Thursday, May 21
7:53 PM: Candle Lighting
8:00 PM: Mincha
Dvar Torah: Rabbi Daniel Cohen, followed by Maariv
Tikkun Leil Shavuot- All Night Learning
Adult Learning
Option 1:
11:30 PM: Rabbi Nati Helfgot - Shall Your Brothers Go Into Battle While You Remain Here?
12:30 AM: Rabbi Nati Helfgot - Send in the Clones: Cloning and Jewish Ethics
Option 2:
11:30 PM - 1:15 AM: Shavuot Beit Midrash - Chavrusa learning with prepared mekoros, followed by a shiur with Rabbi Roberts and Rabbi Feller
1:15 AM: Freshly Rolled Sushi and Snacks
1:45 AM: Rabbi Daniel Cohen - From Sinai to Silicon: Torah in a Transformed World: Halachic and Ethical Dilemmas in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
2:45 AM: Rabbi Yossi Kamman - Women Who Charted the Way The fascinating journey of Naomi and Ruth the Moabite, which charted the path for sincere and meaningful conversion
3:30 AM: Snack Break! Carvel Ice Cream courtesy of Stamford and Port Chester Carvel
4:15 AM: Rabbi Aryeh Roberts - Floral Decorations on Shavuot: A Complex and Meaningful History
5:00 AM: Shacharit
5:30 AM: Neitz HaChama
5th-7th Grades (Location: CAS Social Hall)
11:30 PM: Ice Cream and Intro
11:50 PM: Rabbi Levi Feller
12:30 AM: Round Robin - With Youth Advisors
1:00 AM: Bnei Akiva Program - with Bnei Akiva Rosh Eidah Liela Silbiger
1:30 AM: The Ultimate Torah Throwdown - A Crazy Fun Torah Trivia Event
2:00 AM: Sushi and Snack Bar!
2:30 AM: Layla Tov and Pickup by parents
8th-12th Grades (Beginning at Young Israel)
11:30 PM - 1:00 AM: TBD
1:00 AM: Walk to CAS
1:30 AM: Mini Shiur by Aryeh - Why Do We Stay Up All Night Learning?
2:00 AM: SUSHI BAR!
2:15 AM: Rabbi Yossi Kamman
2:45 AM: Rabbi Aryeh Roberts - Chess: The Game the Rabbis Couldn't Ignore
3:30 AM: Round Robin - With Youth Advisors
4:10 AM: Desserts, Caffeine, and Breakfast Break
4:40 AM: Pre-Shacharit Huddle
Friday, May 22 - Shavuot I
4:30 AM: Earliest Tallis (misheyakir)
5:00 AM: Sunrise Shacharit (Chapel), followed by breakfast
5:30 AM: Sunrise
8:00 AM: Shacharit (Chapel)
9:00 AM: Shacharit (Sanctuary)
10:00 AM: Family Minyan (Activity idea: decorate sugar cookies and make your own Har Sinai with Aryeh and Rivky and the Youth Advisors)
Apx. 10:00 AM: Reading of Ten Commandments
10:00 AM: Little Lights, Tot Shabbat, Mini Minyan, Jr. Cong, BMC
Sanctuary Sermon: Rabbi Helfgot – Mental Health and the Orthodox Community: Personal Reflections and Public Policy
4:00-5:00 PM: Jr. Congregation - Torah Minute to Win It game competition (Library)
4:15-5:00 PM: Bnei Mitzvah Club - Torah Ethical Dilemmas (what would you do?) (Chapel)
4:30-5:00 PM: Mini Minyan + Tot Shabbat: Torah Party! (Simcha Room)
5:00-5:30 PM: Communal Youth Reading of Aseret Hadibrot and Ice Cream Bar!
