This is NY.
Holy sites, including visiting the Ohel, the Rebbe's holy room and visiting the public exhibit Aguch library as a family. The Jewish Children Museum, Jewish Children's Library and the sights of a vibrant Jewish community packing the sidewalks, overflowing to the streets.
This is NY.
A wedding, engagements, sheva berachot and parties every night. A dream candy store, array of pizza shops, restaurants, sushi and schwarma shops, kosher ice cream shops in every imaginable flavor with toppings and waving down a cholov yisroel ice cream truck.
This is NY.
Responding to our children's questions of, "Why don't we move to NY?", we explained that the Rebbe's inspiration of reaching every Jew with the love of Torah and Chassidus, is for us -
Only in Houston, Texas.
And... living in 100 degree weather, but, surviving only because you are in "the most air conditioned city".
This too, we have learned, is only in Houston, Texas. :)
Charged and invigorated with increased energy, we look forward to our return.
This Shabbos is Gimmel Tammuz, the 18th Yartzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Be inspired at an Uptown Shabbaton with talks and farbrengens lead by Rabbi Dovid & Elisa Goldstein. The Rebbe's love for every Jew is legendary and his call to reach everyone is carried out in particular by this dynamic couple. In addition to Chabad in West Houston, the Friendship Circle for children with special needs and position as lead Rabbi for the Texas prison system, are among the major accomplishments they have contributed to the Houston, and Texas, Jewish communities.
As is customary among Chassidim, it is important to be able receive an Aliya on the Shabbos of the Rebbe's yartzeit. As there are many community members on vacation, if you can join Rabbi Goldstein on Shabbos morning to ensure a minyan, please let me know.
Commemorating this special date there will also be "A Musical Farbrengen for Women" with Special Guest Speaker & Singer, Mrs. Chavi Epstein of South Carolina on Sunday, June 24th, 2012, Tammuz 4, 5772, at 7:00 p.m at Chabad Lubavitch Center on Fondren. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Mazel Tov to Eric & Amanda Rubenstein on the birth of a baby girl!
Shabbos Gimmel Tammuz, Parshas Korach
Friday, June 22
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 8:08 pm (latest of the year!)
Shabbos Dinner with the Goldsteins - RSVP
Shabbos, June 23
Chassidus at 9 am
Shacharis at 10 am
Followed by Kiddush and Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen
Mincha at 8:10 pm
Ethics of our Fathers Chapter 4
Maariv Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 9:07 pm
Special Gimmel Tammuz Living Torah Program
Have a Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie