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

Latest CAS Announcements (via Twitter)

Friday, February 14, 2020

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
YisroFebruary 15, 202020 Sh'vat 5780
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting5:08 PM
Mincha5:13 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00 AM/8:00 AM/9:00 AM
Torah Before Tefillah7:40 AM
Coffee And Commentary8:45 AM
Latest Shema9:29 AM
Teen Minyan9:30 AM
Latest Shacharit10:22 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan/Jr. Cong/BMC10:30 AM
Daf Yomi4:15 PM
Code of Jewish Law4:15 PM
Mincha5:05 PM
Maariv6:05 PM
Shabbat Ends6:10 PM
Shabbat Shalom
Spiritual Struggles

What inspired Yitro to join the Jewish people? Why is the Torah portion - which is arguably one of the most important - named after him?

The Torah offers a clue at the very beginning of the Parsha. The verse states: "Moses' father-in-law, Yitro, the head of Midian and Moshe's father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, His people that God had taken out of Egypt."

Rashi quotes the Midrash, which ponders, "What did Yitro actually hear?" What motivated him specifically to forgo his honor and transform his life?

The Midrash answers that Yitro heard about the miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea and the battle of the Jewish people against Amalek. Both are very impressive and inspiring expressions of God's presence.

Yet, why was the great miracle at the sea not enough to inspire Yitro? Why the battle against Amalek as well?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch offers a profound and relevant answer.

The miracle at the sea clearly demonstrated the power of God. However, our relationship to God cannot only be sustained by miracles. The miracles will not last and our relationship with God will not endure. Our responsibility is to struggle and personally invest in our relationship with God. The spiritual struggles insure a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. This reality of a faith rooted not only in miracles but personal investment, endurance and growth inspired Yitro to change his life and embrace Judaism.

Each of us confronts challenging experiences. We have a choice in those moments. Do we see them as obstacles or opportunities? Yitro serves as a timely and timeless role model for all of us to view life's seeming problems as God's way of prodding us to unlock new possibilities and potential in our lives.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat 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


My Journey: Post Kiddush Presentation  - In honor of Parshat Yitro, join us about 20 minutes into Kiddush to hear the inspiring story of new Stamford resident Simcha Dahan whose entire family, three generations, all converted to Judaism.

Thank you  
  • to Ari Goldstein and Adam Furmansky for chairing our annual Waffle Making event with Rabbi Cohen this Sunday.
  • Thank you to our contestants in the Cholent Challenge this Shabbat! Vote after the tasting at the main sanctuary Kiddush. Thank you to Mitchell Bell and Sam Goldstein, David Hochman, Mike Okun, Omer Neumeier, and Shaya Speter.

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

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

We look forward  to welcoming guest Chazzan Duvi Shapiro on Shabbat, Feb. 28-29. Check out his latest video
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Friday Night Dvar TorahRabbi Daniel Cohen
Torah before TefillahRabbi Daniel Cohen
Coffee and CommentaryRabbi Daniel Cohen
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Shimmy Trencher
Library shiurJay Jubas: Shiur
10:30 shiurHaham Aryeh Greenberg: Persecution and the Art of Sichat Hullin: The Subtext of "Ya'akov Avinu lo met"
SermonRabbi Daniel Cohen
Torah ReadersMark Wagshul, Nat Samberg
Daf YomiDavid Bessaleli
Seudat ShlishitRabbi Avi Block
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Shabbat Shalom Hospital PackagesJeffrey Seigel in honor of his family - Sylvia, Marvin & Howard Seigel and Howard & Stephanie Fogel in memory of Sam Fogel
Library KiddushJon and Talia Siscovick in honor of Jay Jubas and all the Ba'alei Kriah
Chapel KiddushLiba and Steven Steinmetz in honor of their grandson, Moshe Menachem Rosenzweig's bar mitzvah that took place in Israel on Parshat Bo
Teen KiddushMaria & Glenn Reicin in honor of Noah Reicin's Bar Mitzvah anniversary
Sanctuary KiddushCholent Challenge participants: Mitchell Bell and Sam Goldstein, David Hochman, Mike Okun, Omer Neumeier, and Shaya Speter
Weekday Schedule
ShacharitShacharit: Sunday 7:15 AM/8:30 AM, Monday 6:30 AM/8:30 AM, Tuesday-Friday 6:30 AM/7:30 AM
MinchaMincha: Sunday 5:20 PM, Monday-Thursday 1:30 PM/5:20 PM, Friday 5:22 PM
Candles Friday5:17 PM
MondayWashington's Birthday (CAS Office Closed)
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 Annual Dinner

CAS ANNUAL DINNER-March 15, 5pm

The world rests upon three things: Torah, Divine Worship, and the service of loving-kindness

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:

Click here to sign up
Mariya Feldman & Alexander Abramov
Johanna & Selim Akyuz
Barbara & Ron Ashkenas
Janet & Andrew Bein
Debra & Michael Berg
Dina & Paul Berger
Gertrude & Ralph Bernstein
Andrea & Bryan Bier
Rachel & Ephraim Cohen
Sheila Cohen
Arline Gewanter & Lloyd Contract
Gari & Ira Dansky
David Federman, Jewish Links Inc.
Sharon & Michael Feldstein
Sam Fischel
Rhoda & Avram Freedberg
Miriam & Joseph Gelb
Kathy, Jessy, Liz & Jason Gold
Maya Golden
Sandra & Robert Goldstein
Adrienne & Craig, Gabrielle, Ariella and Mickey Gordon
Meryl and David Gordon
Joyce & Lawrence Haber
Meghan & Yoav Haron
Tricia & Robert Hoff
Olga & Michael Kagan
Sandra & Michael Kamen
Helene & Harvey Kaminski
Harriette & Ken Ketorer
Elissa & Philip Klapper
Tamar & Daniel Kraus
Helen & Les Leon
Rachelle Lewinger
Rachel & Joshua Licht
Ana & Albert Lilienfeld
Vered & Mark Links
Nina & Norman Lotstein
Van Mankwitz
Rhonda Schaffer-Maron & Jeffrey Maron
Irene Meltzer
Kori & Bill Meyers
Julie & Alan Minsk
Mrs. Sonia Movsas and Family
Doreen & Howard Nusbaum
Leah & Doni Perl
Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko
Judy & Bob Raymond
Martha Reith
Sherri & Allen Rosenthal
Gayle & Howard Rothman
Ivy & Marvin Schildkraut
Ilyse & Dean Schuckman
Rochelle & Edward Senker
Helen & Sheldron Seplowitz
Lillian & Sandy Shapiro
Rosalyn Sherman
Miriam & Joshua Sperber
Liba & Steven Steinmetz
Harriet Sternlicht
Sidney Ulreich
Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher
Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg
Shana & Rob Yakubovich
Hillary & Robert Zitter
Navah & David Zizmor
Simone & David Zwany
Sign Up For These Events
Upcoming Events
4th Annual Make Your Own Waffle 
Sunday, February 16 - 9:30 AM
CAS Young Families presents its 4th annual make your own waffle event with Rabbi Cohen. Dads and kids are welcome to join us as we make waffles and do a project. Members: free, Non-members: $10. You must RSVP on the CAS website to attend

Rabbi Avi Weiss Scholar In Residence Weekend 
Shabbat, March 7
We look forward to welcoming Rabbi Weiss to our community. Watch our website for information on the community luncheon. He will share brief thoughts Friday night and present three times over Shabbat.
  • Shabbat Sermon: Am I My Brother's' Keeper? Reflections on Rising Anti-Semitism and the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz
  • Lunch Presentation: Coping with Challenges and Personal Resilience: Fate and Destiny In Our Lives
  • Seudah Shlishit: Rabbi Weiss in Conversation with Rabbi Cohen on The Nation of Israel as Family and the Roots, Relevance and Resonance of an Inclusive Orthodoxy

CAS Purim Seudah 
Tuesday, March 10 - 4:30 PM
Save the date for our "50th theme" Purim seudah featuring kid favorite entertainment The Great Charlini. click here for info Seudah open to all! and all ages!

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
  • 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.
  • CAS MENS CLUB ANNUAL PASSOVER/MITZVAH FAIR Sunday March 22 from 10 am to 8 pm. From 10:30 - 11:30 am, Friendship Circle is having a great program with activities for children. The Wandering Que BBQ will be on site from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. We are having the Rivers wine tasting of a large variety of Israeli and domestic varieties. Plus the Chocolate Sunflower and a variety of assorted vendors. From 3 - 5 pm, Jonathan Tobin will be speaking and answering questions. For more info, contact Mitchell Bell @wizdrbel@yahoo.com
  • DOR L'DOR UPDATE - Join us on Shabbat, March 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 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.
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, February 18, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM at CAS
CAS Classes
Week of February 16
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
WednesdayDiane Cohen - Explorations in the Book with Esther - 10:30 AM
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 22Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Feb 29Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: sponsoredLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Mar 7Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Mar 14Sanctuary: openChapel: openLibrary: sponsoredTeen:
Mar 21Sanctuary: sponsoredChapel: sponsoredLibrary: 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
  • 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
  • Shoshanah bat Bascha Fleigel
  • Velvel Zev ben Yenta
  • Yehuda Arye ben Yospa
  • Yekusial Yosef ben Fraydel
  • Yisrael ben Rochel
  • Yitzchak ben Shulamit Avigail
  • Zev Mordechai ben Chaya Gittel
  • Ziv Berel ben Alta Bracha
Community Announcements
  • 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 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.
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
Sent by notices@cas-stamford.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact
Try email marketing for free today!

Blog Archive