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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| Emor |
Omer: 30 |
May 2, 2026 |
15 of Iyyar |
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| Friday |
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| Mincha |
7:00 PM |
| Candle Lighting |
7:33 PM |
| Shabbat |
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| Shacharit |
7:00/8:00/9:00 AM |
| Latest Shema |
8:35 AM |
| Sephardic Minyan |
8:45 AM |
| Coffee & Commentary |
8:45 AM |
| Melachim Class |
9:00 AM |
| Family Minyan |
10:00 AM |
| Latest Shacharit |
10:00 AM |
| Bob's Basics |
10:00 AM |
| Shiur |
10:30 AM |
| Code Of Jewish Law |
6:40 PM |
| Mincha |
7:30 PM |
| Havdalah |
8:34 PM |
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What Is Your Unifying Life Principle?
One of the striking features of Parshat Emor is its flow. The Torah presents the sacred calendar, the rhythm of Jewish time: Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. These are moments that elevate us, connect us to God, and shape our spiritual identity. And then, right in the middle, the Torah introduces what seems to be an unrelated commandment: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not gather everything. Leave the corners for the poor and the stranger” (Vayikra 23:22). Why place a law of social responsibility in the midst of sacred time? Rashi addresses this and teaches that one who gives to the poor is considered as if he has built the Beit HaMikdash and offered sacrifices within it. How can an act between people be equated with the highest form of service between humanity and God? The answer reframes religious life itself. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe explains that this verse is not interrupting the narrative—it is defining it. There are not two separate domains of religious experience, one between man and God and one between man and his fellow. There is one inner posture that animates both. The Sages teach that a person who is ungrateful to another will ultimately become ungrateful to God. A closed heart toward people cannot open easily in prayer. Spirituality is not a switch turned on during the holidays. It is cultivated through daily interactions. At the center of this way of being is gratitude expressed through care. When a person learns to notice others, to give, and to respond with sensitivity, they train their soul to see beyond themselves. That awareness extends naturally to God. This is why honoring parents appears on the first tablet of the Ten Commandments. Gratitude toward those who gave us life becomes the gateway to recognizing the One who gives all life. This idea finds a painful expression during this time of year. The Gemara teaches that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva, individuals of extraordinary stature, died because they did not treat one another with proper respect. These were people deeply immersed in Torah, living lives of spiritual intensity. And yet, something essential was missing. Their connection to God did not translate into how they treated each other. That fracture proved devastating. Lag BaOmer, the day the plague ceased, is not only a break in mourning but a moment of clarity. No level of spiritual achievement can compensate for a failure in basic human dignity. A person can be meticulous in observance and deeply engaged in learning, but without sensitivity and respect, the foundation is unstable. And yet, the story does not end there. Rabbi Akiva began again. He rebuilt with a smaller group of students, including Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and this time the Torah endured. What changed was not only the number of students but the nature of their relationships. When relationships are refined, a deeper spiritual light can emerge. With this perspective, the placement of the mitzvah of leaving the corners of one’s field becomes clear. If we want our sacred moments to be meaningful, our connection to God must be built upon how we treat others. Acts of kindness are not secondary to spirituality; they are its foundation. The Beit HaMikdash is not only a place. It is a way of living in which God’s presence is felt through the dignity we extend to others. The question we are left with is not only how we serve God, but what trait defines how we show up in all of our relationships. When a life is rooted in gratitude, humility, and generosity, the divide between sacred and ordinary dissolves. There is one continuous encounter with the Divine. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing the full redemption speedily and in our days, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Celebrating Anne Peskin's 100th Birthday
This Shabbat, we have the joy and privilege of celebrating our beloved member Anne Peskin on the occasion of her 100th birthday. A professor emeritus, devoted student of Torah, beloved Sisterhood leader and even a sailor and pirate expert, Anne embodies a life filled with curiosity, warmth, and deep commitment to community. Through her years of leadership, including service on the Board of Education, she has stood for fairness, integrity, and the quiet but lasting impact one person can have.
Our youth will share a birthday tribute, and Anne will offer a few brief words following Musaf. We are honored to celebrate this extraordinary milestone together and grateful for the blessing of her presence in our community. May she continue to inspire us with strength, wisdom, and joy for many years to come.
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Security Update The lobby door code was changed this week. The backdoor code will be changing on Tuesday, May 5th. Please contact the office for the new codes.
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Shabbat Topics & Participants
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| Coffee & Commentary |
Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
| Melachim Class |
Mark Wagshul |
| Bob's Basics |
Rabbi Bob Abrams |
| Shiur |
Dovid Green: Subtle themes in Megilat Ruth |
| Code of Jewish Law |
Rabbi Yossi Kamman |
| Seudah Shlishit |
Rabbi Daniel Cohen: Lag B'Omer and Havdalah - The Light Inside the Cave |
- to Dr. Shara & Rabbi David Israel on the arrival of a granddaughter, born to Shoshana Rosenzweig & Yoni Israel!
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- to Monica & Eric Jankelovits on the arrival of a granddaughter, Sophie / אַרִיָה, born to Lauren & Kevin George!
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- to Nurit & Mark Wexler on the arrival of a granddaughter, Leah Gloria, born to Rebecca Gourevitch & Michael Wexler! Mazal Tov to great-grandparents Debbie & Ben-Zion Soifer!
