| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Balak | | July 12, 2025 | 16 Tamuz 5785 |
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| | Friday | | | Mincha | 7:00 PM/8:14 PM | | Candle Lighting | 8:09 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:23 AM | | Coffee & Commentary | 8:40 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Melachim Class | 9:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:55 AM | | Bob's Basics | 10:00 AM | | Family Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Daf Yomi | 7:15 PM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 7:15 PM | | Mincha | 8:05 PM | | Havdalah | 9:09 PM |
What do we love? The Talmud contrasts the spirit of Bilam with the spirit of Avraham. Bilam was driven by ego and pride and Avraham was driven by service and humility. Avraham's heart was bursting with chesed, kindness. He and his wife Sara's open home, welcoming strangers, was not reactionary but anticipatory. He and Sara loved and lived their values and so must we. How do we embrace and transit the legacy of Avraham? Rabbi Moshe Alshich, offers an insight from the Shema. God states "veshinantam levanecha", you shall teach these things carefully to your children. He asked, "How can we be sure that we really will teach God's ways to our children and that they will embrace them? How do we act so that we know we will succeed?" The Torah gives the answer." Just two verses earlier, it says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." Rabbi Jonathan Sacks encapsulates this idea beautifully. "It is what we love, that our children will learn to love and there is no other way to teach your children. It's not what we say to them. It's not even what we do to them. It is the way our lives reflect our loves. Those are the things our children and our youth will absorb and eventually make their own. Or as the English poet, William Wordsworth wrote in his great poem, The Prelude, "What we love, others will love, and we will show them how." This was the secret of Avraham's success and to ours as well. One of my most powerful memories as a child emerged from the team effort of our hospitality. My siblings and I all participated in some way. Whether greeting people at the door, offering food or drink, setting and clearing the table were all ways to counter a culture of self centeredness. It is no wonder The Talmud says the mitzvah of hospitality is as important as Torah study and a way to honor God. That's because all of this trains us in the habit of thinking about other people's feelings. Our roles as mentors for youth never ends. No matter our age, we can influence those around us and embrace our mission as Jews.When we celebrate good character and anticipate opportunities for impact like Avraham and Sarah, it becomes contagious and we change not only families and communities but the world. Our micro acts of kindness, integrity and courage fueled by our celebration of them will foster more and more and ripple across time, space and future generations. As we enter the three weeks, we must remember the laws alone are not the end goal of this period. The goal is to evoke within each of us self reflection and recommitment to forging a world through our actions that is worthy of the rebuilding of the Temple and redemption. Do the words that we speak hurt or heal? Do we seize opportunities to elevate ourselves and our community? If you are not yet on our Making Mitzvah Moments WhatsApp group, please join here. Maimonides teaches that every day the world is in balance and one mitzvah can elevate the entire world. God willing, through the mourning of the three weeks, we will merit to witness peace, the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash, and a world in which everyone sees the Divine in every human being. May we witness this era speedily and in our days. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem and God willing good news in the days ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
CAS Rabbi in Residence in July
Shira & Rabbi Avi Heller will be in residence in Stamford on the following dates:- Thursday, July 3rd - Monday, July 7th
- Thursday, July 10th - Monday, July 14th
- Thursday, July 17th - Monday, July 21st
Rabbi Heller is a close friend of Rabbi Cohen and seasoned Rabbi. He possesses experience in the Rabbinate through his leadership at the Manhattan Jewish Experience and the Boca Raton Synagogue. To learn more about him, click here. To host Rabbi Heller and Shira, click here.
He will be at his home in Teaneck for the remainder of the time, but will be on call for the entire period Rabbi Cohen is away.
While in Stamford, he will officiate at the minyanim, share Divrei Torah, offer classes and be available to answer questions and be a source of support. A schedule of his classes are below. Rabbi Heller can be reached at rabbiaviheller@gmail.com.
Although Rabbi Cohen will be physically away, he understands there may be issues for which you would like his personal counsel and you should feel free to reach out to him via email or WhatsApp.
We are confident Rabbi Heller will be well received in our warm shul and community. Rabbi Heller and Shira are excited to spend time with you and teach Torah at Agudath Sholom.
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Agudath Sholom Italian Jewish Heritage Journey - Reflection from Rabbi Daniel Cohen click here
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Prayers for Hostages - We Pray for the Immediate Rescue and Release
"Acheinu kol Bais Yisrael – Our brethren, the entire Jewish People"
"Hanesunim bitzara u'bishivya – who are delivered into confinement and captivity"
"Ha'omdim bein bayam u'vein bayabasha – whether they be on the sea or dry land"
"HaMakom yiracheim aleihem viyotzi'eim mitzara li'rvacha – May the Omnipresent have mercy on them and remove them from distress to relief"
"U'mei'afela li'ora – and from darkness to light"
"U'mishibud lig'ula – and from subjugation to redemption"
"Hashta b'agala u'viz'man kariv – now, speedily, and close at hand"
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Review of Three Weeks
During the three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz until after Tisha B'Av, the custom is to observe some aspects of mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The observance intensifies as Tisha B'Av approaches.
The three weeks begins on Sunday, July 13th and ends on Tisha B'Av, Sunday, August 3rd. The observances of mourning are the following:- Weddings should not be performed during this period.
- Listening to musical instruments is prohibited. Acapella is permitted.
- We refrain from reciting the blessing "shehecheyanu" on new garments or fruit, except on Shabbat.
- We refrain from taking a haircut during this period.
If you have questions, please be in touch with me or Rabbi Heller. The guidelines are designed to awaken within us the loss of the Temple and spur us to evaluate our own efforts in mending a broken world. God willing, through our meaningful observance of these rituals, we will merit to see the redemption and building of the third Beit Hamikdash speedily in our days.
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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Coffee & Commentary | Rabbi Avi Heller | | Melachim Class | Mark Wagshul | | Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Avi Heller: What does it mean to "bless" someone? |
- new members Harry & Marilyn Soffer!
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- to Stacie & Aaron Berk on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to grandparents Karen & Ira Berk and great-grandmother Tamara Feurstein!
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- to Rachel & Ephraim Cohen and Sheila Cohen on the recent marriage of their son and grandson Adam to Gila Weinrib!
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- to Judy & Jeff Cahn on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Shlomo Shochet, in Beit Shemesh, Israel!
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Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here- to Howard Rothman on the passing of his brother, Sheldon Rothman z"l/Solomon ben Tzvi
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- to Steven Manheimer on the passing of his mother, Marion Manheimer z"l
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- to Linda Yoffe-Solon on the passing of her mother, Anita Stein z"l
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: David & Cindy Pitkoff in Memory of the 6th Yahrtzeit of Bernard Pitkoff
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- Chapel Kiddush: Co-sponsored by the family of Fred Baer in honor of Fred's birthday and Howard Weiss on the anniversary of Howard's birth!
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by an Anonymous donor; Cookie & Allie Goldblum in memory of Murray Goldblum z"l; and Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen in memory of Etta Glass z"l
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- Seudah Shlishit: Rachel Seligson in memory of her mother, Ellen Carter (Yehudit bat Shlomo v'Chaya Sarah) z"l on the occasion of her first Yahrtzeit
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Sunday, July 20 - 10:00 AM |
| Minnie Manger Marcia Lieberman Mikvah Coming Home to Calm |
Monday, July 21 - 8:00 PM |
| | Monday, August 11 - 8:00 PM |
| Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships |
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Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Wednesday, July 16 - 12:00 PM The very first passage in Mishna Avot (Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers) speaks of making a fence around the Torah: "Moses received the Torah from Mount Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua and Joshua to the elders and the elders to the prophets and the prophets the Men of the Great Assembly. They said three things: Be deliberate in judgment, raise many disciples and make a fence around the Torah." JOIN us as we launch our discussion by a close reading of "Mending Wall" by four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Poet Laureate Robert Frost (1874-1963). The very first verse reads: "Something there is that doesn't love a wall." The very last words are "Good fences make good neighbors." Lunch catered from 613 Restaurant provided by your host. If you plan to attend in person, please respond to me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 | CAS Mens Club Pacific House Meals Tuesday, July 29 The CAS Men's Club will be serving lunch and dinner at the Pacific House. We need your help with donations - dairy food items, fruit and monetary. We also need volunteers to help serve the food. Please contact Mitchell Bell at wizdrbel@yahoo.com or 203-722-3512. |
- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What is the most surprising thing you ever heard someone say (the donkey talks to Bilaam)?
- Recall a time Hashem guided you to a given situation/ prevented you from going to a given situation (the angel sends Bilaam a message on his journey that he must say whatever the angel tells him to say).
- What is a great view you experienced (Balak takes Bilaam out to different points overlooking different areas)?
- Would You Rather - Would you rather be able to communicate with animals or know all the human languages (Bilaam talks to the donkey)?
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- Israel Advocacy - Sign up for Pens and Swords This group shares links to petitions and information about how everyone can contact political figures and businesses to advocate on behalf of Israel. Most of these actions take under a minute to complete and they keep pressure on policymakers to support Israel and/or drop actions that are detrimental. Please share the link for this group with as many supporters of Israel and the Jewish people as possible. click here
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday: 7:55 PM; Monday-Thursday: 8:10 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/8:10 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 8:05 PM
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Weekday Classes with Rabbi Avi Heller (In-person and on Zoom)
Sundays -- July 13 and 20
- 48 Ways to Acquire Wisdom -9:15-10:00 am - Unpack the well-known passage from the sixth chapter of Pirkei Avot, which describes 48 ways in which one can acquire the Torah.
