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

Latest CAS Announcements (via Twitter)

Friday, December 27, 2019

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
MiketzChanukah: 7 Candles Rosh Chodesh TevetDecember 28, 201930 Kislev 5780
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:14 PM
Mincha4:19 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM
Torah Before Tefillah7:40 AM
Coffee And Commentary8:45 AM
Latest Shema9:37 AM
Latest Shacharit10:23 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Daf Yomi3:20 PM
Code of Jewish Law3:20 PM
Mincha4:10 PM
Maariv5:10 PM
Shabbat Ends5:15 PM
Shabbat Shalom
The Ultimate Chanukah Gift

What is the ultimate gift we can give our children, grandchildren or a loved one on Chanukah?

What gift will nurture their Jewish identity, give them joy, and strengthen their character and family bonds?

The greatest gift is Shabbat.

It is no wonder that every Chanukah coincides with a Shabbat. In fact, the Greeks prohibited observing Shabbat. Yet, the secret of our ability to light Chanukah candles despite efforts to squelch the flame of Judaism throughout Jewish history is the observance of Shabbat. Shabbat is a weekly affirmation of the primacy of our faith in our lives.

Material gifts have a limited shelf life. Shabbat - a spiritual gift - lives on. Shabbat affords us the tools to spiritual fulfillment and meaning. Sabbath enriches our lives with infinite everlasting value. Deep down, our children do not want our gifts - they want us. They want our time, attention and love.

Sabbath is an oasis in time. The Israeli writer Ahad Ha'am reflects: "More than the Jew has kept Sabbath, Sabbath has kept the Jew." It is the key to Jewish revival.

The essence of Jewish parenting is to teach our children important life values. Spending Shabbat with one's family in an interactive environment away from work, the mall or social media may seem like a hardship, but it is the ultimate statement of our priorities for our children.

We would not be lighting the candles today if we did not have an ancestor who observed the Sabbath and lived a committed Jewish life. At the end of the holiday, each one of us will affirm: I have been through Chanukah. Each one of us will share Chanukah stories with family and our children will certainly cherish their gifts (for a short time). However, the question is not have we been through another Chanukah, but has Chanukah been through us?

The flames symbolize the spark of Godliness within each one of us and our capacity to not only light the flames of Chanukah but the flames of Shabbat. This weekend make the Shabbat our meaningful yet. Share Torah, Sing Zemirot, Join us for Kabbalat Shabbat and take a Shabbat walk.

God wiling, the gift of Shabbat will be unwrapped with anticipation and rejuvenation each and every week.

With blessings for a Happy Chanukah and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen


Photos CAS sharing the lights of Chanukah and joy of the holiday season! click here to see the photos

New Legal Holiday Learning Program  You have the entire day off from work? Devote just a little time at the beginning of your day to Torah. We will be starting a breakfast and learn program at CAS on major legal holidays. Have some breakfast and learn with us before having the rest of the day to yourselves! 9:15- Breakfast, 9:30-10:15- Shiur. Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein: New Year's Resolution Number 1 - Torah with Derech Eretz

New Update from Rabbi Cohen about Jerusalem Journey in May  The time spent in Jerusalem will be eternal. There is no time like the present to seize the opportunity to reconnect with who we are and who we want to be. I am thrilled to share with you an updated itinerary for the journey to Jerusalem in May (www.israeltour.com/touritem/dcohen/). We will have the blessings of learning with luminaries such as Rabbi David Aaron, Rabbi Binny Freedman, the music of Shlmo Katz, touring of new discoveries at the City of David, Shilo, the site of the Tabernacle and Chana's Prayer, Psagot Winery, and much more! We will be based within walking distance of the Old City at the five star Orient Hotel. Please let me know if you have any questions and your interest as we are hoping to solidify the participants by Jan. 15th. Please let me know if you know others who may have an interest in joining. Thank you very much and looking forward to a wonderful and meaningful journey together!

The Tax Year is Ending!  Whether you want to pre-pay next year's dues or contribute to the Annual Dinner in March, if you would like to make a payment before the end of 2019, contact Matt Feinberg (mfeinberg@cas-stamford.org)

Member In Good Standing Reminder  The Congregational by-laws and constitution define members in good standing as those who have paid their current year dues (2019-20), past dues, and any fees owed by December 31. If you have any of these items outstanding, please pay them by December 31 to ensure you are recognized in good standing.

