Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Behar-Bechukotai Omer: 37 May 13, 2023 22 Iyyar 5783 send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM Candle Lighting 7:44 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:26 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Latest Shacharit 9:54 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Daf Yomi 6:45 PM Code Of Jewish Law 6:45 PM Mincha 7:35 PM Havdalah 8:45 PM Shabbat Shalom Happy Mother's Day from Rabbi Cohen, Harvey Kaminski and the CAS Executive Board!  On the Road to Redemption I am now in Morocco with a delegation from our shul. The history of Jews in Morocco runs deep with at one time, hundreds of thousands of Jews. Now the number is around 5,000. Thank God, the diminishment in numbers is not because of an inhospitable environment. In fact, we have been warmly welcomed. One of the factors is of course a return to the land of Israel. For all of us, we are blessed with the ability to return to Israel. Yet, we live in two worlds, in the Diaspora as American Jews but bound to our homeland. Do we feel like we are in exile? What does it mean as an American Jew tied to Israel? The conclusion of the book of Vayikra underscores these questions. The opening of Behar encapsulates the vision of Israel as a beacon to the world for freedom, shared economic prosperity, justice and Torah. What is our role in realizing this vision? How can we be a partner in the sacred mission of our people? The last Parsha of Vaykira, Bechukotai, describes the consequences both good and bad of forgetting and abandoning our mission. God describes the meta narrative of Jewish history of exile and return. Throughout our 4,000 year history, our ability to live and thrive in Israel depends on our realization of its role as the space and place for creating a holy and model society for the world. God states clearly in the Torah portion: If we embrace the ways of Torah, we will merit to witness blessings in Israel. If, God forbid, we do not, we will be sent into exile. Herein emerges the challenge of our generation. We are in and out. We are in a state of exile and redemption simultaneously. Approximately half of the Jewish people live in Israel and close to half in America. In so many ways, Israel is thriving and so are we. Yet, despite our comfort and self congratulations, we cannot and must not forget the inevitable trajectory of our people. We are in the west, but our hearts are in the east. It is no wonder that the final words of comfort God offers the Jewish people following the curses of the exile are the following: "I will remember the covenant of Jacob, Isaac, and Avraham and will remember the land of Israel." Why list the patriarchs in reverse order and Israel last? A great sage explained that each patriarch represents a pathway to redemption: Torah, Prayer, and Loving kindness. Chesed, Avraham's attribute, is listed last since it is more universally observed by the Jewish people than Torah and Prayer and serves as merit to insure redemption. However, the most universal testament of our commitment to our mission is our unbreakable bond with Israel. We live in America but remain in exile and, thank God, are on the road to peace and redemption. Israel faces ongoing threat yet experiences unprecedented peace with its neighbors and via the Abraham Accords. We stand over 50 years after the liberation of Jerusalem - our united and eternal capital. Days before the 1967 war, the outlook was grim. Graves were dug in Israel in anticipation of mass casualties. In six miraculous days, with the help of God, our dream of return became a reality. Let us celebrate! Let us hold our heads high! On Friday, May 19th, join us for Hallel on Yom Yerushalayim morning. We will recite full Hallel with a bracha on Monday morning. Watch this video from the One Israel Fund. Join us as Stamford Celebrates Israel on June 4th in New York City. In the words of King David, "This is the day God has made, let us rejoice and celebrate His salvation. " Wishing everyone a Happy Yom Yerushalayim and Shabbat Shalom from Morocco, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Shabbat Information  Day 37 of the Omer. To learn more about Sefiras HaOmer, see here. Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Behar & Bechukotai 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 Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here This Shabbat, we study Chapter Five of Pirkei Avot. 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) If you could spend a year on Sabbatical, what would you do (shmita)? How do you exercise your freedom? What makes you feel free (U'krasem dror)? What would you have if you wanted a really filling meal (v'achaltem lachmechem lasova)? Shabbat Shalom from Diane, Rabbi Cohen and the Agudath Sholom Delegation in Morocco. More Photos Next week! Photos taken on a Camel Ride prior to Dinner in the Sahara Desert and with our hosts Mohammad and Salim Shabbat Topics & Participants Bob's Basics Bob Abrams Shiur Rabbi Yossi Kamman Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudat Shlishit Rabbi Yossi Kamman: Pirkei Avot, Chapter 5 Mazal Tov to Sara (Erin) and Alex Failaev on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to big brother Eliyahu! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Condolences to Harvey Lapin and his family on the passing of his wife Joan Lapin to the family of Barbara Gelb We wish much comfort, strength and healing to the Jewish community in Tunisia and the families of French national Benjamin Haddad, 42, and Aviel Haddad, 30, a dual citizen of Tunisia and Israel, who were murdered this week. We wish much comfort to the family of the 70 year old Israeli in Rehovot killed in a rocket attack and much healing for the five injured. Thank You to Stephen Mainzer, Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe, Jonathan Osser, Miriam & Gideon Pell, Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko and Hillary & Bob Zitter for donating seforim to the Faye and Ben Manger Beit Midrash! Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Cindy & David Pitkoff in Memory of Bernard Pitkoff on what would have been his 96th Birthday Chapel Kiddush: Andrew Frenkel in celebration of the upcoming marriage of Jared Frenkel to Meora Bitton Seudat Shlishit: Lynne & Steven Frenkel in celebration of the upcoming marriage of Jared Frenkel to Meora Bitton Graduation Kiddush Graduation Kiddush Shabbat, May 27 Join the CAS Graduation Celebration!If you have a graduate in your family (preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, college or graduate school), we will publish his/her name and the level from which he or she is graduating.Celebrate the graduates with a festive kiddush on the second day of Shavuot in honor of the graduates. Thanks to our Graduation Kiddush sponsors on the second day of Shavuot Cum Laude Shana & Robert Yakubovich Regular Jessica & Levi Dulitz Rena & Tzvi Schwartz Middle School Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy Ella Dulitz Joshua Schwartz High School Stamford High School Allison Yakubovich Click here to sign up Sign Up for these Events Learn more Womens Shabbat Pirkei Avot Gathering sign up Spring Scholar Series with Dr. Chaya Sima Koenigsberg Wednesday, May 17 - 8:00 PM Learn more Pre-Shavuot Cheesecake Tasting & Meet and Greet Friday, May 19 - 11:30 AM Learn more Scholar in Residence Weekend with Rivka Alter Shabbat, May 20 - 11:00 AM sign up Judaism and Technology Monday, May 22 - 8:30 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 Learn more Shavuot Scholar in Residence Program with Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier Friday, May 26 - 11:45 PM sign up Graduation Kiddush Shabbat, May 27 - 12:00 PM Learn more Post Kiddush Conversation with Alex Traiman Shabbat, June 3 - 12:00 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 Michael Feldstein's Latest Article  click here 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. 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: 7:55 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 7:51 PM Mother's Day  Sunday CAS Classes Join one of our CAS classes. Click for up to date schedule 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 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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