Latest Shema 9:38 am Simcha Kiddush following services
Babysitting 10:00 am
Youth Groups 10:00 am
Shabbat Mincha 12:35 pm
Talmud Class 5:10 pm
Shabbat ends 5:56 pm
Ma'ariv 6:10 pm
TORAH READING Exodus 13:17-17:16, Artscroll p. 366 Haftarah: Judges 4:4 - 5:31, p. 1152
SPEAKER Rav Jack will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning. Tom Kligerman will lead the Kiddush Conversation. Rav Jack will teach the Shabbat afternoon Talmud class this week. KIDDUSH Kiddush 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.
Miriam and I have both tested positive for COVID (my test was this morning, Miriam's was Tuesday evening), so we will not be in present this Shabbat. You may wish to consider monitoring yourself for symptoms or getting yourself tested if you were in contact with either of us recently.
Thankfully, Miriam and I are both doing well, with minor symptoms, and we have everything that we need. We are so grateful to everyone who has offered there assistance already. It is such a tremendous privilege to be part of such a special community where everyone looks out for each other.
Likewise, I have heard from a few individuals who were present at services last Shabbat that they tested positive for COVID earlier in the week. Please take these incidents as a reminder that we all must take health and wellness seriously, including staying home when we are sick.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Noah & Hadassah Tye, along with their son Betzalel, who have just moved into Albany this week. Additionally, I'd like to welcome Ahava Weintraub to Albany. Ahava and her husband Elon are considering moving to Albany. Please take the chance to extend a warm Albany-welcome (on a not-so-warm Albany day).
As I will not see you over Shabbat, I would like to share a brief D'var Torah: Two weeks ago, I spoke about the idea of "complex faith" - the idea that we can simultaneously hold in our hearts both deep trust in HaShem and also to grapple with the challenge of the existence of suffering of the innocent.
This idea stemmed from Moshe Rabbeinu asking G-d "why have you done evil to this nation?" (Exodus 5:22), apparently challenging G-d and his righteousness. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 11) exonerates Moshe, declaring him "bar levav" pure of heart, because he was simply demaning the salvation of Israel, pained by the sight of their suffering.
I would like to suggest that a similar idea - of complex faith - can be seen in this week's parsha. As Israel is trapped between the encroaching Egyptian army and the Yam Suf, we see an apparent contradiction in their behavior.
In Exodus 14:10, we read "and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord," apparently expressing deep faith in the power of G-d to be their savior, but then in the next verse, they cry to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt, that you took us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, to bring us forth out of Egypt," expressing a deep lack of faith in the leadership of Moses, G-d's servant.
There are numerous answers that could be offered, for instance, Nachmanides suggests that perhaps Israel faith in HaShem but not in Moses. But a colleague of mine suggested that perhaps Israel had complex faith. On the one hand, complete belief in HaShem, His abilities and saving power, while on the other, grappling with a harsh reality that does not always appear to reflect Divine justice.
I will conclude by noting that while in this incident, Divine justice is clearly and publicly manifested in the salvation of Israel, our faith often demands that we grapple with a difficult reality where great miracles are not so apparent. I wish you strength in that struggle.
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ben Kean
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELLNESS REMINDER Anyone who has symptoms of any illness or is not feeling well is strongly encouraged to stay home, irrespective of vaccination status. Better to miss services than risk spreading COVID or another viral infection.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THIS SHABBAT Please be aware of the Winter Weather Advisory that is in effect in Albany from 8:00 am on Friday until noon on Saturday, with windchills up to 30 to 35 degrees below 0. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Everyone is encourage to take this into account when walking to shul, and those who may be at greater risk are encouraged to remain at home. MINYAN NOTICE In recent weeks, guaranteeing a weekday minyan has been a greater challenge, especially for Mincha/Maariv which is early in the Winter.
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.
PARKING NOTICE For security purposes, any time a CBAJ member parks in our parking lot overnight, or the B'nai Shalom parking lotat any time, we request that you display a placard issued from the office. A supply will be left on the shelf in the hallway outside the sanctuary. Please contact office@cbaj.org if more placards are needed.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY SIMCHA KIDDUSH The February Simcha Kiddush is on 2/11/2023 Sponsors are invited to submit their celebratory announcements by NOON on Thursday 2/9/2023. CLICK HEREto complete the online sponsor form or email office@cbaj.org.