6:20 PM: Pre-Mincha Shiur with Rabbi Helfgot: Sacred Text, Honest Answers: Navigating Biblical Criticism
6:22 PM: Earliest Candle Lighting
7:00 PM: Mincha/Maariv
Dvar Torah: Rabbi Roberts
7:54 PM: Candle Lighting
Shabbat, May 23 - Shavuot II
7:00/8:00/8:45 AM: Shacharit
Apx. 10:30 AM: Yizkor in Sanctuary
10:00 AM: Teen Minyan
10:00 AM: Little Lights, Tot Shabbat, Mini Minyan, Jr. Cong, BMC
10:30 AM: Shiur: Rabbi Levi Feller
Sanctuary Sermon: Rabbi Daniel Cohen
Graduation Celebration Kiddush following Sanctuary Service
6:00 PM: Bnei Akiva Teen Oneg & Shavuot Tisch – at the Shul
7:00 PM: Rabbi Helfgot - Published and Unpublished Letters of R’ Aharon Lichtenstein
7:50 PM: Mincha
8:20 PM: Neilat Hachag
9:02 PM: Shabbat/Yom Tov Ends
|
|
Remembering the Lightning
Shavuot is often described as the holiday of Torah, the time when we received the Torah at Mount Sinai. We think about learning, commandments, all night study, and the renewal of our commitment to Jewish life. But perhaps one of the deepest dimensions of Shavuot is not only what was given at Sinai, but what was experienced there. When Moshe Rabbeinu reflects back on Mount Sinai in Sefer Devarim, he does not simply say, “Do not forget the commandments.” Instead, he says something much more personal and experiential: “Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things your eyes saw.” Moshe tells the Jewish people not to forget the day they stood before God at Chorev. The Torah describes Sinai not merely as the transmission of laws, but as an overwhelming moment of awareness. There was thunder and lightning, fire and cloud, the sound of the shofar growing stronger and stronger. The people “saw the sounds.” It was a sensory experience unlike anything else in human history. Why did revelation have to come that way? Why the thunder and lightning? Why the overwhelming drama? Perhaps because Sinai was never only about information. It was about revelation. It was a moment when heaven and earth no longer felt separate. The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that before Sinai there was a divide between the spiritual and the physical. There were individuals like Avraham Avinu who perceived God within creation, but the world itself still felt fragmented. Sinai changed that. For one extraordinary moment, humanity experienced that existence itself is filled with Divine presence. That may be why the revelation came with lightning. Lightning briefly illuminates the darkness. In one instant, what was hidden suddenly becomes visible. Rabbi Akiva Tatz compares it to driving through a storm at night. You cannot fully see the road ahead, but a flash of lightning reveals that there is indeed a path. The darkness may return, but you are no longer lost in the same way. That was Sinai. A flash of spiritual clarity. A moment when millions of people understood that the world was not random, empty, or disconnected. They understood that existence has purpose, morality has meaning, and God is not absent from the human story. Perhaps that is why Judaism insists that we remember Sinai every day. Not simply because commandments were given there, but because something about reality itself was revealed there. Beneath the surface of ordinary life there is Presence. The mitzvot are not the mission alone; they are the roadmap that helps us remain conscious of the mission. That mission is to bring heaven closer to earth. To live with the awareness that every interaction, every blessing, every act of kindness, every moment of integrity and gratitude can become a meeting point between the physical and the Divine. In a world that often feels noisy, cynical, and spiritually numb, Shavuot asks us to remember the lightning. To remember that there are moments when the soul sees more clearly. Moments when we sense that life is more than survival and achievement. Moments when we realize that God has not abandoned the world. And perhaps the task of Jewish life is to carry the light of that moment into the ordinary rhythms of every day until, as the prophet says, “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.” Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Chag Sameach and blessings of redemption speedily and in our days, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Baalei Tefillah
Thursday Night
Shavuot Day One
- Shacharit - Aaron Berk
- Musaf - Chazan Yoni Rose
Shavuot Day Two
- Shacharit - Levi Dulitz
- Musaf - Omer Neumeier
|
- Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, our Shavuot Scholar-in-Residence! Rabbi Helfgot will be speaking five times throughout the holiday.
|
- to Doreen & Howard Nusbaum on the arrival of a grandson, born to Tali & Emil Nusbaum!
|
- to Diane & Elliot Sloyer on the arrival of a granddaughter, born to Leora (LeeLee) Borzak & Coby Sloyer! Mazal Tov to big sister Nava and aunt Helene Zimmerman!
|
- to David Bessaleli on the arrival of a great-granddaughter Adi Miryam, born to Tehilla & Adar Shakked, children of Gila & Goel Jasper!
|
- to Sharon & Burt Rubin on the arrival of a granddaughter named Donna (Dena Shayna), born to Marty & Sarah Rubin!
|
- to Sandi & Stuart Waldstreicher on the arrival of a grandson named Teddy (Theodore) Hayden (Naftali Boaz), born to Annie Zagha & Brad Waldstreicher! Mazal Tov to great-grandmother Audrey Waldstreicher, aunt and uncle Rachel & Greg Waldstreicher and the entire Waldstreicher family!
|
- to Hannah Clarke on her conversion this week and joining the Jewish people in time for Shavuot! Thank you to our community for welcoming Hannah over the past few years. We wish Chana many blessings ahead God willing!
|
Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here
- Senior Challah Deliveries: Ana & Albert Lilienfeld in memory of the yahrzeit of Albert's sister, Susan Spaet z"l
|
- Shavuot Learning: Karen & Ira Berk in memory of their grandmothers Mildred Bresman z"l and Ann Schneider z"l; Mariya Feldman and Marina Sapir in honor of Hannah Clarke and her journey to Judaism - with joy and blessings on her giyur; Nicole & Jack Jacob in honor of Jodi & Richard Boxer; Lorraine & David Kweskin in memory of Fannie Lefkowitz z"l; Sharon & Burt Rubin in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Burt's father, Martin Rubin z"l (Menachem Ben Moshe); Elana & Meir Weinberg in memory of Michael Weinberg z"l (Moshe ben Tuvia) on the occasion of his yahrzeit
|
- Chapel Flowers: Nancy & Gadi Mimoun with best wishes for a Chag Sameach!
