Yesterday, on Tisha B'Av we sat low and mourned what was destroyed. This Shabbos, in the Haftorah we hear the words, “Nachamu, Nachamu Ami,” “Comfort, comfort My people.” This is a double consolation. We are not only emerging from Tisha B’Av, we are also approaching Tu B’Av, one of the most joyous days of the Jewish year.
This movement from mourning to joy does not mean forgetting what was lost. It means answering loss by building.
Perhaps there could be no more fitting way for our community to enter Shabbos Nachamu than by welcoming a Sefer Torah to Chabad of Uptown. Completed just three weeks ago in Israel in memory of Avrohom Leib and Shoshana Joslyn Feldman ע״ה, the beloved parents of Dorit Kamman, it will be read from for the first time in Houston this Shabbos at 11:15 am. We invite you to share in this meaningful celebration tomorrow as their memory and our communal joy continue through more Torah, more mitzvos and more Jewish life. A celebratory Kiddush will follow.
This Sunday, the celebration continues at our YJP White Party at the Lanes as we prepare for Tu B’Av on Wednesday. The Talmud teaches, “There were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. On these days the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? ‘Young man, raise your eyes and see which you select for yourself…’”
The Rebbe often taught that simchah (joy) is not merely something we wait to experience after the Redemption. Simchah itself breaks through boundaries and helps bring Redemption closer. And redemption is not only the ultimate redemption of our people from exile. It is also the personal redemption each of us needs from whatever confines us: from pain, loneliness, fear, disappointment or a chapter that has felt impossible to move beyond.
The circle dances of Tu B’Av, with no beginning and no end, express a joy that rises beyond limitations. They remind us that no difficulty is the final word, no darkness defines the whole story and, with Hashem’s help, every person can step beyond yesterday’s boundaries into a brighter and more joyful tomorrow.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.
The Torah's most famous declaration begins with a word that is easy to pass over: Shema. Before we proclaim Hashem as our One G-d, we first must listen. To pause for a moment, set aside the distractions competing for our attention, and become fully present. That opening word is far more than an introduction to a prayer. It reminds us that faith begins with paying attention. Throughout Jewish history, Jews have said these words in times of joy, in the routines of everyday life, and in moments of unimaginable hardship. Yet before saying anything about Hashem, the Torah first asks us to gather ourselves. Gather your scattered thoughts and bring your attention into one place before declaring what matters most.
It is surprisingly easy to spend an entire day physically present while mentally somewhere else, thinking about tomorrow's meeting during dinner, checking your phone while someone is speaking, or rushing through a mitzvah before moving on to the next task. The challenge of Shema is to notice when that happens and bring yourself back. When you're learning Torah with a friend, sitting across the table from your family, saying a blessing before a meal, or spending a few quiet moments in prayer, try to be fully there. We cannot stop our minds from wandering altogether, but we can keep choosing to return. Every time we do, we are already living the first lesson of Shema.
Have a phenomenal Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES:
- Shabbos, July 25, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Masterworks on the weekly Parsha.
- Monday, July 27, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
- Wednesday, July 29, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
- Thursday, July 30, 8:00 pm - Evening Chassidus
- Tuesday, September 1, 12:00 pm - Lunch & Learn: Tehillim, Faith in Uncertain Times - RSVP at chabaduptown.org/lunch.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Shabbos, July 25, 11:15 am - Welcome the New Kamman / Feldman Sefer Torah! - Join us this Shabbos Nachamu as we read for the first time in Houston from a Sefer Torah completed in Israel in memory of Avrohom Leib and Shoshana Joslyn Feldman ע״ה, beloved parents of Dorit Kamman. A celebratory Kiddush will follow.
- Sunday, July 26, 5:00 pm - YJP White Party at the Lanes: White Out or Strike Out at Lucky Strike Houston, 925 Bunker Hill Rd. Bowling, drinks, eats and vibes! www.yjphouston.org/whiteout
- Friday, August 7, 7:30 pm - Welcome to Houston: Citrus & Herbs August First Fridays Shabbat Dinner - New to Houston or already part of the YJP family? Join us for our August First Fridays Citrus & Herbs Shabbat. Whether you just moved here or have been with us for years, come enjoy a fresh summer dinner, welcome new faces, reconnect with friends and celebrate Shabbat together with the YJP Houston community. Services 7:30 pm, Candle Lighting 7:52 pm, Dinner 8:45 pm yjphouston.org/welcome.
- Sunday, August 9-Monday, August 17 - Volunteer in Israel: Chabad of Uptown Volunteer Mission with Birthright Israel. A community volunteer mission for active adults ages 18 and up, including those 50+. Israel needs us again. We are going back! - www.chabaduptown.org/israeltrip
- Shabbos Weekend, August 21-23 - Men’s Shabbos at the Ohel - Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, this Shabbos is a chance to recharge, reflect, and connect with the Rebbe’s timeless vision during an inspiring weekend of Jewish growth and brotherhood.
- Sunday, August 23, 12:30 pm - FCYA Shofar Factory with Friends - Create it, blow it, own it! Join volunteers of YJP Houston with FCYA (Friendship Circle of Houston - Young Adults) to fabricate shofars together with Young Adults with special needs for a morning of fun, camaraderie and integration. $10 prepaid with coupon code “advance,” $18 at the door. RSVP at yjphouston.org/fcyashofar.
FEATURED MAHJONG PHOTOS
Mahjong, friendship and a beautiful night out - Our Women’s Social brought together beginners and experienced players for an evening of connection, laughter and community at Chabad of Uptown. Whether they came alone or brought a friend, there is always a seat at the table.
SHABBOS NACHAMU PARSHAS V'ESCHANAN
FRIDAY, JULY 24, MENACHEM AV 10
7:30 pm Mincha & Shabbat Services
8:02 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, JULY 25, MENACHEM AV 11
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Nachamu Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by the Kamman family in honor of welcoming the New Torah completed just three weeks ago in Israel in memory of Avrohom Leib and Shoshana Joslyn Feldman ע״ה, the beloved parents of Dorit Kamman
8:00 pm Mincha
Ethics of our Fathers, Chapter 3
8:58 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, JULY 26, MENACHEM AV 12
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY & THURSDAY, JULY 27 & 30, MENACHEM AV 13 & 16
6:45 am Shacharis