TORAH READING Vayikra 21:1-24:23, Artscroll p. 672 Ezekiel 44:15-31, p. 1176
SPEAKER Siyum on Sefer Kohelet (Book of Ecclesiastes) following services. Rabbi Kean and the Torah & Tea class participants will deliver a special presentation on Sefer Kohelet in honor of completing the book. (In place of regular Dvar Torah)
SIMCHA KIDDUSH This Shabbat, the Simcha Kiddush is specially coordinated and organized by several dedicated volunteers, and is in honor of our CBAJ community and the families of the Simcha celebrants (listed below). The food for this Simcha Kiddush is prepared by 518Kosher and supervised by Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District.
SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by CBAJ.
MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Sandra Sabzevari and Joshua Schulman-Marcus on the birth of their daughter Shoshana Eden.
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!
We are grateful to Hashem that U.S.-Israeli lone soldier Edan Alexander was released on Monday of this past week.
Edan was 19 when we was taken hostage, having just spent 10 months in Tzahal. He was held hostage for 584 days, nearly all of it spend underground in a tunnel, where he was tortured, starved, and injured. He is now 21 years old. We continue to pray for his happiness and healing.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent community-wide Tekes Maavar to mark Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut! It was truly a powerful event.
The organizers of our speakers from Israel are raising funds for an organization dedicated to helping those impacted by October 7 and the war, and to healing for Israeli society, United for Life.
Thank You & Mazal Tov to our Spring Simcha Sponsors & Celebrants!
Marissa & Eitan Barlaz in honor of Zev having clear scans with no evidence of disease this week!
Grigoriy & Nina Mikhaylov in celebration of the birthdays of Tiferet Yael and Shalom Perkins
Stan & Margie Rosenberg in recognition of Ephraim’s record breaking car sales at his dealership
Nanette & Artie Brenner, “Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boys. May all of you live to 120!”
Sandra Sabzevari & Joshua Schulman-Marcus on the birth of their daughter Shoshana Eden
Moshe Kudan in honor of his birthday, and Mazal tov to Chaim and Bassi Kudan on the birth of their son named Pinchus Tzvi, and Mazal Tov to Sara and Yossi Rapoport in honor of the birth of their son named Yisroel Moshe
Ari & Ivy Steinfeld in celebration of Eli and Staci being engaged
Staci Steinfeld & Eli Raul on their engagement! Mazal Tov to their parents, David & Michele Raul and Ari & Ivy Steinfeld, and Mazal Tov to Eli on his graduation from Albany Law School and Bar passage (Click here for the invitation to their Vort!)
Aron Cepler and Sheryl Hoffman wishing Happy 4th birthday to Anna Cepler, Happy 10th anniversary of turning old to Aron Cepler, and Happy Birthday to Sheryl Hoffman
UPCOMING CBAJ & COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
UPCOMING CBAJ PROGRAMMING Guest Speaker Shabbat, May 24, with David Selis: Join us for a Shabbat of learning with David Selis, the Leon Charney Doctoral Fellow at Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel School of Jewish Studies. David will deliver two talks:
"Creating 'New Torah' After October 7: How Jews Respond to Tragedy & Upheaval" and "How Did the Mikraot Gedolot Get its Current Format?" The second talk will include a presentation of rare Hebrew incunabula (early Hebrew printed books). Playground Clean Up Day - May 18th Sunday, May 18th at 9:00 am Please bring your own gloves, rakes, tarps, shovels, wheelbarrows Refreshments will be served
Community Beit Midrash Night - Sunday, May 18th at CBAJ following Mincha/Maariv (approx. 8:30 pm)
Save the Date ! for the CBAJ Annual Membership Meeting and End of the Year BBQ! Father's Day, June 15 Meeting starts at 5:30 pm & BBQ starts at 6:00 pm scroll down for more details and registration links
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.
Community Beit Midrash Night Begins Again! Alternating Sundays after Mincha/Maariv at Shomray Torah (the Shteeble). Next Date: May 18 at CBAJ following Mincha/Maariv (approx. 8:30) 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.
Save these dates for the SPRING 2025 LUNCH & LEARN SERIES 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 & are free of charge Catered by 518 Kosher Catering & supervised by the Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present Living Room Learning, an initiative givingCBAJ 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!
The next Living Room Learning will be Sunday, May 25th at 4:00 PM hosted by Lori & Akiva Calka and discussion led by Akiva Calka, Matan Torah
NEW DISCUSSION SERIES: The Torah of Health & Healing One Shabbat per month following Kiddush Next date TBD Organized by Yosef Yishai Hilsen In the opening talk, Yosef Yishai Hilsen will discuss what important Torah health & healing psychotherapeutic messages are offered to us in Sefer Vayikra. Speak to Yosef Yishai if you are interested in learning more!
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*. Join Rabbi Kean in studying the Book of Daniel. * 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 Shabbat Mincha. 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
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.
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
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING HEALTH & WELLNESS
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.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
JFS Mensches & Mimosas Join JFS for their annual Mensches & Mimosas on June 5th at 7:00 pm. Click Here to learn how to participate in the virtual celebration. Mazal Tov to Dan Reznik & Dina Gottesman, CBAJ's nominee. Mazal Tov to CBAJ member Laura Weisblatt on her nomination for AMIDAH.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
