April 25, 2012

What's Happening at a Glance

Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting, Sunday, May 6

Book Club, Monday May 14

Rabbi's Corner

The True Cause of Dis-Ease 

  

Education Update

Yom Tikkun Olam photos

Teacher Appreciation Day, Sunday, April 29

Bring a Friend Day, Sunday, April 29 

Teen News

Game night with JRC, Saturday, May 5

Mitzvah

It's not too late to sign up for Bikur Cholim

Call for Volunteers

We need a Shir Hadash webmaster

Community Events

New Genetic Education and Screening Program

Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting May 6

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 6 (the last day of Sunday School). We will initially convene the meeting at our Sunday School location, Hellenic American Academy, 1085 Lake Cook Road in Deerfield. Voting will be open starting at 9:15 at that site. Starting at 10 a.m., we will move over to the building next door, Chicagoland Jewish High School (CJHS), for the remainder of the meeting. You will be able to vote at CJHS, and there will be presentations by candidates and concerning the proposed budget, with opportunities to ask questions. Plus, there will be coffee, tea, bagels, cream cheese, fruit, and pastries available at CJHS during the meeting (at no charge).

We'll be reviewing the budget for next year and voting on several board positions. Like many congregations, we too have felt the same challenges that our members have faced with the slow recovery of our economy. We are planning on dedicating part of the board to address this issue head-on next year. 

We are introducing a restructuring of the board to improve our ability to grow our membership and enhance fundraising. The board also recognized the need to streamline our governing structure, improve communications with our committees and staff, and provide better focus. Come and help us make a quorum, meet the Board, and ask questions!

May Book Club

The May book club meeting will be held on Monday, May 14 (tentative), at Susan Grossman's home in Highland Park. We will be reading Drawing in the Dust by Zoe Klein. RSVP to Meryl at abenkras@aol.com (preferred) or (847) 509-0377. Please tell your friends about it! This event is not exclusive to Shir Hadash. It is open men and women alike.

Looking for Three Families to Host a Tea

The tea will be an evening event during which the rabbi will teach and lead a discussion about a theme of Reconstructionist values and/or thought that is very relevant to our contemporary Jewish lives. The host will help the rabbi select the theme of most interest. The host will invite some Shir Hadash friends to attend as well as some non-member friends who might be interested in participating. Please contact Caryn McArdle at caryn.mcardle@comcast.net.

Family Bike Ride with the Rabbi...

Keep watching the newsletter for information on a family bike ride with Rabbi Eitan, Chicago architect boat tour, and a baseball game, to name a few activities planned for our community in the next few months. 

Rabbi's Corner

 

"The True Cause of Dis-Ease" 

April 27-28, 2012 / 6 Iyar 5772 

Shabbat Tazria-Metzora

Torah Portion:  Leviticus 12:1-15:33 / Haftarah Portion: II Kings 7:3-20

Dear Friends,

What causes disease? Rabbinic sages commenting on this week's Torah portion came up with a clear answer. Diseases, such as leprosy and fungal infections, are caused by speaking slander against one's neighbor. What's the connection? A careful reading of Torah stories reveals that Moses developed a serious skin disease after complaining to God about the Israelites. At another point Miriam became leprous after complaining about her brother Moses' wife.

I will buy it. Public ridicule and embarrassment can, at times, cause physical symptoms from stress and anxiety. I have heard some say that stress can bring on or worsen some skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Maybe there is a connection. Now, I do not believe that gossiping will directly result in a Divine punishment of physical maladies... 

Read the rest on the Rabbi's Blog.  

L'shalom (In Peace)
Rabbi Eitan

Education Update

  

We know our school is filled with creativity, fun, and inspiration, so why not give your friends the opportunity to experience that too?This Sunday, April 29, is Bring a Friend Day at Shir Hadash. We have always encouraged our students to bring a Jewish friend to Sunday school. This year, we thought it would be nice to have a single, special day to invite friends. Please encourage your sons and daughters to ask a friend to join them on Sunday. Just e-mail Education Director Emily Ascher at eddirector@shir-hadash.org so the teachers can prepare accordingly.

