| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Mishpatim | Mevarchim Chodesh | February 22, 2025 | 24 Sh'vat 5785 |
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| Please Use Caution Digging has begun on the Strawberry Hill and upper Colonial Road sides for our perimeter wall. Please use caution when walking in the area and hold your child's hand
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| Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 5:18 PM | | Mincha | 5:23 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Coffee & Commentary | 8:40 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:42 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:51 AM | | Bob's Basics | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Meet and Greet with Rabbi Roberts | 4:00 PM | | Daf Yomi | 4:25 PM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 4:45 PM | | Mincha | 5:15 PM | | Havdalah | 6:19 PM |
The Power of Our Words and the Inspiring Sensitivity of the Torah The power of speech defines our humanity. When God created mankind, he blew the breath of life into human beings. The commentator Onkelos explains that God infused within us the power of speech distinctly different from animals. Too often we do not appreciate this special gift. We live in a world where speech is cheapened. Talking heads on the news seek to fill up space without regard for their power. Judaism reminds us of the words of King Solomon, "Life and Death are in the hand of the tongue." The impact of our words emerges very powerfully in repeated phrases in this week's Parsha of Mishpatim. The main topics of the Torah portion address interpersonal relationships. The laws include precepts about animals damaging property, people damaging property and people hurting people. However, the Torah saves harshest condemnation for pain that a person causes to widows and orphans. God promises revenge on the perpetrators. The Torah states: "You shall not taunt a widow or orphan. For if you cause pain and there is a cry to Me, I will hear the cry. My wrath shall blaze and your wives and children will become widows and orphans." (Shemot 25:2) When we examine the verse, we notice that the words are doubled. There are two cries the widow and the orphan experience. What are the two cries? Why does God hear their cries twice? The Kotzker Rebbe explained that every pain a person causes an orphan is two fold. In addition to the pain caused by the callous remark, the orphan will also be reminded of the reality that he has no father and mother. He will think to himself,"If my mother or father were alive, they would be there to protect me. I am vulnerable because I am alone." The reality strikes him hard and in turn his pain is doubled as is the cry. One doubled word in the Torah written over 3,500 years ago embodies a timeless reminder that words can heal or hurt and that they may strike doubly hard. Conversely, one kind word may not only uplift a person in the moment but serve as an emotional uplift that can impact the rest of their day, the way they interact with friends and family and possibly change the trajectory of a life. As someone once said, "Words are powerful, they have the ability to create a moment and the strength to destroy it." The Chafetz Chaim wrote that each person has a finite amount of words to use in their lifetime. Choose them wisely. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing good news from Israel in the days ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Update from the Assistant Rabbi Search Committee We are pleased to welcome Rabbi Aryeh Roberts and his family this Shabbos. We encourage you to go over to Rabbi Roberts during kiddush and over Shabbat, introduce yourself and show him some of our signature Stamford warmth. We also encourage you to attend a 30 minute meet-and-greet at 4:00 PM at the shul.
Rabbi Roberts' speaking times will be:- Friday Night between Mincha and Maariv (Mincha will be at 5:23 PM)
- Shabbat Morning at All Minyanim
- Sermon in the Sanctuary following Musaf - appx. 10:45 AM
- Shabbat Afternoon Shiur at 4:30 PM: Who Are We Responsible For? Tzedaka, Effective Altruism and Our Giving Culture
- Seudah Shilshit 5:45 PM: A Donkey Dilemma: Why Help Those We Hate?
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Shabbat Information - Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Mishpatim with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here
- The Haftarah is read from Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26
- Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here.
- Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here.
- We bless the month of Adar.
- The Molad will be Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:02 (0 chalakim) PM
- Rosh Chodesh will be this coming Thursday night through Friday afternoon.
- 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 was the best work environment you were ever in (The servant who says that he loves his master etc.)?
- What is a crazy baby sitting experience you have had (Parsha of Shomrim)?
- How would you deal with a situation that you felt was escalating towards physical conflict (the parsha discusses people fighting with one another)?
Parsha Would You Rather?- If you had to go to court, would you rather an extremely fair judge or a great lawyer (It is forbidden to twist judgement)?
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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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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Coffee & Commentary | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Shiur | David Held | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Moshe Kurtz | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Aryeh Roberts |
- We are excited to welcome Rabbi Aryeh Roberts as our candidate for associate Rabbi. He will be joined by his wife Lele and daughter Liora.
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- to Aliza & Bradley Baskir on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to big sisters Abigail and Mikayla!
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- to Neda & Robert Yaghoubian on the engagement of their son Gabriel to Gabrielle Styles, daughter of Liz Fiedler & Stu Styles of Waccabuc, NY!
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- to Adrienne & Michael Alexander and Liz & Eli Reichner on the arrival of a grandson and nephew!
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- to Eve & Phil Steinmetz, Liba & Steve Steinmetz and the entire family on the birth of a son and grandson who was named Yekutiel Tzvi this week!
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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 Arline Gewanter on the passing of her beloved sister, Ruth Kantrowitz z"l
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- to David Zizmor on the passing of his uncle, Jay Lipis z"l
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith
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- Chapel Kiddush: Ana & Albert Lilienfeld in memory of yahrzeits of Albert's mother, Helen Lilienfeld z"l, and Ana's grandmother, Sarah Elson, z"l
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- Sephardic Kiddush: Neda & Robert Yaghoubian in honor of their son Gabriel's recent engagement
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Rachel & Ephraim Cohen in memory of Getzel Cohen z"l; David Levine in commemoration of parsha Mishpatim; Linda Gornitsky & Harvey Weber in memory of Harvey's father, Joseph Weber z"l; and Shushannah & Ari Yasgur in memory of Ari's grandfather, Harold Yasgur z"l
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- Seudah Shlishit: Co-Sponsored by Diane and Rabbi Daniel Cohen in memory of Kfir and Ariel Bibas; and Julie Daniel in memory of her grandmother Miriam Zimberg z"l
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| CAS ANNUAL DINNER
March 23, 5pm One People, One Heart Celebrate our honorees for their Dedication and commitment to our community...
