Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Toldot November 18, 2023 5 Kislev 5784 send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Candle Lighting 4:15 PM Mincha 4:20 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:29 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Shmuel Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:33 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Post-Kiddush Presentation 11:45 AM Daf Yomi 3:10 PM Code Of Jewish Law 3:10 PM Mincha 4:00 PM Havdalah 5:15 PM Shabbat Shalom The Most Important Patriarch for Today Which patriarch do you most admire? Which one seems most relevant for modern times? At first blush, we would say Avraham. He is the founder of ethical monotheism and introduced God's message of compassionate righteousness and moral justice to the world. In an environment of chaos, idolatry and intolerance, he blazes the path for an era of Godliness, morality and harmony. We are inspired by his vision, humanity and generous spirit to this day. Yet, perhaps our times call for a newfound appreciation for his son, Yitzchak who is often characterized as the silent patriarch. He seems to watch more than act. He follows rather than leads. However, upon introspection, he embodies so much more and the key to the continuity of the Jewish people. His life parallels Avraham. He travels to a foreign land in a time of famine, renews a covenant with Avimelech, and re-digs the wells that Avraham dug. However, in Kabbalistic terms, they are viewed differently. Unlike his father who embodies Chesed, loving kindness, Yitzchak embodies gevurah, strength and discipline. Avraham is associated with love and Yitzchak with fear. What does this mean? The Sfat Emet explains that Avraham initiated the idea of God's mission to the world. It was a relationship born out of love of God. He traveled the land of Canaan declaring God's sovereignty. Many people of the land believed that once he died, so would his vision. It was only the birth of Yitzchak that provided continuity to his message. Without Yitzchak's perseverance we would not be here today. It is easier to start a venture than to day in and day out stay focused and dedicated to the task at hand. Yitzchak's gevurah was born of his deep desire and commitment to not allow the work of Avraham to go unfinished. He did not let conflict slow him down nor did he despair. He remained energized to carry out the mission and dream of his father. I sensed Yitzchak's mission at the March on Washington. We stood hundreds of thousands strong as bearers of this generation's dedication to the Abrahamic mission. It was an exhilarating event and the right moment to come together to hear and live the message -We are Not Alone. As Jews, we can never forget we are one family. As Americans, we heard that the government stands firmly with Israel and against antisemitism anywhere and everywhere and we need to let the hostages know they are not alone and shout from the rooftops to insure their speedy return home. I am proud so many from our community and across the country rose to this moment in history. Together, as Avraham and Sara, Yitzchak and Rivka embodied, we will not grow tired or weary from releasing our vision in Israel and all of the world to be a beacon of God's light. God willing our deeds will be the catalyst for a brighter world and we will witness victory and peace speedily and in our days ahead. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Stand with Israel  Check out Agudath Sholom and CAS who joined in the Global Acheinu Music Compilation featuring 15 groups from 7 Countries in 4 Continents singing Acheinu! Tefillah: Pray for Strength, Peace, Israeli Victory, Comfort for the Bereaved, Healing for the Wounded and the Speedy Return of the Hostages. Pick up a specific name of a soldier to have in mind when you daven on Shabbat and this week. Thank you to Alyssa Frager for arranging this meaningful mitzvah. Strengthen Faith: Thursday night Zoom classes with Rabbi Cohen on Shaar Habitachon - Gate of Trust 8:30 PM - 9:00 PM Chesed: Take a moment to think of people you know in Israel. Reach out to them, let them know you are thinking about them. See how you can offer support. The outpouring of chesed has been extraordinary both here and in Israel. Seemingly small acts make a big difference. Anticipate a new opportunity! Your Financial Support Matters: United Jewish Federation, Friends of the IDF Stand with Us Shabbat at Agudath Sholom - January: Join us for a Shabbat dedicated to strategies for fighting anti-semitism and standing with Israel on college campuses and beyond. Light an Extra Candle this Friday Night: in memory of the murdered, to pray for those taken hostage and wounded, to thank the IDF soldiers and in solidarity with Israel. Advocate Politically: Contact Congress in support of Israel - AIPAC Israel at War Post a Sign to Free the Hostages and Advocate: Signs available at Agudath or Delivery to your House of Faith Shabbat Information  Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Toldot with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here Learn about the Parsha with Dovi Siderson's weekly Shabbat Table resource. The Haftarah is read from Malachi 1:1-2:7 Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here Please see our Adult Education page for upcoming Torah learning opportunities. 