The Chai Times #58 // Judaism is Alive!
Nov 18, 2022 4:03 pm
This weekend is the International Kinus (Convention) of Shluchim in NY.
I stayed in Austin (come for services!) to spend this Shabbat with our wonderful community.
The last few months have been full of the regular doom-and-gloom that has come to dominate the news anytime Judaism or Jewish people comes up. Antisemitism up! Kanye! Kyrie! All the hate on social media!
And while we do carefully monitor to make sure this hype doesn't spill from online into real violence, it would be good to remind ourselves that we are lucky to live in a time and place that is comparatively safe, especially in comparison to the last 2,000 years of our history.
What should we focus on? HIGH ENERGY JUDAISM!
The joy and celebration, the growth, the wins we are having as a people.
And so I am sharing some incredible Chabad related stats to start your weekend on the right note:
While tempted to, I will not punctuate each line with exclamations (!) even though each fact is deserving.
- There are 5,646 Chabad emissary couples in all 50 states and over 100 countries around the world.
- This past year, 120 new Chabads were established, that is on average, one every three days.
- 284 Chabad on Campus centers serve Jewish Students at 500 campuses worldwide.
- 200 Chabad Young Professional centers (that's us!!) worldwide building communities for Jews in their 20s and 30s.
- Chabad operates 700 CTeen chapters for Jewish teens (up 10% from last year).
- According to the Pew Research Center’s Jewish Americans 2020 study, two-in-five Jewish adults (38%, or 2.2 million people) have engaged in some way with Chabad.
- In 2021 a survey found that the number of Chabad congregations in the United States had grown by 199% since 2001.
- 120 new mikvahs were built in communities around the world, just this year alone.
- The Kinus is the largest annual Jewish event in the U.S. In addition to the 6,500 attendees, you can watch Sunday’s gala live at Chabad.org/Kinus (4:30pm ET).
Wishing you an uplifting Shabbat!
Rabbi Mendy & Mussy
p.s. As always, we would love to chat with you over coffee or drinks, about Judaism, or just life - reply to this email.
Of interest:
The value of owning more books than you can read
A New Chabad Every Three Days: A Look at the Fastest-Growing Jewish Movement
Exciting news: Chabad YJP of Austin was selected to receive a 250-book grant for a new Lending Library. The library will be situated in the Chabad Lounge right off the main shul and we are excited to begin lending Jewish books for you to read and study at your convenience! The books are expected to arrive over from the publishing houses over the next few months. Updates will be on Instagram and Twitter (if it still exists).
You can have a part of history.
We are renewing a 100 yeard old Torah and bringing it to YJP. A Torah of our own!
You can dedicate a portion of this Torah.
5 books of the Torah
Bereishit (Genesis) - reserved.
Shmot (Exodus) - available
Vayikra (Leviticus) - available
Bamidbar (Numbers) - available
Devarim (Deuteronomy) - available
Upcoming Events:
Shabbat Services at the New Location!:
- Shabbat morning services 10:30 am
- Torah discussion and reading 11:00 am
- Followed by Kiddush and Cholent
11/22: Stop Chasing Happiness
The "Stop Chasing Happiness" four-part course (Nov 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13) takes you on an intellectually exciting journey into your own mind and psyche.
Drawing on classical Jewish and mystical teachings, this course will present you with a deeper understanding of yourself, and help you flourish by suggesting practical advice that, when implemented, will radically enhance the happiness quotient of your life.
Sign up: yjpaustin.org/academy
11/30: One Dor Over - Night Bites
The new YJP group focused on fostering connections specifically for the 35-45 age range. Chaired by the wonderful Chayla Furlong and Ian Spechler
The first get-together will be November 30, 5:30-7:30pm
Enter your email here if you want to be on the special email list with reminders for One Dor Over events. Also, you will be able to give input and ideas for upcoming events.
You can RSVP by replying to this email or by clicking here
12/2: First Friday's December
1/13: Shabbaton in NYC with the Rabbi, Rebbetzin and 500 YJPs
Come with us to NYC for an incredible weekend with hundreds of young Jews from across the country.
You need to register before signing up.
There is a group discount! If we hit 10 rsvp we get a per-ticket price of $200, 15 and it's only $175.
We are working on a local Austin grant to cover part of the ticket fee - you will be able to get reimbursed if we can arrange it.
🌱 Chai Society:
Special thanks to our Chai Society Monthly giving members.
Individuals who donate monthly to support YJP events and activities.
Yankee Andrusierׁ • Carolina Bueno • Marc Cooper • Nate Firebaugh • Paulina Flasch • Matt Ford • Sara Guccione • Ari & Sandra Hoffman • Michael Nadel • Chaim & Amanda Pollak • Daniel Speiss • Cindy & Mark Sichel
Join the Chai Society here - make an $18 monthly donation and support the programs and events you love.
Together, we’re High Energy!
Shabbat Vayeira Chayei Sarah
Light your candles at 5:15 pm
in Austin, TX
Follow us on social media: Twitter | Facebook| Instagram
Support Chabad YJP's mission to build community and curate epic experiences for young Jews in Austin! Want to join a committee? Reply to this email.
