Shabbat Mevarchim Parshat Hachodesh Vayakhel-Pekudei March 17 - 18, 2023
Candle Lighting 6:45 pm
Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat, & Ma'ariv 6:45 pm
Morning Services Shabbat 9:00 am
Latest Shema 10:03 am Simcha Kiddush following services
Babysitting 10:00 am
Youth Groups 10:00 am
Tot Shabbat 10:30 am
Talmud Class 5:35 pm
Shabbat Mincha 6:35 pm
Shabbat Maariv 7:37 pm Shabbat ends 7:47 pm
TORAH READING Exodus 35:1 - 38:20, Artscroll p. 516 Maftir: Exodus 30:11-16, 484 Haftarah: II Kings 12:1 - 17, p. 1213
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning.
SIMCHA KIDDUSH & AUF RUF This week, Simcha Kiddush is prepared by the Simcha Kiddush Committee, chaired by Faye Silton & Marta Koblenz, and Mark & Chana Israel in honor of the auf ruf of their son, Ami and upcoming marriage to Shoshie Brickman. The Simcha Kiddush sponsors are listed below. **Kiddush will be meat with vegetarian options**
MAZAL TOV Mazal tov to Mark & Chana Israel and Ellen Brickman on the upcoming marriage of their children, Ami and Shoshie. Ami's auf ruf is this Shabbat at CBAJ.
NCSY CHAPTER SHABBATON Please see below for details of this Shabbat's NCSY Shabbaton!
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.
After a few snowy, quiet weeks, I look forward to a crowded shul this Shabbat for the Simcha Kiddush, Auf Ruf of Ami and Shoshie, Tot Shabbat, and NCSY Shabbaton!
Pesach is fast approaching! Please keep an eye out for communications about CBAJ's plans for Pesach. If there are any questions that you may have about Pesach preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out.
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ben Kean
SIMCHA KIDDUSH SPONSORS The March Simcha Kiddush is sponsored by CBAJ, and by the families of our celebrants:
Joshua Schulman-Marcus and Sandra Sabzevari on their upcoming move to Albany. Amy and Mitch Abolafia in honor of Jacob Abolafia’s birthday. Ellen Brickman in honor of Shoshie Brickman's birthday and Shoshie's and Ami's upcoming marriage. Stacy and David Cohen in honor of the birthdays of our sons Benjamin and Steven. Chaim Schaffer and Simma Kinderlehrer in honor of their birthdays. Paula Mosher in honor of Ellen and Jack Kaplowitz on their safe return from Israel. Debra Fruchtman and Seth Rigberg in celebration of the birthdays of Netanya Simons and Johanna Steper. Ilana and Rob Kovach in celebration of the engagement of Bina Kovach and Natan Mendelson. Amarit and Seth Rosenblum in honor of Ezra Rosenblum’s 9th birthday. Esther Miriam and John Martino in honor of their 1st wedding anniversary.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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. COMMUNITY-WIDE SHABBAT DINNER - ONE NIGHT. ONE COMMUNITY CBAJ will be joining in the program and CBAJ's Friday evening services will be moved to the JCC on March 31. Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York unites with local clergy to offer the first-ever community Shabbat experience at the Albany JCC. 6:00 PM SERVICES 7:00 PM COMMUNITY KIDDUSH & DINNER Candle lighting is 7:01 PM Supervised by Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District TICKETS: $10 per adult, $8 per senior (65+), $5 per child (up to age 12; 2 & under free) Registration is required by Friday, March 24. All are welcome! REGISTER HERE: https://jewishfedny.ticketspice.com/community-shabbat
YOUTH PROGAMS
NCSY Events
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 THIS SHABBAT! 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 -5:55 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
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.
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 by March 13. 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.)
COMMUNITY BEIS MIDRASH NIGHT *New* ALTERNATING THURSDAYS 8:30-9:30 PM Jointly presented by CBAJ & the Shteeble Next date: Thursday, March 16Beginner topic: "Sources of the Seder" 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. For more information, contact: Rabbi Kean, Sean Ference, or Mendy Shepherd.
“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
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.
