Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Emor Omer: 30 May 6, 2023 15 Iyyar 5783 send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM Candle Lighting 7:37 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:31 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Shmuel Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:58 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Daf Yomi 6:40 PM Code Of Jewish Law 6:40 PM Mincha 7:30 PM Havdalah 8:38 PM Shabbat Shalom What is Your Unifying Life Principle? One of the highlights of the Torah portion of Emor are the laws of the Jewish holidays. We learn about the three pilgrimage festivals, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Yet, in the midst of this section, God inserts another unrelated mitzvah. In Chapter 23, verse 22, God states, "When you reap the harvest of your land, leave grains for the poor and convert." Rashi asks, "Why the interruption of the narrative? Why does God place the verse about charity in between the holidays?" Rashi answers the question with a cryptic, yet profound, life lesson. He states, "The juxtaposition is to teach that one who gives charity is considered to have built the Temple and served God there." How do we understand Rashi's comment? What is the correlation between these two mitzvot? Charity is an interpersonal commandment- bein adam lechavero - and the holidays are mitzvot between mankind and God - bein adam lamakom. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, of blessed memory, the legendary Mussar teacher of the 20th century, offers the following insight. He explains that the same trait that impacts our relationship to other people affects our relationship to God. The sages teach in Mishnas Rabbi Eliezer that a person who is ungrateful to his friend will ultimately be ungrateful to God. If we are insensitive to another human being, it reflects our self-centeredness and ultimately erodes our relationship with God. Hence, the mitzvah of tzedakah and the holidays are intertwined. We cannot hope to be connected to God if we are delinquent in our conduct towards man. In contrast, the more we express gratitude towards others and practice acts of kindness, the more we will stand in awe and in appreciation of God's beauty and presence in the world. In fact, this reality serves as the foundation of honoring one's parents. Although an interpersonal mitzvah, it is one of the first five commandments of the tablets, since one who honors his parents and walks in humility and gratitude, will be more receptive to realizing God in their lives as well. The key to spirituality is gratitude. Ask yourself at the Shabbat table: What mitzvot cultivate an open heart towards God and humanity? How do you inspire this trait in your family and community? How did your parents or grandparents instill within you a love of God and love of man? Who do you know who lives life filled with gratitude towards others and God? In what way? What are you grateful for in your life? How does the story of Lag Ba'Omer reinforce the interconnectedness of both types of mitzvot? God reminds us in this Torah portion not to lead bifurcated lives, but one rooted in a generosity of spirit in all of our relationships whether with another human being or with God above. Wishing and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Shabbat Information  Day 30 of the Omer. To learn more about Sefiras HaOmer, see here. Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Emor with the insights of of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here Read Rabbi Kurtz's weekly halachic essays on the parsha here. The Haftorah is read from Ezekiel 44:15-31 Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here This Shabbat, we study Chapter Four of Pirkei Avot. Note: Lag B'Omer (33rd Day of the Omer) will be this Tuesday. Tachanun is not recited at Monday Mincha and all of Tuesday. Haircuts are permitted. For more information, see here. Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking here. Parsha Icebreakers (Courtesy of Elisheva and Yaakov Moshe Shmidman) What is your favorite Jewish holiday (aleh moadei Hashem...)? What is something you have completed or done start to finish? What is something you try to do perfectly (sheva shabatot temimot)? Happy Lag Ba'omer which will occur this Tuesday, May 9th. The day marks the end of the 33 day mourning period following Passover. For more information about this holiday, click here. Shabbat Topics & Participants Shmuel Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Bob Abrams Shiur Bob Abrams: "Pesach Sheni - A Look in the Rear View Mirror" Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudat Shlishit Chazan Zevi Muller: The Evolution of a Ponevezh Bochur into a Postdoc Researcher for Theoretical Neuroscience at Columbia University Welcome Chazan Zevi Muller and his wife and children who will join us this Shabbat as our Chazan in Residence. Chazan Muller will lead davening Friday night, Shabbat Shacharit and Musaf and Zemirot and Reflections at Seudah Shlishit. new members Gene & Toby Tabachnick, parents of Zoe Chiel! Mazal Tov to Rachel & Moshe Cohen on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to big brother Yehuda, aunt and uncle Suri & Jason