Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Vaera Mevarchim Chodesh January 25, 2025 25 Tevet 5785 send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Candle Lighting 4:43 PM Mincha 4:48 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Latest Shema 8:56 AM Latest Shacharit 10:00 AM Family Minyan 10:00 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Code Of Jewish Law 3:50 PM Mincha 4:40 PM Havdalah 5:45 PM Shabbat Shalom We are all familiar with the four languages of redemption stated at the beginning of the Parsha of Va'era. God informs Moshe, "Say to the Israelite people: I am the LORD. I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements. (7) And I will take you to be My people," (Exodus 6:6-7) What is the relevance to our lives of the story and in particular the first expression of redemption? We are free. In truth, we may not always exercise our freedom. We are creatures of habit. Yes, we may be free physically, but enslaved to other things. For instance, a truly free person is one who controls time and uses it wisely. We all can improve in this area. Most of us realize that we can all find ways to spend less screen time and more soulful time. We can leave our phones off during a meal and not feel tethered to check every alert. It is hard. It is hard to break free from habits. When we are used to a lifestyle, we begin to lose sight of a better life and version of ourselves. The first step toward personal redemption is believing that we can do it. The Sfas Emes explains that this is the first step towards spiritual freedom. Sivlot (Chapter 6:6) does not only mean suffering of Egypt but Savlanut - patience. For the Jewish people to break free from the slave mentality, they needed to no longer assume that they were destined to always be slaves but could aspire and live freely in the service of God. This is the first step for all of us - breaking free from assumptions that we can never grow and our lives cannot be better. Growing up, I became a fan of the legendary motivational speaker Zig Ziglar and always remembered this metaphor for life. In this short video, he uses the example of training fleas to teach you how to break out of your old comfort zone and enjoy a new level of success. God willing, we will harness the power of our souls to break free from bad habits and aspire and live lives to our highest potential. Wishing your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing good news from Israel, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Shabbat Information  Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Va'eira with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here.  The Haftarah is read from Yechezkel 28:25-29:21 Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here. Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here. We bless the month of Shevat; The Molad will be Wednesday Jan. 29th, 6:17 AM and 17 chalokim. Rosh Chodesh is Wednesday evening through Thursday 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 is an impressive trick or talent you have (Moshe turns his snake into a stick)? What is the scariest encounter you have had with an animal (plague of wild animals)? What is a message you feel you have received from Hashem many times (Hashem sends Pharaoh many messages over and over to let the Jews go)? Parsha Would You Rather? Would you rather live in a time of miracles or in a time with just the natural order (all of the miraculous plagues)? 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" 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. 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! Shabbat Topics & Participants Bob's Basics Rabbi Bob Abrams Shiur Rabbi Yossi Kamman Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudah Shlishit Rabbi Moshe Kurtz Welcome We are thrilled to welcome Yedidya Harush this Shabbat in partnership with JNF - USA. Yedidya, Jewish National Fund's (JNF-USA's) Liaison for Negev Community Development, pioneered the creation of a thriving community on the Gaza border called Halutza. He is a decorated soldier, who will be speaking following musaf on the topic "From the battle field to rebuilding the Gaza envelope." We also welcome Samara Rader, Director of Westchester and Southern Connecticut · Jewish National Fund-USA Mazal Tov to Kimmie & David Warmflash on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to siblings Maya, Liana and Noa, grandparents Doris & Ron Warmflash, great-grandmother Camille Warmflash and the entire extended Kfare/Warmflash families! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Jonathan & Maytal Lerner In honor of the 30th anniversary of Jonathan's bar mitzvah 7AM Kiddush: Steven Frenkel in honor of Mitchell Bell and his Gefilte Fish Chapel Kiddush: Ana and Albert Lilienfeld in memory of Albert's father, Jacob Lilienfeld z"l Sanctuary Kiddush: The Dayan family in honor of Yedidya Harush and with the hope that all of the hostages will be released into the arms of their families and Am Yisrael immediately Sign Up for these Events sign up Mitzvah Day at Grade A Sunday, January 26 - 10:00 AM sign up CAS Youth Glow in the Dark Havdalah Shabbat, February 1 - 6:30 PM sign up BMC Pajama Party & Movie Night Shabbat, February 1 - 8:00 PM sign up Youth Tu BShvat Seed Planting & Decorating Sunday, February 9 - 10:30 AM sign up Tot Shabbat & Mini Minyan PJ Party & Movie Night Sunday, February 9 - 4:00 PM sign up Agudath Sholom Kesher (ASK) Monday, February 10 - 5:45 PM sign up CAS Youth Presidents Day Camp Monday, February 17 - 10:00 AM Learn more Israel Teen Fellowship for 10th & 11th Graders Tuesday, February 18 sign up New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch Sunday, February 23 - 10:00 AM Learn more Jewish Heritage Trip through Italy Upcoming Events Save the Date - Shabbat with Rabbi Yaakov Faratci Shabbat, February 8 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 News Youth Group Update  In Parshat Va'era, Hashem reassures Moshe that He will fulfill His promise to the forefathers—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—by delivering Bnei Yisrael from Egyptian slavery and bringing them to the Land of Israel. Despite Moshe's initial hesitation, he and his brother Aharon confront Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. When Pharaoh refuses, Hashem unleashes the first seven of the Ten Plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Wild Animals, Pestilence, Boils, and Hail. Each plague demonstrates Hashem's supreme power and serves as a step toward the redemption of Bnei Yisrael. Reflecting on this, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l teaches, "Freedom is not a given, nor is it an absolute. We have to work for it. We acquire it slowly in stages, and we can lose it, as Pharaoh lost his." This underscores the importance of valuing and safeguarding our freedom through faith and perseverance. For fun and experiential learning, this week in groups we'll reenact the plague of Wild Animals with animal crackers! Questions for Your Shabbat Table  Why do you think Hashem brought the plagues one by one instead of all at once? How do you think Moshe felt standing up to Pharaoh, and what does this teach us about courage? Hashem made a promise to the forefathers and kept it. Can you think of a time when someone made a promise to you and kept it? Why do you think Pharaoh kept changing his mind even after seeing the plagues? If you were Moshe, what would you say to Bnei Yisrael to help them trust in Hashem's plan? CAS Announcements 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 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. 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 Check out The Jewish Link story on the Stamford Jewish Experience!  click here 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 Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM; Thursday: 6:20/7:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 4:55 PM; Friday: 4:57 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:52 PM Thursday  Rosh Chodesh Sh'vat CAS Classes Join one of our classes. Click here for up to date schedule 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 Click here to add a name to this list We Honor Our Military 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 Click here to add a name to this list Community Announcements 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 The Jewish Historical Society for Holocaust Remembrance Day is opening its archives  January 26, 27 and 29 from 11-3. All are welcome. Location: behind the State Theater at 990 Hope Street.

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