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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| Nitzavim-Vayeilech |
Leil Selichot |
September 5, 2026 |
23 Elul |
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***IMPORTANT ROSH HASHANAH OVERFLOW PARKING NOTICE***St. Bridget’s Church IS NOT available for overflow parking
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| Friday |
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| Candle Lighting |
7:03 PM |
| Mincha |
7:08 PM |
| Shabbat |
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| Shacharit |
7:00/8:00/9:00 AM |
| The Rebbe on the Parsha |
7:45 AM |
| Coffee & Commentary |
8:40 AM |
| Sephardic Minyan |
8:45 AM |
| Melachim Class |
9:00 AM |
| Latest Shema |
9:39 AM |
| Teen Minyan |
10:00 AM |
| Shiur |
10:30 AM |
| Latest Shacharit |
10:43 AM |
| Daf Yomi |
6:05 PM |
| Code Of Jewish Law |
6:05 PM |
| Mincha |
6:55 PM |
| Havdalah |
8:02 PM |
| Selichot |
10:00 PM/12:52 AM |
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No Peripheral People
One of the most powerful words in the opening of Parshat Nitzavim is easy to overlook: “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem” — “You stand this day, all of you, before Hashem your God.” Kulchem. All of you. The Torah names everyone—leaders and elders, children and families, the stranger, even the woodchopper and water drawer. All stand together to enter the covenant with God. Why spell this out? Perhaps because a covenantal community begins with a simple conviction: there are no peripheral people. The covenant includes not only those at the center of the room, but also the person standing quietly at the edge, wondering whether there is really a place for them. The Baal Shem Tov offers an extraordinary teaching: “A soul can descend into this world and live its seventy or eighty years just in order to do a favor for a fellow Jew in material matters, and how much more so in spiritual matters.” Perhaps an encounter that seems small to me is enormous to someone else. Perhaps it is even one of the reasons God placed me here. Someone walks into shul and doesn't know where to sit. Someone stands alone at Kiddush. A new family doesn't know many people. Someone hasn't been around for a few weeks. These are moments of truth in the life of a community. Saying hello takes thirty seconds. Remembering a name, making an introduction, extending an invitation or sending a text may seem small. But for the other person, it may be the moment they realize: Someone sees me. I matter here. I belong. That is the vision behind our Builders of Belonging initiative, led by our co-chairs Shoshy Rosen and Maria Reicin. We want to make belonging intentional—from the first welcome and Shabbat invitation to friendships, follow-up, and meaningful opportunities to contribute. Welcome is an event. Belonging is a journey: from being seen, to known, to connected, to needed—until someone knows, There is a place for me here. And every one of us can help. This Shabbat, notice one person you might otherwise have missed. Learn a name. Make an introduction. Invite someone to a shul event so they don't have to walk in alone. Reach out to someone you haven't seen. And if you hear about someone considering a move to Stamford or a new family arriving, please let us know. An early connection can make all the difference. If you would like to take a more active role, please reach out to Shoshy (Shoshyciment@gmail.com), Maria (maria.reicin@gmail.com), or me and join Builders of Belonging. Host a family for Shabbat, meet someone for coffee, welcome people at Kiddush, or simply help make connections. As we enter this final Shabbat of the year, perhaps there is no better way to prepare for Rosh Hashanah than to ask: Who is one person I can help feel that they truly belong? As we pray that Hashem sees us, remembers us, and inscribes us for a year of life and blessing, may we resolve to see one another more deeply as well. Ketivah V’Chatimah Tovah. May we all be written and sealed for a year of life, blessing, and countless opportunities to be a blessing to others. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
A Beautiful New Addition to Our Shul We extend our heartfelt thanks to Judy & Bob Raymond and Meryl & David Gordon for their generous dedication of new Koren Shalem Chumashim – The Magerman Edition to Congregation Agudath Sholom.
Featuring Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ inspiring Torah commentary and English translation, together with the complete text of Rashi and Targum Onkelos, these beautiful Chumashim will enrich our Torah learning, davening, and communal life for many years to come.
