| Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin |
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| | Tzav | Shabbat HaGadol; Yom HaAliyah | March 28, 2026 | 10 Nisan |
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| | Friday | | | Candle Lighting | 6:55 PM | | Mincha | 7:00 PM | | Shabbat | | | Shacharit | 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM | | Sephardic Minyan | 8:45 AM | | Latest Shema | 9:10 AM | | Fam Minyan | 10:00 AM | | Latest Shacharit | 10:27 AM | | Shiur | 10:30 AM | | Code Of Jewish Law | 5:10 PM | | Shabbat HaGadol Drasha: Rabbi Daniel Cohen | 6:00 PM | | Mincha | 6:50 PM | | Havdalah | 7:57 PM |
The Fifth Cup We Do Not Drink — and the Four Thanksgivings We Must One of the most striking features of the Seder night is the recurring presence of the number four. We drink four cups of wine, ask four questions, and speak of four children. The classic explanation is that the four cups correspond to the ארבע לשונות של גאולה—the four expressions of redemption: "Ve'hotzeiti, Ve'hitzalti, Ve'ga'alti, Ve'lakachti"—"I will take you out, I will save you, I will redeem you, and I will take you." These phrases describe the journey from slavery to freedom. Yet there is a fifth expression: "Ve'heiveiti"—"I will bring you to the Land." Because that stage of redemption has not yet been fully realized, we pour a fifth cup, the Cup of Eliyahu, but we do not drink from it. It represents a redemption still unfolding—a future we continue to anticipate. Beyond this well-known explanation, the Vilna Gaon offers a deeper and more personal insight. The four cups are not only about redemption—they are about gratitude. They correspond to the four situations in which a person brings a korban todah, a thanksgiving offering: one who has recovered from illness, one who has crossed the sea, one who has traversed a desert, and one who has been released from imprisonment. In a remarkable way, the Jewish people experienced all four during the Exodus. They were freed from the confinement of Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, journeyed through the desert, and, according to Chazal, experienced healing at Sinai. The four cups, then, are not only a commemoration of redemption, but four expressions of gratitude. This perspective transforms the Seder. It is not merely about what happened then—it is about how we live now. The night invites us to cultivate hakarat hatov, a deeper awareness of the good in our lives. It asks us to consider not only how our ancestors were redeemed, but where we, too, have experienced moments of challenge, growth, and unexpected blessing. The Netziv highlights this idea through the laws of the korban todah. Unlike most offerings, which could be eaten over two days, the korban todah had to be consumed within a single day and night—despite consisting of a large quantity of food. No one could eat it alone. The design was intentional: a person had to invite others, to gather people, and to share the story behind their gratitude. Thanksgiving was meant to be spoken, shared, and multiplied. That is the essence of the Seder table. It is not only a place of ritual, but a place of testimony. We gather not only to retell the story of the Exodus, but to share our own journeys—moments when we crossed a sea, endured a difficult stretch, or emerged from a place of limitation into new possibility. When these stories are shared, the Seder becomes a living experience that deepens our connection to one another. Just as the korban todah could not be brought in isolation, we can be intentional about expanding our Seder table. Inviting others and creating space for their presence transforms the evening from a private ritual into a shared expression of gratitude. When people gather and reflect together, gratitude is not only felt—it is amplified. At the end of the Seder, we turn to a cup that remains untouched. The Cup of Eliyahu reminds us that redemption is not yet complete. Yet perhaps its deeper message is this: when we live with awareness, with gratitude, and with a willingness to share our stories, we are already moving closer to that future. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, joyous Pesach and God willing a full redemption speedily and in our days. Rabbi Daniel Cohen |
Early mincha minyan at CAS Wednesday, April 1 - 1:45 PM
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New Haggadah from Rabbi Cohen - Check it Out! The Legacy Haggadah: Make Your Seder Meaningful in Minutes click here
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Community Security Update
In light of recent events affecting Jewish communities, we continue to review and strengthen our security measures. This Shabbat we will have an additional police presence at the synagogue near the parking lot entrance as part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our congregation.