Fischman and the entire family! to Helene & Harvey Kaminski and Phil & Stacy Kaminski and the entire family on the baby naming on Shabbat morning of their daughter and granddaughter, Eden! to Anne Peskin, long time member and leader, who was surprised with a cake at the shul board meeting this week on the occasion of her 97th birthday. May Hashem bless Anne with continued length of days and years! to Steve Labkoff on receiving a national level award from the Professional Photographers of America for his photograph "Teach Your Children Well" featuring Netanel Zweiter gazing at Rabbi Tzvi Chaim Pincus at our Torah dedication. to the Matan Mother and Daughter Graduates and Yasher Koach to Diane Cohen for teaching the class and leading the way! Tina and Ella Notik, Layla and Rachel Bahar, Avigayil and Anat Chavkin, Emma and Jenny Goldstein, Liv and Meg Haron, Anna and Dani Kwalwasser, Evie and Shira Nerenberg Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Condolences to Neil Metviner on the passing of his mother, Dr. Estelle Metviner We mourn the loss of Rabbi Meir Hershkowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Stamford's Beis Binyamin. Tzetchem Leshalom and safe travels to the BCHA 8th graders who will be leaving on their Israel Journey this Monday. We will offer them a bracha as a community Shabbat morning at approximately 10:30 AM. Thank You Adrienne & Michael Alexander and Ana & Albert Lilienfeld for donating seforim to the Faye and Ben Manger Beit Midrash! Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Kathy & Gary Sosnovich in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Gary's mother, Rachel Sosnowiec Bima Flowers: Kate & Peretz Cik in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Kate's mother, Barbara Frommer Chapel Kiddush: Aviva & Paul Schieber in honor of the upcoming yahrzeits of Paul's father, Shlomo ben Pinchas, and grandfather, Avraham Dov ben Mordechai Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Helene & Harvey Kaminski in celebration of their granddaughter Eden Rose's naming this Shabbat; and Rebecca & Emilio Krausz in honor of the yahrzeit of Rebecca's father, Aaron Green Z"L Sign Up for these Events Learn more Guest Chazzan Weekend with Zevi Muller Shabbat, May 6 sign up Graduation Kiddush Shabbat, May 27 - 12:00 PM Learn more Donate Seforim to the Beit Midrash Learn more Womens Shabbat Pirkei Avot Gathering sign up Guys Night Out at 613 Tuesday, May 9 - 8:00 PM Learn more My Journey to Parenthood and How Surrogacy Changed My Life Wednesday, May 10 - 8:00 PM sign up Spring Scholar Series with Dr. Chaya Sima Koenigsberg Wednesday, May 10 - 8:00 PM Learn more Middle School Shavuot Scavenger Hunt Friday, May 26 - 4:00 PM Learn more CAS Youth Torah Minute To Win It Friday, May 26 - 4:00 PM sign up Shavuot Ice Cream Bar & Aseret Hadibrot Friday, May 26 - 5:00 PM sign up CAS Movie Club Sunday, June 4 - 8:00 PM Upcoming Events Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Wednesday, May 17 - 12:00 PM The community is invited to attend the second knock the socks off discussion relating Diane di Prima's Radio to William Wordswoth's Ode on the Intimations of Immortality (or how to recreate, revive and resuscitate a rewarding Garden of Eden life-- now, here and today). We meet in person and by zoom (seelinks below).. Sandwiches and sides provided by Restaurant 613, so let us know if you plan to attend in person by Monday, May 15th. Please contact rj@richardjschwatz.com if you have any questions.Zoom Meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 Shavuot Scholar in Residence Sponsorship Opportunities Thursday, May 25 We are blessed to host Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier as our guest for Shavuot. His speaking line up is below. If you would like to sponsor a lecture in memory or in honor of someone, please contact Rabbi Cohen ($360 per shiur - up to 2 per shiur). Tikkun Leil - Shavuot Night: When Was the Torah Given and When Should We Celebrate Shavuot? (First Slot) and The Lishem Yichud Controversy: Do Mitzvot Require Preparation? (Second Slot). Derasha (Day 1): Why the Torah was Given to Mere Mortals. Mincha/Ma'ariv: The Book of Naomi - A New Perspective on Megillat Rut (Day 1, between mincha and maariv) and What Does the Divine Image Look Like? Exploring Interpretations of Tzelem Elokim (Day 2, between mincha and maariv) CAS Announcements Save the date - Agudath Sholom Invites the Community to a Pre Shavuot Evening of Interactive Learning on the Judaism and Technology: Examining AI Through a Torah Lens Monday, May 22nd at 8:30 PM-9:45 PM hosted in the Faye and Ben Manger Beit Midrash at Agudath Sholom. Two Presentations preceded by Chavruta Preparation Geared Towards All Levels - Rabbi Daniel Cohen: To Pause or Not to Pause: Faith Perspectives on the Risks and Rewards of AI and ChatGPT and Rabbi Moshe Kurtz: The Tesla Trolley Problem: Teaching Ethics to AI. Appetizers from 613 and Other Refreshments. Be on the lookout for signup in the coming weeks. Important Request When parking for mincha at the shul, please do not park near the Mikvah and enter the building via the back door adjacent to it. Instead, please park in the general parking area and use the front door to enter and leave the shul. Thank you very