After weeks of beautiful Yomim Tovim, we finally experienced our first full week of ordinary life. Well, almost ordinary. We still had Rosh Chodesh, and of course, breakfast!
This week's Parshah, Noach, couldn't be more timely.
Noach and his family entered the teivah, the ark, finding shelter, strength, and protection from the storms outside. But the purpose of the ark was never to remain inside forever. Eventually, Noach had to open the doors, step back into the world, and begin rebuilding civilization for generations to come.
That is the beauty of a Jewish community. We come together in our own teivah, our shul, our Torah, our celebrations, and our friendships, to find strength and inspiration. But that strength is meant to accompany us when we step outside, into the everyday world, fulfilling the mission of "מלאו את הארץ וכבשוה", to fill the earth and transform it into a home for Hashem.
And this week, we saw exactly what that looks like.
On Rosh Chodesh, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast, including some absolutely incredible tarts lovingly prepared by Jessica in memory of Sarah bas Meir, mother of Rachel Minchen, who recently completed sitting shiva. Tsion and the crew couldn't get over how beautiful those tarts looked, and they tasted every bit as good! Thank you, Jessica, for bringing such sweetness and meaning to our morning.
We also witnessed the warmth of our community as so many came together to support the Terk family, both at the funeral and throughout the week of shiva. At moments like these, we are reminded that community isn't simply about coming together for celebrations. It's about showing up for one another through every chapter of life.
This Shabbos, we will also honor the memory of Leonard Goldberg, Shmuel ben Nosson, a"h, brother of Sarah Anne Goldstein and cousin of the Schultz family, whose yahrtzeit falls this Sunday, 7 Cheshvan.
A few of us visited his resting place this week, where we reflected on the beautiful legacy that continues in his name. We shared that the Sefer Torah dedicated in his memory is regularly read in our shul, and that this Shabbos we will once again read from it with his neshamah in mind.
When Sarah Anne dedicated that Torah, her vision was for it to inspire generations of young Jewish people to experience the joy of shul, Torah, and Yiddishkeit. And that is exactly what happens every week at Chabad of Uptown and YJP Houston.
What a remarkable legacy. A Torah that continues to be read, embraced, celebrated, and passed on to the next generation, surrounded by a community that shares in one another's joys and supports one another through life's challenges.
That is how we build a world after leaving the ark.
After all, the ultimate purpose of all those beautiful Yomim Tovim is to bring their inspiration into the ordinary days that follow.
Please join us this Shabbos as we settle back into everyday life, where the real work, and the real beauty, of building Hashem's world begins.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time.
Parshat Noach tells the story of a man whose world was turned upside down. At 600 years old, Noach faced the destruction of the world and spent a year aboard the ark caring for his family and every kind of animal. Yet his name, Noach, means rest. How could someone who experienced such upheaval embody tranquility? Noach teaches us that peace is not determined by the circumstances around us, but by the faith we carry within us. Noach knew that even in the midst of chaos, he was not alone.
We may not have control over the storms life brings, but we can build a relationship with Hashem that gives us the strength to weather them. Find your daily moments of connection in the Morning Blessings, the nighttime Shema, or a few minutes of daily Torah Study. Go ahead and enter the ark Hashem has made available for you.
Have a stupendous Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING EVENTS & CLASSES
- 3 Wednesday, October 21, 28 & November 4, 2026, 7:30 pm - Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism - Join CYP Academy for a fascinating 4-part course exploring surprising facts, myths, and mysteries of Jewish tradition. Dinner and textbook included. $36 for the course, complimentary for CHAI Club members. Complete the course and earn a $200 voucher toward a CYP trip or Encounter! yjphouston.org/facts
- Sunday, October 25, 2026, 6:30 pm - Sparkle & Sushi: Women's Tehillim Bedazzling Workshop - Discover the power of Tehillim while creating your own beautifully personalized Tehillim book to take home. Enjoy sushi, creativity, and inspiration! Early bird pricing ends October 21. chabaduptown.org/bedazzle
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 12:00 pm - Lunch & Learn: Tzedaka, More Than Money - RSVP chabaduptown.org/lunch
- 6 Tuesdays, Oct. 27-Dec.1, 2026, 7:30 pm - JLI Course: Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You - A six-session JLI course exploring reincarnation, soulmates, dreams, the mysteries of the soul, and how Kabbalah reveals the hidden design of your life. Course fee: $119. Register
- Friday, November 6, 2026, 6:30 pm - YJP November First Fridays Soupper Shabbat - Join YJP Houston in partnership with Moshe Pod for a cozy Shabbat dinner featuring delicious soups, fresh salads, and great company! Register before Thursday with the ADVANCE coupon for special pricing. yjphouston.org/soup
The Chabad community extends condolences to Arielle Terk Mesulaty, Eliav Terk, Ilanit Meckley and Ahuva Terk on the passing of their beloved mother and grandmother, Sara bat Zalman Rozin, z״l.
SHABBOS PARSHAS NOACH
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, MARCHESHVAN 5
6:30 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
6:32 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, OCTOBER 17, MARCHESHVAN 5
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen, sponsored in part by Sarah Ann Goldstein in memory and marking the yartzeit of Shmuel ben Nosson, obm
6:30 pm Mincha
Torah Study
7:25 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, MARCHESHVAN 5
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 & 22, MARCHESHVAN 8 & 11
6:45 am Shacharis