|
- Sanctuary Flowers: The Tabachnick and Chiel families, in memory of their beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gladys Tabachnick, as they mark her 11th yahrzeit
|
- Sanctuary Kiddush (Friday): Helene & Harvey Kaminski, In memory of the recent yahrtzeit of Harvey's beloved father, Reuven Kaminski, ראובן בן חיים מאיר
|
- Sanctuary Kiddush (Shabbat): CAS Graduation Kiddush
|
Graduation Kiddush
Shabbat, May 23 |
|
|
| Thank You to our Graduation Kiddush sponsors! |
| Lynn & Jeffrey Lowin In Celebration Of Their 50th Anniversary |
Elior & David Coleman
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
Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen
Meredith & David Cohen
Judy & Nick Contente
Hilary & Ari Goldstein
Rachel & Dan Haron
Sarah & David Hochman |
Alina & Tzvika Kaminsky
Vered & Mark Links
Roselyn Mangot
Stephanie & Ron Osher
Aviva & Paul Schieber
Rebecca & Eric Sigman
Shaya Speter
Laura & Seth Tobin
Shira & Mitchell Zucker |
|
|
| The Windward School |
| Lexi Miller |
|
|
| Westchester Torah Academy |
| Shifra Batkin |
| BCHA |
Magen Coleman
Ezra Goldstein
Yuval Gradman
Noam Jacobovitz |
Jonathan Kaminsky
Mackenzie Makovsky
Yisroel Dovid Speter
Noa Zizmor |
|
|
| Darchei Noam, Beit Shemesh |
| Shlomo Shochet |
| Hamilton Hebrew Academy |
| Eitan Wolfe |
| Yeshiva Har Torah |
| Keira Zitter |
|
|
| Ramaz |
| Hannah Cohen |
Liam Haron |
| BCHA |
Jacob Contente
Adam Daniel
Gabriel Haron |
Yoav Hochman
David Kaminsky
Tamar Links |
| Lowell High School in San Francisco |
| Alex Mangot |
|
|
| SAR |
| Matthew Milstein |
Nate Zitter |
| Stamford High School |
| Elissa Tobin |
| Ohr Chaim (Toronto) |
| Noam Wolfe |
|
|
| University of Chicago |
| Justin Bilenker |
Joshua Milstein |
| Hebrew University |
| Tamar Cohen Segelov |
|
|
| Muhlenberg College |
| Danielle Hadge |
| Rutgers University Business School |
| Leeba Zucker |
|
|
| New York University Law School |
| Rachelle Guy |
| Quillen College of Medicine |
| Jennifer Osher |
|
|
| New York University Tandon School of Engineering |
| Jacob Sigman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday, May 25 - 10:00 AM
|
|
|
Thursday, May 28 - 9:15 AM
|
|
|
Morning Brunch with author Gary Belsky
|
|
Sunday, May 31 - 10:00 AM
|
|
|
Friday Night Dinner & Conversation with Samuel Moyn
|
|
|
Stamford Jewish Experience Friday Night Dinner
|
|
Friday, June 19 - 8:15 PM
|
|
|
Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
|
|
|
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
|
- Holiday/Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What is a night you stayed up very late that you still remember vividly (staying up learning on Shavuos)?
- Would you rather know exactly what your role is in life from a young age or spend years figuring it out on your own (Shimshon's path being chosen for him and Shavuos as accepting of the Torah’s direction)?
|
- 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
|
- 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.
|
- 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
|
- Shacharit Sunday/Monday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Tuesday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM
|
- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 8:00 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/8:05 PM
|
- Candle Lighting Friday: 8:00 PM
|
|
We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
|
- Aharon ben Bracha
- Shalom ben Hannah
- Mikhail ben Goda
- Esther Miriam bat Chana
|
- Ilana Idit bat Leeba
- Leeba bat Chana Surah
- Sarah Shlomit bat Leeba
- Yoseph ben Esther Miriam
|
- Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
- Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe
- Yehuda ben Sarah
|
|
- Shani Y
- Harry B
- Frederick B
- Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
|
- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
- Elimelech E
- CZM
|
- JEM
- AMM
- Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
|
|
- 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.
|
- Learn about the magic of Ramah overnight camp Join us at our 2026 Prospective Family Day: Sunday July 12 from 10:30am-2pm! Kids can experience a fun activity tour of camp led by a group of our amazing counselors, while adults will get an in-depth tour of our facilities and program led by the camp director. At Ramah, we weave together fun and meaningful Jewish experiences with all the activities kids love — all in a welcoming, inclusive environment, where kids make life-long friends. We offer unparalleled camper care and inspiring role models. We look forward to giving you a taste of the magic - learn more and sign up at https://www.campramahne.org/prospective-families/prospective-family-day/
|
- 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
|
|
|
bulletin@cas-stamford.org