TORAH READING Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26, Artscroll, p. 544 Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17-19, p. 1067 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 15:1-34, p. 1214
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah this Shabbat.
KIDDUSH Kiddush is sponsored by CBAJ this Shabbat.
MESSAGE FROM RABBI KEAN
Dear CBAJ Family,
On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a restful and meaningful Shabbat and a Purim Sameach!
Please see below for the full Purim schedule, as well as opportunities to give Mishloach Manot and for special Purim initiatives this year.
This year, many are asking themselves, how can we celebrate Purim in a year like this one, where there is still a difficult war in Israel with many thousands of soldiers still fighting, thousands of families displaced from their homes, thousands of families still missing a parent or spouse, thousands still recovering from injuries, and over 100 individuals held hostage by Hamas terrorists in dire, inhumane conditions and unknown circumstances.
In fact, as Rabbi Shimshon Nadel, CBAJ's scholar in residence last year, wrote in his weekly column this week, in 1941, following the sinking of a ship carrying nearly 800 Jewish refugees one week before Purim that year and in the shadow of the Holocaust, the nascent Yishuv canceled all Purim celebrations under the direction of leading Religious-Zionist rabbis.
That being said, as we saw in the aftermath of the horrific Simchat Torah/October 7th attacks, the Jewish people across the world have responded by simultaneously consoling the bereaved, honoring those we have lost, and refusing to allow anyone or anything to break our joy. That is the spirit in which I hope that we can celebrate Purim this year, with the faith and trust in Hashem that He will continue to deliver us from all who stand against us and the determination to let anyone or anything stop us from celebrating this joyous day. I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom & Purim Sameach, Rabbi Ben Kean
PURIM
MATANOT LA'EVYONIM
It is a mitzvah to give "Matanot La'Evyonim" (gifts to those in need) on Purim. The funds are to be distributed on Purim day, but may be given before Purim begins. The mitzvah is to give enough to purchase a meal to two different individuals in need. By donating to CBAJ's Matanot La'Evyonim campaign, you will fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot La'Evyonim.
All funds will be distributed on Purim day or on Shushan Purim in Jerusalem.
SPECIAL PURIM INITIATIVES
This year, ahead of Purim, I would like to invite you to join me in two special Mishloach Manot initiatives. First, CBAJ is proud to partner with ORA in sending Mishloach Manot to agunot. Second, CBAJ is proud to partner with the Kochav HaShachar community in Israel to send Mishloach Manot to families with a father/husband who is currently serving in the war with Hamas. This initiative is being organized by former Albany shaliach, Yael Reshef, who spent time strengthening our community in Albany. Participation in these initiatives shows agunot and Israeli army families that we stand with them and care about them. If you are interested in joining in any of these initiatives, please make a contribution to the Rabbi’s discretionary fund and put “M&M for Agunot” or “M&M for army families” in the payment notes. Please note: Although these are important initiatives which fulfill the mitzvah of "Ve'ahavta le'rei'acha kamocha," "love your neighbor as you love yourself," giving to these initiatives does NOT count as a fulfillment of the mitzvah of Matanot La'Evyonim or the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot.
COMMUNITY BEIS MIDRASH NIGHT* NEW LOCATION! Sundays, 8:00 pm at The Shteeble(Cong. Shomray Torah) Beit Midrash Night will not meet on March 24th (Purim)
YOM HASHOAH CANDLE DELIVERY
Sunday, March 24, 9:00 AM to 11:45 PM at Beth Emeth. This is the day for picking up Yom HaShoah candles for the community-wide effort to deliver a Yom HaShoah candle to every Jewish home in the Capital District. All are welcome to participate in making deliveries, no prior registration necessary, just show up and pick-up a route! Contact Bob Crystal (518-364-5782) if you have any questions or if you need to coordinate an alternate pickup time.
CBAJ YARN CRAFT CLUB Tuesday, 26th at 7:30 PM All ages. Children under 12 welcome with adult supervision.
*For more information about programs in this section, scroll down to the relevant sections.
YOUTH PROGAMS
Tot 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 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 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 or restrictions. Children in diapers may participate, but babysitters will not be able to change diapers, so please check on kids in diapers.
CBAJ PROGRAMS
CBAJ YARN CRAFT CLUB CBAJ Yarn Craft Club will be meeting on Tuesday March 26th at 7:30 pm (or after maariv). Bring a project you are working on, or a desire to learn something new! Children under 12 welcome with adult supervision. Basic yarn, hooks and needles will be available. Contact Rina Chester ( mofeldmanhy5@gmail.com ) with questions.
WEEKLY LEARNING AT CBAJ
NACH YOMI 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 Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) * A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
TALMUD CLASS Join our Shabbat Afternoon TALMUD SHIUR in-person, at CBAJ,starting 1 hour before Mincha 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
FALL SEASON OF COMMUNITY BEIS MIDRASH NIGHT Join us at the Shteeble (Cong. Shomray Torah)* new location for the new season of Beis Medrash Night 8:00 PM this Sunday.
Independent & Guided Learning Guided learning with Rabbi Kean will meet once or twice a month. Topic: Ein Yaakov - Anthology of Talmudic Aggadah.
A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
Announcing the winter season of Lunch & Learn for Seniors with Rabbi Ben Kean: Midrash Rewriting the Story
April 9: "Can the 10 Plagues be Explained as Natural Phenomena? Midrash & the Passover Story"
Spring dates to be announced after Passover
All sessions will begin at 12:30 pm Lunch is free of charge catered by 518 Kosher and supervised by the VHCD Please feel welcome to wear a mask during the event & take lunch home to enjoy Please register by contacting our office at 518.489.5819 x3 or office@cbaj.org
Prophetic Personalities A lecture series for select winter Shabbatot March 30Huldah with Simma Kinderlehrer
THE DEE PIRKEI AVOT PROJECT
The Dee Pirkei Avot project disseminates a weekly Pirkei Avot study and discussion sheet in honor of their memory of Lucy, Maia, and Rina, z''l, who were killed in a terrorist attack this year.
“A community is too heavy to carry alone” Deuteronomy Rabbah 1:10
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 Kaplowitzthe Life & Legacy committee chairs about partnering on this crucial initiative to ensure the vitality of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob for the next 200 years.
Please click HERE for an important message from our Security Committee & security partner, Community Security Service (CSS) regarding guidelines for attending pro-Israel events
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
