Shabbos, Mommy & Me and American Idol Purim

• This Shabbos: As always, Friday 6:30 pm; Kabbalat Shabbat followed by dinner for all. 10am on Shabbos day followed by the best cholent this side of the Mississippi. Mark your calendars for future weekends: March 2-3, 16-17 & 30-31, April 13-14 & 27-28.
  BTW, even when Chanie and I are not there for Shabbos, Moishe Melnik has offered to keep the lights on for us for all those who want to come daven Friday night or Shabbos day at the same times. A minyan has been achieved in the past - even for those weeks - and you are more then welcome to stop in.
• Report: On Feb. 2, a great time was had by all, with great conversation, singing and camaraderie at the young singles and couples Shabbos. If you missed it - well, join us next time!
• March 3: American Idol Purim! Show all you are a star at our "American Idol" Purim. Come in costume and show us your any talent and we will all vote on the winner! (Character/Talent registration requested. Not so FINE PRINT: No singing. No inappropriate dress.- Please). Multimedia Megillah, Purim feast, fun for the kids and more! Saturday night, March 3, 8pm!
• Feb. 20 - Winter Mommy & Me: Moms will be having a morning out together with their own American Idol where they will express themselves through art and great conversation at the winter session of Chabad of Uptown's third Mommy & Me. RSVP or pass on the word!
• Parsha Classes: Join part 2 of the Exodus/Birth Parsha series! It is never too late as every class is a stand alone journey through the Talmudic and kabalistic depth of a selected theme/topic of that week's parsha. Tues. Lunch 12-1:15pm. Thurs. 8-9 pm.
• Taglit-birthright israel: Mayanot Recruiting - Registration opens soon! No longer eligible for a free Israel trip through Birthright Israel? Well, you can still get in on the excitement. Apply to be a Mayanot Birthright recruiter, sign up your friends for the trip, and you can find yourself staffing this summer's trip. Of course, if you are eligible, this is an opportunity you'd have to be crazy to miss. 10 days in Israel doing everything you could possibly imagine. Jeeping in the Desert, white water rafting, floating in the Dead Sea, swimming in the Mediterranean, riding camels or donkeys, sleeping in a Bedouin tent, experiencing the awe of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, and so much more. And all for free. www.mayanotisrael.com for info and to pre-register. Registration opens Feb. 15, and is expected to close in less than three weeks. This trip is a gift of Taglit-birthright israel.
• Spring Break: Argentina. This Spring, join students from all over the country for an exciting and meaningful alternative spring break program. Help a community in need and explore a region you've never seen. See site for more!

In other news...

• An amazing display of great weather, happy people and Jewish pride was present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Chabad Lubavitch Center on Fondren. Mayor White, Hon Asher Yarden and the entire dais were exemplary in their presentation and support of the community and Chabad. It was also carried on Channels 2, 11, 13 & 26 news. See groundbreaking and construction photo galleries and you tube clips @ www.chabadtexas.org/building
• 2000 Rebbetzins. 2000. That is a lot of Rebbetzins. A lot of talking, opinions and great recipes. Chanie finally came back late Monday night (gone since Wednesday morning!) from an uplifting ands inspiring convention where she caught up with friends, family and learned the newest methods of Rebbetzining for adult, school, child, parent and baby classes and interaction. See news stories from: Jpost, Haaretz, NY Daily News
• On Sunday, for some entertainment for the three kiddos left under my fatherly (hot dog or pizza for dinner) care. I took them to the Children's Museum. Conclusion: Mendel is a budding engineer.
• NYC is always a story. Chanie shared a flight with her mother-in-law (that's my mother :)) and checked through security with the regular yadayada.Removal f the shoes, coats (it is unbearably freezing in NY), keys, unloading the baby (that's Levi), the car seat, the carriage and more stuff. Before they know it, security in running from all sides. They are surrounded. Interview. Searched. Interrogated. Cause: Mom thought I wiser to take her bag along, then risk not having it in Houston by checking it. Well, she forgot she packed some excellent bargain kitchen knives she found in the great NYC. Security captain said she will forgo the arrest as she can tell they are for cooking. Knives - they stayed in NY and were confiscated (I mean donated) for the security personnel's own kitchens. Peelers? - they were allowed to continue their harrowing voyage to Houston... (What? - You think they appreciate jetblue leather seats when all they can do is look down from the overhead storage bins?)

From our mailbox...

• Rabbi Chaim, I would like to Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help and support that you gave me and my family during this difficult time.  Everything you do makes a huge impact on people, their mind and souls. Thank you again, V.K.
• Hi Rabbi - [...] Many of [...'s] teachers told me that while at the beginning of the school year his behavior and commitment were worrisome, they all agreed that since September/October he has shown a 180 degree turnaround. He now has an A average, and contributes to and behaves maturely in, all of his classes. [My wife] immediately realized that it was at about the time the teachers mentioned (Sept/Oct) that we began to bring him to your class. So we offer our heartfelt thanks to you, for affecting this change and, of course, to Hashem for blessing us by leading us to you. J.K
• Dear Rabbi Chaim and Chanie, On Friday night we had a traditional meal, ate on our china with a nice table cloth that has been tucked away for quite awhile.  With our new benchers we sang "My Zaidie"  too.  Not knowing any other Shabbos songs, and at the kids request we had many encores.  As we talked and laughed we appreciated our friends, "the Lazaroffs."  Thank you for inspiring us. The S. Family