Rosh Hashanah is behind us but Yom Kippur lies ahead. Yom Kippur is called the “one and only day of the year”. Our sages teach us that the term “one and only” is to infer Yom Kippur’s energy towards the uniting of the Jewish people with each other as one person with one heart and also the unification of the Jewish people with the “One and Only” Hashem. This is demonstrated at the conclusion of Yom Kippur as the entire community together will cry out “Shema Yisroel” once, “Boruch Shem” thrice, and the heartfelt cry of “Hashem Hoo Ha’Elokim – G-d is the L-rd” seven times. The final blast of the shofar will conclude this unifying day with faith, hope and belief that Hashem will grant us a year full of blessing for our entire families and community and with a heartfelt wish that we may we be “Next year in Jerusalem!” Chanie and clan joins me is wishing all of you a “Gmar Chasima Tova”, May you and yours be sealed for a happy and sweet new year - Rabbi Chaim
Uptown…
- Thursday, lunch and learn 12-1:15 pm. The High Holiday Series
- Thursday, Basic Mitzvot: 8-9pm
- Yom Kippur @ Hilton Post Oak:
Fri., Sept. 21: 7:15pm Kol Nidrei
Sat., Sept 22: 9:30am Morning Service,
12:30 approx. Yizkor
5:15pm Mincha, 6:45 Neilah
8:00pm Havdallah and Break Fast - Uptown Sukkah – the one and only Sukkah on San Felipe! Services, dinners and the works. Services WILL be held for Sukkot at Uptown Wed-Sat.; Sept 26-29 – exact schedule for entire month posted here!
- Lulav & Etrog sets – “Yanover” from Calabria Italy, are available from $100-150 a set. Please order now…
- Simchat Torah – Everyone is welcome to join Chanie and I for Simchat Torah at
- Mommy & Me dates for fall have been set to Six Wednesdays Oct. 17-Nov. 21. 3mos.-2yrs. Join us and/or spread the word!
News in the family….
- What a beautiful jammed pack house for Rosh Hashanah at the Hilton! It was wonderful to see over 150 of you join us for the services in a most beautiful environment lead by Rabbi Chazzan Daniel Gavin (TDS ’99 Alumnus and ordained as rabbi last month in
- After services and a sumptuous kiddush an entourage scoured the Galleria and area to find some Neshamot – Jewish souls – who may not have had the opportunity to hear the Shofar yet. Well, almost 20 people heard thanks to our [sweaty and feet hurting] efforts! Very fulfilling….
- 65 people walked to
going. We told them, so they followed us all the way there (20 min. - in the heat), they waited until we finished the service and distributed freezing cold free Red Bull for everyone!! Simply Moshiach’s times when the nations of the world will assist the Jewish people to perform all Mitzvos in comfort! [- Is this the Wild Ox?]–Did you know that St. Lukes has a Minor Emergency Room on San Felipe? The hospital I was born in decided to open a branch down the road from Chabad of Uptown. You know why? Well, I will tell you the real reason why… Chaya Mushka got some sort of nasty Aspen(?) bite that developed into blisters, swelling and puss. A very ugly sight indeed. So the question arises, we could maybe break Yom Tov and drive to the hospital for a life threatening situation, but, after she is taken care of, Chanie won’t be able to come back. Now, that would be a problem, as what will we all eat? How will we all survive? OK a problem, a serious problem, but not life threatening. So Chaya Mushka was plumped into a stroller (she could not walk, her ankle was so swollen) and walked down to the emergency room. Got some medical care, and Chanie, Chaya Mushka and stroller were back at the Hilton in time for the blowing of the shofar…. B”H by today, Chaya Mushka is doing a lot better, and went to school.Nothing beats the lights going out on Friday night with a massive explosion heard from nearby after most of you left. The whole fam slept to the light of the Shabbat candles, and woke up about 3am to the electricity restored, thank G-d. Of course, it helped that theOf course to top it all off, we are looking for a full time and weekend cleaning help for our home and Chabad of Uptown. Ours has disappeared just in time for Rosh Hashana…. So if you know of anyone, please let us know!Check out our newest ChabadTexas.org features: The Interactive Kaddish Trainer, KabbalaToons, Shemita 5768, and of course the RabbiGram. [This is in addition to the jammed-packed New Year section]. They have all been met with great “websitement”! If you haven’t seen it yet, you must check them out now!Rabbi Faitel Lewin, the sofer from Brooklyn, N.Y., is here and is available to check mezuzos and tefillin through 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18. To speak to the sofer, schedule an appointment, or to gain entry to the building outside of regular office hours please call the sofer directly at 718-913-4970. According to halacha, mezuzos and tefillin should be checked twice every seven years. Some have the custom to inspect them annually.
See you Yom Kippur!
Gmar Chasima Tova,
May you be sealed for a happy, sweet new year,
Rabbi Chaim