Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Vaetchanan Shabbat Nachamu July 29, 2023 11 Av 5783 send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM/8:01 PM Candle Lighting 7:56 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:34 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Shmuel Class 9:00 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Latest Shacharit 10:03 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Daf Yomi 6:55 PM Code Of Jewish Law 6:55 PM Mincha 7:45 PM Havdalah 8:56 PM Shabbat Shalom Do You Love God? The Torah portion of Va'etchanan contains the most important prayer within our faith, the Shema. We recite it morning and night from birth until death. The verse states, "You should love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your soul and your might." It is one of the fundamental Torah principles. According to Ibn Ezra, loving God is the root of all mitzvot. Maimonides teaches that proper love of God means being so in love that we cannot go for one moment without thinking about the Almighty. How can we be commanded to feel love, an emotion? When we recite these words, do we fully realize their weight? What does it mean to love God? The Slonimer Rebbe explains that we fulfill the mitzvah of loving God by taking steps that will lead us in the direction of loving God. If we never reach the full stage of loving God, we fulfill our obligation through our effort to achieve such a relationship. The Rebbe explains his idea based on the verse which follows, "Love of God should be on your heart." If you take the commandment to heart and do our best, it will generate feelings of love. A Four Step Plan for Loving God Observe Nature - The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:2) recommends thinking deeply into the infinite wisdom in nature. This form of contemplation brings us towards a renewed appreciation of God's presence in the world and the blessing of life. Study Torah - The Rambam (Sefer Hamitzvot 3) also suggests that when we study Torah, we behold a profound wisdom of God and forge a connection to Him. Torah study refreshes the spirit and offers a relevant road map for daily living. Realize God Loves You - Rabbi Akiva Eiger explains that prior to the mitzvah of loving God, we recite, "Blessed is God who loves his people Israel." When we internalize that God loves us and that he breathes into us new life in every moment of every day, we grow in love of God. Make God Number 1 in Your Life - The Chovot Halevavot (Introduction to Love of God) states that a condition for loving God is prioritizing God in your life. All else is secondary. When we are so preoccupied with worldly matters, we cannot contemplate God nor take the steps necessary to develop our Divine potential and love of God. In the words of Gerard Manley Hopkins, "The world is charged with the grandeur of God." God is everywhere. It is up to us to let Him in. When we recite the words of the Shema, pause and take them to heart. The holidays are seven weeks away. It is time to move forward and take a step towards loving God. God is looking for our effort. We are here for a Divine purpose,to love God and emanate that love to our community, the Jewish people and the world. Wishing you and your families a wonderful Shabbat Nachamu, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Shabbat Information  Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Va'Etchanan with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here Read Rabbi Kurtz's weekly halachic essays on the parsha here. This week is Shabbat Nachamu. The Haftarah is read from Isaiah 40:1-26 (this is the first of the Seven Haftoros of Consolation that precede Rosh HaShanah). Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here The final time for the sanctification of the New Moon of Av is the night following Tuesday, Aug. 1 until 10:42 PM (15 Av). Wednesday is Tu B'Av (15th of Av). There is no tachanun on this day and Mincha on the day preceding (i.e. Tuesday). Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking here. Parsha Icebreakers (Courtesy of Elisheva and Yaakov Moshe Shmidman) What is something you asked for passionately and did not receive/ were asked for passionately and did not give (Moshe does not get to go into Israel despite much davening)? What is an important part of your Jewish faith (Shma Yisrael…)? If you could visit one place in Israel, what would it be (Ebra na v'ereh es haaretz hatova)? Security/Safety Reminders  Please do not leave any bags in the lobby - they should only be put in a Chapel cubby, stroller or coat room Do not block the pathway to the exit doors with strollers - if there is no space inside the stroller section, they can be put on the other side of the staircase or opposite side of the room No strollers should be brought upstairs Main Sanctuary Post Kiddush Reminder  The Sanctuary is the equivalent of a Mikdash Me'at, a miniature Beit Hamikdash. As such, please do not bring food into the sanctuary and be mindful not to allow children unattended and/or running in the sacred space. Thank you very much for your partnership. Shabbat Topics & Participants Shmuel Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Bob Abrams Shiur Sam Sroka: Unpacking the Meaning Behind Reb Chaim Brisker's Famous Insight Into the Elements of Tefilla Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudat Shlishit Rabbi Moshe Kurtz Welcome new members Eliana & Dr. Michael Tau and their children Jude and Gabriel! Mazal Tov to Racheli & Dan Rosenblum on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big brother Moshe! to Sharon & Burt Rubin on the arrival of a granddaughter! to Liatte & David Lasher on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big sisters Emma, Abby and Anaelle! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Thank You to Rookies and Vets Potluck chairs Jessica Furmansky, Eliane Dreyfuss and Simeon Wohlberg and all of the hosts for the success of this wonderful event! Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith Chapel Kiddush: The Maza, Adelman, and Hertzberg family in commemoration of the 7th yahrzeit of Barry Hertzberg, Elchonon Baruch ben Aryeh Leib Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Laura & Marc Gallant in memory of Samuel Gallant; Jill & Arthur Green in memory of Helen Blumenstock; Lorraine & David Kweskin in memory of Robert Plotkin; and Phyllis & Moshe Shapiro in memory of Sol Schorr Seudat Shlishit: Sherry & Marc Silver in memory of Marc's father, Joseph Silver/Yosef Zev ben Nachum Paid Advertisement Sign Up for these Events sign up CAS Rookies and Vets Potluck Shabbat Lunch Shabbat, July 29 - 12:30 PM Learn more CAS Community Garden Mitzvah Opportunity sign up Twilight Zone and Torah Monday, July 31 - 7:00 PM sign up Mens Club BBQ and Craft Beer Social Thursday, August 10 - 8:00 PM sign up CAS Luau Party Sunday, August 13 - 8:00 PM sign up CAS Movie Club Monday, August 14 - 8:00 PM sign up CAS Youth Kol Nearim Tallis Fundraiser Tuesday, August 15 Learn more Book Talk and Signing with Benyamin Cohen Sunday, August 20 - 10:00 AM sign up Mitzvah Day at Grade A Sunday, August 27 - 10:00 AM Learn more Faye and Ben Manger Beit Midrash Nights Learn more Holy Habit - Food Pantry Donations Learn more Donate Seforim to the Beit Midrash CAS Announcements Event Note  The new and prospective member brunch has been POSTPONED Adult Education Planning and Sponsorships We are in the midst of finalizing our adult education programing for the coming year. There are multiple opportunities for either sponsoring Scholar in Residence Weekends, Educational Events or Weekly Classes (annually or monthly) in honor or in memory of a loved one. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Rabbi Cohen in the weeks ahead. In the News Rabbi Daniel Cohen on the Cathy Heller Podcast on Creating a Life of Legacy: Change a Life with Kindness Michael Feldstein's Latest Article  click here Welcome to our Synagogue Program  Every Shabbat we aim to station ushers at the doors in the sanctuary to welcome people, assist them and enhance the service. We are expanding the usher roles to include a greeter in the lobby from 9-10:30 am. Please join the usher team. We need you and your smile. Info: Mitchell Bell.wizdrbel@yahoo.com Healing Visits Mitzvah Update  Thank you to all of our volunteers on our healing visits team. The healing visits team is a group of men and women in our shul who visit people in the hospital, facilities or at home. It is a very meaningful way to lift people's sprits and make a difference. You can offer as much or as little time as you have for each person is a world unto themselves and your warmth lights up their day. Every week we send out a healing visit update. To join the team, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org Join our Hospitality Initiative  When someone new moves to town, we inform our hospitality team, who are thrilled to welcome them for a Shabbat meal. If you would like to be part of our hospitality team who are committed to hosting new families, please contact Rabbi Cohen (rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org) or our membership chair, Hilary Goldstein goldenberg.hilary@gmail.com. If you would like to be involved in welcoming people in alternative ways to shabbat hosting, we also have people who meet new members for coffee in the week, deliver welcome packs, or phone them to check how they're settling in. If this is something you might like to get involved in, we'd also love to hear from you! Attention members over 50  We are working to improve friendship and engagement in this age group in the following three ways: Starting a committee to brainstorm and implement activities for Members over the age of 50 Working to improve how we welcome new members over the age of 50 by offering new Members the possibility of meeting with three established Members Create a program for established Members to meet one another through Shabbat meals or at local restaurants Please take a moment to fill out this Engagement Survey and be in touchwith one of us to explore more ways to deepen the warmth of our shul.Bruce Newman (bruce.newman8@gmail.com, 313-549-7014) or RabbiDaniel Cohen (rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org) Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Wednesday: 7:55 PM; Thursday: 8:00 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/7:54 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 7:49 PM CAS Classes Join one of our CAS classes. Click for up to date schedule We Wish A Speedy Recovery To Add a name to this list → We Honor Our Military Yehudit Hochman Jeremy Slen Meni Nehmad Add a name to this list →

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