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

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Friday, November 22, 2019

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
Chayei SaraNovember 23, 201925 Cheshvan 5780
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:12 PM
Mincha4:17 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM
Torah Before Tefillah7:40 AM
Coffee And Commentary8:45 AM
Latest Shema9:16 AM
Teen Minyan9:30 AM
Latest Shacharit10:04 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan/Jr. Cong/BMC10:30 AM
Daf Yomi3:15 PM
Code of Jewish Law3:15 PM
Mincha4:05 PM
Maariv5:07 PM
Shabbat Ends5:12 PM
Shabbat Shalom
Anticipate Acts of Kindness: See Beyond the Need

"When she (Rivka) finished giving him (Eliezer) to drink, she said, I will draw water for your camels until they have finished drinking". Bereishit 24:19 These words uttered over 3,500 years ago define the essence of Chesed and serve as a timeless beacon for each of us.

What does it mean to be a Baal Chesed, a master of kindness? Rashi explains based on a verse in Chapter 33 of Psalms, "The Kindness of God fills the world," that we have an obligation to be attentive to what people need and not to respond to a need only when asked. Rivkah's act was the quintessential act of kindness as she discerned what was needed even without being asked. She gave Eliezer to drink but then she understood that his camels also likely needed water. She perceived that his camels were also thirsty. She did not wait but anticipated. Our mission is to see beyond the faade and determine how we can truly be helpful.

Below are three examples of this ideal.

1. When I was studying in Yeshivah in the suburbs of Baltimore, each Friday afternoon we would leave the campus to take care of errands. The only way to travel was relying on the kindness of people who had cars to give us a lift. We stood at the gate of the Yeshivah and drivers would stop and ask where we needed to go. There were two types of drivers: Those who offered rides to the destination where they themselves were going, and those who went out of their way to take us where we needed to travel. Both are good deeds, but the latter is the epitome of chesed. Rabbi Avi Cassel - Morasha

2. Chesed is not limited to money. A nice word, a smile - these can give new life to someone who has given up on himself! A word of encouragement can bring joy. These are such small things (yet so significant!). In general, there are so many acts of chesed that are easily within our reach - if only we would notice that they are needed! Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe Alei Shur Vol. 1

3. In 1971, Shmuel Avraham Myski decided to use five hundred dollars from wedding gifts to begin a gemach (free loan fund) in a small basement in Monsey, New York. Its "office" consisted of a brown desk, black book, and Parker pen. Over the next twenty-two years, Keren HaChessed - "The Kindness Fund" - grew to loan more than a hundred million dollars. By the late '80s, it was lending over ten million dollars a year! How did a gemach, begun with no significant financial resources, grow to dwarf every other gemach in the world? The answer starts with Rabbi Myski's desire to give. He did not wait to be asked for a loan, but would tell people, "I hear you're making a wedding. Perhaps you need a loan?" Rabbi Yonasan Rosenblum

King David writes, "Build a World of Kindness". Rivka serves as the perfect bridge from the chariots of kindness embodied in Avraham and Sara. Rivka is emblematic of our own sacred task not only to do chesed but to all become Baalei Chesed, anticipate acts of kindness in the world around us.

Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom and Happy Thankgiving,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen


Welcome  
  • new member family Pavel and Nechama Bortnovskiy
  • Daniel and Leeba Sadeh on their move to Stamford and we wish Daniel comfort on the recent passing of his father.

Youth Group Reminders 
  • No outside food is allowed in groups
  • For security, the doors are locked. Please arrive by 10:30am

Thank you to  the United Jewish Federation of Stamford New Canaan and Darien for facilitating CAS and nine other local organizations partnership in the nationally acclaimed Life and Legacy program. The initiative is an opportunity to mobilize our community to engage in conversation about legacy gifts and investing in the future of our shul and community. To Learn more about this exciting program, please speak to Rabbi Cohen and/or visit https://jewishlifelegacy.org/

Thanksgiving Thank You to the Stamford Police! Meet Rabbi Cohen in the lobby of the Stamford Police Department at 10 AM on Thursday, Thanksgiving morning. The Police Chief and fellow officers are looking forward to meeting us. Bring some home made cookies, cakes, and thank you cards and let them know how much we appreciate all they do for our community and city! For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen.

