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

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Friday, January 19, 2024

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

CAS Logo
Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
BoJanuary 20, 202410 Sh'vat 5784
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:36 PM
Mincha4:41 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00/8:00/9:00 AM
Sephardic Minyan8:45 AM
Coffee and Commentary8:45 AM
Latest Shema8:57 AM
Shmuel Class9:00 AM
Latest Shacharit10:00 AM
Bob's Basics10:00 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Q & A with Yedidya Yarush12:15 PM
Early Mincha12:40 PM
Code Of Jewish Law3:45 PM
Mincha4:35 PM
Havdalah5:38 PM
Shabbat Shalom
In a Second

One word we recite every month encapsulates the essence of being a Jew.

During the prayer for the new month, Rosh Chodesh, whenever we mention the first appearance of the new moon in Jerusalem, we identify the time based on the hour, minute and chelek of the day. For instance, the first appearance of the new moon, or molad as it is known, for the month of Shevat was Thursday, January 11th , 8:45 AM and 4chalakim.

The Hebrew word chelek means a portion. An hour is divided into 1080 chalakim and one chelek is 3.5 seconds.

Why does Judaism give a name to 3.5 seconds? Why are they significant?

Rabbi Aharon Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, explains that it reflects the sacredness of time. Not only can a minute make a difference, but even a few seconds. It is no surprise that the very first mitzvah God commands the Jewish people as a nation is to sanctify time.

God tells Moshe in this week's Parsha, "This month is for you the first of all months." God is not only establishing the cycle of the Jewish calendar based on the moon, but making a profound statement about our relationship to time.

Slaves cannot choose how to use time. As free people, the Jewish people are now charged with the gift of elevating every moment. Time can be harnessed or wasted - it is in our hands.

Every minute, second or even millisecond counts.

In the words of an anonymous poem, "To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics."

It is not only about missing a moment but seizing it. We live on borrowed time.

How many times do we go through a day and wonder whether we achieved the goals we set for ourselves? Are you just doing time or doing something meaningful?

How many seconds? How many minutes do we waste every day doing things that are nowhere near the goals and aspirations and passions that we have inside? How many times do we go through the course of a day and realize, "Did I do anything I set out to do today?"

Write down those goals each and every day.

If we can accomplish those, then we are doing more than just making it through the day. We are living and achieving our dreams.

It is no wonder the Sages teach every person to possess a chelek, a portion, in the world to come. Every minute and every second can be elevated and eternalized. It is the secret of life.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing an immediate return of the hostages, victory and peace speedily and in our days ahead,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Shabbat Information 
  • Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Bo with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - {https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/bo/the-march-of-folly/
  • Please find Dovi Siderson's weekly parsha resource here
  • The Haftarah is read from Jeremiah 46:13–28
  • Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here
  • Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here
  • Tu Bishvat begins Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon. We do not recite Tachanun starting from Wednesday Mincha. Kel Erech Apayim and Lamnatzeich are also omitted on Thursday morning.
  • Final Time for Kiddush Levanah: Thursday Night until 3:07 AM.
  • Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking here.

Special Guest Speaker this Shabbat Morning - Standing with Israel - Elite IDF Soldier
We look forward to welcoming as our guest this Shabbat, Yedidya Harush, Jewish National Fund's (JNF-USA's) Liaison for Negev Community Development. A decorated soldier, Yedidya rejoined his elite IDF unit after October 7th and has been fighting on the front lines in Gaza and the West Bank ever since. Yedidya will be sharing his unique perspective on the current situation and his determination to rebuild the Gaza border communities. Thank you to Rachel and Nimrod Dayan for hosting Yedidya this weekend. He will be speaking on Shabbat morning in the sanctuary.


Parsha Icebreakers (Courtesy of Elisheva and Yaakov Moshe Shmidman)
  1. Where do you fall out amongst your siblings and what was your experience with that (plague of the first born son)?
  2. What is the hardest place in your house to clean for chametz (prohibition to have chametz on Pesach )?
  3. What is a religious question you have asked your parents (ki yishalcha bincha)?

