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

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Friday, February 7, 2020

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
BeshalachFebruary 8, 202013 Sh'vat 5780
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting5:00 PM
Mincha5:05 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM
Torah Before Tefillah7:40 AM
Coffee And Commentary8:45 AM
Teen Minyan9:30 AM
Latest Shema9:33 AM
Latest Shacharit10:25 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan/Jr. Cong/BMC10:30 AM
Daf Yomi4:05 PM
Code of Jewish Law4:05 PM
Mincha4:55 PM
Maariv5:56 PM
Shabbat Ends6:01 PM
Shabbat Shalom
Surrounded by Miracles

I do not understand.

When the Jewish people were faced with certain death at the sea, with the water in front of them and Egyptians behind, God commanded Moshe and the Jewish people to walk into the water. God miraculously split the sea and saved the Jewish people.

What happened after the Jewish people safely made it to the other side?

Seemingly, the water should have reverted back to its original, natural state. Yet, the Torah records that God commanded Moshe "stretch forth your hand over the sea and the waters will go back over Egypt" (14:26). Why the need for Moshe to act? Why did the waters simply not go back on their own to their original position once the purpose of the miracle was complete?

Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, of blessed memory, derives a remarkable insight from this verse. We are so accustomed to believing in the concept of nature, known as Teva, that we fail to realize that even nature is a miracle. The natural order of events in the world only exists due to God's will every day and every moment.

When God commanded the water to split, that reality became the new normal, the new order of nature. Life does not just return to business as usual. In order for the sea to return to its original state, it requires another act of God.

One of the main goals in life is to always realize that we are surrounded by constant miracles. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel stated so eloquently, "Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ....get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed."

Wishing you a your families a happy Tu B'Shavat and Shabbat Shira Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen


Vote Torah in the WZO

The World Zionist Congress meets every five years, and beforehand elects delegates from different slates. These delegates discuss and decide major priorities for Jewish institutions in Israel and worldwide - and determine how over one billion dollars of funding will be used for the future of the Jewish people.

I am proud to be an ambassador of the Orthodox Israeli Coalition. The Orthodox Israeli Coalition (OIC) is centered around World Mizrachi, the oldest Religious-Zionist organization, together with partners from leading Modern-Orthodox institutions such as Yeshiva University, Rabbinical Council of America, and Bnai Akiva.

In the last election, the Religious-Zionist slate fell back considerably, and this has had tangible impacts on our community. As just one example, Masa, which used to provide Israeli gap-year programs with $1000 per student, cut that amount by 80% because gap-year programs for Jewish teens were deemed a less important priority by the elected delegates of the previous election.

To learn more and vote (an easy process that takes less than 5 minutes), please visit: voteoic.org.

Thank you very much,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen


Shalom Zachar At the Zwany home, 53 Boxwood Rd, Friday Night - 8 PM-10 PM

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

Upcoming Event CAS Cholent Challenge Shabbat, Feb. 15th. To participate, contact Rabbi Cohen or Rabbi Zweiter.

Thank You 
  • to Shira Nerenberg and Alisa Weisser for cooking and coordinating our Tu B'Shvat Senior Luncheon click here to see the photos
  • to Jessica Sosnovich and Hilary Goldstein for organizing a sold out cooking demo this Saturday night with Sylvia Falla

Photos:  Highlights from Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen's Annual Visit to CAS snowbirds in Florida. click here to see the photos

Welcome  to Joint CAS and Young Israel of Stamford Scholar in Residence Rabbi Bernie Fox. Rabbi Fox will speak at a Friday night Oneg at the Siscovick home (57 Overbrook Drive) at 7:30 PM, at 10:30 AM at Agudath Sholom and at Young Israel during Seudah Shlishit. His topics are "Insights into Yitzchak from Haman, Shabbat before Receiving the Torah, and Alternative Models of Redemption."

