Congregation Agudath Sholom | 301 Strawberry Hill Ave | Stamford, CT 06902 (203)-358-2200 www.agudathsholom.org

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Friday, February 28, 2025

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
TerumahShabbat Shekalim
Rosh Chodesh Adar
March 1, 20251 Adar 5785
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Special Notice
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
Friday
Candle Lighting5:26 PM
Mincha5:31 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00/8:00/9:00 AM
Latest Shema8:37 AM
Sephardic Minyan8:45 AM
Melachim Class9:00 AM
Latest Shacharit9:47 AM
Family/Teen Minyan10:00 AM
Bob's Basics10:00 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Meet and Greet with Rabbi Strauss4:10 PM
Daf Yomi4:35 PM
Code Of Jewish Law4:35 PM
Mincha5:25 PM
Havdalah6:28 PM
Shabbat Shalom
Giving from the Heart

A financial prospectus generally warns that past results are no guarantee of the future. We can never be assured that an investment in a company is going to yield dividends. However, in the realm of the spiritual, God assures eternal rewards. God states in this week's Torah portion of Terumah, "Make for me a sanctuary, I will dwell in them." Notice that the object of the verse is not "it" referring to the sanctuary, but "them" signifying the people. God promises us that if we make space for Him in our lives, dedicate our talents and treasure to him, and give from the heart, he will shower us with his eternal blessings.

In this spirit, I want to thank everyone who has contributed thus far to our annual dinner paying tribute to our worthy honorees - Lorraine & David Kweskin, Aviva Maller, Maria & Glenn Reicin, and Shushannah & Ari Yasgur. We look forward, God willing, to a wonderful celebration on March 23rd!

Thank you very much to all of our chairs: Stephanie & Josh Bilenker, Helene & Harvey Kaminski, Liat Karsch and Gayle & Howard Rothman, honorary chairs; Lorraine & James Marcus and Alex & Brett Olsson, dinner chairs; and Eve Steinmetz and Nava Ulmer, journal chairs.

If you have not yet added your name to our growing list of donors, please give from the heart and make a generous investment in our future.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, happy Rosh Chodesh, the return of all hostages, displaced families to their homes and God willing much joy in the month ahead,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Update from the Assistant Rabbi Search Committee  We are excited to welcome Rabbi Jason Strauss to CAS this Shabbos. Congregants will have a chance to meet Rabbi Strauss and hear him speak multiple times during his visit. We look forward to having you get to know Rabbi Strauss and his wife Kimberly and show them what a warm, welcoming community we have here at CAS.

Rabbi Strauss' speaking times will be:
  • Friday Night between Mincha and Maariv (Mincha will be at 5:31 PM)
  • Shabbat Morning at all Minyanim
  • Sermon in the Sanctuary before Musaf - apx. 10:30 AM
  • Shabbat Afternoon Shiur at 4:40 PM: Man's Best Friend... in Shul? Judaism, Inclusion, and Guide Dogs
  • Seudah Shilshit 5:45 PM: Currency: Giving Meaning to the Half-Shekel in 2025

Security Update  This Shabbat there will be a lockdown drill for the entire building. We ask people to remain calm and quiet as they listen for instructions from CSS members.
Shabbat Information 
  • Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Terumah with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here 
  • The Haftarah is read from II Kings 11:17-12:17
  • Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here.
  • Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here.
  • This Shabbat is also the second day of Rosh Chodesh Adar. There are special additions to davening such as Ya'ale V'Yavo, Hallel and an alternative Mussaf Shemoneh Esrei - Ata Yatzarta.
  • First 6 aliyot are from the parsha; 7th aliya is Rosh Chodesh; Maftir is Parshat Shekalim (Exodus 30:11–16).
  • 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 something (an institution, cause) you have given a lot of yourself to (Hashem asks the Jewish people to give to the Mishkan)
  • What is the most beautiful house you have ever seen or been in (the mishkan is Hashem's home)?
  • What is something you love about your shul (a shul is a mikdash m'at - a small mikdash)?
Parsha Would You Rather?
  • Would you rather experience prophecy or be able to go and visit the Mishkan/Beit HaMikdash?

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"

Shabbat Topics & Participants
Melachim ClassMark Wagshul
Bob's BasicsRabbi Bob Abrams
ShiurDavid Held
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Yossi Kamman
Seudah ShlishitRabbi Jason Strauss
Welcome
  • new members Tamar & Daniel Greenblum and their daughter Ayla
  • Duvie Shapiro as our guest Chazan this Shabbat, accompanied by his brothers, Josh, Aron and Avi. He will lead Kabbalat Shabbat, Shacharit, Hallel and Musaf.
Mazal Tov
  • to Ayelet & Keith Steinberg on Nili's Bat Mitzvah this Sunday - Read about and support Nili's Bat Mitzvah project here
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
Condolences
  • to Dina Berger on the passing of her husband, Paul Berger z"l- Pinchas Shimon ben Zev v Klaraal
Thanks To Our Sponsors
  • Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith
  • Chapel Kiddush: The Michelson Family in commemoration of the first yahrzeit of their mother, Naomi Michelson and 13th yahrzeit of their father, Stanley Michelson. May their neshamas have an Aliya.
  • Sephardic Kiddush: Meredith & David Cohen on the occasion of the first yahrzeit of David's father, Shelomo ben David HaKohen z"l
  • Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Jeannie & Brian Kriftcher in memory of Noel Kriftcher z"l; Susan Fleisher in memory of Lucy & Eddie Schachter z"l
CAS Annual Dinner

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

Click here to sign up

Thanks to our participants who have signed up to date! Why not join them?

Barbara & Ron Ashkenas
Sharyn & Fred Baer
Janet & Andrew Bein
Gayle & Mitchell Bell
Karen & Ira Berk
Melody & Claude Bernstein
Melissa & Mark Bildner
Stephanie & Josh Bilenker
Rebecca & Daniel Boiarsky
Jodi & Richard Boxer
Jessie & David Brand
Mona & Mark Breiner
Sheila Cohen
Bernice & Raymond Coll
Arline Gewanter & Lloyd Contract
Emily & Zvi Dubitzky
Robin & Jason Fischel
Stephanie & Howard Fogel
Mindi Olsson & Steven Frank
Rhoda & Avram Freedberg
Lynne & Steven Frenkel
Miriam Gelb
Hilary & Ari Goldstein
Meryl & David Gordon
Jill & Arthur Green
Edyta & Bert Hagendoorn
Joel Helman
Tricia & Robert Hoff
Paulette & Lawrence Hutzler
Elizabeth & Andre Jacobovitz
Monica & Eric Jankelovits
Helene & Harvey Kaminski
Rebecca & Emilio Krausz
Lorraine & David Kweskin
Amy Kweskin
Ayala Yasgur & David Lallouz
Tamar & Jason Levine
Ana & Albert Lilienfeld
Rhonda & Judd Love
Roselyn Mangot
Lorraine & James Marcus
Susan & Len Mark
Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe
Janice & Jake Meyer
Kori & Bill Meyers
Leah & Greg Miller
Doreen & Howard Nusbaum
Shani & Gil Orbach
Alison & Nate Pava
Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko
Rachel & Solomon Redlich
Maria & Glenn Reicin
Gayle & Howard Rothman
Marlene Sandhu
Toby Schaffer
Aviva & Paul Schieber
Ilyse & Dean Schuckman
Rachel Seligson
Pam & Alan Shanker
Rosalyn Novick Sherman
Wendy & Jared Siegel
Miriam & Josh Sperber
Rebecca & Jonathan Tipermas
Nava & Eitan Ulmer
Julia & Michael Voytovich
Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher
Burton Weinstein
Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg
Shushannah & Ari Yasgur