Coat Room Cleanout  There are many coats, hats and gloves that have been left in the coat room. They have been moved to a rack outside the room - please take a look and take yours home. Anything left on the rack on January 29th will be donated to Threads of Warmth.
Save the Date for our Agudath Sholom Annual Dinner  
Sunday, March 10th, 2024
Am YIsrael Chai, It is not just a Statement, it is a Way of Life
Mazal Tov to our honorees!
  • Guests of Honor - Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe
  • Young Leadership Award - Amy & Sam Sroka
  • Community Service Award - Chris Beldotti, Mike Beldotti and the Beldotti Family
  • Chai Award - Judd Love
Dinner Chairs - Alex & Brett Olsson
Dinner Co-Chairs - Shira Marder & Jason Saibel
Honorary Dinner Chairs - Rachel & Nimrod Dayan, Karen & Ira Berk and Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg
Dinner Journal Chairs - Eve Steinmetz and Shushannah Yasgur

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 (13)
Gayle & Mitchell Bell
Debra & Michael Berg
Dina & Paul Berger
Lynn & Harvey Berman
Darona & Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein
Drs. 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
Marla & Jason Lewis
J & R Licht
Susan Mark
Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe
Rhonda Schaffer-Maron & Jeffrey Maron
Janice & Jake Meyer
Nancy Zinbarg Mimoun
Nofie & Mark Rosovsky
Rosalyn Sherman
Stephanie & Bob Sherman
Ronnie Ness & Steven Sichel
Diane & Elliot Sloyer
Brenda & Bruce z"l Smith
Ellen & Richard Weber
Neda Khaghan & Robert Yaghoubian
Lauren & Joe Zalis
Navah & David Zizmor


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!
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Levi Feller
Shmuel ClassMark Wagshul
Bob's BasicsBob Abrams
ShiurRabbi Moshe Kurtz: Breakaway Minyanim: How Do We Evaluate Fair Competition?
Sanctuary SermonGuest Speaker Yedidya Yarush
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Yossi Kamman
Seudat ShlishitMichael Feldstein: Exploring the Thought of Rabbi Shlomo Goren
Mazal Tov
  • to Yael Shmilovitch & Elliot Buckman on the birth of a baby girl, Nili Ayla!
  • to Vered & Mark Links on receiving the Lamplighter Award at the Chabad Annual Gala!
  • Congratulations to Howard Weiss and his daughter Shuli on their daughter and granddaughter Samantha Schnelwar winning 1st place in the local Zone 1 and regional Zone 1 Interscholastic Equestrian Competition, walk, trot, canter category this past Sunday at Terryville CT!
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
Condolences
  • to Lisa Michelson and Barry Michelson on the passing of their mother Naomi Michelson
Yasher Koach
  • to all of our families who joined in our Mitzvah Day to support the Freedberg Food pantry at Schoke JFS. Thank you to chair Amy Sroka and donors Cindy & David Pitkoff in memory of Rita Pitkoff and Kaili & Daniel Scherban in memory of Robert Scherban. Click here to view pictures from the event
Thank You
  • to Nava & Eitan Ulmer for hosting our first session in the Nachos and Knowledge Series on Business Ethics with Rabbi Cohen
  • Diane & Rabbi Cohen for hosting 25 young professionals at their home for the Stamford Jewish Experience Friday night dinner and to United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien for their partnership.
Thanks To Our Sponsors
  • Senior Challah Deliveries: Rachel & Harold Terk in memory of Rachel's brother, Sheldon Marc Paru, Shalom Moshe Ben Horav Yitzchak
  • Sanctuary Kiddush: The Dayan Family in honor of Yedidya Harush and all the brave soldiers of the IDF protecting our homeland
  • Seudat Shlishit: Michael & Sharon Feldstein in memory of their daughter Tova Gail Feldstein/Tova Gittel bat Michoel Gershon v'Sharon, on the occasion of her first yahrzeit
Sign Up for these Events
sign up
Tu Beshvat Paint Morning
Sunday, January 21 - 10:30 AM
Learn more
CAS Youth Bracha Bee
sign up
CAS Movie Club
Sunday, January 28 - 8:00 PM
Learn more
Threads of Warmth Clothing Collection
Monday, January 29
sign up
CAS 55+ Committee Whiskey and Spirits Tasting
Tuesday, February 20 - 7:30 PM
Upcoming Events
CAS Womens Crafty Ladies
Wednesday, January 24 - 10:00 AM
Crafty Ladies will meet on Wednesdays, Jan.10 and Jan. 24 at 10:00am at CAS.Crafty Ladies have sent 18 black woolen hats to the IDF, and it is not too late to knit more! Need info, reach out to Audrey 203-355-3180 or Johanna 203-588-0942.
Israel Updates
Remembering the Fallen IDF Soldiers Every week, we read the names of the IDF soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the state and people of Israel. Reading the fallen names takes them out of their uniformed headshots into the plainclothes lives they led, with families and professions and hobbies and all that makes us who we are. It brings the fallen nearer, making them a little more real and making the loss all the more profound. May God grant their families and friends much comfort and strength and their legacy will live on always.
Meaningful Idea to Support Families in Israel  Every expression of support for our brothers and sisters makes a difference. The MEALuim Project easily enables communities and individuals to send a weeknight meal to families whose parents are serving in the IDF. One less meal to prepare each week lightens the parents' heavy loads, brings smiles to the faces of children and reminds Israeli families that they have friends – even very far away – who want to do what they can to share the burden.

