Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Korach June 20, 2026 5 Tamuz send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM/8:16 PM Candle Lighting 8:11 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:13 AM Coffee & Commentary 8:40 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:48 AM Teen Minyan 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Daf Yomi 7:15 PM Code Of Jewish Law 7:15 PM Mincha 8:05 PM Havdalah 9:12 PM Shabbat Shalom The Tragedy of Korach: When Potential Never Becomes Purpose One of the most compelling aspects of Korach's rebellion is that, at first glance, his argument sounds remarkably persuasive. Standing before Moshe and Aharon, he declares, "Kulam kedoshim"—"The entire congregation is holy." If every Jew is holy, why should Moshe lead and Aharon serve as Kohen Gadol? Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik suggests that Korach was both right and wrong. He was right that every Jew possesses inherent holiness. Every Jew belongs to Knesset Yisrael, the covenantal community of Israel, and stands before God with sacred worth and dignity. But Korach misunderstood the nature of that holiness. He viewed holiness as a possession, while Moshe understood holiness as a calling. This distinction emerges in a fascinating verse in Sefer Devarim. The Torah tells us, "Ki am kadosh atah"—"You are a holy nation." Yet immediately afterward it continues, "U'v'cha bachar Hashem"—"God has chosen you." Rabbi Soloveitchik notes the shift from the collective to the singular. There is a holiness that belongs to all of us simply because we are members of the Jewish people. But there is also a unique mission that belongs to each of us individually. Korach believed that equality meant uniformity. If everyone is holy, then everyone should have the same role. Moshe taught otherwise. Equality does not mean sameness. God creates every person with equal dignity but with a unique purpose. A beautiful Hasidic insight teaches that God wanted Moshe to be Moshe and Korach to be Korach. That simple idea touches one of the deepest truths about the human condition. Much of our unhappiness comes not from a lack of blessings, but from our fixation on someone else's blessings. We compare our gifts to theirs, our opportunities to theirs, and our accomplishments to theirs, until we lose sight of the mission for which we were created. Korach's tragedy was not that he lacked greatness. He possessed extraordinary wisdom, influence, and spiritual potential. His tragedy was that he measured his worth through the lens of Moshe's calling. Instead of asking, "What does God want from me?" he became consumed with the question, "Why does Moshe have what I do not?" God wanted Moshe to be Moshe because there were things only Moshe could accomplish. But God also wanted Korach to be Korach because there were contributions only Korach could make. This idea sheds light on another fascinating detail in the parashah. Moshe tells Korach, "Boker v'yoda Hashem et asher lo"—"In the morning God will make known who is His." Rabbi Soloveitchik explains that the word boker is related to distinction. At night, everything appears blurred together. In the morning, individual faces become visible. Korach saw only the crowd. Moshe saw the individual. Korach saw a holy nation. Moshe saw millions of unique souls, each carrying a unique mission. Ultimately, all of Korach's arguments stem from the same mistake. He confused potential with purpose. He believed that holiness already possessed was equivalent to holiness fully realized. Moshe taught that holiness is not merely something we have; it is something we must become. The Torah does not simply tell us that we are holy. It commands us, "Kedoshim tihyu"—"You shall become holy." Perhaps that is the enduring message of Korach's rebellion. The tragedy of Korach was not that he lacked holiness. His tragedy was that he became so focused on Moshe's calling that he lost sight of his own. How many people spend their lives wishing they had someone else's role, someone else's gifts, or someone else's opportunities? God did not ask Korach to become Moshe. God does not ask us to become someone else either. He asks us to become ourselves. We are all born with divine potential. The question is whether we will transform that potential into purpose. God did not create you to be Moshe. God created you to reveal a light that no one else can reveal. The greatest tragedy is not that we fail to achieve someone else's destiny. It is that we leave our own destiny unfulfilled. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Summer Dress Reminder We respectfully ask that those receiving an aliyah, leading any portion of our services, performing hagbah or gelilah, opening the Aron Kodesh, or participating in other synagogue honors refrain from wearing shorts or flip-flops. Thank you for helping preserve the dignity of our tefillot, the sanctity of our synagogue, and the honor of these sacred roles. CAS Annual Meeting  Rabbi Cohen's remarks - When Values Become Culture: Building a Community of Blessing Responsibility and Light CAS President Rob Hoff's Address Click here to view pictures America at 250 – Share Your Story  As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Agudath Sholom will be creating a special "250 Acts of Gratitude" display and honoring those who have helped build and serve our nation. We invite congregants to submit a brief reflection (1–3 sentences) answering: "America made it possible for ________." You may wish to share a family immigration story, honor a veteran or first responder, express gratitude for a cherished freedom, or reflect on an opportunity America has provided. We are also seeking a few congregants willing to offer a brief 90-second reflection on what America has meant to their family during Shabbat, July 4th. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen. Please send submissions to Kim (kmahoney@cas-stamford.org) by July 1st. Shabbat Topics & Participants Coffee & Commentary Rabbi Daniel Cohen: 48 Ways of Wisdom Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Shiur Dovid Green: Diverging paths - Korach and his family's legacy Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudah Shlishit Rabbi Daniel Cohen will share words of bracha in honor of the sheva brachot for Aryeh and Rivky Teen Learning Aryeh Klein Welcome to new member Hannah Clarke! Mazal Tov to Kori & Bill Meyers on Ben's aufruf and forthcoming marriage to Ayelet Bessler! to Drs. Danielle & Steven Thau on the arrival of a grandson, born to Francesca & Daniel Goldstein! to Rosa & Saiid Rastegar on the arrival of a granddaughter, born to Rebecca Rastegar & Andy Jacob! to Tricia & Robert Hoff on Benji's upcoming marriage to Reina Amar! to Toby Schaffer on her granddaughter Annie Macy Singer's Bat Mitzvah this Sunday, daughter of Drs. Pamela & Sam Singer! to Mark Kaufman on the arrival of a grandson, Jack! to Aryeh & Rivky Klein on the recent marriage! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Condolences to Stacie Berk on the passing of her beloved grandfather Dr. Eric Ungar z"l. Learn about his extraordinary story here We wish comfort to the families of the IDF soldiers who were killed this week, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, 32, Master Sgt Alexander Filin, 29, Naveh Chabshush and two others whose names have not yet been released. Thank You to past-President and outgoing Treasurer Howard Rothman! to outgoing Vice President Sam Sroka! to outgoing board members Elliot Glassman, Rachel Haron, Ivy Schildkraut and Gary Sosnovich! Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Kathy & Gary Sosnovich in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Kathy's mother, Marilyn Kinzelberg z"l (Malka Bas Betzalel) Early Kiddush: Elliot Levy in memory of his Father, George Levy’s 22nd Yahrzeit, and in honor of what would have been Elliot's mother, Audrey's 100th Birthday Chapel Kiddush: Shelley & Barry Michelson in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Kori & Bill Meyers in celebration of Ben's aufruf and forthcoming marriage to Ayelet Bessler and in celebration of Kori's parent's 62nd wedding anniversary; Audrey Waldstreicher in celebration of her 90th birthday; Navah & David Zizmor in honor of Noa's 8th grade graduation from BCHA and the special blessing of having all four of her grandparents together with us for shabbos; and Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen in memory of Harry Umansky z"l Seudah Shlishit: Co-sponsored by Julie Daniel in commemoration of the 4th yahrzeit of her mother, Norine Krasnogor z"l/ Nesa bat Miriam; and the Community in honor of Rivky and Aryeh's marriage Sign Up for these Events sign up An Evening with Rabbanit Noa Lewis Tuesday, June 23 - 7:00 PM sign up Blooms & Bubbles - An Evening for Women Thursday, June 25 - 8:00 PM sign up CAS Men's Club BBQ & 250th Celebration of USA and Jewish Life Sunday, June 28 - 12:00 PM learn more CAS Book Club Thursday, July 9 - 9:15 AM Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships Upcoming Events Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Wednesday, June 24 - 12:00 PM The subject of our field of investigation is Leadership, Kingship and Malchuyot (God's Sovereignty ). We will begin our voyage with Walt Whitman's poem Oh, Captain My Captain composed shortly after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. We connect timeless themes raised by world literature to eternal truths embodied in Tanach and other Judaic sources and our goal is to partner with our Creator to build a better world. Lunch catered by Restaurant 613 is graciously provided by your host. If you intend to join our class in person or have any questions, please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom personal meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 CAS Announcements Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)  Who is an authority figure you look up to (Moshe’s authority is challenged but then affirmed)? What’s a challenge you accepted (Moshe challenges Korach to bring the ketores)? What is an interesting natural phenomenon to you (the ground opens up to swallow Korach)? Would You Rather - have to complete a physical challenge or a mental challenge against a random stranger for a million dollars? Save the Date! 55+ Empty Nesters Sunset Cruise  Sunday Aug. 2nd, 6-8 pm. We will be sailing for 2 hours at sunset in a large sailboat schooner. Get more information at soundwaters.org/sails-rentals/public-schooner-sails, then go to sailing trips. Contact Bruce Newman, as needed (bruce.newman8@gmail.com, 313-549-7014). Check out Rabbi Cohen's Post  The Intro that Changed Everything Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 8:15 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/8:17 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 8:12 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 Faiga bat Chana Fayga bat Chana 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 PJ Library Popsicles in the Park  Each Wednesday at 4:30pm, from July 8th-29th Join PJ Library for a sweet summer afternoon at the park. Enjoy refreshing popsicles, engaging story time, and plenty of time to play and connect with friends. The event is free, but advance registration is required at www.ujf.org/Popsicles Advanced Active Threat Training  Join us for an Advance Active Threat Training, presented in partnership with UJA-JCC of Greenwich, Community Security Initiative, and United Jewish Federation. Five opportunities to participate: Tuesday, July 14: 10am or 5pm in Greenwich, Wednesday, July 15: 8am, 12pm, or 7pm in Stamford. The trainings are free, but advance registration is required at www.ujf.org/ActiveThreat Women's Philanthropy Salon  Thursday, July 16 at 7:30pm Join UJF for the next Women's Philanthropy Salon: Mind, Body, & Soul Reset, an evening dedicated to relaxation, healing, and reconnecting with yourself. Come unwind through a restorative sound bath meditation experience. Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Reset 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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