  

The Sun Shone on Yom Tikkun Olam

We had a wonderful time at The Grove in Glenview for Yom Tikkun Olam, our day to repair the world. With donuts, cookies, hot chocolate, and coffee in hand for fortification, we walked into the woods. Our goal: to plant dozens of burr oak saplings. The burr oak is a tough but majestic tree. The slender saplings had long, graceful, feathery root systems, so the holes needed to be deep. Kids and adults alike took turns digging in the earth. We even broke a shovel! Certainly not all of the saplings that we planted will make it, but some of them will, and in 150 years, they will tower over the forest. 

 

The Grove staff was so welcoming and happy to have us there. Many thanks to them and to Rebecca Rice for arranging the event. Rabbi Eitan led us in a prayer for Yom Tikkun Olam, and Rebecca did a reading about trees. It was a great way to celebrate Earth Day!

 

Also coming up: 

• Bring a Friend Day, April 29
• Teacher Appreciation Day, April 29
• School Shabbat Service, Friday May 4 
• Last Sunday, May 6

Emily Ascher

Education Director

Teen News

Upcoming Teen Advisory Board MeetingGame Show Night with JRC

Our next Teen Advisory Board meeting will be on Sunday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m. Please mark your calendars.

Our 8th through 12th graders will meet for pizza and games on Saturday, May 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, 303 Dodge, Evanston. This will be a great game show night with great food! There's no charge for this event, but you must RSVP by May 1. We need to know who will attend! To RSVP or if you have questions, send an e-mail to youth@shir-hadash.org.

Carole Mostow

Youth Director

Musical Notes: Kolit

We are always looking for new voices. Kolit rehearses on Sunday School are from 12:30 to 1 p.m. It's not too late to join Kolit (the Shir Hadash children's choir). Join Kolit Director Arielle Galante and Ethan Zwick for a fun half-hour of singing. 

Creative Worship & Ritual 

Pausing in the Wilderness

Last Friday night, April 20, we had our annual Pausing in the Wilderness service, and this year, we did something different: the theme was Our Jewish Wanderings. Members brought and shared their stories of how our families made it to America. We watched a montage (set to music) of family pictures sent in by members. And we tagged, on a world map, the places where our families came from. After the service was over, Rabbi Eitan led a drum circle. A special thank you to Gary Kuper for creating the video/music montage.

Adult Education

We have all of our Adult Ed classes this week: 

Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi

Thursday, April 26, noon to 1 p.m., Shir Hadash office

Torah Class

Sunday, April 29, 9:30 to 10:20, Hellenic American Academy

 

Adult Hebrew Class

Sunday, April 29, 10:25 to 11:20, Hellenic American Academy

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class

Sunday, April 29, 11:25 to 12:25, Hellenic American Academy

All Things Jewish

Sunday, April 29, 11:25 to 12:25, Hellenic American Academy

For more information, please contact Fred Andes (fandes@btlaw.com) for the Torah class and Steve Lewin (stevelewin@yahoo.com) for the Hebrew class.

 

Call for Volunteers 

Wanted: Webmaster

We are looking for someone to maintain our Shir Hadash website. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jeff Wallk at jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com. 

Get Involved with the Spring Membership Drive

We're planning a lot of activities this spring to expand our membership. If you're interested in helping us grow, please call the office and ask for Lillian (847) 498-8218.  

Community Events

Genetic Education and Screening Program

Registration opens Monday, April 23, for the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders upcoming screening programs for young Jewish adults. The Center is now offering an expanded panel of 18 disorders. Join the Center in June or August for a subsidized screening program ($180 per person), which includes an educational presentation, dinner, and screening.These tests usually cost more than $3,000! Pre-registration is required. Please contact Taryn Brickman at tarynbrickman@juf.org to learn more or visit http://www.jewishgenetics.org/.

April 18, 2012

What’s Happening at a Glance

Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting, Sunday, May 6

Book Club, Monday May 14

Education Update

This week is Yom Tikkun Olam: ALL THE DETAILS! Sunday, April 22

Teacher Appreciation Day, Sunday, April 29

Bring a Friend Day, Sunday, April 29

Teen News

Teen service, Friday, April 20

Teen Advisory Board meeting recap

Game night with JRC, Saturday, May 5

Creative Worship & Ritual

Pausing in the Wilderness service, Friday, April 20

Call for old family photos

Call for Volunteers

We need a Shir Hadash webmaster

Community Events

Commemorate Yom Hashoah tonight!

New Genetic Education and Screening Program

Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting May 6

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 6, at 9:45 a.m. at Chicagoland Jewish High School (next door to Hellenic American Academy, Sunday School location). May 6 is the last day of Sunday School. We’ll be reviewing the budget for next year and voting on several board positions. Like many congregations, we too have felt the same challenges that our members have faced with the slow recovery of our economy. We are planning on dedicating part of the board to address this issue head-on next year.


We are introducing a restructuring of the board to improve our ability to grow our membership and enhance fundraising. The board also recognized the need to streamline our governing structure, improve communications with our committees and staff, and provide better focus. The new board will be divided into three areas to better leverage the skills and experience from our current and future board members. These areas are:

·         Governance: Policy, Bylaws, and Budget Oversight; five members, quarterly meetings

·         Programming: Program Development, Delivery, and Comm; four members, monthly meeting

·         Sustainability: Fundraising & Outreach (Growth); four members, as needed meetings

If you are interested in a Board position or for more information, please talk to Jeffrey Wallk at jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com or Fred Andes at fredric.andes@btlaw.com as soon as possible. Come and help us make a quorum, meet the Board, and ask questions!

May Book Club

The May book club meeting will be held on Monday, May 14 (tentative), at Susan Grossman’s home in Highland Park. We will be reading Drawing in the Dust by Zoe Klein. RSVP to Meryl at abenkras@aol.com (preferred) or (847) 509-0377. Please tell your friends about it! This event is not exclusive to Shir Hadash. It is open men and women alike.

Looking for Three Families to Host a Tea

The tea will be an evening event during which the rabbi will teach and lead a discussion about a theme of Reconstructionist values and/or thought that is very relevant to our contemporary Jewish lives. The host will help the rabbi select the theme of most interest. The host will invite some Shir Hadash friends to attend as well as some non-member friends who might be interested in participating. Please contact Caryn McArdle at caryn.mcardle@comcast.net.

Family Bike Ride with the Rabbi...

Keep watching the newsletter for information on a family bike ride with Rabbi Eitan, Chicago architect boat tour, and a baseball game, to name a few activities planned for our community in the next few months.

Rabbi’s Corner

“What a Little Matzah Can Do...”

April 13-14, 2012 / 22 Nisan 5772

For Those Observing Pesach for Eight Days:

Torah - Deuteronomy 14:22 - 16:17 & Numbers 28:19 - 28:25

Haftarah - Isaiah 10:32 - 12:6

For Those Observing Pesach for Seven Days: Shabbat Shemini

Torah: Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47 / Haftarah: I Samuel 20:18 - 20:42

Dear Friends,

At this year’s Passover celebration I was especially interested in the matzah and maror/bitter herbs that we eat just before joining in the main meal. Not only did I want to know why we eat the bitters, but why we eat the maror after we eat matzah. The Reconstructionist Hagaddah puts it this way:

Maror: Why do we eat it? In order to remind ourselves that the Egyptians made life bitter for our ancestors in Egypt, as it is written, “Ruthlessly, they made life bitter for them with harsh labor at mortar and bricks, and with all sorts of tasks in the field.” Exodus 1:14.”

So, the oppression and bitterness went on for around 400 years. Then Moses came on the scene. He stirred up all the trouble...

Read the rest on the Rabbi’s Blog.

L’shalom (In Peace)

Rabbi Eitan

Education Update

We know our school is filled with creativity, fun, and inspiration, so why not give your friends the opportunity to experience that too? While you can bring a friend any day at Shir Hadash, Sunday, April 29, is not only Teacher Appreciation Day, but also a designated day when your child can bring a buddy to Sunday School. Just drop Education Director Emily Ascher an e-mail, or let a teacher know. We will do whatever we can to make your friends feel welcome. 

  

Yom Tikkun Olam, Sunday, April 22

It's time to register for the Sixth Annual Shir Hadash Yom Tikkun Olam, our day to repair the world. This year we will show our enthusiasm for Earth Day by choosing one of the refreshing outdoor activities. Browse through this list, decide what works for your family, and simply RSVP via e-mail to Education Director Emily Ascher at eddirector@shir-hadash.org or Administrator Lillian Zoloto at admin@shir-hadash.org.

Also coming up: 

• Bring a Friend Day, April 29
• Teacher Appreciation Day, April 29
• School Shabbat Service, Friday May 4 
• Last Sunday, May 6

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Please join us at 5 p.m. at Potbelly's in Deerfield by Whole Foods for a post YTO get-together. It will be a great chance to talk about the day's events and have a nice meal together.

1. The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This activity was created just for

Shir Hadashniks! We will be doing some brush-cutting, raking of burned areas in order plant wildflower seeds. and possibly putting in some new trees. If we get a large group of people we can divide in small groups and rotate.

2. River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Celebrate with a day of hands-on activities inspired by nature to nurture your sense of appreciation for the natural world.

3. Wilmot Woods (Help! The Garlic Mustard Weed is Taking Over!) (Exact meeting place within woods TBD; directions: On Route 137, one and a half miles east of Route 21 turn south on to N. Oak Grove Ave. Go four blocks to Wildwood Ct and turn left. At the T of Wildwood and Park Lane, turn right.) 9 a.m. (be on time) to 12 p.m. Grab some work gloves and join other volunteers to save some of Lake County's natural areas. This is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, make new friends who share a concern for preserves and make a meaningful contribution. Work with stewards to rid this "high quality preserve area" of the dreaded garlic mustard weed. Learn about the beautiful woodlands wildflowers in this very cool place along the Des Plaines River. Great opportunity for an educational experience combined with hard work. Wear boots and long pants and shirts. This is an activity best undertaken by teens and adults.  

4. Nippersink Forest Preserve, Clean Water, Healthy Bats. The entrance is located on Route 120 (Belvidere Road), just west of Cedar Lake Road and east of Fairfield Road near Round Lake. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn about the relationship between water and our local bats while picking up litter along the shoreline.

5. Gan Project-Earth Day Mitzvah Mania. The Gan Project is run and was founded by former Shir Hadash teacher Jill Zenoff! The Gan Project Homestead at Bernard Horwich JCC, behind the CJE Shwartzberg building (3003 W. Touhy Ave, Chicago), free parking lot, optional $18 donation or in-kind garden donation. All are Welcome! Begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues through BYOPL. There is also an afternoon session from 2 to 5 p.m. Chicago Earth Day is the perfect opportunity for Jewish and non-Jewish community members come together and get their hands dirty, learn, laugh and get the Gan Project Homestead ready for the 2012 growing season. There will be a morning work session from 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and an afternoon work session from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a BYOPL--Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch. Both sessions will include activities for all ages: seeding and transplanting, building raised beds, composting workshops, bicycle maintenance workshops, The majority of activities are suited for adults and children over the age of 12. Families with children under the age of 12 are invited to plant raspberry bushes during the morning work session 

Yom Hashoah Photos

On Sunday, April 15, Rabbi Eitan led our students in a warm remembrance of Yom Hashoah. They discussed the meaning and importance of the events and sang songs of tribute. The seventh grade class helped Rabbi Eitan lead. Powerful artwork created by the seventh graders under the guidance of teacher Phyllis Levun-Agostino served as the backdrop for the service.

 

Emily Ascher

Education Director

Teen News

Third Friday Teen Service

This month we will join the adults for the Pausing in the Wilderness service, which will be held on Friday, April 20, at 7:30 at LCHS. The theme for the service is tracing our family histories. Teens and their families will share stories about how we journeyed to the United States.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting Recap

We had a spectacular turn-out for the Teen Advisory Board meeting. Although everyone was a little sleepy, some sugary donuts woke us up and we quickly got down to business. In an effort to increase the visibility of Shir Hadash in the community we conducted an ideation session, led by SH President Jeff Wallk, to come up with types of organizations and charities that we would like to support and types of activities we can do or create to help the organization we eventually choose to assist. We came up with three general categories for what we can do: fundraisers, raise awareness, and increase collaboration. At our next session, we will fine tune the general ideas we suggested to create an action plan. By helping an outside organization, we can promote our fantastic group of teens and generate some publicity for Shir Hadash while doing good things in our community-truly a win/win.

We also talked about moving the Shir Hadash website from J-village to Google accounts. Jeff has already put the scaffolding in place and we are ready to move the operation of the website in-house. Joel and Sam are taking the lead in working with Jeff to continue the process of working on the website.

Our next Teen Advisory Board meeting will be on Sunday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m. Please mark your calendars.

Game Night with JRC

Our 8th through 12th graders will meet for pizza and games on Saturday, May 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., at JRC. Details to follow. Please e-mail questions to: youth@shir-hadash.org.

