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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Pesach VII & VII |
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Omer: 6/7 |
April 8-9, 2026 |
21-22 Nisan |
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| Tuesday |
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| Candle Lighting |
7:07 PM |
| Mincha |
7:15 PM |
| Wednesday - Pesach VII (Omer 6) |
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| Shacharit |
7:00/8:00/9:00 AM |
| Mincha |
7:15 PM |
| Candle Lighting/Preparations for Meal |
8:08 PM |
| Thursday - Pesach VIII (Omer 7) |
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| Shacharit |
7:00/8:00/9:00 AM |
| Yizkor in Sanctuary (apx.) |
10:15 AM |
| Mincha |
7:15 PM |
| Neilat HaChag |
7:45 PM |
| Havdalah/Yom Tov Ends |
8:10 PM |
| Earliest Time to Eat Chametz (sold through CAS) |
8:45 PM |
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From the Night of Telling to the Morning of Faith
A Pesach Reflection for the Second Days
As we move from the intensity of the Seder into the days of Pesach, a quieter but deeper question emerges: What stays with us? What have we truly taken in? The Seder is not just about retelling a story we already know. Even the wisest among us are obligated to tell it again—not because we lack information, but because we need renewal. The goal is not memory alone, but transformation. This idea comes to life in the story of the sages who gathered in Bnei Brak, speaking about the Exodus all night. It is striking why were they together, away from their families, on this most intimate night? Rav Yisrael Meir Lau explains that they were living in the aftermath of the Temple’s destruction, a time of deep uncertainty about the Jewish future. In such a moment, it is difficult to believe in redemption. So they gathered around Rabbi Akiva, a leader who embodied unwavering hope. Rabbi Akiva is the one who could look at the ruins of Jerusalem and, while others cried, he found reason to believe. If the prophecies of destruction had come true, he reasoned, then the promises of rebuilding would as well. The sages came not just to learn, but to be strengthened to recover a vision of the future. This helps us understand the closing moment of their Seder. Their students arrive and say that the time for the morning Shema has come. On the surface, this marks the arrival of dawn. But it also reflects something deeper: after a long night, faith is renewed. Morning represents the belief that even after darkness, light will come. That is the enduring message of the Seder. Pesach invites us to shift our lens from the noise of the moment to the promise of the future. Too much time in the papers can weigh us down; the prophets remind us that redemption is real and still on its way. I was reminded of this in a simple but powerful moment. My young grandson Neftali in Israel was told that as a member of the tribe of Levi, he would one day serve and sing in the Temple. That night, he woke up and asked, “Where is the Temple? When do I start singing?” For a child, redemption is not abstract, it is real and immediate. Perhaps that is what Pesach asks of us: to reclaim that sense of possibility. To remember that change can happen quickly, that history can turn in an instant, and that the same God who redeemed us once continues to guide us forward. The Exodus is not just a story of the past. It is a model for the future. The days of Pesach are not a step down from the Seder—they are an opportunity to carry its message into our lives. To live with greater faith. To see beyond the moment. To believe that redemption is not distant, but unfolding. And perhaps most importantly, to hold onto the simple, powerful question of a child: Where is the Temple? And to live with the awareness that redemption is not only something we await but something we advance. In the way we show up, in the choices we make, in the light we bring into the lives of others. May we merit not only to witness redemption but to be among those who help bring it closer. Wishing you and your families a Chag Kasher V’Sameach and God willing good news from Israel in the days ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Halacha Notes:
- Please note that the last days of Pesach are a continuation of the holiday and we do not recite Shehecheyanu at Kiddush on Tuesday or Wednesday night.
- Remember to light a Yahrzeit candle on Tuesday night in order to have a pre-existing flame from which to light candles Wednesday night and also a Yahrzeit candle.
- Please remember to wait until 8:45 PM on Thursday night before removing your Chametz that was sold in your homes. Also, Bevmax, a Jewish owned business, participated in the Chametz sale and all kosher wines, liquor sold there may be eaten post Pesach.
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Holiday Speakers
- Tuesday Night - Rabbi Daniel Cohen
- Wednesday Sermon - Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg: Jewish Self Hatred - from Egypt to 2026
- Wednesday Night - Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: Should We Celebrate the Downfall of our Enemies?
- Thursday Sermon - Rabbi Daniel Cohen: From the Sea to the Self: Making Redemption Last
- Thursday Night (Neilat Hachag) - Rabbi Levi Feller
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- We are blessed to host Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg on the 7th Day of Pesach for the Sanctuary Sermon on the important topic of "Jewish Self Hatred: from Egypt to 2026”
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- to Dayna Langfan & Lawrence Heller on the marriage of their son David to Maiya Aiba, daughter of Lisa Sorce & Isao Aiba!
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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
- We wish comfort to the family of Vladimir Gershovitz, 73, his wife Lena Ostrovsky Gershovitz, 68, their son Dimitri, 42, and his wife Lucille Jane, 30 who were killed in Israel this past week.
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- Chapel Kiddush (Wednesday): The Salver Family in celebration of Tali Salver’s Hebrew birthday and Leora Trencher’s Yitzias Mitzraim out of Cairo, Egypt to spend Pesach with the family!
