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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| Vayera |
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October 31, 2026 |
20 Cheshvan |
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| Friday |
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| Candle Lighting |
5:34 PM |
| Mincha |
5:39 PM |
| Shabbat |
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| Shacharit |
7:00/8:00/9:00 AM |
| The Rebbe on the Parsha |
7:45 AM |
| Sephardic Minyan |
8:45 AM |
| Coffee & Commentary |
8:45 AM |
| Melachim Class |
9:00 AM |
| Family Minyan |
10:00 AM |
| Latest Shema |
10:01 AM |
| Shiur |
10:30 AM |
| Latest Shacharit |
10:53 AM |
| Daf Yomi |
4:40 PM |
| Code Of Jewish Law |
4:40 PM |
| Mincha |
5:30 PM |
| Havdalah |
6:33 PM |
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Walking Together
One of the most moving phrases in this week's parsha appears twice in the story of the Akeidah, the binding of Yitzchak: Vayelchu shneihem yachdav — “And the two of them walked together.” Avraham and Yitzchak are ascending Mount Moriah. Yet they are not experiencing the journey in the same way. Avraham knows where they are going and what God has asked of him. Yitzchak does not. Nevertheless, they walk together. Then Yitzchak asks his father a piercing question: “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the offering?” Avraham responds that God will provide. Once again, the Torah repeats: Vayelchu shneihem yachdav. Rashi explains that even after Yitzchak understood what might await him, they continued walking together, b'lev shaveh — with one heart. The Torah could have simply told us that they continued their journey. Why emphasize their togetherness twice? Perhaps because the real test of walking together is not when everything is clear, but when questions arise and the road becomes difficult. There is a profound lesson here about faith, family, and Jewish life. Walking together does not mean seeing everything the same way. Parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, may approach life with different experiences, perspectives, and questions. The challenge is not to eliminate those differences, but to nurture relationships strong enough to hold them. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks often emphasized that Judaism is a conversation across generations. We do not merely inherit a tradition; we enter into it, wrestle with it, and discover our own place within it. Our responsibility is not simply to teach the next generation what to believe, but to help them discover why their Jewish identity matters. That requires listening as much as teaching, curiosity as much as conviction, and love that does not depend on agreement. The same is true of community. We grow stronger when we choose connection over division and recognize that every person has something meaningful to contribute. During Sukkot, I introduced ROKindness, encouraging people to spread kindness and watch its ripple effects. Recently, I looked at my kindness map and was amazed to see that the ripples had reached all the way to Australia! It reminded me of a truth I often share: We see the moment. God sees the map. I invite you to join me in ROKindness and help spread more light. This Shabbat, ask yourself: Who is walking beside me? Am I listening to their questions? And what can I do to make sure we continue walking together? Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
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Shabbat Topics & Participants
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| The Rebbe on the Parsha |
Rabbi Yisrael Deren |
| Coffee & Commentary |
Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
| Melachim Class |
Mark Wagshul |
| Shiur |
Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: Sinning for the Sake of Heaven? The Scope of "Aveirah Lishmah" |
| Sanctuary Sermon |
Dr. Elana Stein Hain: The Akedah and the Legacy of Protest |
| Seudah Shlishit |
Dr. Elana Stein Hain: What was the sin of Sodom and how do we make sure we don't repeat it? |
| Teen Learning |
Aryeh Klein |
- to Dr. Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash and Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, her husband Yonah and their children for a special Shabbat exploring “What Does It Mean to Be Human?”
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- to Kori & Bill Meyers who are being recognized as Guardian of Israel Honorees at the JNF-USA Special in Uniform Band Concert this week!
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- to Lynne & Steve Frenkel on the arrival of a granddaughter, born to Meora & Jared Frenkel!
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- to Jessica & Ari Tretin on the birth of a baby boy named Ezra Leor (Chaim Ezra)! Mazal Tov to big sister Ziva and grandparents Judy & Jeffrey Tretin!
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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 Steve Tisser on the passing of his mother, Miriam Tisser z"l
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Thanks To Our Yom Kippur Donors
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Thank You We express our profound gratitude to everyone who has contributed thus far to our Yom Kippur appeal. Whether a lot or a little, the donation from your heart is an eternal investment in our shul and makes a difference! If you have not done so already, please join them.
Andrea & Daniel Aaron
Mariya Feldman & Alexander Abramov
Marjory & Robert Abrams
Johanna & Selim Akyuz
Rachel & Joseph Angel
Barbara & Ronald Ashkenas
Toby & Darren Bahar
Sara & Nathan Baruch
Gayle & Mitchell Bell
Albert Bensimon
Debra & Michael Berg
Dina Berger
Karen & Ira Berk
Abby Berk
Lynn & Harvey Berman
Judith & Matthew Bernstein
Darona & Harold Bernstein
David Bessaleli
Stephanie & Joshua Bilenker
Ellen Borker
Pavel Bortnovskiy
Jodi & Richard Boxer
Jessie & David Brand
Herbert Bregman
Judith & Jeffrey Cahn
Joyce & Barry Chavkin
Anat & Marc Chavkin
Zoe & Harry Chiel
C. Sheila Cohen
Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen
Meredith & David Cohen
Rachel & Ephraim Cohen
Stella & Isaac Cohen
Elise & Steven Cohen
Bernice & Raymond Coll
Judy & Nesim Contente
Arline Gewanter & Lloyd Contract
Lenore & Michael Cooper
Rami Dennis
Rosalie & Stuart Feldman
Tamara Feurstein
Sam Fischel
Theresa & Robert Fischer
Stephanie & Howard Fogel
Jennie & Benjamin Folkinshteyn
Maren Roccamonte & Jon Freedberg
Rhoda & Avram Freedberg
Lynn & Steve Frenkel
Miriam Gelb
Lori & Raphael Gilbert
Sharon & Michael Glick
Roslyn & L. Morris Glucksman
Shari & Allen Glucksman
Tova & Joshua Goldberg
Risa & Jeffrey Goldblum
Avielle Movsas & Bradley Goldstein
Sandra & Robert Goldstein
Shmouel Gov-Ari
Gloria Green
Jill & Arthur Green
Tatiana Kunik & Mikhael Guy
Rachel & Jeremy Hager
Kayla & Leon Hanna
Rachel & Dan Haron
Meghan & Yoav Haron
Ronen Haron
Kamal Haron
Naomi Hersh
Sarah & David Hochman
Tricia & Robert Hoff
Susan & Aaron Hollander
Andrea Horowitz
Elizabeth & Andre Jacobovitz
Judith & Nathan Janette
Monica & Eric Jankelovits
Rachel Seligson & David Jelen
Sandra & Michael Kamen
Helene & Harvey Kaminski
Karen & Robert Katchko
Jessica & Ilan Katz
Joan & Sheldon Katz
Lonnie Keene
Susan & Max Kolbrenner
Tamar & Daniel Kraus
Lorraine & David Kweskin
Aviva Movsas & Danny Lauer
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Andrea & Ari Lefkovits
Tamar & Jason Levine
Judith & L. Andrew Levine
Marla & Jason Lewis
Sharon & Jeff Lewis
Indra & David Liebskind
Esther & Paul Liesman
Ana & Albert Lilienfeld
Laura & Elliot Linder
Vered & Mark Links
Anna & Victor Litvinov
Gail & Robert Loonin
Nina & Norman Lotstein
Rhonda & Judd Love
Betty & Randy Makovsky
Roselyn Mangot
Lorraine Hutzler & James Marcus
Susan Mark
Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe
Rhonda Schaffer-Maron & Jeffrey Maron
Deborah & Neil Metviner
Janice & Jacob Meyer
Kori & William Meyers
Nancy & Gadi Mimoun
Joseph Mittel
Jane & Philip Molstre
Tess Brown & Nathan Morris
Shira & Marc Nerenberg
Bruce Newman
Irwin Niedober
Doreen & Howard Nusbaum
Alexandra & Brett Olsson
Jonathan Osser
Alison & Nate Pava
Miriam & Gideon Pell
Marina Sapir & Alexander Podelko
Rosa & Saiid Rastegar
Judith & Robert Raymond
Maria & Glenn Reicin
Hilary & Alan Rifkin
Laurie Rogoff
Gayle & Howard Rothman
Sara & Yonnie Rubinfeld
Jackie & Alex Sable
Helene & Nat Samberg
Aviva & Paul Schieber
Ivy & Marvin Schildkraut
Ilyse & Dean Schuckman
Rochelle & Harold Schwartz
Richard Schwartz
Rochelle & Edward Senker
Helen & Sheldron Seplowitz
Sherry & Rahim Shamash
Phyllis & Martin Shapiro
Rosalyn Sherman
Rebecca & Eric Sigman
Judith Singer
Lisa & Abraham Slen
Shirley Zajdel & Arthur Smith
Kathy & Gary Sosnovich
Amy & Samuel Sroka
Ayelet & Keith Steinberg
Eve & Philip Steinmetz
Toby & Gene Tabachnick
Bernard Teig
Rachel & Harold Terk
Rebecca & Jonathan Tipermas
Ailene & Steven Tisser
Laura & Seth Tobin
Judy & Jeffrey Tretin
Ludmila Tuller
Pamela & Richard Vogel
Audrey Waldstreicher
Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher
Sarah Bierman & Daniel Wallis
Linda Gornitsky & Harvey Weber
Barbara & Harry Webski
Howard Weiss
Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg
Elise & David Wolfsohn
Shana & Robert Yakubovich
Shushannah & Ari Yasgur
Maria & Ariel Yusupov
Helene Zimmerman
Hillary & Robert Zitter
Navah & David Zizmor
Irina & Anatoly Zusman
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- to Pinchas Gross for his informative and well organized presentation on the Israeli elections
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- to Adam Furmansky, Ari Goldstein and Josh Sperber for hosting a great waffle event!
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Margie & Bob Abrams In commemoration of the yahrzeit of Margie's father, Martin Edelston z"l (Moshe ben Sara)
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- Chapel Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Dina Berger in commemoration of the yahrzeit of her mother, Florence Sternbach z"l (Frima bat Eliezer and Sarah); and Jodi & Richard Boxer in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Jodi's father, Leo Zuckerberg z"l (Lev Ben Dov)
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: The Green/Hillman/Mintz family in honor of Gloria Green's birthday and continued good health!
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- Seudah Shlishit: Co-sponsored by Helene & Nat Samberg in memory of Miriam Samberg z"l (Miriam bas Menchem Mendel); and Tatiana Kunik & Mikhael Guy in honor of Rachelle Guy for passing the Bar and becoming a lawyer
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Shabbat with Dr. Elana Stein Hain
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Shabbat, October 31 - 11:00 AM
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Matan Pre-Bat Mitzvah Mother/Daughter Class
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Sunday, November 1 - 9:30 AM
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Sunday, November 1 - 10:00 AM
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CAS Youth Dodgeball for 3rd-6th grade boys
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Sunday, November 1 - 2:00 PM
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Midrash for the Soul (4-part series)
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Tuesday, November 3 - 8:15 AM
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The Battle Within (7-part Series)
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Tuesday, November 3 - 9:00 AM
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Torah for Life Lunch & Learn Series with Rabbi Cohen
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Tuesday, November 3 - 12:00 PM
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Tuesday, November 3 - 3:30 PM
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Tuesday, November 3 - 8:00 PM
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Kabbalah and the Hidden Architecture of You (6 part series)
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Wednesday, November 4 - 10:30 AM
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Axe Throwing with Combined Men's Clubs of Stamford
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Thursday, November 5 - 7:00 PM
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Shabbat, November 7 - 6:30 PM
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Sunday, November 8 - 3:00 PM
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CAS Youth Thanksgiving Crafts Event
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Sunday, November 22 - 3:00 PM
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Thank Our First Responders This Thanksgiving!
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Thursday, November 26 - 11:00 AM
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55+ Club Screening of We Met At Grossinger's
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Tuesday, December 1 - 7:00 PM
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Stamford Jewish Experience First Night of Chanukah Dinner
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Shabbat, December 5 - 5:30 PM
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Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
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Thanksgiving for the EMS/First Responders - Donate, Cook or Deliver!
