TORAH READING Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27, Artscroll p. 656 Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1 - 16, p. 1174
GUEST SPEAKER SHABBAT Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah this Shabbat in honor of Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut. KIDDUSH Kiddush is sponsored by Marissa and Eitan Barlaz in memory of Marissa's father, Harvey Goldrich, Haim ben Machul
MAZAL TOV Mazal to Ben & Tanya Schwartz on the engagement of their daughter, Aviva, to Aron Noam Hefter in Israel!
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.
Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel's Memorial Day and Independence Day, respectively), begins Sunday evening, running through Tuesday evening. In light of the difficult war which Israel was forced into through the brutal October 7 attacks, and the polarized political climate that we have seen in response, these days take on extra meaning and importance.
With that in mind, I strongly encourage you to join me at the community-wide Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut commemoration and celebration this Monday! (Information below.) Please note that tickets are required for the Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut event.
I believe the strongest message that we can send - to our brothers and sisters in Israel, to those around us, and to ourselves - is by attending this event, so that we can say that the Capital District Jewish community comes together en masse to celebrate Israel and commemorate her losses.
In addition to what promises to be a meaningful and informative talk by Izzy Ezagui, an entertaining and invigorating musical performance by Judah Gavra, the Capital District Board of Rabbis will lead at a Tekes Maavar (like in years past), at which we will honor those in our community who lost loved ones on October 7th. I believe that being present to support our community makes this year's Tekes an even higher priority than usual.
Additionally, I am sharing below Mizrachi's educational resources for Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut to help deepen our connection to Israel for these days. I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
RESOURCES FOR YOM HAZIKARON & YOM HAATZMAUT
In honor of Yom HaZikaron, World Mizrachi Organization CEO, Rabbi Doron Perez, created this video, "The Pain and the Privilege," to share the story of his son, Daniel, z''l, who was killed in uniform on October 7. His remains are still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
In honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, World Mizrachi Organization shares this video, "Declaring a State" which recounts the story of the bravery of the founders of the State of Israel in founding the State.
COMMUNITY-WIDE YOM HAZIKARON COMMEMORATION & YOM HA'ATZMAUT CELEBRATION Monday, May 13 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Proctors Theater, Schenectady Mincha at Proctors Theater will be at 6:00 PM. A festive Maariv will be at 8:30 PM or following the conclusion of the program. Please email Rabbi Kean if you plan to attend. Regular Mincha/Maariv will take place at CBAJ at 7:55 PM as well. For more information or to RSVP, go to: https://www.jewishfedny.org/community-calendar/israel-76
CBAJ ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE SHABBAT
Join us May 17-18 for our Spring Scholar in Residence Shabbat with Dr. Sara Ronis The Shabbat will include a Friday night dinner (by reservation only) and a Kiddush luncheon (open to all). **Please note updated time for Friday night** **Deadline to register extended to Monday, May 10 by 10 AM**
Schedule of Events & Talks by Dr. Ronis Friday (UPDATED) 6:30 PM Friday Night Services 7:30 PM Dinner (by reservation only) 8:30-9:15 PM The Demons in the Details, or What are All Those Demons Doing in the Talmud?
Saturday 11:30 – 11:50am Living in the Center and On the Margins: The Complex World of Rabbinic Babylonia [CW: Infertility]
Approx 1:00-1:45 pm Fetal Positions: The Talmudic Approach(es) to Personhood
6:30 pm Talmud Class (with Dr. Ronis) Yalta in the Talmud
Beth Abe is sponsoring a team for the Battle of the BBQ Abe and Jake’s House of BBQ Sunday, June 30, 2024 A community day supporting the Shalom Food Pantry We are looking for some high spirited goal oriented people to spearhead us towards victory in this battle. The brigade will prepare and barbeque food provided by the Bethlehem Chabad. If interested please contact the “The king of the Barbeque” @ 518-461-9618. Ship Ahoy!
YOUTH PROGAMS
Tot Shabbat For children ages 0-5 and their parents at 10:30 am in classroom 3. Please contact Joshua Schulman-Marcus (jschumar@gmail.com) 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.
WEEKLY LEARNING AT CBAJ
NACH YOMI Join Rabbi Kean for studying a chapter 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*. Studying Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) * 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 Mincha We are studying Masechet Makkot.
*CBAJ ZOOM ROOM (weekday classes only) Go to https://zoom.us/join Enter meeting ID: 940 508 9347 | Enter passcode: 613518
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
CBAJ BOOK CLUB
The CBAJ bookclub will be reading The Jewish State: From Opposition to Opportunity by Doron Perez two copies are now available - in the Chapel - first come, first serve The next bookclub meeting: June 19 at 8:00 pm On CBAJ ZOOM
SPRING SEASON OF COMMUNITY BEIS MIDRASH NIGHT Join us at the Shteeble (Cong. Shomray Torah)* new location for the new season of Beis Medrash Night 8:00 PM this Sunday.
Independent & Guided Learning Guided learning with Rabbi Kean will meet once or twice a month. Topic: Ein Yaakov - Anthology of Talmudic Aggadah.
A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
Lunch & Learn for Seniors with Rabbi Ben Kean
Spring dates to be announced after Passover
THE DEE PIRKEI AVOT PROJECT
The Dee Pirkei Avot project disseminates a weekly Pirkei Avot study and discussion sheet in honor of their memory of Lucy, Maia, and Rina, z''l, who were killed in a terrorist attack this year.
Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Thursday 7:55 pm* See Yom HaAtzmaut section for Mincha/Maariv at the Tekes Maavar
Friday 6:30 pm **Please note different time**
Candle Lighting Friday, May 17 7:55 pm
MESSAGE FROM LIFE & LEGACY
“A community is too heavy to carry alone” Deuteronomy Rabbah 1:10
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 Kaplowitzthe 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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, May 13 6:30 - 8:30 PM COMMUNITY-WIDE YOM HAZIKARON COMMEMORATION & YOM HA'ATZMAUT CELEBRATION at Proctors Theater, Schenectady Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York & Israel Bonds. Featuring: Yom Hazikaron Special Guest Izzy Ezagui, Decorated IDF Soldier, Inspirational Speaker & Author; Tekes Maavar (transition ceremony) led by the Capital District Board of Rabbis & Cantors; and Judah Gavra, Israeli Singer & Songwriter accompanied by keyboardist Orian Rosenzweig. For more information or to RSVP, go to:https://www.jewishfedny.org/community-calendar/israel-76
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND USA EVENT Join the JNF for their second annualWomen for Israel event Wednesday, May 29, 7pm - 9pm Featuring Olga Meshoe Washington: Female Voices for Our Homeland; Israel andthe False Apartheid Narrative RVSP required by Monday, May 20 at JNF.ORG/WFICR
