Kiddush following services Shabbat Mincha 12:27 pm
Talmud Class 4:40 pm
Havdalah 5:29 pm
Maariv 5:40 pm
FAST OF ASARAH B'TEVET Fast begins: 6:13 am Fast ends: 5:16 pm Please note: One should not break the fast until reciting Kiddush, and Kiddush ought not be made until 5:16 pm. TORAH READING Genesis 47:28-50:26, p. 268 Haftarah: 1 Kings 21:1-12, p. 1145
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS This week, Kiddush Conversations will be about "Tehilim, Texts, & the Levaya: Reflecting on our Legacies" in honor of Shabbos Vayechi.
KIDDUSH This Shabbat, Kiddush is sponsored by Nanci Wagner and Robert Wagner in loving memory of their dear mom, AH Lois Wagner, Leah Ruchel bat Leib, on her 5th yarzheit.
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.
This Shabbat, in coordination with the National Association for Chevra Kadisha (NASCK) and synagogues across the world, is Shabbos Vayechi: Caring for Life Here & Hereafter. We will be taking this Shabbat, whose parasha discusses Ya'akov's conversations with Yosef on Ya'akov's burial plan, to highlight the importance of thinking about end of life planning. Please see below for more resources!
A reminder that tomorrow, Friday, January 10, is the fast of Asarah B'Tevet (the 10th of Tevet), primarily commemorating the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar which ultimately led to the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash. It worth is highlighting that Asarah B'Tevet is the only fast day which falls on a Friday, meaning it even extends a little bit into Shabbat! This speaks to the importance of the day as a time for commemorating the past losses and more importantly of the teshuva (repentance) toward a better world with a rebuilt Beit Hamikdash that this day requires of us.
A couple of halachic reminders: -Anyone who plans to wake up before the fast begins in order to eat, should make a stipulation to themselves before going to sleep that they do not accept the fast upon going to sleep. Without such a stipulation, going to sleep is considered by halacha to be the acceptance of the fast. -The fast ends at 5:16 pm tomorrow, which is after Shabbat has begun. One should not break the fast until making Kiddush. -This is a minor fast, meaning those who are sick or nursing or pregnant women may be exempt from the fast. Please reach out to me to discuss specifics. -Only eating and drinking are prohibited. Other forms of abstentions observed on Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur are not observed tomorrow.
Unfortunately, we must also mourn the deaths of several Israelis who were killed this week in the context of the ongoing war with Hamas and from terror attacks. This week, 6 IDF soldiers were killed in action: Eitan Israel Shiknazi, 24. Dvir Zion Revah, 28. Ido Samiach, 20. Matityahu Ya'akov Perel, 22. Kanaoo Kasa, 22. Navo Fisher, 20. The bodies of two hostages, father and son Youssef, 53, and Hamza, 22, Ziyadne, who had been presumed alived, were recovered by the IDF. On Monday, three Israelis were murdered in a shooting attack by Palestinian terrorists: Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, 35. Rachel Cohen, 73. Aliza Raiz, 70. May their memories be for a blessing, may their neshamot have an aliyah.
I also ask you to keep in your prayers all of those impacted by the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles County, in particular the nearly 180,000 Americans under evacuation orders and the 6 people who died in the fires and their families, may their memories be for a blessing.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
CBAJ INITIATIVE IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL
Partnership with EPIC Family. CBAJ is proud to partner with Epic Family, an organization that provides support and counseling to children living in Israel. Epic Family has seen a tremendous uptick in need in the past year since October 7 due to the war. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to support care for one child for one year, or recruit 20 people to give $25 per month for 1 year. Click here to view the flyer or visit EPIC Family's websiteto learn more.
We are eager for everyone to attend our services and programs and to feel welcome and safe while in our building. Anyone who has symptoms of any illness or is not feeling well is strongly encouraged to stay home. Better to miss services than risk spreading illness. While in attendance, frequent hand-washing is encouraged as well as minimizing close contact with others.