The Chumashim are dedicated by Judy & Bob Raymond in honor of Aaron & Emma Raymond and Ernest & Ina Rabinowicz, remembered with love by their children and grandchildren, and by Meryl & David Gordon in loving memory of Meryl’s parents, Regina and Paul Greenwald, z”l.
We are deeply grateful to Judy, Bob, Meryl, and David for this meaningful gift and their beautiful investment in Torah learning at CAS. May the Torah studied from these Chumashim honor cherished family legacies, perpetuate treasured memories, and inspire generations to come.
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Join the CSS Team! Upcoming CSS L1 Training Sunday, September 6th, 9:30am–12:30pm in New Canaan. Anyone interested should sign up on the CSS website (www.thecss.org → Become a Volunteer). Once approved, they'll receive login credentials to complete the online portion of the training, which must be finished before the in-person session. Any questions contact Adam Breiner at adambr@thecss.org.
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Email Reminder Please remain vigilant regarding phishing emails falsely claiming to be from the Rabbi or synagogue staff, which often request urgent favors, gift cards, or personal assistance. If you receive a suspicious message, do not reply or click any links—verify its authenticity by contacting the synagogue office directly by phone.
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Welcome to Zach & Levana Mainzer and Rebecca Eisenstadter!
We are delighted to welcome Zach & Levana Mainzer and Rebecca Eisenstadter for their first Shabbat in Stamford as part of the CAS community for the coming year.
Zach Mainzer joins us as our Yeshiva University Rabbinic Intern through the Irving M. Stone Rabbinic Internship Program. Zach and Levana will be with us regularly throughout the year, becoming part of the religious, educational and youth life of CAS. This Shabbat, Zach will deliver the Friday night Dvar Torah and will speak at Seudah Shlishit on “Cracking the Code of Selichot.”
We are also thrilled to welcome Rebecca Eisenstadter, our new CAS Teen Director and Stamford NCSY Director. Rebecca will work closely with our teens while also expanding Jewish engagement throughout Stamford, including outreach to public-school students through JSU.
These new roles reflect an important part of our vision at CAS: creating more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, grow and belong.
Please introduce yourselves and join us in giving Zach, Levana and Rebecca a very warm CAS welcome!
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A Milestone of 1,000 Aliyot
A few years ago, we began tracking aliyot in our Main Sanctuary to help our gabbaim be thoughtful about extending this honor broadly and ensuring that people are not overlooked. A special Yashar Koach to Daniel Wallis who has faithfully shepherded this initiative and each week helps our Rabbis and gabbaim identify those who have not received an aliyah in some time.
This week, Daniel informed me that we have reached an exciting milestone: our 1,000th tracked aliyah!
Mazel tov and Yashar Koach to Daniel, our gabbaim, and our entire community!
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Shabbat Topics & Participants
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| Friday Night Dvar Torah |
Zach Mainzer |
| The Rebbe on the Parsha |
Rabbi Yisrael Deren |
| Coffee & Commentary |
Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
| Melachim Class |
Mark Wagshul |
| Bob's Basics |
On hiatus until Oct. 17 |
| Shiur |
Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: May a Chazzan Lead High Holiday Services from a Wheelchair? |
| Sanctuary Sermon |
Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg: "A Jewish response to Adversity" |
| Code of Jewish Law |
Rabbi Yossi Kamman |
| Seudah Shlishit |
Zach Mainzer: "Cracking the Code of Selichot" |
| Teen Learning |
Aryeh Klein |
- We are blessed to host Rabbi Jerry Wohlberg this Shabbat, who will give the Sermon in the Sanctuary!
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- new members Bailey & Daveed Storch; Hillel & Meira Drazin and Family; and Scotty Jacobson & Kayla Weg and their son Jamie!
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- to Ahinoam and Hana -- the BCHA Banot Sherut for this coming year! Please consider signing up to host them for a meal!
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- to Kerrin & Josh Bilenko on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to grandparents Irina & George Bilenko!
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- to David Bessaleli on the engagement of granddaughter Shoshy Epstein - daughter of Tova and Josh Epstein - to Yehuda Teitelman - son of Meital and Howard Teitelman of Teaneck NJ!
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- to Tova & Josh Goldberg on the birth of a baby boy named Ezra Akiva! Mazal Tov to big sisters Shira and Nava!
