| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Tazria-Metzora | Omer 20 | May 3, 2025 | 5 Iyyar 5785 |
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| | Friday | | | Mincha | 7:00 PM | | Candle Lighting | 7:34 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:33 AM | | Coffee & Commentary | 8:40 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Melachim Class | 9:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:59 AM | | Bob's Basics | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 6:40 PM | | Mincha | 7:30 PM | | Havdalah | 8:36 PM |
Value the power of speech. Words build or destroy. This message underscores the Parshiot of Tazria and Metzora. The fate of the one who has Tzaraat, leprosy, is not determined by a doctor but one word of the Kohen. A person who defames another with his words or speaks ill of a person demonstrates that he/she does not value the impact of their words. His process of healing begins when he begins to appreciate that even word of the Kohen can alter his life. Never underestimate the value of our words. Once spoken, they exist, resonate and impact others. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote: "Life and death are in the hands of the tongue." Do we bless or do we curse? Do we elevate or do we destroy? When we offer an opinion, is it to divide or distinguish? One harsh or kind word can change a life. In his memoir, Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, formerly a prominent rabbi in Atlanta, wrote about the most difficult question he was asked in his entire rabbinic career. He once received a call from a woman who was desperate to meet with him. When they met, he asked her what was so urgent and how he could help. The woman said, "Rabbi, I have cancer of the larynx and next week I'm having surgery to have my larynx removed." She asked him, "Rabbi, I'll never be able to speak again, but I can choose the final words my lips will ever utter. What should they be?" Rabbi Feldman described this as the most difficult question he had ever been asked. He encouraged her to recite a prayer and told her, "You can pray in any language and God's door is always open." They recited a prayer together, and as he left she remarked, "Tonight, I'll say another prayer, but you pray for me too. Thank you for visiting. I'm still frightened, but a lot less than before." What would our last words be? Would it be an expression of love to a spouse or child, a statement of your faith, a prayer that you offer, or a song? If we could only speak one more time, what would we say? Why not say it now? These Torah portions are a dual challenge. As King David writes, the first mission is to resist speaking ill of another person. Do not gossip or malign another person. The second mission is to harness the power of speech to give life to others. One word can restore faith, express love, offer a prayer, advocate for Israel or build a new relationship. God willing, our words will be filled with hope and light every hour of every day. We pray for everyone in Israel, the speedy return of the hostages, comfort to the bereaved and strength to the wounded and the end of the wildfires and a return home for all who are displaced. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing and full redemption speedily and in our days Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Shabbat Information - Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Tazria-Metzora with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here
- The Haftarah is read from II Kings 7:3-20
- Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here
- Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here.
- To learn more about the laws of Sefira, 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 is your favorite skin care product (tzaaras)?
- How do you connect to Hashem when you are alone (the metzorah must sit outside the camp alone)?
- Recall a time where you had to go to a doctor and do multiple follow ups (the one with tzaraas must show it to Kohen and must go back multiple times under various circumstances)?
Parsha Would You Rather?- Would you rather have to wear clothes for a week with only spots or only stripes (tzaaras can appear on clothes)?
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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 | | Melachim Class | Mark Wagshul | | Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Shiur | Rabbi Moshe Kurtz: Artificial Insemination (Part 2/2) | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | BCHA Education Panel - Rabbi Jeff Kobrin, Head of School, North Shore Hebrew Academy;Rabbi Joshua Lookstein, Assistant Head of School, The Ramaz School (and former CAS Assistant Rabbi): Teaching Israel - At School, At Home, and In Israel |
- to Sabrina & Robert Fox on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big sister Juliet and big brother Tyler!
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- to Anne Peskin on her 99th birthday thank God! She will be in shul, God willing. Join us for a communal Happy Birthday in her honor prior to Adon Olam in the Sanctuary.
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- to Alyson & Scott Koblick on the birth of a baby girl, Lily/Golda Chana! Mazal Tov to big sister Emmy!
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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 the family of Judith Altmann
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- Senior Challah Sponsors: Greg & Amanda Smith
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- Chapel Kiddush: Lynne & Steven Frenkel in memory of Judge Arnold and Judith Price z"l
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- Sephardic Kiddush: Judi & Nathan Janette in observance of the nahala of Judi's grandmother Miriam Schnitzer (Miriam bat Shmuel) and family semachot
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-Sponsored by Shushannah & Ari Yasgur in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Shush's father, Michael (Mick) Walshe z"l; and Lorraine & David Kweskin in memory of Sylvia Plotkin z"l
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- Seudah Shlishit: Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy
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Join the Jim Benjamin Memorial Garden Team |
| | Agudath Sholom Kesher (ASK) |
| Rabbi Daniel Cohen - What is Your Why? |
Tuesday, May 13 - 8:15 AM |
| CAS Teens & JSU Lag BOmer Bonfire |
Thursday, May 15 - 8:00 PM |
| Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Rabbanit Chamutal Shoval |
| Stamford Jewish Experience Friday Night Dinner |
Friday, June 13 - 8:15 PM |
| Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships |
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Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Sunday, May 4 - 10:30 AM We will explore in depth Psalm 92 entitled a Song a Psalm for the Sabbath Day with a view to enhance our appreciation of the special gift of the day. Our mission is to glean the underlying messages from David's verse which has no mention of the word Shabbat. Coffee and delectables provided by your host. Please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.com if you plan to attend in person. Zoom Meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450. | Pirkei Avot Discussion for Women Join us every Shabbat afternoon through May. This week's is at 4pm (other weeks at 4:30) at Mouchka Heller's house. Email Channie Kamman (chaniekamman@gmail.com) for the address. |
A message from Rabbi Josh Parshat Tazria-Metzora teaches us about tzara'at, a skin condition that was spiritual. When someone spoke lashon hara, they could get tzara'at as a sign that something inside needed healing. The person had to leave the camp, reflect, and return only after making things right. It's a powerful reminder that our words matter, and that healing begins when we take responsibility, do teshuvah, and come back stronger.
This week, we also celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut! Just like the metzora eventually returns home, Yom Ha'atzmaut reminds us that the Jewish people, after thousands of years, returned home to Eretz Yisrael. It wasn't easy- it took courage, reflection, and unity. Israel is a place where we can build, grow, and unify as a nation.
Let's use this week to think about how we can use our words to build, not break, at home, at school, and in our communities.
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Shabbat Table Questions: - Why do you think words can be as powerful as actions?
- What does tzara'at teach us about the connection between our outside and our inside?
- How is returning to the camp like the Jewish people returning to Israel?
- What is one way you can use your words this week to help someone feel included or uplifted?
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- Agudath Sholom Miluim Project In expression of our solidarity with Israel, we will be joining many shuls nationwide to support the families of reservists through sponsoring gift packages as a way to strengthen and encourage them. The week of May 23rd will be National Appreciation Week for Reservist Families. Please contact me to learn more and/or make a contribution to the CAS Chesed Fund and earmark Miluim Project in the Purpose field. Thank you in advance for your support. Your gift will truly make a difference.
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- Pirkei Avot Studying - Ethics of our Father On 4/26, we began the series of Shabbatot marking the countdown to Shavuot. We will begin studying Pirkei Avot each Shabbat between mincha and maariv. Feel free to learn on your own at home as well and choose one mishna at each Shabbat meal. Here are some resources: Chabad.org, aish.org, click here, torah.org
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- 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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- Annual Challenges in Jewish Education panel discussion, "Teaching Israel: At Home ... At School ... and in Israel" featuring Rabbi Joshua Lookstein, Assistant Head of School, Ramaz, and Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin, Head of School, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Shabbat May 3rd, at seudah shlishit between mincha and maariv (appx 7:45PM). Moderated by Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, Head of School, Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy. Join us for what promises to be a very stimulating discussion on an important topic.