SHABBAT VAYECHI
On this Shabbat, we invite you to reflect on end of life planning for yourself and for your family. NASCK is an incredible resource that provides wonderful resources to begin the conversation. Visit their website to learn more: https://shabbosvayechi.org
Announcing a new CBAJ Program! The Shabbat and Yom Tov Meal Matching Program Our goal is to promote hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests) and strengthen the friendship bonds among people in our community. This is a trial process for the local Albany community. This is an opportunity to either volunteer to host members of our community, or to request a seat at a Shabbat or Yom Tov table. We are launching this endeavor on Shabbat Shemot, January 17th & 18th. The deadline to sign up for the 1st Mix & Match Hosting Shabbat is Sunday, 1/12/25 by 12:00 PM.
For more information and to complete the registration form, Click Here
COMMUNITY BEIT MIDRASH NIGHT Sunday, January 12, at 8:00 pm at CBAJ
Scroll down to the Adult ED section for more information
SIGN UP FOR KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS - JOURNEY THROUGH TEHILIM - Following Kiddush on winter Shabbats Contact Simma Kinderlehrer or Rabbi Kean to sign up
Scroll down for additional details on all upcoming events & programs
YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Torah High The Torah High Winter/Spring 2025 semester is underway! Taught by Rabbi Kean and Rabbi Tzvi Holt. Mondays at 7:00 pm for students in grades 8 - 12, dinner included! Any interested families whose students are interested in learning more about Torah High should contact Rabbi Kean directly, rabbi@cbaj.org Tot Shabbat New Location - Classroom 2 (middle) For children ages 0-5 and their parents at 10:30 am in classroom 2. 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 us for studying a section 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 Motza'ei Shabbat Maariv We are studying Masechet Taanit.
*CBAJ ZOOM ROOM (weekday classes only) Go to https://zoom.us/join Enter meeting ID: 940 508 9347 | Enter passcode: 613518
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ members an opportunity to share a Torah teaching of their choice in the informal setting of a private home.
The next Living Room Learning will be January 18 at 7 pm. Led by Simma Kinderlehrer at her home. Topic: "The Six Continuous Commandments."
If you are interested in either hosting and or leading a future Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Share your insights into one chapter of Tehilim (Psalms), what it means to you, and what it can teach us! Following Kiddush on winter Shabbats Contact Simma Kinderlehrer or Rabbi Kean to sign up
Stay Tuned for our Winter Schedule!
Community Beit Midrash Night Begins Again! Alternating Sundays at 8:00 PM at CBAJ. Presented by CBAJ & Shomray Torah Guided learning Chaburah with Rabbi Kean studying Ein Yaakov. Dedicated as a merit for the refuah shleimah of Zev Chaim ben Michal Sivan. Next Beit Midrash Night: Sunday, January 12th
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.
“The synagogue is a community which values who I am, how I live, what I give to others now and to those who follow me in years to come. It is the place where they know my name." Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
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.
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
JEWISH FEDERATION OF NENY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The Jewish Federation is offering two scholarship opportunities: Academic Scholarships & Financial-Need Based Jewish Enrichment Scholarships Academic Scholarships to support undergraduate and graduate studies are available and based on need and/or merit. Please contact Deborah Chapman Goldstein, (518) 783-7800 ext. 230 or dgoldstein@jewishfedny.org if you have any questions regarding academic scholarships. Jewish Enrichment Scholarships are being offered to area children and college students for Jewish enrichments, including overnight Jewish camps, Jewish summer-travel experiences, and summer and year-long Israel experience programs, and seminars. Please contact Rebecca Miller for more details, (518) 783-7800 ext. 225 or rmiller@jewishfedny.org. APPLICATION DEADLINES: February 21, 2025 Applications for both scholarship opportunities can be found HERE.
518 KOSHER CATERING Learn more about 518 Kosher's Shabbos catering at their website. https://kosher518.com
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
