June is our special Graduation Simcha Kiddush in celebration of all moving-up or graduation accomplishments
email your graduate's photo for our photo board along with their moving-up or graduation details office@ cbaj.org ~ Sponsors are invited to submit their celebratory announcements by 4 PM Thursday 6/12
As always we are happy to share in the celebration of any simcha, all are welcome!
For those new to CBAJ, once a month, the Kiddush will be specially prepared by our Simcha Kiddush Committee & co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion that month.
Please email office@cbaj.org if you are interested in joining the Simcha Kiddush Committee
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
For nearly 200 years, our CBAJ cemetery has stood as a sacred place and final resting place for generations of righteous souls. It stands not only as a physical space of eternal peace, but as a living testament to our shared history, values, and reverence for kavod ha’met (honoring the deceased).
With the passage of time, the needs of the cemetery grow – aging monuments require care, grounds must be maintained, and security must be ensured. Now, we turn to you to help preserve this historic legacy for the next 200 years and beyond.
We are pleased to announce the creation of The CBAJ Cemetery Endowment Fund
This fund will enable us to secure and sustain our cemetery’s operations in perpetuity
This launch includes a unique opportunity: Every dollar you give to the Cemetery Endowment Fund will be matched — dollar for dollar — thanks to the generosity of dedicated benefactors
This is a rare opportunity to make your gift go twice as far. A donation of $180 becomes $360. A gift of $1,000 becomes $2,000. Together, we can secure perpetual care for our cemetery - so that it will remain a place of peace, memory, and Jewish continuity for generations to come.
Your support honors not only the memory of those who came before us, but also our collective responsibility to the future. Whether you have family buried here or simply value the preservation of our Jewish history, your gift matters deeply. With your help, we can preserve the dignity of those who came before us and fulfill the mitzvah of chesed shel emet (charity of truth)— the truest act of kindness, one that can never be repaid.
SIMCHA KIDDUSH (NOT A LUNCHEON) on Shabbat Emor *5/17/2025*
Share with us announcements of a birthday or mark an anniversary, Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Simcha Kiddush is organized by by our Simcha Kiddush volunteers and co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion.
SAVE THE DATE! June 14th is our special Graduation Simcha Kiddush in celebration of any moving-up or graduation accomplishments
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON on Shabbat Emor *5/17/2025*
Share with us announcements of a birthday or mark an anniversary, Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Kiddush Luncheon is organized by by our Simcha Kiddush volunteers and co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion.
SAVE THE DATE! June 14th is our special Graduation Simcha Kiddush in celebration of any moving-up or graduation accomplishments
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
On Sunday, May 18th at 9:00 am the CBAJ Playground is getting some work done and we need volunteers to help with spreading the new mulch and cleaning up the space. All are welcome, especially families with children of all ages. We had a great time the last few times so please come and enjoy!
Refresments will be served.
Bring your own tarps, gloves, rakes and shovels, and wheelbarrows if you have one.
Share with us announcements of a birthday or mark an anniversary, Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Kiddush Luncheon is organized by by our Simcha Kiddush volunteers and co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion.
SAVE THE DATE! June 14th is our special Graduation Simcha Kiddush in celebration of any moving-up or graduation accomplishments
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
You are invited to attend CBAJ's next Living Room Learning on Sunday, May 4th at 11:00 * AM *, led by Rabbi Dr. David Bauman "Ashkenazi or Sephardic? What does it mean to be an indigenous Jew?".
Hosted by Elly & Rabbi David Bauman (address provided after registration).
Kindly REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and the hosts plan accordingly. Deadline to register is Wednesday, April 30th.
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
You are invited to attend CBAJ's next Living Room Learning on Sunday, May 4th at 11:00 pm, led by Rabbi Dr. David Bauman "Ashkenazi or Sephardic? What does it mean to be an indigenous Jew?".
Hosted by Elly & Rabbi David Bauman (address provided after registration).
Kindly REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and the hosts plan accordingly. Deadline to register is Wednesday, April 30th.
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON on Parshat Parah Vayakhel for Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat with Rabbi Sam Shor 3/22/2024
Share with us announcements of a birthday or mark an anniversary, Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Kiddush Luncheon will be specially prepared by our Simcha Kiddush volunteers and co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion.
You are invited to attend the next Living Room Learning March 30th at 8:00 pm, led by Barry Siegel: The Prayer of Solomon, A Vision Unfulfilled
Hosted by Lori & Akiva Calka (address provided after registration)
Please REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and hosts plan accordingly Deadline to register is Sunday, 3/27/2025
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
FRIDAY, MARCH 21 6:30 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv 7:30 pm Friday Night Dinner (by paid registration only) 8:40 pm First talk by R' Shor: "SEEING THE GOOD IN ONE ANOTHER" The Mishna in Avot Presents us with the mandate to Judge our Fellow Favorably. What are the parameters and practical applications of this sacred principle?
