Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| Vaetchanan | Shabbat Nachamu | August 17, 2019 | 16 Av 5779 |
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| Friday | | Mincha | 7:00 PM | | Candle Lighting | 7:33 PM | | Shabbat | | Shacharit | 7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM | | Torah Before Tefillah | 7:40 AM | | Coffee And Commentary | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 9:32 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan | 10:30 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 10:40 AM | | Daf Yomi | 6:35 PM | | Mincha | 7:25 PM | | Maariv | 8:27 PM | | Shabbat Ends | 8:32 PM |
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Living without Entitlement Thank God, we returned from one of the most powerful journeys of my life. God willing, in the weeks and months ahead, I will share some reflections of our extraordinary week in Poland and Prague. In the future, we will also have the opportunity to hear reflections from some of the participants as well. In one of our multiple debrief conversations during the trip, one of the participants shared, "Until now, I never fully appreciated the anxiety with which people lived during the Holocaust. One day alive, one day possibly dead. One decision by an SS Officer who did not like the way you looked at him, a separation, a sickness spelled the difference between life and death. Sometimes the line was minute to minute." We cannot God forbid imagine the deep seated anxiety of living in such a mental state and are forever amazed at the miracle of survivors. His comment served as a wake up call to all of us not to live with a sense of false security and entitlement. A sense of entitlement leads to uncompromising attitudes and a lack of understanding of other people's needs. All too often we take for granted the simple yet profound blessings we experience every day. In truth, we are owed nothing by God. Just because we wake up with thank God, everything functioning one day is no guarantee of tomorrow. We must live with wonder, humility and gratitude. This ideal of living is expressed succinctly by Moshe in the first word of this weeks's Parsha of Vaetchanan. Moshe petitions God to allow him to go into Israel. The midrash explains that there are 11 words that signify prayer and one "Techina" used by Moshe at this time is rooted in the word, Chinam, Free. Rashi expounds that Moshe was indicating to God that he did not deserve to enter Israel. He did not feel entitled to go into Israel but rather saw his request as asking God for an undeserved gift. He approached God with the utmost of humility. Although God still answered "No" to Moshe, Moshe's approach serves as a model for all of us. Rabbi Yochanan states: "No human being has a right to claim they deserve anything from God. God bestows upon us his blessings through his mercy and kindness and we should be eternally grateful." With God's help we will never be in situation where we are living day to day or moment to moment. Let us seize this life lesson to truly appreciate the beneficence of God each and every day. When we move from being self absorbed to other centered not only will we experience God in our lives but our relationships with our friends and community will also be deepened and enriched. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen
- No outside food is allowed in groups
- For security, the doors are locked. Please arrive by 10:30am
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| Welcome new members Caren and Jules Szanton |
- Josh and Tova Goldberg
- Etti Lev and her family
- Rami Dennis
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| Join us for a Shabbat Oneg at the park this Shabbat at 4:30 PM to welcome Rabbi Shimmy and Stacey Trencher and their family to Stamford. Rabbi Trencher is the new Principal of the BCHA Upper School |
- Do you need reserved or guest tickets for High Holidays? Download the Request Form.