much. A Divine Drive By Mitzvah  Once a year, we can recite a special blessing for the first blossoms on a fruit tree. The ideal time was during the month of Nisan but you may recite the blessing in Iyar if you have not had the opportunity this season. Thank you to Michael and Debbie Berg for providing this Mitzvah Moment via their cherry tree. Drive by 26 Crane Rd North , roll down your window and make the blessing acknowledging God's renewal of the world. In the merit of our moments, may we experience hidden and open miracles of healing every day. You can find the bracha and background here. Michael Feldstein's Latest Article  click here Save the Date - Stand with Israel  Stand with Israel and the Israel Day Parade - Sunday, June 4th in NYC. Israel @ 75: Renewing the Hope. The JCRC-NY Celebrate Israel Parade is unquestionably the world's largest expression of solidarity with the Jewish state. To learn more, visit https://celebrateisraelny.org/parade/2023-parade-theme/ and more details in the weeks ahead. Baby Boomers 50s and Older  We are forming a new committee to plan social events for people over the age of 50. If you are interested in this initiative, please contact Bruce Newman (bruce.newman8@gmail.com, Judy Cahn judithcahn@gmail.com or Rabbi Cohen in the weeks ahead. Make it a Holy Habit!  Rather than wait for a Food Drive, make it a habit each week when shopping for Shabbos to purchase food for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry.Imagine what an impact it would make if every week, on our shopping list, each one of us consistently added just one item from this list. You can drop off food at JFS or CAS. Or make a donation to JFS here https://www.ctjfs.org/kosherfoodpantry/. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. Together, each contribution will make a real difference in people's lives. Making Mitzvah Moments - Challah Deliveries  For over 3 years, we have been delivering Challot on Fridays to Seniors in our community. Thank you to all of the volunteers! It is about not only the Challah but the friendship. If you would like to sponsor the effort weekly, click here and/or for a month or more please email Rabbi Cohen. Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 7:50 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 7:44 PM CAS Classes Join one of our CAS classes. Click for up to date schedule We Wish A Speedy Recovery To Add a name to this list → We Honor Our Military Jeremy Slen Meni Nehmad Add a name to this list → Community Announcements Kosher News:  Pureganic in Harrison in a kosher dairy and gluten free restaurant under the supervision of Rabbi Shmuel Greenberg of the Young Israel of White Plains. https://www.pureganic-cafe.com/. It is dairy and gluten free which could be very helpful for some people. And, while not cheap, it was pretty good. - Kosher News Chabad of Stamford invites you to Jewish Women Connected annual Lag BaOmer gathering - "Women's Spa for the Soul - Connect to your inner self"  Monday May 8th, 6:30 pm Meet Mingle and Nibble and Creation & Relaxation Stations, 7:45 pm PROGRAM - Guided Visualization and Mediation | A Panel of Dynamic Women in Our Community, sharing their lives & tips to navigate the fast-paced world women are facing today. Moderated by Shosh Bedrosian - CBS NY Reporter; Pricing $54 Per Person, Early Bird $36 JWC Member & Gan Moms | $45 Non-Member (Early bird pricing expires April 30) Register here An Evening with Schoke JFS  Sunday, May 21st, 5:30 PM. Schoke Jewish Family Service invites you to its annual gala, An Evening with Schoke JFS – Feeding the Community at the Italian Center of Stamford, 1620 Newfield Avenue, in an outdoor tented pavilion. Mimi Cohen and Rhoda & Avram Freedberg are the recipients of the 43rd Annual Mitzvah Award, United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien and Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County are recipients of the Community Service Award, and the Mitzvah Match Families including the Bradley, Fischel, Gradman, Katz, Sperber, Speter, Tobin, Yasgur, and Zizmor families are recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award. The evening's events will be hosted by the weather anchor for NBC 4 New York, David Price. The event is co-chaired by Connie Freeman and Jillian Klaff with Jeri Appel as auction chair and Meryl Japha, Liz Kitay, and Ronnie Sichel serving as advisors. General tickets include dinner and dessert for $250, purchase your ticket at www.ctjfs.org. Contact Lisa Rich at 203-921-4161 or lrich@ctjfs.org to place a journal. Go the Extra Smile! Please donate & participate in The Friendship Day & Walk  May 21, 2023 this Hakel Year from 12:30-2:30. Come for a free family fun day as we walk hand in hand and smile to smile in support of families of individuals with special needs. There will be entertainment, delicious food, and more. Go to www.FriendshipDayCT.com to sign up! Schoke JFS is Here to Support You - Learn more about Our Ongoing Support Groups  Bereavement Support Group available at Schoke Jewish Family Service, for more information please contact, Rebekah Kanefsky, Interim Director of Clinical and Family Life Services at rkanefsky@ctjfs.org or 203-921-4161.

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