Congregation Agudath Sholom | 301 Strawberry Hill Ave | Stamford, CT 06902 (203)-358-2200 www.agudathsholom.org

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Friday, January 6, 2023

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
VayechiJanuary 7, 202314 Tevet 5783
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:22 PM
Mincha4:27 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM
Latest Shema8:56 AM
Sephardic Minyan9:00 AM
Shmuel Class9:00 AM
Latest Shacharit9:57 AM
Bob's Basics10:00 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Code of Jewish Law3:25 PM
Mincha4:15 PM
Havdalah5:24 PM
Shabbat Shalom

This Shabbat, we are joining with many shuls across the country in supporting awareness of end of life issues. We are eternally grateful to Rabbi Elchanan Zohn, whose life mission is supporting chesed shel emes. To learn more about this Shabbos, visit Team Shabbos and National Association of Chevra Kadisha. This year the Shabbat is dedicated to addressing the cremation crisis in the Jewish community. Take a moment to watch this video.

This week's Parsha offers a timely and striking reminder for Jews worldwide that building a better world, one worthy of redemption, emerges not only when our external enemies are defeated, but when we stand united as a Jewish people. Whether Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or unaffiliated, Chassidic or Secular, there is more that unites us than divides us. We cannot afford to marginalize or malign any fellow Jew.

Ya'akov anticipates this challenge for all future generations. As he lays on his deathbed, he tells his sons, "Gather, and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days." (Bereishit 49:1)

The Shelah Hakadosh, Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz, who is a direct ancestor of our member Dinah Miller Marlowe, explains that prior to informing his children about the end of days, Yaakov asks them to gather together. Gathering and uniting is a precondition to the Messianic age. If there is hatred and enmity among our brothers and sisters, the redemption will not arrive.

Whatever a person's level of observance or affiliation, we are one. We must do more personally and as a community to build bridges within the Jewish community. We can only succeed in our outer battles if we are strong and united within. I encourage you also to join me on Monday, January 22nd for a luncheon with Rabbi David Stav, founder of Tzohar, https://tzohar-eng.org/ who will address the topic of Secular and Religious, Israel 2023: Is Concern Warranted?

In this spirit, I was moved recently by the words of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Palestine, who lamented the use of words like "secular" or "religious" to describe Jews. It is limiting and counter productive. It encourages people to look down on others and also inhibits potential for religious growth.

God willing, in the weeks and months ahead, we, whether here or in Israel, will do our utmost to heed the words of Ya'akov. Let us go beyond our comfort zones to foster friendships beyond our political parties, social circles and religious affiliations.

In the words of Rav Kook, "Let us be known by the general name of the people of Israel, not by the name of a party or camp. Let us know that in each camp, there is much to be mended and much good and light that one can receive from the other. We will then experience the Divine light through which we will find eternal deliverance."

Wishing your families a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen


Shabbat Information 
  • Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Vayechi with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here
  • Read Rabbi Kurtz's weekly halachic essays on the parsha here.
  • The Haftarah for Vayechi is read from Kings I 2:1-12
  • Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here
  • Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here
  • Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking here.

Parsha Icebreakers (Courtesy of Yaakov Moshe Shmidman)
  1. Recall a time you thought your parents were mistaken but they were actually right. (Yosef tries to correct Yaakov when he crosses his hands when blessing Menashe and Ephraim but Yaakov tells him he understands)
  2. Which animal best represents you? (Yaakov's brachos compare many of the brothers to animals)


Agudath Sholom and the Life & Legacy Initiative

Agudath Sholom is proud to be one of more than 680 Jewish organizations across North America that have secured over 1 billion dollars in legacy commitments to ensure a bright Jewish future.

To date, our collaboration with 10 other Stamford organizations, United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation's LIFE & LEGACY initiative, has led 488 donors just like you to commit gifts to local organizational endowments.

Without writing a check today, you, too, can do your part to help Agudath Sholom build our endowment and help build the endowments of the other Jewish organizations in our community you value, so we can weather turbulent times like these and adapt to meet evolving community needs.

Join our members who have already signed letters of intent. We are deeply appreciative of their commitment to Agudath Sholom!

Anonymous
Gayle & Mitchell Bell
Debra & Michael Berg
Dina & Paul Berger
Darona & Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein
Dr.'s Judy & Jeff Cahn
Kate & Peretz Cik
Rabbi Daniel & Diane Cohen
Rachel & Ephraim Cohen
Debra & Dan Faizakoff
Sharon & Michael Feldstein
Robin & Jason Fischel
Stephanie & Howard Fogel
Judy & Howard Goldstein
Meryl & David Gordon
Shira & Ethan Green
Jeremy I. Hager
Kayla & Leon Hanna
Helene & Harvey Kaminski
Elissa & Philip Klapper
Jeannie & Brian Kriftcher
Lorraine & David Kweskin
Hannah & Ilan Lastoff
J & R Licht
Susan Mark
Rhonda Schaffer-Maron & Jeffrey Maron
Janice & Jake Meyer
Nofie & Mark Rosovsky
Stephanie & Bob Sherman
Ronnie Ness & Steven Sichel
Diane & Elliot Sloyer
Ellen & Richard Weber
Neda Khaghan & Robert Yaghoubian
Lauren & Joe Zalis
Nancy Zinbarg Mimoun