Become a neighbor across the ocean—simply choose the size of the family and how many weeks you want to send a delicious meal. Register with our community. If your family is joining, please email me as well (rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org) so we can acknowledge your participation.
CAS Youth News
Friendly Youth Decorum Reminders 
  1. Groups begin at 10 AM. All youth must be either in groups or with their parents.
  2. No Ball Playing inside the shul or on the premises.
  3. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness. Kids tables are located in the front of the Social Hall. We ask parents to remind kids to keep food in this area of the building. 

Parent-Child Learning  Every Motzei Shabbat - 30 minutes after Havdallah, join us for this 45 minute program. For kids in grades 1-7 Learn the incredible stories from the book of Shmuel.
CAS Announcements
  • NCSY Comes to Stamford - Hosting Opportunities  On Shabbat, February 9-10, we are excited to welcome the Northeast NCSY Winter Regional Shabbaton to Agudath! Teens and advisors from around the Northeast will be joining us here in Stamford for an energy-filled and inspirational Shabbat, bringing more light and ruach to town! We are excited to welcome the group to the sanctuary service for special Shabbat morning for all, and NCSY's own Kabbalat Shabbat, Seudah Shlishit and Havdala - absolute staples of the ruach experience - will be open to all who are interested. Additionally, NCSY is looking for hosts in the community to accommodate out-of-town guests for Friday night and Saturday night. If you are able to help out, please reach out to Dovi at 475-685-8206 or sidersond@ncsy.org.
  • Save the Date - Guest Speaker - Member of Knesset - Ohad Tal  Shabbat, February 2nd and 3rd. MK Tal heads the Israel - USA Relations Knesset caucus and will be visiting Agudath Sholom and our community to strengthen bridges between the American Jewish community and Israel. He serves as a Member of Knesset from the Religious Zionist Party. He heads the Public Enterprises Knesset Committee and is a member of the Security and Foreign Affairs, Economics and Aliya Absorption Knesset committees.
  • Save the Date - Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld on his book Building After Auschwitz  Monday evening, February 5th, 7:45 PM. President of the Center for Jewish History in New York City and Professor of History at Fairfield University - Since the end of World War II, Jewish architects have risen to unprecedented international prominence. Peter Eisenman, Frank Gehry, Louis I. Kahn, Daniel Libeskind, Richard Meier, Moshe Safdie, Robert A.M. Stern, and Stanley Tigerman have made pivotal contributions. They have also decisively shaped Jewish architectural history, as many of their designs are influenced by Jewish themes, ideas, and imagery. Building After Auschwitz is the first major study to examine the origins of this "new Jewish architecture.
  • The Cholent Challenge is Back! Shabbat, Jan 27th - Limited spots, to participate contact Rabbi Kurtz. Prepare your entry in the shul kitchen on Thursday night or Friday.
  • January Seudah Shlishit Series: Religious Zionist Torah Thinkers "For the Torah will go forth from Zion." Join us between mincha and maariv on Shabbat 1/20, 1/27, 2/10 and 2/17, to learn about revolutionary Israeli Torah personalities such as Rav Goren, Rav Kook, Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon and Rabbi Yehuda Henkin. Our presenters include Michael Feldstein, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, Rabbi Moshe Kurtz, and Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger! For questions and sponsorship opportunities, please email Rabbi Kurtz: rabbikurtz@cas-stamford.org
  • Holy Habit - Food Pantry Donations  Rather than wait for a Food Drive, make it a habit each week when shopping for Shabbos to purchase kosher, non-perishable food for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry.Drop off at JFS or CAS
Weekday Schedule
  • Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
  • Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 4:45 PM; Friday: 4:50 PM
  • Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:45 PM
  • Thursday  Tu BiShvat
CAS Classes
Join one of our classes.

