos highlights are:
Tonight: All night Torah learning
Tomorrow: Reading of the Ten Commandments, the most important moment of the entire holiday
Shabbos: Yizkor, for those who have lost a parent
Please do not miss the reading of the Ten Commandments tomorrow. It is the central moment of Shavuos, when we relive receiving the Torah at Har Sinai! And of course, afterward there will be a beautiful, decadent dairy kiddush and ice cream party! Complete schedule at www.chabaduptown.org/sinai
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.
When it comes to most things in life, we like to keep our options open. We listen to podcasts, read books, follow someone online, and take the parts that “speak to us.” If an idea makes sense, we keep it. If it feels uncomfortable or inconvenient, we move on. We’re used to approaching life like consumers, sampling different perspectives and building a worldview that fits us. And honestly, that makes sense. Nobody wants to blindly follow something they don’t believe in.
But Torah asks for something deeper. At Sinai, the Jewish people said, “We will do, and we will understand.” In other words: we’re in, even before we fully get it. That sounds almost backwards in a world where we’re trained to commit only after we feel fully convinced. But think about the relationships that matter most in life. Nobody waits to understand another person to the zenith before loving them, trusting them, or building a relationship with them. Real connection always comes with a leap. The Jewish people weren’t saying, “We don’t care about understanding.” They were saying, “This relationship matters enough that we’re willing to grow into the understanding.” Torah is not just information to analyze from a distance; it’s something meant to shape us from within. Not just to teach us ideas, but to slowly align the regular choices in our daily lives with something greater than ourselves.
Kabolas Hatorah BeSimcha Uvepnimiyus!
May we receive the Torah with joy and inwardness!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
- 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
- Shabbos, May 23, 9:30 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- 3 Wednesdays, May 27-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
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 (Open to community to hear 10 Commandments)- 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 Rivky and Moshe Weiss on their marriage!
SHAVUOT SCHEDULE WITH CHABAD OF UPTOWN
THURSDAY, MAY 21, SIVAN 5
Make an Eruv Tavshilin! www.chabaduptown.org/2327
7:54 pm Evening Holiday Services and light Yom Tov candles
After services Holiday Dinner & Sheva Brochos RSVP
Sheva Brachos Hosts: Diana and Michael Basist, Jason Fischer, Seth Frydberg, Deanna and Justin Haedicke, Menucha Lederman, David Marcus, Chaim Ziv and Arielle Mesulati, Avi and Dalia Mesulaty, Erica Newmann-Corre, Jared Orkin, Ben and Katie Razinovsky, Rachel Rosenthal, Alyssa Scheiner, Noah Stubblefield, Samuel Szames, Noam Yaari
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, ice cream party & Sheva Brochos at 1:00 pm
Ice cream bar sponsored by the Goldstein Family in memory of Elyse’s mother, Shaindel Miriam bas Esther
7:00 pm YJP Shavuos Ice Cream Social and Ten Commandments (Open to community to hear 10 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 & Sheva Brochos 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 & Sheva Brochos sponsored by Ben and Katie Razinovski in honor of Yonatan's 3rd birthday
7:55 pm Mincha Services
8:53 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Yom Tov ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, MAY 24, SIVAN 8
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY & THURSDAY MAY 25 & 28, SIVAN 9 & 12
6:45 am Shacharis