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 type of soup (Yaakov serves Esav lentil soup)? Describe a time when you had to lie (Yaakov lies to Yitzchok to get the birthright)? Recall a time when you wore someone else's clothes (Yaakov wheres Esav's coat as a disguise)? Security Reminder  Kids must be in groups or with their parents during shul. They should not roam the shul freely or wander outside into the parking lot unattended. Shabbat Topics & Participants Post-Friday Dinner R. Dr. Saul Haimoff: "Is God a Therapist? The Torah's Guide to a Happy and Healthy Life" Friday Teen Oneg R. Dr. Saul Haimoff: "Coping with Tragedy in Israel and Finding Your Calling" Shmuel Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Bob Abrams Shiur Rabbi Yossi Kamman: Yitzchak and King Og at his Bar Mitzvah Post-Kiddush Presentation R. Dr. Saul Haimoff: "Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science: A Psychoanalysis of Biblical Characters" Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudat Shlishit R. Dr. Saul Haimoff: "Combating Negative Thinking Using Torah and Therapy" Welcome We are honored to welcome Rabbi Dr. Saul Haimoff, joined by his wife Sara, as our Scholar in Residence this week for a Mental Health Awareness Shabbat. We are grateful to Helene and Harvey Kaminski, Vered and Mark Links, and Susan and Len Mark for sponsoring the Friday night program. NCSY advisors joining this Shabbos: Rachelli Gottesman, Coby Melkin, Mellita Oppenheim and Ariel Lawton Welcome and thank you to BCHA Banot Yiska and Hila Mazal Tov to Ilyse & Dean Schuckman on the arrival of a granddaughter, Georgia Dee! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Thank You to Helene & Harvey Kaminski, Vered & Mark Links, and Susan & Len Mark for sponsoring the Friday night program with Rabbi Dr. Haimoff to Adam Furmansky and Ari Goldstein for organizing this Sunday's Dads and Kids Waffle event in partnership with the FIDF to Lorraine & James Marcus and Alex & Brett Olsson for organizing the Stamford Jewish Experience Fire Pit event this past Thursday. Thank you to Nava & Eitan Ulmer for opening up their home and hosting the event. Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith Chapel Kiddush: Helene & Nat Samberg in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Helene's mother, Rachel Goldberg and in celebration of Helene & Nat's 41st anniversary Sanctuary Kiddush: Maria & Glenn Reicin in honor of Andrew's 20th birthday and this incredible community who continue to do all it can in this time of genuine crisis Seudat Shlishit: Anonymous in memory of Ruth Chaya Bas Abraham Sign Up for these Events Learn more Mental Health Awareness Shabbat with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Dr. Saul Haimoff Shabbat, November 18 sign up Parent-Child Learning Shabbat, November 18 - 5:45 PM sign up Michael Feldstein Book Launch Monday, November 20 - 8:00 PM Learn more Thank Our First Responders This Thanksgiving! Thursday, November 23 - 11:00 AM sign up CAS Youth Mitzvah Morning to Thank Our Soldiers Sunday, November 26 - 9:15 AM Learn more New Weekly Zoom Class on Shaar Habitachon (Gate of Trust) with Rabbi Daniel Cohen sign up CAS Youth, UJF & PJ Library Chanukah Bubble Show Sunday, December 10 - 10:00 AM sign up Thank You Morahs and Group Leaders Kiddush Shabbat, December 16 - 11:30 AM sign up Conversational Hebrew with Moshe Shapiro Learn more Holy Habit - Food Pantry Donations Learn more Donate Seforim to the Beit Midrash Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships Upcoming Events CAS Womens Crafty Ladies Wednesday, November 29 - 10:00 AM Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 29th, 10:00 -11:30 AM at Agudath! Bring your knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, eyes, and your project - or learn how to! We will start knitting hats for the IDF. Very, very easy instructions. For more information, contact Johanna (203-588-0942) or Audrey (203-355-3180) CAS Announcements Missions to Israel Rabbi Cohen and Diane will both be on missions to Israel the week following Thanksgiving. Rabbi Cohen will be joining Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein and members of our shul for the Men's Adult Learning Trip which is reoriented this year as a learning and solidarity trip. Diane will be joining Maria Reicin as representatives of the Stamford community on the OU Women's Initiative Mission to Israel. Stay tuned in the week ahead for info about ways to join the missions in spirit. Join the CAS Men's Club and Young Families in Thanksgiving for the EMS/First Responders - Donate, Cook or Deliver!  CAS Men's Club & Young Families are looking for three or four of these fine kosher birds for serving up to the Stamford EMS on Thanksgiving Day. If you don't care to talk (donate) turkey or have some access to vegetables or fruit or cake we could use those as well. Sign up and help us cook a huge meal for those EMS folks working on that day. We will be in the meat kitchen from 9-11:30am preparing. Deliver to the EMS main station at 684 Long Ridge Rd. at noon. Anyone aged 8 and up are welcome to help cook--it is a lot of fun… Filling the Freedberg Food Pantry  As we approach Thanksgiving, join our campaign to replenish the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry. Drop off needed foods this week or make a contribution. For more info, visit www.ctjfs.org/kosher-food-pantry/. Men's Club Pacific House Meal on December 25th  The CAS Men's club once again is planning on serving lunch at the Pacific House to the residents there. Since it's a day off for most, let's think about what we can do for the homeless in Stamford. We're looking for food donations, hats, gloves, scarves. All food should be kosher as we have found Jews among the needy in the past. Turkey, fruit, sweet potato and any other food items will be appreciated. The opportunity to cook from 9-noon or serve from noon-2 pm