We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
  • Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
  • Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
  • Chaya Sara bat Chava
  • Freidel bat Esther
  • Aliza Alka bat Miriam
  • Mark Emanuel ben Leah
  • Shlomo ben Velvel
  • Asher Anshel Eliezer ben Baila
  • Leah bat Tzirel
  • Miriam Rut bat Chana
  • Daniel David Yitzchak ben Shulamit
  • Harav Eliezer ben Chaya
  • אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה
  • פרידה הדסה bat פערל לאה
  • Dov ben Pnina

We Honor Our Military
  • Ariel Y
  • Shani Y
  • Tali Y
  • Harry B
  • Zevi M
  • Nathan H
  • Noam H
  • Yehudit
  • Sally K
  • Oren L
  • Nathan L
  • Jeremy S
  • Meni N
  • Yaniv H
  • Rachel W

Community Announcements
  • The Stamford Eruv Association cordially invites you to a brunch in honor of the 40th ANNIVERSARY of the STAMFORD ERUV  Dedicated to Bennet Kfare, of blessed memory. Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 10am - Chabad of Stamford, 770 High Ridge Rd. $25 per person/ $180 sponsorship (includes four reservations). Visit https://www.stamforderuv.org/brunch to register by January 21, 2024
  • Bella's Hats pop up shop is coming to Stamford!  January 27 | 7-9pm - Ladies, come shop the newest hats, headbands and fascinators. Something for every occasion. *Private Stamford home. To RSVP and to receive address please email Miriam.lehrer@gmail.com.
  • Addressing Antisemitism with Author, Richard Hurowitz The first in a three-part Zoom series presented by UJF and the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County starting on International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 28 at 7:00 pm, author Richard Hurowitz discusses his book, "In the Garden of Righteous: The Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Save Jews During the Holocaust". Register: www.ujf.org/jcrcseries
  • Registration for 2024 Jewish Baseball League season is live!  FCCJBL is a co-ed, ages 4-12 year old little league and plays on Sundays only. Season opener is 4/14. Please sign up on www.fccjbl.org. Please reach out to info@fccjbl.org with any questions.
  • Schoke Jewish Family Service invites you to its annual gala, An Evening with Schoke JFS  Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 5:30 PM, at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road. Honorees include: The 44th Annual Mitzvah Award, Nan and Paul Gordon and Betsy and Michael Stone; Volunteer of the Year Award, Sally Kleinman; and Community Service Award, Ronnie Sichel. The evening will begin with appetizers, cocktails, followed by dinner, presentation of awards to the honorees, a paddle raise and dessert. There will also be an online auction. The event is chaired by Connie Freeman, Meryl Japha, Jillian Klaff, and Esther Rein with Jeri Appel as auction chair. General tickets include dinner and dessert for $250, purchase your ticket at www.ctjfs.org. Contact Janet Wainright at 203-921-4161 or jwainright@ctjfs.org to place a journal ad.

