Congregation Agudath Sholom | 301 Strawberry Hill Ave | Stamford, CT 06902 (203)-358-2200 www.agudathsholom.org

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Friday, March 22, 2024

Congregation Agudath Sholom Shabbat Bulletin

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Congregation Agudath Sholom
Shabbat Bulletin
VayikraErev Purim
Parshat Zachor
March 23, 202413 Adar II 5784
send your submission to
bulletin@cas-stamford.org
Friday
Candle Lighting6:51 PM
Mincha6:56 PM
Shabbat
Shacharit7:00/8:00/9:00 AM
Latest Shema9:15 AM
Latest Shacharit10:30 AM
Shiur10:30 AM
Code Of Jewish Law5:55 PM
Daf Yomi5:55 PM
Mincha6:45 PM
Havdalah7:52 PM
Shabbat Shalom
An Epic Battle

Remember.

Once a year, we are obligated to hear the Torah reading. During the remainder of the year, whether on a weekday, Shabbat or holiday, the words of God do not assume the same importance publicly as the words we will read this Shabbat across the world. On the Shabbat prior to Purim, we are obligated to fulfill the mitzvah of remembering Amalek, the arch enemy of the Jewish people. It is true that Haman, the villain of the Purim story, is a descendant of Amalek, but why is the focus on Amalek so crucial that it is mandated by God never to forget?

The answer emerges from the ideological foundations of Amalek and the struggle for world domination. Our vision of the world reflects a belief that one day the world will recognize the Divine in every human being. We believe that we are working towards a time heralded by the coming of the Messiah when peace will reign, God's name will be ONE, the goodness of man will conquer evil and knowledge of God will fill the world from sea to sea.

We are clearly not there..yet.

Amalek rises in every generation to thwart this vision as witnessed in our lives. Their maniacal obsession with Israel and the Jewish people is due to their understanding, sometimes more than ours, that we are God's ambassadors to realize this Divine vision. Amalek professes a godless world, promotes anarchy, bigotry, racism and the elimination of a higher power or morality.

In the chilling words of Adolf Hitler, "The Ten Commandments have lost their vitality. Conscience is a Jewish invention; it is a blemish, like circumcision. They refer to me as an uneducated barbarian. Yes, we are barbarians. We want to be barbarians; it is an honored title to us. We shall rejuvenate the world. This world is near its end. The struggle for world domination will be fought entirely between us between Germans and Jews. All else is facade and illusion."

We read Zachor to not only remember this struggle, but to refortify ourselves to our historic mission to fight against the theology of Amalek and redouble our efforts to stand proudly as Jews, advocate for Israel, and lead lives publicly and privately that hasten the redemption of the world.

We will have readings of Zachor on Shabbat morning in all minyanim and also following the minyan in the main sanctuary and before mincha.

With prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel and God willing good news ahead and Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim,

Rabbi Daniel Cohen

Shabbat Information 
  • Learn about the Shabbat Torah Reading for Parshat Vayikra with the insights of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l - click here
  • Please find Dovi Siderson's weekly parsha resource here
  • We remove two Sifrei Torah; the Maftir is Parshat Zachor (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)
  • The Haftarah is read from I Samuel 15:2-34
  • Haftarah summary by Chabad.org - click here
  • Haftarah summary by Haftarah Helper - click here
  • Would you like to read the Torah or Haftara for your bar mitzvah parsha? Let us know by clicking here.

Shabbat Table Conversation - VayikraThe parsha highlights the Divine in the details. Every vessel and accounting is recorded. Review your week or day in the most detailed way and like Moshe, render an account. What were the moments that you acted in accordance with G-d? When were the moments when you sensed the Divine in the littlest of details?

Parsha Icebreakers (Courtesy of Elisheva and Yaakov Moshe Shmidman)
  1. What is a good call that you have made (Vayikra - to call)?
  2. If you were to offer something to Hashem right now (like a good deed, a sincere thought, project, etc.) what would it be (all the karbanot)?
  3. Recall a "see something-say something" moment (im lo yagid v'nasa avono)?

