We hope your vacations and times spent with your families were meaningful. After a hectic vacation with a Chanukah packed season, the family needed some quality time. So, on Sunday, we headed out to Clear Lake together as a family to kasher someone's kitchen and searched for seashells on galveston beach. Ok, it was a little cold for that, but, it was memorable. :)
Monday afternoon we took the kids for a visit to Zuma, one of these blinking lights, noisy arcade places, and they were closed. Where to go now? Um, let's go to.... Austin! Just a slight detour... 290 allows you to ge a little taste of Texas, so we looked up the history of the towns as we passed through. As we cruised through Brenham, we read about the Toubins. They caringly and lovingly look after the shul that still stands near downtown Brenham. Built in 1893, B'nai Abraham Synagogue in the oldest orthodox shul still in continuous use in Texas. I mention that Mrs. Toubin is Michael Pasternak, our candyman's, sister. Mendel calls out, "let's go see it!" Not a bad idea! GPS. 5 minutes later, there we are! We text a picture of us in front of the shul that is locked. Michael quickly calls and asks, did you see the 
mikvah? What?! A mikvah in Brenham? It has since been filled, but, you can still see the outline. The whole experience was so telling about the rich Jewish culture that was once so vibrant in Brenham.... Maybe one day we can do a BLT Sunday morning session in Brenham. That would be nice...
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: Tomorrow night is First Fridays! It is not too late to register! Do it now! www.chabaduptown.org/youngadults. See who is going by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/events/316275641728249
The official journal ad deadline for the upcoming Torah celebration is tomorrow, January 6. Please support Chabad of Uptown and dedicate a portion, verse or word in the new Torah!!! www.chabaduptown.org/torah.
Shabbos Chazak, Parshas Vayechi
Friday, January 6
Services at 6:30 pm followed by Shabbat Dinner for Young Professionals
Candle lighting at 5:19 pm | RSVP for www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, Jan. 7
Preprayer Kabbala Study at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Chazak, conclusion of the book of Bereishis followed by lunch kidduah
Mincha at 5:15 pm
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 6:16pm
Living Torah Video
Sunday, Jan. 8
BLT = Bagels, Lox and Tefillin at 9:30 am
Have a good Shabbos!!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie