Babysitting 10:00 am Youth Groups On hiatus for summer
Kiddush following services Talmud Class 5:55 pm
Shabbat Mincha & Seudah Shlishit 6:55 pm
Maariv 7:50 pm Havdalah 8:01 pm
TORAH READING Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9, Artscroll p. 1024 Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12, p. 1199
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah Shabbat morning.
KIDDUSH Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by Atara Gorsetman & Brian Spira in honor of Rabbi Ben and Miriam Kean, and by Nanci Wagner and Robert Wagner in honor of their father's yahrzeit, Schmuel Yankov Ben Mordechi z"l.
MAZAL TOV Mazal tov to Rabbi Moshe and Rebbetzin Bomzer on the birth of a son to their children Akiva & Batsheva Bomzer! Mazal tov to older siblings Chaim Zev, Penina, and Leebie. The brit milah will take place on Monday in Pomona.
CONDOLENCES Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob regrets to inform you of the passing of Marvin (Moish) Welcher z''l, husband of Shoshana Welcher, father of Alyssa (and Jeff) Grossman, and our community members Gittela (and Jonathan) Harris.
Shiva details are forthcoming. Gittela and the Harris's will return to Albany to sit shiva after Shabbat.
May the family be comforted, and may Marvin's memory be a blessing
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.
I would like to thank Rabbi & Rebbetzin Bomzer for representing CBAJ in the Mizrachi Simchat Torah project to receive a me'il (Torah cover) dedicated to a kadosh (martyr) who has fallen in this year's war against Hamas for us to use on Simchat Torah. Our me'il is dedicated in memory of Saadia Yaakov Dery, hy''d, who you can read about here.
He was just 27 years old when he feel in battle in central Gaza. He is survived by his wife and two children, ages 2 and 1, his parents, and 5 siblings (he was the second oldest). He was studying for smicha and was enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Education. On October 7, he was called up to the reserves.
This week has been an extremely depressing week for me, as I imagine it likely was for many of you. The heartbreaking news of the coldblooded murder of 6 hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat, has been all-consuming. They were all young and had held onto life through 11 months of brutal captivity until they were brutally, deliberately murdered in coldblood so soon before their bodies were uncovered in the tunnels of Gaza.
Hersh and his family had become global ambassadors of the Hostage Families movement and so powerfully captured the hearts of many, inspiring hope and resolve that was crushed with the news of his killing.
Hamas, in their cruel psychological warfare, have heaped onto our anguish and the anguish of their families with the release of propaganda videos they recorded of the fallen and deployed to attempt to break the resolve and determination of Israelis and foment discord and division.
So many have movingly highlighted the ways in which our timeless Torah and tradition can speak to us in this moment. Jeremiah 31:14: "Koh amar Hashem: Kol b'ramah nishma nehi bechi tamrurim, Rachel mevakah al banei'ah, me'anah l'hinachem al banei'ah ki einenu" - "Thus said G-d: A cry is heard in Ramah—Wailing, bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children, She refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone" speaks powerfully to us as we think of Rachel Goldberg-Polin and her tireless advocacy for her son.
Genesis 44:21 states: ״וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אָחִ֗יו אֲבָל֮ אֲשֵׁמִ֣ים ׀ אֲנַ֘חְנוּ֮ עַל־אָחִ֒ינוּ֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר רָאִ֜ינוּ צָרַ֥ת נַפְשׁ֛וֹ בְּהִתְחַֽנְנ֥וֹ אֵלֵ֖ינוּ וְלֹ֣א שָׁמָ֑עְנוּ עַל־כֵּן֙ בָּ֣אָה אֵלֵ֔ינוּ הַצָּרָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת׃״ "They said to one another, “Alas, we are being punished on account of our brother, because we looked on at his anguish, yet paid no heed as he pleaded with us. That is why this distress has come upon us.” While in context, this verse is the brothers of Joseph bemoaning their guilt in failing to heed Joseph's pleas for mercy, it strikes us as we feel guilt over what more we could have done to secure the rescue of our beloved brethren held in Gaza.
In particular, I was struck by the cruel irony of reciting Hallel this week for Rosh Chodesh Elul, just days after the bodies of the six hostages were found, including the verse: "Lo hameitim yehalelu kah, v'lo kol yordei dumah, va'anachnu nevarech kah, me'atah v'ad olam." "The dead cannot praise God, nor any who go down in silence. But we will bless G-d now and forever. Hallelujah." (Psalms 115:17-18)
These verses are part of the reason that according to many opinions, Hallel is not recited in a Shiva house, or at least by the mourner during Shiva. The grief of death is too great call to attention the fact that the departed can no longer pray and no longer act on this earth. This week, with the grief so fresh, these words stuck me particularly hard.
I am struck with awe at the strength and courage of Rachel Goldberg-Polin that she displayed in her hesped (eulogy) for Hersh, hy''d. I encourage you to read it in full if you have not already done so. In spite of her grief, Rachel displays a profound sense of determination and commitment to the future, one reflected by this verse from Hallel, painful though it may be to recite.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Torah High Announcement Open House for 2024-2025 Semesters
See Below For More Information
YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Torah High 2024-2025 Save the date for the Torah High Open House Monday, September 16 at 7:00 PM. (Please note revised date.) Details forthcoming. 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 Taanit.
*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 Shul copies available in the Carr Chapel during minyan times or by appointment Contact office@cbaj.org as needed.
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.
September 24 Reish Lakish: The Gladiator Rabbi
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
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.
Mincha/Maariv Sunday - Friday 6:55 pm Note new time on Fridays
Candle Lighting Friday, September 13 6:49 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.
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
NISSIM BLACK LIVE IN CONCERT Monday, September 9th, 8pm (Doors Open 7pm) at UAlbany Campus Center Ballroom (2nd floor) $15pp. Community must RSVP via form at shabboshouse.org/LHBLTour By campus regulation all attendees must be only by prior RSVP Questions? Call Raizy 518-772-7299
KOSHER NIGHT OUT at DAUGHTERS OF SARAH Kosher Night Out features a 5-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Paul Ozimek, Thursday, September 12 at 7:00 pm, at the Massry Residence at Daughters of Sarah. Pre-Paid RSVP REQUIRED by calling 518.724.3260 or 518.724.3261 or CLICK HERE
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.
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.
