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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| Bamidbar |
Mevarchim Chodesh Sivan
Omer: 44 |
May 16, 2026 |
29 of Iyyar |
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| Friday |
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| Mincha |
7:00 PM |
| Candle Lighting |
7:47 PM |
| Shabbat |
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| Shacharit |
7:00/8:00/9:00 AM |
| Latest Shema |
8:23 AM |
| Sephardic Minyan |
8:45 AM |
| Coffee & Commentary |
8:45 AM |
| Melachim Class |
9:00 AM |
| Latest Shacharit |
9:53 AM |
| Family Minyan |
10:00 AM |
| Bob's Basics |
10:00 AM |
| Shiur |
10:30 AM |
| Pre-Mincha Shiur |
6:30 PM |
| Mincha |
7:30 PM |
| Havdalah |
8:49 PM |
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The Legacy of Influence
One of the foundational ideas in Judaism, and one that emerges powerfully in this week’s Torah portion, is the notion of influence and legacy. Legacy is not only defined by what we build for ourselves, but by the people we help shape along the way. At the opening of Parshat Bamidbar, the Torah makes a striking statement: “These are the generations of Aaron and Moshe on the day that God spoke to Moshe at Sinai.” Yet immediately afterward, the Torah lists only the children of Aaron. Moshe’s children are absent. Rashi, quoting the Gemara in Sanhedrin, explains that although only Aaron’s sons are listed as his biological children, they are nevertheless considered the offspring of Moshe because he taught them Torah. From here the Sages derive a profound principle: “Whoever teaches the child of another Torah, it is considered as if he gave birth to him.” Legacy, therefore, is not only biological. A person gives life not only through parenthood, but through guidance, teaching, mentorship, encouragement, and spiritual investment. The Maharal asks an important question. If Moshe Rabbeinu taught all of Israel, what was unique about his relationship with Aaron’s children? He explains that while Moshe taught the entire nation, with Aaron’s children he invested personally and deeply. He went the extra mile to nurture their growth. That insight captures something essential about influence. Many people pass through our orbit in life, but sometimes the willingness to invest more deeply in another person can shape the trajectory of their future. Often, we do not realize the impact of those moments until many years later. There is another dimension to this idea as well. Influence is not only about the people we shape. It is also about the people who shape us. There is a well known insight: “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.” Judaism deeply believes that who we surround ourselves with matters. Communities shape consciousness. Friendships shape aspirations. The environments we build around ourselves either elevate us or diminish us. That is why Torah life is never meant to be lived in isolation. We need people around us who reinforce our values, challenge us to grow, and remind us who we are striving to become. Communities of meaning strengthen our ability not only to grow ourselves, but to become sources of strength for others. I recently reflected on the profound influence my own parents have had on my life. My mother, of blessed memory, continues to shape me through the values and love she instilled within me. My father, thank God, continues to be a source of guidance and strength. But I also think about another figure from my childhood. Not long ago, I returned to Atlanta and reconnected with my Talmud Rebbe, Rabbi Daniel Estreicher, who taught me Mishnah as a young child and has spent decades investing in generations of students. Every time I see him, I feel deep gratitude for the personal investment he made in his students, and I know I am a product of that influence. He may not be my biological father, but in a profound sense, he helped shape my spiritual life. And this idea is not limited to rabbis or teachers. Recently at our 8:30 minyan, someone attended for the first time. A few individuals noticed he was new and immediately welcomed him, helped him navigate the siddur, and reassured him that many people initially felt overwhelmed. Afterward, he said to me, “You have such a friendly shul.” What moved him was not simply the institution itself, but the realization that ordinary people recognized an opportunity to positively influence another human being. That, perhaps, is one of the Torah’s deepest teachings. Every interaction carries possibility. Sometimes the greatest legacy we leave behind is not through grand gestures, but through small moments of attention, encouragement, and care. By associating Aaron’s children with Moshe, the Torah reminds us that true parenthood is not only about biology. It is about responsibility. It is about helping another human being grow. And perhaps equally important, it reminds us to build lives surrounded by people who inspire us to become our highest selves. Because ultimately, legacy is not created alone. It is forged in relationships, strengthened in community, and revealed through the ways we elevate one another. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and God willing the full redemption speedily and in our days, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Shabbat is Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan Take a moment to recite the special prayer of the Shelah - A Parent's Prayer
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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 |
Ari Lieberman: What if Mitzvot Don't Make Us Better People? How Torah and Mitzvot Bring Hashem Into the Physical World |
| Pre-Mincha Shiur |
Aliza Bulow: "From Puritan to Rebbetzin: An American Journey" |
| Seudah Shlishit |
BCHA Challenges in Jewish Education Panel - Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz and Aliza Bulow: “Cultivating Spirituality - in Our Children ... and in Ourselves" |
- to Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz - instructor of Tanach and Jewish philosophy at Maayanot High School - and Aliza Bulow - founder and director of CORE - who will be speaking at seudah shlishit for the BCHA Educational Panel on “Cultivating Spirituality - in Our Children ... and in Ourselves"
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- new members Lynn & Elisha Weisel and their children Elijah and Nova!