Carole Mostow

Youth Director

Musical Notes: Kolit

We are always looking for new voices. Kolit rehearses on Sunday School are from 12:30 to 1 p.m. It’s not too late to join Kolit (the Shir Hadash children’s choir). Join Kolit Director Arielle Galante and Ethan Zwick for a fun half-hour of singing.

Creative Worship & Ritual

Upcoming Friday Night Services

Friday, April 20: Pausing in the Wilderness. This year, we are doing something different: the theme is Our Jewish Wanderings. We’re going to share our stories of how our families made it to America. We want members to bring their stories-from www.ancestry.com, old family stories, or wherever-and share them that night. Also, we need members to send in family pictures, so we can create a montage of our Shir Hadash ancestors. Please send your photos to Gary and Janelle Kuper at kuper@dslc.com as soon as possible.

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee

Adult Education

We have all of our Adult Education classes this week:

Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi

Thursday, April 19, noon to 1 p.m., Shir Hadash office

Torah Class

Sunday, April 22, 9:30 to 10:20, Hellenic American Academy

Adult Hebrew Class

Sunday, April 22, 10:25 to 11:20, Hellenic American Academy

Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class

Sunday, April 22, 11:25 to 12:25, Hellenic American Academy

All Things Jewish

Sunday, April 22, 11:25 to 12:25, Hellenic American Academy

For more information, please contact Fred Andes (mailto:fandes@btlaw.comm) for the Torah class and Steve Lewin (stevelewin@yahoo.com) for the Hebrew class.

Call for Volunteers

Wanted: Webmaster

We are looking for someone to maintain our Shir Hadash website. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jeff Wallk at jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com.

Mitzvah Committee

We’re looking for more Shiva leaders (adults and yes, even Havayah kids). If you are interested, please contact Bob Roiter at bob.roiter@sbcglobalnet.net.

Get Involved with the Spring Membership Drive

We’re planning a lot of activities this spring to expand our membership. If you’re interested in helping us grow, please call the office and ask for Lillian (847) 498-8218.  

Community Events

Genetic Education and Screening Program

Registration opens Monday, April 23, for the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders upcoming screening programs for young Jewish adults. The Center is now offering an expanded panel of 18 disorders. Join the Center in June or August for a subsidized screening program ($180 per person), which includes an educational presentation, dinner, and screening. These tests usually cost more than $3,000! Pre-registration is required. Please contact Taryn Brickman at tarynbrickman@juf.org to learn more or visit http://www.jewishgenetics.org/.

Donations

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Over the years, the number of people aided by this fund has reached the hundreds. They include fellow congregants; homeless individuals and families; disaster victims locally, in Israel, and various social causes and institutions that are devoted to an inclusive vision inspired by our Jewish values. Donations may be made to commemorate joyous occasions, or in response to troubles or sorrow. All are acknowledged in writing by our staff and rabbi. When donations are given in someone’s honor, that person is also informed.

General Fund

Donations to this fund are used to offset consideration provided to members and offer special assistance to families in need. These contributions can be used to strengthen existing programs (Shabbat Services & Onegs) and underwrite free programs like Adult Education, Rabbi’s Lunch & Learn.

Building Fund

This fund supports the ongoing upkeep and maintenance required to support a future building as Shir Hadash is actively pursuing opportunities for expanded office space, shared meeting space, improved space for worship & ritual, and educational facilities.

Educational Fund

Donations to this fund help us underwrite programs for special needs students, allows us to purchase media and explore new training materials. We are also looking to upgrade technology used to support and deliver programming for students. There are additional art supplies and creative aids to further expand the ways we reach students. We are also planning to enhance the Hebrew Lab and we also want to provide refreshments for the teachers, Madrichim, room parents, and for the Kolit.

Music & Arts Fund

Donations will help underwrite the future performances by our Kolit and Lahakah, develop new music, purchase existing music, support expanded music offerings in our education program and build on our existing repertoire of dance and creative performance.

SHOP

April Showers, Shop for Mom, and May Flowers

Shop in the rain at home with Amazon, Overstock.Com, and Barnes and Nobel. Celebrate Mom with Bath and Body Works; Bed, Bath, and Beyond; Dicks; Great Clips; J. Jill; REI; Sports Authority; Target; Ulta; Walmart/Sam’s; Fanny May; Best Buy; Home Depot; JoAnne Fabrics; Michaels; Darden; and Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. Lettuce Entertain You restaurants are now available for purchase by credit card.

Save time and support Shir Hadash. Order gift cards instead of shopping for gifts. Dine out with gift cards. Just give us a click, call, or stop by the Shop table during Sunday School. Remember, Shop raises money for the congregation and you don’t spend a dime more than you would have anyway! For more information on any these great programs contact Lise at info@basketworks.biz, or Gina at Gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net.

iGive

iGive is a free service which enables our members to earn money for their favorite cause whenever they make an online purchase or search the web. For more information, go to www.igive.com/shir-hadash.



April 11, 2012

What's Happening at a Glance 

Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting, Sunday, May 6

Book Club, Monday May 14

Education Update

Sunday School returns April 15

Yom Tikkun Olam: ALL THE DETAILS!

Teacher Appreciation Day, Sunday, April 29

Bring a Friend Day, Sunday, April 29

Teen News

Teen advisory board, Sunday, April 15

Teen service, Friday, April 20

Game night with JRC, Saturday, May 5

Creative Worship & Ritual

Check out photos from our community seder

Mitzvah

Bikur Cholim: Learn how to visit the sick

Call for Volunteers
We need help building a new Shir Hadash website

Community Events

Commemorate Yom Hashoah on Wednesday, April 18

New Genetic Education and Screening Program

Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting May 6

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 6, at 9:45 a.m. at Chicagoland Jewish High School (next door to Hellenic American Academy, Sunday School location). May 6 is the last day of Sunday School. We'll be reviewing the budget for next year and voting on several board positions. Like many congregations, we too have felt the same challenges that our members have faced with the slow recovery of our economy. We are planning on dedicating part of the board to address this issue head-on next year. 

We are introducing a restructuring of the board to improve our ability to grow our membership and enhance fundraising. The board also recognized the need to streamline our governing structure, improve communications with our committees and staff, and provide better focus. The new board will be divided into three areas to better leverage the skills and experience from our current and future board members. These areas are: 

• Governance: Policy, Bylaws, and Budget Oversight; five members, quarterly meetings
• Programming: Program Development, Delivery, and Comm; four members, monthly meeting
• Sustainability: Fundraising & Outreach (Growth); four members, as needed meetings

If you are interested in a Board position or for more information, please talk to Jeffrey Wallk at jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com or Fred Andes at fredric.andes@btlaw.com as soon as possible. Come and help us make a quorum, meet the Board, and ask questions!

May Book Club

The May book club meeting will be held on Monday, May 14 (tentative), at Susan Grossman's home in Highland Park. We will be reading Drawing in the Dust by Zoe Klein. RSVP to Meryl at abenkras@aol.com (preferred) or (847) 509-0377. Please tell your friends about it! This event is not exclusive to Shir Hadash. It is open men and women alike.

Looking for Three Families to Host a Tea

The tea will be an evening event during which the rabbi will teach and lead a discussion about a theme of Reconstruc-tionist values and/or thought that is very relevant to our contemporary Jewish lives. The host will help the rabbi select the theme of most interest. The host will invite some Shir Hadash friends to attend as well as some non-member friends who might be interested in participating. Please contact Caryn McArdle at caryn.mcardle@comcast.net.

Family Bike Ride with the Rabbi...

Keep watching the newsletter for information on a family bike ride with Rabbi Eitan, Chicago architect boat tour, and a baseball game, to name a few activities planned for our community in the next few months. 

Rabbi's Corner

"What a Little Matzah Can Do..."

April 13-14, 2012 / 22 Nisan 5772  

For Those Observing Pesach for Eight Days:

Torah - Deuteronomy 14:22 - 16:17 & Numbers 28:19 - 28:25

Haftarah - Isaiah 10:32 - 12:6

For Those Observing Pesach for Seven Days: Shabbat Shemini

Torah: Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47 / Haftarah: I Samuel 20:18 - 20:42

 

Dear Friends,

At this year's Passover celebration I was especially interested in the matzah and maror/bitter herbs that we eat just before joining in the main meal.  Not only did I want to know why we eat the bitters, but why we eat the maror after we eat matzah.  The Reconstructionist Hagaddah puts it this way:

Maror: Why do we eat it?  In order to remind ourselves that the Egyptians made life bitter for our ancestors in Egypt, as it is written, "Ruthlessly, they made life bitter for them with harsh labor at mortar and bricks, and with all sorts of tasks in the field." Exodus 1:14."