SHABBAT DAY, MARCH 22 9:00 am Shacharit 11:15 am Second Talk by R' Shor: "ONE PEOPLE, ONE HEART - A VISION FOR MEDINAT YISRAEL" We will explore a few powerful teachings from two Chasidic Masters who lived in Tel Aviv as the State of Israel was established. Their beautiful teachings about Jewish Unity give us a vision for the Future of Medinat Yisrael. 12:00 pm Kiddush Luncheon (open to all)
5:45 pm Pre-Mincha shiur by R' Shor: "DIVINE CONNECTIONS - DISCOVERING MEANING IN MITZVOT" We often define mitzvot as commandments or obligations, but does that definition truly capture what mitzvot are truly all about? 6:45 pm Mincha 7:05 pm Seudah Shlishit, featuring Dvar Torah from R' Shor: "THE RELEVANCE OF SHABBAT PARAH IN THE ABSENCE OF THE BEIT HAMIKDASH." 7:42 pm Maariv 7:52 pm Shabbat concludes
SUNDAY, MARCH 23 7:30-9:15 pm GETTING IT RIGHT ON THE SEDER NIGHT Enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner and beverages, learn inspiring ideas to elevate your Pesach Seder. By registrations only. In conjunction with the Vaad HaKashruth of the Capital District and 518 Kosher Catering. See flyer below for details. Deadline to register for the BBQ is Monday, 3/17/2025.
RABBI SAM SHOR'S BIO
Albany native, Rabbi Sam Shor is the Director of Torah Initiatives for OU Israel, where he oversees a vast network of educational initiatives, including Torah classes, tours and experiential educational programming for the Anglo community across Israel. For the past three decades, Rabbi Shor has gained acclaim for his inspirational teaching, his work in adult education and as a mentor for young rabbis across the globe. His weekly column of inspirational Jewish wisdom-Simchat Shmuel appears as a regular feature of OU Israel's popular Torah Tidbits publication with a readership of more than 30,000 people each week. Sam grew up in Albany at CBAJ, served as NCSY Chapter and Regional President, then later as NCSY City Director and Associate Regional Director. Following his work with NCSY, Sam served with distinction as the Director of Judaic Life at the Sidney Albert Albany JCC. Since leaving Albany, Rabbi Sam has maintained a strong connection with the Capital District Jewish community, even following his aliya to Israel in 2009. Rabbi Shor lives with his family in Yerushalayim where he is a popular Torah teacher for the English speaking community.
TUESDAY, MARCH 25
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
You are invited to attend the next Living Room Learning March 30th at 8:00 pm, led by Barry Siegel: The Prayer of Solomon, A Vision Unfulfilled
Hosted by Lori & Akiva Calka (address provided after registration)
Please REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and hosts plan accordingly Deadline to register is Sunday, 3/27/2025
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
You are invited to attend the next Living Room Learning February 22nd at 7:00 pm, led by Josh Wildman Hosted by Lori & Akiva Calka (address provided after registration)
Please REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and hosts plan accordingly Deadline to register is Thursday, 2/20/24
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
Please consider attending the next Living Room Learning February 22nd at 7:00 pm, led by Josh Wildman Hosted by Lori & Akiva Calka (address provided after registration)
Please REGISTER HERE to help the presenter and hosts plan accordingly Deadline to register is Thursday, 2/20/24
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
JOIN US! for our January/February SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON & TOT SHABBAT on Shabbat Beshalach 2/8/2025
Share with us any special announcement: mark a birthday or an anniversary Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Simcha Kiddush Committee has planned the next Simcha Kiddush Luncheon (dairy) with 518Kosher, supervision provided by Va'ad Hakashruth of the Capital District.
JOIN US! for our January/February SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON & TOT SHABBAT on Shabbat Beshalach 2/8/2025
Share with us any special announcement: mark a birthday or an anniversary Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Simcha Kiddush Committee has planned the next Simcha Kiddush Luncheon (dairy) with 518Kosher, supervision provided by Va'ad Hakashruth of the Capital District.
JOIN US! for our January/February SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON & TOT SHABBAT on Shabbat Beshalach 2/8/2025
Share with us any special announcement: mark a birthday or an anniversary Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Simcha Kiddush Committee has planned the next Simcha Kiddush Luncheon (dairy) with 518Kosher, supervision provided by Va'ad Hakashruth of the Capital District.
Please consider attending the next Living Room Learning this Saturday evening, January 18th 7:00 pm, led by Simma Kinderlehrer Location: Home of Chaim Schaffer & Simma Kinderlehrer. Topic: The Six Continuous Commandments
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
There are 2 learning opportunities this week with time sensitive information - please continue reading!
1) CBAJ's FALL LECTURE SERIES, Lashon Hara: Laws, Practice, Values NOTE: DATE CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY 12/11/2024 @ 7:30! (no lecture tonight) Both in-person in the Carr Chapel and on Zoom - click here for the link, passcode 613518
2) LIVING ROOM LEARNING Saturday evening, December 14th 7:30 pm Location: Home of Chaim Schaffer & Simma Kinderlehrer. Topic: Coexisting with My Inner Demons with Judaism as a Mediator led by Daniela & Vadim Mikhaylov For planning purposes, please register ahead here deadline to register 12/12/24
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present a new learning initiative! Living Room Learning will give CBAJ 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 or teaching for Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON & Scholar-in-Residence on Shabbat Vayetzei 12/7/2024
Share with us announcements of a birthday or mark an anniversary, Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Kiddush Luncheon will be specially prepared by our Simcha Kiddush volunteers and co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion.
