TORAH READING Genesis 6:9 - 11:32, Artscroll p. 30 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 - 55:5, p. 1131
SIMCHA KIDDUSH This Shabbat, the Simcha Kiddush is specially coordinated and organized by several dedicated volunteers, and is in honor of our CBAJ community and the families of the Simcha celebrants (listed below). The food for this Simcha Kiddush is prepared by 518Kosher and supervised by Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District. SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit this week is sponsored by CBAJ.
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 am of town this week, from Sunday, October 19, to Sunday, October 26, and I look forward to seeing you when I return.
VOTING REMINDER: The next elections for New York State are in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS on Tuesday, November 4! Please be sure to vote as every vote counts! You may wish to consider voting early to ensure that you have the opportunity to vote.
Demographers, pollsters, politicians, and statisticians look at data on how communities, neighborhoods, religious and ethnic groups vote and use this information! Please keep that in mind and understand the need for our community to vote in high numbers
Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ben Kean
UPCOMING CBAJ EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall Senior Lunch & Learn Series Tuesdays: October 28, November 18 & December 16 | 12:30 PM | @ CBAJ
Fall Lecture Series: "Foundations of Faith" Thurs., Oct. 30 / Tues., Nov. 11 / Tues., December 2 | 7:00 PM | @ CBAJ
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.
Thank You & Mazal Tov to our Fall Simcha Sponsors & Celebrants! ...
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Bomzer In Honor of Rabbi Kean's dedication to the growth and development of CBAJ, and in Honor of the Eruv committee for its commitment to maintaining the Eruv.
Arthur Brenner Happy Birthday Camille Brenner.
Yonah Cohen For the amazing hospitality!
Millie and Daniel Grossberg In Honor of the birth of a great-grandchild, Chana Shayna, to Ayelet and Sammy Markowitz.
Thomas Kligerman In Honor of the recent wedding of Yoni Israel and Allie Abels. From Tom Kligerman, Lisa Woolfe and Family.
Ilana and Rob Kovach In Honor of the birth of Shir Yona Lott, and in Honor of the Engagement of Levi Kovach to Goldy Franks.
Stan and Margie Rosenberg
Congratulations to Ephraim for selling a new car to WVU basketball coach. Scott and Clara Roth In Honor of their son Josh, visiting from Israel, and in honor of their grandson's 10th birthday.
Eric Sanders In Honor of his Niece Gaviela Sanders Marriage to William Wasser.
Sharon and Dr. Michael Willen In Honor of the birth of their grandson, Ethan Asher Willen.
ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
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.
FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH - CBAJ FALL LECTURE SERIES With Rabbi Kean What does it mean to be a believing Jew? How do we respond to questions in faith? Thursday, October 30 / Tuesday, November 11 / Tuesday, December 2 All days at 7:00 PM At CBAJ in person and on Zoom (Zoom link to be shared ahead of event). > Link to Flyer
FALL SENIOR LUNCH & LEARN SERIES With Rabbi Kean Maimonides Hilchot De'ot: Balancing Different Character Traits Tuesdays: October 28, November 18 & December 16 | 12:30 PM Sponsored by: The Theodore Strauss z''l Endowment Fund Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors > Link to Flyer
TORAH OF HEALTH & HEALING DISCUSSION GROUP One Shabbat per month following Kiddush Next date: TBD Speak to Organizer Yosef Yishai Hilsen if you are interested in learning more.
LIVING ROOM LEARNING Torah by CBAJ members, in your homes. Next date: Saturday, November 22, 7:00 PM Topic: For Those Who Dare to Think - Approaching Tefilah, a Philosophical Method Presenter: Rabbi David Bauman Location: Bauman home Sign up info: TBD
KIDDUSH CONVERSATIONS
2025/2026 Topic: PARSHA PERSPECTIVES Got an insight? Lead a session! Develop and share your insights and understanding of a Parashah. Speak to Rabbi Kean or Simma K if you are interested in learning more. Begins November 8. > Link to sign up
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. Laura Weisblatt will lead Tot Shabbat this week (October 25).
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 October 26 - October 31, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 AM
Monday - Friday 6:40 AM
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Friday 5:35 PM
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, October 31, 2025 5:31 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
54th Annual Festival of Nations Sunday, November 2 | 11:30 AM - 5 PM | Empire State Plaza Convention Ctr.
Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob 380 Whitehall Rd Albany, NY 12208
