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 a social event.
I would like to share a brief thought from a verse in this week's parsha, Vayikra 22:32, "And you shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified among the children of Israel--I am the Lord who sanctifies you."
We learn many core concepts in Halacha from this verse: the obligation Kiddush HaShem, to sanctify G-d's name; choosing martyrdom over violation of the three most severe sins in Torah; maintaining proper, ethical behavior to testify that the Torah we have teaches us these beliefs; and, finally, the idea that certain prayers, "devarim shebikedusha" (i.e. Kedusha, Kaddish), require a minyan (10 adult, Jewish men) to be recited.
Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (known by the acronym the "Netziv") notes that this mandate immediately precedes the Torah's listing of the Mo'adim, the Festivals. He argues this gives us an insight into the nature of the obligation of Kiddush Hashem: it happens through community.
As the Netziv writes, when our ancestors were farmers in the Land of Israel, most did not have the ability to pray with a minyan every day because they lived spread out. But on the Festivals, we all gathered together in Yerushalayim, and then we had the ability to truly sanctify G-d's holy name and also to pray with a minyan.
This comment by the Netziv is a poweful reminder of the importance of community, as it is the mechanism that allows to truly sanctify HaShem's name by joining together with our fellow Jews to keep his Torah.
MAY SIMCHA KIDDUSH IS MAY 21! The theme for this month's simcha kiddush is ice cream bar!
SIMCHA KIDDUSH PARTICIPATION The CBAJ Simcha Kiddush Committee invites you to co-sponsor the upcoming May Simcha Kiddush on May 21 - click here to sponsor.
NEW CBAJ ENDEAVORS
TOT SHABBAT CBAJ's Tot Shabbat will begin againfor children ages 0-5 and their parents on 5/21 at 10:30, led by experienced, Early Childhood Jewish educator Laura Weissblatt. 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.
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 Rabbi Kean hosts a weekly class on the ParshahThursday nights, in person and on the CBAJ Zoom*. The 5/19 class starts at 7:00 PM TALMUD CLASS 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 Updates to follow
MISHNA CLUB Next Mishna Club will be June 18th
DAILY SERVICES
May 15 - May 20, 2022
Shacharit Sunday: 8:00 am Monday - 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 May 15. 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.
