| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Vayishlach | | December 14, 2024 | 13 Kislev 5785 |
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| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 4:08 PM | | Mincha | 4:13 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:46 AM | | Shmuel Class | 9:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:47 AM | | Family Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Bob's Basics | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 3:15 PM | | Mincha | 4:05 PM | | Havdalah | 5:08 PM |
Creating Angels The Torah describes that Yaakov prepared for his meeting with his estranged brother Esau in three ways. He offered gifts in hopes of diplomacy, he prepared for possible battle and acted with vigilance and finally, he beseeched God in prayer. These three approaches are a template for encountering the evil and challenges we face. We extend our hands in peace, we prepare for war if the overtures are not welcomed and we invoke God for Divine protection. Yet, there is an additional approach. The Torah teaches us that in advance of his encounter with his brother Esau, Yaakov sent "Malachim" to offer a message of reconciliation to his brother. It had been over 20 years since Yaakov last saw Esau. He did not know whether they would meet in peace or war. Who were these angels that Ya'akov sends to Esau? On the surface it would seem that they are merely people he dispatches to communicate with Esau. Yet, Rashi states that they are actual angels. Rabbi Meir Premishlan, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, explains Rashi's intent. The mishna in Ethics of Our Fathers (Chapter 4) explains that an angel is created when a person does a Mitzvah. Yaakov understood that as much as he needed to address the direct challenge of meeting Esau, he could also make a difference by unleashing into the world, his angels, his mitzvot. He realized that he could not control all that Esau might do, but he could control his actions. He could unleash into the world the positive energy of a mitzvah, a new light, and God would fuel that light and turn it into a flame of healing, redemption and hope. In the eternal words of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, "The pure righteous do not complain of the dark, but increase the light; they do not complain of evil, but increase justice; they do not complain of heresy, but increase faith; they do not complain of ignorance, but increase wisdom." Do a Mitzvah. Create an Angel. Unleash light in the face of darkness. May we share good news in the weeks ahead. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Shabbat Information - Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Vayishlach with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here.
- The haftarah is read from Obadiah 1:1-21
- Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here.
- Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here
- Would you like to read the Torah or Haftarah for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking click here
Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman) - What is the heaviest thing you ever lifted (Yaakov rolls the stone off of the well)?
- Describe a time you saw someone act with a lot/ a lack of integrity (Lavan is constantly trying to change the deal with Yaakov)?
- What inspired your name (The different names of the shevatim all have unique inspirations)?
Parsha Would You Rather - New Feature- Would you rather have a well paying job with a terrible boss or a low paying job with a great boss (Lavan is a terrible boss for Yaakov but Yaakov prospers anyway)?
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Prayers for Hostages - We Pray for the Immediate Rescue and Release
"Acheinu kol Bais Yisrael – Our brethren, the entire Jewish People"
"Hanesunim bitzara u'bishivya – who are delivered into confinement and captivity"
"Ha'omdim bein bayam u'vein bayabasha – whether they be on the sea or dry land"
"HaMakom yiracheim aleihem viyotzi'eim mitzara li'rvacha – May the Omnipresent have mercy on them and remove them from distress to relief"
"U'mei'afela li'ora – and from darkness to light"
"U'mishibud lig'ula – and from subjugation to redemption"
"Hashta b'agala u'viz'man kariv – now, speedily, and close at hand"
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Out of Office Rabbi Cohen will be away from Tuesday, Dec 10th until Sunday, December 15th. Please be in touch with Rabbi Kurtz (347-752-2331) in case of an emergency. For non urgent matters, he can be reached at rabbikurtz@cas-stamford.org.
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 Thank You to everyone who has supported our Yom Kippur Appeal thus far and we encourage 100% participation. Whether alot or a little, the donation from your heart is an eternal investment in our shul and makes a difference! If you have not done so already, please join them.
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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Shmuel Class | Mark Wagshul | | Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Shiur | Rabbi Josh Rosenfeld | | Shacharit | Nate Pava | | Musaf | Sam Sroka | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Levi Feller |
- to Aviva & Jared Kafer on the birth of a baby boy, Zev Sariel! Mazal Tov to big sisters Sivan and Elia!
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- to Rachel & Ephraim Cohen on the engagement of their son Adam to Gila Weinrib! Mazal Tov to the entire Cohen/Lebowitz and Weinrib/Applbaum families!