Yasher Koach  to Mitchell Bell, the CAS Men's Club and all those who volunteered to make the Pacific House holiday meal a success. Read more about it: click here

Article worth Reading  Tribute to Anna Rosenthal (Allen's Mom) and miracle of Chanukah click here

Join the Daf Yomi Cycle  - starting this week. Thank you to our new lineup of Daf Yomi Teachers: Sunday - Rabbi Oran Zweiter, Monday - Nat Samberg, Tuesday - Rabbi Daniel Cohen, Wednesday - Rabbi Dr. Jeff Cahn, Thursday - Mark Wagshul, Friday - Rabbi Yisrael Deren, Shabbat - David Bessaleli

Youth Group Reminders 
  • No groups on 12/28
  • No outside food is allowed in groups
  • For security, the doors are locked. Please arrive by 10:30am
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Torah before TefillahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Coffee and CommentaryRabbi Daniel Cohen
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Shimmy Trencher
Library shiurJay Jubas: Shiur
10:30 shiurHyman Schaffer: Tal Umattar in the Southern Hemisphere
ShacharitLevi Dulitz
MusafMichael Feldstein
SermonRabbi Daniel Cohen
Torah ReaderBurt Rubin
Daf YomiMark Wagshul
Seudat ShlishitRabbi Daniel Cohen
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Shabbat Shalom Hospital PackagesHoward & Stephanie Fogel in memory of Sam Fogel
Library KiddushHecky Attar in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of his father Yitzchak Ben Rachamim
Chapel KiddushHoward Weiss in memory of the 36th yahrzeit of his mother, Nettie Weiss
Sanctuary KiddushToby Schaffer in commemoration of the yahrzeit of her mother, Julia Macy
Seudat ShlishitLiba Steinmetz and Steven Block for Shloshim for their mother, Annette Block
Weekday Schedule
ShacharitShacharit: Sunday 7:00 AM/8:30 AM, Monday-Tuesday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM, Wednesday 7:00 AM/8:30 AM, Thursday-Friday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM
MinchaMincha: Sunday 4:25 PM, Monday-Thursday 1:30 PM/4:25 PM, Friday 4:24 PM
Candles Friday4:19 PM
SundayChanukah: 8 Candles/Rosh Chodesh Tevet
MondayChanukah: 8th Day
WednesdayNew Year's Day
Paid Advertisement
Condolences
  • to Harvey Berman on the passing of his mother, Vivian Berman
For up to date shiva and contact info: www.cas-stamford.org/shiva
To make a memorial contribution online, and have us send an acknowledgement to the family, please click here
Mazal Tov
  • to David Bessaleli, Rabbi Dr. Jeff Cahn, Carl Kaufman, Wendy Miles, Melissa Gluck and Nat Samberg on their completion this week of Daf Yomi! We are proud of you!!
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
Sign Up For These Events
Upcoming Events
Behind The Scenes Of Jewish Marriage: Practical Tips For Building Healthy Intimacy 
Tuesday, January 21 - 8:00 PM
***Please note new date: January 21st***

The Steinmetz, Bernstein, Alexander Yoetzet Halacha Initiative invites all women of the Stamford community for an evening of discussion and inspiration on the topic ofBehind the Scenes of Jewish Marriage: Practical Tips for Building Healthy Intimacy
Featuring Rachel Hercman, LCSW and CAS Yoetzet Halacha Dena BlockDecember 17th 2019 at 8 PMHosted by Emily Dubitzky (Address will be sent via email following RSVP)For more information or to RSVP, contact CAS Yoetzet Halacha Dena Block at yoetzet@cas-stamford.org

Make Your Own Waffle 
Sunday, January 26 - 9:30 AM
CAS Young Families presents its 4th annual make your own waffle event with Rabbi Cohen. Dads and kids are welcome to join us at we make waffles and a Tu Bshvat project. Sunday, January 26 from 9:30-11 AM. Members: free, Non-members: $10

Womens Book Club 
Tuesday, January 28 - 8:00 PM
The Womens Book Club will next be reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Event Chair: Laura TobinAddress of meeting will be sent via email after signup. Open to ALL women in our community! Please RSVP by January 26th