Please reach out to Rabbi Cohen or Dan Faizakoff (dbf@legalesq.com) to learn more about the program, and how you can have a tremendous impact on Agudath Sholom's present and future, without needing to donate today. Thank you!
Condolences
  • to Gwen Lopez Cohen on the passing of her mother, Elizabeth "Betsy" Lopez
  • to Ari Goldstein on the passing of his grandmother Beatrice Goodfetter, Bracha bas Chaim
For up to date shiva and contact info: www.cas-stamford.org/shiva
To make a memorial contribution online, and have us send an acknowledgement to the family, please click here
Mazal Tov
  • to Dovi Zucker on his 30th birthday celebration!
  • to Tova & Josh Goldberg on the birth of a baby girl, Shira Batya!
  • to Shani & Gil Orbach on the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Adira to Izzy Muller!
  • to Becky & Omer Neumeier on Nadav's Bar Mitzvah!
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
Welcome
  • new members Ariel Blum & Ben Zweig and their daughter Emma!
Thank You
  • to Dan Faizakoff, Elissa Klapper and Yonnie Rubinfeld for organizing our upcoming Life and Legacy donor appreciation!
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Shmuel ClassMark Wagshul
Bob's BasicsBob Abrams
ShiurRabbi Moshe Kurtz: "Mapping the Mechanics of Merit: A Kaddish Case Study (Part 2)"
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Yossi Kamman
Seudat ShlishitRabbi Moshe Kurtz
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Challah Deliveries: Amanda & Greg Smith

7AM Kiddush: Linda & Elliot Levy in commemoration of Elliot's grandfather, Lewis Levy's yahrzeit and Elliot's upcoming birthday

Chapel Kiddush: The Michelson Family and Friends in commemoration of David Michelson's z"l birthday and in commemoration of Janice Greenwald's yahrzeit

Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Karen & Ira Berk in commemoration of the first yahrzeit of Ira's father, Murray Berk; and Rachel & Jeremy Hager in loving memory of Rabbi Emil Hager
Sign Up For These Events
Upcoming Events
Literature At Lunch Roundtable Led By Dr. Richard Schwartz 
Wednesday, January 18 - 12:00 PM
The fifth year of the Literature at Lunch Roundtable will kick off led by Dr. Richard Schwartz in person at CAS and on Zoom. As we enter the "darkest time of the year" what better way to "LIGHTEN" the load than to join our "knock the socks off" discussions. Our first session will give you Chizuk to face the inevitable challenges and obstacles of life that begin from childhood and extend to our departing days....We will read and hear noted Irish poet Dylan Thomas recite his famous poem, "Do Not Go Gently into that Good Night." Our Torah discussions will start with the TWO creations of Light: laid out in the first chapter of Genesis and extend far beyond. We will meet Feb. 25, March 15, April 19, May 17, then June 14th. If you have any questions, please contact rj@richardjschwartz.comZoom Meeting ID: 889 0963 1794, Passcode: 7dvrX9

Congregation Agudath Sholom'S Jewish Heritage Tour Of Exotic Morocco 
Sunday, May 7
You are invited to join Congregation Agudath Sholom's Jewish Heritage Tour of Exotic Morocco, led by Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen. Visit the CAS website for more information
CAS Announcements
  • BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS Agudath Sholom is partnering with Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy to create cross-generational conversations and relationships. As King David envisioned, "Youths and maidens alike, old and young together (Psalms 148:12)."

    We are offering the opportunity for members of our shul to make time once a week to speak with students of BCHA, to learn from each other and forge meaningful connections. If you are interested in participating, please contact either Rabbi Cohen or Rabbi Kurtz. We thank Alisa Weisser and Rabbi Josh Rosenfeld for spearheading this program.
  • NEW WOMEN'S LEARNING OPPORTUNITY! We are starting a regular Shabbat afternoon group for women in the community to learn together. We will have a rotation of presenters preparing the chaburah-style learning. More details coming soon! If you are interested in getting involved with this initiative in any way, please contact Diane Cohen, Marisa Kurtz or Devorah Weinstock.
  • NEW: MONTHLY YOUNG COUPLES SOUL STUDY GROUP WITH RABBI COHEN A monthly class for young couples to discuss how the Torah provides us with valuable insights in our daily lives. This class will rotate between the homes of participants and meets on the last Monday night of the month beginning on Monday, Jan 30th. Light appetizers will be served. Host Committee: Stacey & Aaron Berk, James & Lorraine Marcus, Alex & Brett Olssen, Tali & Jessie Salver, Eve & Phil Steinmetz and Michal & Yishai Zwiren. Contact Lorraine Hutzler for further details and to join. Lorraine.Hutzler@gmail.com
  • CREATE MEMORIES AND SHARE AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME WITH AGUDATH SHOLOM!
    Israel - We are excited to announce the Agudath Sholom Family Adventure to Israel this summer - June 19th-June 29th, 2023. The trip is a special opportunity to travel with families and friends and experience Israel in a child friendly environment. We will be based at Kibbutz Lavi and in Jerusalem! One of the highlights will be, God willing, the donation of a Torah to an Israeli army base. For more info, visit https://israeltour.com/cas/.

    Join us for an Informational Zoom Session on Monday evening, January 16th at 8 PM. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org.

    Morocco - We are also excited to travel in May on a Jewish Heritage Journey to Morocco. We will be visiting the cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Fez and Marakech. The dates are May 7th- May 17th, 2023. For more information and registration, visit https://israeltour.com/rdcohen/. We have a robust registration already and have a few spots still available. To learn more, you can watch this zoom orientation session as well.

    If you have any questions and/or interest, please feel free to contact me at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org. Thank you!
Shabbat Shalom
Weekly Classes at Agudath Sholom  
  • Daily - Daf Yomi, Tehillim and Mishna
  • Sunday - Sefer Hachinuch with Rabbi Kurtz
  • Monday - Halachic Adventures through Parsha with Rabbi Kurtz
  • Tuesday - Mastering Midrash, Power of the Prophets, Parsha Perspectives with Rabbi Cohen, Conversational Hebrew with Moshe Shapiro, Insights into Tefillah with Diane Cohen, A Deep Dive into the Prophets with Mark Wagshul
  • Thursday - The Ethics and Wisdom of Agadda, Weekly Talmud Study: Megillah with Rabbi Kurtz
  • Friday - Taste of Torah with Rabbi Cohen
  • Shabbat - Bob's Basics, Shmuel Class with Mark Wagshul, Code of Jewish Law and Morning Shiur
Weekday Schedule
ShacharitShacharit: Sunday 7:15 AM/8:30 AM, Monday-Friday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM
MinchaMincha: Sunday-Friday 4:35 PM
Candles Friday4:30 PM
CAS Adult Education

Join one of our CAS classes.

We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
  • Asher Anshel Eliezer ben Baila
  • Avraham Tzvi ben Teibel
  • Carmiya Chaya Hadas bat Tziporah Miriam
  • Chana bat Devorah
  • Chasa Paya bat Alka
  • Chava bat Miriam
  • Eitan Micha ben Tova
  • Eliezer ben Chana
  • Evan ben Brayna
  • Friedel bat Esther
  • Gittel Batya bat Tamar
  • Lieba Chaya bat Rivka
  • Meita Leah bat Leiba Rachel
  • Naomi bat Ruth
  • Nechama Miriam bat Devorah
  • Rafuel ben Chava
  • Sara bat Barbara
  • Sheva Pearel bat Devorah
  • Yakov ben Nona
  • Yisrael ben frayda
  • Yizka bat Havah
  • Zelda Chaya bat Chana Masha
Community Announcements
  • WOMEN'S INITIATIVE FOR JEWISH STUDIES (WIJS) AT YOUNG ISRAEL OF NEW ROCHELLE IS PROUD TO PRESENT DR. JORDAN KATZ Wednesday, January 11, 2023 @ 8:00 pm (ET) on Zoom. Dr. Katz will speak on the topic: "Naming and Shaming: Illegitimate Births Among Early Modern Jews." The lecture will explore the phenomenon of illegitimate pregnancies in early modern Jewish communities, showing how communities dealt with this issue and what the ramifications were for the women who experienced it. Dr. Jordan Katz is Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is a historian of early modern Jewry, with a focus on Jewish cultural history, history of medicine, and women and gender in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Her work has been published in Jewish Social Studies and the Jewish Quarterly Review, and her current book project examines the role of Jewish midwives within communal, intellectual, and medical frameworks in the early modern Ashkenazic world. All WIJS programming is free and open to women and men. Please visit http://www.yinr.org/wijs to view the complete WIJS 2022-23 schedule. For more information, to be added to the WIJS email list, or for Zoom information, please call 914-636-2215 or email: wijs@yinr.org. Individuals on the WIJS mailing list will automatically receive the Zoom information.
  • SCHOKE JFS IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU - LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS Schoke Jewish Family Service offers a wide range of support groups to meet the various needs of the community and to help families and individuals with the transitions and challenges of life. Currently, all support groups meet on Zoom. The Divorce Support Group - Mondays, 1:00 PM; Bereavement Support Group - Thursdays, 7:30 PM; Caregiver Support Groups - Every other Sunday, 11:15 AM and every other Wednesday, 7:30 PM; COVID Support - Thursdays, 4:00 PM, 1st and 3rd Thursdays; Brain Fitness Group - Mondays, 10:30 AM and Wednesdays, 10:30 AM; Healing Chair Yoga - Class schedule to be announced on the website. To join the support groups, please fill out the form at: www.ctjfs.org/counseling/groups/ or contact Brooke Davidson, Director of Clinical and Family Life Services at bdavidson@ctjfs.org or 203-921-4161.

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