Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| Ki Sisa | March 14, 2020 | 18 Adar 5780 |
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Coronovirus Update
We have made the difficult decision to close the synagogue for all minyanim including Shabbat, classes and gatherings beginning Friday, March 13th. There should be no house minyanim and people should daven individually. Further, people should limit gatherings for Shabbat meals. As adults, we need to set an example for our children and limit social interaction. The shul will only be open for office staff and construction only.
The Minnie Manger Marcia Lieberman Mikvah will remain open. Women under mandatory quarantine or who are experiencing symptoms of illness may not use the mikvah. The Men's Mikvah will be closed. |
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We have 2 opportunities to bring Shabbat in with a bang. At 5 pm, Rabbi Cohen and Jonathan Cahr are going to virtually bring us some pre Shabbat song on Facebook Like (Click here to join or call 712-775-7031 and use Access Code: 140468).
And at 5:30 pm, our Youth leaders Yaakov Faratci and Tani Polansky will bring us their Virtual Pre-Shabbat Ruach (Click here to join). Please tune in and bring in this Shabbat with these inspiring opportunities. |
Matzahs and Blankets! The Talmud teaches that 30 days before Pesach, we begin to study and explore the meaning of the holiday. Pesach contains a message that is particularly timely during this challenging time. It relates to the symbol of the Matzah. Is it a symbol of freedom or slavery? On the one hand, matzah is called the bread of affliction, lechem oni, the food of slaves. On the other hand, later in the seder, we refer to matzah as the bread of freedom that our ancestors ate in haste upon leaving Egypt. How does affliction turn to freedom? The answer is up to us. We can transform the matzah from bread of slavery to bread of freedom when we share it with others. We can turn a bitter moment into one of growth through goodness. The following story shared by Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, encapsulates this perspective on life. He was in Israel a number of years ago with a group of businessmen and had the opportunity to meet Rabbi Noson Tzvi Finkel, of blessed memory, the head of Mir Yeshiva. The Rabbi, who had Parkinson's, banged on the table and asked them, "Who can tell me what the lesson of the Holocaust is?" After hearing their answers, he responded, "As you know, during the Holocaust, the people were transported in the worst possible, inhumane way by rail car. When they arrived at the camps, the doors were swung wide open, and they were blinded by the light. Men were separated from women, mothers from daughters, fathers from sons. They went off to the bunkers to sleep. As they went into the area to sleep, only one person was given a blanket for every six. The person who received the blanket, when he went to bed, had to decide - Am I going to push the blanket to the five other people who did not get one, or am I going to pull it toward myself to stay warm?'" And Rabbi Finkel said, "It was during this defining moment that we learned the power of the human spirit, because we pushed the blanket to five others." And with that, he stood up and said, "Take your blanket. Take it back to America and push it to five other people." The essence of transforming matzah from bread of slavery into bread of freedom occurs when we live not only for ourselves but for others. For this reason, we begin the seder by inviting guests. When we are affluent, we tend to forget others. The Jewish approach is always to give to others through such mitzvoth as Tzedakah and hospitality. Before Pesach, we are all obligated to give money to Maot Chitim, the Passover fund to insure everyone can celebrate. If you can host people at your seder this year, please let me know. Being a Jew means expanding the self to include one's family, community and the Jewish people. This is the essence of true freedom and the timeless calling of Pesach. God wiling, we will rise the challenges in our community and beyond in the season ahead through a renewed commitment to praying for others and generosity in deed and spirit. Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom and good news in the weeks ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen
As we continue to find new ways to adopt in the days ahead to a new reality, it also provides opportunities. We have launched Making Mitzvah Moments. See below and please join! Also, please make every effort to support our kosher establishments during this time as the lack of foot traffic hurts and an increase in take out can make a difference! Thank you and may the coming week bring good news, health and healing for all. Shabbat Shalom!
Making Mitzvah Moments - Stamford Jewish Community What's App Group
A small act of kindness can change the world of one person. Join our Making Mitzvah Moments (MMM) group to assist people in our community. Whether for a shut in, the elderly, someone who is sick or others, there are small ways we can help and uplift each other. Here is the link
Here is how it works. MMM will be posted through Schoke JFS and other organizations as a resource of people in need. The post will have contact numbers for clergy in community. When the clergy or a member of the group knows of a request, they will post on what's app group for volunteers to respond to the call!
God willing, together as a community we can strengthen our bonds to each other and transform times of sadness and loneliness into renewed spirit and light. |
| CAS Purim Festivities Thanks to Judith Bernstein, Rachel Levi, Jessica Sosnovich and Miriam Sperber for organizing a wonderful Purim Seudah. Thanks to Yaakov & Yolly for organizing the post Megillah reading festivities. Photos: click here. |
| Pesach reminder from Rabbi Cohen Annual public service reminder: All unprocessed raw meat and chicken is automatically kosher for Pesach and just needs to be rinsed well before use. (Ground meat must be kosher for Pesach) Buy now and freeze before prices go up! |
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 | www.mazzaandmore.com |
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CAS ANNUAL DINNER-Will Be Rescheduled The world rests upon three things: Torah, Divine Worship, and the service of loving-kindness
We plan to reschedule sometime (hopefully) in May Guests of Honor Rabbi Daniel & Diane Cohen Community Service Award Sandy Goldstein Young Leadership Award Kate & Peretz Cik Chai Award Lillian & Sandy Shapiro Thanks to all the participants in the CAS Annual Dinner: Lynore Aaron
Mariya Feldman & Alexander Abramov
Abbi & Meir Adest and Family
Diane Akassis
Johanna & Selim Akyuz
Adrienne & Michael Alexander
Myrna & Herman Alswanger
Mihal & David Ariyeh
Barbara & Ron Ashkenas
Sharyn & Fred Baer
Janet & Andrew Bein
Gayle & Mitchell Bell
Debra & Michael Berg
Dina & Paul Berger
Karen & Ira Berk
Darona & Tzvi Bernstein
Gertrude & Ralph Bernstein
H & E Bernstein
Judith & Matthew Bernstein
David Bessaleli
Barry Best
Andrea & Bryan Bier
The Bildner Family
The Bilenker Family
Dena & Avi Block
Ellen Borker
Jane & Donald Bowers
Barbara Brafman
Eileen & Bob Breakstone
Adam Breiner
Mona & Mark Breiner
Joan & Howard Breslow
Phyllis Brodsky
Judith & Jeffrey Cahn
Emily & Harvey Caney
Kate & Peretz Cik
Regina & Barry Cik
Yael & Yehuda Cik
Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen
Elie Cohen
Elise & Steven Cohen
Meredith & David Cohen
Meryl & Rabbi Herbert Cohen
Rachel & Ephraim Cohen
Sheila Cohen
Stella & Isaac Cohen
Colliers Project Leaders
Arline Gewanter & Lloyd Contract
Judy & Lauren Daman
Tracy & Nahum Daniels
Gari & Ira Dansky
The Dayan Family
Emily & Zvi Dubitzky
Julia Dunn
Kenneth Eckstein
Rita Edelston
Jan Archer & Steven Einstein
Arlene & Irwin Ettinger
Debra & Dan Faizakoff
David Federman, Jewish Links Inc.
Sharon & Michael Feldstein
Claudine & Stuart Feurstein
Tamara Feurstein
Leah Finkelstein
Sam Fischel
Stephanie & Howard Fogel
Alyssa & Solomon Frager
Rhoda & Avram Freedberg
Lynne & Steven Frenkel
Lois & Michael Friedman
Cheryl & Henry Frommer
Jessica & Adam Furmansky
Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home
Laura & Marc Gallant
Miriam & Joseph Gelb
Kathy, Jessy, Liz & Jason Gold
Ann & Alex Goldblum
Risa & Jeff Goldblum
Maya Golden
Aaron Goldenberg
Judy & Howard Goldstein
Sandra & Robert Goldstein
Adrienne & Craig, Gabrielle, Ariella & Mickey Gordon | Janet Gordon
Meryl & David Gordon
Michelle & Howland Gordon
Gloria Green
Jill & Arthur Green
Shira & Ethan Green
Pamela Ehrenkranz & Matt Greenberg
Regina Greenwald
Joyce & Lawrence Haber
Judi & Lenny Haber
Kamal Haron
Meghan & Yoav Haron
Rachel & Dan Haron
Leora & Yaakov Hauptman
Jacqueline & David Herman
Tricia & Robert Hoff
Hoffman Energy
Tamara Houston
Shara & David Israel
Monica & Eric Jankelovits
Judith & David Jelen
Rachel & Jay Jubas
Olga & Michael Kagan
Rachel & Gavin Kaimowitz
Bryanna Kallman
Peggy & Alan Kalter
Sandra & Michael Kamen
Helene & Harvey Kaminski
Jane & Ezra Karp
Benjamin Karsch
Carol & Daniel Karsch
Liat Sharabi Karsch
Flora & Carl Kaufman
Harriette & Ken Ketorer
Elissa & Philip Klapper
Betsy Korn
Norine Krasnogor
Tamar & Daniel Kraus
Claudia Kraut
Jeannie & Brian Kriftcher
Michelle & Ron Kutas
Lorraine & David Kweskin
Biana & Ben Lanson
Liatte & David Lasher
Hannah & Ilan Lastoff
Hannah & Michael Lefkovich
Helen & Les Leon
David Levine
Shari & Ari Levine
Rachelle & Noah Lewinger
Rachel & Joshua Licht
Ana & Albert Lilienfeld
Vered & Mark Links
Gail & Robert Loonin
Nina & Norman Lotstein
Nicole & Jonathan Makovsky
Karen & Jon Malkin
Roselyn Mangot
Van Mankwitz
Marylin & Rabbi Alvin Marcus
Jeff & Cynthia Marinstein
Susan & Len Mark
Dinah Miller Marlowe & Seth Marlowe
Rhonda Schaffer-Maron & Jeffrey Maron
Rachel & Samuel Maryles
Irene Meltzer
Metroguard Inc.
Janice & Jake Meyer
Kori & Bill Meyers
Barbara Miller
Leah & Gregory Miller
Rina & Yoni Miller
Russ Miller
Scott Miller
Nancy & Gadi Mimoun
Julie & Alan Minsk
The Mintz Family
Joseph Mittel
Julie & Richard Morgulis
Sonia Movsas And Family
Marguerite & Ken Neuhaus
Jessica & Eliaz Niedober
Niedober & Steinmetz | Dennis Noskin
Tina & Yossi Notik
Barbara Novak
Doreen & Howard Nusbaum
Joel Orgel
Harley Osman
Jonathan Osser
Barbara & Norman Ostroff
Robin & David Pearl
Miriam & Gideon Pell
Leah & Doni Perl
Anne Peskin
Cindy & David Pitkoff
Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko
Judy & Bob Raymond
Veronica & Erwin Reich
Maria & Glenn Reicin
Martha Reith
Kirsten Reynolds
Linda & Larry Rezak
Hilary & Alan Rifkin
Sheila Romanowitz
Sherri & Allen Rosenthal
Gayle & Howard Rothman
Margi & David Saks
Patty & Jim Samuels
Alisa Savitz
Hyman Schaffer
Toby Schaffer
Ivy & Marvin Schildkraut
Rachel & Daniel Schilowitz
Ilyse & Dean Schuckman
Joan & Bennett Schwartz
Kenneth Schwartz
Richard Schwartz
Rachel & Richard Seligson
Betsey & Arthur Selkowitz
Rochelle & Edward Senker
Helen & Sheldron Seplowitz
Pam & Alan Shanker
Alona & David Shapiro
Lillian & Sandy Shapiro
Shari & David Shapiro
Yitz & Esti Shapiro and Family
Rosalyn Sherman
Ronnie & Steve Sichel
Talia & Jonathan Siscovick
Shirley & William Sklar
Diane & Elliot Sloyer
Brenda & Bruce Smith
Soosh
Jessica & Eytan Sosnovich
Miriam & Joshua Sperber
Amy & Sam Sroka
Beverly & David Stein
Liba & Steven Steinmetz
Harriet Sternlicht
Liz & Michael Sweeney
Sheila & Bernard Teig
Rachel & Harold Terk
Danielle & Steven Thau
Laura & Seth Tobin
Phyllis & Sid Ulreich
Pamela & Richard Vogel
Audrey & Mark Wagshul
Audrey Waldstreicher
Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher
Barbara & Harry Webski
Alisa & Jeremy Weisser
Gary Weitz
Mimi & Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg
Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg
Rabbi Cohen's Women's Study Group