Aipac Shabbaton: Beyond The Jewish Community: Christians In The Pro-Israel Movement 
Shabbat, February 1
Services at 9:00am • Remarks at 11:00am • Q&A following kiddushFeaturing Josh Ehrich AIPAC National Christian Constituency Director - Josh is a deeply committed pro-Israel Christian with a strong background in politics and law. He has consulted on many federal, state, and local campaigns and has extensive policy experience through government relations and lobbying work. Josh received his bachelor's degree in history and political science from Cedarville University and attained his Juris Doctor from Liberty University School of Law. Info: Lila Greenberg at lgreenberg@aipac.org or (203) 448-7385.
CAS Young Families
  • MOMMY AND ME GROUP The Mom Group is a great and easy way to form meaningful connections with other moms in your neighborhood. Join us for a weekly playdate with your little one and an opportunity to share your experiences, ask questions you need help with, gather resources, or just connect with other women.
Food For Thought
Food for Thought Section with Rabbi Cohen  As we grow as a community, we always need reminders of the sensitivities of the multi faceted nature of our congregation and personal struggles people may experience. Below are some helpful reminders about infertility. May the families who are yearning to have children of their own be blessed with simcha and joy in the year ahead!
CAS Announcements
  • PAY IT FORWARD! As our community grows it takes even more effort to insure the warmth of our shul. You may not realize but we have a Hospitality Team who are informed of new families who moved into community. Team members are expected to invite new families to any of the following: shabbat meal, BBQ, brunch, even coffee, a get-together in the park, or a community-wide function. It means so much to new families. To join our Hospitality Team, contact membership committee chair, Jon Makovsky at jonathanmakovsky@gmail.com.
  • JOIN A UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE OPPORTUNITY to turn off your outside world and turn on your inner world at the holiest pace on earth.A SOUL JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM with Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen in partnership with Yeshivat Orayta. https://www.orayta.org/.Spend a week of study and spirit in the Old City with luminaries such as Rabbi David Aaron, http://www.rabbidavidaaron.com/ Rav Binny Freedman and many more. Open to Men and Women. Sunday, May 3rd until Sunday, May 10th, 2020. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org. Visit www.israeltour.com/dcohen for information and to sign up.
  • HEALING VISITS UPDATE: Every week, we include a note about our healing visits group. As a reminder, the group consists of volunteers who give of their time to call, email or visit people in our community who are in the hospital or in recuperation. If you like to join this Mitzvah mission, please contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-STAMFORD.org.
  • CAS FREE MEZUZAH CAMPAIGN IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT Bringing Blessings to Jewish Homes. Do you know a neighbor or a friend who lacks a mezuzah? CAS offers a free mezuzah and home visit to post this sacred scroll at the entrance to all Jewish homes in the area. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen: rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org
  • JOIN THE CHEVRA KADISHA We need new volunteers for the Chevra - those willing to perform a tahara. Info: Please contact Rochel Attar at fiveximah@gmail.com
  • IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING We need you to help secure our Synagogue. As you come to the building, please be aware of your surroundings. If you see something out of the ordinary, please let someone know about it. This will keep everyone safe.
  • WELCOME TO OUR SYNAGOGUE PROGRAM Every Shabbat we station ushers at the doors in the sanctuary to welcome people, assist them and enhance the service. We are expanding the usher roles to include a greeter in the lobby from 9-10:30 am. Please join the usher team. We need you and your smile. Info: Mitchell Bell.
  • COMMUNITY CHESED HELPERS An important role of the Chesed committee is outreach to the Shul's elderly and homebound, who are often isolated and lack a lifeline to our synagogue. Volunteer to reach out and identify needs, visit, or give a ride. Even small gestures mean a great deal Interested? Vivian Weiss at 203-323-0909 or vivianweiss@gmail.com. If you are aware of elderly or homebound members in need of outreach, please notify Rabbi Cohen.
Rabbi Office Hours
Update on Rabbi Cohen's & Rabbi Zweiter's Open Office HoursOpen Office Hours are an opportunity to drop by to see our Rabbis without an appointment. They will be available in their office for guidance or a chat. Rabbis will not schedule meetings during these hours, which will be held around the same time each week. Call the office to confirm Rabbi Cohen or Rabbi Zweiter are not attending to an urgent matter outside the synagogue. Open Office Hour Times for this Week
Rabbi Oran Zweiter
  • Tuesday, December 31, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at CAS
  • Thursday, January 2, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at CAS
CAS Classes
Week of December 29
SundayRabbi Oran Zweiter: Bible from the Beginning - 9:15 AM
ThursdayRabbi Oran Zweiter: Rabbi Soloveitchik's work, Halakhic Man - 9:15 AM
Review our full list of classes learn.cas-stamford.org
Sponsor A Kiddush
ShabbatSanctuaryChapelLibraryTeen
Jan 4Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Jan 11Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Jan 18Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Jan 25Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Feb 1Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Sponsor a kiddush! click here to see the menus
Email Matt and he will contact you mfeinberg@cas-stamford.org or see Hecky or Irwin to arrange a Kiddush.
We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
  • Ariyah Leib ben Esther Malkah
  • Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe
  • Davida bat Rachel
  • Dov ben Pnina
  • Rachel bat bayla
  • Refael Ephraim ben Sima
  • Reuven Moshe ben Miriam
  • Rivka Devorah bat Chanula
  • Sara Pesha bat Rivka
  • Velvel Zev ben Yenta
  • Yehudit bat Gittel
  • Yekusiel Yosef ben Fraidal
  • Yitzchak ben Shulamit Avigail
  • Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
Community Announcements
  • BI-CULTURAL CELEBRATION DINNER HONORING CAS Members - Elise and Steven Cohen-Guests of Honor, Alice and Jason Janush-Community Service Award, Tina and Yossi Notik-Young Leadership Award, Laura Kassen-Alumni Award, David Giver-Jane Shoztic Memorial Award. Sunday, January 12, 5:30 PM sign up at www.bcha-ct.org/celebration or contact Rachel Cohen, Dinner Director, at rcohen@bcha-ct.org or 203-329-2186
  • FREE WEEKLY BASKETBALL SCRIMMAGE FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30pm at the BCHA gym. Get some midweek exercise and get back in the game! Please contact Adina if interested at Adina.levine@gmail.com
  • A WIN WIN CHANUKAH GIFT IDEA Israel bonds' eMitzvah Bonds ($36, $54, $72, $90 online only) are Hanukkah Gelt 2.0 - better than coins, cash, checks or gift cards and loaded with mitzvah, Zionism and tradition. No schlepping to the mall, no waiting in line - and they are easy to hide. Mazel Tov Bonds available too ($100 and multiples of $10, up to $2500 per purchaser per holder per monthly sales period). Available online www.israelbonds.com, via smartphone app, call 914.713.9003 or email cynthia.blustein@israelbonds.com.
  • DO A MITZVAH! CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE SCHOKE JFS KOSHER FOOD PANTRY by purchasing Mitzvah Baskets and/or Mitzvah Centerpieces instead of flowers for your next simcha at CAS. Distributions from the Schoke JFS Kosher Food Pantry have increased by more than 1000 since the recession. With this tremendous upsurge in use, Schoke JFS is constantly challenged to keep the food pantry full. Your generosity enables Schoke JFS to help those in our community in their greatest moments of need.
CAS Israel Advocacy Update
Take a Minute to Support Israel  Supporting Israel isn't hard -- there are many things that you can do that take literally one minute. The Israel Committee now has a website built on this idea. Go to www.IsraelMinute.com for simple things that you can do, from calling your Congressional representatives to social media posts, that take only a minute or two. Check back frequently for updates and ideas for things you can do!

