TORAH READING Exodus 6:2 - 9:35, Artscroll p. 318 Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21, p. 1149
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning.
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS This week, Kiddush Conversations will be led by Elly Bauman.
KIDDUSH This week Kiddush is sponsored by -
Nanette and Artie Brenner, to mark the 20th Yahrzeit of Nanette's father Arie Halpern, z'l, Aryeh Leyb ben Mordechai Dov.
Ellen Kaplowitz & Paula Mosher, In Honor of The Life & Legacy Committee.
MAZAL TOV Mazal tov to Phil & Linda Chandler on the birth of their grandson, Zeesha Ben Tzion, to their children, Michal Channah and Shmuel Schneur Zalman Lieberman. This bris was this past Tuesday.
MESSAGE FROM RABBI KEAN
**PLEASE NOTE: Rabbi Kean will be on vacation from Sunday, February 8 to Sunday, February 22, and will then attend a rabbinic conference from Monday, February 23 to Thursday, February 26.
As always, Rabbi Kean will do the utmost to respond promptly to urgent rabbinic matters.**
Dear CBAJ Family,
On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a restful and meaningful Shabbat!
Tragically, last Shabbat saw the arson attack of Beth Israel Congregation in an anti-Semitic hate crime. Beth Israel Congregation is an historic congregation, organized in 1860, and was previously attacked in an arson attack in 1967 in the backlash to the Civil Rights Movement. We stand in absolute solidarity with the Jewish community in Jackson in this difficult time.
Fortunately, none were injured in the horrific attack, though two of the congregation's Torahs were destroyed, and a suspect is in police custody.
Please keep this community in your tefilot, along with the safety of acheinu kol Beit Yisrael.
In this dark time, we can take comfort in knowing that the Jackson law enforcement and elected officials, as well as the community at large, support and stand in solidarity with Jackson's Jewish community.
Additionally, I urge to keep the Iranian people in your tefilot during this difficult time for them. In mass protests against the Iranian regime, a slaughter of unarmed protesters of unimaginable and horrific proportions was carried out over the past several days. Credible estimates put the number of killed at 12,000, with some estimates suggesting they may be even higher. An additional 18,000 are believed to be arrested by the regime. May Hashem bless and protect the innocent and bring peace to the entire region.
We continue to daven for and demand the release of Ran Gvili, the final hostage whose remains in Gaza.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
CBAJ UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Family Learning Night January 17th - 6:30 pm | @ CBAJ | FREE admission - Pizza dinner included! For more info, please contact: shore.goldberg@ncsy.org
SAVE THE DATE: FEB. 1 @ 5:30 pm Tu Bishevat Paint & Plant Event! Join us a fun afternoon of parsley planting, pot painting & refreshments! For all ages!
COMMUNITY BEIT MIDRASH NIGHT Alternating Sundays, 8-9 pm Presented by CBAJ & Shomray Torah Guided learning Chaburah with Rabbi Kean studying Ein Yaakov. Next meeting: Sunday, January 18 at CBAJ
READING CLASSICAL HEBREW COURSE With Mike Kupferschmid Hebrew Course Restarts in January Want to learn how to say words written in Hebrew letters? Want to learn what the words mean? Visit https://www.ashermath.com for details about the course. Send email to nancylawson10@gmail.com if you are interested.
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS
2025/2026 Topic: PARSHAPERSPECTIVES 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.
HALACHA YOMIT Mondays, Wednesdays - Fridays following Shacharit (approx. 7:20 on Tues/Fri, 7:30 on Mon/Thurs). Join us in studying halacha every morning Kitzur Shulchan Aruch for 5-10 minutes following weekday Shacharit.
MORNING TANYA: BREAKFAST & LEARNING WEDNESDAYS, 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 camaraderie.
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 the end of Shabbat. 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
Family Learning Night For children in grades K-8 and families. On Motzei Shabbat on select weeks during winter months. Dates: January 17, February 14, March 14 All events at CBAJ. Free admission. Pizza dinner included. Please contact Shore Goldberg with any questions.
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. *Remaining Tot Shabbat Dates for the 2025 - 2026 year: 2/7, 2/28 & 3/14. 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 all children ages 0-5 every Shabbat morning from 10:00-11:30 am!
DAILY SERVICES NEXT WEEK January 18 - 23, 2026
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 AM
Monday Rosh Chodesh 6:30 AM
Tuesday - Friday 6:40 AM
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Friday 4:35 PM
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, January 23, 2026 4:38 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.
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.
Camperships & Scholarships available through JFED Camperships: Thinking about overnight camp for your child? (They) can help. Scholarships: Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York offers a number of scholarships for college and graduate school students based on merit and/or financial need. APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 20, 2026 For more information on Camperships & Scholarships, please visit: https://www.jewishfedny.org/scholarships
Registration Open: 2026 NORPAC Mission to Washington, DC Registration is now open for the 2026 NORPAC Mission to Washington, DC - Wednesday, May 13th. Contact Rabbi Kean for a CBAJ connection to learn more. As the challenges facing Israel and the Jewish community grow more serious and complex, direct engagement with Members of Congress is more important than ever. The NORPAC Mission allows our members to advocate face-to-face on the issues that matter most. This year, it is essential that we show up in large numbers—our presence, our voices, and our commitment make a real difference. Register for the 2026 NORPAC Mission here: www.norpac.net/mission-to-washington
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