Upcoming Clergy Travel Rabbi Cohen will be in Israel from March 26th to April 3rd. He will be available for consultation via whats app and email. Rabbi Kurtz will be away April 15-17.
PURIM INFORMATION
  • Parshat Zachor and a Holocaust Torah: This year more than ever, it is important to attend the reading of Parshat Zachor to not only remember but refortify ourselves to our historic mission to fight against the theology of Amalek and redouble our efforts to stand resolute against the forces of evil in the world, stand proudly as Jews, and advocate for Israel. We will read Parshat Zachor during and at the end of all Shabbat morning minyanim. Through the generosity of a local family, we will symbolically read Zachor from a Torah that was read at Theresienstadt during the Holocaust.
  • Spread the Joy on Purim Day - Join us Saturday night for Megillah readings and ruach and refreshments following the Megillah reading. Pack Mishloach Manot for Seniors at Atria. Join us at 2 PM at the Atria on 3rd Street to spread the Purim joy to Seniors and deliver Mishloach Manot. Rabbi Cohen will lead the festivities .
  • Gifts to the Poor: Finally, one of the prime mitzvot of Purim is Matanot L'Evyonim, gifts to the needy.
  • Food: We encourage everyone to bring food for the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry to the shul when you arrive for the Megillah Reading on Saturday night. Click here for more info about foods to bring.
  • Funds: Take a moment to contribute to the Purim Charity Fund to fulfill the mitzvah of Matanot L'evyonim which will be distributed to needy people locally via Schoke JFS and also in Israel.
  • The holiday of Purim embodies the idea that redemption is the partnership between God's hidden intervention and human agency. We can all make a difference. One mitzvah can be the catalyst to the Messianic Age. God willing, we will witness the eradication of Amalek, peace in Israel and an era when God's name will be One. With prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel and God willing good news ahead, Rabbi Daniel Cohen

PURIM SCHEDULE
Join us for family friendly megillah reading on Saturday night, March 23rd at 8:30 PM followed by, hamantaschen, refreshments, fun carnival for kids and much more! Thank you to the CAS Men's Club for sponsoring the food.
Purim Night, Saturday Night, March 23rd
  • Megillah Readings in Sanctuary, Chapel, Library (Sephardic), and Beit Midrash (Women-reading Only): 8:30 pm
  • Late readings: 9:30 pm and 10:15 pm
Sunday, March 24th - Purim Day:
The 11am, 12pm and 4pm Megillah readings will also include a reading of Zachor beforehand for those who could not hear it on Shabbat.
  • Shacharit: 7:00 am (Chapel) and 8:30 am (Sanctuary)
  • Megillah Reading: 7:30 am and 9:00 am sharp as part of Shacharit at CAS;
  • Concurrent Sephardic Minyan at 8:30am with 9am reading in the Beit Midrash.
  • Women's Megillah Reading: 9:30 am in the Chapel
  • Additional Readings: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
  • Early Mincha: 1:35 pm
  • Purim Seudah: 5:00 pm
  • Mincha/Ma'ariv: 7:00 pm

