Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin Devarim Shabbat Chazon July 18, 2026 4 Av send your submission to bulletin@cas-stamford.org ‌ ‌ Friday Mincha 7:00 PM/8:10 PM Candle Lighting 8:05 PM Shabbat Shacharit 7:00/8:00/9:00 AM Latest Shema 8:27 AM Coffee & Commentary 8:40 AM Sephardic Minyan 8:45 AM Melachim Class 9:00 AM Latest Shacharit 9:58 AM Bob's Basics 10:00 AM Family Minyan 10:00 AM Shiur 10:30 AM Daf Yomi 7:10 PM Code Of Jewish Law 7:10 PM Mincha 8:00 PM Havdalah 9:05 PM Shabbat Shalom Shabbat Chazon: Answering Ayeka Before Eicha As we enter Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat preceding Tisha B'Av, we read the haunting words of the prophet Yeshayahu: "Chazon Yeshayahu", the vision of Isaiah. The Haftarah, together with the Book of Eicha that we will read on Tisha B'Av, calls us to reflect not only on the destruction of Jerusalem but on the spiritual choices that either strengthen or weaken our relationship with God. The Midrash notes that the word Eicha ("How?" or the cry of lament) appears three times in Tanach. It is the opening word of Megillat Eicha, it appears in this week's Haftarah, and it is found in Parashat Devarim, where Moshe Rabbeinu exclaims, "Eicha esa levadi..."—"How can I alone bear your burdens, your troubles, and your disputes?" (Devarim 1:12). What unites these three expressions of Eicha? Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik suggested that before there was Eicha, there was Ayeka. The first appearance of these same Hebrew letters is in Gan Eden. After Adam and Chava eat from the Tree of Knowledge, God calls out, "Ayeka?", "Where are you?" At first glance, the question seems puzzling. Surely God knew where Adam was hiding. Rather, God was asking a far deeper question: Where are you spiritually? Where are you in your relationship with Me? Immediately before this moment, the Torah tells us that Adam and Chava heard God's presence "l'ruach hayom." The Midrash wonders whether God appeared from the east, with the rising sun, or from the west, as the sun was setting. The Rav explains that both images are true. Sometimes God calls to us during the sunrise moments of life—when we are blessed with health, family, success, and joy. In those moments, God asks, Ayeka. Do you recognize that these blessings are gifts? Do you invite Me into your moments of abundance? If we fail to answer God's call during life's sunrises, we often discover Him only during the sunsets, moments of disappointment, uncertainty, loss, or pain. Then the gentle question of Ayeka can become the anguished cry of Eicha. This may be one of the profound messages of Shabbat Chazon. The tragedy of the Churban did not begin with burning buildings. It began when a people gradually stopped responding to God's voice. The destruction on the outside reflected a distance that had already developed on the inside. Every day, God asks each of us, Ayeka? Where are you? Where is your heart? Where are your priorities? Where are you investing your gifts, your time, and your soul? The challenge of Shabbat Chazon is to hear that question before we reach Tisha B'Av. If we can answer God's Ayeka today with gratitude, faith, kindness, Torah, prayer, and love for one another, we can transform the trajectory of our lives and our people. Our tradition teaches that every generation that does not merit seeing the Beit HaMikdash rebuilt is considered as if it experienced its destruction. The converse is equally true: every act that brings us closer to God and to one another becomes another stone in its rebuilding. May this Shabbat be one of vision not merely seeing what was lost, but seeing who we are called to become. May we answer God's Ayeka with open hearts, so that our generation will merit transforming Eicha into songs of consolation, redemption, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Wishing your family a Shabbat Shalom and God willing a full redemption speedily and in our days, Rabbi Daniel Cohen Rabbi Daniel Cohen - Halachot of The Nine Days   The nine days began 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. Increase the Light In the spirit of Rav Kook's timeless teaching, we invite every family to bring packaged kosher food on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning for the Schoke JFS Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry. Even on our day of mourning, one of the greatest ways to respond to darkness is through an act of kindness. For more information or to make a donation, visit https://www.ctjfs.org/foodprograms/ Shabbat Topics & Participants Coffee & Commentary Rabbi Daniel Cohen: 48 Ways of Wisdom Melachim Class Mark Wagshul Bob's Basics Rabbi Bob Abrams Shiur Sam Sroka: Almost There: Ascending the Temple