TORAH READING Numbers 22:2 - 25:9, Artscroll p. 856 Micah 5:6 - 6:8, p. 1189
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah at services Shabbat morning.
The next installment of the Torah of Health & Healing series, "Curses Transformed into Blessings," will be presented by Barry Siegel following kiddush.
KIDDUSH This Shabbat Kiddush is sponsored by Stuart and Marjorie Gang, in memory of Marjorie's parents, Samuel and Shirley Gorfinkel, zichronam livracha, may their memories be a blessing, whose yahrzeits are Sivan 21 and Tammuz 17, respectively; and by Aron and Raisa Yashayev le'ilui nishmat Tamar bat Yirmiyahu, in memory of Tamar bat Yirmiyahu.
SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by CBAJ.
FAST OF SHIVA ASSAR B'TAMMUZ Sunday, July 13 Fast begins: 4:17 am Fast ends: 9:10 pm
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!
As a reminder, this Sunday is Shiva Assar B'Tammuz, the fast of the 17th of Tammuz. This day also begins the period known as the "Three Weeks" or as "Bein HaMetzarim" with customs of mourning observed to remember the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash.
See below for the CBAJ Bein HaMetzarim guide for an overview of these laws and customs. While fasting on the fast days is important and obligatory, fasting should not come at the expense of health and safety. Please contact me if you have any questions about how this may apply to you.
The purpose of the mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash is to bring us closer to Hashem through teshuvah and through directing our hearts, our minds, our aspirations, and ourselves to greater commitment to improving G-d's world in order to bring about the redemption and the restored full presence of the Almighty to Jerusalem.
May the Geulah come speedily within our days.
Our hearts are with those impacted and devastated by the Guadalupe River flooding in Texas over the last week, including the 120 people who have lost their lives, the more than 170 people who are still missing, those who were injured and those who lost their homes, and their families.
In Israel, we mourn the five soldiers killed in a Hamas ambush in Gaza earlier on Tuesday of this week, Staff Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll from Beit Shemesh, Staff Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 20, Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, and Staff Sgt. Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, all from Jerusalem, as well as Sgt. First Class (res.) Benyamin Asulin, 28; Abraham Azulay, 25, killed Wednesday in Gaza in an attempt by Hamas to abduct him; and Shalev Zvuluny, 22, a security guard killed at the Gush Etzion Junction by terrorists yesterday (Thursday). Our hearts are with their families along with the 14 IDF soldiers wounded in the Tuesday roadside bombing.
We also mourn the sailors who were killed by Houthi rebels in their assault on two ships in the Red Sea, and pray for the return of those believed to be taken captive by the Houthis, and pray for the recovery of those injured in these attacks.
It is with great dismay that we observe the anti-Semitic attacks this week in Melbourne, Australia, in which a synagogue and an Israeli restaurant were attacked and vandalized.
We must continue to pray for peace, safety, security, and healing at home, in the US, in Israel, and for Jews and all peoples everywhere.
UPCOMING CBAJ & COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senior Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Kean - Summer Schedule: July 29th & August 26th
Torah of Health & Healing Discussion Group - Summer Schedule: July 12 & August 16th
Please scroll down for more information
Announcing a new CBAJ Program! 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.
Community Beit Midrash Night Alternating Sundays after Mincha/Maariv at Shomray Torah (the Shteeble). The next date of Beit Midrash Night is July 13.
Presented by CBAJ & Shomray Torah Guided learning Chaburah with Rabbi Kean studying Ein Yaakov. Dedicated as a merit for the refuah shleimah of Zev Chaim ben Michal Sivan.
"Intro to the Laws of Repentance" Summer Dates: July 29th & August 26th Please register by contacting the CBAJ office at: 518.489.5819 x3 or office@cbaj.org All sessions will begin at 12:30 pm at CBAJ & are free of charge Catered by 518 Kosher Catering & supervised by the Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District * A Theodore Strauss z"l Endowment Fund sponsored program
Living Room Learning The Adult Education Committee is pleased to present Living Room Learning, an initiative givingCBAJ 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 and or leading a future Living Room Learning, please reach out to Simma Kinderlehrer!
Torah of Health & Healing Discussion Group One Shabbat per month following Kiddush Upcoming dates: August 16: parashat Eikev, "The Vibrations Within - the impact of sound on our health", presented by Rakhamim Yakobov Speak to Organizer Yosef Yishai Hilsen if you are interested in learning more, or if you would like to be a presenter!
WEEKLY LEARNING AT CBAJ
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 Shabbat 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
YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Torah High Planning for the 2025-2026 school year for Torah High, CBAJ's teen learning program for 8th-12th graders, is underway! 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 (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.
DAILY SERVICES NEXT WEEK July 13 - July 18, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday - 17 Tammuz 8:00 am Fast begins 4:17 am Monday - Friday 6:40 am
“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
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING HEALTH & WELLNESS
We are eager for everyone to attend our services and programs and to feel welcome and safe while in our building. Anyone who has symptoms of any illness or is not feeling well is strongly encouraged to stay home. Better to miss services than risk spreading illness. While in attendance, frequent hand-washing is encouraged as well as minimizing close contact with others.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