Mondays -- July 14 and 21- Parsha Lunch and Learn - 12:00 pm - 12:45 PM - Gain a deeper understanding of the 5 amazing daughters of Tzlofchad in Pinchas (July 14) and the 42 stations visited by the wandering Jews in the desert. (July 21)
Mondays -- July 21- Minchat Asher - the Responsa of Rav Asher Weiss - 8:15-9:00 am - Rav Weiss is one of the leading halachists of this generation. He is the posek for Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center, runs an influential bet din and Kollel , and answers she'eilot (halachic questions) from all over the world. In this series, we will dive into 3 of his shorter responses on contemporary topics.
- War and Peace - 9:00-9:45 am - The world we live in is wracked by war and is always talking about peace. In class 1, we will investigate the values behind the Torah's permission to wage war and (try to) apply them to 21st century Israel.
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
- Moshe Yosef ben Sarah
- Anat bat Rachel
- Raanan Noach ben Slova
- Chaim ben Leah
- Yosef Ishai ben Miriam
- Yocheved Rochel bat Chava Kayla
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
- Rema bat Etta
- Yitzchak ben Shmuel V. Chaya
- Freidel bat Esther
- Leeba Minna bat Rivka
- Pesach Melech ben Basha
- Chaya Shoshana bat Yehudit
| - Nira bat Rachel
- Sara bat Nira
- Chana Leah bat Esther
- Nadav Ephraim ben Shlomit Leah
- Ariella Maor bat Liba Chaya
- Leah bat Rivka
- חיים זאב ben לאה
- Adeline bat Bat Chava
- Moisha Gedalia
- Nechemiah
- Dorit bat Ora
- Yospa bat Shana Menucha
- Mary
- Miriam Rut bat Chana
- Tanya bat Malka
| - Chaya bat Liba
- Moshe Yitzak ben Raisel Crendel
- Miriam bat Devorah
- אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה
- Chaya Rachel bat Carmi Adina
- Penina bat Batya
- Dov ben Pnina
- Nehama Miriam bat Dvora
- Moshe Gavriel ben Rachel Esther
- Cheryl Sheva bat Gittel Leah
- Sossie Raizel bat Sarah Fraida
- Calev Natanel ben Sara
- Yitzchak Osher ben Chana Shayva Chaya
- Inna bat Tanya
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- Ariel Y
- Shani Y
- Tali Y
- Harry B
- Zevi M
- Joreh M
- Ayden M
| - Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
- Rachel M
| - Meir D
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- Wacky Wednesdays with PJ Library Each Week Starting Wednesday, July 2, 4:30 pm. Join UJF for a summer of silly fun, PJ Library activities, and refreshing popsicles! Each Wednesday brings a new location and a chance to show off your wackiest hats, costumes, pajamas, or outfits!! Advanced registration is required. For additional information, contact UJF Deputy Director Eric Ross at eric@ujf.org. Register here: https://www.ujf.org/wackywednesdays
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- NextGen and PJ Library Scavenger Hunt and Ice Cream Sunday, July 20, 10:00 am Step into your favorite sneakers and join UJF for a fun-filled scavenger hunt at Mead Memorial Park, 241 Park Street, New Canaan, as we embark on a thrilling quest to discover hidden treasures! Kosher ice creams from the on-site café will be given to everyone at the end to ensure a really COOL day! Register here: http://www.ujf.org/Summer
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- Women's Philanthropy Salon Wednesday, August 6th, 7:00 pm Join UJF Women's Philanthropy for an inspiring evening of connection and conversation in celebration of Tu B'Av, the Jewish holiday of love. You'll hear from Lilach Porges, Founder and Creative Director of Procode Dress, and Elina Furman, Founder of ORA Magazine and Kahlmi. This intimate gathering will bring together like-minded women who are deeply committed to creating a strong and connected Jewish community. Location will be provided closer to the event. Visit www.ujf.org/WPSalon to registerFor more information, contact CEO Diane Sloyer at dianesloyer@ujf.org
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- Emergency Security Fund Through the Tepper Foundation and Jewish Federations of North America, United Jewish Federation has been able to access a one-time security grant for $33,333.00 and can access an additional $33,333.00 as a match.This fund provides crucial grants to local Jewish institutions offering programming to children aged 0-5 to address heightened security needs that have arisen. This timely and critical grant ensures that early childhood sites are sufficiently protected.The Tepper Foundation will generously match up to $33,333.00 on money raised through July 31, 2025. Visit www.ujf.org/securitymatch to learn more.
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- Operation Rising Lion Israel Needs Us Now! United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien is committed to supporting Israel in her time of need. 100
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- Community Jewish Heritage Mission to Greece Monday, October 27th- Wednesday November 5th. Join UJF on our Mission Trip to Greece from October 27-November 5 as we'll learn and explore Greece's Jewish history dating back thousands of years! There will be an informational meeting about the trip. If you wish to receive information, email Lara@ujf.org.
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- Reminder: Aaron's Place, on the ground floor of Stamford Hospital provides kosher snacks, drinks and meals, in a comfortable environment. If you are caring for a hospitalized loved one or waiting for tests, this comfort room is a place to regroup and refresh. Information is available at the hospital front desk , The code, in Hebrew letters, is on the door of the room.
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