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- Sanctuary Kiddush (Wednesday): Co-sponsored by Margie & Bob Abrams in memory of Harold Abrams z"l; and Tamar & Daniel Kraus in memory of Tommy Kraus z"l
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- Chapel Kiddush (Thursday): Co-sponsored by Dani & Chaim Bergman in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Chaim's mother, Lori Bergman z"l (Liba Tzivia Bat Helman); and Liz & Eli Reichner in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Eli’s sister, Rachel Reichner (רחל יונינה בת ישראל יעקב)
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- Sanctuary Kiddush (Thursday): Ariel & Dr. Ben Zweig in memory of Steven Zweig z"l
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Elie Wiesel Soul on Fire Movie Screening and Conversation
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Sunday, April 12 - 7:00 PM
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Tuesday, April 14 - 8:15 AM
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Tuesday, April 14 - 4:30 PM
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The Friday Reset: Entering Shabbat with Intention Virtual Class
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Friday, April 17 - 12:15 PM
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Friday Night Dinner with Chaim Saiman
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Friday, April 24 - 8:00 PM
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Scholar in Residence Weekend with Chaim Saiman
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Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
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Jewish Heritage Trip to France
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- Pesach Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What’s a special chol hamoed memory or trip you have taken?
- What is a miracle you have experienced (Pesach is full of miracles)?
- What is your favorite Pesach specific food?
- Would You Rather - have been at the splitting of the sea or the giving of the Torah?
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- Voices of Religious Zionism: Faith, Thought, and the Modern Jewish State In honor of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, join us for a three-part Seudah Shlishit at Agudath Sholom series exploring the ideas and legacy of leading Religious Zionist thinkers who have shaped the spiritual and intellectual foundations of the State of Israel. April 11 – Rabbi Aryeh Roberts on Rabbi Yehuda Henkin: Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin: A State of Redemption or a Mirage?; April 18 – Rabbi Daniel Cohen on Rabbi Shagar: Faith, Brokenness, and the Search for Meaning in a Complex world; May 2 – Zissy Turner on a leading contemporary Religious Zionist thinker.
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- Save the Date - Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut Community Commemoration and Celebration Tuesday night, April 21st 7:00 PM
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- Save the Date - Shabbat Scholar in Residence Chaim Saimon April 24-25, 2026 Chaim will speak at a Friday Night Dinner and over the Shabbat
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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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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
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- 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
- Shalom ben Hannah
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
- Rema bat Etta
- Mikhail ben Goda
- Yitzchak ben Shmuel v. Chaya
- Freidel bat Esther
- Leeba Minna bat Rivka
- Pesach Melech ben Basha
- Chaya Shoshana bat Yehudit
- Nira bat Rachel
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- 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 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
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- Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
- 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
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- AMM
- Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
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- Elimelech E
- Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- UJF's Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration Monday, April 13 at 7:00pm Join UJF for a community commemoration of Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. There is no charge to attend, but advance registration is required at www.ujf.org/yomhashoah
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- Yom Ha'Atzmaut with NextGen Saturday evening, April 18 Join UJF's NextGen community in celebrating Yom Ha'Atzmaut at an awesome party! NextGen is committed to building a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community for young Jews in their mid-20s, 30s, and 40s. All participants must be 21+. Register at www.ujf.org/YHnextgen
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- Community Yom Ha'Atzmaut Family Program Wednesday, April 22 from 5:00-6:30pm Celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut with a fun-filled Family Program that takes you on a "trip around Israel!" Enjoy a bounce house, games, face-painting, Israeli snacks, and even a hands-on archeological dig. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of laughter, learning, and celebrating Israel's birthday! Register at www.ujf.org/YHfamily
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- Yom Ha'Atzmaut Adult Evening Sunday, April 26 from 6:00-8:00pmJoin UJF to celebrate and experience Israel through taste, sound, and spirit! Shuk b'Stamford will bring Israeli food, music, games, and culture together for an event you won't want to miss. All participants must be 21+. Register at www.ujf.org/YHadult
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- An Evening with Aviva Klompas Thursday, April 30 at 7:30pm - Join UJF for a presentation by Aviva Klompas, co-Founder and CEO of Boundless, former Head of Speechwriting at Israel's Permanent Mission to the U.N., and author of the books Speaking for Israel and Stand-Up Nation. Register at www.ujf.org/Klompas
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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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- UJF's Women's Philanthropy Spring Dinner Thursday, May 7 at 6:00pmJoin together for a fabulous evening featuring guest speaker Zibby Owens. The inaugural Women of Valor Award will also be presented to Aviva Maller. Register at www.ujf.org/SpringDinner
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- An Evening with Schoke JFS: Seeds for Tomorrow May 17, 2026, at Whispering Oaks in Norwalk, CT. Join us for an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner, and celebration as we honor Wheel It Forward, recipient of the 46th Annual Mitzvah Award, a nonprofit that lends durable medical equipment at no cost to residents throughout Fairfield County. Guests will enjoy an awards presentation, paddle raise, and online auction, all supporting programs that uplift and transform lives across Fairfield County. Learn more or reserve tickets at www.ctjfs.org/gala.
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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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bulletin@cas-stamford.org