LIPS product of the week  Check out our new Love Israel Products Blog (LIPS) for the latest ways to support Israel! Thank you to Lola Halperin and Aaron Goldenberg for organizing. www.loveisraelproducts.com

2020 AIPAC Diamond Summer Internship Application! Diamond Summer Internship (DSI) is one of the most premier internships in Washington DC, and each summer AIPAC hires interns to work at the DC headquarters and in regional and satellite offices across the country. Interns are fully integrated into their department or regional office, and will also engage in a variety of professional development programming. Departments vary each summer, but often include: Political, Policy and Government Affairs, Development, Leadership Development, Business Operations (i.e.: finance, IT, HR), Marketing and Communications, Events and Creative Services, Outreach, and more. Interns participate in the National Intern Retreat, Summer Saban Leadership Seminar, weekly intern call-ins with organizational leadership, and the highly-acclaimed Summer Seminar Series. Typically, DSIs are entering their Junior or Senior years of college.The application can be found at: https://acollegietspply.aipacldevents.org/prog/DSI2020.The DSI program begins on Monday, June 15th, 2020, and interns may opt to work for 8, 9, or 10 weeks.The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2020 at 11:00PM EST.
Kosher Advisories
  • KOSHER ALERTS The OU reminds you to always check the label before purchasing any item that needs kosher certification! And for the latest corrective actions, stay up with the latest OU KOSHER CONSUMER ALERTS & ADVISORIES...just click here
  • KOSHER ADVISORY Breaking news from the OU - newly certified items! to check out the list click here
Congregation Agudath Sholom, 301 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902
Sent by notices@cas-stamford.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact
Try email marketing for free today!

Blog Archive