| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Ki Tavo | Leil Selichot | September 13, 2025 | 20 Elul 5785 |
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| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 6:49 PM | | Mincha | 6:54 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Coffee & Commentary | 8:40 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 9:00 AM | | Family Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 10:16 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 5:55 PM | | Mincha | 6:45 PM | | Havdalah | 7:48 PM | | A Night of Spirit and Song - First Night of Selichot | 10:00 PM |
First Fruits: The Foundation of Creation The Midrash states that God created the world for the mitzvah of bikkurim, the obligation to bring the first fruits to Jerusalem. What is the intent of this mysterious statement? One approach is that the Bikkurim teaches us that everything in the world comes from God. When a farmer brings his first produce to Jerusalem rather than keep them for himself, he acknowledges the real source of his success. In modern terms, the mitzvah of bikkurim would demand of us to give Tzedakah not with whatever we have left from our paycheck but rather as our first obligation. It is not always easy to prioritize this way. However, one of the most effective strategies to live this way is to set up a Tzedakah account which is funded immediately every time a person receives a paycheck. Ultimately, the funds we earn are not ours alone, but blessings given by God who is counting on us to use them wisely and for eternal impact. In fact, when the person meets the Kohen with his first fruits, he shares his gratitude with a history lesson that inculcates within himself a sense of appreciation for everything. Rashi states that the farmer is expressing that he is not entitled, Kafui Tovah, but truly grateful. He is only here today to offer these blessings due to the grace of God not only now, but for generations before him. The world was created for the mitzvah of Bikkurim. Gratitude for all our blessings is the key to our relationship to God. Too often we take them for granted. The good we have is God's gift. The following parable illustrates the challenge. There was a wealthy man who felt very lonely and sought attention. He went to a high roof and threw down coins to the people below. He thought people would honor him for his generosity, and that everyone would be talking about him. He hoped that would quench his thirst for attention and a connection with people. When he looked down he saw people scrambling to gather the money and no one looked up to see who was throwing the money. Instead, desperate for some connection with people, the wealthy man began throwing stones. Now everyone looked up to see who was throwing stones at them. We do not always recognize God when God bestows His kindness on us. We often turn to God only when hardships come. The Bikkurim are designed to teach us to recognize God in the good times as well. Since October 7th, we recite Tehillim daily for the return of the hostages and victory in Israel. It is an Eit Tzarah, time of need. Yet, we cannot forget to recite Psalms of Thanksgiving (100) in appreciation for the miracles in our midst as we did Wednesday morning after hearing the news about the successful Israeli attacks on Hamas. The days leading up to Rosh Hashana provide an especially ripe (pun intended) time to renew our appreciation for our blessings and to take stock of how we can harness them for the benefit of God, the Jewish people and humanity. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and Ketivah VeChatimah Tovah and God willing more good news from Israel in the days ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
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 |
| Kabbalat Shabbat | Dovi Siderson | | Coffee & Commentary | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | Sanctuary Sermon | Rabbi Mark Wildes: Effort vs Ancestry: The Torah's Call to Strive | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Mark Wildes: Discussing his new book The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice |
- to new members
- Naomi Diamond & Jon Cohen and their children Natey, Mia, Gabby and a new baby boy!
- Jessica & Noah Kinstlinger and their children Jacob, Rachel and Eliana!
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- We are thrilled to host a joint Shabbaton this weekend with our own Stamford Jewish Experience and NYC's Manhattan Jewish Experience. We are honored to welcome Rabbi Mark & Jill Wildes, Dovi & Rivkie Siderson, Chani & Margalit Perlman and over 20 young professionals from NY!
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- to Naomi Diamond & Jon Cohen on the birth of their new son!
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- to Sarah & Noam Skolnick on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big sister Sivia!
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- to Marissa & Artem Emple on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to big brother Tevy!
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- to Gavriel & Bella Mulkanadov on the upcoming marriage of Daniel to Roberta Fazylov
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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 Barry Sternlicht for sponsoring this upcoming Tuesday's Omer Shem Tov event in memory of Mark Sternlicht
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- to the CAS Men's Club and Agudath Women (Sisterhood) for sponsoring the post-Omer Shem Tov speech dessert
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- to Alison & Nate Pava who will be hosting an Ask the Rabbi session on Shabbat afternoon with Rabbi Cohen and Rabbi Wildes
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: The Podelko family in commemoration of the yahrzeits of Marina's father, Nahum ben Moshe Sapir z"l and grandfather, Leib ben Israel Livshits z"l
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- Chapel Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Ana & Albert Lilienfeld in memory of the first yahrzeit of Beatriz Schoepper z"l, mother of Ana; and Howard Wolfe in memory of his mother, Sylvia Wolfe (Tziporah bat Shlomo Zalman) z"l on her 10th yahrzeit
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- Sephardic Kiddush: Gavriel Mullokandov in honor of the upcoming wedding of his son Daniel to Roberta Fazylov
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Tamar & Daniel Greenblum in honor of the birth of their daughter, Shir Roslyn
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- Seudah Shlishit: The Raymond Family in memory of Aaron Raymond z"l on his yahrzeit
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Selichot Saturday night, September 13th at 10:00 PM and 12:45 AM - The entire community is invited to the start of the high holiday season as we usher in the holidays with selichot. We are thrilled to welcome Yair Saperstein, who will lead a Ruach Selichot at 10 PM.
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Honors Request We are blessed to have multiple simultaneous minyanim in our building. However, this makes honors difficult as we don't know which minyan and which holiday you plan on attending. Please fill out this quick survey to let us know, so we can try to accommodate as many members as possible.
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Minyan Leaders We are blessed that in addition to our returning Chazzan Duvie Shapiro, who will be leading many of the services in the Sanctuary, many of our talented members will be volunteering to ensure a meaningful High Holidays Tefillah. Click here to view the full list
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Message from Duvie Shapiro
Shalom CAS Congregants from Jerusalem!
I'm really looking forward to joining all of you for the Yomim Noraim this year! With Hashem's help, we will have a beautiful and uplifting davening together. I'm counting on you to join me as we sing and pray to Hashem to be written in the Book Of Life! May we all be blessed with a year full of good health, happiness, parnassa beshefa, nachas from our children, and a year of truly getting closer to Hashem! And who knows, maybe next year I'll have the zechus to be the Chazzan for CAS here in Jerusalem.Shana Tova U'Metukah and a Chasiva VeChasima Tova!
Sincerely, Duvie
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Patron Member Reserved Seat Request |
| High Holiday 5786 Guest Tickets |
| | A Night of Spirit and Song - First Night of Selichot |
Saturday Night, September 13 - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday, September 14 - 6:05 AM |
| Sunday, September 14 - 9:30 AM |
| Matan Pre-Bat Mitzvah Mother/Daughter Class |
Sunday, September 14 - 9:30 AM |
| Sunday, September 14 - 10:30 AM |
| Agudath Sholom Kesher (ASK) |
Monday, September 15 - 5:45 PM |
| Reboot Your Soul 3-week Holiday Series |
Tuesday, September 16 - 8:15 AM |
| A Night of Faith & Inspiration with Rescued Hostage Omer Shem Tov |
Tuesday, September 16 - 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday, September 17 - 10:30 AM |
| The Structure of the Year: Jewish Law and the High Holidays |
Thursday, September 18 - 12:00 PM |
| CAS High Holiday 5786 Schedule |
| Pre High Holiday Spiritual Consultation with Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
| Sunday, September 28 - 10:00 AM |
| The Heavens Declare The Glory of God Meditative Walk |
Sunday, September 28 - 10:30 AM |
| Schoke JFS Cereal & Oatmeal Drive |
| CAS Youth Sukkah Decorating |
Sunday, October 5 - 10:00 AM |
| | Sukkot Guys Night Out Craft Beer Tasting & Chinese Dinner |
Thursday, October 9 - 8:00 PM |
| Shabbat, October 11 - 1:00 PM |
| Tuesday, October 21 - 1:00 PM |
| Man Up Pre-Bar Mitzvah Father/Son Class |
Sunday, October 26 - 9:15 AM |
| Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships |
| Mens Adult Learning Trip (MALT) 2025 |
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Mezuzah Checking, Tefillin Maintenance, Mezuzah Klafs for Purchase Sunday, September 14 10 am - 2 pm in the CAS lobby with Rabbi Yirmiyahu Moldovan, Sofer STaM (Ritual Scribe). 1) Mezuzot are vulnerable to moisture and heat, and ink can crack over time. Best practice is to check mezuzot twice every seven years to ensure they remain kosher. Fee is $15 per Mezuzah checked.2) The sofer can also do minor touch-ups on tefillin straps and tefillin boxes (note: the sofer will not be checking tefillin).3) Mezuzah klafs available for purchase.For more info, please reach out to Rabbi Cohen or Rabbi Roberts. |
- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- Give one bracha to the Jewish people (u'vareich et amcha et Yisrael).
