Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Nasso May 30, 2026 14 Sivan send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM/8:05 PM Candle Lighting 8:00 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:16 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Coffee & Commentary 8:50 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:48 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Family Minyan 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Code Of Jewish Law 7:05 PM Mincha 7:55 PM Havdalah 9:01 PM Shabbat Shalom The Roadies for God Some Carry the Ark. Some Carry the Beams. Both Build the Mishkan. Imagine being the second prince. The first leader has already stepped forward publicly at the dedication of the Mishkan. His offering has already been celebrated before the entire nation. And now you arrive carrying the exact same gift. No variation. No distinction. No originality. One could imagine him wondering silently: Does my contribution even matter anymore? That question lies at the heart of Parshat Naso, the longest portion in the Torah. Beneath its census numbers, tribal offerings, and descriptions of the Mishkan’s transportation is one of Judaism’s deepest spiritual ideas: no sincere act done in the service of something higher is ever insignificant. The Torah devotes enormous space to describing the offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal princes during the dedication of the Mishkan, even though every offering was exactly the same. The Torah could simply have stated that each prince brought the same gift as the first. Instead, it repeats each offering in full. The repetition itself is the message. The second prince was not less meaningful because he came second. The tenth prince was not simply repeating someone else’s greatness. Each offering mattered because each soul mattered. Judaism has always understood that continuity cannot survive through imitation alone. It is not enough to say, “I do this because my parents did.” Every generation must personally choose to carry Torah forward. Every individual must feel that their offering matters uniquely and personally. That same message appears at the beginning of the parsha through the unusual language of the census itself. Normally, the Torah uses the word “lifkod” for counting. Here, however, the Torah repeatedly uses the word “Naso” — “lift up.” God is not merely counting the Levites. He is elevating them. The Levites were responsible for transporting the Mishkan through the wilderness, but not all roles appeared equally prestigious. The family of Kehat carried the holiest vessels: the Ark, the Menorah, and the altar. Gershon carried the curtains and tapestries. Merari transported the beams, planks, and supports. Naturally, one could imagine the carriers of the Ark feeling more spiritually important than those carrying boards and bolts. Yet regarding Gershon, the Torah inserts two seemingly extra words: “Gam Heim” — “also them.” Also them. They too matter. Those words contain an entire philosophy of life. The Mishkan could not stand without the beams. Holiness requires structure. The visible and invisible are both sacred. In the eyes of Heaven, the one carrying the planks may be just as holy as the one carrying the Ark. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that if a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music, so well that “all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say: Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” That is the spirit of Parshat Naso. As a teenager, I was a roadie for God. My father, inspired by the popularity of the band Bread, started a Jewish band called Matzah. I spent my time schlepping equipment to gigs, lifting synthesizers, rolling drum sets, and helping set up before the music began. Looking back, I realize he was teaching me something much deeper. The music may have been heard from the stage, but it could not happen without the people carrying the equipment. Lifting a synthesizer or rolling a drum set became acts of holiness. The Levites were, in a sense, the “roadies for God.” They dismantled, carried, and rebuilt the Mishkan every time the Jewish people journeyed through the wilderness. Some carried sacred vessels. Others carried ropes, curtains, and beams. Yet every one of them was building a dwelling place for holiness in the world. And perhaps that is the deeper message of the Mishkan itself. The Mishkan was portable because Judaism was never meant to remain confined to sacred spaces. God did not ask the Jewish people merely to visit holiness. He asked them to carry it. A parent raising a child with patience. A volunteer quietly setting up chairs. A nurse sitting beside a frightened patient. A doorman offering encouragement to someone leaving a hospital. Most people may never notice those moments. But Heaven notices. Some carry the Ark. Others carry the beams. Both are building the Mishkan. Yet recognizing the dignity of our role requires more than responsibility. It requires humility. And that is why the parsha transitions into Birkat Kohanim, the priestly blessings. The Kohanim are commanded not merely to recite blessings, but to help people become receptive to blessing itself. Blessing flows most deeply into a life that is open and humble. A shallow riverbed cannot hold much water. A deeper vessel can receive abundance. So too with the human soul. When life becomes consumed by ego and self importance, we lose awareness of grace. But when we recognize that our lives, talents, relationships, and opportunities are gifts, we become vessels capable of receiving and transmitting blessing. Perhaps that is the true meaning of “Naso.” To lift ourselves up does not mean inflating the ego. It means elevating the soul through service, gratitude, humility, and purpose. Rashi adds one final insight regarding the priestly blessings. The Torah says the blessings should be given “amor lahem” — speak to them. Rashi explains that blessings must be offered with fullness of heart and genuine intention. Not rushed. Not mechanically. Not absentmindedly. Real blessing means helping another person recognize the greatness within themselves. It means reminding people that their role matters, that their presence matters, and that their contribution matters. In a world that constantly measures people by visibility, status, and applause, Parshat Naso offers a different measure of greatness. Some carry the Ark. Some carry the curtains. Some carry the beams. But when each person faithfully carries their portion with heart and purpose, the Mishkan stands. And perhaps the challenge of life is not merely to count ourselves, but to lift ourselves and to help lift one another. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing the full redemption speedily and in our days, Rabbi Daniel Cohen CAS President Rob Hoff's Kiddush Update  click here to read Shabbat Topics & Participants Coffee & Commentary Rabbi Daniel Cohen: 48 Ways of Wisdom Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Rabbi Bob Abrams Shiur Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: "Narcissus, the Handsome Nazir, and the Power of Aesthetics" Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudah Shlishit Gidon Katz and Rabbi Feivel Segelov: Shimshon - The Paradigm Nazir? Mazal Tov to Sarah & Maxwell Lent on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to big brother Aharon! to Mariya Feldman & Alex Abramov on Gregory's aufruf and upcoming marriage to Jackie Lasker! to George & Ziporah Freedberg Award recipients Jason Levine (Excellence in Spirit Award) and Daniel Wallis (Hineni Award) at our Annual Meeting on June 16th! to Arline Gewanter on her grandson-in-law Ariel Bryskier's receiving smicha from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim! to Toby Lazarus & Allan Lichtenberg on being the guests of honor at the JGala for the Stamford JCC this week! to Brian Kriftcher for receiving the Arlene & Irwin Ettinger Legacy Award at the JGala! 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 families of: Sgt. Rotem Yanai, 20, a non-commissioned officer in the Givati Brigade Capt. Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith Chapel Kiddush: Adrienne & Michael Alexander in memory of Adrienne’s grandparents Helen & David Guzik z"l, whose yahrzeits are this month and in memory of the 2nd Yahrzeit of her father Dr. Peter Brody z"l, that takes place tomorrow evening Sanctuary Kiddush: Mariya Feldman & Alex Abramov in honor of aufruf of their son Gregory Feldman and his upcoming marriage to Jackie Lasker, daughter of Milana and Joseph Lasker of Marlboro, NJ Seudat Shlishit: The Katz family in honor of Gidon completing Masechet Shabbat Sign Up for these Events sign up Agudath Women's Speaker Series presents Rabbi Aryeh Roberts Tuesday, June 2 - 1:00 PM learn more Guys Night Out at 613 - NBA Finals Game 1 Wednesday, June 3 - 8:30 PM learn more CAS Book Club Thursday, June 4 - 9:15 AM sign up Friday Night Dinner & Conversation with Samuel Moyn Friday, June 5 - 8:00 PM learn more Shabbat with Community Yoetzet Halacha Zissy Turner Shabbat, June 13 Learn more CAS Annual Meeting & Awards Tuesday, June 16 - 7:30 PM sign up Stamford Jewish Experience Friday Night Dinner Friday, June 19 - 8:15 PM sign up Blooms & Bubbles - An Evening for Women Thursday, June 25 - 8:00 PM Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships CAS Announcements Join the Israel Day Parade this Sunday  11:30 AM - 4 PM - Your support is needed more than ever! The THEME is "PROUD AMERICANS, PROUD ZIONISTS" For more info, visit https://israeldayon5th.com/ Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)  What is a situation where doing the same thing over and over actually made the experience more meaningful instead of more boring (the repeated korbanos of the Nesi’im)? What is a way someone made peace between two people or groups that impressed you (the Sotah section is ultimately about restoring shalom in a marriage)? Would you rather know exactly what your role is in life from a young age or spend years figuring it out on your own (Shimshon's path being chosen for him and Shavuos as accepting of the Torah’s direction)? Mitzvah Opportunity: Shabbat Hospital Care Packages  Help bring comfort and dignity to hospital patients through thoughtfully prepared Shabbat care packages.We’re looking for a small team—or a coordinator—to help oversee this meaningful chesed initiative. What’s involved: Ordering supplies (occasionally), Packing bags, Final Friday prep (adding challah) and Light coordination (delivery support already in place) Commitment: One month at a time (approx. 4x/year, shared rotation) To get involved, contact Rabbi Cohen. 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 Michael Feldstein news  click here Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 8:10 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/8:10 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 8:05 PM CAS Classes Join one of our classes. Click here for up to date schedule We Wish A Speedy Recovery To Aharon ben Bracha Shalom ben Hannah Shaina Faiga bat Rivka Mikhail ben Goda Esther Miriam bat ‏Chana Ilana Idit bat Leeba Leeba bat Chana Surah Sarah Shlomit bat ‏Leeba Yoseph ben Esther Miriam Ahuva Malka bat Sarah Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe Yehuda ben Sarah Click here to add a name to this list We Honor Our Military Shani Y Harry B Frederick B Nathan H Noam H Yehudit Sally K Oren L Nathan L Elimelech E CZM JEM AMM Rachel M Jeremy S Yehudit S Click here to add a name to this list Community Announcements Jewish Americans in Uniform: A Ferguson Celebrates the USA at 250 Program  Monday, June 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Main Library, DiMattia Building - Bedford and Broad Streets, Stamford. In celebration of the USA at 250 and Jewish American Heritage Month, join retired attorney and Stamford community leader Larry Ginsberg for a presentation exploring the long history of Jewish Americans in military service. Registration required at https://www.fergusonlibrary.org/event/jewish-americans-in-uniform SAR Documentary Film Series: Inspiring Stories & Conversations  The SAR Parent Association presents a Documentary Film Series featuring two powerful evenings of film and conversation. June 4 at 7 PM - Looking Up. An inspiring story of resilience as Eitan Armon faces vision loss while climbing a legendary granite wall. Join us after the film for a Q&A with filmmaker Elena Neuman. Screenings will take place at SAR High School; visit bit.ly/SARFilms to purchase tickets ($18 per person/film). Join us for meaningful films and community conversation. Learn about the magic of Ramah overnight camp  Join us at our 2026 Prospective Family Day: Sunday July 12 from 10:30am-2pm! Kids can experience a fun activity tour of camp led by a group of our amazing counselors, while adults will get an in-depth tour of our facilities and program led by the camp director. At Ramah, we weave together fun and meaningful Jewish experiences with all the activities kids love — all in a welcoming, inclusive environment, where kids make life-long friends. We offer unparalleled camper care and inspiring role models. We look forward to giving you a taste of the magic - learn more and sign up at https://www.campramahne.org/prospective-families/prospective-family-day/ 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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