News & Shmooze

Inspiring, joyous, illuminating, magical... were just some of the words used to describe the feelings felt at Chabad of the Bay Area's Public Chanukah Celebrations!

• Read a touching post on Facebook by a non-Jewish participant 
• Photo Album - Pearland Menorah Lighting: Facebook Album | on our website
• Photo Album - Bay Area Outdoor Chanukah Concert w/ Yoel Sharabi! Facebook Album | on our website
• Video - Mayor Pro Tem Terrilyn Tarlton Shannon presents a special Proclamation on behalf of the City of Galveston 

When Chanukah falls on Friday night, we light the Chanukah candles before lighting the Shabbat candles. It is not permitted to light a fire on Shabbat, so of course both need to be lit prior to Candle Lighting Time (this week 5:14 pm). 

Saturday night we must wait for Shabbat to end at nightfall (this week at 6:11 pm in the Clear Lake Area) before kindling the Menorah.

See www.JBayArea.org/Chanukah for a complete Chanukah guide, including the blessings for lighting the candles.  

Wishing you a very joyous final days of Chanukah! 

Get ready for an exclusive, first person account from a warrior who was one of the first soldiers on the ground in Israel's famous Raid on Entebbe -- The IDF's bold, brave and miraculous rescue of a plane-load of Jews taken hostage by terrorists.

Get an insider's perspective and find out amazing details of the story that you have never known before. 

Save the date:
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at  7:00 pm

Stay tuned for reservation details.

Would you like to be a sponsor to help make this event possible? Please contact the rabbi or use this form.
Co-Sponsor: $180 to $500 
Main Event Sponsor: $1,000 to $1,800

Join us this Shabbat (Dec 24) for a special Kiddush sponsored in honor of the rabbi's birthday! 

- SHABBAT SCHEDULE -

TONIGHT:

• Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:00 - 6:30 pm

SHABBAT MORNING:

• Coffee and Kabbalah at 9:00 am
  
  
• Shacharit Morning Service at 10:00 am
  Torah Portion & sermon at around 11 am
  Vayeshev - Joseph Gets Sold Into Slavery 
  Service followed by full Kiddush lunch sponsored The Schmukler Family in honor of the Rabbi's Birthday!

Bay Area Jewish Women's Circle got into the Chanukah spirit with hands-on Latke making and a fun game of Chanukah Grab Bag! [More Photos]

The Bay Area Chanukah Concert!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Outdoor Stage at Saengerfest Park, Galveston

Starring popular Israeli musician, Yoel Sharabi!

FREE ADMISSION!
Festive Menorah Lighting Ceremony!
Greetings from Dignitaries!
Kosher Deli Sandwiches, Hot Dogs & Snacks for sale

Optional: Reserve a seat & deli plate in advance!

Be a Sponsor (includes reserved front row seats and deli packs)

Join the Facebook event 

Join us this Monday, December 26 at 6:30 pm for a festive Menorah lighting at Pearland Town Center mall!  

11200 W Broadway St, Pearland, TX
Featuring: 
Grand Menorah Lighting Ceremony |  Hot Latkes | Doughnuts | Music | Free Raffle
Free of Charge |  Contribute

A very warm thanks to so many of you who stepped forward and took part in our annual matching campaign! Thank you as well to our very special "Matchers" who helped make this campaign possible: Mardy Schweitzer, Menachem Mendel ben Shmuel Yosef and Art Sadin!

May Hashem bless each and every one of you with abundant prosperity, good health and lots of happiness! 

PS If anyone would still like to donate to help us reach the top of our campaign goal, click here.     

It was a magical Shabbat last week! Kabbalat Shabbat, Coffee and Kabbalah, spirited service, guest sermon, lunch, singing, stories, discussions and finally all capped off with a very special musical Havdallah and Kiddush Levanah (Sanctification of the New Moon) Ceremony, with refreshments and live music led by Danny Gavin! 

Join J-Kids in Action on Sunday, December 18 at 2:00 to 3:30 pm as we roll, dip and sprinkle to create our very own delicious Chanukah doughnuts! Have fun with your favorite toppings and learn something about Chanukah too!