Mount Nowadays Code of Jewish Law Rabbi Yossi Kamman Seudah Shlishit Rabbi Aryeh Roberts: At the Threshold of Mourning - Framing the Seudah Hamafseket Teen Learning Aryeh Klein Mazal Tov to Rebecca & Seth Greenberg on the birth of a baby boy! Mazal Tov to big brother Gabe! Celebrate with the family! Make a donation in their honor and we will send an acknowledgement to the family. Just click here Condolences to Elliot Sloyer on the passing of his mother, Esther Sloyer z”l Thanks To Our Sponsors Senior Challah Deliveries: Greg & Amanda Smith 7AM Kiddush: Judy & Jeff Cahn in memory of their fathers - Marvin Cahn z"l (Mordechai Yitzchak ben Moshe HaCohen) and Sol Altschuler z"l (Shlomo Zalman ben Avraham Leib) Chapel Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Howard Weiss in honor of Fred Baer's 85th birthday and Fred Baer in honor of Howard Weiss' not milestone birthday Sephardic Kiddush: CAS Sephardic Minyan in honor of the Hormadalys in recognition of their contributions to the minyan and wishing them well on their move to West Hartford Sanctuary Kiddush: Co-sponsored by Kaili & Daniel Scherban in memory of Ronald Scherban z"l; and Diane & Rabbi Daniel Cohen in memory of Beatsy Wertheimer z"l, Phyllis Gold z"l and David Marlowe z"l Seudah Shlishit: Anonymous in honor of Rabbis Cohen and Roberts Sign Up for these Events learn more Love Your Neighbor 3-Part Series Sunday, July 19 - 9:15 AM Sign up Special Zoom Event - From Division to Unity Sunday, July 19 - 10:00 AM learn more Sushi and Shiur: A Monthly Women’s Learning Night Sunday, July 19 - 8:00 PM learn more Nine Days Siyum Monday, July 20 - 6:15 PM Learn more Tisha BAv 5786 Schedule, Updates and Program Wednesday, July 22 sign up Tisha BAv Youth Movie Thursday, July 23 - 4:00 PM 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 learn more CAS Book Club Thursday, July 30 - 9:15 AM Learn more Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships sign up CAS 55+ Social Committee Sunset Cruise Sunday, August 2 - 6:00 PM Click here Patron Member Reserved Seat Request CAS Announcements Shabbat Ice Breakers Who is a leader or teacher whose criticism you respected, even if it was hard to hear (Moshe rebukes Bnei Yisrael at the beginning of Sefer Devarim)? What is your favorite quote or speech from a movie, book, or famous person (Moshe's farewell speech)? What is a responsibility you realized you couldn't handle by yourself (Moshe appointing judges because he could not lead the people alone)? Would You Rather - give one unforgettable speech to a stadium full of people or have one meaningful conversation with someone you deeply admire (Moshe's final address to the nation)? Member Articles  Michael Feldstein's Latest Article Dr. Jeff Cahn's article about volunteering in Israel Weekday Schedule Shacharit  Sunday: 7:15/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30/8:30 AM; Thursday: 6:30/8:30 AM Mincha  Sunday-Tuesday: 8:05 PM; Wednesday: 6:00 PM; Thursday: 1:40 PM/7:45 PM; Friday: 7:00 PM/8:05 PM Fast Begins  Wednesday: 8:19 PM Maariv Followed By Eicha  Wednesday: 8:30 PM Midday  Thursday: 1:00 PM Maariv  Thursday: 8:20 PM Fast Ends  Thursday: 8:54 PM Candle Lighting  Friday: 8:00 PM Wednesday  Erev Tisha BAv Thursday  Tisha BAv 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 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 Interested in becoming a Chevra Kadisha volunteer?  Learn more about how to perform a tahara – and the various customs associated with preparing a body for burial. Or perhaps you already volunteer for the Chevra and would like to brush up on your skills? We are organizing a training session led by Rabbi Naftali Wolfe on July 28 at 7:30 pm. To sign up for the training, please rsvp to StamfordChevraKadisha@gmail.com. UJF Summer Backyard Jam  Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 7:30pm Featuring local Jewish musicians. Lawn chairs and blankets are highly encouraged. Registration includes wine, beer, and snacks. All proceeds will benefit UJF's security partnership with Community Security Initiative, protecting our local Jewish community. All ages welcome. Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Jam 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 UJF Family Nature Hike & Scavenger Hunt  Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 10:00-11:30am Lace up your sneakers and join PJ Library for a fun-filled family adventure as we explore nature together on an exciting hike and scavenger hunt. After the adventure, everyone will enjoy delicious kosher ice cream! Sign up today at www.ujf.org/Nature 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 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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