Dear Friends,
I hope seeing an email from me on New Years doesn't put you into shock... I mean after all it isn't a Yom Kippur appeal or anything, just a few thoughts from this side of the road…
Uptown Stuff...
- Shabbaton this week.(RSVP) 6:30 pm Friday followed by of course - dinner, and 10 am Saturday followed by buffet kiddush with Chanie's wonderful cholent. (Yes, expectantless-Chanie and I and ALL the kids will be there!)
- This week we will wrap up Origins and start a new course next week: Birth. I am sure you all got the email. Notice the day change of the lunch from Wednesday to Tuesday to better accommodate our students. Please join us on Tuesdays, Lunch at 12-1:15 pm and Thursdays 8-9:00 pm.
- We will be hosting/having a Young Adults Friday night dinner at Chabad of Uptown on Feb 2 as part of the One Shabbat, One World project. Stay tuned for details!
- I have reworked the webpages at www.chabaduptown.org so that now it is easier to browse through our Uptown specific photo galleries. You know, a little Uptown pride!
- Also, check out our new YouTube channel with some Chabad and personal stuff posted and to be posted there. www.youtube.com/youngchabad. Your comments are welcome! (This is of course in addition to www.myspace.com/youngchabad)
In other news....
- Chanukah - what a trip! Rabbi Baumgarten first wowed us all with his spectacular voice. The City Hall menorah lighting was attended by hundreds - young and old. After a spectacular car menorah parade (YouTube), the Galleria, Chanukah on Ice was witnessed by thousands (YouTube). Hundreds attended the beautiful Sugar Land City Hall menorah lighting. West Houston enjoyed a wonderful evening at JCC- West. Of course, Chabad of Uptown's menorah lighting was a wonderful evening. Finally, the Israeli Consulate put on a party at Merfish center where Torah Day School's choir performed (YouTube) and Rabbi Chaim (yes, that's me) was honored with lighting the menorah..... (This was of course in addition to a packed house at Borders Meyerland for Story time and daily Olive Press demonstrations at the Children's Museum and Friendship Circle's Bowl).... WOW, anyone want more latkes?! See the many news stories and photo galleries.
- As part of Rabbi Dovid Goldstein's Golden Circle, we went to visit the Vosswood Senior Living Center among many others visited over Chanukah. See YouTube here.
- Ah, the Bris. The long awaited party finally came with a 24hr notice. We appreciate the good wishes all of you shared and understand those that could not make it due to it's late invite nature and vacation plans. It was fine, there was more food for me. :) We named our new addition Levi Yitzchak after the Rebbe's father o.b.m., and my mother's father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schapiro, a.h. who passed away a little over a year ago. May he grow to be a source of pride for the entire family and Jewish (and of course Uptown) community. See photos here. Thanks to Caroline Stanley and Ilan Melnik - our great photographers! Thank you Suzy for all of your help, and especially the 6am bagel pickup!
- Many thanks owed to Rabbi Dovid & Elisa Goldstein for filling in for us the last Uptown Shabbos. I understand it was a wonderful weekend and that it will be hard to fill their shoes now.... hmmmmmm.
- Our kids vacation is, thank G-d, coming to an end. They will now go back to school, and will not need never ending well-time-spent entertainment. It was nice, but also nice to see them go back tomorrow to learn a little more Torah from their great teachers at Torah Day School. Their well versed parsha story is something I look forward to hearing again next Shabbos!
- My brother Yossi and family came to visit over the break, and my kids had a great time bonding with their cousins. Sunday, we took them rock climbing. I could not resist and try it myself. What fun!
- Chanie's mother came to visit from New York and she has been a great help with the Baby and kids...!
- So.... (M.S. - the "so" was for you), last night just as I finally dozed off reading some light Midrash, Chanie and I were awakened to frantic knocking. I too, frantically, ran around the house and checked windows and doors, until I looked at the clock - it was 12:01 am, Jan. 1, 2007. Feeling really bright and special, I crawled back in bed, and could not fall back asleep for at least an hour.
See you at classes this week, or Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie