| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Mishpatim | Shabbat Shekalim
Mevarchim Chodesh Adar | February 14, 2026 | 27 Sh"vat |
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| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 5:08 PM | | Mincha | 5:13 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Coffee & Commentary | 8:45 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 8:48 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 9:55 AM | | Teen Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 4:15 PM | | Pre-Mincha Shiur | 4:20 PM | | Mincha | 5:05 PM | | Havdalah | 6:09 PM |
Last week's parashah, Yitro, brings us to Mount Sinai—revelation, covenant, and spiritual elevation. This week's parashah, Mishpatim, interrupts that moment with something far less dramatic: civil law—damages, responsibility, financial obligations, and interpersonal conduct. That interruption is deliberate. The Torah teaches that revelation cannot remain on a mountain. If God is present only in moments of prayer and inspiration, and not in how we conduct business, resolve conflict, and treat one another when interests collide, then Sinai has not yet entered real life. The familiar question is why civil law follows revelation. The sharper question is why this law opens the entire section. The first case in Mishpatim is not about courts or property. It is the case of the eved Ivri—the Jewish servant. According to tradition, he became indentured because he stole and could not repay. The Torah limits his servitude to six years and requires his release. But it then describes a troubling possibility: the servant may refuse freedom. His ear is pierced at the doorpost, and he remains until the Jubilee. Why does the Torah introduce its vision of justice with a thief who chooses to remain a servant? The Sakhotchever Rebbe explains that the Torah is not merely introducing a legal system. It is defining the inner foundation without which justice cannot endure. At Sinai, the Jewish people were freed from slavery, but that redemption was purposeful: to become servants of God. The Exodus was not meant to replace one master with another. It was meant to restore human dignity by anchoring life in a higher moral authority. The eved Ivri embodies that tension. He has paid for his failure. He has completed his obligation. The Torah creates a moment of renewal. He can leave, rebuild, and return to society as a free and responsible person. Yet he may choose to stay. That choice is the Torah's opening lesson in how Sinai reaches daily life. Freedom is not only a gift. It is a burden. It requires initiative, responsibility, and courage. Dependence, even when limiting, can feel safer. The ear is pierced because that ear once heard at Sinai that the Jewish people ultimately belong to God. Choosing permanent servitude to another human being is therefore not merely a preference. It is a retreat from the purpose of redemption. This is why the Torah begins all civil law here. A just society cannot be built only on rules. It depends on people with inner freedom—people who act not from convenience or pressure, but from responsibility to something higher. Before teaching how courts function or how losses are repaid, the Torah asks whether human beings know who they ultimately answer to. When God stands at the center of life, civil law becomes more than social order. Paying workers on time, returning what was lost, and refusing to exploit another's vulnerability become expressions of covenant. It is also significant that the Torah opens with someone who failed. The eved Ivri is a thief. Justice begins with real people who must repair what they have broken. But the Torah also insists that failure does not define destiny. Comfort can. By beginning the laws of society with the servant who refuses to go free, the Torah teaches that the greatest obstacle to a just world is not only wrongdoing. It is the quiet surrender of human potential. Revelation must reshape human choice. And that reshaping begins with one decision: whether we are willing to live as truly free people. Wishing you and your family a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Missing Tallis: white on white with a silver atarah of 3 rows and a non-slip material square. If you see the tallis or mistakenly brought it home, please return to the office.
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| CAS ANNUAL DINNER
March 15, 5pm Lives That Uplift. Impact That Endures. Celebrate our honorees for their Dedication and commitment to our community...
Guests of Honor
Irwin Niedober and Howard Weiss
Young Leadership Award
Alex & Brett Olsson
Community Service Award
Mitchell Bell
Chai Award
Audrey Waldstreicher | | Thanks to our participants who have signed up to date! Why not join them? | David Bessaleli
Charlotte & Manfred Birnbaum
Joanne Waldstreicher & Sol Cohane
Elior & David Coleman
Dena & Avishai Don
Deborah & Ira Feigenbaum
Sharon & Michael Feldstein
Rhoda & Avram Freedberg
Josh Getman
Sharon & Scott Glass
M.J. Gluck
Jill & Arthur Green
Andrea & Scott Gruber
Meghan & Yoav Haron
Tricia & Robert Hoff
Helene & Harvey Kaminski
Lonnie Keene
Susan & George Klein
Rebecca & Emilio Krausz
The Lapin Family | Tamar & Jason Levine
Gail & Robert Loonin
Susan & Leonard Mark
Hannah & Harlan Pittell
Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko
Toby Schaffer
Aviva & Paul Schieber
Rochelle & Edward Senker
Rosalyn Mae Sherman
The Shmidman Family
Kathryn & Gary Sosnovich
Miriam & Josh Sperber
Rachel & Harold Terk
Audrey Waldstreicher
Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher
The Waldstreicher Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren
Elise & David Wolfsohn
The Yuan Family
Judy Zander
Hillary & Robert Zitter |
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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Friday Night Dvar Torah | Tzivia Major: Beneath the Burdens - Lessons from our Enemy's Donkey | | Kabbalat Shabbat | Jake Sigman | | Coffee & Commentary | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | Shiur | Estee Benoliel: Midvar Sheker Tirchak - Does the Torah Ever Permit Lying? | | Pre-Mincha Shiur | Tzivia Major: Table Salt - A Pinch of Protection | | Musaf | Aaron Berk | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Seudah Shlishit | Tzivia Major: Parshat Shekalim - Unity without Uniformity |
- GPATS scholars Estee Benoliel and Tzivia Major!The Graduate Program in Advanced Talmud/Tanach Studies (GPATS) is a two-year master's program, where the women are given the opportunity to study at an advanced level furthering their growth in Torah knowledge and skills.
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- new members Miri Lieber & Jonathan Weiner and Arkady Feldman!
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- to Lele & Rabbi Aryeh Roberts on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big sister Liora!
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- to Jessica & Eli Niedober on the birth of a baby girl! Mazal Tov to grandfather Irwin Niedober, grandmother Jean Niedober and siblings Ariella, Kayla, Ilana and Avri!
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- to Hannah & Harlan Pittel on the birth of a baby boy - Robyn Isaac/Refael Isaac! Mazal Tov to big sister Rosie!
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- to Kori & Bill Meyers on the arrival of a grandson - Tzvi David, Daniel Harris - born to Devorah & Michael Rudin!
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- to Bruce & Rose z"l Newman on the arrival of a grandson - Eitan Shlomo, born to Becca & Zev Newman!
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- to Dr. Judy & Rabbi Dr. Jeff Cahn on the forthcoming marriage of their granddaughter Esther Gropper to Dovi Lowenthal!
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- to Aviva Maller on the announcement of her being the recipient of the Woman of Valor Award at the UJF Women's Philanthropy Spring Dinner!
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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- Shabbat Bulletin: Lisa Michelson in memory of her Dad, Stanley Michelson's 14th yartzeit - May his neshama have an Aliya
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Tamar Lilienthal & Tzvi Merczynski-Hait on the 8th anniversary of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, in memory of the students and teachers who lost their lives.
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- Chapel Kiddush: Dina Berger on the occasion of the first yahrzeit of Paul Berger z"l, Pinchas Shimon ben Zeev, and to thank the kahal and fellow mourners for their support during this difficult year
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Rachel & Ephraim Cohen in memory of Getzel Cohen z"l; and Shushannah & Ari Yasgur in memory of Harold Yasgur z"l
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- Seudah Shlishit: Michele & Brian Major in honor of the yahrzeit of Norma Levy z"l, Nechama bat Zelig Aharon; and the GPATS guest speakers
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Tuesday, February 17 - 4:30 PM |
| 55+ Social Committee at the Museum |
Wednesday, February 18 - 12:00 PM |
| NJOP Crash Course in Basic Judaism |
Thursday, February 19 - 7:45 PM |
| Middle Feastern Sephardic Food Event |
Saturday Night, February 21 - 8:30 PM |
| Sushi and Shiur: A Monthly Women's Learning Night |
Monday, February 23 - 8:00 PM |
| CAS Youth Fundraiser - Mishloach Manot |
Wednesday, February 25 - 12:00 PM |
| Captivating Cases in Rabbinic Responsa |
Wednesday, February 25 - 7:30 PM |
| Thursday, February 26 - 8:00 PM |
| CAS Young Couples Presents Rodeo Purim Party |
Saturday Night, February 28 - 8:30 PM |
| Making a Good Marriage Great - Shalom Bayit Young Couples Chavura |
Sunday, March 1 - 8:00 PM |
| | Shabbat Dinner with Aimee Baron MD, FAAP |
Friday, March 6 - 6:30 PM |
| CAS Men's Club Passover Fair |
Sunday, March 8 - 10:00 AM |
| Sunday, March 8 - 10:30 AM |
| Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships |
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GPATS Shabbaton at Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat, February 14 Congregation Agudath Sholom will host a GPATS Shabbaton welcoming a group of students from the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women at Yeshiva University. Estee Benoliel and Tzvivia Major will be our guests. Tzivia will speak on Friday night for 5 minutes, deliver a pre-Mincha shiur and speak at Seudah Shlishit. Estee will give the 10:30 AM shiur. |
Purim Women's Megillah Reading We're currently looking for women to lein in our Women's Megillah Reading on Purim night. If you are interested in leining, fill out out this form. Questions? Email Zionadoft@yahoo.com
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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. 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.