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

CAS Logo
Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
BoJanuary 20, 202410 Sh'vat 5784
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:36 PM
Mincha4:41 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00/8:00/9:00 AM
Sephardic Minyan8:45 AM
Coffee and Commentary8:45 AM
Latest Shema8:57 AM
Shmuel Class9:00 AM
Latest Shacharit10:00 AM
Bob's Basics10:00 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Q & A with Yedidya Yarush12:15 PM
Early Mincha12:40 PM
Code Of Jewish Law3:45 PM
Mincha4:35 PM
Havdalah5:38 PM
Shabbat Shalom
In a Second

One word we recite every month encapsulates the essence of being a Jew.

During the prayer for the new month, Rosh Chodesh, whenever we mention the first appearance of the new moon in Jerusalem, we identify the time based on the hour, minute and chelek of the day. For instance, the first appearance of the new moon, or molad as it is known, for the month of Shevat was Thursday, January 11th , 8:45 AM and 4chalakim.

The Hebrew word chelek means a portion. An hour is divided into 1080 chalakim and one chelek is 3.5 seconds.

Why does Judaism give a name to 3.5 seconds? Why are they significant?

Rabbi Aharon Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, explains that it reflects the sacredness of time. Not only can a minute make a difference, but even a few seconds. It is no surprise that the very first mitzvah God commands the Jewish people as a nation is to sanctify time.

God tells Moshe in this week's Parsha, "This month is for you the first of all months." God is not only establishing the cycle of the Jewish calendar based on the moon, but making a profound statement about our relationship to time.

Slaves cannot choose how to use time. As free people, the Jewish people are now charged with the gift of elevating every moment. Time can be harnessed or wasted - it is in our hands.

Every minute, second or even millisecond counts.

In the words of an anonymous poem, "To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics."

It is not only about missing a moment but seizing it. We live on borrowed time.

How many times do we go through a day and wonder whether we achieved the goals we set for ourselves? Are you just doing time or doing something meaningful?

How many seconds? How many minutes do we waste every day doing things that are nowhere near the goals and aspirations and passions that we have inside? How many times do we go through the course of a day and realize, "Did I do anything I set out to do today?"

Write down those goals each and every day.

If we can accomplish those, then we are doing more than just making it through the day. We are living and achieving our dreams.

It is no wonder the Sages teach every person to possess a chelek, a portion, in the world to come. Every minute and every second can be elevated and eternalized. It is the secret of life.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing an immediate return of the hostages, victory and peace speedily and in our days ahead,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Shabbat Information 
  • Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Bo with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - {https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/bo/the-march-of-folly/
  • Please find Dovi Siderson's weekly parsha resource here
  • The Haftarah is read from Jeremiah 46:13–28
  • Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here
  • Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here
  • Tu Bishvat begins Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon. We do not recite Tachanun starting from Wednesday Mincha. Kel Erech Apayim and Lamnatzeich are also omitted on Thursday morning.
  • Final Time for Kiddush Levanah: Thursday Night until 3:07 AM.
  • Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking here.

Special Guest Speaker this Shabbat Morning - Standing with Israel - Elite IDF Soldier
We look forward to welcoming as our guest this Shabbat, Yedidya Harush, Jewish National Fund's (JNF-USA's) Liaison for Negev Community Development. A decorated soldier, Yedidya rejoined his elite IDF unit after October 7th and has been fighting on the front lines in Gaza and the West Bank ever since. Yedidya will be sharing his unique perspective on the current situation and his determination to rebuild the Gaza border communities. Thank you to Rachel and Nimrod Dayan for hosting Yedidya this weekend. He will be speaking on Shabbat morning in the sanctuary.


Parsha Icebreakers (Courtesy of Elisheva and Yaakov Moshe Shmidman)
  1. Where do you fall out amongst your siblings and what was your experience with that (plague of the first born son)?
  2. What is the hardest place in your house to clean for chametz (prohibition to have chametz on Pesach )?
  3. What is a religious question you have asked your parents (ki yishalcha bincha)?

