Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Matot-Masei Mevarchim Chodesh Av July 11, 2026 26 Tamuz send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM/8:14 PM Candle Lighting 8:09 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM The Rebbe on the Parsha 7:45 AM Latest Shema 8:22 AM Coffee & Commentary 8:40 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:55 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Family Minyan 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Pre-Mincha Shiur 7:10 PM Mincha 8:00 PM Havdalah 9:09 PM Shabbat Shalom Beyond Geography: Becoming a Chalutz One of the most powerful lessons in Parashat Matot speaks directly to the Jewish experience today. As the Jewish people prepare to enter the Land of Israel, the tribes of Reuven and Gad ask permission to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan. Moshe grants their request—but only after insisting on one non-negotiable condition. Although they will live outside the Land, they must cross the Jordan as chalutzim, the vanguard. They may not remain comfortably at home while their brothers fight. Their own security cannot come before that of the Jewish people. Moshe teaches a timeless truth: geography may separate Jews, but destiny never does. This is far more than a military directive. It is a definition of Jewish responsibility. A Jew may live far from Israel, but no Jew lives apart from Israel. We share one covenant, one destiny, and one future. Wherever we reside, we are called to live as chalutzim—people who step forward rather than stand on the sidelines. Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik drew a profound lesson from this obligation. When asked whether the flag of the State of Israel possesses sanctity, the Rav replied that Judaism does not sanctify symbols. Yet he cited a remarkable halachah: the garments of a Jew murdered because he was Jewish are buried with him, stained with his blood as testimony to his sacrifice. "How much more so," the Rav explained, "the blue-and-white flag that has been immersed in the blood of thousands of young Jews who gave their lives defending the State of Israel." The flag is sacred not because of its fabric, but because of the sacrifice it represents. The Rav applied the same idea to an Israeli soldier whose grease-stained uniform reflected long hours maintaining tanks. Embarrassed by his appearance, the soldier asked whether he should change before praying Minchah. The Rav answered with surprise: "Why would you change? You are wearing bigdei kodesh—holy garments." Clothing worn in the defense of the Jewish people is itself elevated by the sacred mission it serves. Rabbi Aharon Ziegler recounts another unforgettable story. During the First Lebanon War, after the funeral of a young soldier named Shlomo Alman, Rabbi Yisrael Zev Gustman paid a shivah call to the grieving family. Rabbi Gustman had himself lost a young son in the Holocaust. "My son died because he was a Jew," he said quietly. "Your son died defending the Jewish people in the Land of Israel." Then he added words the family never forgot: "In the World of Truth, my son is welcoming your son. He is saying, 'I died because I was a Jew, but I could not save anyone else. You gave your life protecting the Jewish people.'" The father later admitted that he never imagined he could be comforted after losing his son. Yet those words enabled him to see his son's sacrifice as part of the eternal story of the Jewish people. But the Torah's message does not end with those who wear uniforms. Most of us will never serve on Israel's borders. Yet every Jew is called to become a chalutz. We may not fight with weapons, but we fight with prayer, generosity, advocacy, Torah learning, acts of kindness, strengthening Jewish identity, and an unwavering commitment to one another. A chalutz is anyone who refuses the comfort of standing on the sidelines while others bear the burden alone. There is an old story about a man who arrived before the Heavenly Court. God asked him, "Where are your wounds?" "I have none," the man replied. God answered, "Was there nothing worth fighting for?" That question is not only about battlefields. It is about whether we have given ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Have we stepped beyond our comfort for the sake of our people? Have we carried the burdens of others as our own? Years ago, while studying in Israel, one of my teachers remarked, "If you choose to live in America, don't sleep too comfortably. Your body may be here, but your heart must always remain in Israel." That is Moshe's enduring charge. The question of Parashat Matot is not simply where we live. It is whether we are willing to live as chalutzim—stepping beyond our comfort, standing shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters, and asking each day: What can I do to strengthen the Jewish people? When enough Jews answer that question, we will merit the day when Israel and the entire Jewish people know lasting peace, unity, and the blessing of complete redemption. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen America at 250: A Future Worth Building  This past Shabbat, we reflected on America's 250th anniversary as more than a celebration of our past, but a call to build a stronger future. I invite you to read my sermon/article exploring how Jewish values of gratitude, responsibility and hope can help shape the next chapter of the American story. When the Smoke Clears: A Future Worth Building Rabbi Daniel Cohen - Halachot of The Nine Days   The nine days begin with Rosh Chodesh Av on Tuesday night. The restrictions include, most notably, no consumption of meat and wine (with the exception of on Shabbat) and no live music and haircuts. We also refrain from recreational swimming. For info from the OU, click here. However, one may eat meat if participating in a celebration, siyum of a Tractate of the Talmud. Join me on Monday, July 20th at 6:15 PM at 613 for a siyum. For further questions, contact me. Shabbat Topics & Participants The Rebbe on the Parsha Rabbi Yisrael Deren Coffee & Commentary Rabbi Daniel Cohen: 48 Ways of Wisdom Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Rabbi Bob Abrams Shiur Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: Green Space and Necessities to Live - A Jewish Perspective on Urban Planning Sanctuary Sermon SIR Rabbi Shmuel Hain: Déjà Vu in the Desert - The Hidden Legacy of the Wilderness Generation Pre-Mincha Shiur SIR Rabbi Shmuel Hain: Beyond Baseless Hatred: Rereading Kamtza and Bar Kamtza Seudah Shlishit SIR Rabbi Shmuel Hain: Voices from the Ruins - Rabbinic Responses to the Churban Teen Learning Aryeh Klein Welcome We are honored to welcome Shari & Rabbi Shmuel Hain, a pulpit Rabbi and scholar, for a special Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat before the Nine Days! Mazal Tov to Lauren & Joshua Esses on the birth of a baby girl named Addison Jane! Mazal Tov to big brother Aiden Caleb! to Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen on the birth of a granddaughter, Tehilla Ruchama, born to Adina & Moshe Averick in Israel! Mazal Tov to big brothers Naftali and Akiva, aunt and uncle Michal & Yishai Zwiren and cousins Ruthie, Avigayil and Orli! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith 7AM Kiddush: Pam & Alan Shanker in commemoration of the yahrzeit of HaRav Dovid Kelman Sykes z"l, my Rebbe and my friend Chapel Kiddush: Sarah, Gavi, Jeri & Adir Adler in honor of Mr. Noam turning 5 - He's been waiting all year for this! Sephardic Kiddush: Rosa & Saiid Rastegar in memory of Rosa’s parents Touba and Jacob Bral and her sister Janet Davidi Sanctuary Kiddush and Seudah Shlishit: Co-sponsored by Nancy & Gadi Mimoun in memory of Rita Caldes z"l; Liron & Steven Labkoff in memory of Rebecca Labkoff z"l; In memory of Louis Lapine z"l; and Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen in memory of Mark Sternlicht z"l and Max Alswanger z"l Sign Up for these Events learn more Love Your Neighbor 3-Part Series Sunday, July 12 - 9:15 AM learn more CAS Book Club Thursday, July 16 - 9:15 AM sign up Stamford Jewish Experience Summer Sunset Yacht Cruise Sunday, July 26 - 6:30 PM sign up CAS Movie Club Sunday, July 26 - 8:00 PM Sign Up CAS Blood Drive Monday, July 27 sign up CAS 55+ Social Committee Sunset Cruise Sunday, August 2 - 6:00 PM Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships Upcoming Events Literature at Lunch Roundtable led by Dr. Richard Schwartz Sunday, July 12 - 12:00 PM We will continue with Part II of a series entitled Leadership, Kingship and Malchuyot. We will continue demystifying the Adon Olam prayer written by Solomon Ibn Gabirol and parse Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem O Ship of State written a few years earlier than Whitman's O Captain my Captain. Brunch graciously provided by your host. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you plan to attend in person at rj@richardjschwartz.com - Zoom Meeting ID 8784487429 Passcode 868450 CAS Announcements Ice Breakers What is a promise you are proud that you kept (the laws of vows in Matos) What is something your parents always made a priority growing up (Moshe tells Bnei Gad and Reuven to build cities for their children before pens for their livestock)? What is the best road trip or long journey you have ever taken (the journeys of Bnei Yisrael in Masei)? Would You Rather - always know the destination but not the route, or always know the route but not the destination (the forty-two journeys in the wilderness)? Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Wednesday: 6:20/7:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Thursday: 8:10 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/8:10 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 8:05 PM Wednesday  Rosh Chodesh Av CAS Classes Join one of our classes. Click here for up to date schedule We Wish A Speedy Recovery To Aharon ben Bracha Shalom ben Hannah Shaina Faiga bat Rivka Mikhail ben Goda Esther Miriam bat ‏Chana Ilana Idit bat Leeba Leeba bat Chana Surah Sarah Shlomit bat ‏Leeba Yoseph ben Esther Miriam Faiga bat Chana Fayga bat Chana Ahuva Malka bat Sarah Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe Yaakov Kopel Moshe ben Rivka Yehuda ben Sarah Click here to add a name to this list We Honor Our Military 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 Click here to add a name to this list Community Announcements PJ Library Popsicles in the Park  Each Wednesday at 4:30pm, from July 8th-29th Join PJ Library for a sweet summer afternoon at the park. Enjoy refreshing popsicles, engaging story time, and plenty of time to play and connect with friends. The event is free, but advance registration is required at www.ujf.org/Popsicles Advanced Active Threat Training  Join us for an Advance Active Threat Training, presented in partnership with UJA-JCC of Greenwich, Community Security Initiative, and United Jewish Federation. Five opportunities to participate: Tuesday, July 14: 10am or 5pm in Greenwich, Wednesday, July 15: 8am, 12pm, or 7pm in Stamford. The trainings are free, but advance registration is required at www.ujf.org/ActiveThreat Women's Philanthropy Salon  Thursday, July 16 at 7:30pm Join UJF for the next Women's Philanthropy Salon: Mind, Body, & Soul Reset, an evening dedicated to relaxation, healing, and reconnecting with yourself. Come unwind through a restorative sound bath meditation experience. Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Reset Schoke JFS Sunset Summer Concert Returns: Back to the Beach!  Join Schoke JFS on Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Fairfield’s beautiful Pavilions at Penfield Beach for an unforgettable summer night by the water, all while supporting a great cause. Enjoy live music from headliner Pimpinella, and opening act The Breakers, plus an open bar, delicious food, dancing, and incredible views of Long Island Sound. Tickets are $95. Your support helps Schoke JFS provide vital programs and services to more than 8,000 families across Fairfield County each year. Gather your friends, celebrate summer, and make a difference! Purchase tickets: SJFSConcert26.givesmart.com 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 What is the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County (JHSFC)?  We capture local Jewish history, including volunteered-oral histories at our Resource Center (990 Rear Hope Street, Stamford) and do special events and show special collections. In addition, we have books and documents to help one do research. We also do Holocaust programs in schools, have a special 250-year USA history event in downtown Stamford (see below), have book club meetings and did a movie on Stamford Family businesses. We also do an annual Mann Lecture and a yearly fundraiser.

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