| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Vayetzei | | November 29, 2025 | 9 Kislev |
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| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 4:09 PM | | Mincha | 4:14 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:37 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:39 AM | | Bob's Basics | 10:00 AM | | Family Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 3:15 PM | | Mincha | 4:05 PM | | Havdalah | 5:09 PM |
"God Is in This Place—and I Did Not Know" We all experience moments when we suddenly feel God's presence. Most often this occurs when events do not transpire as planned only to realize later on that God was there all along. Sometimes God emerges when we simply pause and marvel at the miracle in front of our eyes. These moments rarely come with fanfare. They appear in the quiet, the ordinary, the spaces we rush through on our way to somewhere else. Yaakov Avinu's great vision on his way to Charan is such a moment. Fleeing from his brother, exhausted, alone, he lies down in a desolate place with nothing but stones for a pillow. There, in the darkness, he sees a ladder rooted on earth reaching toward heaven—angels ascending and descending—and hears God promise him protection and destiny. Yet perhaps the most striking line comes the next morning. Yaakov awakens and declares: "Achen yesh Hashem ba-makom hazeh v'anochi lo yadati" — "Surely God was in this place, and I did not know." The revelation is not only about what he saw in the dream but about what he missed before it. God's presence had been there all along. The miracle was not that God arrived—it was that Yaakov finally opened his eyes. This is one of Torah's most powerful spiritual truths: Hashem's presence does not suddenly enter our lives; we become aware of what was always there. Holiness is not only found in rare, dramatic encounters but in the everyday moments we too often treat as insignificant. Yaakov teaches that the distance between "God is here" and "I did not know" is the distance between living life asleep and living life awake. In the words of Rabbi Ithamar Schwartz, we need a personal Techiyat Hametim, revival of the dead, every moment of every day. Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlap, disciple of Rav Avraham Kook, writes that the essence of holiness is not escaping life but awakening to the sanctity within life. Even in pain or pressure, we can learn to see beyond ourselves and awaken to the Divine possibilities right in front of our eyes. Avraham, in the depths of grief, still bows to honor the people of Cheit. Yaakov, alone and vulnerable, discovers that he is nevertheless surrounded by God's presence and by the possibility of transcendence. This message resonates powerfully on Thanksgiving weekend. Gratitude is, at its core, the art of noticing—of realizing that blessings surround us even when we have rushed past them. Thanksgiving is our national reminder to pause, like Yaakov did, and say: "God was in this place, and I did not know." Yaakov revelation calls on us to look more often and closely at the gifts that were always present: the people who lift us up, the small acts of kindness that sustain us, the quiet miracles woven into daily life. Thanksgiving weekend is perfect time to train our eyes to see the ordinary—our families, our homes, our meals—as ladders between heaven and earth. Yaakov marks the spot of his awakening with a stone, transforming an ordinary field into a place of memory and mission. So must we. These moments of awakening are personal monuments to instill within us an intuitive perspective to see sparks of Godliness present in every moment. God willing, we will slow down, pay attention, and live with an awakened heart, recognizing that every day can be Thanksgiving when we open our eyes to God's constant presence and blessing. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, happy Thanksgiving weekend and God willing good news from Israel in the weeks ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Shiur | Rabbi Dr. Jeff Cahn: M'dor L'dor L'dor-Is There an Obligation to Teach Grandchildren? | | Sanctuary Sermon | Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: Minimalists, Hoarders, and Our Relationship to...Stuff | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Aryeh Roberts |
- to Alison & Nate Pava on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to siblings Leah and Eliot!
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- to Hilary & Ari Goldstein on the birth of a baby boy, Barry Lev! Mazal Tov to siblings Ezra, Noah, Hailey, Ava and Liam!
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- to Elisheva & Zach Janof on the birth of a baby boy, Asher Joseph! Mazal Tov to big sisters Emma and Daisy!
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- to Liba & Steve Steinmetz on the arrival of a grandson, born to Jennifer & Ronen Weinstein in Israel! Mazal Tov to Aunt Eve, Uncle Phil, great Uncle Stephen Block and the entire Steinmetz family!
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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 Susan Mark on the passing of her sister, Pearl Schmutter z"l (P'ninah bat Shlomo Zalman v' Chava)
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- to Mitchell Bell for leading the Thanksgiving Day Meal for Stamford EMS. Thank you to volunteers Leora Bell; Levi, Mason, Noa and Ella Dulitz; Aaron Goldenberg; Elie and Millie Herman; Jake Meyer; Laurie Rogoff; Yonnie & Sara, Abby and Benny Rubinfeld; and Barbara & Harry Webski!
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- Senior Challah: The Abrams Family in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Marjory's father, Martin Edelston z"l
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- 7AM Kiddush: Pam & Alan Shanker
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- Chapel Kiddush: Matt Greenberg in memory of his parents, Harry & Sheila Greenberg z"l
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- Sanctuary Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit: Co-sponsored by Biana & Ben Lanson in memory of Marilyn Spirt z"l; Lynn & Jeff Lowin in memory of David Rothfeld z"l and Murray Lowin z"l; Alison & Nate Pava in gratitude to Hashem for the birth of a son; Rachel Seligson in memory of Richie Seligson z"l; and Barbara & Harry Webski in memory of Estelle Kirschner z"l and Philip Webski z"l
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Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider: A Global Thanksgiving - Rav Kooks World Vision |
Sunday, November 30 - 9:15 AM |
| Shabbat, December 6 - 5:53 PM |
| Sunday, December 7 - 10:30 AM |
| The Power of Chassidic Melody: A 19th of Kislev Experience |
Monday, December 8 - 7:45 PM |
| Tuesday, December 9 - 8:00 PM |
| Stamford Jewish Experience Transcending Darkness-Increasing Light |
Wednesday, December 10 - 8:00 PM |
| One Shabbat One CommUNITY |
Shabbat, December 13 - 6:30 PM |
| Chanukah Yom Iyun with Rabbi Kalman Laufer |
Sunday, December 14 - 9:15 AM |
| New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch |
Sunday, December 14 - 11:30 AM |
| Family Friday Night Dinner |
Friday, December 19 - 5:45 PM |
| CAS Youth Chanukah Celebration |
Sunday, December 21 - 11:00 AM |
| Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships |
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What's a place you've left that you miss or would like to revisit (Yaakov leaves Be'er Sheva)?