Coat Room Cleanout  There are many coats, hats and gloves that have been left in the coat room. They have been moved to a rack outside the room - please take a look and take yours home. Anything left on the rack on January 29th will be donated to Threads of Warmth.
Save the Date for our Agudath Sholom Annual Dinner  
Sunday, March 10th, 2024
Am YIsrael Chai, It is not just a Statement, it is a Way of Life
Mazal Tov to our honorees!
  • Guests of Honor - Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe
  • Young Leadership Award - Amy & Sam Sroka
  • Community Service Award - Chris Beldotti, Mike Beldotti and the Beldotti Family
  • Chai Award - Judd Love
Dinner Chairs - Alex & Brett Olsson
Dinner Co-Chairs - Shira Marder & Jason Saibel
Honorary Dinner Chairs - Rachel & Nimrod Dayan, Karen & Ira Berk and Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg
Dinner Journal Chairs - Eve Steinmetz and Shushannah Yasgur

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 (13)
Gayle & Mitchell Bell
Debra & Michael Berg
Dina & Paul Berger
Lynn & Harvey Berman
Darona & Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein
Drs. 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
Marla & Jason Lewis
J & R Licht
Susan Mark
Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe
Rhonda Schaffer-Maron & Jeffrey Maron
Janice & Jake Meyer
Nancy Zinbarg Mimoun
Nofie & Mark Rosovsky
Rosalyn Sherman
Stephanie & Bob Sherman
Ronnie Ness & Steven Sichel
Diane & Elliot Sloyer
Brenda & Bruce z"l Smith
Ellen & Richard Weber
Neda Khaghan & Robert Yaghoubian
Lauren & Joe Zalis
Navah & David Zizmor


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!
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Levi Feller
Shmuel ClassMark Wagshul
Bob's BasicsBob Abrams
ShiurRabbi Moshe Kurtz: Breakaway Minyanim: How Do We Evaluate Fair Competition?
Sanctuary SermonGuest Speaker Yedidya Yarush
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Yossi Kamman
Seudat ShlishitMichael Feldstein: Exploring the Thought of Rabbi Shlomo Goren
Mazal Tov
  • to Yael Shmilovitch & Elliot Buckman on the birth of a baby girl, Nili Ayla!
  • to Vered & Mark Links on receiving the Lamplighter Award at the Chabad Annual Gala!
  • Congratulations to Howard Weiss and his daughter Shuli on their daughter and granddaughter Samantha Schnelwar winning 1st place in the local Zone 1 and regional Zone 1 Interscholastic Equestrian Competition, walk, trot, canter category this past Sunday at Terryville CT!
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
Condolences
  • to Lisa Michelson and Barry Michelson on the passing of their mother Naomi Michelson
Yasher Koach
  • to all of our families who joined in our Mitzvah Day to support the Freedberg Food pantry at Schoke JFS. Thank you to chair Amy Sroka and donors Cindy & David Pitkoff in memory of Rita Pitkoff and Kaili & Daniel Scherban in memory of Robert Scherban. Click here to view pictures from the event
Thank You
  • to Nava & Eitan Ulmer for hosting our first session in the Nachos and Knowledge Series on Business Ethics with Rabbi Cohen
  • Diane & Rabbi Cohen for hosting 25 young professionals at their home for the Stamford Jewish Experience Friday night dinner and to United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien for their partnership.
Thanks To Our Sponsors
  • Senior Challah Deliveries: Rachel & Harold Terk in memory of Rachel's brother, Sheldon Marc Paru, Shalom Moshe Ben Horav Yitzchak
  • Sanctuary Kiddush: The Dayan Family in honor of Yedidya Harush and all the brave soldiers of the IDF protecting our homeland
  • Seudat Shlishit: Michael & Sharon Feldstein in memory of their daughter Tova Gail Feldstein/Tova Gittel bat Michoel Gershon v'Sharon, on the occasion of her first yahrzeit
Sign Up for these Events
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Tu Beshvat Paint Morning
Sunday, January 21 - 10:30 AM
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CAS Youth Bracha Bee
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CAS Movie Club
Sunday, January 28 - 8:00 PM
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Threads of Warmth Clothing Collection
Monday, January 29
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CAS 55+ Committee Whiskey and Spirits Tasting
Tuesday, February 20 - 7:30 PM
Upcoming Events
CAS Womens Crafty Ladies
Wednesday, January 24 - 10:00 AM
Crafty Ladies will meet on Wednesdays, Jan.10 and Jan. 24 at 10:00am at CAS.Crafty Ladies have sent 18 black woolen hats to the IDF, and it is not too late to knit more! Need info, reach out to Audrey 203-355-3180 or Johanna 203-588-0942.
Israel Updates
Remembering the Fallen IDF Soldiers Every week, we read the names of the IDF soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the state and people of Israel. Reading the fallen names takes them out of their uniformed headshots into the plainclothes lives they led, with families and professions and hobbies and all that makes us who we are. It brings the fallen nearer, making them a little more real and making the loss all the more profound. May God grant their families and friends much comfort and strength and their legacy will live on always.
Meaningful Idea to Support Families in Israel  Every expression of support for our brothers and sisters makes a difference. The MEALuim Project easily enables communities and individuals to send a weeknight meal to families whose parents are serving in the IDF. One less meal to prepare each week lightens the parents' heavy loads, brings smiles to the faces of children and reminds Israeli families that they have friends – even very far away – who want to do what they can to share the burden.

