Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Vayera November 8, 2025 17 Cheshvan send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Candle Lighting 4:24 PM Mincha 4:29 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:24 AM Coffee & Commentary 8:40 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:28 AM Teen Minyan 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Code Of Jewish Law 3:30 PM Mincha 4:20 PM Havdalah 5:24 PM Shabbat Shalom Creating a Welcoming Community: The Values and Vision of Avraham and Sara A couple of years ago, I received an email from a couple who was visiting our community. It was very special and made me proud and grateful as it reflects the values we aspire to embody at our Shul.The note is a heartfelt reminder that each one of us is an ambassador for creating a warm environment in our second home, the Shui. "Thank you and your congregation for making my husband and I feel so welcome in Succot in your synagogue, as if we were lifelong members ourselves. The warmth you extended to us was especially felt because we were away from family and friends." Thank God, this sentiment is not unique! I share this message as a opportunity to explore the prime mitzvah at the beginning of this week's Parsha of welcoming guests into our homes. We may not always realize it but the essence of this mitzvah is not inviting only our friends, it is about reaching out to people who may not have a meal. We recently launched the Open Table Project to facilitate this ideal or joining our hospitality email list. It is about recognizing the kindness of being invited to a meal and then reciprocating and inviting people back to our home. Spending time with friends on Shabbat is a blessing and wonderful. Yet, the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim requires much more. Of all the parshiyot in the Torah, this week's parsha of VeYera serves as a reminder for the nature of this mitzvah. The first role models for Hachnasat Orchim in the Torah are Avraham and Sara. Although Abraham is in pain after having been circumcised at age 99, he and Sarah hurry to take care of travelers he sees in the distance. He does not wait to be asked to host, but he anticipates the needs of others. His raison d'tre is chesed, reaching out to others and he feels a void in his life if he cannot host people. In fact, welcoming the stranger is so important that it takes priority over a conversation with God. Avraham is in deep contemplation with God when he sees three men at a distance. He interrupts his conversation with God the master of the Universe to extend hospitality. In truth, his actions are not contradictory but a manifestation of his belief in God. His actions are recorded for posterity so that we and future generations will learn the lesson in prioritizing. It is part of our spiritual DNA. Rabbi Yisrael Salanter taught that someone else's material needs are my spiritual responsibility. Avraham and Sara's actions, proactive approach to kindness with joy, haste and care are a living Code of Jewish Law for all of us. Our warm gesture is not only about the food, but about connection. I am sure we are all familiar with stories about people whose lives were impacted forever due to the kindness of a Shabbat meal. We have all likely been the beneficiaries of such chesed as well. Hachnasat Orchim means moving outside our comfort zones. It means welcoming the stranger, people we may not know and/or who do not share our ideology. Avraham and Sara had an "Open Tent" policy. Their tent remained open on all four sides to invite strangers in, regardless of which direction they approached. Hachnasat Orchim is a reflection of our belief that every human is created in God's image. Ponder these questions: Besides food, what else are people looking for when they come to your home? How could you provide those things for them? How can I make others feel welcomed and cared for? What are some of the needs that my guests might have, and how can I provide for them? What kind of home do I want to build? Who do I want to have as the influences in my home? How can my home be a source of holiness and kindness? The Talmud teaches that welcoming guests is a higher mitzvah than prayer; that it stands on the same level as welcoming the Shechinah, God's presence, into our homes. May we all emulate the model of Avraham and Sara and embrace the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim each and every day. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing good news from Israel Rabbi Daniel Cohen Join us in honoring  our Jewish War Veterans Shabbat morning during the prayer for the United States Armed Forces. We are eternally grateful for their service to our country Shabbat Topics & Participants Coffee & Commentary Rabbi Daniel Cohen Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Shiur Sam Sroka: A Conversation Between Avraham and Halakhic Man at the Border of Gaza Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudah Shlishit Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: Lessons on How to Host--and Be Hosted Mazal Tov to Biana & Ben Lanson on Evan's Bar Mitzvah! to Miriam & Josh Sperber on the birth of a baby girl, Rose Nuria! Mazal Tov to siblings David, Elle and Aria! to Elana & Meir Weinberg on the birth of a baby boy! to Stephanie & Nathan Allen on the birth of a baby boy! to Shari Glucksman on her honor as the 2025 Mental Health Champion Award at the Pathways Annual Mental Health Gala this weekend! to Rich Vogel on his appointment by Gov. Ned Lamont as a Trustee of the University of Connecticut! 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 Yom Kippur Donors Thank You We express our profound gratitude to everyone who has contributed thus far to our Yom Kippur appeal. Whether a lot or a little, the donation from your heart is an eternal investment in our shul and makes a difference! If you have not done so already, please join them. Anonymous Andrea & Daniel Aaron Gavriel & Sarah Adler Diane Akassis Selim & Johanna Akyuz Herman & Myrna Alswanger David & Mihal Ariyeh Irina Aronson Shaun Azari Moshe & Sarah Azoulay Bradley & Aliza Baskir Albert Bensimon Dina Berger Lynn & Harvey Berman Darona & Tzvi Bernstein David Bessaleli Barry & Malka Best Manfred & Charlotte Birnbaum Herbert Bregman Howard & Joan Breslow Dina & Greg Celniker Barry & Joyce Chavkin Harry & Zoe Chiel David & Meredith Cohen Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen Ephraim & Rachel Cohen Isaac & Stella Cohen Lloyd Contract Elie Delouya Rami Dennis Mark & Margaret Diamond Ira & Deborah Feigenbaum Stuart & Rosalie Feldman Tamara Feurstein Sam Fischel Susan Fleisher Howard & Stephanie Fogel Len & Lindy Fox Maren Roccamonte & Jonathan Freedberg Rhoda & Avram Freedberg Lynne & Steven Frenkel Bach-Yen Garner Miriam Gelb Arline Gewanter Michael & Sharon Glick Shari & Allen Glucksman Joshua & Tova Goldberg Alex & Ann Goldblum Jordan Goldblum Risa & Jeffrey Goldblum Avielle Movsas & Bradley Goldstein Robert & Sandra Goldstein Gloria Green Jill & Arthur Green Tatiana Kunik & Misha Guy Amos Habib Tomas & Caryn Haendler Dan & Rachel Haron Kamal Haron Ronen Haron Yoav & Meghan Haron Tricia & Robert Hoff Andre & Elizabeth Jacobovitz Nathan & Judith Janette Monica & Eric Jankelovits David Jelen Michael & Sandra Kamen Harvey & Helene Kaminski Philip Kaminski Howard Kaplan Robert & Karen Katchko Carl & Flora Kaufman Lonnie Keene Augusta & Joel Kelman Michael Kheyfets Daniel & Tamar Kraus Lorraine & David Kweskin Ari & Andrea Lefkovits David Levine L. Andrew & Judith Levine Marla & Jason Lewis Albert & Ana Lilienfeld Danielle Heller & Judd Linden Elliot & Laura Linder Vered & Mark Links Norman & Nina Lotstein Judd & Rhonda Love Lynn & Jeffrey Lowin Shira & Steven Manheimer Dinah Miller & Seth Marlowe Jared Mehl Neil & Deborah Metviner Jacob & Janice Meyer William & Kori Meyers Gadi & Nancy Mimoun Nancy & Gadi Mimoun Joseph Mittel Philip & Jane Molstre Gavriel Mullokandov Marc & Shira Nerenberg Barbara & Ken Neuhaus Bruce Newman Doreen & Howard Nusbaum Brett & Alexandra Olsson Jonathan Osser Miriam & Gideon Pell Susan Pernick Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko Robert & Judith Raymond Elizabeth & Eli Reichner Maria & Glenn Reicin Alan & Hilary Rifkin Noel & Lenore Robin Laurie Rogoff Mindy Rogoff Ben Romy Sherri & Allen Rosenthal Mark & Nofie Rosovsky Howard & Gayle Rothman Yonnie & Sara Rubinfeld Jesse & Tali Salver Helene & Nat Samberg Aviva & Paul Schieber Ilyse & Dean Schuckman Harold & Rochelle Schwartz Richard Schwartz Rochelle & Edward Senker Sheldron & Helen Seplowitz Rahim & Sherry Shamash Rosalyn Sherman David & Judith Singer Lisa & Abraham Slen Ben-Zion & Devora Soifer Gary & Kathy Sosnovich Miriam & Joshua Sperber Amy & Sam Sroka Keith & Ayelet Steinberg Harriet Sternlicht Gene & Toby Tabachnick Bernard Teig Jonathan & Rebecca Tipermas Seth & Laura Tobin Ludmila Tuller Audrey Waldstreicher Stuart & Sandi Waldstreicher Sarah Bierman & Daniel Wallis Linda Gornitsky & Harvey Weber Harry & Barbara Webski Andrew & Maryam Wind Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg David & Elise Wolfsohn Ari & Shushannah Yasgur David & Navah Zizmor Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Monica & Eric Jankelovits in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Eric's father, Arye Jankelovits/Dovid Aryeh Ben Yitzchak Isaac z"l 7AM Kiddush (11/1): David Bessaleli in memory of his beloved wife Janet z"l Chapel Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Dina Berger in commemoration of the yahrzeit of her mother, Florence Sternbach z"l (Frima bat Eliezer and Sarah); and Jodi & Richard Boxer in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Jodi's father, Leo Zuckerberg z"l (Lev Ben Dov) Sephardic Kiddush: The Hanna Family in honor of Joe Hanna and Michelle Ickowics' upcoming