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

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Friday, December 6, 2019

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
VayetzeiDecember 7, 20199 Kislev 5780
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting4:07 PM
Mincha4:12 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM
Torah Before Tefillah7:40 AM
Coffee And Commentary8:45 AM
Sephardic Minyan9:00 AM
Latest Shema9:26 AM
Latest Shacharit10:12 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan/Jr. Cong/BMC10:30 AM
Daf Yomi3:10 PM
Code of Jewish Law3:10 PM
Mincha4:00 PM
Maariv5:02 PM
Shabbat Ends5:07 PM
Shabbat Shalom
One Decision: Answering the Call - In Tribute to Mr. S

I do not know what would have happened had Mr. S gone to law school.

We knew him as the founder and dean of Bi Cultural Hebrew Academy. We knew him as the trailblazer, educator and friend who planted the seeds of Torah in Stamford. We knew him as the visionary and indefatigable leader of a day school who tirelessly and passionately inspired teachers and students for over 50 years with his creativity, humor and wisdom. He never retired from his lifelong mission and calling.

It almost did not happen.

Mr. S did not plan a career in Jewish education. Yet, one well timed question to him and his open heart and courage to move outside his comfort zone changed the course of his life and in turn our families and the Stamford Jewish community forever.

His story hearkens back to an ancient and timeless story from this week's Parsha.

The parsha of Vayetze begins with Yaakov running away from the murderous Esav. At the behest of his mother Rivka, Yaakov seeks refuge in the house of her family in Charan. Yaakov is in survival mode. His goal is peace of mind, safety and a wife.

Yet, God has other plans for him. While Yaakov is asleep, God appears in a dream with angels, a ladder and a Divine promise. God is awakening Yaakov to the reality that his life is not meant to be one of survival but of accomplishment, purpose and destiny. He is one link in a continuum of history, the bearer of the Divine mission assumed by his father and grandfather. When he wakes up from his slumber, Yaakov proclaims, "God is in this place and I did not know. Here is the house of God and this is the gate to Heaven." He realizes in the depths of his soul that he must answer the call of God, as his ancestors, he must proclaim, "Heneni" Here I am - ready to serve God and the future of the Jewish people.

In 1948, Mr. S graduated from City College in New York with a degree in accounting. He was enrolled to attend Columbia Law School. A week before the first semester began, he decided to visit his friends in Yeshiva College at YU, where he also concurrently earned a degree in Judaic Studies while at CCNY. When he walked into the building, he was invited to the office of Dr. Gershin Churgin, Dean of the Teacher's Institute at Yeshiva. Dr. Churgin lamented that most of the best students were going into medicine, dentistry, law or business. He asked, "Who is going to carry on Jewish education?"

Mr. S shared that the question burned in his heart that night. He awoke the next morning and returned to Dr. Churgin and courageously decided to postpone his career in law. He told Dr. Churgin, "Send me wherever you want. I'll give it a year."

Mr. S answered God's call.

One year turned into a lifetime of dedication to the Jewish people. He started in Wilkes-Barre, PA and seven years later made Stamford his home. It is no wonder that the Talmud teaches that when we save one soul, we have saved the world. Without exaggeration, Mr. S was the catalyst for thousands of worlds being born with Torah, faith, love of Israel and commitment to chesed, kindness. He serves as an inspiration for all of us to awaken from our slumbers and realize that God is in this place. Never could he have imagined the impact of one decision to shape the future of our families and our community. May we all rise to hear the call from wherever and from whomever to say Heneni, I am ready to serve the Jewish people. Our families, community and future generations will be eternally grateful. May his memory be a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen


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

Thank you  to everyone who joined us to Say Thank You to our First Responders on Thanksgiving Day by visiting the Stamford Police and Fire Departments and Stamford EMS. Enjoy the photos! click here to view

Tributes to Mr S, Walter Schuchatowitz, founding Dean of BCHA.   His memory will live forever.

Worthwhile Podcast  from Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein click here

Learn More about the Rabbi's May Trip to Israel  at an informational Meeting with Rabbi Cohen : Post Kiddush, December 7th, 12 PM and Sunday, December 8th, 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM at CAS
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Daniel Cohen
Torah before TefillahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Coffee and CommentaryRabbi Daniel Cohen
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Yossi Kamman
10:30 shiurMichael Feldstein: 'Give Me Children or I Will Die': A Literary Analysis of the Six Barren Women in Tanach - Dedicated to the families in our community (and beyond) who are struggling with fertility issues
Library shiurJay Jubas: Shiur
SermonRabbi Oran Zweiter
Torah ReaderJason Levine
Daf YomiDavid Bessaleli
Seudat ShlishitRabbi Daniel Cohen
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Shabbat Shalom Hospital PackagesHoward & Stephanie Fogel in memory of Sam Fogel
Library KiddushJason and Robin Fischel in honor of their children, Shane Phillip and Hadassah Faye, the memory of Florence Fischel, and in honor of their families
Chapel KiddushJared and Andrew Frenkel in honor of Grammy and Grandpa Frenkel
Sanctuary KiddushCo-Sponsored by Bob and Eileen Breakstone in memory of Bob's father Morris Breakstone, Moshe ben Avraham; Joan and Howard Breslow in memory of Joan's father, Seymour Burn, Shimon ben Hertzel; Norman and Nina Lotstein in memory of Norman's mother Lillian Lotstein, Lache Mira bat Moshe; Dr. Sam & Rachel Maryles in memory of Sam's mother, Brenda Maryles; and Dr. Neil & Anne Raff in memory of Dr. Raff's father, Max Raff.
Weekday Schedule
ShacharitShacharit: Sunday 7:15 AM/8:30 AM, Monday-Friday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM
MinchaMincha: Sunday 4:10 PM, Monday-Thursday 1:30 PM/4:10 PM, Friday 4:12 PM
Candles Friday4:07 PM
Condolences
  • to Sam Sroka on the passing of his grandmother, Claire Gochman Sroka
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 parents Jason and Robin Fischel, great grandmother, Guta Fishcel, grandparents Ellen & Richard Weber and Flossy z"l & Sam Fischel, aunt and uncle Leah & Greg Miller and big brother Shane on the birth of a baby girl, Hadassah Bracha, Hadassah Faye
  • to Mark and Nurit Wexler on the engagement of their daughter Shira to Josh Goldhirsch. Mazal tov to grandparents Ben and Debbie Soifer
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. We have an incredible selection of vendors lined up - Tablecloths, custom crayons, personalized children's items, cutco, jewelry, headbands, hats, Judaica, children's hair accessories, kippahs and more!Chaired by Hilary Goldstein, Rina Miller and the CAS Women's Club.

Behind The Scenes Of Jewish Marriage: Practical Tips For Building Healthy Intimacy 
Tuesday, December 17 - 8:00 PM
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 IntimacyFeaturing 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

Musical Shabbat Guest - Shimon Craimer 
Shabbat, December 20-21
Join us as we welcome Music Producer, Singer, and Composer Shimon Craimer, who will lead a festive Friday Night Davening, Friday Night Oneg, Festive Shabbat Day Davening, and a Musical Havdalah
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
  • CHANUKAH COLLEGE PACKAGES Rabbi Cohen and 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 15 to be included in the gifts for Chanukah.
  • 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 Daniel Cohen
  • Tuesday, December 10, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM at CAS
  • Friday, December 13, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at Starbucks, 2139 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06905, USA
Rabbi Oran Zweiter
  • Tuesday, December 10, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at CAS
  • Wednesday, December 11, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at CAS
  • Thursday, December 12, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at CAS
CAS Classes
Week of December 8
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: Mystical and Kaballah Insights on Chanukah - 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
WednesdayRabbi Oran Zweiter: 12 Minor Prophets - 9:30 AM
Diane Cohen - Explorations in the Book with Esther - 10:30 AM
ThursdayRabbi Oran Zweiter: Rabbi Soloveitchik's work, Halakhic Man - 9:15 AM
Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Tractate Taanit - 8:15 PM
FridayRabbi Daniel Cohen: The Pre-Shabbos Torah Taste - 8:15 AM
Review our full list of classes learn.cas-stamford.org
CAS Events
Upcoming Special Guests and Events at CAS
  • Tuesday, December 10th - David Hazony, Israel Innovation Fund
  • Sunday, December 15th - Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz. Director of Semicha at RIETS
  • Monday, December 16th - Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow
  • Tuesday, December 17th - Panel Rachel Hercman, LCSW and Dena Block (Private Home)
  • Shabbat, December 21st - Musical Shabbat with Chazan Shim Craimer
  • Saturday Night, Jan. 18th - Ice Skating in the Mil River Park
  • Shabbat, Jan. 25th - Rookies and Vets Shabbat
  • Sunday, Jan. 26th - Dads and Kids Waffle Party
  • Shabbat, Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 - AIPAC Shabbat with Andrew Ashford, Director of Veteran Outreach
  • Shabbat Feb. 6-7 - BCHA/Yachad Shabbaton
  • Monday, February, 24th - Sivan Rahav Meir, World Mizrachi Shalicha
Sponsor A Kiddush
ShabbatSanctuaryChapelLibraryTeen
Dec 14Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Dec 21Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Dec 28Sanctuary: openChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Jan 4Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Jan 11Sanctuary: 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
  • 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
  • Velvel Zev ben Yenta
  • Yehudit bat Gittel
  • Yitzchak ben Shulamit Avigail
  • Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
Community Announcements
  • 613 RESTAURANT Join us this Saturday, December 7, for a live performance by The Agaves, A New Rochelle based band with an eclectic mix of acoustic rock, blues and reggae. Doors open at 615
  • 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 on December 8th for our Year End Celebration & Annual Meeting being held at the Ferguson Library. Pre-reception with dinner & cocktails starts at 6:30pm, $40 by 12/1 ($50 after), and the annual meeting begins at 7:30pm, open to all at no charge. Dessert reception to follow. We will be honoring Ricky Arbron, David Fogel, Jonathan & Allison Ostroff, Toby Lazarus, Peter Lilienthal, Shari Raymond & Cathy Satz, and installing David Gordon as incoming UJF President. Special guest speaker Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO of JFNA. Event co-chairs are Dinah Miller-Marlowe & Seth Marlowe. Go to www.ujf.org/annual2019 to register or place a journal ad, or contact Diane Sloyer at 203-321-1373 ext. 105.
  • 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
  • EDEN VILLAGE CAMP OPEN HOUSE Come check out Eden Village Camp this Sunday at 7 p.m.- right here in Stamford. Eden Village is the innovative Jewish farm camp that is changing the way Jewish sleepaway camp is done. Stop by the Kanefsky home Sunday evening to make beeswax Shabbat candles, meet the Eden Village Farm Director, spend time with other camp families - and find out what makes Eden Village so special! RSVP here http://edenvillagecamp.org/signatureprogramcalendar/
  • TWIST & SHOUT! Wednesday December 11th at 10am, BCHA for free music and movement with Rabbi Kohl. For Children 0-4 along with mom, dad or caregiver. 2186 High Ridge Road.
  • ENJOY "LATKES, LIGHTS & LAUGHTER " at United Jewish Federation's NextGen Chanukah Party on Saturday night, December 14th, 8-10:30pm at the Beacon Harbor Point, 1 Harbor point Road in Stamford. Mingle with friends and enjoy specialty cocktails and spirits tasting by Litchfield Distillery, a donut bar, latkes and other holiday fare. $18 pp in advance/$25 at the door. Sign up at www.ujf.org/lights, contact Sharon Franklin at sharon@ujf.org for questions. Dietary laws observed.
  • 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
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