SIMCHA KIDDUSH LUNCHEON & Scholar-in-Residence on Shabbat Vayetzei 12/7/2024
Share with us announcements of a birthday or mark an anniversary, Announce an engagement, marriage, or a new baby Make known an achievement or express gratitude.
The Kiddush Luncheon will be specially prepared by our Simcha Kiddush volunteers and co-sponsored (at any level you'd like) by members of our community celebrating a special occasion.
Join Us! To celebrate and welcome all of our new CBAJ Members who have joined during the past year at the November New Member Luncheon, Simcha Kiddush & Tot Shabbat
Applications can now be submitted for the David and Rose Udelson Bray Scholarship Fund. The award is available to support undergraduate or graduate study.
Details about eligibility, the application process, and award amounts can be found here. Inquiries and completed applications may be sent to president@cbaj.org.
Applications for the current fall semester or upcoming spring semester are due byTuesday, Decmeber 31, 2024.
Sincerely, Elliot Chester President
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
We will be completing the CBAJ sukkah today (October 14) at 4:15pm. Please bring your stepladders, footstools, work gloves, and rain gear - it may still be a little wet out! We'll serve refreshments.
Our Youth Directors, Shajar and Shore Goldberg, will lead sukkah decoration at 4:15pm tomorrow (October 15). Kids of all ages (and the young at heart) are invited to join.
Thanks for your understanding and patience over the last 24 hours as we've monitored the forecast!
Elliot Chester
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
Due to inclement weather, CBAJ's sukkah building and decorating (previously scheduled for today, October 13 at 8:45am and 10:00am) has been postponed.
We are monitoring the forecast in search of a new time to complete the sukkah. Right now we are planning on 4:15pm on Monday October 14, weather permitting.
We will send another email no later than tomorrow morning to confirm the new time and provide additional details.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you!
Elliot Chester
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
We need volunteers to help finish building the CBAJ Sukkah this Sunday, 10/13 at 8:45 AM. We had a great turnout for building the frame two weeks ago, and can use any and all available hands. As before, please bring any ladders, stools, or work gloves you have handy. Refreshments will be provided.
Following the completion of the sukkah, our Youth Directors Shajar and Shore Goldberg will lead decoration at approximately 10:00 AM. Kids of all ages (and the young at heart) are invited to join.
Thank you !
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
In Parshas Emor, we read of the commandments to observe the holidays we know as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah is to take place on the 1st day of the 7th month; it is a day marked by Zichron Teruah, “a commemoration with horn blast, a sacred convocation.” This is a triumphant moment in our year - a time for remembering and celebrating what has preceded us. Yom Kippur, we learn, comes just 10 days later; it is a day on which we are commanded to atone and afflict ourselves.
What strikes me now in re-reading these commandments is that they are separated by the word “Akh” - which in Hebrew means something like “but”, “however”, or “yet”. Though Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur share multiple core characteristics as Yamim Tovim, they are presented as observances in tension with one another. On Rosh Hashanah, we are triumphant and proud; yet on Yom Kippur, we are penitent and anxious.
This juxtaposition of these days feels especially apt at CBAJ this year.
We have much to celebrate - the long-awaited fruition of our kitchen upgrade and renovation project, a truly “lights out” Purim celebration, and a formal extension of Rabbi Ben and Miriam Kean’s time in Albany via a new contract for Rabbi Kean. That’s all on top of our customary excellent slate of Adult Ed, Youth, and general programming events that fill our calendar, and of course our daily, weekly, and holiday services that are always open and free to any and all who wish to attend.
Akh - But - We live in a moment in time when it is hard to feel too celebratory. It has been almost a full year since the Hamas attacks and murders of October 7, and still, we turn our eyes with trepidation on the events in Israel and the surrounding region. We have already been saying Psalm 130 twice daily, after our morning and evening services; from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, we add it during morning services as well, praying with all our might for peace and justice for Israel and for Jews everywhere.
Akh - Yet - Even in the midst of all that turmoil, there is still more work to be done in Albany. In the coming year, the board and I intend to place a special emphasis on connecting with our members, in ways both large and small. We plan to roll out an online shul Membership Directory that can be used for staying in touch; we want to update our website and social media pages to ensure that you (and the rest of the world!) can quickly and easily see what’s happening at the shul; and we are eager to explore new ideas for events and programs both on and beyond Shabbat and Yom Tov.
To help drive these efforts forward, I invite you to participate in this year’s CBAJ Chai Campaign. As ever, we strive for 100% participation in the campaign. If you have participated in the campaign in prior years, I ask that you consider increasing your contribution by 10% or 20% this year. The campaign is critical to helping us balance our budget each year, and every contribution matters tremendously.
To donate, you can use this link. Or you may call the office (Seanan: 518-489-5819 x 3) with your credit card, or mail a check to our office.
I wish you and your family a Shana Tova Umetukah. May we continue to work together to build our community in a happy and healthy 5785.