Welcome  Junior Yachad to CAS this Shabbat for their annual 8th grade Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy Shabbaton. The students and Yachad members and staff will join us at the sanctuary minyan and for Seudah Shlishit. Special welcome to Stamford native, Stephanie Sugarman, who is the Program Director for Junior Yachad. Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities, is a thriving global organization dedicated to addressing the needs of all Jewish individuals with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in every aspect of Jewish life. Their inclusive design aims to ensure persons with diverse abilities their rightful place within the Jewish community, while helping to educate and advocate for a greater understanding, acceptance, outreach, and a pro-disability attitude.

Adult Education Diane Cohen's Wednesday class on Esther will resume on the following dates at 10:30 AM: Feb. 19th and 26th, March 4th, 11th and 18th
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Spirited Kabbalat ShabbatTani Polansky
Torah before TefillahRabbi Oran Zweiter
Coffee and CommentaryRabbi Daniel Cohen
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Avi Block
10:30 shiurRabbi Bernie Fox: Shabbat before Receiving the Torah
Library shiurJon Siscovick: Shiur
Dvar TorahYachad member Gavriel Schulgasser
ShacharitMatthew Bernstein
MusafOmer Neumeier
SermonRabbi Daniel Cohen
Torah ReadersHyman Schaffer, Mike Berg
Daf YomiMark Wagshul
Seudat ShlishitYachad members and BCHA 8th Graders
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Shabbat Shalom Hospital PackagesHoward & Stephanie Fogel in memory of Sam Fogel
Library KiddushJay Jubas in honor of Mark Wagshul and Jon Siscovick
Chapel KiddushCo-sponsored by Mike & Debbie Berg in commemoration of Mike's milestone birthday and in honor of their many friends who always keep them smiling and feeling so young; and Misha & Rachelle Guy to honor Tatiana Kunik
Teen KiddushYospa Lieberman and Hecky & Rochel Attar in honor of Yaakov Faratci's Bar Mitzvah anniversary
Sanctuary KiddushCo-sponsored by Scott and Beth Berger in memory of Scott's father, Joseph M Berger; and Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy in honor of Yachad
Weekday Schedule
ShacharitShacharit: Sunday 7:15 AM/8:30 AM, Monday-Friday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM
MinchaMincha: Sunday 5:10 PM, Monday-Thursday 1:30 PM/5:10 PM, Friday 5:13 PM
Candles Friday5:08 PM
MondayTu BiShvat
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.
Mazal Tov
  • to Simone and David Zwany on the birth of a baby boy
  • to Marilyn Gochberg on the engagement and forthcoming wedding of her granddaughter Abigail Kellner to Jacob Alon
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
Scholar In Residence Weekend With Rabbi Bernie Fox 
Shabbat, February 8
Rabbi Fox will speak three times over the weekend. Friday Night Oneg (at the home of Talia and Jonathan Siscovick, 57 Overbrook Drive, 7:30pm, Dvar Torah at approximately 8pm - Refreshments will be served): Insights into Yitzchak from Haman, Shabbat day Talmud class (10:30 am at Agudath Sholom): Shabbat before Receiving the Torah and Seudah Shelishit (at Young Israel of Stamford): Alternative Models of Redemption: The Exodus from Egypt and the State of Israel. Hosted by Agudath Sholom and Young Israel of Stamford

Rabbi Avi Weiss Scholar In Residence Weekend 
Shabbat, March 7
Rabbi Weiss will deliver the Shabbat morning sermon, speak at a community luncheon following Kiddush and during Seudah Shlishit. The weekend will be focused on the recent 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, rising antisemitism, lessons from the movement to free Soviet Jews for which he was a champion, emerging from his personal experiences and lifetime commitment to spiritual activism.

CAS Purim Seudah 
Tuesday, March 10 - 4:30 PM
Lots of fun for everyone!

