THIS WEEK'S NOTES:
- PURIM: Purim was joyous and off the hook with over 10 megillah readings by Elchonon Reizes and Ziv Mesulaty for the Chabad of Uptown community, it was truly a joyous Purim!
- TIMES: As the clocks have now changed, Friday nights services will now be held at 7:30 pm!
- 50+ SOCIAL: Friday Night Dinner scheduled for next Shabbat has been rescheduled until further notice.
- CLASSES: Good news! Chabad of Uptown weekday Torah classes have now moved online! Reply to this email and we will send you the link to join us using the Zoom platform or a number for calling in.
- CORONAVIRUS: See the letter below the schedule from the Houston area Rabbis & Rebbetzins leading the twelve Chabad centers in the Houston area. Follow the guidance from the Houston Health, Harris County Health, Texas Health and CDC.
- PARAH: The Torah reading of Parah (Numbers 19) is added to the weekly reading with a second Torah.
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Shabbos Parah Parshas Ki Sisa
Friday, March 13, Adar 17
Candle Lighting and Mincha at 7:11 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 7:30 pm
Shabbos, March 14, Adar 18
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Special reading of Parshas Parah
Mazel tov to Jacob Karni on his Bar Mitzvah!
Mincha at 7:10 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:05 pm
Living Torah Video Program (15 min.)
Sunday, March 15, Adar 19 - Shacharis at 8:30 am
Dear friends of Chabad of Uptown and Chabad Centers of the Greater Houston Area,
At this time our heartfelt prayers go out to all those that have been affected by the Coronavirus and we wish all those that are sick a speedy recovery.
As we watch the spread of this virus, many people in our community and beyond, are understandably scared. Fear comes from uncertainty; we fear that which we cannot predict nor control. So rather than trying to control the future as a means of feeling secure, we are better off learning how to live peacefully with uncertainty.
To this end, Jewish tradition has some very useful instruction that we encourage everyone to try and incorporate to whatever degree you can.
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We must listen to the guidelines and instructions being put forward by the CDC . These include washing your hands with soap quite often, refrain from unnecessary physical contact with others, stay at home if you are not feeling well, limit your attendance at large public gatherings, etc. These guidelines are being updated daily and we will monitor them and make all decisions regarding classes, services and communal events based on the guidelines being put forth by our county.
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It is a core Jewish belief that there is a Divine master plan behind everything that happens in the world. This means that while outcomes are uncertain to us, there is meaning, purpose and design to every event. After we finish doing our part, we can rest calmly with absolute faith, that whatever happens is exactly what is supposed to happen. This does not necessarily give us a sense of certainty, but it does help us cope with a life of inevitable uncertainty.
We recommend gathering your family together and telling them that we are going to control everything we can. After that, whatever happens is exactly what is supposed to happen. Whatever outcome G-d chooses for us, He has given us the tools and means to keep doing what it is we need to be doing on this earth. Get comfortable with uncertainty and your family will learn to do the same. Always remember the teaching of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch "Tracht Gut Vet Zain Gut" - THINK POSITIVE, AND IT WILL BE POSITIVE".
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One of the best ways to avoid the victimhood of fear, is to turn it into a catalyst for positive action and Mitzvot. Designate a charity-box that your family will deposit coins in each day, as a way of creating an additional vessel for G-d’s blessings.
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If you have not put on your Tefillin in a while, take a moment and put them on and say the Shema. If you do not have a pair, please go to your nearest Chabad and wrap the Tefillin (during daylight hours)
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Please light the Shabbat candles this week at 7:11 p.m. If you need a Shabbat Candle-lighting kit, please reach out to your Chabad center.
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Consider baking Challah for Shabbat. It will fill your home with that special aroma that will remind you of your Bubbie's home.
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Say extra Psalms each day - click here for Psalm 20.
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For each of your children, acquire a letter in a Torah to be written for them by a scribe in Israel. This is for all children under the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Click here
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For adults, acquire a letter in a Torah Scroll being written in Israel to unite all Jews. Click Here
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Make sure to have Kosher Mezuzot on the doors of your home.
On our website you can find an entire section of spiritual support and information on the Coronavirus atwww.chabaduptown.org/coronavirus
May G-d Almighty watch over the entire world and remove all illness and disease and usher in an era of G-dliness, Spirituality, Peace and Tranquility with the coming of the righteous Moshiach NOW!
With love and blessings,
Rabbi Shimon & Chiena Lazaroff, Texas Regional Director
Rabbi Mendel & Leah Blecher, The Woodlands
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie Lazaroff, Uptown
Rabbi Lazer & Rochel Lazaroff, TMC
Rabbi Peretz & Mushky Lazaroff, Montrose
Rabbi Zally & Esti Lazarus, Friendship Circle
Rabbi Mendel & Chaya Feigenson, Sugar Land
Rabbi Enan & Gitty Francis, Torah Day School
Rabbi Dovid & Elisa Goldstein, West Houston
Rabbi Yoni & Kesem Mia Hetsroni, Torah Day School
Rabbi Betzalel & Leah Marinovsky, SW Houston
Rabbi Levi & Devorah Marinovsky, Cypress
Rabbi Yitzchok & Malky Schmukler, League City
Rabbi Shmuli & Nechama Slonim, Rice University
Rabbi Mendel & Rachel Traxler, Outreach
Rabbi Moishe & Shoshana Traxler, Outreach
Rabbi Yossi & Esty Zalikofsky, Bellaire