| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
|
| | Vayigash | | January 4, 2025 | 4 Tevet 5785 |
|
|
|
| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 4:20 PM | | Mincha | 4:25 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Coffee & Commentary | 8:40 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:55 AM | | Shmuel Class | 9:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:57 AM | | Bob's Basics | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Mincha | 12:30 PM/4:15 PM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 3:25 PM | | Havdalah | 5:21 PM |
To Forgive is Divine: The Legacy of Joseph We have all experienced and witnessed over the years the challenge of forgiving another human being. Someone we know may have said something or did something that was hurtful. More often than not, they are willing to accept responsibility. They have sincerely learned from their mistakes and ask us for forgiveness. The question is whether we accept their remorse and move forward in the relationship or not. Regrettably, many times we hold on to the past. We cannot let go of our negative feelings towards the person and the relationship is never the same. This is not the Jewish way. We learn this ideal from the courageous gesture of Joseph in this week's Torah portion. When he reveals his identity to his siblings, they are mortified and shamed. They have no words. It is clear they have repented for the sale over 20 years ago. In that moment in time, Joseph is confronted with a monumental decision. Does he forgive them or does he take revenge? Does he allow the relationship to heal or does he dismiss their response as insincere and hold on to the past? In one verse in the Torah, Joseph introduces the power of forgiveness. He is the first human recorded in history to forgive. He says to them, "And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." (Genesis 45:5) How does Joseph muster the inner strength to let go? The answer is his humility. He has grown as a human being. He understands that there is a larger plan. He realizes that it is not his role to be the judge and jury for his brothers. If they are asking for forgiveness, he must emulate God who is forgiving and do the same. In the words of the Ishbitzer Rebbe, the mitzvah of loving your neighbor as yourself teaches us that just as we are willing to overlook our mistakes, we must also be willing to forgive someone else's as well. In the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, "Repentance and forgiveness are not just two ideas among many. They transformed the human situation. For the first time, repentance established the possibility that we are not condemned endlessly to repeat the past. When I repent, I show I can change. The future is not predestined. I can make it different from what it might have been. Forgiveness liberates us from the past. Forgiveness breaks the irreversibility of reaction and revenge. It is the undoing of what has been done. Humanity changed the day Joseph forgave his brothers. When we forgive and are worthy of being forgiven, we are no longer prisoners of our past." May we all find the strength and exhibit the courage to follow in the ways of Joseph. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing good news from Israel in the days ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Shabbat Information - Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Vayigash with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here.
- The Haftarah is read from Ezekiel 37:15-28
- Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here.
- Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here.
- The Fast of Asarah B'Teves is next Friday, January 10th beginning at 6:06AM and ending at 5:19PM.
- Mincha is at 4:00. It includes Torah and Haftara readings. Those fasting include Aneinu in the Amida.
- After davening one returns home to break the fast on kiddush and proceed to eat their regular Shabbat meal after 5:19pm. (Shalom Aleichem and Eishes Chayil may be recited earlier.)
- All the normal Shabbat preparations such as showering and shaving should be done normally, even for those who normally wouldn't shave or shower on a fast because of the kavod shabbat obligation. For more information, see a helpful overview on Halachipedia.
- Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know click here
Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman) - What is your favorite movie reveal or plot twist (Yosef reveals himself to the brothers)?
- What is something you want to see or do in your lifetime (Yaakov says he wants to go Yosef before he passes away)?
- What is something or someone that has brought goodness into your life (Yaakov tells Pharaoh that his life has been short and difficult)?
Parsha Would You Rather?- Would you rather know the whole truth even if it is very difficult or be left in the dark (The commentators disagree on whether Yaakov ever found out that the brothers had sold Yosef)?
|
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"
|
| Meal Train A note from Diane Cohen, Naomi Kohl and Leah Shemtov about Meal Trains. Help us make sure every family in our community, who has a simcha or a need gets the love and support of a meal train, and that we can join together to fill it each time! May we have good news and happy occasions to share in our community! |
Join CSS The safety and security of our community depend on each of us stepping up to do our part. We are inviting you to join the CSS (Community Security Service) team and contribute to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
To prepare new volunteers, we will be having an in-person training on Monday, January 13th, paired with a short online portion to be completed beforehand.
Why Join CSS?- Strengthen our community's safety and preparedness.
- Gain valuable skills in situational awareness and security.
- Be a part of a committed team protecting what matters most.
Register Here
For further questions or assistance, please contact Adam Breiner at adambr@thecss.org.
Your participation makes all the difference. Let's come together to create a secure and welcoming space for all.
|
Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Coffee & Commentary | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | Shmuel Class | Mark Wagshul | | Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Shiur | Rabbi Moshe Kurtz: Cheating, College and Culture | | Shacharit | Aaron Berk | | Musaf | Bradley Baskir | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Levi Feller | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Moshe Kurtz |
- to Howard Wolfe and Michelle Zelin on the engagement of their daughter, Danielle to Noam Slomovic, son of Freddy Slomovic and Abby Knopp of New York City! Mazal Tov to grandmother Sandra Ehrenkranz!
|
- to Susan Fleisher and Eddie Schachter on the engagement of their daughter and granddaughter Samantha Fleisher to Eric Silver!
|
- to Nurit & Mark Wexler on the engagement of their son Elan to Hannah Dolginoff, daughter of Carolyn Braverman and Steve Dolginoff of Overland Park, KS! Mazal Tov to grandparents Debbie & Ben Soifer and the entire Wexler/Soifer family!
|
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here- to Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen for hosting over 30 young professionals for dinner at their home this Friday night for the Stamford Jewish Experience Shabbat dinner!
