TORAH READING Deuteronomy 31:1-30, Artscroll p. 1094 Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:11-27, Micah 7:18-20 p. 1204
SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver the Shabbat Shuva Drasha (Lecture) titled The Halachic Imperative of Community following Shabbat morning services.
KIDDUSH Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by Paula Mosher in memory of her late husband Dr. Paul Mosher, z''l, for his fourth yahrzeit (8 Tishrei). SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Rabbi Ben & Miriam Kean in memory of Rabbi Kean's grandmother, Alice Worth, z''l, for her second yahrzeit (7 Tishrei).
On behalf of Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob, I would like to wish you and your family a restful and meaningful Shabbat!
See above for our High Holy Day Newsletter, information about mens' mikvah use at the Bnos Israel Mikvah, as well as recordings of the tunes we will be using at CBAJ for Yamim Noraim services!
My thanks everyone for such a meaningful and uplifting Rosh Hashanah. There are so many people who put in so much work to ensure the Yamim Noraim are successful - thank you to all of you (you will hear more specific acknowledgments from Elliot and me after the season is over).
I am looking forward to what I hope and I am confident will be an impactful and inspiring Yom Kippur, and pray that we all be sealed in the book of life, and that we next celebrate Yom Kippur in the rebuilt Jerusalem in a world unified under the banner of service to G-d.
Last week, just a few days before Rosh Hashanah, I was once again interviewed by CBS6 Albany, primarily about heightened security in our Jewish communities, but in which I shared a message that I have shared before, and that I will continue to reiterate: that the biggest victory over antisemtism is to continue to show up and live rich and meaningful Jewish lives.
As we continue to daven for the speedy return of the remaining 48 Israeli hostages, we must also pray for the 20 Israelis who were injured this week in a Houthi attack on Eilat - may Hashem heal them completely and speedily. We also note with sadness the death of IDF soldier Staff Sgt. Chalachew Shimon Demalash, 21 of Beersheva, z''l, who was killed this week in combat in Gaza.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom & Gmar Chatima Tovah, Rabbi Ben Kean
UPCOMING CBAJ EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Men's Mikvah Erev Yom Kippur The mikvah will be open for men on Wednesday, October 1, 9:30 am-1 pm. See above for details. Sukkah Building On 9/28 at 9:00 am & 10/5 at 8:45 am, after Shacharit Refreshments will be served Volunteers, please bring your own gloves, ladders & tools! Community-Wide SUKKOT PARTY! Sunday, October 12th, 4 pm - 6 pm, at CBAJ.
Please scroll down for more information.
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, 8-9 pm On hiatus until after the Chagim Presented by CBAJ & Shomray Torah Guided learning Chaburah with Rabbi Kean studying Ein Yaakov.
Torah of Health & Healing Discussion Group One Shabbat per month following Kiddush Next date: October 18. 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
MORNING TANYA: BREAKFAST & LEARNING Tuesdays, 7:30-8:15 am Join us in studying Tanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi's classic work on Chassidut, and enjoy breakfast, discussion, and comradery. On hiatus until after the chagim.
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. On Hiatus until after the Chagim. 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 The 2025-2026 school year for Torah High, CBAJ's teen learning program, is underway! This year, we are opening up a fun middle school program aimed at supplementing your middle schooler's current Jewish education! Open to students 6th-12th grade. 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 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 September 28 - October 3, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 am
Monday & Tuesday 6:20 am
Wednesday 6:30 am Thursday 8:30 am
Friday 6:40 am
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday-Tuesday 6:20 pm
Wednesday 3:30 pm 6:25 pm for Kol Nidre
Thursday 4:35 pm followed by Neilah
Friday 6:20 pm
CANDLE LIGHTING Wednesday, Oct 1 6:18 pm Friday, October 3 6:15 pm
YOM KIPPUR Fast begins Wednesday: Candlelighting (no later than 6:29 pm) Fast ends Thursday: 7:18 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 Events
Community-Wide SUKKOT PARTY! Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Volunteers - please bring your own gloves, ladders & tools!
An Evening with Montana Tucker Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 7:30 PM
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
