TORAH READING Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26, p. 544 Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21 - 44:23 p. 1165 SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver the annual Shabbat Hagadol Discourse: "Erev Pesach on Shabbat in Halacha and Hashkafa (Jewish law & Thought)."
PRE-PESACH KIDDUSHLUNCHEON This Shabbat, the Pre-Pasach Kiddush luncheon has been prepared by the Programming Committee and sponsored by: Stacy & David Cohen Jeffrey Dittus Sandra Sabzevari & Joshua Schulman-Marcus Andrea & Ari Fisher Marjorie & Stuart Gang Amy Svirsky & Mitch Abolafia Johanna Steper
SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by CBAJ.
MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Nanette and Artie Brenner and family on the engagement of Ravi Brenner to Merav Schwartz, daughter of Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Rebecca Geller Schwartz z"l.
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.
With Erev Pesach falling on Shabbat this year, there are a number of practices that look different! Please click here for a thorough guideby the esteemed Rabbi J. David Bleich to this unique situation.
We want to make sure everyone in our community has a Pesach Seder to go to! Please fill out the hospitality form below if you are interested in hosting guests at your Pesach Seder or if you are in search of a Seder to attend.
Please note: with Erev Pesach falling on Shabbat, Shabbat morning services on Erev Pesach, April 12, will begin at 7:30 am to enable everyone to have Shabbat lunch before the final time for eating Chametz, 10:43 am.
Please see below for information about how to sell chametz through CBAJ. Additionally, we are collecting funds for Maot Chitim, our annual Passover Relief Fund. (You can make a contribution with your online sale of chametz form or withthis dedicated form.)
Additionally, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the World Zionist Congress election has begun. The deadline to vote is May 4. The World Zionist Organization controls the influence and funding that affect the future of the Jewish people in both Israel and the United States and your community's involvement is essential to getting the vote out in our Orthodox community.
The OIC-Mizrachi (Orthodox Israel Coalition) slate (Slate #5) represents the major Orthodox Zionist institutions in the United States and stands for the ideals of defending Eretz Yisrael, Uniting Am Yisrael and Spreading Torat Yisrael.
Initiatives of OIC-Mizrachi directly affect the U.S. Jewish community here in the U.S. with programming such as shlichim in the local yeshivot, funding for yeshivot and seminaries in Israel, JLIC initiatives in the U.S. and Israel and much more.
We continue to pray for the hostages who still remain in Gaza and their families, with hopes that they are returned home soon, especially given what we know about the absolute hell that those who were released have endured.
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.
SALE OF CHAMETZ Rabbi Kean is available to accept sale of chametz forms immediately following services (except on Shabbat) until Thursday, April 10
For those spending Passover in Israel or time-zones East of NY, the form must be received by Rabbi Kean by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 8
Click Here to complete the online form Click Here to download the paper form Mailed or hand-delivered forms must be received by the office by 4:00 pm, April 10 or given directly to Rabbi Kean immediately following services
Scroll down for additional details on all upcoming events & programs
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. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HOSTING OR BEING HOSTED FOR A PESACH SEDER!
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 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*. Torah & Tea is on break until after Pesach, on April 24. * 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.
If you are interested in either hosting and or leading a future Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Save these dates for the SPRING 2025 LUNCH & LEARN SERIES April 29, May 27, June 17 The Life & Work of Rambam (Maimonides) 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
Community Beit Midrash Night Begins Again! Alternating Sundays at 8:00 PM at Shomray Torah (the Shteeble). The next date is April 27. 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.
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
518 KOSHER CATERING Passover Offerings - Click Here Learn more about 518 Kosher's Shabbos catering at their website. https://kosher518.com
