SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah this Shabbat. KIDDUSH Kiddush this week is sponsored by CBAJ.
MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to CBAJ members Laura (CBAJ Board President) and Zvi Segal on the birth of their first grandson! Mazal Tov to the parents, Ariella (Segal) & Eli Shapiro, and Eli's parents, Stanley Shapiro & Ann Hirsch. The bris will take place in Los Angeles at 2:00 pm (Pacific Standard Time).
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.
Pesach is in just over two weeks! Please consider who around you may appreciate an invitation to join a Pesach Seder. CBAJ is working to match those looking to be invited to a Seder and hosts. We already have a few hosts who have expressed an interest in having guests. If you are looking for a Seder, or if you would like to host any guests, please contact me so that we can match you.
Please scroll down through this week's Shabbat notes to see information about so many exciting events - both in the community and at CBAJ!
I am so glad to see the Community-wide Shabbat dinner returning next week. It was truly a highlight of the Spring last year. Please note that CBAJ's Friday night services will take place at the Albany JCC next week for the community dinner.
Also included is the upcoming information about the community-wide Yom HaShoah commemoration and Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut event, as well as CBAJ's spring scholar-in-residence. I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
SALE OF CHAMETZ Designate Rabbi Kean your agent to sell you chametz one of three ways: 1) ONLINE: Please click here to complete an online sale of chametz form. OR 2) IN-PERSON: Please click here to download a printable paper copy to print out and give directly to Rabbi Kean. (If completing in-person, Rabbi Kean will be available at the shul for authorizing the sale of Chametz immediately following morning and evening services(except Shabbat) from Tuesday morning, March 16, to Monday morning, April 22 (or by appointment). OR 3) MAIL: You may also download the printable copy and mail it to the CBAJ office.
Note, for all mailed forms and for those spending Passover in Israel or time-zones East of NY, the sale of Chametz form must be received by Rabbi Kean before Shabbat , Friday April 19.
If you need a form mailed to you, please email office@cbaj.org .
If you own a pet, you must make sure that you switch their food to non-chametz pet food. If they must eat chametz, please contact Rabbi Kean about making the proper arrangements to sell your pet.
The deadline to submit a chametz form to CBAJ is Monday, April 22, by 8:30AM
UPCOMING EVENTS
COMMUNITY BEIS MIDRASH NIGHT* NEW LOCATION! Sundays, 8:00 pm at The Shteeble(Cong. Shomray Torah) The next guided learning Chaburah led by Rabbi Kean will be April 14.
TORAH FOR YOUR SEDER Thursday, April 18 at 8 PM In-person in the chapel and on Zoom.
*For more information about programs in this section, scroll down to the relevant sections.
CBAJ ANNOUNCEMENTS
SHABBAT HAGADOL KIDDUSH LUNCHEON
Save the date for a pre-Pesach luncheon April 20 Shabbat HaGadol Metzora Specially prepared by the CBAJ Programming Committee
TORAH FOR YOUR SEDER Thursday, April 18 at 8 PM In-person in the chapel and on Zoom.
*CBAJ ZOOM ROOM Go to https://zoom.us/join Enter meeting ID: 940 508 9347 | Enter passcode: 613518
COMMUNITY SHABBAT
Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York unites with local clergy to offer the second annual community Shabbat experience on Friday, April 19, at the Albany JCC. Please note: CBAJ's Friday night minyan will be moved to the Albany JCC for this week!
Save the date: May 17-18 for our Spring Scholar in Residence Shabbat with Dr. Sara Ronis The Shabbat will include a Friday night dinner (by reservation only) and a Kiddush luncheon (open to all). The deadline to register for the dinner is May 7.
Schedule of Events & Talks by Dr. Ronis Friday 7:00 PM Friday Night Services 8 PM Dinner (by reservation only) 8:45 -9:30pm The Demons in the Details, or What are All Those Demons Doing in the Talmud?
Saturday 11:30 – 11:50am Living in the Center and On the Margins: The Complex World of Rabbinic Babylonia [CW: Infertility]
Approx 1:00-1:45 pm Fetal Positions: The Talmudic Approach(es) to Personhood
6:30 pm Talmud Class (with Dr. Ronis) Yalta in the Talmud
BATTLE OF THE BBQS
Beth Abe is sponsoring a team for the Battle of the BBQ Abe and Jake’s House of BBQ Sunday, June 30, 2024 A community day supporting the Shalom Food Pantry
We are looking for some high spirited goal oriented people to spearhead us towards victory in this battle. The brigade will prepare and barbeque food provided by the Bethlehem Chabad. If interested please contact the “The king of the Barbeque” @ 518-461-9618. Ship Ahoy!
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.
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
CBAJ BOOK CLUB
The CBAJ bookclub will be reading The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity by Doron Perez two copies are now available - in the Chapel - first come, first serve The next bookclub meeting: TBA
SPRING 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
Lunch & Learn for Seniors with Rabbi Ben Kean
Spring dates to be announced after Passover
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.
*Note that Friday night services this coming week will take place at the Albany JCC.
Candle Lighting Friday, April 19 7:24 pm
MESSAGE FROM LIFE & LEGACY
“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
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, May 5 at 7:30 PM COMMUNITY-WIDE YOM HA-SHOAH COMMEMORATION AT OHAV SHALOM Guest presenter: Russel Kaback https://www.russellkaback.com/my-grandfathers-story Sponsored by the Capital District Board of Rabbis and Cantors
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, May 13 6:30 - 8:30 PM COMMUNITY-WIDE YOM HAZIKARON COMMEMORATION & YOM HA'ATZMAUT CELEBRATION at Proctors Theater, Schenectady Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York & Israel Bonds. Featuring: Yom Hazikaron Special Guest Izzy Ezagui, Decorated IDF Soldier, Inspirational Speaker & Author; Tekes Maavar (transition ceremony) led by the Capital District Board of Rabbis & Cantors; and Judah Gavra, Israeli Singer & Songwriter accompanied by keyboardist Orian Rosenzweig. For more information or to RSVP, go to:https://www.jewishfedny.org/community-calendar/israel-76
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.
