SPEAKER We are excited to host Rabbi Drew Kaplan as our guest scholar this Shabbat. Rabbi Kaplan will deliver the morning sermon entitled "Drinking in Genesis: The Importance of Moderation." See below for the full schedule of events. Rabbi Drew Kaplan is the director of Director of Pastoral Care at Cedar Village Senior Living Facility and the founder of JewishDrinking.com, the #1 resource on the Internet for the textual exploration of beverage-consumption in the Jewish tradition.
KIDDUSH LUNCHEON Shabbat Luncheon following services is prepared by the CBAJ Programming Committee. Visiting scholar Rabbi Drew Kaplan will deliver a Text & Tasting entitled Whiskey in Jewish Life Luncheon
Mazal Tov Mazal tov to CBAJ members Laura & Sam Weisblatt on the birth of twins, a son and a daughter on Monday evening, November 28. Mazal tov to older brothers Yishai and Judah and the entire Weisblatt family. The Zeved HaBat (Baby Girl Naming) and Brit Milah will take place on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am at CBAJ. All attendees are requested to wear a face mask. If you or someone in your household has symptoms of an infectious illness, kindly refrain from attending.
MESSAGE FROM RABBI KEAN
On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a restful and meaningful Shabbat.
I look forward to joining you for a wonderful and engaging Shabbat with Rabbi Drew Kaplan, where we will be enlightened with Rabbi Kaplan’s insights into the intersection between drinking and Halacha, Jewish history, and texts.
A couple of thanks are in order: Rabbi Kaplan, for joining us for Shabbat. Tom Kligerman, for recommending this event and for taking an active role in coordinating the planning of this event. Dina Gottesman, Chana Israel, Amanda Gurock,Rebecca Schwarzmer, and Daniel Reznik for cooking for the kiddush luncheon and preparing the refreshments for Saturday night. The event sponsors: Artie & Nanette Brenner (L'Chaim!), Amy & Ronald Sohn, Tom Kligerman & Lisa Wolfe, Laura & Zvi Segal. The CBAJ staff for all of their work. 518 Kosher Catering and Howard Gross for catering the Friday night dinner.
Please see below for notices regarding volunteering for Kiddush Conversations and a request to register for minyan if you plan to attend.
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Shabbat Shalom & Chodesh Tov, Rabbi Ben Kean
Schedule of Events
Friday Night Dinner followed by post-dinner talk & wine tasting "Blessings on Wine in Judaism" prior registration required babysitting available from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Shabbat morning sermon "Drinking in Genesis: The Importance of Moderation" Kiddush Luncheon including "Text & Tasting: Whiskey in Jewish Life" Motza'ei Shabbat (Saturday Night) Event: "Text & Tasting: How Beer Became Acceptable for Havdallah" Beer tasting and parve snacks
Please note: CBAJ encourages its members to only drink responsibly. All events with alcohol are optional, following the conclusion of services. No alcohol will be served to anyone under 21.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CHANUKAH ON JAY
Join CBAJ, Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, Capital Chabad, and more than 20 local Jewish partners for the 2nd annual community-wide candle lighting and holiday festival--Chanukah on Jay! Sunday December 18th, 2:30 - 4:00 pm Come out and celebrate as we collectively ignite the first night of Chanukah with a grand menorah lighting, dance to Jewish music, taste delicious holiday-themed foods, enjoy crafts and games, and so much more! visit www.chanukahonjay.com.
ALBANY NCSY FOOD DRIVE
Albany NCSY is running a food drive for non-perishable goods, benefitting the Shalom Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable foods to the drop box by the main entrance in the parking lot by Friday, December 9. The parking lot gate can be accessed using open path, at weekday service times, or by appointment (contact office@cbaj.org).
Youth Programs
NCSY UPCOMING Northeast NCSY Shabbatons: December 9-10 Albany Chapter Shabbaton Next Shabbat will the next Albany Chapter NCSY Shabbaton! Full schedule of events to be announced next week.
December 28-31 National Yarchei Kallah Located in Stamford, CT, contact NCSY for sign-up Stay tuned for updates from NCSY!
