Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Vayeshev Mevarchim Chodesh Tevet December 13, 2025 23 Kislev send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Candle Lighting 4:07 PM Mincha 4:12 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Coffee & Commentary 8:40 AM Latest Shema 8:45 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:46 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Family Minyan 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Early Mincha 12:20 PM Code Of Jewish Law 3:15 PM Mincha 4:05 PM Havdalah 5:08 PM Shabbat Shalom Torah is Life- The Message of the Dreidel How much are we willing to risk to study Torah? Would we risk imprisonment or G-d forbid our lives? The question seems outlandish given our freedom today but one worth pondering in light of the upcoming holiday of Chanukah. Thousands of years ago, the Syrian Greeks attempted to extinguish the fire of Torah from our nation. They forbade observance of Shabbat, circumcision, the establishment of the new month and Torah study. The Greeks understood that a Jew without Judaism cannot survive. Yet, the Jews risked their lives to study Torah. Jewish children would gather secretly to learn, and if Greek soldiers approached, they would quickly hide their scrolls and pull out a dreidel so it looked like they were simply playing a game. Thus, the dreidel became a symbol of: Jewish courage and spiritual resistance and the determination to learn Torah against all odds Throughout history, whether in the times of Rabbi Akiva, the Shoah, or the former Soviet Union, we have demonstrated an unyielding devotion to the primacy of Torah. It is Torah that inspires, educates and fuels our future. Today, with our freedom, how can we not find time for daily Torah study? In this spirit, I want to offer thanks and a challenge. First, Yasher Koach to the participants in this year's MALT trip, Rabbi David Katz and Rabbi Kenneth Brandner of Ohr Torah Stone https://ots.org.il/ and Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein for his leadership. It was an extraordinary few days of learning and living Torah in Israel. While we were in Israel, Diane and I met with Atara Eis, Director of Nishmat, a premier institution of women's Torah learning worldwide. Atara will be visiting Agudath Sholom on Sunday evening, Jan 11th to teach Torah. In the spirit of women's learning, we hope to launch WALT - Women's Adult Learning Torah in 2026. If you have an interest please contact Diane or me. Second, as we approach Chanukah, consider committing to a daily regimen of Torah study. We have a sacred obligation to engage in learning every day. Consider a selection from Ethics of our Fathers, an aliyah a day or one Halacha a day. We are also offering people the opportunity to join Chayenu, https://chayenu.org/ daily Torah study. If you would like to sign up, please be in touch this week. Here are some additional resources: ou.org chabad.org aish.com Living the Torah Moment Join us this Sunday for a Yom Iyun with Rabbi Kalman Laufer at 9:15 AM. Rabbi Kalman Laufer is Director of the Master's Program in Medical Halacha at Yeshiva University and Dayan at the Beth Din of America. He will speak on Chanukah - The Antithesis of the Post-Modern World at 9:30 AM and Chanukah Vacation or Staycation? at 10:15 AM We are blessed with the freedom to learn every day. As we celebrate Chanukah, let us celebrate not only through gifts but with a renewed appreciation to the primacy and vitality of Torah in our lives. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah! Rabbi Daniel Cohen Please Support the Mayim Mikvah League  Please take a moment to consider making an investment in the future of our beautiful and vital Minnie Manger Marcia Lieberman Mikvah. We are blessed to be the physical home of the Mikvah, which is vital for the eternal rhythm of Jewish life. Whether a regular user or not, we have all been touched by its impact. As our community grows and as we approach the end of the secular year and the holiday of Chanukah, there is no better time to re-dedicate ourselves by making a donation to our Mayim Mikvah fund, which sustains the Mikvah annually. Thank you so much for your support. Am Yisrael Chai! May we share good news in the days ahead and witness the full light of Chanukah and redemption speedily and in our days. With appreciation, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Shabbat Topics & Participants Ruach Kabbalat Shabbat Eitan Isser Coffee & Commentary Rabbi Daniel Cohen Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Rabbi Bob Abrams Shiur Rabbi Yossi Kamman: Chanukah - The Battle for Jewish Identity Musaf Ethan Miller Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudah Shlishit Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Yaakov's Love for Yosef and The Relevance of Chanukah Mazal Tov to Ethan Miller on his Bar Mitzvah! to Shira Marder & Jason Saibel on the birth of a baby girl, דבורה נילי / Charlotte Devon! Mazal Tov to big brothers Noah, Aiden and Micah! to Danielle and Steven Thau on the engagement of their daughter, Micaela to Moed Milner, son of Joshua Milner and Aliza Sperling of Jerusalem! to the BCHA Girls Volleyball Team for their 3rd place finish in the AJA volleyball tournament/shabbaton in Atlanta. Congratulations to team members Victoria Angel, Hannah Bahar, Layla Bahar, Diana Bildner, Hannah Haron, Issey Liebskind, Tamar Links, Leah Pollack and Coach Darren Bahar 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: The Abrams Family in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Marjory's father, Martin Edelston z"l Chapel Kiddush: Richard Schwartz to celebrate 20 years in our vibrant community and to commemorate the Yahrzeits of four luminaries within 30 days: Grandfather Rav Moshe Kalonymus Skinder z"l, mother Helen Judith z"l, father Dr. Saul Alvin z"l and brother Dr. Gabe z"l Sephardic Kiddush: Rosa & Saiid Rastegar in loving memory of Saiid's mother, Parvin Salem Rastegar z"l, Leah Salem bat Ozra Sanctuary Kiddush: Leah & Greg Miller in celebration of Ethan's Bar Mitzvah Seudah Shlishit: Ari & Andrea Lefkovits in honor of Andrea's birthday Sign Up for these Events sign up Parent-Child Learning Shabbat, December 13 - 6:15 PM Learn more One Shabbat One CommUNITY Shabbat, December 13 - 6:30 PM sign up Chanukah Yom Iyun with Rabbi Kalman Laufer Sunday, December 14 - 9:15 AM sign up New and Prospective Member Bagel Brunch Sunday, December 14 - 11:30 AM sign up Parenting With Purpose Tuesday, December 16 - 1:00 PM sign up Rabbi David Walk Virtual Presentation - Culture Clash: Chanukah Thursday, December 18 - 12:00 PM sign up Mitzvah Day at Grade A Sunday, December 21 - 10:00 AM sign up CAS Youth Chanukah Celebration Sunday, December 21 - 11:00 AM sign up Family Friday Night Dinner Friday, January 9 - 5:45 PM Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships Upcoming Events Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Wednesday, December 17 - 12:00 PM You are invited to our Hanukkah Roundtable as we join together to spread the miracle, joy and light of this special festival. We will be reading a Piyyut (medieval jewish liturgical poem) entitled Shene Zetim (Two Olive Branches) written by Solomon Ibn Gabirol (1021-1058). Its main theme is the Separation of Powers, which is also a very modern and current concept. No preparation needed and your insights are encouraged. Lunch catered from Restaurant 613 along with Holiday delectables. If you have any questions or plan to attend in person, please let me know at rj@richardjschwartz.com. Zoom meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 Mens Club Pacific House Meal Thursday, December 25 - 9:00 AM The CAS Men's Club will cook and prepare a meal for the residents at the Pacific House. We are looking for kosher food donations - consisting of sweet potatoes, string beans, potatoes, salad items (lettuce, peppers, tomatoes). We will prepare the meal from 9-11:15 am and deliver to the Pacific House. We also need servers beginning at 12:15 pm. If you can donate or volunteer, please contact Mitchell Bell at wizdrbel@yahoo.com or 203 722 3512. Save the Dates in January - Shabbat, Jan 9-10: Scholar in Residence Rabbi Shaul Feldman Director of Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada - Sunday, January 11th: Atara Eis Director of Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center for North American Yoatzot Halacha - Shabbat, January 30th-31st: Rabbi Yosef Lindell Chanukah Chanukah  begins this Sunday night, December 14th through the afternoon of Monday, December 22nd. For a brief summary of the laws of lighting menorah, please see the Orthodox Union's succinct guide. (This guide also includes a helpful graphic which demonstrates how to assemble your menorah and which direction to light the candles.) To learn about the laws of Chanukah, click here. Check out YU Chanukah To Go Wishing you a Chanukah Sameach! Happy Chanukah   We will light Chanukah candles at CAS every night in between Mincha and Maariv at approximately 4:30 PM. The ideal time to light at home is after 5:10 PM. If you have specific questions about lighting and the holiday, please contact Rabbi Cohen or Rabbi Roberts. We invite families  to bring their children to the lightings at Waterstone and Atria to share in the Chanukah spirit with seniors in our community! Donuts on Us! Waterstone on High Ridge, Monday, December 15th at 5:00 PM Atria Senior Living, Tuesday, December 16th at 5:00 PM CAS Announcements Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)  What's an opinion you have that a lot of people in your family would disagree with (Yosef's dreams upset his brothers)? What's an article of clothes or accessory that identifies you (Tamar asks Yehuda for identifying items as collateral)? What's a time a simple gesture with someone let to a deeper conversation or connection (Yosef's asks the Pharaoh's servants who are in jail, why they are upset and then it leads to his interpreting their dreams)? Parsha Would You Rather - be safe but everyone be worried sick about you or be in great danger but everyone thinks you are safe (Yaakov mourns Yosef even though he is alive)? Meeting our Members Project: Monthly Member Features on the Big Screen!  Thank God, our shul is growing every week! We would love to highlight families on a rotating basis on the screen in our lobby. It is a great way to connect names with faces and fuel the warmth of our shul! Our Request: Fill out this survey with a Photo and send it back to us at your convenience. We are a shul created in God's Image where we celebrate our diversity, and warmth. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful and unique shul family! For questions, contact Brad or Rabbi Cohen. Holy Habits Shabbat Shopping  Join our CAS Board of Directors, who committed unanimously to purchase one extra item when they shop each week to support the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry. When each one of us does one small act, it can truly make a difference. To learn more about the Kosher Food Pantry, visit https://www.ctjfs.org/kosher-food-pantry/. New Torah Opportunity back by Popular Demand  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 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. 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 Michael Feldstein's Latest Article  click here Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Friday: 4:15 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 4:10 PM Sunday  Chanukah: 1 Candle Monday  Chanukah: 2 Candles Tuesday  Chanukah: 3 Candles Wednesday  Chanukah: 4 Candles Thursday  Chanukah: 5 Candles Friday  Chanukah: 6 Candles CAS Classes New Learning Initiative  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 at 8 PM | BBQ MEN'S BEIT MIDRASH Every other Wednesday night! Wings and Poppers will be served.Choose between chavrusa learning on in-depth halacha from the parsha OR chassidus on the parsha with Rabbi Levi Feller, followed by a brief shiur from Rabbi Roberts and a late maariv.Reach out to Rabbi Roberts to be added to the Whatsapp group. 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 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 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 Jeremy S Yehudit S Meni N Yaniv H Rachel W Click here to add a name to this list Community Announcements 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. 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. TBE Tzedek Committee invites you to Censorship, Book Banning, and First Amendment Rights  Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 9:30 AM at Temple Beth El. Featuring Dr. Tamu Lucero, Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools and Regan Allan, Director of Education & Engagement at Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF). Doors open at 9:00 am for a light breakfast. A $10 donation is requested at the door for all adults over age 20. Middle school and high school students are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by Sunday, January 4th to tzedek@tbe.org. 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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