Thursday, November 26 - 9:00 AM
CAS Men's Club & Young Families are looking for three or four of these fine kosher birds for serving up to the Stamford EMS on Thanksgiving Day. If you don't care to talk (donate) turkey, we can use vegetables, fruit or cake as well. Sign up and help us cook in the meat kitchen from 9-11:30 am. Deliver to the EMS main station at 684 Long Ridge Rd. at noon. Anyone aged 8 and up are welcome to help cook--it is a lot of fun. For more info, contact Mitchell Bell at wizdrbel@yahoo.com
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6th, 7th, and 8th graders in Fairfield County are invited to join the Friendship Circle’s Mitzvah Volunteer Program (MVP) The club offers boys and girls a fun and meaningful volunteering experience to learn the art of giving and make a difference, making it a great mitzvah project in preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Sessions take place on November 8th, November 15th, March 7th, and March 14th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at 48 Union Street in Stamford. For more information, interested families can email moussia@friendshipct.com or register online at friendshipct.com/MVP.
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- Message from Nina Bernstein - Bring Smiles to Children at Stamford Hospital!
For my Bat Mitzvah chesed project, I am collecting toys for David’s Treasure Closet at Stamford Hospital, which brings comfort and happiness to children during their hospital stays.
Ever since I was little, my family and I have donated toys to David’s Treasure Closet. It has always made me so happy to know that something as simple as a toy can bring a smile to a child’s face, especially during a difficult time. Now, as I prepare for my Bat Mitzvah, I’m excited to continue this special mitzvah and help bring joy to other children in our community.
Donation boxes will be available through November 13 at Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy, Congregation Agudath Sholom, and Young Israel of Stamford. Thank you so much for helping me make a difference, one toy and one smile at a time!
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What is the best thing someone can do to make you feel instantly comfortable in their home? (Avraham goes out of his way to welcome his guests.)
- If you could negotiate with someone famous about one issue, who would it be and what would you argue about? (Avraham bargains with Hashem over the fate of Sodom.)
- What is something you know you should stop checking, but you still keep checking anyway? (Lot’s wife looks back at Sodom.)
- Would You Rather - have surprise guests show up when your house is a mess, or show up at someone else’s house and realize they forgot you were coming? (Avraham’s unexpected visitors.)
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- Help Fill the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry This Thanksgiving! As you shop for Shabbos this week—and every week—please remember those in our community facing food insecurity. With Thanksgiving approaching, join us in replenishing the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry at Schoke JFS. Drop off needed food items at Agudath or make a contribution to help families in need.For more information, visit www.ctjfs.org/kosher-food-pantry/
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- Chesed Committee: Spreading Kindness, Strengthening Community Our newly revitalized Agudath Sholom Chesed Committee is off to a wonderful start, with many meaningful ideas and initiatives to support members of our community and spread kindness. We are excited to build on this momentum and welcome your involvement! Whether you have ideas to share or would like to volunteer, please reach out to Amy Sroka at amynkohen@hotmail.com or Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org. Together, we can make a meaningful difference, one act of kindness at a time.
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- Torah Opportunity back by Popular Demand CAS Daily Learning Initiative to Ignite Your Life Consider the daily study of Chayenu - daily Parsha, Tanya and Tehillim! A generous sponsor offered to subsidize subscriptions. For more info, visit https://chayenu.org. If you would like to join, please email Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org. "It changed my life!" - Agudath Sholom member Josh Goldberg
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- Important Message from Rabbi Daniel Cohen
The Eighth Front: An American Jewish Future Initiative
Uniting people, ideas, and resources to build the alliances and action this moment demands.
David Harris challenged our community to recognize that this is not a moment to stand on the sidelines. His message strengthened my resolve to engage more deeply with the challenges facing the Jewish people, Israel, and America and to help turn concern into action.
God willing, I will convene a group in October to explore what we can do together. If you can contribute ideas, expertise, relationships, partnerships, or resources, please contact me at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org.
The moment is urgent. The responsibility is ours. It is time to step forward.
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- Join the Israel Advocacy Committee Our commitment to Israel extends beyond our prayers—to our voices, learning, and advocacy. To become more involved in Israel engagement at Agudath Sholom, please contact me or Paul Schieber, Chair of our Israel Advocacy Committee, at phschieber@gmail.com. Together, we can strengthen support for Israel and make a meaningful difference.