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Sign Up for these Events
sign up
Mitzvah Day at Grade A
Sunday, March 2 - 10:00 AM
sign up
Agudath Womens Speaker Series -
Tuesday, March 4 - 2:00 PM
sign up
Shabbat Dinner with Shaina Trapedo
Friday, March 7 - 6:45 PM
Learn more
Scholar in Residence Weekend with Shaina Trapedo
Shabbat, March 8
sign up
Jr Cong Pajama Party & Movie Night
Shabbat, March 8 - 8:00 PM
sign up
Charity Basketball Tournament
Shabbat, March 8 - 8:00 PM
Learn more
Israel Teen Fellowship for 10th & 11th Graders
Sunday, March 9
sign up
CAS Youth Fundraiser - Mishloach Manot
Thursday, March 13
sign up
Purim Brunch Seudah
Friday, March 14 - 12:00 PM
Learn more
Mens Club Passover Fair
Sunday, March 16 - 10:00 AM
sign up
Mah Jong Morning
Sunday, March 16 - 10:00 AM
sign up
Stamford Jewish Experience Friday Night Dinner
Friday, March 21 - 8:15 PM
sign up
Shabbat Afternoon Dessert Social with Scholar-in-Residence Zissy Turner
Shabbat, March 22 - 3:30 PM
Sign Up
CAS Annual Dinner
Sunday, March 23 - 5:00 PM
Learn more
Jewish Heritage Trip through Italy
Upcoming Events
Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz
Wednesday, March 12 - 12:00 PM
The community is invited to join ourdiscussion. In our previous session, PART ONE of this series Pushkin Meets Isaiah From Prophet to Prophet, we parsed Chapter 6 of the Book of Isaiah. Here the prophet is called upon by God enthroned above the Holy Temple to spread a message of gloom and doom. The terrifying scene includes myriads of flaming angels, the Seraphim; the latter are chanting in unison "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is filled with His glory." In PART TWO, we will parse Alexander Pushkin's poem The Prophet which borrows images and themes from Isaiah. Pushkin (1799-1837) was an aristocrat, social activist, rebel in exile, idealist, novelist, poet, playwright and fatal duelist (shades of Alexander Hamilton). Lunch, from 613 is provided by your host. If you have any questions or plan to attend in person, please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450
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.
Purim At C A S
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.
CAS Youth News
Parsha Insights  In Parshat Terumah, the Bnei Yisrael are told to build the Mishkan, the sacred place where G-d's presence would dwell as they journey. The people are asked to bring special offerings, including gold, silver, wood, and precious stones, to contribute to this holy project. This teaches us an important lesson: giving from the heart makes something truly holy.

The Mishkan wasn't just a physical structure; it was a place where the Jewish people could feel close to Hashem, feel His love. By contributing their best, the people demonstrated their willingness to create a space for holiness in their lives. There's an old saying, "you get what you give." When we invest of ourselves in something, our hard earned money, our effort, our love, we feel super connected to it and love it even more.

This Sunday, we'll have one of our "Mitzvah Day at Grade A" events, where we descend upon Grade A supermarket to buy what's needed for those who need it (please see elsewhere in the bulletin for details). This is another chance for us to give wholeheartedly and deepen our connection to Hashem's children and by extension, Hashem.
Questions for Your Shabbat Table: 
  • Why is it important to give?
  • How do you feel about yourself when you work hard to get something, compared to when you get something as a present?
  • How do you feel toward the thing you worked hard toward?
  • Why do you think the Jewish People were so excited to contribute to the Mishkan?
  • Can you think of a cool, creative way that you can give back to your community?

CAS Announcements
  • 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
  • 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
  • Supporting our Schoke JFS - Making Mitzvah Moments 
    • Shop at Grade A this Sunday at 10 AM for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry - Click here for more info
    • Purim Matanot L'Evyonim - Contribute to the Agudath Sholom Charity Fund
    • SJFS has several different delivery volunteer opportunities. Here is one among many. 613 very generously donates meals and they are delivered to 3-6 families within Stamford. Meals go out every Thursday, with flexible timing.
Weekday Schedule
  • Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
  • Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 5:35 PM; Friday: 5:39 PM
  • Candle Lighting  Friday: 5:34 PM
CAS Classes
Join one of our classes.

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
  • 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
  • Refael Pesachya Chaim ben Golda
  • Cheryl Sheva bat Gittel Leah
  • Sossie Raizel bat Sarah Fraida
  • Eliezer Meyer ben Leah
  • Calev Natanel ben Sara
  • Yitzchak Osher ben Chana Shayva Chaya

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

Community Announcements
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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