Michael Feldstein News click here
Check out Elisheva's Shmidman's shiur  VNahafoch Hu: What We Learn From Haman
Shabbat Topics & Participants
Bob's BasicsBob Abrams
ShiurBob Abrams
Code of Jewish LawRabbi Yossi Kamman
Seudat ShlishitRabbi Daniel Cohen: The Mystery and Meaning of Bigtan and Teresh
Condolences
  • to the family of Jacqueline Silver
Thanks To Our Sponsors
  • Chapel Kiddush: Anonymous
  • Sanctuary Kiddush: Tami & David Raymer and Sandy & Bob Goldstein in appreciation of Rabbi Cohen and the Agudath Sholom community
Sign Up for these Events
Learn more
CAS Purim Schedule
Shabbat, March 23 - 8:30 PM
sign up
Purim at the Atria
Sunday, March 24 - 2:00 PM
sign up
Purim Seudah
Sunday, March 24 - 5:00 PM
sign up
55+ Empty Nesters Movie and Dinner
Thursday, March 28
Learn more
Parent Child Learning
Shabbat, March 30 - 7:00 PM
Learn more
CAS Youth Shabbat Groups
sign up
CAS Movie Club
Sunday, March 31 - 8:00 PM
sign up
Mens Seder at 613
Monday, April 8 - 7:00 PM
sign up
Nachos & Knowledge
Wednesday, April 10 - 8:00 PM
Learn more
CAS Family Davening
Shabbat, April 13 - 10:00 AM
sign up
Matzah from Southern Israel [Limited Opportunity]
Monday, April 15
Learn more
Donate Seforim to the Beit Midrash
Learn more
Senior Challah Delivery Sponsorships
Israel Updates
Israel MEALuim Update - Our Support Matters!  To Join the Mitzvah, visit https://tzohar-eng.org/mealuim/

Rabbi Cohen-- Your community's participation in MEALuim has made a significant difference in the lives of IDF miluim families. Especially now, as the war has extended into almost 4 months, the absence of a spouse and parent is even more profound and difficult. The homefront has become one of the more important places where we need to place our support. Overall we have thus far provided over 5000 meals to hundreds of families.Using Tzohar's strong connection we have been able to identify and serve those most affected by their soldier's absence and with limited local support. We have focused on ten yishuvim, and sporadic individual families.15 Agudath Sholom Congregation members participated thus far, donating 418 meals. The recipients of these meals were primarily families in Katamonim Jerusalem, an area with many young men in miluim. Yasher Koach!! Please deepen and expand the support!
Am Yisrael Chai

CAS Announcements
  • Save the Dates 
    • Monday, April 8th - Men Seder at 613
    • Wednesday, April 10th - Nachos and Knowledge with Diane and Rabbi Daniel Cohen hosted by Deb and Dan Faizakoff
    • Thursday, April 11th Film Premiere Ein Od Milvado
  • Holy Habit - Food Pantry Donations  Rather than wait for a Food Drive, make it a habit each week when shopping for Shabbos to purchase kosher, non-perishable food for the Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry.Drop off at JFS or CAS
Weekday Schedule
  • Shacharit  Sunday: 7:00/8:30 AM; Monday-Friday: 6:30/7:30 AM
  • Mincha  Sunday-Friday: 7:00 PM
  • Candle Lighting  Friday: 6:58 PM
  • Sunday  Purim
  • Monday  Shushan Purim
CAS Classes
Join one of our classes.

We Wish A Speedy Recovery To
  • Tzvi Zev Yosef ben Chana Shulamit
  • Hershel Wolf ben Brucha
  • Chaya Sara bat Chava
  • Freidel bat Esther
  • Chaya Shoshana bat Yehudit
  • Nira bat Rachel
  • Sara bat Nira
  • Yitzchak Osher ben Chana Shauna Chaya
  • Nadav Ephraim ben Shlomit Leah
  • Mark Emanuel ben Leah
  • Shlomo ben Velvel
  • Nechemiah ben DK
  • Moisha Gedalia ben DK
  • Dorit bat Ora
  • Asher Anshel Eliezer ben Baila
  • Leah bat Tzirel
  • Miriam Rut bat Chana
  • Daniel David Yitzchak ben Shulamit
  • Chaya bat Liba
  • Harav Eliezer ben Chaya
  • אסתר רחל bat רייזל ביילה
  • פרידה הדסה bat פערל לאה
  • Dov ben Pnina
  • Moshe Gavriel ben Rachel Esther
  • Cheryl Sheva bat Gittel Leah
  • Sossie Raizel bat Sarah Fraida