Thank you  to Mitchell Bell, the volunteers and the CAS Men's Club for preparing and delivering the annual Thanksgiving Feast for Stamford EMS. To volunteer, contact Mitchell at wizdrbel@yahoo.com

Thanksgiving Service Notes 
  • Morning Learning with Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, Dean of BCHA at 9:15 AM in the Chapel. Take 40 minutes to learn on your day off: #1 The Power of Pleasant (How to steal a Blessing).
  • In addition to the regular mincha and maariv, there will be a Mincha Service at 1:30 PM and a late maariv at 6:30 PM.

CAS Member Trivia Last Week's Question and Answer:Which one of our members was friends with Stamford resident and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson? Dr. Al HelferWhich CAS member attended the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid and watched the Gold-Medal Winning USA Hockey Team? If you have an interesting fact about yourself or another member, please be in touch with our Daniel Schilowitz, CAS Trivia Research Assistant, at daniel.schilowitz@gmail.com
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Friday Night Spirited Kabbalat ShabbatTani Polansky
Torah before TefillahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Coffee and CommentaryRabbi Daniel Cohen
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Shimmy Trencher
10:30 shiurHyman Schaffer: The Significance of November 23 for Jewish Practice. Or, why we do what we do, when we do it. But are we right?
Library shiurJay Jubas: Shiur
SermonRabbi Daniel Cohen
Torah Reader/MusafLevi Dulitz
Daf YomiDavid Bessaleli
Seudat ShlishitRabbi Oran Zweiter
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Shabbat Shalom Hospital PackagesHoward & Stephanie Fogel in memory of Sam Fogel
Library Kiddush Talia and Jon Siscovick in honor of Hecky Attar for all of his efforts on behalf of the 7am Minyan
Chapel KiddushNat Samberg in commemoration of the Yahrtzeit of his mother and his & Helene's 37th wedding anniversary
Sanctuary KiddushReba & Howard Sitzer in honor of Selia's Bat Mitzvah
Weekday Schedule
ShacharitShacharit: Sunday 7:15 AM/8:30 AM, Monday-Wednesday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM, Thursday 7:00 AM/8:30 AM, Friday 6:20 AM/7:30 AM
MinchaMincha: Sunday 4:15 PM, Monday-Thursday 1:30 PM/4:15 PM, Friday 4:14 PM
Candles Friday4:09 PM
ThursdayRosh Chodesh Kislev/Thanksgiving Day
FridayRosh Chodesh Kislev
Mazal Tov
  • to Gloria Green, Cheryl Green Hillman and the extended Hillman/Frydman/Green Family on the birth of a great-grandson and grandson
  • to Ivy and Marvin Schildkraut on the birth of a grandson!
  • to the 2019 Rosalie Aberman AIPAC Teen Fellows: Shalhevet Cohen, Matan Coll, Avi Gordon, Danielle Hadge, Yehudit Hochman, Eytan Israel, Julianne Katz, Daniella Klein, Emma Rimerman
  • to Reba and Howard Sitzer on the Bat Mitzvah this weekend of their daughter Selia
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
CAS Women Presents Pre-Chanukah Boutique 
Sunday, December 15
10:30 am - 2:30 pm. Get your Chanukah gifts and more! Jewelry, hats, hair accessories, Cutco, personalized children's items and more.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt - European Jewry At A Crossroads 
Monday, December 16 - 7:30 PM
Pinchas Goldschmidt has been the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, Russia since 1993, serving at the Moscow Choral Synagogue. He also founded and heads the Moscow Rabbinical court of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) since 1989, and since 2011 serves as President of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) which unites over seven hundred communal rabbis from Dublin to Khabarovsk.
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.
CAS Announcements
  • LIMITED OFFER! Join the CAS AIPAC Policy Conference delegation in March 2020 and take advantage of a $200 off PC registration. Valid through November 27th. CT Promo Code CTP20. To register, visit www.aipacpolicyconefrence.org.
  • THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SHABBAT KIDDUSH WITH RABBI COHEN FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Catch up with old friends, chat with Rabbi Cohen, and enjoy some tasty food. Following minyan on Shabbat morninig, Rabbi Cohen will host a special kiddush at 11:30 AM for collegiates visiting for Thanksgiving Weekend. RSVP to Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org
  • CHANUKAH COLLEGE PACKAGES CAS would like to send your collegiate a Chanukah care package. Please send your child's email, address and phone number to Kim in the office by December 1st to be included in the gifts for Chanukah.