Guests of Honor
Maria & Glenn Reicin
Young Leadership Award
Shushannah & Ari Yasgur
Community Service Award
Aviva Ephraim Maller
Chai Award
Lorraine & David Kweskin |
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New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch |
Sunday, February 23 - 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 23 - 8:00 PM |
| Agudath Sholom Kesher (ASK) |
Monday, February 24 - 5:45 PM |
| Ritual Renewal: Exploring the Past and Present of Mikvah Practices |
Wednesday, February 26 - 8:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 2 - 10:00 AM |
| Agudath Womens Speaker Series - |
Tuesday, March 4 - 2:00 PM |
| Shabbat Dinner with Shaina Trapedo |
Friday, March 7 - 6:45 PM |
| Scholar in Residence Weekend with Shaina Trapedo |
| Jr Cong Pajama Party & Movie Night |
Shabbat, March 8 - 8:00 PM |
| Charity Basketball Tournament |
Shabbat, March 8 - 8:00 PM |
| Israel Teen Fellowship for 10th & 11th Graders |
| CAS Youth Fundraiser - Mishloach Manot |
| Friday, March 14 - 12:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 16 - 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, March 16 - 10:00 AM |
| Shabbat Afternoon Dessert Social with Scholar-in-Residence Zissy Turner |
Shabbat, March 22 - 3:30 PM |
| Sunday, March 23 - 5:00 PM |
| Jewish Heritage Trip through Italy |
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CAS Chabura Wednesday, February 26 - 8:00 PM Rabbi Kurtz on Politics, Psak and Power: The Battle for NYC Eruvin. Hosted and co-sponsored by Daniel Wallis. Contact Sam Sroka for more details. | Save the Date! February 28/March 1: We welcome our Chazan Duvie Shapiro from Israel who will be leading Kaballat Shabbat on Friday night, and Shacharit and Musaf on Shabbat morning. |
Supporting the Needy during Adar One of the prime mitzvot of Purim is Matanot L'Evyonim, gifts to the needy. We encourage everyone to bring food for the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry to the shul these coming weeks. Click here for more info about foods to bring. Take a moment to contribute to the Purim Charity Fund to fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot L'evyonim. As always, make giving a Holy Habit - Food Pantry Donations. Rather than wait for a Food Drive, make it a habit each week when shopping for Shabbos to purchase kosher, non-perishable food for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry.Drop off at JFS or CAS.
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CAS Youth Group Update Last week, in Parshat Yitro, we learned about how Hashem gave the Ten Commandments at Har Sinai. This week, in Parshat Mishpatim, Hashem gives Bnei Yisrael many more mitzvot to help them build a fair and kind society. Hashem teaches us how to treat others with fairness and honesty. There are rules about not hurting others, returning lost objects, and being kind to workers. We must help poor people, widows, and orphans. Hashem tells us to be extra careful with their feelings and never take advantage of them. The Torah reminds us to keep Shabbat and also tells us about the special Jewish holidays. Hashem commands us not to mix milk and meat. This is one of the rules that help us eat in a holy way. Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael that if they follow the Torah, He will protect them and bring them safely into the Land of Israel.
At the end of the Parsha, Bnei Yisrael say "נַעֲשֶׂה וְנִשְׁמָע" ("We will do, and we will listen"), showing that they trust Hashem and are excited to follow His mitzvot! Hashem's mitzvot help us be good people and make the world a better place. When we follow the Torah with a happy heart, we bring more kindness and holiness into our lives! For fun and experiential learning, we will act out separating meat from milk using different colored (parve) candies!
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Questions for Your Shabbat Table: - Why is it important to have rules?
- What do you think might happen in the world if everybody could just do whatever they wanted to all the time?
- Can you think of a time when having to follow a rule or law helped you?
- Why do you think the Jewish People were so excited to receive rules from Hashem and follow them?
- Why do you think Hashem wants us to take extra special care of poor people, widows, and orphans?
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- Lost Item Dark brown leather, zippered glasses case, including my distance glasses. Please notify ronsichel@aol.com
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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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- In the News We are proud of our member Melanie Borker and her decision to leave a career in law to fight anti-semtism - Check out this article
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- Listen to Michael Feldstein being interviewed on a Jewish education podcast click here
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Thursday: 6:30/7:30 AM; Friday: 6:20/7:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 5:30 PM; Friday: 5:31 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 5:26 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
- Rema bat Etta
- Ahron Dovid ben Esther Bayla
- 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
- 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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- 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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- Reminder: Aaron's Place, on the ground floor of Stamford Hospital provides kosher snacks, drinks and meals, in a comfortable environment. If you are caring for a hospitalized loved one or waiting for tests, this comfort room is a place to regroup and refresh. Information is available at the hospital front desk , The code, in Hebrew letters, is on the door of the room.
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- Check out and Visit the YU Seforim Sale - On Now! Known as the largest Jewish book sale in North America, The Seforim Sale was founded in 1964 to meet the needs of the greater Jewish community. Every year, about 15,000 customers come to browse our amazing selection of titles. The Sale is run by students, for students, and all of our profits go towards YU Student Life initiatives. The Seforim Sale is located at 2495 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10033. https://theseforimsale.com/
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