What a beautiful beginning to 5787!
Our Rosh Hashanah Community and Sefardi services were filled to overflowing, with an incredible crowd coming together to daven, hear the shofar, celebrate Yom Tov, and begin the new year as one community.
A special thank you to Chazzan Daniel Gavin for beautifully leading the davening, to Sara Tehilla, Elana, and Chanale for the wonderful children’s programs, and to Chanie for the decadent Yom Tov meals that brought everyone together around the table.
The photo captures some of those who stayed together after services for Havdalah and Living Torah, one more special moment of learning and connection at the close of a beautiful day.
Now, during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, the Ten Days of Teshuvah, the focus turns inward.
This weekend is Shabbos Shuva, the special Shabbos between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is a time to think more deeply about what Teshuvah is really about. Not simply looking back at what we may have done wrong, but returning to who we truly are, strengthening our relationship with Hashem, and preparing ourselves to enter Yom Kippur with greater meaning and purpose.
Below you will find the complete schedule and customs for Shabbos Shuva and Yom Kippur. We hope you will join us for Sunday & Monday for Kol Nidrei, Yizkor, Neilah, Break the Fast, and throughout these sacred days.
Gmar Chasima Tova. May we all be sealed for a good and sweet year.
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.
In this week’s parsha, Haazinu, Moshe says that Hashem “found” the Jewish people in the desert. Of course, Hashem knew exactly where they were. He had led them there. Rashi explains that what Hashem “found” was something within the Jewish people: a depth of faith they had never been called upon to show before. They followed Hashem into an empty and uncertain desert, trusting Him beyond what reason alone could justify. Sometimes it takes an unfamiliar or demanding situation to reveal just how deep a relationship really runs.
The same is true of our Judaism. It is easy to connect when Judaism is comfortable or inspiring. Real growth asks us to discover something more within ourselves. As we begin a new year, each of us can identify an area of Jewish life that represents a personal stretch, whether quantitatively, by doing more, or qualitatively, by bringing greater depth and commitment to what we already do. Sometimes we only discover what we are capable of when we reach beyond where we are today.
Have a marvelous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
- Mazel tov to Yehoshua & Sigal (Melnik) Rothman on the birth of a baby boy!
- We send sincere condolences to Seth & Rivka Weisberg on the passing of her mother.
Chabad of Uptown looks forward to celebrating the holidays with you. Our doors are to the entire Jewish community to daven and to celebrate, regardless of background or affiliation. For the complete schedule of services, to RSVP for the Yom Kippur Break Fast, Sukkot dinners or lunches, visit www.chabaduptown.org/services.
Now is also the time to join or renew your voluntary membership to Chabad. Your partnership allows us to provide free, open and welcoming services to all, for the holidays and year round! www.chabaduptown.org/membership
HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES & EVENTS:
www.chabaduptown.org/celebrate
- Sun.-Mon., Sept. 20-21 - Yom Kippur Services and Break Fast
- Wednesday, September 23, 8:00 pm - YJP & Moishe Pod Wednesday Dinner, Class & Social
- Fri. & Sat. Sept. 25 & 26, 7 pm - Community Sukkot Dinners Under the Stars
- Tues. Sept. 29, 12 pm - Sukkot Lunch & Learn - Enjoy an upscale lunch in the Sukkah with like-minded friends for a spirited Torah class and meaningful discussion.
- Tues. Sept. 29, 7 pm - Sukkot Men's Social: Sushi & Scotch in the Sukkah - Join us in the Sukkah for a relaxed guys’ night with fresh sushi, a great selection of Scotch, and plenty of good company. Enjoy a l’chaim, catch up with friends, meet some new faces, and spend a great Sukkos evening together under the schach.. chabaduptown.org/guys
- Thursday, October 1, 6:30 pm - Smoke, Mirrors & Sukkot w/ YJP, YAD & Olami - Join young professionals in their twenties and thirties for an evening of magic, dinner, drinks and joy in the Sukkah under the Stars! www.yjphouston.org
- Friday, Oct. 2 6:45 pm - YJP October First Fridays Shemini Atzeres Edition - Simchas Torah warm-up brief dancing and dinner in the sukkah www.yjphouston.org/pinkatzeres
- Shabbos. Oct. 3 12:15 pm - Shemini Atzeret Yizkor with special Service to Honor the Memory of the Oct. 7 massacre
- Shabbos, Oct. 3, 6:45 pm - Saturday Night ALIVE! Simchat Torah Uptown - Dance like a Star!
SHABBOS SHUVA & YOM KIPPUR SCHEDULE & CUSTOMS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, TISHREI 7
7:00 pm Mincha & Shabbos Service
7:05 pm Shabbat Candle Lighting
- Custom to Light 24 hr "Teshuvah Candle"
Followed by Shabbat Dinner, RSVP
SHABBOS SHUVA, SEPTEMBER 19, TISHREI 8
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Shabbos Shuva Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
7:05 pm Mincha
Study of Laws of Yom Kippur & Sukkot
7:57 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
YOM KIPPUR 5787
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, TISHREI 9
- After 3 am & before 5:54 am ideal time for Kapparos (with money)
8:00 am Shacharis
No Mizmor Lesoda, Tachanun or Avinu Malkeinu in Shacharis
- Ask for Lekach
- Men Receive Malkus
- Men's Mikvah (10900 Fondren Rd) 9 am - 6 pm. Non-members $5/adult, $2/child, $2 Towel
- Before Chatzos, 1:14 pm, eat Festive Meal with Challah dipped in honey & fish.
2:00 pm Mincha with Al Chet
- Eat festive meal with Kreplach
- Light 24 hour "Living Candle" for whole Family
- Light an additional 24 hour Yizkor Candle for those who say Yizkor
7:03 pm Light Holiday Candles and Fast Begins
Blessings: Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom HaKippurim & Shehechiyanu
7:00 pm Kol Nidrei
Simultaneous Main & Sefardi Services
7:00-8:30 pm Children’s Program
- Five YK Restrictions: No Eating or Drinking, Washing Body, Lotions, Leather Shoes or Intimacy
YOM KIPPUR, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, TISHREI 10
7:00 am Sefardi Sunrise Minyan
9:30 am Community Morning Service
11:30 am-1:00 pm Children’s Program
12:30 pm Yizkor Memorial Service
4:30 pm Sefardi Mincha
6:00 pm Mincha Afternoon Service
7:00 pm Neilah Closing Service
7:55 pm Havdallah and Fast Ends
Break the Fast Buffet following Services, RSVP required
THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, TISHREI 13
6:45 am Shacharis