TORAH READING Genesis: 12:1 - 17:27 Artscroll p. 54 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16, p. 1133 SPEAKER Rabbi Kean will deliver a Dvar Torah on Shabbat morning, titled "What's in a Name? The Power of Language & the Role of Am Yisrael."
Rabbi Yitzchok Yagod will deliver a Dvar Torah for Seudah Shlishit.
KIDDUSH Kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by Menachem Salamon, in honor of the entire shul for always being so welcoming. SEUDAH SHLISHIT Seudah Shlishit this week is sponsored by CBAJ. For the final Seudah Shlishit of the year, we will have an ICE CREAM PARTY! - > Flyer MAZAL TOV Mazal tov to CBAJ member Jeff Dittus on the birth of a granddaughter, Miriam Julia, to parents Mitchell Dittus & Caroline Pristupa.
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 glad to be back after a week away and I am looking forward to seeing you!
Although gratitude that there is currently a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which has seen the release of all living hostages and the continued release of the bodies of slain hostages remains appropriate, we must mourn the deaths of Israeli soldiers killed in combat by Hamas in violation of the ceasefire: Maj. Yaniv Kula, 26, hy''d Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, 21, hy''d Master Sgt. (res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, hy''d
In other news from Israel, yesterday there was a major demonstration of 200,000 Haredi men against attempts to mandate enlistment of the Haredim. Given my distance from the situation (I never served, I do not have immediate family that has, I do not live in Israel), I feel that it is unfair for me to comment directly, however I wish to promote the perspective of many deeply religious and faithful Israelis whose communities do serve, and so I share with you this video message by past CBAJ scholar-in-residence Rabbi Shimshon Nadel, rabbi of Kehilat Zichron Yosef and Rosh Kollel of the Sinai Kollel.
VOTING REMINDER: Election Day is this Tuesday, November 4, and early voting is on the way! 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
REMINDER: SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK!
Remember to set your clocks back 1 hour this Saturday evening before going to sleep as we switch to daylight saving time. (And remember that Shacharit on Sunday morning will be 8:00 am daylight saving time).
UPCOMING CBAJ EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Family Learning Night Saturday, November 8 | 6:30 PM | @ CBAJ Fall Lecture Series: "Foundations of Faith" Tues., Nov. 11 + Tues., December 2 | 7:00 PM | @ CBAJ New Member Luncheon & Simcha Kiddush Saturday, November 15 | Approx. 11:30 AM | @ CBAJ > Flyer > Link to Sponsor Simcha Kiddush Daughters of Sarah 2025 Game Changer Event Honoring CBAJ member Mark Koblenz Sat., November 15 | 7:30 PM | Location TBA (Albany, NY)
Fall Senior Lunch & Learn Series Tuesdays: November 18 & December 16 | 12:30 PM | @ CBAJ
Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat: Dr. Malka Simkovich Save the date of December 5-6 for an unbeatable Shabbat with renowned scholar, editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society & Yeshiva University professor, Dr. Malka Simkovich! > Flyer
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 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? 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). > Flyer
FALL SENIOR LUNCH & LEARN SERIES With Rabbi Kean Maimonides Hilchot De'ot: Balancing Different Character Traits Tuesdays: November 18 & December 16 | 12:30 PM Sponsored by: The Theodore Strauss z''l Endowment Fund Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors > 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.
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 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 November 2 - November 7, 2025
SHACHARIT Sunday 8:00 AM Monday - Friday 6:40 AM
MINCHA/MAARIV Sunday - Friday 4:25 PM
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, November 7, 2025 4:22 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.
Kristallnacht Interfaith Commemoration Wednesday, November 12 | 7 PM | Page Hall, Albany, NY
The 2025 Game Changer Event Saturday, November 15 | 7:30 PM | Albany, NY
