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CHAI Learning Center of West Houston
Winter/Spring Events and Programs 5770/2010
14133 Memorial Dr #1 Houston, TX 77079 281-589-7188 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: westchabad.org
CHAI: A Place to Learn By Clara Rosenzweig
Not too long ago, shortly before the High Holy Days in 2008, I called Rabbi Goldstein with what I felt was a very urgent and very important re-quest. I had met Rabbi Goldstein many years prior in a Chanukah presentation which my then very young daughter couldn’t stop talking about. Then about 7 years ago Rabbi brought the shofar factory to the synagogue we were
members of. I could hardly believe he remembered us by name. Several years later I needed my mezuzot inspected as I
had moved into a new house. Rabbi Goldstein once again, with a warm smile accommodated my needs.
I knew Rabbi Goldstein had been leading High Holy Day Services for several years for West Houston fami-lies at the JCC West, and sometime before I had called him inquiring about Hebrew school for my soon to be 11 year old son. Rabbi shared with me
that several families had contacted him regarding offering a formal religious school for their children and he was in the process of creating such a program, but it was to be for younger children. Our family was unaffiliated to a syna-gogue and I needed a Hebrew school for my child who in 2 short years was to become a Bar Mitzvah. He could not afford to ignore his religious and Hebraic studies. I knew neither my husband nor I could teach him. Rabbi asked for some time stating that if he
could find one other boy, he would put together a class.
Rabbi Goldstein invited our family to High Holy Day services: ‘it would be nice, there would be food, we would be welcome…’ I was familiar with or-thodox services and promptly pre-sented some of my objections: we are not a religious family, we don’t keep kosher, we would not fit in, the service was likely to be all in Hebrew and we would not be able to follow. The other objections I kept to myself: I would not be sitting with my husband, I didn’t know anyone, and anticipated feeling uncomfortable. I had not taken into account Rabbi’s great sensitivity and respect for others… As promised, our family was received with warmth and appreciation. My husband was offered an aliyah and my eyes filled with tears
as our family received the blessings. Rabbi and Mrs. Goldstein sat with us during lunch introduced us to others, engaged us in conversation, and only solicited from us a commitment to come to the next service and enjoy with them the next meal.
After Rosh Hashanah my phone rang, it was Rabbi Goldstein wanting to know whether I had enjoyed the service. I told him I had missed the beautiful chanting that I had grown accustomed to year after year, those melodies that danced in my head for weeks after the High Holy Days; I mentioned that at times was finding myself getting lost, not knowing the
page I was supposed to be on at any given time, and expressed my discom-fort with the mechitza. Rabbi proved
once again to be very sensitive and re-sponsive to my concerns. He provided education on the purpose of the mechitza, Yom Kippur services con-
tained more song and explanation; and to make a long story short, soon after the holidays, an age appropriate class was created for my son and 3 other boys. This was how our family became a part of the CHAI Learning Center.
Rabbi Goldstein’s vision for the CHAI Learning Center is “to build a vibrant institution that will serve every Jew in the West Houston area regard-less of background and affiliation, fill-ing whatever need people may have. The CHAI Learning Center is not here to take the place of other synagogues; it is a supplement to what already ex-ists.” Rabbi Goldstein is a charismatic, energetic, warm and sincere scholar, who welcomes new challenges and sees no obstacles. As a Chabad Rabbi, he sees all Jews as brothers regardless of observance, accepting all Jews as they are and making them feel good about their Jewish identity.
"Being human, we all go through periods of doubts. We ask ourselves, why am I a Jew? It is within us; it is one of our laws of nature. It has an existence and a constancy of its own and bursts forth from the depth of our souls; it is part of our hearts! It would be easier to uproot a star from the heavens than to uproot from our hearts the certain mysterious something, be-yond the grasp of reason, which makes us Jews.” Rabbi Gold-stein re-sponds through crea-tive program-ming to the
CHAI HEBREW SCHOOL
A link to the past… A bridge to the future!
We provide an education that instills Jewish pride, a
sense of history, and a genuine and meaningful
understanding of Judaism.
For more information call 281-589-7188
or email [email protected]
Ages 4-12
Learn It, Love It, Live It...
expressed curiosity, desire for Judaic learning and spiritual growth of the people who he comes in contact with.
The CHAI Learning Center offers an array of programs for people of all ages.
CHAI – Life. The CHAI Learning Center: Igniting lives through learning.
A place for Torah study to learn how the words written by Moses and the prophets were meant to guide your life in today’s world.
A place where your children
can learn Hebrew and enhance their Jewish knowledge which will strengthen their understanding of G-d, their identification with the Jewish people, their participation in Jewish life and their determination to live as Jews.
A place where your children can listen to the story of Chanukah, enjoy the fruits of Tu B’shevat; make some noise at the Purim festival; eat in a Sukkah and more.
A place where the holiest of days, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur can be
observed with feeling and connection.
A place where once a month to-gether we can enjoy the gift of Shabbat with prayer, study and delicious food.
Visit with Rabbi Goldstein at CHAI Learning Center. Sign up for a class or enjoy a celebration with us. Feel the atmosphere of warmth and excite-ment. Observe for yourself the sincer-
ity and enthusiasm for Judaism. Come to CHAI to spark your Jewish interest and nurture your Jewish identity.
Coffee for the SoulCoffee for the SoulCoffee for the SoulCoffee for the Soul Every month a
different in-depth
topic will engage
you and show you
how Judaism can
add spark to
your life!