Become a neighbor across the ocean—simply choose the size of the family and how many weeks you want to send a delicious meal. Register with our community. If your family is joining, please email me as well (rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org) so we can acknowledge your participation.
CAS Youth News
Friendly Youth Decorum Reminders 
  1. Groups begin at 10 AM. All youth must be either in groups or with their parents.
  2. No Ball Playing inside the shul or on the premises.
  3. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness. Kids tables are located in the front of the Social Hall. We ask parents to remind kids to keep food in this area of the building. 

Parent-Child Learning  Every Motzei Shabbat - 30 minutes after Havdallah, join us for this 45 minute program. For kids in grades 1-7 Learn the incredible stories from the book of Shmuel.
CAS Announcements
  • NCSY Comes to Stamford - Hosting Opportunities  On Shabbat, February 9-10, we are excited to welcome the Northeast NCSY Winter Regional Shabbaton to Agudath! Teens and advisors from around the Northeast will be joining us here in Stamford for an energy-filled and inspirational Shabbat, bringing more light and ruach to town! We are excited to welcome the group to the sanctuary service for special Shabbat morning for all, and NCSY's own Kabbalat Shabbat, Seudah Shlishit and Havdala - absolute staples of the ruach experience - will be open to all who are interested. Additionally, NCSY is looking for hosts in the community to accommodate out-of-town guests for Friday night and Saturday night. If you are able to help out, please reach out to Dovi at 475-685-8206 or sidersond@ncsy.org.
  • Save the Date - Guest Speaker - Member of Knesset - Ohad Tal  Shabbat, February 2nd and 3rd. MK Tal heads the Israel - USA Relations Knesset caucus and will be visiting Agudath Sholom and our community to strengthen bridges between the American Jewish community and Israel. He serves as a Member of Knesset from the Religious Zionist Party. He heads the Public Enterprises Knesset Committee and is a member of the Security and Foreign Affairs, Economics and Aliya Absorption Knesset committees.
  • Save the Date - Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld on his book Building After Auschwitz  Monday evening, February 5th, 7:45 PM. President of the Center for Jewish History in New York City and Professor of History at Fairfield University - Since the end of World War II, Jewish architects have risen to unprecedented international prominence. Peter Eisenman, Frank Gehry, Louis I. Kahn, Daniel Libeskind, Richard Meier, Moshe Safdie, Robert A.M. Stern, and Stanley Tigerman have made pivotal contributions. They have also decisively shaped Jewish architectural history, as many of their designs are influenced by Jewish themes, ideas, and imagery. Building After Auschwitz is the first major study to examine the origins of this "new Jewish architecture.
  • The Cholent Challenge is Back! Shabbat, Jan 27th - Limited spots, to participate contact Rabbi Kurtz. Prepare your entry in the shul kitchen on Thursday night or Friday.
  • January Seudah Shlishit Series: Religious Zionist Torah Thinkers "For the Torah will go forth from Zion." Join us between mincha and maariv on Shabbat 1/20, 1/27, 2/10 and 2/17, to learn about revolutionary Israeli Torah personalities such as Rav Goren, Rav Kook, Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon and Rabbi Yehuda Henkin. Our presenters include Michael Feldstein, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, Rabbi Moshe Kurtz, and Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger! For questions and sponsorship opportunities, please email Rabbi Kurtz: rabbikurtz@cas-stamford.org
  • Holy Habit - Food Pantry Donations  Rather than wait for a Food Drive, make it a habit each week when shopping for Shabbos to purchase kosher, non-perishable food for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry.Drop off at JFS or CAS
Weekday Schedule
  • Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
  • Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 4:45 PM; Friday: 4:50 PM
  • Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:45 PM
  • Thursday  Tu BiShvat
CAS Classes
Join one of our classes.