We Honor Our Military
  • Ariel Y
  • Shani Y
  • Tali Y
  • Harry B
  • Zevi M
  • Nathan H
  • Noam H
  • Yehudit
  • Sally K
  • Oren L
  • Nathan L
  • Jeremy S
  • Meni N
  • Yaniv H
  • Rachel W

Community Announcements
  • BCHA PLAY Don't miss seeing some of the younger members of our congregation in their upcoming performance of The Little Mermaid JR at Bicultural Hebrew Academy. Come and cheer on Yael, Yoav, and Yakira Hochman, ,Ben Daniel , Nili Steinberg, Abby Rubinfeld, Mackenzie Makovsky , Yael and Elisheva Rosenfeld, and Noa Zizmor as they join other BCHA students, from 3rd through 12th grade, to come together onstage and behind the scenes to bring you "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends. Adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR will delight audiences with this enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. $10/Ticket Perfomances :Thursday, 4/ 4 at 7:00pm, Friday, 4/ 5 at 2:00pm, Sunday, 4/7 at 11:00am & 3:00pm
  • To Our Knitting and Crocheting Neighbors  Back to School Shop, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, provides low income elementary school children in Stamford with the opportunity to shop for free for brand new school clothes and supplies each year before the start of school. We're expecting up to 400 children at our event this summer, and plan to provide each one of them with a handmade winter hat. We are so grateful to the community knitters who have made wonderful hats for us in past years and hope you'll join the team! You can find all the information you need here: https://www.backtoschoolshop.org/knit-guidelines-2024
  • Schoke Jewish Family Service invites you to its annual gala, An Evening with Schoke JFS  Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 5:30 PM, at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road. Honorees include: The 44th Annual Mitzvah Award, Nan and Paul Gordon and Betsy and Michael Stone; Volunteer of the Year Award, Sally Kleinman; and Community Service Award, Ronnie Sichel. The evening will begin with appetizers, cocktails, followed by dinner, presentation of awards to the honorees, a paddle raise and dessert. There will also be an online auction. The event is chaired by Connie Freeman, Meryl Japha, Jillian Klaff, and Esther Rein with Jeri Appel as auction chair. General tickets include dinner and dessert for $250, purchase your ticket at www.ctjfs.org. Contact Janet Wainright at 203-921-4161 or jwainright@ctjfs.org to place a journal ad.
  • Temple Sinai will host Judy Batalion, writer of The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos  for the fourth Joan Danoff Community Lecture. This acclaimed author will be available to discuss not only the extraordinary stories of the young women resistance fighters she has chronicled but also the implications of their story for events today. Join on May 19th at 4:00 pm for an in-person conversation or to attend via a webinar. The event is free and open to the community. To register to attend in person or to view as a webinar, contact Temple Sinai at 203-322-1649 or https://www.templesinaistamford.org/form/joan-bruder-danoff-lecture2024.html.
  • United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien is happy to welcome guest speakers, Gadeer Kamal Mreeh Senior Envoy of The Jewish Agency for Israel and prominent film critic Dr. Avner Shavit, to Stamford on Sunday, March 31 at Temple Beth El at 6:00 pm for a screening and discussion about the Israeli film, Cinema Sabaya.The evening will include a Q&A along with light snacks from the Middle East, as we take a look at the 2021 Israeli film that shares the personal stories between Arab and Jewish women in a small town in northern Israel who document their lives for a video workshop. Register today at www.ujf.org/cinema to get your tickets or contact UJF Community Shaliach, Yoav Yaron (yoav@ujf.org), for more information!
  • Interfaith Seder to Unite Our Diverse Community   April 11th at 6:30pm, UConn Stamford, 1 University Place, Stamford, CT. Hosted by United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, The Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut, the Mayor's Multicultural Council and UConn Hillel. Using a specially designed Haggadah, the themes of the seder will include unity among varied cultures, backgrounds and faiths. Rabbi Joshua Hammerman has worked on creating the event this year. It will be his last community event before his retirement. We hope that you can join us. For more information and to register: www.ujf.org/seder or contact Sharon Lewis, slewis@ujf.org

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