TORAH READING Numbers 22:2-25:9, Artscroll p. 856 Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8, p. 1189 SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah at Shabbat morning services.
KIDDUSH This Shabbat Kiddush is sponsored by CBAJ.
MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Laura and Zvi Segal on the engagement of their daughter Talia to Ethan Swartz, son of Jill and Ronald Swartz.
TUESDAY JULY 19: SHIVA ASSAR B'TAMMUZ
As a reminder, this Tuesday, July 23, is the fast of Shiva Assar Tammuz (17 Tammuz). The fast begins at at 4:26 am and concludes at 9:01 pm. Shiva Assar B'Tammuz begins the three weeks, also known as "Bein Ham'tzarim," a period defined by customs of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash.
On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a restful and meaningful Shabbat.
Last week, as we were coming out of Shabbat, we learned that Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump was nearly assassinated while speaking at a rally. While I am not a political analyst or pundit and have no intentions of speaking about value judgments about political candidates, I believe it is important, whether we are supporters or detractors of former President Trump, to echo elected officials across the spectrum, civic leaders, and Jewish organizations of all stripes in condemning this horrific act of political violence which threatens our nation's democratic values.
We also know that as Jews, societies that have true rule of law and respected political institutions are ones in which Jews have historically enjoyed the best protections. Avot 2:3 teaches in the name of Rabbi Chanina Sgan HaKohanim "hevei mitpalel bishlomah shel malchut, she-ilmalei mora'ah, ish et re'ehu chayim b'la'o - Pray for the welfare of the government, for if not for fear of it, man would swallow his neighbor alive." We need to continue to pray and work toward an American society with tolerance for political diversity, rule of law, and respect for the democratic process.
I hope to see you soon at a tefilah, children's program, event, or class!
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday, July 21, 7:30 PM: "Tzom Kal, Have an Easy Fast!" with Chaya Tal Hilsen Join Chaya Tal to discuss healthy ways that everyone can adapt to fasting and avoid the headaches, cravings, exhaustion, etc., which so many people suffer with on fast days. These techniques will help people experience not only more of the meaning and tragedy of the fast days associated with churban beit hamikdash (destruction of the Temple), but also the intense teshuvah of Yom Kippur and the glimmer of that teshuvah on Taanit Esther. Chaya Tal is an RN who is passionate about preventative health care. In person, in the Carr Chapel at CBAJ, and on Zoom. See below for CBAJ zoom room. Announcing: Summer 2024 Senior Lunch & Learn Series
Announcing: Next CBAJ Book Club Book - copies now available in the Carr Chapel
Note: Summer Hiatus announcements for Youth Programming & Beis Medrash See Below For More Information
YOUTH PROGRAMMING
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 Youth groups for children in grades k-5 will be on hiatus for the summer.
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 next book is "The gifts of the Jews : how a tribe of desert nomads changed the way everyone thinks and feels" by Thomas Cahill We'll meet by Zoom on October 9 at 8pm From now on, all books selected will be available in audio as well as written format - to help out those with limited time to sit and read.
There are 2 audio books available on the library app "Hoopla" and 8 copies available through the Upper Hudson Library System. We will also order 2 CBAJ copies.
Announcing : Summer 2024 Senior Lunch & Learn Series Topic: Talmudic Personalities & their Relevance Today
Based on your feedback, and following-up on a popular lecture series at CBAJ, we will explore the life and times of some of the greatest figures of the Mishnah and Talmud. Through exploring their lives, we will get a window into the world of the Mishnah and Talmud, the foundational texts of Rabbinic Judaism, and explore the eternal relevance of their legacies.
Please register by contacting Seanan Herrick 518.489.5819 x3 or office@cbaj.org
All sessions will begin at 12:30 pm at CBAJ 380 Whitehall Rd.
Lunch is free of charge catered by 518 Kosher Catering & supervised by the Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District
Please feel welcome to wear a mask during the event & take lunch home to enjoy
July 30 Rabbi Akiva: Late in Life Penitent, Doomed Revolutionary, & Incurable Optimist August 27 Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi: Savior & Destroyer of “Oral Torah” September 24 Reish Lakish: The Gladiator Rabbi
Community Beit Midrash Night will be on hiatus for the summer. Stay tuned for information about the Fall series!
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.
Tuesday Fast of Tammuz Fast Begins 4:26 am Shacharit 6:20 am
Monday & Wednesday - Friday 6:40 am
Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Thursday 8:10 Tuesday Fast of Tammuz Mincha/Maariv 8:00 pm Fast Ends 9:01 pm
Friday 7:00 pm
Candle Lighting Friday, June 26 8:03 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 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.
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
JEWISH COALITION FOR LITERACY - Jewish Federation of NENY For over 20 years, the Jewish Coalition for Literacy has played an integral part in helping Kindergarten through 3rd grade students learn to read. We are looking for more volunteers and are having a Kick-off event on Thursday, September 19th at the Federation.Click here for more information.
JFS: SENIORS GROUP SESSION - COPING WITH CHANGE JFS is hosting a Coping with Change group for adults ages 60+ at AJCC, starting 7/1/2024, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. The group is designed to help those who may be struggling with transitions: housing, job, loss, etc. Click here for more information and to register
PRICE CHOPPER KOSHER STORE RELOCATED & EXPANDED OPTIONS New Location: 1730 Central Avenue in Colonie We need you with us to show our solidarity behind the new venture, which will expand the kosher offerings in the community. The new store will host our kosher department as well as new offerings of To-Go-Meals & Kosher Sushi.