UJF's Regional Security Advisor, Jim Comstock, together with other CSI members, has been in close and ongoing contact with all local police departments, who have deployed additional patrols to Jewish institutions throughout our area and will continue to do so over Shabbat.
We are grateful to our volunteer security team and local law enforcement for their partnership. If you ever notice anything concerning, please notify a staff member or security volunteer immediately. May we share good news God willing in the days ahead. Shabbat Shalom
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GET READY FOR PESACH
When completing your chametz sale through the Rabbi and synagogue, please consider including a contribution to the Passover Fund to support those in need. Ideally, you should bring the Sale of Chametz form to one of the Rabbis (there are also copies in the office and Chapel).
- Rabbi Cohen will be available Monday evening (7:40pm), Tuesday morning (8:00am), Tuesday evening (7:40pm), and Wednesday morning (8:00am).
- Rabbi Roberts will be available Sunday evening (8-9pm in Dairy Kitchen), Monday morning (9:00am), Tuesday morning (7:00am), and Tuesday evening (6:55pm),
If you cannot appear in person, you may also fill it out online.
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Shabbat Topics & Participants |
| Coffee & Commentary | Rabbi Daniel Cohen | | Bob's Basics | Rabbi Bob Abrams | | Shiur | Michael Feldstein: Spill the Wine: Myths and Facts About This Popular Custom at the Seder | | Musaf | Aaron Berk | | Code of Jewish Law | Rabbi Yossi Kamman | | Shabbat HaGadol Drasha | Rabbi Daniel Cohen: The Six Women Who Shaped Moshe's Life and Our Future | | Seudah Shlishit | Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: Why Is the Haggadah's Exodus Story Told from Deuteronomy? |
- to Chanie and Rabbi Yossi Kamman on the birth of a baby boy
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- to Rachel Seligson and David Jelen on their engagement
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- to Jessica & Eytan Sosnovich on Matthew's bar-mitzvah
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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 Debra Faizakoff and her family on the passing of her beloved uncle Seymour Winchel
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- Senior Challah Deliveries : Nancy & Gadi Mimoun In memory of Joan Zinbarg
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- 7AM Kiddush: Shmouel Gov-Ari in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Shmouel's mother, Kadya
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- Chapel Kiddush: Elise Lerner and Corinne Chapman in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Elise's father, Seymour Lerner (Shmuel Ben Yisrael), and Corinne's mother, Mia Needle (Mia Bas Dovid):
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- Sanctuary Kiddush: Jessica & Eytan Sosnovich and Kathy & Gary Sosnovich in celebration of Matthew's Bar Mitzvah.
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- Seudat Shlishit : Alina & Tzvika Kaminsky in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Tzvika's father, Haim Kaminsky (Haim Moshe ben Tzvi Dov)
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| Maot Chittim - Passover Charity |
| Jewish Heritage Trip to France |
| Tuesday, April 7 - 4:30 PM |
| Elie Wiesel Soul on Fire Movie Screening and Conversation |
Sunday, April 12 - 7:00 PM |
| Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships |
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CAS Annual Mens Pre-Pesach Super Chabura Sunday, March 29 - 8:00 PM This Sunday evening, March 29 at 8pm: Join us for an evening of round-robin divrei Torah as we gear up for Pesach! Come hear some short Divrei Torah to share at your Seder from: Rabbi Feller, Eli Reichner, Sam Sroka, Andrew Bein, Yoel Kelman, Tzvi MH, and Josh Sperber. At the home of Sam Sroka, 112 Elmbrook Drive. 613 and event sponsored by Eli Reichner, לעילוי נשמת רחל יונינה בת ישראל יעקב. Please RSVP to Sam at sroka.samuel@gmail.com, or via Whatsapp. |
Pesach Matzah Update Due to ongoing challenges in Israel, we have been informed that the Emunah matzah order is unfortunately not confirmed for delivery this year. To ensure that everyone who ordered matzah is taken care of, we have arranged for a reliable U.S.-based supply. Matzah will be available for pickup on Monday and Tuesday during regular business hours. At the same time, as you can appreciate, our support of Emunah and the meaningful work they do—is deeply important. While the matzah itself may not be arriving, we felt it was essential that the impact of this initiative still reaches those in need. With that in mind, we encourage our community to consider supporting this effort through a donation. Contributions will go toward two important causes: Supporting Emunah, which helps fund an IDF program providing soldiers with a complete Seder and matzah throughout Pesach Israel's national food bank, ensuring that additional supplies reach families in need. You can make a donation click here. Thank you for your understanding, your flexibility, and your continued generosity. Wishing you and your families a Chag Kasher VeSameach.
