TORAH READING Numbers 16:1-18:32, p. 821 Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14-12:22, p. 1186
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah at services Shabbat morning, titled "Is Shmuel Really Like Korach? How to Challenge the Establishment."
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!
It is with gratitude to Hashem and with respect for the brave soldiers of Tzahal that I approach the news of the ceasefire with Iran this week.
There is much to be proud of when thinking about the military accomplishments of the IDF over the last two weeks, alongside the strong partnership with the United States in fighting against a threat not just to Israel, but to the entire free world, even if exactly what comes next remains to be seen. Of course, our thoughts remain with those who were impacted, the 32 Israelis who were killed and their families, the over 3,200 who were injured and the many thousands who lost homes.
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.
Additionally, I want to ask you for your support in a renewed initiative through CBAJ to support chayalim to send more skin cream. If you are interested in donating,click here to donate to the CBAJ Rabbi's discretionary fund. Yael Reshef, who in the early 2000's was a Shaliach in Albany along with her family personally requested this from us, and she shared with me a video of her son, now a take tank commander in the reserves, explaining that is cream is important to chayalim working on tanks whose hands often get very dry and cracked in ways that the hand cream we send from the US is equipped to dealing with much better than products on the market in Israel. (Please feel free to email me directly if you want to learn more about this.)
At CBAJ, we will stop reciting Psalm 121, and revert to just reciting Psalm 130, now that the situation has become calmer in Israel.
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 & Chodesh Tov, Rabbi Ben Kean
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).
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 the July and August dates at the beginning of next week. 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 There will not be Torah & Tea this week, July 3.
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 29 - July 4, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday & Friday (4th of July) 8:00 am Monday - Thursday 6:40 am
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Thursday 8:20 pm
Friday 7:00 pm Mincha/ Kabbalat Shabbat/ Maariv
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, July 4 8:18 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