|
- Senior Challah Deliveries: David & Cindy Pitkoff in Memory of the 1st Yahrtzeit of Rita Pitkoff z"l
|
- Chapel Kiddush: Toby Schaffer in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of her mother, Julia Macy z"l
|
- Sephardic Kiddush: Ariel Yusupov in loving memory and in honor of the 30 day yarzheit/Yushvo of Mazal bat Yael, his beloved grandmother
|
- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Anonymous in memory of Rivka bat Hirsch z"l; Shira & Steven Manheimer and David Backer on the occasion of the shloshim of Carole Bolensky z"l; and Gayle & Howard Rothman in memory of Harry Rothman z"l
|
- Teen Kiddush: Anonymous in honor of the youth staff
|
Israel Teen Fellowship for 10th & 11th Graders |
| Friday, January 10 - 5:30 PM |
| Ruach FIDF Shabbat with Yair Saperstein |
| | Little Lights Parent and Me Playtime |
Sunday, January 12 - 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, January 12 - 8:00 PM |
| Monday, January 13 - 11:00 AM |
| Family Friday Night Dinner |
Friday, January 17 - 5:45 PM |
| CAS Young Couples Committee Adult Bondfire Night |
Shabbat, January 18 - 8:00 PM |
| 55+ Social Committee Dinner and Show |
Thursday, January 23 - 6:30 PM |
|
CAS Youth Group Update Rabbi Shraga Simmons asks, "In the morning service, we say: 'Blessed are You, God, Who forms light and creates darkness…' It is understandable that we thank God for light. But why for darkness? Because Judaism says that darkness is not negative. Rather it is a necessary step in the process toward light. Only because of our limited perception, do we perceive the darkness as an end unto itself."In this week's Parsha, all seems dark for the brothers, until Yosef says those three powerful words, "I am Yosef." This story, points out Rabbi Simmons, possibly more than any other in the Torah, shows how in the blink of an eye, things can go from darkness to light. When we embrace the idea that everything is somehow for the good, but when we are in the "dark" we just may not understand it yet, we prepare ourselves for that darkness to be but a stepping stone on our way to light.
|
Questions for your Shabbat Table - Why would we thank Hashem for "darkness" in addition to thanking Him for light?
- Share an example when Hashem turned a moment of darkness into light.
- How can you be a lamp lighter for someone else. Share a story.
- How does Yosef saying the words "I am Yosef" flip the entire story that his brothers have in their heads upside down?
- How was Yosef's forgiveness of his brothers a model for us?
|
- Nili Steinberg's Bat Mitzvah Project For my bat mitzvah project, I have chosen to raise funds to provide therapy dogs for Israeli soldiers that need additional assistance. Please consider making a donation to not only help our soldiers struggling with PTSD, but also to give these dogs a purpose and a loving home. Click here
|
- Israel Advocacy - Sign up for Pens and Swords This group shares links to petitions and information about how everyone can contact political figures and businesses to advocate on behalf of Israel. Most of these actions take under a minute to complete and they keep pressure on policymakers to support Israel and/or drop actions that are detrimental. Please share the link for this group with as many supporters of Israel and the Jewish people as possible. click here
|
- Important Announcement - Early Shabbat Afternoon Mincha We will offer an early mincha following Kiddush on Shabbat morning. It will meet in the sanctuary. The times are as follows:
- January 4: 12:30 pm
- January 11: 12:33 pm
|
- Announcing the the Jewish Heritage Journey Through Italy with Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen June 23, 2025 - July 2nd, 2025 - Rome, Florence and Italy, Optional Extension to Lake Como. To learn more, click here and here.For registration, email: info@shin-tours.com. For more info contact Rabbi Daniel Cohen: rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org
|
- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
|
- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 4:30 PM; Friday: 4:32 PM
|
- Candle Lighting Friday: 4:27 PM
|
We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
- Raanan Noach ben Slova
- yosef ishai ben miriam
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- 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
- Moisha Gedalia
- Nechemiah
- Dorit bat Ora
- Mary
- Miriam Rut bat Chana
- Chaya bat Liba
- Moshe Yitzak ben Raisel Crendel
| - 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
|
|
- 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
|
|
- Explore Israel with the Community Shlicha If you love Israel and want to explore different cities without flying for 12 hours, join UJF Community Shlicha (Israeli Emissary) Eden Refaelovich for an engaging and educational in-person "virtual tour!" Eden will be exploring Jerusalem on Thursday evening, January 9th and Eliat & the Negev Desert on Tuesday evening, January 21st. Tickets are $10 per class. Location will be provided upon registration. Register today at www.ujf.org/VirtualTour.
|
- Words to Action: Empowering High School Students & Parents to Address Antisemitism Join UJF Stamford and ADL Connecticut on Wednesday, January 15 at 7PM for two vital workshops at Temple Sinai, Stamford:Jewish High School Students: Learn how to recognize and respond to antisemitism. Parents: Gain tools to support your teens and effectively address incidents. Space is limited—register now at ujf.org/words. This is an important opportunity to empower and protect our community.
|
- Women's Initiative for Jewish Studies (WIJS) at Young Israel of New Rochelle is proud to present Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble Sunday, January 5, 2025 @ 10:30 am (ET) on Zoom. Dr. Fogel Wruble will speak on the topic "Family Dynamics in Sefer Bereishit." The Torah opens with universal familial struggles and, in many ways, seems to present a list of less than optimal ways to navigate them. This shiur will explore these family dynamics and what they are supposed to teach us today. All WIJS programming is open to women and men. For more information, to be added to the WIJS email list, or for Zoom information, please email: wijs@yinr.org or call 914-636-2215.
|
|
|
|
|
bulletin@cas-stamford.org