Have you ever felt like you were the only one standing up for what’s right, even when everyone else seemed to look the other way?
That’s exactly how Avraham, the first Jew, lived his life.
The Torah calls him Avram Ha’ivri (literally “Abraham from the other side.”) Everyone else was on one side of the moral divide, and he was on the other, standing alone for truth, kindness, and belief in one G-d.
It couldn’t have been easy. He was mocked, threatened, even targeted for death. But he didn’t back down. He believed one person could change the world; and he was right. Four thousand years later, his courage still defines us. The Jewish people have always stood on “the other side,” sometimes painfully alone, but always with purpose.
These days, it can feel like we’re back in Abraham’s shoes: misunderstood, judged, and isolated. But that’s exactly when his message matters most.
We don’t shrink, we shine.
We stay proud, we stay kind, and we stay connected to each other.
That will bring about the ultimate change in the way we are viewed by the world, with the coming of Moshiach. May it be speedily in our times!
As we reflect on this timeless message, let’s come together this Monday at 6 PM at the Clifton Park Library to hear from a Holocaust survivor, whose life embodies Avraham’s courage to stand for truth and faith even in the darkest of times.
Shabbat Shalom! Light candles at 5:30 pm Shabbat ends at 6:31 pm ... See MoreSee Less
🌾 Our Israel Quest’ers Learned the Story of Ruth! 🌾 This week, our Grades 3–7 students discovered Ruth — the princess who chose a life of Torah and Mitzvot over palace comfort. ✨ Inspired by her courage, they each took on a new Mitzvah at our exciting Mitzvah Millionaire Auction! 💪💙 Parents, help your child keep it going this week — whether it’s giving Tzedakah, making Kiddush, saying Brachot, or showing gratitude. 💌
🌟 Our Explorers Learned from Avraham & Sarah, their spiritual grandparents!🌟 This week, our K–2 crew discovered the kindness of Avraham and Sarah — who opened their tent to welcome guests from every direction! 🏕💖 We built our own four-door “tents,” played Kindness Bingo, and made Kindness Boxes to leave treats for delivery workers and guests. 💝 Let’s keep their legacy alive — one act of kindness at a time! 🌍❤
In a very unscientific poll conducted on social media, only 17% said they are not overwhelmed. Forty-nine percent said they are “a little” overwhelmed, 29% chose “a lot,” and 6% voted “I’m too overwhelmed to answer.” Those last ones are clearly the most honest!
Seriously though, it seems that most people today feel overwhelmed. And while it might seem like a natural part of modern life, I believe modern life itself is a major cause of our constant feeling of overwhelm. We live in a world of endless information, and that alone can flood the mind.
Think about it: in earlier times, people knew much less. They might read a newspaper with a few articles, learn a bit at home, and that was their daily intake of information.
Today? Every time you scroll through your social media feed, you are exposed to dozens of pieces of information: updates from people you hardly know, ads for things you do not need, and a nonstop stream of media trying to capture your attention.
And that is just one scroll. Add to that the emails, messages, and news alerts, and it is safe to say we absorb hundreds of bits of information every single day.
We are flooded.
And just like Noah, we need an ark to escape to.
In the famous biblical story, Noah and his family faced a flood that overwhelmed the world. They escaped by entering the Teivah, the ark that G-d instructed Noah to build.
But the word Teivah also means “word.” Chassidic teachings explain that this is the key to surviving the floods of daily life: to enter the words of Torah and prayer.
When Noah entered the Teivah, he left behind a chaotic world and entered a space of holiness and purpose. We can do the same by immersing ourselves in words of Torah and prayer.
The key is entering. Words can remain external, just bits of information in our minds, or we can let them surround us and lift us. Not just reading quickly, but pausing, pondering, and connecting deeply.
Next time you feel overwhelmed, escape into the holy words. Learn Torah with full attention, understanding and thinking about each phrase. Or take a Siddur or Tehillim and say the words slowly, letting them connect with your soul and bring you peace.
Because yes, there is a real flood out there, but the ark is waiting with its door open.
Wishing you a good Shabbos and a good Chodesh! Light candles at 5:40 pm Shabbat ends at 6:40 pm ... See MoreSee Less
Have you ever felt like you were the only one standing up for what’s right, even when everyone else seemed to look the other way?
That’s exactly how Avraham, the first Jew, lived his life.