Neda Khaghan & Robert Yaghoubian
Shana & Rob Yakubovich
Shushannah & Ari Yasgur
Lauren & Joe Zalis
Helene Zimmerman
Rosalyn & Alan Ziskin
Hillary & Robert Zitter
Navah & David Zizmor
Simone & David Zwany
Chani & Rabbi Oran Zweiter |
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Passover Reminders
Shmurah MatzahLimited supply of Charedim $46 a pound Shatzer Matzah $32 a pound RSVP to Kim at kmahoney@cas-stamford.org |
Save The Date! Musical Shabbat With Guest Chazzan Chaim Moskowitz, March 27-28
Chaim will lead kabbalat Shabbat, Shacharit and Mussaf services, and lead zemirot at seudah shlishit and a musical havdala. |
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| 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! |
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- DOR L'DOR UPDATE Join us on Shabbat, May 2nd (note new date) for a Meet and Greet during Kiddush to learn more and forge new friendships! This program seeks to build upon... This program seeks to build upon the multigenerational aspect of our community by linking young families and seniors. Together, youth and seniors will build a mutual relationship, with young families offering a helping hand or caring phone call a few times a year, and with seniors in turn offering their wisdom, perspective, and encouragement to young families. To find out more about this program, please contact Alyssa Frager at alanger23@gmail.com or Jason Levine at jasondlevine15@gmail.com
- 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.
- 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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| Classes the Week of March 15 will be available online only - stay tuned for details | | Sunday | Rabbi Oran Zweiter: Bible from the Beginning - 9:15 AM | | Tuesday | Rabbi 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 | | Wednesday | Rabbi Oran Zweiter: 12 Minor Prophets - 9:30 AM | | Thursday | Rabbi Oran Zweiter: Rabbi Soloveitchik's work, Halakhic Man - 9:15 AM | | Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Tractate Taanit - 8:15 PM | | Friday | Rabbi Daniel Cohen: The Pre-Shabbos Torah Taste - 8:15 AM |
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Benyamin Meir ben Slova
- Berel ben Chaya
- Chana Leah bat Esther Elke
- Chana bat Gittel
- Davida bat Rachel
- Dov ben Pnina
- Esther Malka bat Chaya
| - Leah bat Nehama
- Leah bat Sara
- Menachem Mendel ben Liba
- Refael Ephraim ben Sima
- Reuven Moshe ben Miriam
- Ronit bat Nadia
- Shoshanah bat Bascha Fleigel
| - Tal bat Ronit
- Yekusial Yosef ben Fraydel
- Yisrael ben Rochel
- Yonatan ben Yenta Chava
- Zev Melech ben Bedina
- Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
- Ziv Berel ben Alta Bracha
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- DO A MITZVAH! CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE SCHOKE JFS FREEDBERG FAMILY KOSHER FOOD PANTRY by purchasing Mitzvah Baskets and/or Mitzvah Centerpieces instead of flowers for your next simcha at CAS. Distributions from our 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.
- BATTERS UP! Registration is now open for the Fairfield County Connecticut Jewish Baseball League's 2020 season. Open to kids aged Pre-K through grade 6. Games are played on Sunday mornings only, starting 4/26. To sign up or for more info, go to www.fccjbl.org
- CAS Interested in an affordable way to eat delicious, locally grown fruits and vegetables this summer? Join over a hundred families by investing in a share of the Stone Ledge Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Pick up your organic produce, dried coffee, mushrooms, dried beans, and more each week from June 3 - November 11 at the Stamford JCC. Questions, please contact Jessie Katz at jessica.d.katz@gmail.com.
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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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