| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Bo | | February 1, 2025 | 3 Sh'vat 5785 |
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| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 4:52 PM | | Mincha | 4:57 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:54 AM | | The Book of Melachim Class | 9:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:59 AM | | Teen Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 4:00 PM | | Mincha | 4:50 PM | | Havdalah | 5:53 PM |
In a Second One word we recite every month encapsulates the essence of being a Jew. During the prayer for the new month, Rosh Chodesh, whenever we mention the first appearance of the new moon in Jerusalem, we identify the time based on the hour, minute and chelek of the day. For instance, the first appearance of the new moon, or molad as it is known, for the month of Shevat was Wednesday, January 29th at 6:17 AM and 17 chalakim. The Hebrew word chelek means a portion. An hour is divided into 1080 chalakim and one chelek is 3.5 seconds. Why does Judaism give a name to 3.5 seconds? Why are they significant? Rabbi Aharon Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, explains that it reflects the sacredness of time. Not only can a minute make a difference, but even a few seconds. It is no surprise that the very first mitzvah God commands the Jewish people as a nation is to sanctify time. God tells Moshe, "This month is for you the first of all months." God is not only establishing the cycle of the Jewish calendar based on the moon, but making a profound statement about our relationship to time. Slaves cannot choose how to use time. As free people, the Jewish people are now charged with the gift of elevating every moment. Time can be harnessed or wasted - it is in our hands. Every minute, second or even millisecond counts. In the words of an anonymous poem, "To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident. To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics." It is not only about missing a moment but seizing it. We live on borrowed time. How many times do we go through a day and wonder whether we achieved the goals we set for ourselves? Are you just doing time or doing something meaningful? How many minutes do we waste every day doing things that are nowhere near the goals and aspirations and passions that we have inside? How many times do we go through the course of a day and realize, "Did I do anything I set out to do today?" Write down those goals each and every day. Ask yourself what will do I today that is worthy of future memory? If we can accomplish those, then we are doing more than just making it through the day. We are living and achieving our dreams. It is no wonder the Sages teach every person to possess a chelek, a portion, in the world to come. Every minute and every second can be elevated and eternalized. It is the secret of life. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and brachot from Israel and prayer for God willing the return of all the hostages immediately and full redemption specify and in our days, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Shabbat Information - Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Bo with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here
- The Haftarah is read from Jeremiah 46:13–28
- Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here.
- Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here.
- 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 number child are you in the family and how was that experience (plague of the first born son)?
- What is your favorite Pesach food (all of the halachos of Pesach)?
- What is your favorite season (the Jews left Egypt in the spring)?
Parsha Would You Rather?- Would you rather go to a Pesach hotel at the location of your choice or make Pesach at home (all of the halachos of Pesach)?
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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 in Israel God willing from Sunday, January 19th until Thursday, February 6th. Elisheva is expecting B'sha'ah Tovah in Jerusalem. Rabbi Cohen will be checking emails and whatsApp periodically. In case of an emergency, please contact Rabbi Kurtz at rabbikurtz@cas-stamford.org.
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Meal Trains 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!
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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| The Book of Melachim Class | Mark Wagshul | | Shiur | Rabbi Levi Feller | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Moshe Kurtz |
- to Eve & Philip Steinmetz on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big brother Elan, grandparents Elise Lerner, Michael Wiener and Liba & Steve Steinmetz, great-uncle Steve Block and the entire Wiener/Steinmetz/Block families!
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- to Kaili & Daniel Scherban on the birth of a baby girl, Madeline! Mazal Tov to siblings Liam, Gabby and Sophie and grandparents Mazi Scherban and Judith & Nathan Janette!
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- to Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen on the birth of a granddaughter, born to Elisheva & Yaakov Moshe Shmidman in Israel!
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- to Helene & Harvey Kaminski on the arrival of a granddaughter!
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- to Kimmie & David Warmflash on the birth of a baby boy, Itay Benzion!
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- to Robin & Jason Fischel, Gabriel Haron and Tamar Links who are being honored at the Chabad Annual Gala
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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 David Levine on the passing of his beloved brother-in-law, Howard Tedoff z"l
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- to Saiid Rastegar on the passing of his mother, Parvin Salem Rastegar/Leah bat Ozra z"l
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- to Amy Sroka and all of the families for shopping for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry this past Sunday! The results were amazing! In the words of Jen from JFS: "Coming back to the office on Monday and seeing all this food was incredible! A great way to start the week is having this food and being able to hand it out to those visiting the pantry. Thank you! Special thanks to Amy for spearheading the mitzvah shops!"
