On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a meaningful and restful Shabbat.
I hope to see you soon at tefilah, a youth program, or social event.
This past week and next week are important weeks for us as Jews who respond to modern history with a religious consciousness and with a strong sense of our Jewish identity. On this past Thursday, we commemorated Yom HaShoah, remembering the greatest tragedy of the modern era in which one third of our people were brutally murdered for who they were.
This coming Wednesday night, we will transition to marking Yom Ha'Atzmaut and Yom HaZikaron, celebrating the miracle that our people, still broken and bleeding from the blow of the Shoah, were able to create the modern State of Israel. In that spirit, I hope to see as many as possible - either in person or virtually - at CBAJ and the Jewish Federation's Tekes Ma'avar this Wednesday evening to commemorate Yom HaZikaron and celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut.
Finally, as I am sure that you already know, the Albany County Health Department put out a health advisory this week in response to rising caseloads of COVID-19 in our county. In light of this, I urge you to think carefully about what precautions are right for you and your family. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
The Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and CBAJ invite you to participate in a community-wide Yom HaZikaron & Yom Ha'atzmaut on Wednesday May 4th.
The event includes an opportunity to pre-order dinner from Ganey Orly (certified kosher by the Vaad HaRabonim of Queens, VHQ) for either pick-up or dine-in at CBAJ, followed by a Tekes Maavar, and CBAJ's regular Mincha and festive Ma'ariv service.
TOT SHABBAT CBAJ's Tot Shabbat will begin againfor children ages 0-5 and their parents on 5/21 at 10:30. We will try to have it outdoors if weather permits. Please contact Joshua Schulman-Marcus (jschumar@gmail.com) if you would like more details or to be added to the Young Families Whatsapp group.
CBAJ CHILDREN'S BOOK DRIVE CBAJ is participating in a book drive to benefit children in our Albany community. Please drop off secular children's books in good or like new condition at CBAJ. There is a box in the lobby and a box outside the parking lot doors for your donations.
MISHNA CLUB Kids in grades 5-8 are invited to Mishna Club this Shabbat (4/30) with Jack Hartstein during Kiddush. Featuring Mishna & games. For more information, email Jack.
WEEKLY LEARNING AT CBAJ
WEEKLY CLASSES TORAH & TEA Thursday mornings, 9:30 - 10:30 AM, in person in the chapel & on Zoom*. Studying Kings 2.
PARSHAH CLASS - resumes 5/5/2022 Rabbi Kean hosts a weekly class on the ParshahThursday nights, in person and on the CBAJ Zoom*. The 5/5 class starts at 6:45 PM TALMUD CLASS - resumes 5/7/2022 Join our Shabbat AfternoonTALMUD SHIUR in-person, at CBAJ, one hour before Shabbat Mincha. We are studying Masechet Makkot.
*ZOOM INFORMATION Go to https://zoom.us/join Enter meeting ID: 940 508 9347 Enter passcode: 613518
YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Youth Groups Kids in grades k-5 will meet each Shabbat morning at 10-11 am. Groups will be led by our youth director, Jack Hartstein, and teen youth leaders. For more information about attending, or if your teen wants to work as a youth leader, contact Jack Hartstein.
Tot Shabbat For children ages 0-5 and their parents on Shabbat at 10:30. Starting 5/21/2022
Torah High The second semester is now underway! Contact Rabbi Kean to learn about enrolling
NCSY Events Chapter Shabbaton is May 7th.
MISHNA CLUB Mishna Club will meet this week!
DAILY SERVICES
May 1 - May 6, 2022
Shacharit Sunday: 8:00 am Monday: 6:35 am Rosh Chodesh Iyyar Tuesday - Friday: 6:45 am
We are excited and honored to be partnering with 10 other local organizations in the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY™ program. 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. For more information, contact office@cbaj.org .
COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES May is Mental Health Awareness month. JFS offers supportive counseling for all ages - both in-person or by telemed. CLICK HEREto find more information.
JFS has launched their Spring 2022 schedulefor a variety of support groups for all ages, facilitated by JFS clinical staff. Groups are held via Zoom or over the phone.
JFS-CBAJ Volunteer Partnership CBAJ invites you to volunteer with one of JFS's programs to support seniors and vulnerable individuals in our community. Volunteer opportunities are time flexible, and include participation in the Capital District's kosher Meals on Wheels program, volunteer transportation for seniors, and grocery shopping for homebound seniors. Email Simma Kinderlehrer to learn more.
Unpacking Israel Series for Jewish High School Students The Federation invites Jewish teens to participate in an exciting new interactive program with OpenDor Media to explore what Israel means to them personally. The program begins Sunday, January 9, 1-2:30 PM, and will continue monthly through the June. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be served to all in-person attendees. The next meeting is April 10. To learn more about the program, click hereor contact Shara Siegfeld (email: sharasiegfeld@gmail.com, text: 518-281-4221).
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
Visitors please e-mail the CBAJ office regarding registering for our services during the ongoing pandemic.
Please review and adhere to our COVID POLICY when planning your visit.
The wearing of masks by individuals ages 5 and older who have been fully vaccinated and boosted (as per eligibility) will be a personal choice. This applies to both services and social activities, such as kiddish.
Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks while at CBAJ, in keeping with current CDC recommendations.
Fully vaccinated community members are welcome to register as "vaccinated" at this link.
If you feel sick at all, please exercise good judgment and stay home rather than attending services, regardless of vaccine status.
We still request those who are able to help our Minyan status register for weekday and Friday and Shabbat afternoon services, so that we can continue to confirm a Minyan for those times. A registration email is sent weekly.