For kids 5-12 

RSVP: [email protected] or call 281-724-1554

Cost: $5 / $25 sponsor
To reserve online click here

Bay Area Jewish Women's Circle invites you to a Pre-Chanukah Evening: "LOL - Lots of Latkes!" Become a Latke Maven as you experience the delight of creating hand-made latkes: You'll get to grate, mix and fry your very own  Gourmet Latkes and enjoy it with your favorite Latke dip! 

Plus, be part of a 'Chanukah Grab Bag': Bring a wrapped gift (worth $5 to $10) and go home with a surprise gift of your own!

Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30 pm
At Chabad Bay Area
2047 W. Main St, B7, League City

RSVP Online or by replying to this email
Suggested Cover: $10 / Sponsor: $36+

Join us this Shabbat, December 10th, for a very special Shabbat!

FULL  SCHEDULE:
(Feel free to participate, come or go at any point)

Friday, December 9
Lively Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming the Shabbat) Prayer Service at  6:00 pm

Shabbat, December 10
Coffee & Kabbalah at 9:00 am
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Torah Reading at 11:00 am
Followed by Guest Sermon by Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Efraim Schmukler
Full Buffet Lunch at around noon with remarks by Scholar-in-Residence, Mrs. Chana Schmukler. Q&A Session.

Motzoei Shabbat - Saturday Night
Havdalah & Musical Kiddush Levanah at  7:30 pm

* * *

KIDDUSH DEDICATION:
Co-Sponsor: $72 / Chai Sponsor $180 / Double-Chai Sponsor $360.
Thank you to Sponsors: Dr. Steve & Jean Anne Falk, Jeff & Rina Goldberg. 

Use Sponsor Form or contact Rabbi Schmukler at 713-398-2460.

RESERVATIONS:
Not required, but appreciated. Simply reply to this email to reserve. 

Join us for this Motzo'ei Shabbat - Saturday Night!

Outdoor Havdalah & 
Kiddush Levanah Ceremony!

This Saturday Night (Motzo'ei Shabbat)
December 10th at 7:30 pm
At Chabad Bay Area 

Lively Jewish Music!
Delicious refreshments & cold drinks!

What's Kiddush Levanah?
An ancient Jewish tradition to "sanctify" the new moon during the first half of the month (learn more). 

What's Havdalah?
Just like Shabbat is welcomed over a cup of wine, it is likewise concluded with blessing over a cup of wine, as well as over aromatic spices and a Havadalah Candle (learn more). 

RSVP Free 

As an independent non-profit, Chabad of the Bay Area is made possible by your partnership and generosity (all of our funding is grass-roots, we receive no funding from any central body). Every little bit counts and makes a big difference.

Please consider making Chabad of the Bay Area a part of your end of year, tax-deductible giving.

We are also excited to once again be launching a special one-day gift matching campaign (see next post). If you wish to donate now, please see the info below:

To Donate Online:www.JBayArea.org/Give

By Mail: Chabad of the Bay Area, 1910 Claiborne Dr, League City, TX 77573

Have you considered joining our monthly giving club? 
Chai Circle of Friends: www.JBayArea.org/Chai

Thank you and may you be blessed in return with material prosperity many times over!

Join us online this Thursday, December 15 - the 15th of Kislev - for an extraordinary 24 hour fundraising campaign! For 24 hours only, every dollar that you donate will be doubled on the spot by matching donors! That's right - doubled!

Chabad of the Bay Area counts entirely on the grass-roots support of people like yourself to enable its work. Your participation in this special campaign will help us cover this year's budget and be on firm ground for continued activities and growth in 2017.

Please stay tuned for more and just think about the impact you can make when your generous gift is doubled!

The Bay Area Chanukah Concert!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Outdoor Stage at Saengerfest Park, Galveston
Starring popular Israeli musician, Yoel Sharabi!

Reservations Now Open! 

View Sponsorship Options

A Sofer (Expert Scribe) is visiting Houston this Sunday-Tuesday (Dec 11-13). If you would like to have your Mezuzot or Tefillin checked (a fee applies) please contact the rabbi for more information.