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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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- Save the Date! Join us for the CAS mission to Ft. Bragg July 27-28. Rabbi Cohen will lead a CAS mission in support of the Jewish soldiers and their community at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina from July 27-28. Mark your calendars - all are welcome. Please reach out to Rabbi Cohen or Lonnie Keene lonnie53211@yahoo.com for details.
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 7:45 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 7:41 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
- Yocheved Rochel bat Chava Kayla
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
- Rema bat Etta
- 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
- Tanya bat Malka
- 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
- Calev Natanel ben Sara
- Yitzchak Osher ben Chana Shayva Chaya
- Inna bat Tanya
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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
- Rachel M
| - Meir D
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- Urgent Need for a Kidney Donor Barry Mandel is a beloved father and grandfather. He is suffering from kidney failure. To learn more about kidney donation or to see if you are a match, email R26447@renewal.org or call 718-431-9831 ext. 209
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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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- An Evening with Schoke JFS, Celebrating 50 Years of Service Sunday, May 18th, 5:30 PM. Join Schoke Jewish Family Service as we celebrate 50 years of supporting the Fairfield County community at An Evening with Schoke JFS on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT. This special event will honor the Schoke JFS staff with the 45th Annual Mitzvah Award and include a cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation, paddle raise supporting the Japha Family Emergency Assistance Program, dessert, and an exciting auction offering one-of-a-kind opportunities. Tickets, including dinner and dessert, are $250 and can be purchased at www.ctjfs.org/gala. For details or to place a journal ad, contact Erika Llanos at 203-921-4161 or ellanos@ctjfs.org. Come celebrate this remarkable milestone and support the important work of Schoke JFS in the community!
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- Say Friendship! Please donate & participate in The Friendship Day & Walk May 4th from 12-2:30pm. Come for a free family fun day as we walk hand in hand and smile to smile in support of families of individuals with special needs. There will be entertainment, delicious food, and more. Visit www.FriendshipDayCT.com to sign up!
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- People We Miss: A Conversation on Grief, Healing & Storytelling May 6th, 7:00 PM Join us for a heartfelt and inspiring book launch event as we celebrate People We Miss, a beautifully crafted children's book by local mom, Kimmie Warmflash. This touching story helps children and families navigate grief with warmth, love, and understanding.The event cost includes a copy of the book, and 10 percent of proceeds will be donated to Schoke JFS for their work with bereavement support. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/ykczkaux
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- Voting is Open for the 2025 U.S. Zionist Congress Election Thru Sunday, May 4th. U.S. voting in the 39th World Zionist Congress election is open! The voting will continue through May 4, 2025. Head to zionistelection.org to register and to cast your vote for Israel's future.
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- OCTOBER 8th Film Screening Wednesday, May 7th. UJF presents a screening and discussion of October 8. October 8 offers an insightful look into the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, social media, and on the streets of America since the October 7 attacks. The screening will include a discussion with Asaf Romirowsky, executive producer of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East and co-author of Religion, Politics, and the Origins of Palestine Refugee Relief. Talia Kahn, who is featured in the film, and a PhD student at MIT will also be a part of the discussion. There will be two screenings and event tickets are limited on a first-come basis. For more information visit: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341719&id=104
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- Community Mimouna Wednesday, May 21st, 7:00 pm - Join UJF for a vibrant and meaningful celebration of Mimouna, a cherished Jewish holiday celebrated by Jews of Moroccan descent across Israel and around the world. Enjoy sweet treats, light bites, henna tattoos, music, and more! Exact location details will be provided upon registration. Early bird pricing runs through May 11 at just $20. Limited spots are only available! Visit: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341719&id=102 to register
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- Community Jewish Heritage Mission to Greece Monday, October 27th- Wednesday November 5th. Join UJF on our Mission Trip to Greece from October 27-November 5 as we'll learn and explore Greece's Jewish history dating back thousands of years! There will be an informational meeting about the trip. If you wish to receive information, email Lara@ujf.org.
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