Latest Shema 9:17 am Simcha Kiddush following services
Babysitting 10:00 am
Youth Groups 10:00
Shabbat Mincha 12:36 pm
Talmud Class 5:45 pm
Shabbat ends 6:30 pm
Ma'ariv 6:45 pm
TORAH READING Exodus 27:20-30:10, Artscroll p.464 Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17-19, p. 1066 Haftarah: I Samuel 15:1-34, p. 1214
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning Daniel Grossberg will lead the Kiddush Conversation.
KIDDUSH Kiddush is sponsored by CBAJ.
CONDOLENCES
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob regrets to inform you of the passing of Shirley Gordon, mother of CBAJ member Harvey (Michelle) Gordon of Albany, Mark Gordon of Sacramento CA and Lisa (Jano) Handler of Brooklyn NY, grandmother of 9 grandchildren, including CBAJ member Seri (Sean) Ference, great grandmother of 11 great grandchildren. May the family be comforted, and may Shirley's memory be a blessing.
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 week, I am saddened by recent events in Israel. I am mourning the murders of brothers Hillel Menachem (22) & Yagel Ya'acov Yaniv (20) and Israeli-American Elan Ganeles (26, a native of West Hartford, CT, who I had many mutual friends with) by Palestinian terrorists. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families.
I am deeply disturbed by the violence committed by Israeli Jews in Hawara this past week. I join the Orthodox Union in condemning this horrific act. It is tragic and upsetting to see such horrible things done in the name of Judaism.
It is difficult with such difficult news coming out of Israel to properly be excited about Purim coming up next week. Nonetheless, I believe we have the imperative to celebrate this joyous holiday.
We have a wonderful schedule of events at CBAJ, and I look forward to celebrating with you!
Please remember to view the Purim guide and donate to our Matanot La'Evyonim campaign which supports both members of the local Jewish community and wonderful organizations (donating to the CBAJ campaign fulfills the mitzvah of Matanot La'Evyonim as the money we collect is distributed on Purim).
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ben Kean
AGUNAH AWARENESS DAY
Ahead of International Agunah Day on Ta'anit Esther, CBAJ is joining the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA) in dedicating this Shabbat to agunot around the world. Just as Esther was trapped in an unwanted marriage, as we approach Ta'anit Esther we take a moment to remember the many women facing the same predicament today, along with the need for communities to step up in support. To read more about ORA's work, please visit: www.getora.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MONDAY, MARCH 6 FAST OF ESTHER Shacharit 6:20 am Mincha 5:35 pm (with Zecher L'Machatzit Ha-shekel)
MAARIV & FAMILY MEGILLAH READING 6:20 pm followed by a light break fast
LATE "QUIET" MEGILLAH READING 9:00 pm
TUESDAY, MARCH 7 Shacharit & Megillah Reading 6:20 am Remember Tzedakah for Matanot L'Evyonim
CBAJ PURIM CARNIVAL with HACD, MAIMONIDES, & YAD Family-Friendly Megillah Reading 4:15 pm Dinner ("Seduah") & Carnival 5:15 pm - 7:00 pm MINCHA/MAARIV 5:35 pm - in the Carr Chapel
SIMCHA KIDDUSH The next Simcha Kiddush is on March 18! Sponsors are invited to submit their celebratory announcements by 3/15/2023. Click here to complete the online form or email office@cbaj.org.
The next TOT SHABBAT will be March 18!
HAGGADAH INSIGHTS *New* Tuesdays, March 14 & 28, 7:45-8:30 pm at CBAJ Join Rabbi Kean for a two-part lecture series exploring the Haggadah. Rabbi Kean's goal is to primarily share ideas that are new to him. LUNCH & LEARN for SENIORS *New* Join Rabbi Kean for the new Lunch & Learn Series for Seniors.
March 28: Four Myths & Facts About Passover
May 9: Myths & Facts: Lag Ba'Omer
All sessions will begin at 12:30 pm. All curious minds are welcome. Lunch catered by 518 Kosher, supervised by the VHCD, free of charge. Please register by contacting our events coordinator Beth Liotta Tyler at 518.489.5819 x4 or beth@cbaj.org.
* A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
NOTE: Please feel welcome to wear a mask during the Lunch & Learn & take lunch home to enjoy.
YOUTH PROGAMS
NCSY Events Stay tuned for more information. 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. Contact Rabbi Kean with questions. Registration information available here Tot Shabbat Next Tot Shabbat March 18! 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. 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.
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.
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 -5:35 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
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
CBAJ BOOK CLUB Our next zoom gathering is Wednesday, May 3 at 8:00 pm. We will discuss The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczu. It is available on Amazon, Thrift Books and in local libraries. CBAJ has 2 available copies to loan.
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS This year's Topic: "The World of Midrash" Join CBAJ members in discussing a different Midrash every week during daylight savings! Midrash is one of our Tradition's most powerful and ancient tools for understanding the Torah and demonstrating its relevance to later generations.
KABBALAH AND CONSCIOUSNESS *New* With Simma Kinderlehrer & Howard Schaffer Curious about Kabbalah? We are offering a taste of the book Kabbalah and Consciousness, by Allen Afterman. We will discuss a few juicy tidbits to wet your appetite for an ongoing study of this accessible, experiential ascent from ordinary consciousness toward knowledge of and union with The Infinite. Sunday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Future sessions will be in person, time dependent on participants. R.S.V.P. Requested. Please text response and questions to (516) 382-5201
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.)
* New - Ongoing Learning Program * COMMUNITY-WIDE BEIS MIDRASH NIGHT Jointly presented by CBAJ & the Shteeble Starts Thursday, March 2, 8:30-9:30 pm at CBAJ (social hall) Join the Shteeble & CBAJ for Beis Midrash Night! Take part in the unique experience of in-depth, textual chavrusa or individual learning in a Beis Midrash setting. Cholent & kugel will be served. All levels of experience are welcome—with guided options available for beginners. This will be a recurring program - Next Scheduled Night TBA For more information, contact: Rabbi Kean, Sean Ference, or Mendy Shepherd.
PURIM EVE Monday & Tuesday Erev Purim Fast begins 5:11 am Shacharit & Selichot 6:20am Mincha 5:35 pm Megillah Reading 6:20 pm Fast Ends 6:21 pm Megillah Reading 9:00 pm
PURIM Shacharit 6:20 am Megillah Reading 4:30 pm Carnival and Purim Seudah (dinner) 5:15 pm Mincha/Maariv 5:35 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.
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. Please also wear a mask if you suspect or know of a covid exposure regardless of symptoms. MINYAN NOTICE In recent weeks, guaranteeing a weekday minyan has been a greater challenge, especially for Mincha/Maariv which is early in the Winter. We ask that adult Jewish men to attempt to come to minyan more frequently.
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.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community-wide Shabbat Dinner at JCC Save the date: March 31 CBAJ will be joining in the program and CBAJ's Friday evening services will be moved to the JCC on March 31. More details to follow! Hosted by the Jewish Federation at Albany JCC
Jewish Family Services - Grief & Loss Support Group JFS is offering an in-person weekly support group for anyone who is grieving the death of a family member or friend. Select Thursdays in February & March, starting 2/16, 2 - 3 pm. Locations TBA. For dates, registration & fee information CLICK HERE
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.