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| CAS / Young Israel Kiddush Cup Labor Day Softball game is around the corner. To join the team and/or learn more, contact Josh Sperber at jsperber3@gmail.com. |
| Calling All Ushers! Anyone who is interested in helping out even in a small way - be part of welcoming your fellow congregants! We will be holding a short meeting this Sunday at 10 - 10:30am in the Simcha Room. We really need the help! |
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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Friday Night Dvar Torah | Rabbi Oran Zweiter | | Torah before Tefillah | Rabbi Oran Zweiter | | Coffee and Commentary | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | 9:00 shiur | Barry Best: The Sanctity of the Temple Mount in Contemporary Times: a Responsum of Rav Betzalel Zholty | | 10:30 shiur | Michael Feldstein: Rachel Ray Frank (1860-1948): The First Woman 'Rabbi' | | Sermon | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | Torah Reader | Nat Samberg | | Daf Yomi | Mark Wagshul | | Seudat Shlishit | Rabbi Oran Zweiter |
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| Sanctuary Kiddush/Seudat Shlishit | David and Cindy Pitkoff in memory of David's father, Baruch Ben Yosef | | Shabbat Shalom Hospital Packages | Howard & Stephanie Fogel in memory of Sam Fogel | | Library Kiddush | Marc and Sherry Silver in memory of Marc's father- Joseph Silver | | Chapel Kiddush | The BL Fund |
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| Shacharit | Shacharit: Sunday 7:15 AM/8:30 AM, Monday-Friday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM | | Mincha | Mincha: Sunday-Thursday 7:30 PM, Friday 7:00 PM | | Candles Friday | 7:23 PM |
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- to the family of Gertrude Weiss
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- to Joan & Bennett Schwartz on the birth of two grandsons
- to Aliza and Chazan Raphael Bokow on the birth of a baby girl, Miriam Feigel
- to Stephen Block on the forthcoming marriage of Stanley to Gabi Haar
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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 |
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Raizi Checik
Shabbat, September 14
SAVE THE DATE! Raizi Checik, Head of School at Manhattan Day School, will be joining us as a scholar in residence on Shabbat, September 14. She will be speaking three times -- immediately after services, at a luncheon for the entire family after kiddush, and at seudah shlishit. Shabbat morning Drasha: East of Eden: Kayin, Adam, and the Genesis of Teshuva; Lunch Lecture: Letters Floating in the Air: The Amazing Story of the Woman who Produced the Vilna Talmud; Seudah Shlishit: Ethical Wills: Last Words and Legacies |
Social Action/Chesed Commitee Events For The Holidays
Sunday, September 15
Chesed Morning at CAS Sunday, September 15th
Afternoon Family Apple Picking - Sunday, September 15th in partnership with Youth and Young Families
Apple Bake at the Shul - Thursday, September 19th at 7:30 PM in partnership with Schoke Jewish Family Service and Youth and Young Families. Bake a Cake or Crumble - One for You and One for JFS for distribution to seniors and shut ins in our community. |
Selichot Night Service
Shabbat, September 21 - 10:00 PM
Kaunch of the high holiday season as we usher in the holidays with prayers and singing. Pre Program at 9 PM |
Sounds On The Sound
Sunday, September 22 - 7:30 AM
Join us for an early bird service on the water as we greet the light of the sun and the soul. We will blow the shofar for the sounds on the sound! Location upon request. Please RSVP to Rabbi Daniel Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org |
Rosh Hashanah Discovery Service
Monday, September 30 - 4:00 PM
Atria (77 Third Street) at 4:00 pm. Featuring Shofar Blowing, Selected Singing and Prayers and Inspiration Led by Rabbi Daniel Cohen of Congregation Agudath Sholom. |
Spiritual Consultation: Become Your Best Self This New Year
Do we live in sync with our highest aspirations? Rabbi Daniel Cohen offers spiritual consultations in advance of the holidays to help you chart the path for a year of exponential and eternal growth and impact. For more information, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org |
Yom Kippur Afternoon Yizkor Service With Rabbi Daniel Cohen
Wednesday, October 9 - 4:00 PM
Honor your Loved Ones and Be Inspired by their Memories. Reveal the Secrets of Renewal and Grow from the Holiest Day of the Year. Reservations Required. To register contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org |
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- ONEG AT SHABBAT PARK August 17 @ 4:30 pm - Please join CAS Young Families and Young Couples as we welcome the Trencher Family to Stamford. Rabbi Shimmy Trencher will be the new principal of BCHA Upper School. Please bring a parve dessert or snack to share. We look forward to seeing everyone! Please invite friends and any visiting families.
- MOMMY AND ME GROUP Monday, August 19 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. 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.
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- CAS YOUTH Get ready for the most exciting fun year yet at CAS youth! You and your friends are all invited to bring your special talent to the world with our "AGT: Agudath's Got Talent Show" party to start the year! Join us in the social hall on Sunday August 25th from 12:30-2:30 for a morning of candy-sushi making, edible slime, art projects, and a back to school surprise followed by our first ever Youth Talent Show! All 4-10 year olds are invited! To sign up to perform contact Yolly at ydratch@gmail.com We can't wait to see you!
- 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.
- ANNOUNCING A SOUL JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM with Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen in partnership with Yeshivat Orayta. Spend a week of study and spirit in the Old City with luminaries such as Rabbi David Aaron, Rav Binny Freidman and many more. Open to Men and Women. Dates are Sunday, May 3rd until Sunday, May 10th, 2020. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen. Sign Up will open soon.
- 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.
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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 Daniel Cohen - Friday, August 23, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at Starbucks, 2139 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06904
Rabbi Oran Zweiter - Tuesday, August 20, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at CAS
- Wednesday, August 21, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at CAS
- Thursday, August 22, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at CAS
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| Week of August 18 | | Thursday | Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Tractate Taanit - 8:00 PM | | Friday | Rabbi Daniel Cohen: The Pre-Shabbos Torah Taste - 8:15 AM |
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| Shabbat | Sanctuary | Chapel | Library | Teen |
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| Aug 24 | Sanctuary: open | Chapel: sponsored | Library: sponsored | Teen: | | Aug 31 | Sanctuary: open | Chapel: sponsored | Library: sponsored | Teen: | | Sep 7 | Sanctuary: open | Chapel: sponsored | Library: sponsored | Teen: | | Sep 14 | Sanctuary: open | Chapel: sponsored | Library: sponsored | Teen: | | Sep 21 | Sanctuary: sponsored | Chapel: open | Library: sponsored | Teen: |
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Alta bat Shifra
- Avraham Shmuel ben Rivka Rochel
- Avraham ben Hanna
- Baruch Meir Chaim ben Leah
- Baruch ben Minnie
- Bella bat Ester Fira
- Davida bat Rachel
- Dov ben Pnina
| - Esther bat Sarah
- HERBERT ALLAN KATZEL ben n/a
- Hasa Pia bat Alka
- Mazal bat Amalia Maly
- Miriam bat Sora Rochel
- Moshe ben Laizer
- Nachum ben Mina
- Nechama bat Bracha
| - Nira bat Rachel
- Refael Ephraim ben Sima
- Shalom Ben Zion ben Nacha
- Shlomo ben Sarah
- Yehudah ben Raisel
- Yitta bat Ruchel
- Yitzchak ben Sarah
- Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
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- BI-CULTURAL HEBREW ACADEMY PRESENTS FAMILY FUN DAY for Families of children birth-7 (Siblings welcome) August 25th on the BCHA Sports Field. 3-5pm. Music, snacks, crafts and much more. A fun activity for the whole family. Rsvp to Msperber@bcds.org Looking forward to seeing you there!!
- JOIN UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION on Sunday, September 8th for our Campaign Launch Celebration & learn all about our community's new campaign model supporting innovation and growth within our Jewish community. Keynote speaker Ethan Zohn, 2 time cancer survivor and winner of CBS' Survivor Africa & buffet dinner. At Serafina at the Italian Center, 1620 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Dietary laws observed. To sign up go to: www.ujf.org/zohn. For more information contact Diane Sloyer at dianesloyer@ujf.org/ ext. 105
- 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.
- MEET ISRAEL CANCER SCIENTIST PROFESSOR ROTEM KARNI OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY whose research focuses on Brain and Ovarian cancers. August 19th, 7:30 pm at Chabad of Stamford, 770 High Ridge Rd, Stamford. Topic: "Tricking cancer with decoys. Our new decoy technology." Dr. Karni's work has generated headlines: "Israelis discover promising treatment for aggressive brain tumors". Program sponsored by the Israel Cancer Research Fund, CT Chapter, in cooperation with Chabad of Stamford. Email CT@ICRFonline.org or Jessie.Katz@ICRFonline.org for more details.
- SCHOKE JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE YOUNG COUPLES COCKTAIL PARTY This will be a really fun event and will give you the opportunity to learn more about what JFS does for the community. 9/4/19, 7- 8:30 PM. Schoke Jewish Family Service- 196 Greyrock Place, Stamford. Price: $18 per couple. RSVP to Lisa Rich at Lrich@ctjfs.org
- THE STAMFORD CHEVRA KADISHA PRESENTS BEYOND BURIAL AND SHIVA: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LOSING A LOVED ONE, Sunday evening, September 15, 2019, 7-9PM, Temple Beth El. Guest speaker: Dr. David Pelcovitz. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the entire community. http://www.stamfordchevrakadisha.org/beyond-burual-and-shiva.html Co-sponsored by Congregation Agudath Sholom.
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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 |
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- 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
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