Torah High 2022-2023 CBAJ's Torah High meets Mondays, 7-9 pm and is open to all students in grades 8 - 12. Pizza dinner is served. Registration information available here
Babysitting Babysitting is available for children ages 0-5 every Shabbat morning for from 10:00-11:30 am! You do not need to be a member to drop off your kids. At least one parent or guardian must be at CBAJ for the duration of babysitting. Babysitting will take place in Classroom 3. The babysitters will bring the kids to Kiddush, please remember to pick up your kids when babysitting ends! Please make sure to inform the babysitters if your child has any food allergies/restrictions. Children in diapers may participate, but babysitters will not be able to change diapers, so please check on kids in diapers.
Youth Groups Kids in grades k-5 will meet each Shabbat morning at 10-11 am. Groups will be led by our youth director, Yael Gonzalez, and teen youth leaders. For more information about attending, or if your teen wants to work as a youth leader, email office@cbaj.org. Tot Shabbat For children ages 0-5 and their parents - Please join our upcoming Tot Shabbats on December 17 at 10:30 in classroom 3.
Please contact Joshua Schulman-Marcus (jschumar@gmail.com) if you would like to be added to the Young Families WhatsApp group.
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. * A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
TALMUD CLASS Join our Shabbat AfternoonTALMUD SHIUR in-person, at CBAJ, starting 45 minutes before Shabbat ends. We are studying Masechet Makkot. Class will NOT meet this Shabbat for Scholar-in-Residence
*CBAJ ZOOM ROOM (weekday classes only) Go to https://zoom.us/join Enter meeting ID: 940 508 9347 | Enter passcode: 613518
BOOK CLUB The next CBAJ Book Club is meeting in the CBAJ Zoom Room on January 18th at 8:00 pm to discuss A Journey to the End of the Millennium - A Novel of the Middle Ages by A. B. Yehoshua.
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS This year's Topic: "The World of Midrash" Join CBAJ members in discussing a different Midrash every week! Midrash is one of our Tradition's most powerful and ancient tools for understanding the Torah and demonstrating its relevance to later generations, For more information, suggested source material, or the volunteer sign-up page, please click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rabbi Kean or Steve Rich. Begins November 19, and will take place following Kiddush.
FEEDBACK REQUESTED The Adult Education Committee wants to hear from you! All ideas about classes, lectures, and other adult education programs of interest should be forwarded to events@cbaj.org
DAILY SERVICES
December 4 - December 9
Shacharit Sunday 8:00 am Monday - Friday 6:40 am
Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Friday 4:10 pm
Candle lighting Friday 12/9/2022 4:03 pm
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
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL BAKE SALE - ORDER BY DECEMBER 6 Maimonides 8th grade girls are running a Chanukah bake sale this year, featuring Chanukah themed cupcakes, cookies, and donuts. All baked goods will be prepared in the kitchen at Maimonides School. Click here to order.
WOMEN'S ONLY SELF DEFENCE CLASS The Federation is partnering with Albany DA and Albany PD to offer a women's only self defense class! Mondays, November 21, 28 & December 5 from 5 PM to 9 PM. Three sessions for a lifetime of confidence! This comprehensive, women-only course begins with instruction on risk-reduction, crime prevention, and avoidance and progresses to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is not a martial arts program, nor does it require students to be athletes in training to succeed. Mondays, November 21, 28 & December 5 from 5 PM to 9 PM Click here to register
JCC Applebaum & Bellin Awards The Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center is accepting applications for their prestigious youth awards, Click here for details.The Applebaum Award is for 12th Grade Jewish Males and Bellin for 12th Grade Jewish Females. All applicable materials must be received by Thursday, December 22, 2022 for consideration JFS-CBAJ Volunteer Partnership CBAJ invites you to volunteer with one of JFS's programs to support seniors and vulnerable individuals in our community. Email Simma Kinderlehrer to learn more.
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 will be a personal choice. This applies to both services and social activities, such as kiddish.
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.