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- to Alissa & Brent Weinberg on the birth of a baby girl named Nessa Miriam! Mazal Tov to big brother Tani!
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- to Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg on the arrival of a grandson, born to Phyllis & Zachary Wohlberg!
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- to Sandy Weiner and Marc Weiner on the arrival of a granddaughter, born to Rebecca & Yerucham Pliner!
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- to Bruce Newman on the arrival of a grandson named Boaz Aryeh, born to Naomi & Daniel Newman!
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- to Alisa & Jeremy Weisser on Eli's Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat!
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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
- Senior Challah Deliveries: Rachel & Harold Terk in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Rachel's brother, Marden David Paru z"l (Mordechai Dovid Ben Harav Yitzchak)
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- 7AM Kiddush: Drs. Judy & Jeff Cahn in memory of Jeff's grandparents: Moshe ben Beinush HaCohen, Nessa bat Yosef, Efraim ben Yaacov Zev and Rivka bat Natan Nata
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- Chapel Kiddush: Ana and Albert Lilienfeld in memory of the yahrzeit of Ana's mother, Beatriz Schoepper, z"l (Batya bat Emmanuel)
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- Sephardic Kiddush: Albert Bensimon in loving memory of his parents Shlomo ben Abraham and Marcelle bat Simha, A”H
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Marina Sapir & Alex Podelko and by Lev Podelko in memory of Marina's father Naum Sapir (Nahum ben Moshe) and in memory of Marina's grandfather Lev Livshits (Leib ben Isroel) in commemoration of their yahrzeits; Sharon & Simeon Wohlberg in honor of their grandson Chaim Yehuda and Rabbi & Mimi Wohlberg's 67th wedding anniversary; and Ariel Blum & Dr. Ben Zweig in honor of their new daughter Layla
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- Teen Kiddush: Elior & David Coleman in memory of Elchonon Elyakin z"l (Elchonon Yitzchak Ben Sara Tova)
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- Seudat Shlishit: Sarah Bierman & Daniel Wallis in commemoration of Sarah's father, Joe Bierman's z"l (Joseph Aharon ben Yaakov) yahrzeit
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- to the Agudath Sholom team in the annual Labor Day Kiddush Cup Softball game vs. Young Israel of Stamford on Monday at 3 PM at the JCC!
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Sunday, September 6 - 6:00 AM
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Magical Back to School BBQ
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Monday, September 7 - 4:00 PM
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"Can We Really Change?" - A Three-Part Elul Learning Series
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Tuesday, September 8 - 8:15 AM
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Sing with Us! Choir Initiative at Agudath Sholom
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CAS High Holiday 5787 Schedule
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Stamford Jewish Experience First Night Rosh Hashana Dinner
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Friday, September 11 - 8:00 PM
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Patron Member Reserved Seat Request
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CAS Youth Sukkah Decorating
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Wednesday, September 16 - 5:00 PM
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David Harris: Antisemitism - What Everyone Needs to Know
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Wednesday, September 16 - 7:30 PM
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Thursday, September 17 - 6:30 PM
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Kidney Donation Awareness & Swabbing Event
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Thursday, September 17 - 7:45 PM
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Shabbat Backyard Shmooze!
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Shabbat, September 19 - 4:00 PM
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High Holiday 5787 Guest Tickets
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Shabbat, September 26 - 1:00 PM
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Sunday, September 27 - 4:00 PM
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Sukkot Guys Night Out Chinese Food & Beer in the Sukkah
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Monday, September 28 - 8:00 PM
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Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
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Agudath Sholom Kesher (ASK)
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Monday, October 12 - 4:45 PM
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Tuesday, October 13 - 4:30 PM
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Man Up Pre-Bar Mitzvah Father/Son Class
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Sunday, October 18 - 9:15 AM
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Matan Pre-Bat Mitzvah Mother/Daughter Class
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Sunday, October 18 - 9:30 AM
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Selichot Selichot begins this Saturday night, Sep. 5th. The 10 PM will be ruach oriented led Yair Saperstein. The second selichot will be at 12:52 AM.