The February TOT SHABBAT will be 2/11/2023!
SECURITY COMMITTEE CSS Level 1 Training This class has been postponed until February 12th Please email Ari Fisher for more information or to register for the next CSS Level Training to be rescheduled for February 12th at 3:00 pm.
ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING A 1 hour active shooter training class for the general membership has been scheduled, by our Security Committee in partnership with our NYS Trooper liaison, for February 15 at 7:00 pm at CBAJ. Please consider attending this important training.
NEW LECTURE SERIES: TALMUD TOGETHER Tues. February 7th & Thurs. February 16 at 7:00 pm Join Rabbi Ben Kean and Rabbi Greg Weitzman for an evening - or two - of shared learning. Over the course of two evenings, both rabbis will teach their favorite Talmudic texts from their own unique perspectives. The first session will be Tuesday, February 7th, at CBAJ and the second on Thursday, February 16th at Congregation Beth Emeth (100 Academy Rd). Rabbi Greg Weitzman joined CBE as their Co-Senior Rabbi last summer, one year after Rabbi Kean joined CBAJ.
SOFER DAY: MEZUZAH & TEFILIN CHECKING Sunday, February 12, 10 am to 4 pm Rabbi Mendel Serebryanski, Sofer STA"M, will come to CBAJ to check Tefilin and Mezuzot. Reservations are preferred, but we will try to accomodate walk-ins. To make a reservation, fill out this form. (link has been restored) Dedicated in memory of HaRav Chaim Zev Bomzer, z"l, on his 10th yahrtzeit, 28 Shevat, by Rabbi Moshe & Rebbetzin Rochel Bomzer.
**NEW** LUNCH & LEARN for SENIORS * A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program Save the following dates for a new Lunch & Learn series for seniors, taught by Rabbi Kean in the CBAJ social hall. February 28: Four Contemporary Lessons from the Holiday of Purim March 28: Four Myths & Facts About Passover May 9: TBA All sessions will begin at 12:30 pm. Lunch will be catered by 518 Kosher under the supervision of the VHCD, free of charge. All curious minds are welcome.
Youth Programs
NCSY Events FEB 10-12 Winter Regional Shabbaton All Teens grades 8-12 are invited to sign up for Northeast NCSY Winter Regional! This Shabbaton will bring Jewish teens together from across New England & Upstate NY for a weekend of fun, new & old friends, engaging and meaningful programming, & an uplifting Shabbat together in the beautiful Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, CT. Saturday night will feature all the attractions at the CT Xtreme Indoor Adventure Park! For more information and to register, go toNCSY'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 - the next scheduled Tot Shabbat is February 11th For children ages 0-5 and their parents at 10:30 am 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 NACH YOMI - *NEW* Join Rabbi Kean for studying a chapter of NACH (Nevi'im & Ketuvim, the latter two sections of Jewish scripture) every weekday before Shacharit, Sunday through Friday, half an hour before the regular start time for morning services (7:30 am on Sundays, 6:10 am Monday - Friday) - in the social hall.
TORAH & TEA*Thursday mornings, 9:30 - 10:30 AM on Zoom*. Studying Kings 2. * A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
TALMUD CLASS -4:55 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
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.
READING CLASSICAL HEBREW COURSE *New* Beginning after Pesach, on one evening each week students will meet on Zoom for a 90-minute class to learn grammar and vocabulary from the textbook The First Hebrew Primer. The instructor will be Mike Kupferschmid. For more information, please send an email for him to nancylawson10@gmail.com. (The day of the week will be determined by the availability of the students.)
PILLARS LECTURE SERIES Please note change of final installment to February 25th
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
February 5 - February 10
Shacharit Sunday 8:00 am (Nach Yomi 7:30 am)
Monday - Friday 6:40 am (Nach Yomi 6:10 am)
Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Friday 5:00 pm
Candle lighting Friday 2/10/2023 5:02 pm
MESSAGE FROM LIFE & LEGACY
“The things you do for your self are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” Kalu Ndukwe Kalu
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 Paula Mosher or Ellen Kaplowitz , the Life & Legacy committee chairs about partnering on this crucial initiative to ensure the vitality of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob for the next 200 years.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