Opening The Conversation: Creating A Supportive Community Around Infertility And Pregnancy Loss 
Wednesday, March 18 - 7:30 PM
The Steinmetz Bernstein Alexander Yoetzet Initiative at CAS for the Stamford Community presents "Opening the Conversation: Creating A Supportive Community Around Infertility and Pregnancy Loss." This event will include Keynote Speaker Abbie Sophia sharing her own journey, followed by a panel discussion featuring clinical psychologist Dr. Danielle Thau, Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Ilana Ressler and Reva Judas, founder of Nechama Comfort. The panel discussion will focus on raising awareness of these issues as well as giving tools and strategies for being supportive as friends, family and a community at large. Registration at 7:30 pm followed by program at 8 pm. Open to the entire community.
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
  • CAS MENS CLUB TU B'SHVAT The New Year for Trees (known as Tu Bishvat) is February 10, 2020. What an opportunity it is to know you've planted a fruit vine in Israel.The CAS Men's club in cooperation with The Israel Innovation Fund is offering this opportunity. Click on the link www.wineonthevine.org/cas and help support Israel in a fun way - you choose what vineyard to plant in to help Israel and the CAS Men's Club.
  • DIASPORA YESHIVA BAND Join us for a Reunion concert of the world famous Diaspora Yeshiva Band, Saturday night, February 22 at the Stamford Plaza. Aish Hatorah's Project inspire will be welcoming them as part of their conference and is generously inviting our members to join for the concert. Reservations are mandatory and optional contribution is suggested. RSVP and more info, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-STAMFORD.org.
  • SAVE THE DATE for the CAS Youth fundraising event open to the whole community - Saturday night, February 29th @ 7:45pm
  • JOIN CAS AT THE AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE | $100 OFF REGISTRATION In honor of our Shabbaton, and the hard work our community does year-round to ensure a strong US-Israel relationship, I am pleased to share that we have secured a $100 discount off the registration fee for the conference, which will be active for just a few more days! Register at www.policyconference.org and use code CASPC20 from now until Sunday, February 9th at midnight to join the CAS delegation! If you do just one thing this year to make sure Israel is in a stronger, safer position, you can't get a better return on investment than Policy Conference. I hope you will join us.
  • DOR L'DOR UPDATE - Join us on Shabbat, Feb. 15th for a Meet and Greet during Kiddush to learn more and forge new friendships! 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 Shari Levine at sharikel@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.
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
  • Monday, February 10, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM at CAS
  • Tuesday, February 11, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM at CAS
  • Friday, February 14, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at Starbucks, 2139 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06905, USA
CAS Classes
Week of February 9
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
ThursdayRabbi 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
Sponsor A Kiddush
ShabbatSanctuaryChapelLibraryTeen
Feb 15Sanctuary: openChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Feb 22Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Feb 29Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Mar 7Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Mar 14Sanctuary: 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
  • Aliza Devorah bat Esther Elka
  • Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe
  • Benyamin meir ben slova
  • Dov ben Pnina
  • Refael Ephraim ben Sima
  • Reuven Moshe ben Miriam
  • Shoshanah bat Bascha Fleigel
  • Velvel Zev ben Yenta
  • Yekusial Yosef ben Fraydel
  • Yisrael ben Rochel
  • Yitzchak ben Shulamit Avigail
  • Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
Community Announcements
  • SIX THIRTEEN RESTAURANT Join us this Saturday, February 8, at 7:30, for a Special 4 Course Tasting Menu with your choice of Scotch or Wine Pairing. Please call for reservations, limited space available.
  • NEED JEWISH BOOKS? Visit the Yeshiva University Sefarim Sale - the largest Jewish book store in North America. Open until Feb. 23rd. For more info visit https://theseforimsale.com/.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • ANNUAL DINNER OF THE STAMFORD CHEVRA KADISHA, Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Temple Beth El at 5:30PM. Honoring the memory of Tamar Gershberg and Flossy Fischel. $54/person, sponsorship is $180 (entitles you to two reservations). Guest speaker: Rabbi Ethan Tucker, Rosh Yeshiva, Hadar. Topic: Can Torah and Ethics Ever Be at Odds? To reserve online, please visit http://www.stamfordchevrakadisha.org/annual-dinner.html For more information, please contact Janet Welkovich
  • FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE Join us on March 22, 10:30-11:30, at CAS for a Community Wide Awareness Event to learn about how you can foster inclusion of people with different abilities in all aspects of your life. Hear from Benji Schussheim, who embraces his stutter with joy and positivity. His message teaches us to turn our challenges into opportunities. RSVP Appreciated: www.FriendshipCT.com/event
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
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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