TORAH READING Numbers 13:1-15:41, p. 798 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24, p. 1184
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah at services Shabbat morning titled "We Are Not Grasshoppers."
KIDDUSH This Shabbat Kiddush is sponsored by CBAJ.
SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by CBAJ.
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!
The situation in Israel and its war with Iran continues to be at the forefront of my mind.
While we may be awed and impressed with the incredible successes of the IDF - successfully eliminating many of the top officials of the Iranian army and its top nuclear scientists, destroying many of Iran's nuclear facilities, establishing near total air superiority over Iran, destroying much of Iran's stockpile of ballistic missiles, utilizing incredible intelligence and long-term planning to achieve these military successes - the situation for everyday Israelis has been extremely difficult.
While we may be grateful to Hashem for empowering Israel, its army, and its allies to provide powerful defenses which have intercepted the overwhelming majority of missiles and drones launched at it by Iran, and to have an incredible network of shelters to protect the lives of civilians, the fact remains that the missiles and drones which have penetrated Israel's defenses have caused extensive damage.
24 Israelis have been killed, many hundreds have been wounded, thousands have lost their homes, hospitals and day care centers have been hit with missiles, and Israelis across the country have been in and out of shelters all week, with all kinds of aspects of public life shuttered. We must continue to stand resolutely with them in this difficult time.
In light of this, I highly encourage you to consider donating to support any of the many organizations that provide relief and support to Israelis.
Above all, we place our trust in HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the Holy One, Blessed be He. As it says in Tehilim:
הנה לא ינום ולא ישן שומר ישראל Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers. (Psalms 121:4)
Please continue to be in touch with your friends and family in Israel or those you know here with loved ones in Israel who may be feeling anxious, lonely, or worried.
At CBAJ, we will continue to recite both Tehilim 130 and Tehilim 121 this Shabbat.
Of course, in this difficult time, we must also keep in our hearts the 53 hostages still being held in Gaza, who, please G-d, should all come home soon.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
UPCOMING CBAJ & COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
TORAH OF HEALTH & HEALTH DISCUSSION GROUP Following Kiddush this Shabbat, the Torah of Health & Healing Discussion Group will meet to discuss parashat Shelach, presented by Chaya Tal in loving memory of her nephew, Moshe Chaim Natkin ע"ה
Sunday June 22: CBAJ Mezuzah Checking Day CBAJ will have a mezuzah checking day with Rabbi Mendel Serebryanski. Pre-ordersare requested by filling out this form. Dropoff: Please drop of Mezuzot Sunday, June 22, 8:45-10 am Cost: Checking fee of $15 per mezuzah, plus the cost of all repairs (payable to Rabbi Mendel Serebryanski) Pickup: Mezuzot will be available for pickup within 1-2 weeks, depending on what repairs are needed (hopefully, mezuzot that do not require repairs will be available within 1-2 days). Please include participants name, address, phone number and the number of mezuzot to be checked. Contact Rabbi Kean (rabbi@cbaj.org) with any questions.
SHALOM FOOD PANTRY'S BATTLE OF THE BBQs Come support CBA's Team Abe & Jake's House of BBQ! Sunday, June 22nd | 4:00–6:00 PM Albany JCC – 340 Whitehall Rd, Albany $30 with RSVP $10 per child (Kids 5 and under are free)
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).
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.
Stay Tuned for dates for the next series ! Please register by contacting the CBAJ office at 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!
Torah of Health & Healing Discussion Group One Shabbat per month following Kiddush Scheduled Dates: parashat Balak, July 12 parashat Eikev, August 16 Organized by Yosef Yishai Hilsen 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.
DAILY SERVICES NEXT WEEK June 22 - 27, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 am Monday - Wednesday 6:40 am
Thursday & Friday Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 6:30 am
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Thursday 8:20 pm
Friday 7:00 pm Mincha/ Kabbalat Shabbat/ Maariv
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, June 27 8:19 pm
MESSAGE FROM LIFE & LEGACY
“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.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