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Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here- to Peter (Leah) Munk and Rabbi Josh (Mielcah) Munk on the passing of their father and grandfather, Michael Munk z"l
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Roz Mangot in commemoration of the yahrzeit of her father, Walter Lowenbach
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- 7AM Kiddush: Navah & David Zizmor in memory of Navah's grandmothers, Sylvia Wilkof and Betha Scott
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- Chapel Kiddush: The Michelson Family in commemoration of David Michelson's 3rd yahrzeit - May his neshama have an aliyah
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Lonnie Keene in commemoration of the yahrzeit of his brother, Steven Keene z"l; Biana & Ben Lanson in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Ben's mother, Marilyn Spirt/Miriam Bas Menachem Manes z"l; and Barbara & Harry Webski in commemoration of the yahrzeits of Barbara's mother, Estelle Kirschner z"l, and Harry's brother, Philip Webski z"l
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- Seudah Shlishit: Corey & Zach Ungar in honor of the anniversary of Zach's Bar Mitzvah
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Middle Feastern Sephardic Food Event |
Shabbat, December 14 - 8:30 PM |
| BMC A.I. Pizza Contest and Game Show |
Sunday, December 15 - 1:00 PM |
| CAS Youth & UJF Chanukah Magic Show |
Sunday, December 15 - 3:50 PM |
| Israel Teen Fellowship for 10th & 11th Graders |
| Stamford Jewish Experience Fire Pit |
| Scholar Series with Leora Orenshein |
Monday, December 16 - 8:00 PM |
| Agudath Sholom Cafe at Humbled Coffee House |
Tuesday, December 17 - 7:30 PM |
| 55+ Social Committee Dinner and Paint Night |
Wednesday, December 18 - 6:30 PM |
| An Evening of Community Building with Rav Yosef Blau |
Thursday, December 19 - 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, December 22 - 9:30 AM |
| Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein book talk |
Sunday, December 22 - 4:45 PM |
| CAS Youth Chanukah on Ice |
Thursday, December 26 - 2:30 PM |
| CAS Youth Bubble Mania at the Palace Theater |
Sunday, December 29 - 3:00 PM |
| | Monday, January 13 - 11:00 AM |
| 55+ Social Committee Dinner and Show |
Thursday, January 23 - 6:30 PM |
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Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Wednesday, December 18 - 12:00 PM The community is invited to join us as we discuss a poem that Rabbi Cohen introduced to us in a recent CAS Shabbat Bulletin entitled Joy Comes Back by Donna Ashworth, verses that to some answer the question of how do we find beauty and joy in a world full of imperfection. We will link her imagery to Psalm 93 recited every Friday on the eve of the Sabbath and Psalm 29 that is chanted every Saturday morning as the Torah scroll is returned to the Holy Ark. Lunch is catered by Restaurant 613. If you intend to join us in person or have any questions, please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 | SAVE THE DATE - SHABBAT WITH FRIENDS OF THE IDF Shabbat, January 11 Join us for a unique experience with FIDF leadership and IDF Soldiers. Hear inspiring stories and spend an unforgettable Shabbat together. Featuring Rabbi Steve Weil, FIDF CEO and IDF Soldiers |
We are excited to announce the launch of Israel Teen Fellowship an Agudath Sholom program in partnership with StandWithUs and designed to Educate and Inspire Teens as Israel Advocates and Religious Zionists via monthly seminars, visits to Hartford and Washington DC and internship or volunteering with Israel Advocacy Organizations. Thank you to UJF Stamford for the grant to seed this vital program. Registration is now open online until Dec 15th for 10th and 11th graders. For more info, contact Rabbi Cohen.
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CAS Youth Groups Update Our monthly theme is being a source of light in the world. This blends amazingly with one of the themes In our parsha this week. Yaakov, hoping to be able to reconcile with Esav, provides Esav with many gifts, including many animals. Trying to make peace with others who may have been offended by something you did, even if you were in the right is an important concept in Judaism. This is called being mevater. Being mevater is often praised as a way to create or maintain peace (shalom) between people. The Talmud (Pirkei Avot 1:12) emphasizes the importance of pursuing peace, and yielding in disputes can be a practical way to achieve it. For fun and experiential learning, our themed snack this week will be animal crackers, which we'll eat as we learn about how Yaakov gave Esav animals as gifts, and we'll discuss ways that we can be mevater in our own lives, as well as how to know when the right and wrong times are to be mevater.
