Shabbat Mincha 12:36 pm Talmud Class On hiatus until 2/28
Havdalah 6:17 pm Maariv 6:30 pm
TORAH READING Exodus 25:1 - 27:19, Artscroll, p. 444 Haftarah: I Kings 5:26 - 6:13
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS This week, Kiddush Conversations will be led by Chaya Tal.
KIDDUSH This Shabbat, Kiddush is sponsored by CBAJ.
MESSAGE FROM RABBI KEAN
**PLEASE NOTE: Rabbi Kean is on vacation from Sunday, February 8 to February 24. Rabbi Kean will return to Albany on Wednesday, February 25.
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!
I have been having such a wonderful trip to Israel, with so many stories that I cannot wait to share with you. I have had the privilege of meeting with our partners in Eshkol, and seeing some of the spectacular growth of the new religious yishuv of Shlomit. The whole country is experiencing explosive growth - Beit Shemesh is a giant construction site in the process of doubling its size and population; Jerusalem is expanding from a single line of light rail to a massive network spanning the entire metro area; the Shalom Meir Tower built in 1965 was the tallest building in Israel until 1999, but today, it is not even in the top 30 tallest buildings in Israel; and it just seems wherever you look more and more is being built! Having the opportunity to meet with various rabbanim and other connections has also been very special.
But if I can choose three words to capture how much of a pleasure it has been to be here, it would be these: "Arvit b'sof ha-rakevet" - "Maariv in the back of the train."
No matter where you go in Israel, society is structured around Judaism, and Torah and mitzvot permeate the atmosphere. Part of the blessing of Jewish state is a Jewish society, one in which you can catch Maariv in the back of the train when anyway you're together with a bunch of people interested in daily tefilah b'tzibbur (prayer with a minyan) and look to prioritize this, even when traveling.
Fast Begins: 5:18 am Shacharit: 6:20 am Mincha: 5:20 pm Maariv & Family Megillah Reading: 6:05 pm Followed by light break fast Fast ends: 6:17 pm Late "Quiet" Reading: 8 pm
Tuesday, March 3 Purim Day:
Shacharit & Megillah Reading: 6:20 am - Remember Tzedakah for Matanot La'Evyonim CBAJ PURIM CARNIVAL with HACD & MAIMONIDES: 12 pm - 3 pm Late Family Megillah Reading: 4:30 pm Mincha/Maariv: 5:30 pm
CBAJ UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Albany NCSY—Girls' Pizza And Parashah Thursday, Feb 26 | 6—8 PM | Grades 6—12 | @ CBAJ For more info, please email: shajar.goldberg@ncsy.org
Community Shushon Purim Celebration March 4 | Doors open @ 5:30 PM | Albany JCC Featuring: Live music, prizes & dancing! Catering provided by 518 Kosher; pre-order by March 1 using the following link: https://www.tinyurl.com/518Kosher
A Journey Through Middle Eastern Spices with The Spice Detective - a flavorful, hands-on culinary experience to savor! Thursday, March 19 | 7 PM | @ CBAJ | Hosted by the Jewish Federation of NENY For more info and to register for this event, please visit: https://www.jewishfedny.org/federation-events/spice-detective
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
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
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: March 8 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. - Talmud Class will be on hiatus until February 28.
*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. Next date:March 14 All events at CBAJ. Free admission - Pizza dinner included! Please contact Shore Goldberg with any questions.
Albany NCSY Girls' Pizza And Parashah February 26 | 6 - 8 PM | Grades 6 - 12 | @ CBAJ Email: shore.goldberg@ncsy.org for more info Click hereto see the Girls' 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:2/28 & 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 22 - 27, 2026
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 AM
Monday - Friday 6:40 AM
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Friday 5:20 PM
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, February 27, 2026 5:24 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.