The Torah calls him Avram Ha’ivri (literally “Abraham from the other side.”) Everyone else was on one side of the moral divide, and he was on the other, standing alone for truth, kindness, and belief in one G-d.
It couldn’t have been easy. He was mocked, threatened, even targeted for death. But he didn’t back down. He believed one person could change the world; and he was right. Four thousand years later, his courage still defines us. The Jewish people have always stood on “the other side,” sometimes painfully alone, but always with purpose.
These days, it can feel like we’re back in Abraham’s shoes: misunderstood, judged, and isolated. But that’s exactly when his message matters most.
We don’t shrink, we shine.
We stay proud, we stay kind, and we stay connected to each other.
That will bring about the ultimate change in the way we are viewed by the world, with the coming of Moshiach. May it be speedily in our times!
As we reflect on this timeless message, let’s come together this Monday at 6 PM at the Clifton Park Library to hear from a Holocaust survivor, whose life embodies Avraham’s courage to stand for truth and faith even in the darkest of times.
Shabbat Shalom!
Light candles at 5:30 pm
Shabbat ends at 6:31 pm ... See MoreSee Less
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Mazal tov to our Aleph champs moving up in rank! ... See MoreSee Less
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🌾 Our Israel Quest’ers Learned the Story of Ruth! 🌾
This week, our Grades 3–7 students discovered Ruth — the princess who chose a life of Torah and Mitzvot over palace comfort. ✨ Inspired by her courage, they each took on a new Mitzvah at our exciting Mitzvah Millionaire Auction! 💪💙
Parents, help your child keep it going this week — whether it’s giving Tzedakah, making Kiddush, saying Brachot, or showing gratitude. 💌
#IsraelQuest #MitzvahMillionaire #Ruth #CKids #ChabadCliftonPark #JewishPride ... See MoreSee Less
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🌟 Our Explorers Learned from Avraham & Sarah, their spiritual grandparents!🌟
This week, our K–2 crew discovered the kindness of Avraham and Sarah — who opened their tent to welcome guests from every direction! 🏕💖
We built our own four-door “tents,” played Kindness Bingo, and made Kindness Boxes to leave treats for delivery workers and guests. 💝
Let’s keep their legacy alive — one act of kindness at a time! 🌍❤
#KindnessCounts #AvrahamAndSarah #CKids #ChabadCliftonPark #LittleExplorers ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
In a very unscientific poll conducted on social media, only 17% said they are not overwhelmed. Forty-nine percent said they are “a little” overwhelmed, 29% chose “a lot,” and 6% voted “I’m too overwhelmed to answer.” Those last ones are clearly the most honest!
Seriously though, it seems that most people today feel overwhelmed. And while it might seem like a natural part of modern life, I believe modern life itself is a major cause of our constant feeling of overwhelm. We live in a world of endless information, and that alone can flood the mind.
Think about it: in earlier times, people knew much less. They might read a newspaper with a few articles, learn a bit at home, and that was their daily intake of information.
Today? Every time you scroll through your social media feed, you are exposed to dozens of pieces of information: updates from people you hardly know, ads for things you do not need, and a nonstop stream of media trying to capture your attention.
And that is just one scroll. Add to that the emails, messages, and news alerts, and it is safe to say we absorb hundreds of bits of information every single day.
We are flooded.
And just like Noah, we need an ark to escape to.
In the famous biblical story, Noah and his family faced a flood that overwhelmed the world. They escaped by entering the Teivah, the ark that G-d instructed Noah to build.
But the word Teivah also means “word.” Chassidic teachings explain that this is the key to surviving the floods of daily life: to enter the words of Torah and prayer.
When Noah entered the Teivah, he left behind a chaotic world and entered a space of holiness and purpose. We can do the same by immersing ourselves in words of Torah and prayer.
The key is entering. Words can remain external, just bits of information in our minds, or we can let them surround us and lift us. Not just reading quickly, but pausing, pondering, and connecting deeply.
Next time you feel overwhelmed, escape into the holy words. Learn Torah with full attention, understanding and thinking about each phrase. Or take a Siddur or Tehillim and say the words slowly, letting them connect with your soul and bring you peace.
Because yes, there is a real flood out there, but the ark is waiting with its door open.
Wishing you a good Shabbos and a good Chodesh!
Light candles at 5:40 pm
Shabbat ends at 6:40 pm ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook