TORAH READING Exodus 13:17-17:16, Artscroll p. 366 Haftarah: Judges 4:4 - 5:31, p. 1152
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning.
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS This week, Kiddush Conversations will be led by Yosef Yishai Hilsen, and the topic is: "From known slavery to unknown freedom - the roundabout way."
KIDDUSH This week Kiddush is sponsored by Paula Mosher, In Honor of the Yahrzeit of her Mother, Kate Sitrin Grossman.
MAZAL TOV Mazal tov to CBAJ members Shoshie & Ami Israel on the birth of their daughter, Goldie Shayna! Mazal tov to the grandparents, CBAJ members Mark & Chana Israel and Ellen Brickman, and great-grandparents, CBAJ member Nina Israel, Sonia Wilgowicz, and Judy Brickman.
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!
This week, I was invited to deliver a Dvar Torah for the OU's daily Tehillim & Chizuk call. I used the opportunity to speak about the tremendous blessing of the return of Ran Gvili's body, hy''d, from captivity by Hamas, thus marking the first time in 12 years that no Israeli hostage or body is held in the Gaza strip. It is truly a remarkable message from Hashem that this took place in this week's Parasha, Parshat Beshalach, which specifically tells the account of how Moshe Rabbeinu brought the bones of Yosef with the Jewish people out of Egypt. This unescapable connection reminds us that our redemption as a nation includes even the promises and commitments of dignified burial for all members and heroes of the Jewish people.
I am shocked and dismayed at the recent car-ramming attack on Chabad World Headquarters, 770, this week. I am grateful to Hashem that nobody was injured and that law enforcement officers have arrested a suspect. Moments like this should call us to greater prayer and calling out to Hashem.
It has been a consistent part of my vision of my work as a rabbi that I withhold my commentary on matters of U.S. politics. That being said, I have felt that something in recent events in Minneapolis has called for a different approach. Should you wish to read some of my thoughts - my imperfect, flawed, and non-authoritative thoughts - reflecting on this moment, you may do so here. I assert this is not a psak or an official religious standpoint - it my attempt to find moral clarity in a challenging time. I welcome disagreement and difference of opinion, and deeply cherish our community's intellectual diversity.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
CBAJ UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Winter Shabbaton January 30-31 | Grades 5 - 12 For more info please contact: shore.goldberg@ncsy.org
Tu B'Shevat Paint & Plant Event February 1st | 5:30 pm | @ CBAJ Please join us for an afternoon of parsley planting, pot painting & seder refreshments! Fun for all ages!
ALL EYES ON ISRAEL: CONVERSATION WITH ISRAELI SOLDIER E* Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 pm at CBAJ Join us for a conversation with E* (name withheld for security reasons), an Israeli soldier who shares his story defending Israel on October 7 and beyond. Introduction by Rabbi Dr. David Bauman. For security reasons, the event may not be recorded of livestreamed.
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: February 1 @ 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. This week (February 3) we will meet on Tuesday.
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: February 14, March 14 All events at CBAJ. Free admission. Pizza dinner included. Please contact Shore Goldberg with any questions.
Albany NCSY Guy's Night Out At Dave & Busters February 12 | 5 - 6:30 PM | Grades 6 - 12 Email: shore.goldberg@ncsy.org for more info > Click here < to see the Guy's Night Out poster.
Albany NCSY Girl's Pizza And Parashah February 26 | 6 - 8 PM | Grades 6 - 12 | @ CBAJ Email: shore.goldberg@ncsy.org for more info > Click here < to see the Girl's Pizza And Parashah poster.
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 February 1 - 6, 2026
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 AM
Monday - Friday 6:40 AM
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Friday 4:55 PM
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, February 6, 2026 4:57 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