wedding Sanctuary Kiddush: Biana & Ben Lanson in celebration of Evan's Bar Mitzvah Teen Kiddush: Rachel & Dan Haron in honor of Gabriel and Hannah's birthdays Seudah Shlishit: Jaffa & Pinchas Gross in memory of their beloved parents, Shalom & Beila Gross and Moshe & Amalia Hanit Paid Advertisement Sign Up for these Events sign up Mitzvah Day at Grade A Sunday, November 9 - 10:00 AM sign up A Fireside Chat - I Wont Let The Nazis Kill My Heritage Monday, November 10 - 7:45 PM sign up 55+ Club Dinner and Show Thursday, November 13 - 6:30 PM sign up Young Couples Smores Social Saturday Night, November 15 - 8:00 PM sign up Russ Roberts: The Economics of Outrage Sunday, November 16 - 7:30 PM sign up Parenting With Purpose Tuesday, November 18 - 1:00 PM Learn more CAS Mens Club Whiskey and Chocolate Tasting Thursday, November 20 - 7:30 PM sign up Gods of the Nile, Kings of Judah museum tour Sunday, November 23 - 2:45 PM Learn more Mens Adult Learning Trip (MALT) 2025 Sunday, November 30 sign up CAS Youth Chesed Fair Sunday, December 7 - 10:30 AM Learn more One Shabbat One CommUNITY Shabbat, December 13 - 6:30 PM sign up New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch Sunday, December 14 - 11:30 AM Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships Upcoming Events CSS and Halacha - Virtual Shiur Tuesday, November 11 - 9:00 PM Join Rabbi Nissan Clark hosted by Rabbi Cohen for a virtual 30 minute shiur on the Halachic considerations on Shabbat for CSS Volunteers. RSVP to Rabbi Cohen at rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Sunday, November 16 - 10:30 AM Please join the conversation in person as we continue our deep dive into the Biblically inspired verse of the Russian and Soviet poet Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966) who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature twice. Bagels, nova, Starbucks, Beldotti gladly hosted. If you plan to sit at the Roundtable or have any questions please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 CAS Youth News Parent–Child Learning kicks off Motzei Shabbat, December 6th at CAS!  Get ready for inspiring learning, yummy food and great energy! Details TBA! CAS Announcements Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)  Who is someone who has been an angel in your life (Avraham meets angels who appear as people)? What's your least/most favorite city (Sodom and Amorah were very bad cities)? What's a meaningful experience you shared with a parent (Akeidat Yitzchak)? Would You Rather - be Avraham or Yitzchak in the Akeidat Yitzchak story? 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 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. CAS Men's Club - EMS First Responders Thanksgiving Day We are looking for contributions or donations to buy the Turkey Dinner for the EMS Responders. We will server kosher Turkey, vegetables (Sweet Potato, Beans, Broccoli), Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce and dessert. Can you contribute or help prepare or show up to deliver the food? Starting 9am we will cook the dinner together. At approx. 11:15-30 we will deliver the food to the EMS Station House - 684 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT. Contact Mitchell Bell if you are interested (wizdrbel@yahoo.com) 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: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Tuesday: 6:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 4:20 PM; Friday: 4:22 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:17 PM Tuesday  Veterans Day 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 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 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 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 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 Click here to add a name to this list We Honor Our Military 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 Meir D Jeremy S Yehudit S Meni N Yaniv H Rachel W Click here to add a name to this list Community Announcements 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. Tickets on sale now - BCHA Players: Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective  November 4 at 3:00pm,   Thursday, November 6 at 7:00pm, Sunday, November 9 at 3:00pm. In addition to a host of colorful fairy tale characters like you've never seen them before, this Film Noir-style mystery boasts plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs for junior detectives and their grown-ups. Suitable for all ages, but parents know what works best for their children's attention spans. Running time is approximately 70 minutes plus one 15 minute intermission. $10 per ticket -  https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bcha 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/ 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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