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Questions for your Shabbat Table - Why do you think Yaakov chose to send gifts to Esav? What was his message through this act of generosity?
- Can you think of a time when you or someone else was mevater to make peace? How did it affect the situation and your relationship?
- Why do you think peace is considered so valuable in Judaism?
- What might be some situations where being mevater is the right choice, and others where standing firm might be more important?
- How might you help calm a situation where someone is mad at you?
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- Men's Club Pacific House Meal On December 25th beginning at 9am, the CAS Men's Club will cook and prepare a meal for the residents at the Pacific House. We are looking for kosher food donations - consisting of sweet potatoes, string beans, potatoes, salad items (lettuce, peppers, tomatoes).We will prepare the meal from 9-11:15 am and deliver to the Pacific House. We also need servers beginning at 11:30 am (a waiver must be signed). If you can donate or volunteer, please contact Mitchell Bell at wizdrbel@yahoo.com or 203 722 3512.
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- Check out Rabbi Cohen's podcast with Jane Bedall on Legacy click here
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Friday: 4:15 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 4:10 PM
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
- Raanan Noach ben Slova
- yosef ishai ben miriam
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- Chaya Sara bat Chava
- Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
- Penina bat Sara
- Rema bat Etta
- Ahron Dovid ben Esther Bayla
- Yetta Liba bat Freidel
- Freidel bat Esther
- Leeba Minna bat Rivka
- Pesach Melech ben Basha
- Chaya Shoshana bat Yehudit
- Nira bat Rachel
| - Sara bat Nira
- Chana Leah bat Esther
- Nadav Ephraim ben Shlomit Leah
- Ariella Maor bat Liba Chaya
- Leah bat Rivka
- Adeline bat Bat Chava
- Shlomo ben Velvel
- Rivkah Devorah bat Channa Gittel
- Moisha Gedalia
- Nechemiah
- Dorit bat Ora
- Mary
- Miriam Rut bat Chana
- Abokhay Moshe ben Zoya
- Chaya bat Liba
| - Moshe Yitzak ben Raisel Crendel
- Harav Eliezer ben Chaya
- Miriam bat Devorah
- אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה
- Chaya Rachel bat Carmi Adina
- Penina bat Batya
- Sarah Rochfl bat Paya Etel
- Dov ben Pnina
- Nehama Miriam bat Dvora
- Moshe Gavriel ben Rachel Esther
- Cheryl Sheva bat Gittel Leah
- Sossie Raizel bat Sarah Fraida
- Eliezer Meyer ben Leah
- Calev Natanel ben Sara
- Yitzchak Osher ben Chana Shayva Chaya
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- Ariel Y
- Shani Y
- Tali Y
- Harry B
- Zevi M
- Joreh M
| - Ayden M
- Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
- Sally K
- Oren L
| - Nathan L
- Jeremy S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- SAR Chanukah Pop-Up Shop Sunday, December 15 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at SAR Academy! Shop for housewares, Judaica, toys, baby gifts, specialty foods, accessories, clothing, and jewelry, and enter to win exciting raffle prizes. Don't miss a visit to our Book Fair! Enjoy complimentary kids' activities, including a magic show, face painting, animal balloons, sports with Coach Lawrence, and Chanukah card-making for Smiles for the Kids in Israel. Other special events include a 10:00 AM read-aloud of What Would You Wish For by David Sable and a 10:15 AM kids' yoga session (Grades 2-6, $18 suggested donation to Chai Lifeline). Enjoy pizza for kids, salads, and baked goods and coffee from Café DeMi. Don't miss this fun-filled day of shopping, activities, and Chanukah spirit and support the SAR Academy & High School Parent Association.
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- UJF In-Person "Virtual" Tour of Israel Monday, December 16 at 7:00pm Explore Israel with UJF Shlicha Eden Refaelovich, during this in-person "virtual tour" of Haifa and Nesher (Eden's hometown). This is the second in a four-part series learning about Israel from north to south and east to west, and you won't even have to leave Stamford! Register at www.ujf.org/VirtualTour
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- UJF's 2024 Annual Meeting Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30pm Join UJF in paying tribute to outgoing UJF President Michael Schlessinger, installing newPresident Beverly Stein and the new UJF Board, and to celebrate 10 years of 3Square. The program will include a conversation with Israeli actress Swell Ariel Or, star of the Netflix series The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem. Register at www.ujf.org/Annual24
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