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith
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- 7AM Kiddush: Sherri & Allen Rosenthal in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Allen's father, David Appel z"l
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- Chapel Kiddush: Aviva & Paul Schieber in commemoration of the yahrzeits of Paul's mother, Annette Schieber (Chana Alda Bas Avraham Dov) z"l and his grandmother, Dora Goldstein (Rivka Devorah Bas Yitzchak Halevi) z"l and the Sheloshim of Aviva's father, Rabbi Lester Hering/Rav Eliezer ben Yitzchak (v'chaya) z"l
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Kaili & Daniel Scherban in honor of their new daughter, Madeline; and Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Rabbi Cohen's mother, Sandra Cohen/Sara Malka bat Aharon Avraham HaLevi z"l
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CAS Youth Glow in the Dark Havdalah |
Shabbat, February 1 - 6:30 PM |
| BMC Pajama Party & Movie Night |
Shabbat, February 1 - 8:00 PM |
| Teen Shabbat Dinner with Rabbi Yaakov Faratci |
Friday, February 7 - 6:30 PM |
| Youth Scholar-in-Residence Yaakov Faratci |
| Youth Tu BShvat Seed Planting & Decorating |
Sunday, February 9 - 10:30 AM |
| Tot Shabbat & Mini Minyan PJ Party & Movie Night |
Sunday, February 9 - 4:00 PM |
| Crash Course in Hebrew with Rabbi Bob Abrams |
Monday, February 10 - 3:03 PM |
| Agudath Sholom Kesher (ASK) |
Monday, February 10 - 5:45 PM |
| Jewish Heritage Trip to Italy Information Session |
Thursday, February 13 - 12:30 PM |
| CAS Youth Presidents Day Camp |
Monday, February 17 - 10:00 AM |
| Israel Teen Fellowship for 10th & 11th Graders |
| Comedy Night featuring Eli Lebowicz |
Shabbat, February 22 - 7:30 PM |
| New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch |
Sunday, February 23 - 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 23 - 8:00 PM |
| Jewish Heritage Trip through Italy |
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CAS Chabura Wednesday, February 5 - 8:00 PM Michael Feldstein on What Miriam the Nevia Can Teach Us About Faith. Open to the whole community, men and women! Hosted and co-sponsored by the Feldsteins. Contact Sam Sroka (sroka.samuel@gmail.com) for more details. | Save the Date! Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Zissy Turner Shabbat, March 22 - 11:00 AM We are excited to announce a special Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with our Steinmetz Alexander Bernstein Yoetzet Halacha, Zissy Turner.This weekend will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with Zissy, learn about her work as our community's Yoetzet Halacha, and enjoy meaningful conversations and time together as a community.Highlights of the Weekend:Friday Night Oneg: A relaxed and uplifting evening filled with warmth and community spirit.Shabbat Afternoon Dessert : A delightful gathering to deepen connections.Mark your calendars and join us for a memorable Shabbat filled with inspiration, bonding, and delicious treats. We look forward to seeing you there! |
CAS Youth Update In Parshat Bo, we read about the final plagues, and the dramatic moment when the Jewish people were finally freed. The plague of the firstborn (מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת) was the last one, and it forced Pharaoh to let the Jewish people go. Before this, G-d instructed the Jews to mark their homes with the blood of a lamb to protect them. This is the origin of Pesach, when we remember the יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם.One of the most important lessons of this Parsha is the concept of freedom. The Jews had been slaves for over 200 years, and their freedom was something they had to prepare for, not just physically but spiritually. They had to demonstrate their trust in G-d by following His instructions carefully, even in a time of great fear and uncertainty.The Rambam, in Mishnah Torah, explains the significance of the matzah: "...because our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt, and when they left, they did not have time to let their dough rise. Therefore, we eat matzah to commemorate their hasty departure…"This idea emphasizes not only the physical act of leaving Egypt but also the spiritual significance behind the rituals. The Rambam connects our eating of matzah to the idea of being ready for redemption and acting with urgency when it comes to fulfilling G-d's commandments, just as the Jews had to quickly leave Egypt when the moment came.
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Questions for Your Shabbat Table: - Why do you think the Jewish people had to eat matzah when they left Egypt? What do you think it teaches us about being ready to do something important?
- In Parshat Bo, the Jewish people put lamb's blood on their doorposts to stay safe. What are some things we can do today to stay safe and protected either physically or spiritually?
- Why did Pharaoh wait so long before finally letting the Jewish people go? Can you think of a time when it was hard for you to make a big decision?
- What do you think freedom means? How is it different from just being able to do whatever you want?
What do you think it means to be responsible for ourselves and others? How can we show responsibility in our everyday lives, just like the Jewish people had to do after they were freed from Egypt?
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- CAS Women's Book Club will be meeting on Feb 12th at 7:45pm At the home of Debbie-Lee Silvermetz (email dlsilvermetz@gmail.com for the address). We will be discussing The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson.
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- Message from CAS President Harvey Kaminski Helene and I will be in Florida for most of the remaining winter, returning home intermittently. In any case, I will be carrying on my duties as president while away and am always reachable by telephone (914) 589-1751 or via email; president@cas.stamford.org. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns or just want to say hello.
Hope to see everybody soon.
Harvey Kaminski, CAS President
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- Registration for 2025 Jewish Baseball League season is live! FCCJBL is a co-ed, ages 4-12 year old little league and plays on Sundays only. Season opener is 4/27. Please sign up on www.fccjbl.org. Please reach out to info@fccjbl.org with any questions.
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- 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
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- 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
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 5:05 PM; Friday: 5:06 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 5:01 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
- 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
- Yospa bat Shana Menucha
- 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
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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
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- First Annual Tova Feldstein Lecture, in memory of Tova Feldstein Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7:30pm. Jewish Community Center, featuring Michelle Steinhart, Director of Learning and Inclusion, Temple Israel Center, "Why Inclusion Is Good For All Students", free and open to the entire community, refreshments will be served after the program
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- Application Window for the Lilly Reiser Scholarship Now Open United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien (UJF) invites any current 12th graders or college-aged students to apply for a $10,000 college scholarship (renewable for up to 4 consecutive years). The student must be attending an accredited US-based college or graduate school at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year to be eligible. Awards will be based on both financial need and merit. The winning applicants will demonstrate the potential to live up to Lilly Reiser's example, as a person who overcame significant hardship, prized education, and became a responsible and productive citizen. To apply, please visit www.ujf.org/LillyReiser. For more information please visit www.ujf.org/LillyReiserScholarship.
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