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

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Friday, November 14, 2025

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
Chayei SaraMevarchim Chodesh KislevNovember 15, 202524 Cheshvan
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:17 PM
Mincha4:22 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00/8:00/9:00 AM
Latest Shema8:28 AM
Coffee & Commentary8:40 AM
Sephardic Minyan8:45 AM
Latest Shacharit9:31 AM
Bob's Basics10:00 AM
Family Minyan10:00 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Code Of Jewish Law3:20 PM
Mincha4:10 PM
Havdalah5:17 PM
Shabbat Shalom
The Courageous Prayer: Stop to Daven Mincha

God is our co-pilot. Through life, we never want to face the world alone. As Jews, we thank God in the morning and debrief at night through the respective prayers of Shacharit, the morning service, and Maariv, the evening service. Yet, in the middle of the day, when the phones are ringing and the hustle and bustle of work, home and school are at their peak, we are obligated to STOP it all and daven mincha, the afternoon service.

In fact, according to the Talmud in Brachot, mincha is the most effective prayer for Eliyahu the prophet was answered only when he davened at this time of day, in the afternoon. In our Torah portion of Chayei Sara, we learn that Yitzchak originated the afternoon service. He too was answered right away. Our sages explain that Isaac conversing in the field towards evening (Bereishit 24:63) is a reference to the mincha service. In the same verse, the Torah states, that after praying, "He lifted his eyes and he saw the camels arriving." He was praying for a wife and lo and behold, he was answered right away.

It is ironic that this week we read about mincha in the Torah just two weeks after the clocks were changed and mincha is "early" in the day, this week at 4:15 PM. During this season, it is not easy to make a mincha minyan, let alone stop what we are doing and connect with the Almighty.

Yet, this is the most important tefilla. Why? It is most significant precisely because it is so hard. It takes courage to tell the world to stop while you speak with God. For this reason, it is most powerful. When we say to the world, "Wait, my success and blessings are due to the beneficence of God for God is central and indispensable," God will respond in kind and we become His priority. In the morning, before we leave our homes, it is easier to find time as it is at the end of the day. Mincha is what we truly need to stay anchored in our faith and fortified in our mission.

Thank God, the opportunities to daven mincha in our community are expanding. Besides at CAS, there is an early mincha Monday - Thursday at 613 at 1:45 PM. For mincha times and locations near you visit www.godaven.com.

Whether at home, in the office or on the road, stop to daven mincha. It is the pause that refreshes.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Shabbat Topics & Participants
Coffee & CommentaryRabbi Daniel Cohen
Bob's BasicsRabbi Bob Abrams
ShiurRabbi Josh Rosenfeld: Binding of Isaac, Death of Sarah - A Lesson in Parshanut
ShacharitZach Ungar
MusafAaron Berk
Code of Jewish LawDovid Green
Seudah ShlishitZissy Turner: Avraham's Heir - Rivka, Water and Renewal
Welcome
  • new members Brent & Alissa Weinberg and their son Tani!
  • Zissy Turner, our Steinmetz Alexander Bernstein Community Yoetzet Halacha, as our Scholar-in-Residence this Shabbos!
  • Sharon & Russ Roberts! Russ is President of Shalem College and will be speaking Sunday night at the shul.
Mazal Tov
  • to Debra & Dan Faizakoff on Iila's Bat Mitzvah!
  • to Drs. Judy & Jeff Cahn on the engagement of their granddaughter, Esther Gropper, daughter of Rebecca Binstock and Aaron Gropper, to Dovi Lowenthal, son of Dr. Shari Lowenthal and Dr. Michael Lowenthal of West Hempstead, NY!
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
Condolences
  • We wish comfort to the family of Harry Lazarus who passed away. To send a message of condolence to family, contact dallicelazarus@gmail.com.
Thanks To Our Sponsors
  • Senior Challah Deliveries: Shira & Steven Manheimer in commemoration of the first yarzheit of Shira's mother, Carole Bolensky z"l; and in memory of Steve's mother, Marion Manheimer z"l, and Shira's sisters, Sarah Bolensky z"l and Lilly Backer z"l
  • 7AM Kiddush: Shmouel Gov-Ari in honor of the anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah
  • Chapel Kiddush: Liba & Steven Steinmetz and Stephen Block in memory of Liba and Stephen's mom, Annette Block z"l- Chana Bat Yehuda Leib
  • Sephardic Kiddush: The Dayan family in loving memory of Rose Dayan z"l and and Sylvia Grazi z"l
  • Sanctuary Kiddush: Debra & Dan Faizakoff in celebration of Iila's Bat Mitzvah
  • Seudah Shlishit: The Raymond Family in memory of Ina Rabinowicz z"l on her yahrzeit
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Sign Up for these Events
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1:1 Meeting with Yoetzet Halacha Zissy Turner
Shabbat, November 15 - 3:00 PM
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Young Couples Smores Social
Saturday Night, November 15 - 8:00 PM
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Russ Roberts: The Economics of Outrage
Sunday, November 16 - 7:30 PM
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Parenting With Purpose
Tuesday, November 18 - 1:00 PM
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Fall Scholar Series with Rivka Werner
Wednesday, November 19 - 8:00 PM
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CAS Mens Club Whiskey and Chocolate Tasting
Thursday, November 20 - 7:30 PM
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Thank Our First Responders This Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 27 - 11:00 AM
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Mens Adult Learning Trip (MALT) 2025
Sunday, November 30
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Parent-Child Learning
Shabbat, December 6 - 5:53 PM
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CAS Youth Chesed Fair
Sunday, December 7 - 10:30 AM
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The Power of Chassidic Melody: A 19th of Kislev Experience
Monday, December 8 - 7:45 PM
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One Shabbat One CommUNITY
Shabbat, December 13 - 6:30 PM
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New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch
Sunday, December 14 - 11:30 AM
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Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
Upcoming Events
Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz
Sunday, November 16 - 10:30 AM
Please join the conversation in person as we continue our deep dive into the Biblically inspired verse of the Russian and Soviet poet Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966) who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature twice. Bagels, nova, Starbucks, Beldotti gladly hosted. If you plan to sit at the Roundtable or have any questions please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450
CAS Announcements
  • Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman) 
    • What is a meaningful eulogy you have heard (Avraham eulogizes Sarah)?
    • What story do you like to repeat (Eliezer repeats his story to Rivka's family)?
    • Recall a time you felt empowered by your family or a sense of independence (Rivka's family blesses her before she leaves home to marry Yitzchak).
    • Would You Rather have a divine sign as to whom you are supposed to marry but you can't date them or find them normally (Eliezer asks Hashem for a sign to indicate who is the one for Yitzchak)?
  • Save the Date - Sunday morning, November 30th, Thanksgiving Weekend  9:15 AM at Agudath Sholom - Guest Shiur with Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider on The Shema and the Universal Love of Rav Kook
  • Making A Good Marriage Great: Shalom Bayit Young Couples Chavura  with Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen. Starts Winter 2026 - Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen will lead a three month series on strengthening marriage, deepening relationships and growing in romance and love. The series will be hosted at private homes. To learn more and/or be hosts, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org
  • Support our Local Kosher Establishments  Thank God we have a growing number of Kosher establishments in Stamford. Navaratna is currently closed for renovations, but please make an extra effort to support 613, Ricotta, L'Chaim and Greenwich & Delancey.
  • CAS Men's Club - EMS First Responders Thanksgiving Day We are looking for contributions or donations to buy the Turkey Dinner for the EMS Responders. We will server kosher Turkey, vegetables (Sweet Potato, Beans, Broccoli), Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce and dessert. Can you contribute or help prepare or show up to deliver the food? Starting 9am we will cook the dinner together. At approx. 11:15-30 we will deliver the food to the EMS Station House - 684 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT. Contact Mitchell Bell if you are interested (wizdrbel@yahoo.com)
  • 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
Weekday Schedule
  • Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Thursday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Friday: 6:20/7:30/8:30 AM
  • Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 4:15 PM; Friday: 4:17 PM
  • Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:12 PM
  • Friday  Rosh Chodesh Kislev
CAS Classes
Join one of our classes.

