TORAH READING Genesis 47:28-50:26, p. 268 Haftarah: 1 Kings 21:1-12, p. 1145
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning. KIDDUSH Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by CBAJ.
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.
This Shabbat, Shabbat Vayechi, has been used by the past several years by the National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK) as an opportunity to encourage communities to discuss end-of-life issues because in this week's parsha, our forefather Jacob models this by expressing his last wishes to Joseph to be buried in Bethlehem, where the other Patriarchs are buried in Me'arat HaMachpelah.
CBAJ is proud to join NASCK in highlighting these important discussions. This year, NASCK's focus is on the importance of Jewish burial, the final act of respect and love that we pay to a person's body and soul.
I encourage you to take advantage of the resources on the NASCK website to explore the importance of Jewish burial and other end of life matters. Consider joining NASCK's workshop on how to have a conversation with a loved one about choosing burial (two slots - one Saturday night, one Sunday afternoon).
Additionally, I welcome conversations about these sensitive yet important matters with anyone looking to discuss them.
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ben Kean
NEW CLASS
Starting Sunday, Jan. 15. Time: Every weekday, Sunday through Friday, half an hour before the regular start time for morning services. (7:30 am on Sundays, 6:10 am Monday - Friday.) Location: CBAJ social hall Topic: TBA Options: 1) Nach Yomi with the OU (the OU cycle begins Jan. 20, completes all of Nevi'im and Ketuvim, the latter two components of Tanakh, i.e. Jewish scripture, in just 2 years!) 2) A topic in Halacha (Jewish law) 3) Daily Mishnah Please contact Rabbi Kean if you are interested in joining and if you have a preferred topic.
MINYAN NOTICE
In recent weeks, guaranteeing a weekday minyan has been a greater challenge, especially for Mincha/Maariv which is early in the Winter. Although this week saw some increased participation, guaranteeing a minyan remains a challenge.
In light of this, we ask two things of adult Jewish men: 1) If you are able to attend weekday minyan more frequently (even one day per week), please consider joining. 2) If you think you will be able to join minyan, regularly or occasionally, please sign-up on the weekly sign-up sheet so that we can know whether there will be enough attendees, or if we need to request additional attendees.
Please contact Rabbi Kean to join the minyan WhatsApp group, useful for receiving the sign-up sheet or if you may be available to attend a minyan on short notice.
UPCOMING EVENTS
JANUARY SIMCHA KIDDUSH The January Simcha Kiddush is on 1/21/2023 Sponsors are invited to submit their celebratory announcements by 1/19/2023. Click here to complete the online form or email office@cbaj.org. The January TOT SHABBAT will be 1/21/2023!
SECURITY COMMITTEE: CSS Level 1 Training Please email Ari Fisher for more information or to register for the next CSS Level Training on January 22.
Youth Programs
NCSY JAN 27- 28 Albany-Stamford Shabbaton A joint Shabbaton with Albany and Stamford NCSY chapters, taking place in Stamford. Contact Rabbinic intern Jack Hartstein for more information.
FEB 10-12 Winter Regional Shabbaton For more information or to register, go to NCSY's website.
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 at 10:30 am in classroom 3. The next TOT SHABBAT is January 21, 2023
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 -4:40 pm this Shabbat Join our Shabbat AfternoonTALMUD SHIUR in-person, at CBAJ, starting 45 minutes before Shabbat ends. We are studying Masechet Makkot.
*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.
PILLARS LECTURE SERIES Please note updated dates for the final two installments.
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
January 8- January 13
Shacharit Sunday 8:00 AM Monday - Friday 6:40 am
Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Friday 4:25 pm
Candle lighting Friday 1/13/2023 4:26 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
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.