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- to Olivia & Andy Shapell on the birth of a baby girl named Ariella Rut! Mazal tov to big sister Ayelet!
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- to Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher on the arrival of a grandson, born to Annie Zagha & Brad Waldstreicher! Mazal Tov to great-grandmother Audrey Waldstreicher, aunt and uncle Rachel & Greg Waldstreicher and the entire Waldstreicher family!
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- to Caryn & Tomas Haendler on the arrival of a granddaughter named Lilah, born to Rachael & Alex Haendler!
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- to Sharon & Burt Rubin on the arrival of a granddaughter, born to Marty & Sarah Rubin!
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- to Lori & Sam Gressel on the birth of a baby boy named Liam Levi, Levi Tzvi! Mazal Tov to siblings Caleb and Arielle!
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- to Elliot Sloyer and Wheel It Forward on receiving the 46th Annual Mitzvah Award at the Schoke JFS dinner!
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- to BCHA on the upcoming Hachsanat Sefer Torah celebration this Monday evening in memory of Rabbi Abraham Leiberman, in honor of Yospa Leiberman and with special recognition to the Feigenbaum family
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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
- to the singers in the Agudath Sholom Stamford Community Choir, who debuted at our Yom Yerushalyim event!
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- to Bruce Newman for helping sponsor the Yom Yerushalayim event!
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- Senior Challah Deliveries: Bruce Newman in memory of his wife Rose Newman z"l
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- 7AM Kiddush: Irwin Niedober in memory of his father, Murray Niedober z"l, Mordechai Ben Yitzchak
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- Chapel Kiddush: Co-sponsored by the Frenkel family in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Judge Arnold Price z"l; the Niedober family in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Murray Niedober z"l; and Mike & Debbie Berg in commemoration of the 19th yahrzeit of Debbie's mother, Marlene Lilienfeld z"l and the 4th yahrzeit of Mike's father, Dr. Howard Berg z"l
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- Sephardic Kiddush: Meredith & David Cohen in loving memory of David’s Mother, Rachel bat Or Haim z"l and Grandmother, Malka bat Salman z"l
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Maytal & Jonathan Lerner and Judy & Seth Lerner in honor of their daughter and granddaughter Eliana Lerner becoming a Bat Mitzvah; and the Podelko family in honor of Dr. Alexander Podelko’s milestone birthday and Eva’s 4th birthday
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- Seudat Shlishit: Co-sponsored by BCHA and Sharon & Michael Feldstein in memory of Elana Goldmintz Gotfried z"l
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Graduation Kiddush
Shabbat, May 23 |
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Join the CAS Graduation Celebration! If you have a graduate in your family (preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, college or graduate school), we will publish his/her name and the level from which he or she is graduating. Celebrate the graduates with a festive kiddush on the second day of Shavuot in honor of the graduates.
Thank You to our Graduation Kiddush sponsors! |
| Lynn & Jeffrey Lowin In Celebration Of Their 50th Anniversary |
Meg & Yoav Haron
Liz & Andre Jacobovitz
Nicole & Jonathan Makovsky |
Bruce Newman
Hillary & Bob Zitter
Navah & David Zizmor |
Barbara & Ron Ashkenas
Jessica & Adam Batkin
Stephanie & Josh Bilenker
Meredith & David Cohen
Judy & Nick Contente
Hilary & Ari Goldstein |
Rachel & Dan Haron
Vered & Mark Links
Roselyn Mangot
Aviva & Paul Schieber
Rebecca & Eric Sigman |
| The Windward School |
| Lexi Miller |
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| Westchester Torah Academy |
| Shifra Batkin |
| BCHA |
Ezra Goldstein
Yuval Gradman
Noam Jacobovitz |
Mackenzie Makovsky
Noa Zizmor |
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| Hamilton Hebrew Academy |
| Eitan Wolfe |
| Yeshiva Har Torah |
| Keira Zitter |
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| Ramaz |
| Hannah Cohen |
Liam Haron |
| BCHA |
Jacob Contente
Adam Daniel |
Gabriel Haron
Tamar Links |
| Lowell High School in San Francisco |
| Alex Mangot |
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| SAR |
| Matthew Milstein |
Nate Zitter |
| Ohr Chaim (Toronto) |
| Noam Wolfe |
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| University of Chicago |
| Justin Bilenker |
Joshua Milstein |
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| New York University Law School |
| Rachelle Guy |
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| New York University Tandon School of Engineering |
| Jacob Sigman |
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Shavuot Scholar in Residence Sponsorship Opportunities We are blessed to host Rabbi Nati Helfgot as our guest for Shavuot. He will speak five times throughout the holiday, along with presentations by Rabbis Cohen, Kamman and Roberts. If you would like to sponsor a lecture in memory or in honor of someone, please contact Rabbi Cohen ($360 per shiur - up to 2 per shiur).