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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-Thursday: 4:35 PM; Friday: 4:30 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 4:25 PM
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
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- Elia Shava
- Hodel Dena
- Yaffa bat Hanna
- Leah bat Tziporah
- Moshe Yosef ben Sarah Leah
- Aharon ben Bracha
- Shalom ben Hannah
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- Shaina Faiga bat Rivka
- Esther Miriam bat Chana
- Ilana Idit bat Leeba
- Leeba bat Chana Surah
- Sarah Shlomit bat Leeba
- Yoseph ben Esther Miriam
- Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
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- Hadassa bat Miriam
- Sarah Bat-El bat Daniella
- Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe
- Shmaryahu ben Raizel Shoshana Miriam
- Yaakov Kopel Moshe ben Rivka
- Yehudit bat Jacqueline
- Yehuda ben Sarah
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- Shani Y
- Frederick B
- Sally K
- Elimelech E
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- Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
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- UJF's Glenn Cohen: Hope After Captivity Wednesday, November 4 – at 7:30pm Insights from Mossad Chief Psychologist, the leading mental health professional who debriefed the 168 hostages. Glenn reveals rare and inspiring untold stories of resilience from freed hostages and NOVA survivors. Register today at www.ujf.org/glenncohen
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- Join our community for an uplifting evening featuring the Special in Uniform band! November 5, 7:30 pm A unique Jewish National Fund-USA initiative, Special in Uniform enables young Israeli adults with disabilities to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), creating belonging and opening doors to meaningful opportunities. Enjoy a dessert reception, and an unforgettable musical performance embodying the spirit of Israel. For more information: jnf.org/powermusic
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- SAR Mini Mall: Pre-Chanukah Boutique Sunday, November 8 | 12-4 PM | SAR High School - Get a head start on Chanukah shopping with jewelry, Judaica, clothing, housewares, toys, and baby gifts, plus a raffle. Brought to you by the SAR Parent Association. Vendors: Afterglow Kids, Anevis, Beità Designs, Charm by KM, Cheese Guy, Frostings By Venee, Garden Theory Soap Co., Georgia Eve Designs, Girl Crew, Infinite Potential, Koren Jerusalem, Krush, Local Hoops, LUMI, Mahj Mavens NYC, Perfect Dimples, resinATe, SAR StingWear, Sparkle by Sima, Tablecloth Direct NY, Tabletime Linens, Tamar Eagle Jewels, The 3 Cricuteers, Yessir...with more to come! Pop-up restaurants: Cafe Demi | Izzy’s BBQ Want to be a vendor? Sign up at bit.ly/SARMiniMallVendors (Food vendors: Register at bit.ly/SARMiniMallFood)
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- Caring for Parents, A loved One? Or anticipating that happening? For non-professionals and professionals, JFS Greenwich & ICRF CT Chapter offers a professional panel discussion to share practical tips for self-soothing and calming, to help ID common stressors, and to offer a spiritual perspective. Thursday, November 12th 5:30-7pm at Temple Sinai 458 Lakeside Dr, Stamford. No charge. Light refreshments. Panelists: Dr. Joe Feuerestein, Roni Lang, LCSW, Rabbi MJ Newman. Moderators: Robin Bennett Kanarek, RN and Stephanie Paulmeno, DNP, RN. Registration required. :https://tinyurl.com/4jb5f2uh
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- UJF's Rothschild Society Presents: Staying One Step Ahead of Cyber Threats Monday, November 16 - at 7pm In today’s digital world, cyber threats can impact organizations of all sizes. Join UJF’s Rothschild Society for a free virtual seminar featuring cybersecurity experts Evgin Heath and Jeremy Paulson, who will share practical strategies to safeguard your organization, protect sensitive data, and reduce online risks. Advance registration is required. Sign up today at www.ujf.org/CyberSecurity
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- UJF's One Shabbat, One Community Saturday, December 5 – 6:00-8:30pm For the second year in a row, One Shabbat, One CommUNITY activities will take place the weekend of December 4–5. Every agency and synagogue in town will host its own individual Shabbat-themed programs throughout the weekend. Join together on Saturday evening, December 5, with agencies and synagogues from across the community for a joyous community Havdalah experience, featuring live music, kosher food, games, activities, and something for everyone to enjoy! Advance registration is required. www.ujf.org/OneShabbat
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- 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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