We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
  • Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
  • Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
  • Chaya Sara bat Chava
  • Freidel bat Esther
  • Aliza Alka bat Miriam
  • Mark Emanuel ben Leah
  • Shlomo ben Velvel
  • Asher Anshel Eliezer ben Baila
  • Leah bat Tzirel
  • Miriam Rut bat Chana
  • Daniel David Yitzchak ben Shulamit
  • Harav Eliezer ben Chaya
  • אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה
  • פרידה הדסה bat פערל לאה
  • Dov ben Pnina

We Honor Our Military
  • Ariel Y
  • Shani Y
  • Tali Y
  • Harry B
  • Zevi M
  • Nathan H
  • Noam H
  • Yehudit
  • Sally K
  • Oren L
  • Nathan L
  • Jeremy S
  • Meni N
  • Yaniv H
  • Rachel W

Community Announcements
  • The Stamford Eruv Association cordially invites you to a brunch in honor of the 40th ANNIVERSARY of the STAMFORD ERUV  Dedicated to Bennet Kfare, of blessed memory. Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 10am - Chabad of Stamford, 770 High Ridge Rd. $25 per person/ $180 sponsorship (includes four reservations). Visit https://www.stamforderuv.org/brunch to register by January 21, 2024
  • Bella's Hats pop up shop is coming to Stamford!  January 27 | 7-9pm - Ladies, come shop the newest hats, headbands and fascinators. Something for every occasion. *Private Stamford home. To RSVP and to receive address please email Miriam.lehrer@gmail.com.
  • Addressing Antisemitism with Author, Richard Hurowitz The first in a three-part Zoom series presented by UJF and the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County starting on International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 28 at 7:00 pm, author Richard Hurowitz discusses his book, "In the Garden of Righteous: The Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Save Jews During the Holocaust". Register: www.ujf.org/jcrcseries
  • Registration for 2024 Jewish Baseball League season is live!  FCCJBL is a co-ed, ages 4-12 year old little league and plays on Sundays only. Season opener is 4/14. Please sign up on www.fccjbl.org. Please reach out to info@fccjbl.org with any questions.
  • Schoke Jewish Family Service invites you to its annual gala, An Evening with Schoke JFS  Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 5:30 PM, at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road. Honorees include: The 44th Annual Mitzvah Award, Nan and Paul Gordon and Betsy and Michael Stone; Volunteer of the Year Award, Sally Kleinman; and Community Service Award, Ronnie Sichel. The evening will begin with appetizers, cocktails, followed by dinner, presentation of awards to the honorees, a paddle raise and dessert. There will also be an online auction. The event is chaired by Connie Freeman, Meryl Japha, Jillian Klaff, and Esther Rein with Jeri Appel as auction chair. General tickets include dinner and dessert for $250, purchase your ticket at www.ctjfs.org. Contact Janet Wainright at 203-921-4161 or jwainright@ctjfs.org to place a journal ad.

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