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Youth Kaballat Shabbat Opportunity Michael Feldstein is offering to teach any 11- or 12-year-old boy interested in learning Kabbalat Shabbat services. Please contact Michael at michaelgfeldstein@gmail.com for more information.
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- If you could learn one type of martial arts, what would it be (ki yerivun anashim)?
- What is your favorite fictional witch or wizard (mechashefa lo techaye)?
- What is a core truth that you try to live by (midvar sheker tirchak)?
- Would You Rather - Be injured and have a lengthy legal battle with the hope of reaching a settlement for $10M or never have been injured at all (all of the cases of damages in the parsha)?
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- Public Service Announcement – Passover Shopping Reminder As we prepare for Pesach and begin our shopping, please be sure to check labels carefully and confirm that every item is clearly marked Kosher for Passover. Even products placed in the "Kosher for Passover" section may sometimes be shelved there in error, so it's important not to rely on location alone. A quick look at the certification can help ensure that everything we bring into our homes truly meets the standards for Pesach.
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- Registration for 2026 Jewish Baseball League season is live! FCCJBL is a co-ed, ages 4-11 year old little league and plays on Sundays only. Season opener is 4/12. Please sign up on www.fccjbl.org. Please reach out to info@fccjbl.org with any questions.
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- Hospitality Opportunity - Hosting the BCHA Banot, Eden and Herut, for Shabbat We have been blessed for many years to host BCHA Banot in our community. From personal experience, the presence of the Banot in our home, deeply impacted our daughters love of Israel and forged life time friendships. Take a few moments, today, to sign up for a Shabbat meal to host our wonderful Banot Eden and Herut. It would be great if we could fill up all of their meals between now and the end of Feb to start. Thank you!! https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/2693
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Mon, Thurs-Fri: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Tues-Wed: 6:20/7:30/8:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 5:20 PM; Friday: 5:21 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 5:16 PM
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- Monday Washington's Birthday
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- Tuesday/Wednesday Rosh Chodesh Adar
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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
- Aharon ben Bracha
- 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
- Chana Rivka bat Tzipora Miriam
- מרים שירה bat חנה רבקה
- 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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- Women on the Frontlines Monday, February 23 at 10:00 am Join UJF of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien and UJA-JCC of Greenwich for this compelling presentation by photographer Debbie Zimelman, who will share powerful images of female combat soldiers who played a direct role in the war against Hamas. This will be an intimate look at their fears, challenges, and triumphs. Register at http://www.ujf.org/Frontline.
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- A Conversation for Caregivers (both lay and professional) – "Finding Strength, Giving Support" March 5th 11:30- 1:00 pm Panelists: Dr. Joseph Feuerstein, Roni Lang, LCSW, and Rabbi MJ Newman. Moderators: Robin Bennett Kanarek, RN and Stephanie Paulmeno, DNP, RN. Co-sponsors: Jewish Family Service of Greenwich & the Israel Cancer Research Fund Location: Temple Sinai, 458 Lakeside Drive, Stamford Cost $18. Max per family $36. Light lunch - bagel and schmear Register required: https://www.jfsgreenwich.org/icrf - Questions: David.Kweskin@ICRFonline.org or bjabick@jfsgreenwich.org
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- Cocktails for a Cause Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 pm Sip, socialize, and support a cause! Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, tarot card readings, and discover meaningful ways to give back with UJF's Women's Philanthropy group, featuring 3Square, Dignity Grows, David's Treasure Tree, Aaron's Place, and Reading Partners. Register at http://www.ujf.org/cocktails.
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- Community Interfaith Seder Thursday, March 26, 6:30pm Led by Rev. Mark Lingle and Rabbi Jay TelRav, the Interfaith Seder will use a specially designed Haggadah, highlighting the themes of unity and common ground shared among varied cultures, backgrounds, and faiths. Sign up at www.ujf.org/Seder
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- Get ready for laughter, adventure, and Ramah magic Registration is now open for our Spring and August Family Experiences! Bring the whole family for unforgettable days of joy, connection, and camp fun. Head to http://ramahfamilycamp.org to sign up or for more information.
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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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