Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Reeh Mevarchim Chodesh Elul August 8, 2026 25 Av send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM/7:50 PM Candle Lighting 7:45 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM The Rebbe on the Parsha 7:45 AM Latest Shema 8:41 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Family Minyan 10:00 AM Latest Shacharit 10:07 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Daf Yomi 6:50 PM Code Of Jewish Law 6:50 PM Mincha 7:40 PM Havdalah 8:44 PM Shabbat Shalom Parashat Re'eh: Every Choice Creates a World Every day we make hundreds of choices. Most seem insignificant—a word we speak, a text we send, an act of kindness, a moment of patience, or perhaps the opportunity to remain silent. Moshe Rabbeinu opens this week's parsha by reminding us that there are no insignificant choices. "Re'eh Anochi notein lifneichem hayom berachah u'kelalah"—"See, I place before you today blessing and curse." There is a fascinating shift in the verse. It begins in the singular—Re'eh, "See"—and then immediately changes to the plural—lifneichem, "before all of you." The Be'er Yosef explains that the Torah is teaching us a profound truth: every decision is made by one person, but it never remains with one person. Our choices ripple outward, shaping our families, our communities, and sometimes even history itself. Think about Eddie Jacobson, Harry Truman's lifelong friend from Kansas City. When President Truman refused to meet with Chaim Weizmann, it was Jacobson who persuaded him to reconsider. Many historians believe that one conversation helped change the course of Jewish history. Most of us will never advise presidents. But every one of us has the ability to influence another human being. Last week I was in California. Early one morning I took an Uber to daven at Young Israel of Century City. The driver looked at me and said, "You must have an important meeting this morning." I smiled and replied, "Yes, a meeting with God." He paused and then said, "You know, you're right. Before you meet with anyone else, you should meet with God." I'll probably never see him again. But that's exactly the point. We rarely know which conversation will matter. We rarely know which sentence someone will remember. Every interaction is an opportunity to bring a little more blessing into the world. Perhaps that is why, later in the parashah, Moshe commands the Jewish people to gather between Har Gerizim and Har Eval. One mountain is lush and vibrant; the other is barren and desolate. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch notes something remarkable. The two mountains stand side by side. They receive the same rain, the same sunlight, the same air. Yet one flourishes while the other remains barren. His insight is timeless. Blessing and curse are not determined solely by our circumstances. They are shaped by what we choose to do with the circumstances God has given us. God constantly places blessings before us. But whether we recognize them, receive them, and become vessels to extend them to others depends largely on the choices we make. Every day, God places before us another opportunity to choose blessing—to choose faith over fear, humility over ego, generosity over indifference, purpose over distraction. Re'eh. See. See that today's choices are never just today's choices. They shape the people we become. They influence the people around us. And they determine whether we leave the world a little darker or a little brighter. May we choose wisely, reveal the light God has placed within us, and help bring His blessing to everyone whose lives we touch. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Late Minyan Update  The Late Friday Night Minyan will meet in the Beit Midrash moving forward until Friday, August 28. Yasher koach to everyone who helped organize, lead, and participate throughout the summer. A Summer Note from Rabbi Cohen  Dear Friends, Beginning August 3, I am spending much of the month in Israel with our family, celebrating the birth, thank God, of our new granddaughter, Tehillah Rechama, and, God willing, the upcoming wedding of our daughter, Shelhevet, to Duniel. During the month, I will also be leading our Jewish Heritage Journey to France from August 10–17 Although I am away, I remain accessible by WhatsApp and email as needed. At the same time, I know our community is in wonderful hands with Rabbi Roberts, who is here throughout the month and available to assist with any pastoral or communal needs. Wishing you and your families a wonderful summer and God willing, blessings and good news in the month ahead. All the best! Rabbi Cohen Shabbat Topics & Participants The Rebbe on the Parsha Rabbi Yisrael Deren Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Rabbi Bob Abrams Code of Jewish Law Dovid Green Seudah Shlishit Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: The First American Convert - The Religious Insanity' Story of Warder Cresson Teen Learning Aryeh Klein Mazal Tov to Rachel Seligson & David Jelen on their forthcoming marriage and David's aufruf this Shabbat! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Condolences We comfort the families of IDF soldiers Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, from Nokdim, and Chief Master Sgt. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, from Eilat who were killed this week. Thanks To Our Sponsors 7 AM Kiddush: The Niedober Family in memory of Marilyn Niedober z"l Chapel Kiddush: David Jelen & Rachel Seligson in celebration of their upcoming wedding and David's Aufruf Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Elior & David Coleman sponsoring kiddush in honor of Elior's parents aliyah to Israel this coming week; Tricia & Robert Hoff in honor of the 40th anniversary of Rob's Bar Mitzvah; and Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen in memory of Diane's mother, Ruth Jacobs z"l Seudah Shlishit: Tamar Lilienthal & Tzvi Merczynski-Hait in memory of Tamar’s grandmother, Faiga Bat Yoel, whose shloshim was observed this week, and Tamar’s father, Aleksander Ben Yisrael, whose yartzeit was observed this week Sign Up for these Events learn more CAS Book Club Thursday, August 13 - 9:15 AM sign up Three-Part Series - Laws of the High Holidays Thursday, August 13 - 12:00 PM learn more Sushi and Shiur: A Monthly Women’s Learning Night Monday, August 17 - 8:00 PM Sign up Community Apple Picking Family Day Sunday, August 30 - 1:00 PM sign up CAS Movie Club Monday, August 31 - 8:00 PM sign up "Can We Really Change?" - A Three-Part Elul Learning Series Tuesday, September 1 - 8:15 AM Click Here Submit an Entry to the Yizkor Book sign up Stamford Jewish Experience First Night Rosh Hashana Dinner