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Jewish Heritage Trip to France
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Sushi and Shiur: A Monthly Women’s Learning Night
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Tuesday, May 19 - 8:15 AM
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Agudath Women's Speaker Series presents Helene Zimmerman
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Tuesday, May 19 - 1:00 PM
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Tuesday, May 19 - 8:00 PM
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Pre-Shavuot Cheesecake Tasting
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Thursday, May 21 - 11:30 AM
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Shavuot Learning with Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot
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Thursday, May 21 - 11:30 PM
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Thursday, May 21 - 11:30 PM
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Shabbat, May 23 - 12:00 PM
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Monday, May 25 - 10:00 AM
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Thursday, May 28 - 9:15 AM
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Morning Brunch with author Gary Belsky
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Sunday, May 31 - 10:00 AM
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Stamford Jewish Experience Friday Night Dinner
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Friday, June 19 - 8:15 PM
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Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
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Aliza Bulow: From Puritan to Rebbetzin - An American Journey
Shabbat, May 16 - 6:30 PM
Aliza, the Founder and Director of CORE, is a 13th generation American who can trace her ancestry to Daniel Boone. Learn about her incredible journey, and how she discovered Judaism as a teenager. A fascinating lecture you do not want to miss!
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Challenges in Jewish Education Panel Program
Saturday Night, May 16 - 8:00 PM
Join us at Seudah Shlishit between Mincha (7:30 pm) and Maariv. The program will begin at approximately 8:00PM. Topic: "Cultivating Spirituality - in Our Children ... and in Ourselves". Featuring Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz, instructor of Tanach and Jewish philosophy, Maayanot High School, and Aliza Bulow, founder and director of CORE. Co-sponsored by BCHA; and Sharon & Michael Feldstein in memory of Elana Goldmintz Gotfried, z"l
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Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz
Wednesday, May 27 - 12:00 PM
On the table for discussion is the subject of Lashon Harah or improper speech. William Butler Yeats’ poem “Remorse for Intemperate Speech” will serve as our introduction. No preparation required. Lunch catered from Restaurant 613 is graciously catered by your host. If you have any questions and/or if you plan to attend in person, please contact me at rj@richardjschwartz.comZoom personal meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450
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- One Community. One Torah. One Siyum.
As we prepare for Shavuot, Congregation Agudath Sholom invites the community to join a communal learning initiative culminating in a Siyum on Masechet Chagigah on the second day of Shavuot.
Families and individuals can sign up to learn an amud of Gemara or a perek of Mishnayot. Learning can take place over the coming weeks, before Mincha, on Shavuot night, or around the Shabbat and Yom Tov table at home. Resources will be available online and in shul.
Together, we celebrate Torah, community, and the spirit of Midor Lador.
Click here to participate and sign up.
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- Would you be more honest or more dramatic in a very hot environment (the Jews traveled in the desert)?
- Who would you want as the Nasi (leader) of your tribe (the Nesi’im helped Moshe count the people)?
- What’s a funny family joke or bit you have (l’mishpechotam l’bait avotam)?
- Would You Rather - spend a week in the desert, jungle or arctic (Bamidbar)?
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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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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Thursday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Friday: 5:00/8:00/9:00 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 7:55 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM
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- Candle Lighting Thursday: 7:53 PM; Friday: 7:54 PM
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- Sunday Omer: 45, Rosh Chodesh Sivan
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- Thursday Erev Shavuot, Omer: 49
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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 bat Chana
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- Ilana Idit bat Leeba
- Leeba bat Chana Surah
- Sarah Shlomit bat Leeba
- Yoseph ben Esther Miriam
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- Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
- Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe
- Yehuda ben Sarah
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- Shani Y
- Harry B
- Frederick B
- Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
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- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
- Elimelech E
- CZM
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- JEM
- AMM
- Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
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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. Click here to sign up for the CAS team!
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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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- BCHA Hachnasat Sefer Torah and Hakhel ceremony Monday, May 18 at 6 PM in the BCHA Beit Midrash, celebrating the arrival of two Sifrei Torah. Everyone is encouraged to attend this special dedication event. The evening honors the legacy of Rabbi Abraham Lieberman זצ״ל and Morah Yospa Lieberman, whose impact continues to shape generations of students and who taught Torah and influenced hundreds of Jewish children over decades in our community. The program will include tributes, presentation of new mantlach, and dancing with the Torah. Dedication opportunities - from individual pesukim to full parshiyot and chumashim - remain available, offering a meaningful way to take part in this lasting Torah project for BCHA and the greater stamford community.
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- SAR Documentary Film Series: Inspiring Stories & Conversations The SAR Parent Association presents a Documentary Film Series featuring two powerful evenings of film and conversation. May 26 at 7 PM - Centered: Joe Lieberman. A look at Senator Lieberman’s legacy of principled leadership. Join us after the film for a Q&A with Sen. Lieberman’s wife Hadassah Lieberman and stepson Rabbi Ethan Tucker. June 4 at 7 PM - Looking Up. An inspiring story of resilience as Eitan Armon faces vision loss while climbing a legendary granite wall. Join us after the film for a Q&A with filmmaker Elena Neuman. Screenings will take place at SAR High School; visit bit.ly/SARFilms to purchase tickets ($18 per person/film). Join us for meaningful films and community conversation.
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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