TORAH READING Deuteronomy: Exodus 33:12-34:26, Artscroll p. 504 Maftir: Numbers 29:20-25, p. 768 Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16, p. 1243 Book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) is read before Torah reading, p. 1278.
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah titled "The Sukkot of Ezra: Anticipating the Return of Israel's Hostages."
KIDDUSH Kiddush this week is sponsored by CBAJ. SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit this week 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!
I hope that you and your family are having a joyous Sukkot, zman simchateinu (time of rejoicing)!
I am so excited to celebrate Simchat Torah this coming week with you! Simchat Torah is truly one of the highlights of my year!
הודו לה׳ כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו - Give thanks to G-d for He is good, his kindness is forever. (Tehilim 136:1) ופדויי ה׳ ישובון ובאו ציון ברנה ושמחת עולם על ראשם ששון ושמחה ישיגון נסו יגון ואנחה Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing to Tzion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:11)
It was overwhelming to me, as I am sure it was to many of you, to turn on my phone after Yom Tov and read the news that Hamas and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire that will enable all of the hostages to return home, G-d willing before the start of Shemini Atzeret in the US, just before the second the anniversary that they were held taken hostage on the Hebrew calendar. Seeing the videos of Israelis dancing in the streets with tears of joy has been incredible to behold. It is even more incredible that this deal moves to a future of the Gaza strip without Hamas in charge.
It is important to also remember that while this is an incredible outcome, we cannot forget about the pain that many will still feel. The many thousands of IDF soldiers who have been wounded in the past two years. Those who have lost loved ones in both on October 7 and the families of fallen IDF soldiers (of whom there are 913 total since October 7, 2023; 466 since the beginning of the ground operation in Gaza). Those whose loved ones were murdered by Hamas in captivity, and the families who when the hostages are released, will be receiving remains of their loved ones, in unknown conditions.
We note with sadness the death of IDF soldier Sgt. First Class (res.) Michael Mordechai Nachmani, HY''D, 26, from Dimona, killed after the ceasefire was signed but before it went into effect by a Hamas sniper in Gaza. This year, we will be marking the second anniversary of the October 7/Simchat Torah attacks on Shemini Atzeret as a part of Yizkor. While this will of course be painful, I believe it will be a meaningful and important occasion for us to remember those we lost two years ago and in the ensuing war. They will forever be in our hearts. May we merit to see the fulfillment of the words of Tehilim, which we recite every morning: הפכת מספדי למחול לי ותאזרני שמחה - You have to turned my mourning into dancing, and crowned me with joy.
VOTING REMINDER: The next elections for New York State are in LESS THAN ONE MONTH on Tuesday, November 4! Please be sure to vote as every vote counts! You may wish to consider voting early to ensure that you have the opportunity to vote. If you are not registered... make this the year to register and vote!
Demographers, pollsters, politicians, and statisticians look at data on how communities, neighborhoods, religious and ethnic groups vote and use this information! Please keep that in mind and understand the need for our community to vote in high numbers.
Red Cross Blood Drive & Vaccine Clinic Wednesday, October 22 | 10 AM & 12:30 PM
An Evening with Montana Tucker Wednesday, October 22 | 7:30 PM
54th Annual Festival of Nations Sunday, November 2 | 11:30 AM
Please scroll down for more information.
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 Alternating Sundays, 8-9 pm On hiatus until after the Chagim Presented by CBAJ & Shomray Torah Guided learning Chaburah with Rabbi Kean studying Ein Yaakov.
TORAH OF HEALTH & HEALING DISCUSSION GROUP One Shabbat per month following Kiddush Next date: October 18. Speak to Organizer Yosef Yishai Hilsen if you are interested in learning more.
LIVING ROOM LEARNING Torah by CBAJ members, in your homes. Next date: Sunday, November 22, 7:00 PM Topic: For Those Who Dare to Think - Approaching Tefilah, a Philosophical Method Presenter: Rabbi David Bauman Location: Bauman home
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS
2025/2026 Topic: PARSHA PERSPECTIVES Got an insight? Lead a session! Develop and share your insights and understanding of a Parashah. Speak to Rabbi Kean or Simma K if you are interested in learning more. Begins November 18.
WEEKLY LEARNING AT CBAJ
MORNING TANYA: BREAKFAST & LEARNING Tuesdays, 7:30-8:15 am Join us in studying Tanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi's classic work on Chassidut, and enjoy breakfast, discussion, and comradery. On hiatus until after the chagim.
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. On Hiatus until after the Chagim. 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 2025-2026 school year for Torah High, CBAJ's teen learning program, is underway! This year, we are opening up a fun middle school program aimed at supplementing your middle schooler's current Jewish education! Open to students 6th-12th grade. Classes will be taught by Rabbi Kean and Rav Tzvi Holt. Please contact Rabbi Kean if you are interested in enrolling your child in Torah High! Tot Shabbat For children ages 0-5 and their parents at 10:30 am in classroom 2. Please contact Joshua Schulman-Marcus 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 October 12 - October 17, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 AM
Monday Hoshanah Rabbah 6:00 AM
Tuesday-Wednesday Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah 9:00 AM
Thursday-Friday 6:40 AM
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Friday 5:55 PM
CANDLE LIGHTING Monday, Oct 13 Erev Sukkot 5:58 PM
Tuesday, Oct 14 Sukkot 2nd Night 6:57 PM
Friday, Oct 17 5:52 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. ____________________________
Community Events
Community-Wide SUKKOT PARTY! Sunday, October 12 | 4 PM - 6 PM Volunteers - please bring your own gloves, ladders & tools!
Red Cross Blood Drive & Vaccine Clinic Wednesday, October 22 | 10 AM - 2 PM & 12:30 - 4 PM
An Evening with Montana Tucker Wednesday, October 22 | 7:30 PM
54th Annual Festival of Nations Sunday, November 2 | 11:30 AM - 5 PM | Empire State Plaza Convention Ctr.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