  • CAS MENS CLUB Once again the CAS Men's Club is spear-heading a feast for the EMS responders on Thanksgiving.We are looking for food (Turkey, sprouts, salad items, cranberries, etc.) to prepare during the morning 9am-11:00 pm to drop off for the 4-5 crews on duty that day. If you can donate or help prepare contact Mitchell Bell, wizdrbel@yahoo.com or 203 722 3512. Thank 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. 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
No Office Hours This Week.
CAS Classes
Week of November 24
SundayRabbi Oran Zweiter: Bible from the Beginning - 9:15 AM
MondayBob Abrams: The Tanach Club - Mishlei, The Book of Proverbs - 10:15 AM
Mark Wagshul: Crash Course in Reading Hebrew - 7:30 PM
Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Monday Evening Kabbalah Series: Mystical Principles for Inspired and Meaningful Living - 8:15 PM
TuesdayRabbi Daniel Cohen: The Depth of Genesis and the Rudiments of Rashi - 8:15 AM
Rabbi Daniel Cohen: The Power of the Prophets - 9:00 AM
Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Parsha Perspectives - 12:00 PM
FridayRabbi Daniel Cohen: The Pre-Shabbos Torah Taste - 8:15 AM
Review our full list of classes learn.cas-stamford.org
Sponsor A Kiddush
ShabbatSanctuaryChapelLibraryTeen
Nov 30Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Dec 7Sanctuary: openChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Dec 14Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Dec 21Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Dec 28Sanctuary: 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
  • Chana bat Fayga
  • Chana bat Gitel
  • Chana bat Shualmit
  • Davida bat Rachel
  • Dov ben Pnina
  • Liba bat Peschke
  • Rachel bat Bayla
  • Refael Ephraim ben Sima
  • Rivka Devorah bat Chanula
  • Shmuel ben Zlata Fayena
  • Tzedakah Bracha bat Yehudit
  • Yehudit bat Gittel
  • Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
Community Announcements
  • SIX THIRTEEN RESTAURANT is proud to host a live performance by 3 Rabbis & a Cik on Saturday, November 30.Doors open at 6:15, Band plays at 8:30.
  • FAMILY FUN DAY AND PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AT GAN YELADIM OF STAMFORD Sunday, December 8 - 9:30am-11:30amCome learn about our program by taking a tour, meet our amazing Gan teachers and enjoy a morning filled with children's activities. Fun and Free for the whole family. For adults an opportunity to get certified in CPR / First Aid for $60 a person. RSVP appreciated to wendy@stamfordchabad.org.
  • JOIN UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION'S CARDOZO LAW SOCIETY on December 4th for an evening of networking and learning. 6:30pm dinner, followed by a panel discussion entitled "Staying On The Ethical Path: Legal Ethics & Malpractice," featuring Rob Hoff, Jeffrey Cunningham and Mike Trippico. Sponsor, Wiggin & Dana LLP, is providing 1 CLE in ethics. $36 in advance/$45 at the door, dinner and drinks included. Location: Wiggin & Dana, Two Stamford Plaza, 281 Tresser Blvd., 7th Fl., Stamford. Sign up at www.ujf.org/malpractice. For more information contact Sharon Franklin at sharon@ujf.org.
  • LAUGHING IN THE FACE OF MOTHERHOOD Thursday, December 5, 7:00pm, at the JCC. Join us for a night of hilarious comedy sketches and cocktails with Podcasters Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables. For tickets visit stamfordjcc.org or call the JCC welcome desk at (203)322-7900. For more information please contact Sandi Waldstreicher at the JCC Sara Walker Nursery School (203) 322-6541.
  • JEWISH NATIONAL FUND'S 7TH ANNUAL WATER & WINE RECEPTION AT WESTCHESTER REFORM TEMPLE December 5th, 7pm. The event will feature Channel 12 News Anchor Michelle Divon, "My Experience at the Gaza Border: How JNF Helps Families Heal". Tickets are $36 which include savory noshes, wine tasting, dessert & coffee, schmoozing and learning more about building a stronger state of Israel. Sponsorships are available. Online registration at: Water & Wine Registration For more information, please contact Westchester & Southern Connecticut Director, Sharon Lewis, Sharon.lewis@jnf.org.
  • EDEN VILLAGE CAMP OPEN HOUSE The innovative Jewish organic farm camp, located in Putnam Valley, NY, is changing the way Jewish sleepaway camp is done. Come find out what makes EVC so special. Sunday, December 8th @ 7:00 pm. Hosted by the Kanefsky family - held in Stamford - RSVP for address: Edenvillagecamp.org/rsvp
  • 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

Check out OurCrowd (www.ourcrowd.com).  They are the most active venture investor in Israel the past two years and have invested in about 200 companies since inception across a full range of industries. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen or Alec Ellison, Chairman Our Crowd, at alec@ourcrowd.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
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