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Public Service Announcement – Passover Shopping Reminders - Please be sure to check labels carefully and confirm that every item is clearly marked Kosher for Passover. Even products placed in the "Kosher for Passover" section may sometimes be shelved there in error, so it's important not to rely on location alone.
- Buy Milk Before Pesach
- Eggs May Be Purchased during Chol Hamoed Pesach
- All non-processed meat and chicken is kosher for Pesach. Buy now and freeze for Pesach before prices go up.(Please note: This doesn't apply to ground meat)
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Seder Hospitality Planning your Seder? In need of a Seder? If you would like to join a family seder or would consider hosting members of our community who may need a place for Pesach night click here
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As we prepare for the upcoming holiday, we are excited to launch our Annual Pesach Website. Agudath Sholom is committed to helping you get ready for the holiday. This site will provide you with answers to many of the questions.To join the Pesach Q and A Whatsapp group, click here.- We are offering a full array of pre-Pesach classes.
- We strongly encourage you to see the Rabbis personally for the sale of your Chametz. For those who find it impossible to do so, please click here to fill out the online form.
- To give Maot Chitim, click here. We are working with Schoke Jewish Family Service to provide food and emergency assistance. Tzedakah can be donated online to our CAS Passover Fund. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Please reach out discreetly to me via rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org if you know a family in need.
- Here is our Passover schedule.
- Please note the Fast of the First Born this year is on Wednesday, April 1st with the siyum on Wednesday morning and we check for Chametz on Tuesday evening.
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- Shabbat Icebreakers (courtesy of Yaakov Moshe and Elisheva Shmidman)
- What's an important rite of passage you went through (the miluim for the kohanim)?
- What's your favorite part of the seder (Shabbos Hagadol)?
- What part of the Pesach story do you connect with most (Shabbos Hagadol)?
- Would You Rather-Would you rather have super bitter maror or charoset with a secret ingredient that could be anything except poisonous or non-kosher foods?
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- Registration for 2026 Jewish Baseball League season is live! FCCJBL is a co-ed, ages 4-11 year old little league and plays on Sundays only. Season opener is 4/12. Please sign up on www.fccjbl.org. Please reach out to info@fccjbl.org with any questions.
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- Shacharit Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Wednesday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Thursday-Friday: 8:00/9:00 AM
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- Mincha Sunday-Thursday: 7:05 PM; Wednesday: 1:45 PM, Friday: 7:00 PM
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- Last Time To Eat Chametz Wednesday: 10:51 AM
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- Communal Burning At C A S Wednesday: 11:00 AM
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- Last Time To Annul And Burn Chametz Wednesday: 11:54 AM
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- Candle Lighting Wednesday: 7:01 PM; Thursday: 8:02 PM; Friday: 7:03 PM
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- Earliest Time To Start Seder Wednesday: 8:00 PM; Thursday: 8:02 PM
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- Wednesday Erev Pesach; Taanit Bechorot
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- Friday Omer: 1, Pesach II
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We Wish A Speedy Recovery To |
- Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
- Yaffa bat Hanna
- Anat bat Rachel
- Moshe Yosef ben Sarah
- Raanan Noach ben Slova
- Chaim ben Leah
- Aharon ben Bracha
- Yosef Ishai ben Miriam
- Shalom ben Hannah
- Sheina Feiga bat Rivka
- Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
- Rema bat Etta
- Mikhail ben Goda
- Yitzchak ben Shmuel v. Chaya
- Freidel bat Esther
- Leeba Minna bat Rivka
- Pesach Melech ben Basha
- Chaya Shoshana bat Yehudit
- Nira bat Rachel
| - Sara bat Nira
- יוֹסֵף ben בתיה
- Chana Leah bat Esther
- Nadav Ephraim ben Shlomit Leah
- Rafael Zvi ben Chana Pearl
- Evgeny ben Perl
- Ariella Maor bat Liba Chaya
- Leah bat Rivka
- חיים זאב ben לאה
- Adeline bat Bat Chava
- Moisha Gedalia
- Nechemiah
- Dorit bat Ora
- Yospa bat Shana Menucha
- Michal bat Chana
- Rachel Leah bat Sara
- Mary
- Yosef Noach ben Dina
- Uriel ben Vered
| - Ahuva Malka bat Sarah
- Tanya bat Malka
- Chaya bat Liba
- Moshe Yitzak ben Raisel Crendel
- Miriam bat Devorah
- אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה
- Chaya Rachel bat Carmi Adina
- Penina bat Batya
- Dov ben Pnina
- Nehama Miriam bat Dvora
- Yehouda ben Aghdas
- Hersh Zalman ben Sorah Rochel
- Moshe Gavriel ben Rachel Esther
- Cheryl Sheva bat Gittel Leah
- Sossie Raizel bat Sarah Fraida
- Calev Natanel ben Sara
- Yitzchak Osher ben Chana Shayva Chaya
- Inna bat Tanya
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- Ariel Y
- Shani Y
- Tali Y
- Yoad A
- Harry B
- CZM
- JEM
| - AMM
- Nathan H
- Noam H
- Yehudit
- Sally K
- Oren L
- Nathan L
| - Rachel M
- Jeremy S
- Yehudit S
- Meni N
- Yaniv H
- Rachel W
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- UJF's Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration Monday, April 13 at 7:00pm Join UJF for a community commemoration of Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. There is no charge to attend, but advance registration is required at www.ujf.org/yomhashoah
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- Yom Ha'Atzmaut with NextGen Saturday evening, April 18 Join UJF's NextGen community in celebrating Yom Ha'Atzmaut at an awesome party! NextGen is committed to building a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community for young Jews in their mid-20s, 30s, and 40s. All participants must be 21+. Register at www.ujf.org/YHnextgen
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- Community Yom Ha'Atzmaut Family Program Wednesday, April 22 from 5:00-6:30pm Celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut with a fun-filled Family Program that takes you on a "trip around Israel!" Enjoy a bounce house, games, face-painting, Israeli snacks, and even a hands-on archeological dig. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of laughter, learning, and celebrating Israel's birthday! Register at www.ujf.org/YHfamily
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- Yom Ha'Atzmaut Adult Evening Sunday, April 26 from 6:00-8:00pmJoin UJF to celebrate and experience Israel through taste, sound, and spirit! Shuk b'Stamford will bring Israeli food, music, games, and culture together for an event you won't want to miss. All participants must be 21+. Register at www.ujf.org/YHadult
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- Get ready for laughter, adventure, and Ramah magic Registration is now open for our Spring and August Family Experiences! Bring the whole family for unforgettable days of joy, connection, and camp fun. Head to http://ramahfamilycamp.org to sign up or for more information.
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- UJF's Women's Philanthropy Spring Dinner Thursday, May 7 at 6:00pmJoin together for a fabulous evening featuring guest speaker Zibby Owens. The inaugural Women of Valor Award will also be presented to Aviva Maller. Register at www.ujf.org/SpringDinner
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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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