No Fee
Sunday’s Mar. 14, April 4, May 16
10:00 - 11:00 AM
@ CHAI Learning
CHAI TeensCHAI TeensCHAI TeensCHAI Teens
Monthly Gathering for Teens.
Roundtable discussion with Rabbi
Goldstein about Jewish topics
and current events.
Plan community service projects.
No Fee
Mar. 11, April 15, May 6
7:00 - 8:00 PM @ CHAI Learning
Email: [email protected] to be
added to the Club
The Davening ClubThe Davening ClubThe Davening ClubThe Davening Club Usher in the New
Jewish month with
special prayers and a
power breakfast.
Men & boys over 13
bring your tallit and
teffilin
Mar. 16, April 15, May 14
6:45– 8 a.m. @ CHAI Learning
RSVP to [email protected]
CHAI in Action
RSVP Please!
Friday Services followed by Oneg Shabbat and Saturday Services followed by Kiddush
Suggested Donation:$36 for family of 4, $10 for Adults, $5 for Senior Citizens and children under 10
Sponsorships begin at $180
RSVP online by Thursday Noon to westchabad.org or 281-589-7188
The Monthly Shabbat ExperienceThe Monthly Shabbat ExperienceThe Monthly Shabbat ExperienceThe Monthly Shabbat Experience Celebrate Shabbat together as a community once a month with CHAI. Invite
the warmth and light of Shabbat into your home, your synagogue, and into
the entire world.
Shabbaton’s will take place at
CHAI Learning Center
Dates Mar 12, April 23, June 4
Adult EducationAdult EducationAdult EducationAdult Education Weekly Classes
Living with the Times-
Monday Night Parsha Class
The Parsha of the week contains divine code for interacting with the physical world. Learn how to access that code.
Monday's from 7:30 PM– 8:30 PM at the CHAI Learning Center
RSVP to [email protected] or call 281-589-7188 Instructor: Rabbi Dovid Goldstein
Friday Lunch and Learn The experiences of an enslaved Israelite nation on the path to becoming a free society provides a compelling springboard for the principles and values that define our
people.
Friday's from 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM at the CHAI Learning Center
Dairy Lunch Served Cost $7.50 RSVP with Jenny at 713-774-0300
Mini-Series
“Mystical Matzoh”
What's beyond the Seder plate? This four-part interactive series explores the mystical underpinnings of Passover and gives you the tools to lead a more meaningful Seder.
Taken from the teachings of Chassidic Masters.
Four consecutive Mondays - February 22, March 1, 8, 15 7:30-8:30 pm @ CHAI Learning Center
Suggested Fee for course: $40.00 Scholarships Available
Instructor: Rabbi Dovid Goldstein
Prayer– Is Anyone Listening?
This four-part interactive series will address the origins of the Jewish system of prayer, their meanings and the
evolution of the synagogue.
A 2 Part Mini Series. Sunday March 7 and 21, 2010 10:00-11:30 am
Suggested Fee for course:$18.00 Scholarships Available
Instructor Matt Trusch To register call: 281-589-7188
or email: [email protected]
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR MEZUZAH
CHECKED LATELY?
Call Rabbi Goldstein and he will
visit your home and check your
mezuzah’s. Kosher mezuzah’s
available for purchase.
Call 281-589-7188 for details.
CHAI Mitzvah Circle
Do you know someone in the Hospital who
could use a visit or a Challah for Shabbat? Call
281-589-7188 and we will visit!
CHAI celebrates
Purim around the
World with...
Purim in
Italy
Saturday Night, February 27
at CHAI Learning Center
8:00 pm - Welcome and Havdallah
8:15 - Megilla reading
9:00 – Buffet-style Kosher Dinner
Masquerade or costume of your choice
Craft
Jewish Music
Entertainment
Authentic dinner
Cost: $15/adult, $8/child, $55 family max,
$180/sponsor RSVP by February 25 to 281-589-
7188 or [email protected]
Texas Friends of Chabad Lubavitch
CHAI Learning Center 14133 Memorial Dr. #1
Houston, TX 77079
Phone: 281-589-7188 E-mail: [email protected] Web: westchabad.org
All programs take place at the CHAI Learning Center of West Houston 14133 Memorial Dr. #1 in the Memorial Realty/ Coad
Building, unless otherwise noted. To RSVP or more info call 281-589-7188 or email [email protected]
Chabad of Texas serves the greater Houston Community with seven branches and eleven
Rabbis, offering an array of Jewish outreach, education, and social services. For more information visit chabadtexas.org
Non Profit Org
US Postage
PAID
Permit #108
Houston, TX
You are cordially invited to join us for a
Traditional Passover Seder
At The Houston Marriot Westchase 2900 Briarpark Dr
1st Seder Monday eve, Mar. 29 2nd Seder Tuesday eve, Mar. 30
$40 per Adult $40 per Adult $40 per Adult $40 per Adult ---- $20 per Child 5 $20 per Child 5 $20 per Child 5 $20 per Child 5----10 10 10 10 ---- under 5 is free under 5 is free under 5 is free under 5 is free $180 Event Sponsor$180 Event Sponsor$180 Event Sponsor$180 Event Sponsor
For Info and to reserve online
www.westchabad.org
Space is limited - please reserve by Mar 22
Passover Package including First 2 nights and
lunches available. Inquire online.
