Shabbat Nitzavim-Vayelech
September 11-12, 2020
RABBI'S MESSAGE
Click here to view a video message from Rabbi Feldman.
SELICHOT KUMZITS AND SERVICE
Register HERE before Shabbat for Saturday night's outdoor Kumuzits (social distancing, masks required) at 9:15 pm followed by Selichot at 10 pm. All will also be broadcast in the CBAJ Zoom Room (info below).
NEW VIRTUAL SHABBAT SCHEDULE
Thursdays: Thursdays with Beth Abe on Zoom at 8 pm.
Fridays: A Video Dvar Torah from Rabbi Feldman (link in weekly CBAJ Notes).
TORAH READING
Deut: 29:9 - 31:30 Artscroll p. 1086
Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9, p. 1202
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Marjorie and Stuart Gang on the marriage of their daughter Danielle Starkman to David Eller.
BNOS ISRAEL MIKVAH CAMPAIGN
Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, B’nos Israel Mikvah’s doors have remained open to the women of our community in a safe and healthy manner, with guidance from Rabbi Feldman and leading poskim and infectious disease experts. The B’nos Israel Mikvah is a vital community institution, essential for maintaining a vibrant Jewish community in the Capital District. Please support them here on their upcoming Giving Days, September 13-15.
ORDER YOUR LULAV AND ETROG
Click Here to order your Arba Minim through CBAJ. Deadline: Monday, September 21.
FINAL CALL FOR ROSH HASHANA NEEDS
Do you need someone to blow shofar for you on Sunday, September 20 the second day of Rosh Hashana (there is no Shofar on Shabbat)? Please let Rabbi Feldman know ASAP.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Rabbi Feldman and the CBAJ Family is available to speak with you. Please e-mail him at rabbi@cbaj.org or call the CBAJ Office to leave a message.
CBAJ President Artie Brenner is reachable at president@cbaj.org . The Chesed committee can be reached through the form below.
CHESED AT CBAJ
If you would like help with shopping, errands, or other things since you are remaining home as much as possible, or conversely, if you would like to volunteer to help people in the community who may need help, please fill out the form at this link . Please be in touch with Rabbi Feldman with any needs.
CONDOLENCES
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob regrets to inform you of the passing of Herbert Brenner, father of CBAJ President Arthur (and Nanette) Brenner.
Notes of condolence can be sent to president@cbaj.org . May the family be comforted, and may his memory be a blessing.
MISHNA CLUB
Click here for this week's Mishna Club learning. For more information on joining, contact Rabbi Feldman.
YOU SEND IT, WE PRINT IT
Please be sure to send the CBAJ office information about celebrations or other achievements to be mentioned in the weekly e-mail and printed notes.
ACCESS INFORMATION FOR OUR VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Our Zoom conferences can be accessed on a computer or smartphone at: https://zoom.us/j/9405089347 and entering password 613518.
For Facebook programming, visit facebook.com/rabbifeldman
DAILY SERVICES
In person for registered participants.
Sunday - Thursday: 7:00 pm on Zoom
preceded by Selichot at 6:45 pm Monday to Thursday
(Participants may fully participate in Selichot service via Zoom)
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JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
JFS is offering many programs and help at this time, and they also seek volunteers for many of those initiatives. Click here for more information if you'd like to volunteer or participate. Our very own Nanette Brenner will be leading Activities for Emotional Well-being on Mondays; click here for more information or to register .
CORONA-VIRUS INFORMATION
If you have health related questions, concerns, or needs regarding COVID-19, St. Peters Health Partners has social workers and nurses available to speak with you at 518-525-1132. If you need more emotional support during this difficult time,
the NY State COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline is 844-863-9314.
When it comes to possibly saving lives, Jewish law always follows the most stringent opinion that will save the most lives. Let us be part of the solution by staying safe and following protocols suggested by public health experts. Keep social distancing guidelines:
Do not be within 6 feet of anyone else, except the people with whom you live.
If you can, work from home; if you cannot, maintain the social distancing protocols.
Playdates should not take place between children.
If you experience symptoms, contact your doctor.
Do not invite guests for Shabbat or Yom Tov meals, and make Shiva and Bikkur Cholim visits by phone.
If you are High Risk due to age or other conditions, please stay home as much as possible and take advantage of our Chesed Committee's generous offers.
The Mikva is open by appointment and is following protocols suggested by the Orthodox Union in consultation with public health experts.
The Utensil Mikvah is also open. Please bring gloves to use, and wash your hands with soap before and after using the Utensil Mikvah. If you cannot follow these sanitary protocols, or if you have personal concerns about using the Utensil Mikvah for current health-related reasons, you may use this form to have the Beth Din of America arrange to sell your new utensils to someone who is not Jewish. They will arrange to buy those utensils back at a later date (which will be shared with you), at which point your utensils must be "toveled" in the Mikvah. This solution is only to be used in cases of great need, such as ours.
TEFILAH AT HOME
Use this opportunity to take extra time and read the Tefilot meaningfully (and learn their meaning), sing with new melodies (if you have others at home, sing together).
Aside from not reciting Bar'chu, Kaddish, Kedusha, or the repetition in any services:
Friday Night: Recite Vayechulu paragraph following the Amidah, then skip to Aleinu. If starting Shabbat early, daven Mincha before Plag Hamincha (the time labeled "Earliest Shabbat" on this e-mail's time-bar), candles may be lit and Ma'ariv may be davened after Plag Hamincha.
Shabbat Morning: Start davening in time to recite Shema before the latest time for Shema. After Shacharit Amidah, read the Torah Portion and special Maftir without any of the blessings. Yekum Purkan is not recited, then Ashrei and the Mussaf Amidah should be recited, and the concluding prayers (if you have children at home, ask them to lead Ein Kelokeinu, Aleinu, Shir Shel Yom, and Adon Olam). Shir HaKavod is not recited.
Ma'ariv and general: One may daven Ma'ariv 15 minutes before the end of Shabbat and include Atah Chonantanu in the Amidah. It is Rabbi Feldman's opinion that one does not say the three words "E-l Melech Ne'eman" before Shema in Ma'ariv or Shacharit, contrary to the instructions in many Siddurim. It is also his opinion that one who usually recites the paragraph at weekday Ma'ariv that begins ברוך ה' לעולם אמן ואמן does not recite this paragraph when praying without a Minyan.
LIFE & LEGACY *
We are excited and honored to be partnering with 10 other local organizations in the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY™ program. We completed a successful first year! Please help us pay it forward and leave a legacy for future Capital District Jews. Please speak to a Life & Legacy committee member about partnering on this crucial initiative to ensure the vitality of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob for the next 200 years. Please consider completing a Letter of Intent. For more information, contact office@cbaj.org.
