Simcha Kiddush Luncheon following services Shabbat Mincha 12:34 pm
Talmud Class 5:15 pm
Havdalah 6:01 pm
Maariv 6:15 pm
Family Learning Night 7:00 pm
TORAH READING Exodus 13:17-17:16, Artscroll p. 366 Haftarah: Judges 4:4 - 5:31, p. 1152
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver the first installment of the Winter Lecture Series: Historic JewishCommunities & Their Legacies, entitled "The Jews of Provence," following Shabbat morning services.
SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON This Shabbat, the Simcha Kiddush Luncheon (dairy) is specially prepared by several dedicated volunteers, and is in honor of our CBAJ community and the families of the Simcha celebrants (listed below). The food is prepared by 518Kosher and supervised by Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District.
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 the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." - Isaiah 35:10
It is with great gratitude to Hashem that we welcome back to Israel hostages released last Shabbat, Israeli-American Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon, and Yarden Bibas. We wait with baited breadth for news of the three hostages due to be released over Shabbat this week. We continue to pray and anxiously await the return of all the hostages cruelly being held by Hamas terrorists.
Please read the Shabbat notes for all of the upcoming events that we have at CBAJ this week! We have a busy Shabbat and week ahead filled with multiple opportunities to connect with community and learn!
This Wednesday night/Thursday is Tu B'Shevat, and we're excited to offer a new program -- a "Paint, Pot & Sip" event along with an informal Tu B'Shevat Seder that offers multiple pathways to celebrate and connect with Tu B'Shevat.
At its core, Tu B'Shevat is the equivalent of a "tax day" for Terumot and Ma'asrot for fruit trees. In Halacha, all agricultural products of Israel must have Terumot and Ma'asrot (priestly gifts and tithes) separated from them. When separating these Terumot and Ma'asrot, we group the produce together based on the year that they various fruits and vegetables ripened or became ready to eat. We do not offer Terumot and Ma'asrot using fruit from one year on behalf of the produce that ripened in another year. So, a fruit that was ripened before Tu B'Shevat CANNOT be offered as the Terumah or Ma'aser for a group of fruit that only ripened after Tu B'Shevat. It is interesting to note that this deadline is only for fruit trees -- other products have other cutoff dates!
Tu B'Shevat is therefore an opportunity to connect with a number of our traditions values: the value of tzedakah, giving of our wealth, produce, and income, to support others in our community, from our religious institutions to the poor; the significance of the gift of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) which is where the Torah is able to be fulfilled completely and where the agricultural laws are in effect; Hashem's gift of nature and our partnership with Hashem in producing the bounty that we rely upon; among others.
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.
Thank You & Mazal Tov to our Simcha Sponsors & Celebrants!
Sandra Sabzevari and Joshua Schulman-Marcus in honor of their 15th wedding anniversary.
Shoshie & Ami Israel in honor of Adira's first birthday!
Nanette and Artie Brenner and family in honor of Lianna’s birthday.
Gittela & Jonathan Harris in honor of our wedding anniversary, and Jonathan's upcoming birthday.
The Mikhaylov Family to celebrate the birthdays of Nina Mikhaylova, Haim Ovadia Perkins, David Mikhaylov, YY Perkins, and Daniela and Vadim's wedding anniversary, and to wish Faye Silton a very special birthday!
Amy Svirsky & Mitch Abolafia in celebration of Amy Svirsky Abolafia’s birthday.
Tom Kligerman in celebration of Adina’s birthday.
Margie & Stan Rosenberg in honor of the Super Bowl LIX being played on Stan’s birthday.
Paula Mosher in honor of Barbara Weinstein on completing her conversion to Judaism, and to Anna Michal Dietrich, granddaughter of Paula Mosher and Paul Mosher z”l, on passing her qualifying exams for her PhD in Math.
Stacy & David Cohen in honor of the return of some of the Israeli hostages. Clara & Scott Roth in celebration of their wedding anniversary, and of their daughter Ilana Schaeffer's birthday.
Rina & Elliot Chester in honor of Rina getting her driver's license.
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
February Family Learning Night Saturday Night, February 8, at 7:00 pm Learning & Pizza for children K-8 and their families
The next Beit Midrash Night: Sunday, February 9, at 8:00 pm
Tu B'shevat Seder & Paint, Plant, & Sip at CBAJ Wednesday, February 12 Join CBAJ for an evening of celebrating Tu B'Shevat! Learn about the custom of a "Tu B'Shevat Seder," enjoy Tu B'Shevat fruits, paint pots, plant parsley (ready to be Karpas on Pesach!), and sip wine (21 and up only). Fun for all ages, including special stations for younger children.
CBAJ Youth & NCSY Latte N' Learn Thursday, February 13, 6:30 pm For Grades 8-12 at Starbucks - 1244 Western Ave
SAVE THE DATE: March 21-22 Spring Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat with Rabbi Sam Shor! Details forthcoming.
Scroll down for additional details on all upcoming events & programs
Drop by to * Enjoy a casual Tu B'shevat Seder * Paint flower pots * * Plant parsley - will be ready by Pesach for Karpas! * *Sip wine (over 21 only) * Fun for all ages - multi-generational event!
CBAJ COMMUNITY
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 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.
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
WINTER LECTURE SERIES HISTORICAL JEWISH COMMUNITIES & THEIR LEGACIES Taught by Rabbi Kean February 8: The Jews of Provence March 8: The Jews of Greece 11:00 am, following Shabbat morning services
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.
Next Installment: February 22, Led by Josh Wildman Hosted by Lori & Akiva Calka Please REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and hosts to plan accordingly
If you are interested in either hosting and or leading a future Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Topic for the Winter 2025 Series: "Great Torah Commentators We Don't Hear From" A look at lesser-known and lesser-studied commentators on the weekly Parsha. February 25 - March 18
Please register by contacting Seanan Herrick 518.489.5819 x3 or office@cbaj.org All sessions will begin at 12:30 pm at CBAJ 380 Whitehall Rd. Lunch is free of charge catered by 518 Kosher Catering & supervised by the Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District
Save these dates too for the SPRING 2025 LUNCH & LEARN SERIES April 29, May 27, June 17
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, February 9
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
WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY COUMMUNITY-WIDE EVENT March 20, 2025 at Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob Women's Philanthropy invites you to join Abigail Pogrebin and Dov Linzer for a deep dive into the Torah in their new book, It Takes Two to Torah. CLICK HEREto learn more about this Jewish Federation sponsored event, being moderated by Rabbi Ben Kean. Pre-registration required.
AMIDAH ALBANY EVENT Join AMIDAH Albany at Albany JCC Sunday, February 23 at 1:00 PM for a headliner event: They Stand Corrected featuring Josh Levs, for a special program discussing anti-Israel bias in the mainstream media. Click Here for more information and the preregistration requirement QR code.
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