- What's something that subverted your expectations (Yaakov gets up and realizes he married Leah)?
- What is something you chased after (Lavan chases after Yaakov)?
- Parsha Would You Rather - sleep on the ground and have amazing dreams or sleep in a bed and have bad dreams/nightmares (Yaakov has an incredible dream of angles on the ladder while sleeping on the ground)?
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- Making A Good Marriage Great: Shalom Bayit Young Couples Chavura with Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen. Starts Winter 2026 - Rabbi Daniel and Diane Cohen will lead a three month series on strengthening marriage, deepening relationships and growing in romance and love. The series will be hosted at private homes. To learn more and/or be hosts, contact Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org
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- Support our Local Kosher Establishments Thank God we have a growing number of Kosher establishments in Stamford. Navaratna is currently closed for renovations, but please make an extra effort to support 613, Ricotta, L'Chaim and Greenwich & Delancey.
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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: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 4:10 PM; Friday: 4:12 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 4:07 PM
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
- Yaffa bat Hanna
- 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
| - יוֹסֵף ben בתיה
- Chana Leah bat Esther
- Nadav Ephraim ben Shlomit Leah
- Rafael Zvi ben Chana Pearl
- Evgeny ben Perl
- Ariella Maor bat Liba Chaya
- Leah bat Rivka
- חיים זאב ben לאה
- Adeline bat Chava
- Moisha Gedalia
- Nechemiah
- Dorit bat Ora
- Yospa bat Shana Menucha
- Michal bat Chana
- Rachel Leah 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
- Yehouda ben Aghdas
- 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
- Yoad A
- Harry B
- CZM
- JEM
| - AMM
- Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
| - Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- UJF's Shulchan Ivrit (Hebrew Table) Weekly beginning Wednesday, Oct. 22. Looking to brush up or learn new words in Hebrew? Join UJF and Stamford JCC for opportunities to connect and speak Hebrew for an hour of casual conversation! Visit: http://bit.ly/3I1koQu to register. For more details contact UJF community shlicha Eden at Eden@ujf.org.
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- Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 70th Anniversary - An Evening with Alex Edelman Tony & Emmy Award Winner Sunday, December 7th, 2025 Doors Open at 5:00 PM for VIP Ticket Holders and Sponsors, Doors Open at 6:00 PM for All Ticket Holders 7:00 PM Show Starts Promptly (Doors Close). The Performing, Arts Theatre at SUNY Purchase, PepsiCo Theatre, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY 10577 - Purchase tickets at https://comedy.bcha-ct.org/
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- UJF Big Give Call Nights Continues Monday, December 1st, 6:00 pm Help UJF in calling friends and neighbors to share the important work of Federation and giving them the opportunity to strengthen the community in these challenging times. Training will be provided. Dates of call nights: Monday, December 1, 6 -8 pm and Tuesday, December 16, 6-8 pm
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- UJF Warm Hearts, Warm Hands Thursday, December 11th at 7:00 pmWe invite young adults in their 20's and 30's to an evening of packing Winter Care Bags for children in need! Enjoy light snacks, music, and good company — while doing a mitzvah together! Participation in the packing event is free, but if you're able to donate to help us cover the cost of the bags, it would be greatly appreciated. Every $10 sponsors one complete Winter Care Bag! Visit www.ujf.org/warmhands to register or donate.
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- UJF Young Adults Celebrate One Shabbat, One Community Friday, December 12th at 6:30 pm Celebrate Shabbat with other Jewish 20's and 30's, part of UJF's One Shabbat, One Community experience! Join our community shlicha Eden, for an evening of good food, conversation, and connection. Location will be provided following registration. To RSVP, email Eden@ujf.org.
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- Menorah Candle Lighting with Mayor Caroline Simmons Tuesday, December16th, 4:45pm Join UJF, Temple Beth El, and Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons in sharing the tradition of lighting the Chanukah candles. Come sing Chanukah songs and enjoy sweet treats! The candle lighting will take place at the Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd.
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- UJF Chanukah Ice Skating Night Thursday, December 18th at 7:00 pmUJF and Mem Global invite those in their 20's and 30's for a Chanukah Ice Skating Night! We'll light the menorah together, celebrating the 5th night of Chanukah, with unlimited hot chocolate, treats, and cozy seating areas. Then, lace up your skates and hit the ice! Skates provided. Visit www.ujf.org/chanukah to register.
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- Aaron's Place - A Kosher Comfort Room 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 relax and refresh. Information is available at the hospital front desk, The code, in Hebrew letters, is on the door of the room. Volunteers Needed! To volunteer, please email ronsichel@aol.com
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bulletin@cas-stamford.org