Selichot during the week are as follows:
- 10 PM - Maariv and Selichot (Sunday - Thursday)
- 6:45 AM on Monday (Labor Day) prior to 7:15 AM Shacharit
- 6:00 AM - Tuesday - Friday prior to 6:30 AM Shacharit
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Minyan Leaders We are blessed that in addition to our returning Chazzan Duvie Shapiro, who will be leading many of the services in the Sanctuary, many of our talented members will be volunteering to ensure a meaningful High Holidays Tefillah. Click here to view the full list
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Message from Duvie Shapiro
Shalom CAS Congregants from Jerusalem!I'm really looking forward to joining all of you for the Yomim Noraim this year! With Hashem's help, we will have a beautiful and uplifting davening together. I'm counting on you to join me as we sing and pray to Hashem to be written in the Book Of Life! May we all be blessed with a year full of good health, happiness, parnassa beshefa, nachas from our children, and a year of truly getting closer to Hashem! And who knows, maybe next year I'll have the zechus to be the Chazzan for CAS here in Jerusalem. Shana Tova U'Metukah and a Chasiva VeChasima Tova!
Sincerely, Duvie
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Men's Mikvah Usage for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur The Armon Hotel is opening up their mikvah for usage for men before the holidays. Hours are as follows: Friday, September 11th 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM and Sunday, September 20th 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Please go to the main desk who will arrange for access.
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What is a choice you made that you're really happy you made (״ובחרת בחיים״ — choose life)?
- What is something you learned that seemed really hard at first but eventually became easy (״לא בשמים היא״ — the Torah is not beyond our reach)?
- What is something you would want to teach your children one day (Hakhel, where men, women, and children gather to hear the Torah)?
- Would You Rather perform or show something you're very proud of to a massive crowd or to a gathering of your closest friends and family (Hakhel, when the entire nation gathers together)?
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- Save the Date! 55+ Empty Nester Social Committee is going to Yale University Thursday, October 8th. There is no cost for the program. We will start by visiting Yale Hillel Slifka Center at 11:30 am. They will tell us what they do for the students, what life was like prior to Oct. 7th, post Oct. 7th, and what they are doing about it. We will then eat lunch there (credit cards only). Subsequently, you will have an opportunity to visit one of four museums. Each is free. They are: 1. Yale University Art Gallery; 2. Yale University for British Art; 3. Yale Peabody Museum and 4. Yale Beinecki Library (rare books and manuscripts). It should be a great trip!! Please contact Bruce Newman (313-549-7014, bruce.newman8@gmail.com) for questions.
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- Selichot Sunday: 12:52 AM/10:00 PM; Monday: 6:45/10:00 PM; Tuesday-Thursday: 6:00/10:00 PM; Friday: 6:00 AM
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- Shacharit Sunday-Monday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Tuesday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 6:55 PM; Friday: 1:30 PM/6:57 PM
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- Candle Lighting Friday: 6:52 PM
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
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- Elia Shava ben n/a
- Hodel Dena bat n/a
- Yaffa bat Hanna
- Leah bat Tziporah
- Moshe Yosef ben Sarah Leah
- Aharon ben Bracha
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- Shalom ben Hannah
- Shaina Faiga bat Rivka
- Mikhail ben Goda
- Esther Miriam bat Chana
- Ilana Idit bat Leeba
- Leeba bat Chana Surah
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- Sarah Shlomit bat Leeba
- Yoseph ben Esther Miriam
- Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
- Bayla Frimet bat Rivka Henshe
- Yaakov Kopel Moshe ben Rivka
- 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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- UJF Annual Campaign Kick-Off Event Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026UJF's Annual Campaign Kick-Off event is shaping up to be one you definitely don't want to miss. Join UJF for a timely discussion with Alyssa Rosenheck, author of the book White. Blonde. Jew.. Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Launch26
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- Join our community for an uplifting evening featuring the Special in Uniform band! A unique Jewish National Fund-USA initiative, Special in Uniform enables young Israeli adults with disabilities to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), creating belonging and opening doors to meaningful opportunities. Enjoy a dessert reception, and an unforgettable musical performance embodying the spirit of Israel. For more information: jnf.org/powermusic
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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