- What is something you can explain very well (baeir heiteiv)?
- What is something you recently were able to understand (v'lo natan Hashem lachem leiv l'daas v'einayim lirot v'oznayim lishmoa ad hayom hazeh)?
- Would You Rather - Be able to explain what you already know very well but difficulty learning new things or difficulty explaining what you already know but the ability to understand new things easily (baeir heitev)?
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- A Message from Rabbi Cohen about his Judaism in the 21st Century Podcast We just reached our two year anniversary and the 100th episode, thank God! Our intricate world presents intertwined challenges, from tech to politics. In the US, religion's role is subtly changing, influenced largely by the "the hubris of the present-day". Yet, civilizations before us offer insights, untainted by our world. This podcast reimagines current matters using historical perspectives. Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr. Steven Labkoff explore modern life, guided by Jewish sages' insights. Check out the episodes.
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- New Torah Opportunity - CAS Daily Learning Initiative to Ignite Your Life Consider the daily study of Chayenu - daily Parsha, Tanya and Tehillim! A generous sponsor offered to subsidize subscriptions. For more info, visit https://chayenu.org. If you would like to join, please email Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org. Testimonial - It changed my life! Agudath Sholom member Josh Goldberg
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- Save the Date! The History of the American Yiddush Theater Nov. 6 at 7 pm at Temple Beth El. A musical overview with Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene. More details to come.
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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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- Sunrise Service at Cummings Park (464 Shippan Ave) Sunday: 6:05 AM
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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: 6:45 PM; Friday: 6:42 PM
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- Selichot Sunday, September 14th - Tuesday, September 22nd: 10:00 PM - Evening Selichot and 6:00 AM - Morning Selichot followed by 6:30 AM Shacharit
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 6:37 PM
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
- Anat bat Rachel
- Moshe Yosef ben Sarah
- Raanan Noach ben Slova
- Chaim ben Leah
- Yosef Ishai ben Miriam
- Yocheved Rochel bat Chava Kayla
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
- Rema bat Etta
- Yitzchak ben Shmuel v. Chaya
- 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
- חיים זאב ben לאה
- Adeline bat Bat Chava
- Moisha Gedalia
- Nechemiah
- Dorit bat Ora
- Yospa bat Shana Menucha
- Michal bat Chana
- Rachel Leah bat bat Sara
- Mary
- Yosef Noach ben Dina
- Uriel ben Vered
| - 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
- Dov ben Pnina
- Nehama Miriam bat Dvora
- Hersh Zalman ben Sorah Rochel
- 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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- The Israel Cancer Research Fund CT Chapter's "Evening of Hope" Gala, Sunday, September 14th at Temple Beth El, Stamford, 5:30 pm. Honoring former Stamford Mayor David Martin –Tower of Hope honoree for his support of cancer research; Burt Rubin, MD medical honoree of Greenwich/Stamford. Speaker: Shaya Speter, grateful father of a thriving childhood cancer survivor. Gala co-chair: Roz Mangot. Register/Donate: www.icrfonline.org/events/an-evening-of-hope-2025/ Or, mail to: ICRF 52 Vanderbilt Ave. Suite 1410, NY, NY 10017. Questions: David.Kweskin@ICRFonline.org 203 981-1134
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- UJF Lion of Judah Gathering Thursday, September 18th at 6:00 pm. Join UJF for an exclusive evening dedicated to Lion of Judah supporters—women making a difference in our community through gifts (individual or family) of $5,000 or more. The evening will include dinner, great company and a special gift designed by Freida Rothman for each attendee. The event will take place at a private residence. The cost is $50 per person. For more information, please contact Diane Sloyer at dianesloyer@ujf.org. Visit www.ujf.org/Lion to register
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- SAVE THE DATE: October 7th Commemoration Sunday, October 5th at 7:00 pm. Join as a community in commemorating the tragic events of October 7, 2023. The commemoration will take place on Sunday, October 5, at 7:00 pm at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford. This year's commemoration features Micha Bitton, a pioneer in the ethnic-rock genre of Israeli music. Micha's mesmerizing concert "From Sderot to Jerusalem" uses anecdotes and song to tell the famous story of his childhood as a refugee. There is no charge, but registration is required. To register, visit www.ujf.org/oct7
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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. Aaron's place is run by volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering for 1-2 hours a month, email ronsichel@aol.com. For more information about Aaron's Place visit www. UJF/org/aaronsplace.
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