Friday, September 11 - 8:00 PM Click here Patron Member Reserved Seat Request Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships sign up Man Up Pre-Bar Mitzvah Father/Son Class Sunday, October 18 - 9:15 AM sign up Matan Pre-Bat Mitzvah Mother/Daughter Class Sunday, October 18 - 9:30 AM Upcoming Events Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Wednesday, August 12 - 12:00 PM Leadership, Kingship and Malchuyot Part III leads off with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's (1807-1882) Ship of State written a full decade before Whitman's Oh Captain My Captain. Both build on the trope of maritime superiority and helmsmanship as a guide for keeping our fragile Union intact. We will then continue our odyssey into the principles of divinity by navigating from our last session's study of Adon Olam toward Maimonides' Thirteen Tenets of Faith embedded in the Yigdal hymn. All are welcome and lunch from Restaurant 613 is graciously provided by your host. If you plan to attend in person, please notify me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom Meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450. CAS Youth News CAS Youth Parsha and Popsicles at Barrett Park  Shabbat August 8, 17, and 29 at 4 pm. Attention all kids aged 3-8! Join us for fun time with your friends, with Parshah & Popsicles starting at 4:30pm! See you there! Join the CAS Youth Chess Club! Whether your child is making their very first move or already thinking several moves ahead, the CAS Youth Chess Club offers a fun and engaging opportunity to learn, grow, and make new friends. Led by David Lane, a nationally ranked chess player in his youth, students will develop strategic thinking, concentration, confidence, and sportsmanship in a welcoming and encouraging environment.Tuesdays from 4:30–5:30 PM on October 13 – December 15 - $50 for the semester. The club will meet weekly and, God willing, culminate with a CAS Youth Chess Tournament at the end of the semester. Open to elementary-age students of all skill levels. Registration opens soon! Bnei Akiva Teen Leadership Initiative Growing Leaders. Strengthening Community. Deepening Our Love for Torah, the Jewish People, and Israel. Congregation Agudath Sholom is excited to launch a new Bnei Akiva Teen Leadership Initiative for 9th and 10th graders, designed to train, inspire, and empower the next generation of Jewish leaders. Led by Liela Silbiger, a junior at Yeshiva University and lifelong Bnei Akiva leader from Montreal, participants will explore the values of Torah Va'Avodah, develop practical leadership skills, build meaningful relationships with younger children, and learn how to create engaging peulot, Shabbat experiences, and youth programming. If your teen is interested in becoming part of this exciting opportunity, please contact Liela Silbiger at lielaks@gmail.com or Rabbi Daniel Cohen. Additional details and registration information will be shared in the coming weeks. CAS Announcements Israel Advocacy Our commitment to Israel does not end with our prayers. It continues through our voices, our learning, and our advocacy.I encourage you to read a powerful recent article by Rabbi Avi Weiss, which offers a timely and courageous perspective on standing with Israel. I also recommend listening to the moving new song “We will Dance Again” by Boy George whose message is both heartfelt and deeply resonant for this moment. If you would like to become more involved in Israel engagement and advocacy at Agudath Sholom, please reach out to me or Paul Scheiber, phschieber@gmail.com Chair of our Israel Advocacy Committee. Together, each of us can help strengthen support for Israel and make a meaningful difference. Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman) What’s a prediction you were right about (Navi sheker)? What’s your favorite bird? Is it kosher? (the list of non-kosher birds)? If you could be on Sabbatical what would you do (shmita)? Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Wednesday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Thursday-Friday: 6:20/7:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 7:40 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/7:41 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 7:36 PM Thursday  Rosh Chodesh Elul Friday  Rosh Hashana LaBehemot, Rosh Chodesh Elul CAS Classes Join one of our classes. Click here for up to date schedule We Wish A Speedy Recovery To Elia Shava ben n/a Hodel Dena bat n/a Leah bat Tziporah Moshe Yosef ben Sarah Leah 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 Yaakov Kopel Moshe ben Rivka 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 Special screening of the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County's acclaimed documentary, “Remembering the Family Store, Downtown Stamford circa 1940–1965”  Sunday, August 16, at 2:00 PM as part of Avon on Tour at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT. Registration is available at https://tinyurl.com/2vzv3rbm. Here is a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-kj-i2eabs For more information contact: info@jhsfc-ct.org Home for Sale - 3/4 mile from CAS  80 Leonard Street - 3 bedroom/2 bathroom with 2 car garage. 1920 sq. ft located in a quiet neighborhood on a dead end st. Price- $ 729,99.00 Contact Mike Parelli - 203-940-2666 UJF Family Nature Hike & Scavenger Hunt  Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 10:00-11:30am Lace up your sneakers and join PJ Library for a fun-filled family adventure as we explore nature together on an exciting hike and scavenger hunt. After the adventure, everyone will enjoy delicious kosher ice cream! Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Nature UJF Annual Campaign Kick-Off Event  Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026UJF's Annual Campaign Kick-Off event is shaping up to be one you definitely don't want to miss. Join UJF for a timely discussion with Alyssa Rosenheck, author of the book White. Blonde. Jew.. Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Launch26 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 What is the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County (JHSFC)?  We capture local Jewish history, including volunteered-oral histories at our Resource Center (990 Rear Hope Street, Stamford) and do special events and show special collections. In addition, we have books and documents to help one do research. We also do Holocaust programs in schools, have a special 250-year USA history event in downtown Stamford (see below), have book club meetings and did a movie on Stamford Family businesses. We also do an annual Mann Lecture and a yearly fundraiser.

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