We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
  • Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
  • Yaffa bat Hanna
  • Anat bat Rachel
  • Moshe Yosef ben Sarah
  • 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
  • Rafael Zvi ben Chana Pearl
  • Evgeny ben Perl
  • Ariella Maor bat Liba Chaya
  • Leah bat Rivka
  • חיים זאב ben לאה
  • Adeline bat Chava
  • Moisha Gedalia
  • Nechemiah
  • Dorit bat Ora
  • Yospa bat Shana Menucha
  • Michal bat Chana
  • Rachel Leah bat Sara
  • Mary
  • Yosef Noach ben Dina
  • Uriel ben Vered
  • 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
  • Yehouda ben Aghdas
  • Hersh Zalman ben Sorah Rochel
  • 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

We Honor Our Military
  • Ariel Y
  • Shani Y
  • Tali Y
  • Yoad A
  • Harry B
  • CZM
  • JEM
  • AMM
  • 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

Community Announcements
  • Thanksgiving Bake Sale to Support Sharsheret  The Stamford community is participating in a national bake sale on Thanksgiving, with proceeds benefiting Sharsheret, an organization that provides vital support to Jewish women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer. Enjoy a variety of homemade, delicious baked goods — all Kosher, Pareve, and prepared with care in local Kosher, Stamford kitchens. Perfect for your holiday table or as a thoughtful gift! Place your orders here: https://tinyurl.com/sharsheretbake Order pickup is on Nov 26 in the evening. For questions, contact Shoshy Rosen (shoshyciment@gmail.com).
  • UJF's Shulchan Ivrit (Hebrew Table)  Weekly beginning Wednesday, Oct. 22. Looking to brush up or learn new words in Hebrew? Join UJF and Stamford JCC for opportunities to connect and speak Hebrew for an hour of casual conversation! Visit: http://bit.ly/3I1koQu to register. For more details contact UJF community shlicha Eden at Eden@ujf.org.
  • Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 70th Anniversary - An Evening with Alex Edelman Tony & Emmy Award Winner  Sunday, December 7th, 2025 Doors Open at 5:00 PM for VIP Ticket Holders and Sponsors, Doors Open at 6:00 PM for All Ticket Holders 7:00 PM Show Starts Promptly (Doors Close). The Performing, Arts Theatre at SUNY Purchase, PepsiCo Theatre, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY 10577 - Purchase tickets at https://comedy.bcha-ct.org/
  • UJF Big Give Call Nights  Continues Monday, December 1st, 6:00 pm Help UJF in calling friends and neighbors to share the important work of Federation and giving them the opportunity to strengthen the community in these challenging times. Training will be provided. Dates of call nights: Monday, December 1, 6 -8 pm and Tuesday, December 16, 6-8 pm
  • Menorah Candle Lighting with Mayor Caroline Simmons  Tuesday, December16th, 4:45pm Join UJF, Temple Beth El, and Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons in sharing the tradition of lighting the Chanukah candles. Come sing Chanukah songs and enjoy sweet treats! The candle lighting will take place at the Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd.
  • Aaron's Place - A Kosher Comfort Room  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 relax and refresh. Information is available at the hospital front desk, The code, in Hebrew letters, is on the door of the room. Volunteers Needed! To volunteer, please email ronsichel@aol.com

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