is available. Contact Mitchell Bell, wizdrbel@yahoo.com or 203-722-3512 Stamford Kindness Project in the News  We are thrilled to partner with the city of Stamford for the Stamford Kindness Project. To learn more speak to Rabbi Cohen about being a Kindness Ambassador and/or visit the city website.Check out these news stories about the Kindness Project! CBS 880 Radio Channel 12 The Patch Michael Feldstein's Latest Article  click here Agudath Sholom Shout Out at the Stamford Thanksgiving Day Parade  Agudath Sholom and the city of Stamford launched the Stamford Kindness Project. One of the floats will feature the Stamford Kindness Project and a shout out at each of the five grandstands along the parade route. Save the date! Annual Chanukah Yom Iyun  Sunday, December 10, 2023, 9:15 AM; two shiurim by Rabbi Motti Neuberger, Assistant Rabbi, White Shul, Far Rockaway, NY. 1) Why Don't We Celebrate Nine Days of Chanukah? The Interesting Custom of the Maharshal, 2) Modern Lessons from Ancient Wars: The Jewish Reaction to Persecution. Light breakfast to be served. free and open to the entire community. Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Wednesday, Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM; Thursday: 7:00/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 4:20 PM; Friday: 4:16 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:11 PM Thursday  Thanksgiving Day CAS Classes Join one of our classes. Click here for up to date schedule We Wish A Speedy Recovery To Hershel Wolf ben Brucha Aliza Alka bat Miriam Mark Emanuel ben Leah Asher Anshel Eliezer ben Baila Leah bat Tzirel Miriam Rut bat Chana Daniel David Yitzchak ben Shulamit אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה פרידה הדסה bat פערל לאה Dov ben Pnina Click here to add a name to this list We Honor Our Military Ariel Y Shani Y Tali Y Harry B Zevi M Nathan H Noam H Yehudit Sally K Oren L Nathan L Jeremy S Meni N Yaniv H Rachel W Click here to add a name to this list Community Announcements The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of United Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT) will host a legislative reception  November 19, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at Congregation Agudath Sholom. All Connecticut representatives from Stamford, New Canaan and Darien have been invited. The reception is a wonderful opportunity to meet your representatives and tell them about issues you feel are important. Contact JCRC Director Sharon Lewis for more information or register online with UJF: www.ujf.org/legislativereception. Tapestry: Communal Jewish Learning   United Jewish Federation will host Tapestry, a long-running evening of communal Jewish learning beginning on Saturday, November 18 at 6:30 pm at Temple Beth El in Stamford, featuring a variety of informed speakers and topics focusing on aspects of Israel, from creation through modern day. Register today at https://ujf.ticketspice.com/tapestry-20 to take part in this communal Jewish learning event. With questions or for more information, contact UJF's Deputy Director, Eric Ross at eric@ujf.org. Join Schoke JFS for an upcoming community workshop - How to Have Difficult Conversations During the Holiday!  On Zoom. Converse with Gus Nunez, LMSW, Rebekah Kanefsky, LPC, and Amanda Geffner, LCSW, in an open discussion on how to have difficult conversations during the holidays, especially amidst challenging times. The workshop will be held on Thursday, November 16th with an evening session at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM and on Monday, November 20th with a morning session at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. To register, visit www.ctjfs.org/groups – we hope to see you there! Nishmat Virtual 24 Hours of Torah Learning  Every day, we pray for the release of our captives, the success of the IDF, and the safety of Am Yisrael. In addition to the myriad acts of chesed we are performing in their merit, we invite you to join Nishmat virtually for 24 hours of Torah learning to strengthen the soul of the nation. November 19th at 11:30 am EST through November 20th at 11:30 am EST. To see the full program and to register, go to bit.ly/Nishmat24h Football Funding for Israel  Sunday, Nov. 19th at 4 PM. Six Thirteen Restaurant, 108 Prospect Street. Watch some Football-Drink-Eat- Assist Israel. $100.00/person-Includes Drinks, Food, Donation to Daily Giving Israel Emergency Fund-Payment in advance required-Contact- Robert Remin-914 629-1753 rremin@gmail.com The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County Announces: The Norma and Milton Mann Annual Lecture - Can Jews be the Most Loved and Most Hated Religious Group in America?  All are welcome to join us on Sunday, December 3rd at 11:30am (doors open at 11:00am) at Congregation Agudath Sholom, for the Society's Norma and Milton Mann Annual Philanthropic Lecture which brings renowned experts to the community to present on topics that have wide appeal, are historically significant and impact the future. The Lecture is free and open to the public and is underwritten by the Mann Family Foundation. Alan Cooperman, this year's presenter extraordinaire, is director of religion and oversees all non-partisan Pew Research Center's research on religion, including surveys in more than 110 countries and 150 languages. A recognized authority on the topic of antisemitism, Mr. Cooperman lectures internationally on the topic and will offer a fresh look at an age-old problem. To register visit https://mann.cbo.io. For Questions: email info@jhsfc-ct.org or call 203 359-2196

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