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- to Linda & Elliot Levy on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Abe Levy, son of Rachel & Dan Levy!
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- to Aviva Maller on receiving the Woman of Valor Award this week at the UJF Women's Philanthropy Annual Spring Dinner!
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- to our Family Minyan celebrating their second anniversary this Shabbat! Yasher Koach to Jason Levine, Brad Goldstein and everyone for their dedication to the minyan's success. May the minyan grow from strength to strength!
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- to the Daf Yom Participants, who completed Tractate Menachot. Join the cycle and start Chulin. Agudath Sholom hosts a daily Daf Yomi class. For more resources, click here
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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 Sgt. Liem Ben Hamo, 19, of the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, from Herzliya who was killed in Southern Lebanon.
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- Shabbat Bulletin: Gloria Green in commemoration of the yahrzeit of beloved husband and father Sanford Green z"l (Shlomo Nissin Ben Avraham Leib Halevi)
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Kathy & Gary Sosnovich in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Gary's mother, Rachel Sosnowiec z"l (Rachel Bas David)
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- 7AM Kiddush: Alan Shanker in honor of Elliot Levy's grandson's Bar Mitzvah
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- Chapel Kiddush: Lynne & Steven Frenkel in memory of Judge Arnold and Judith Price z”l
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: In celebration of Anne Peskin's 100th birthday
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Shabbat Backyard Shmooze!
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Coffee Tasting & Mini Shiur with Rabbi Roberts
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Stamford Jewish Experience Lag Ba'Omer Fire Pit
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Agudath Women's Speaker Series presents Jeffrey Lowin
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Tuesday, May 12 - 1:00 PM
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Yom Yerushalayim Celebration
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Thursday, May 14 - 7:30 PM
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Jewish Heritage Trip to France
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Tuesday, May 19 - 8:00 PM
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Shabbat, May 23 - 12:00 PM
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Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
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CAS Men’s Chabura
Wednesday, May 6 - 8:15 PM
Rabbi Roberts will be presenting on: The Moral Price Tag: Overcharging, Underpaying, and Integrity. Hosted by Daniel Wallis. Contact Sam Sroka via WhatsApp or email (sroka.samuel@gmail.com) for more details.
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- Shabbat Questions for Thought
- What practices help you cultivate gratitude, and how do they shape your relationships?
- Where might there be a gap between your spiritual aspirations and your interpersonal conduct?
- What is one concrete way you can bring more dignity and generosity into your interactions this week?
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What's an example of you or someone in your family going very out of their way to be there for family (the kohen can only attend an immediate family member's funeral)?
- What's something that should be a Jewish holiday and what should be its ritual (all of the holidays in the parsha)?
- What's the nicest/nastiest thing someone has ever said to you (the blasphemer)?
- Would You Rather - have an amazing job with bad job security or a so-so job with very good job security (the kohen can be disqualified from serving if he gets certain blemishes or injuries)?
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- Stay Tuned! Agudath Sholom is excited to introduce the Chatzos Community Initiative (CCI) A three-week program designed to help individuals and families prepare for Shabbos earlier in the week. By shifting key tasks throughout the week, participants experience a calmer, more meaningful Erev Shabbos. Through practical tools, weekly checklists, and community support, CCI empowers households of all ages and stages to honor Shabbos with greater peace, intention, and joy. Learn more and register at cci.giftofchatzos.org. The pilot Fridays will be May 8th, May 15h and 29th. It will change your life. Click here to learn more or contact Rabbi Cohen
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- Mitzvah Opportunity: Shabbat Hospital Care Packages Help bring comfort and dignity to hospital patients through thoughtfully prepared Shabbat care packages.We’re looking for a small team—or a coordinator—to help oversee this meaningful chesed initiative. What’s involved: Ordering supplies (occasionally), Packing bags, Final Friday prep (adding challah) and Light coordination (delivery support already in place) Commitment: One month at a time (approx. 4x/year, shared rotation) To get involved, contact Rabbi Cohen.
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- 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
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- Interested in Joining the 8:30AM Weeday Minyan ? https://tinyurl.com/casminyan
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 7:45 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 7:40 PM
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- Tuesday Omer: 33, Lag BaOmer
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
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- Aharon ben Bracha
- Shalom ben Hannah
- Mikhail ben Goda
- Esther Miriam. אסתר מרים bat Chana חנה
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- Ilana Idit אילנה עידית bat Leeba ליבה
- Leeba ליבה bat Chana Surah. חנה סורה
- Sarah Shlomit שרה שלומית bat Leeba ליבה
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- Yoseph. יוסף ben Esther Miriam. אסתר מרים
- Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
- Yehuda ben Sarah
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- Ariel Y
- Shani Y
- Tali Y
- Yoad A
- Harry B
- Frederick B
- Nathan H
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- Noam H
- Yehudit
- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
- Elimelech E
- CZM
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- JEM
- AMM
- Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
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- Please donate & participate in The Friendship Day & Walk May 17th from 12:30-2:30pm. Come for a free family fun day as we walk hand in hand and heart to heart in support of families of individuals with special needs. There will be entertainment, delicious food, and more. Visit www.FriendshipDayCT.com to sign up!
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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