So, the oppression and bitterness went on for around 400 years. Then Moses came on the scene.  He stirred up all the trouble... 

Read the rest on the Rabbi's Blog.  

L'shalom (In Peace)
Rabbi Eitan

Education Update

We know our school is filled with creativity, fun, and inspiration, so why not give your friends the opportunity to experience that too? While you can bring a friend any day at Shir Hadash, Sunday, April 29, is not only Teacher Appreciation Day, but also a designated day when your child can bring a buddy to Sunday School. Just drop Education Director Emily Ascher an e-mail, or let a teacher know. We will do whatever we can to make your friends feel welcome. 

  

Yom Tikkun Olam, Sunday, April 22

It's time to register for the Sixth Annual Shir Hadash Yom Tikkun Olam, our day to repair the world. This year we will show our enthusiasm for Earth Day by choosing one of the refreshing outdoor activities. Browse through this list, decide what works for your family, and simply RSVP via e-mail to Education Director Emily Ascher at eddirector@shir-hadash.org or Administrator Lillian Zoloto at admin@shir-hadash.org.

1. The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This activity was created just for

Shir Hadashniks! We will be doing some brush-cutting, raking of burned areas in order plant wildflower seeds. and possibly putting in some new trees. If we get a large group of people we can divide in small groups and rotate.

2. River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Celebrate with a day of hands-on activities inspired by nature to nurture your sense of appreciation for the natural world.

3. Wilmot Woods (Help! The Garlic Mustard Weed is Taking Over!) (Exact meeting place within woods TBD; directions: On Route 137, one and a half miles east of Route 21 turn south on to N. Oak Grove Ave. Go four blocks to Wildwood Ct and turn left. At the T of Wildwood and Park Lane, turn right.) 9 a.m. (be on time) to 12 p.m. Grab some work gloves and join other volunteers to save some of Lake County's natural areas. This is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, make new friends who share a concern for preserves and make a meaningful contribution. Work with stewards to rid this "high quality preserve area" of the dreaded garlic mustard weed. Learn about the beautiful woodlands wildflowers in this very cool place along the Des Plaines River. Great opportunity for an educational experience combined with hard work. Wear boots and long pants and shirts. This is an activity best undertaken by teens and adults.  

4. Nippersink Forest Preserve, Clean Water, Healthy Bats. The entrance is located on Route 120 (Belvidere Road), just west of Cedar Lake Road and east of Fairfield Road near Round Lake. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn about the relationship between water and our local bats while picking up litter along the shoreline.

5. Gan Project-Earth Day Mitzvah Mania. The Gan Project is run and was founded by former Shir Hadash teacher Jill Zenoff! The Gan Project Homestead at Bernard Horwich JCC, behind the CJE Shwartzberg building (3003 W. Touhy Ave, Chicago), free parking lot, optional $18 donation or in-kind garden donation. All are Welcome! Begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues through BYOPL. There is also an afternoon session from 2 to 5 p.m. Chicago Earth Day is the perfect opportunity for Jewish and non-Jewish community members come together and get their hands dirty, learn, laugh and get the Gan Project Homestead ready for the 2012 growing season. There will be a morning work session from 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and an afternoon work session from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a BYOPL--Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch. Both sessions will include activities for all ages: seeding and transplanting, building raised beds, composting workshops, bicycle maintenance workshops, The majority of activities are suited for adults and children over the age of 12. Families with children under the age of 12 are invited to plant raspberry bushes during the morning work session 

Also coming up: 

• Our Yom Hashoah Service, April 15
• Bring a Friend Day, April 29
• Teacher Appreciation Day, April 29
• School Shabbat Service, Friday May 4 
• Last Sunday, May 6

Emily Ascher

Education Director

Teen News

Next Meeting of the Teen Advisory Board 

The second teen advisory board meeting will be Sunday, April 15, from 8:30 to 9 a.m. at Hellenic. This is the next time we meet for Sunday school and is after Passover so there will be donuts! Shir Hadash President Jeff Wallk will join us at our next meeting. Jeff will conduct an ideation session that will get to the heart of what our teens want, need, and hope for from Shir Hadash. 

Third Friday Teen Service

This month we will join the adults for the Pausing in the Wilderness service, which will be held on Friday, April 20, at 7:30 at LCHS. The theme for the service is tracing our family histories. Teens and their families will share stories about how we journeyed to the United States.

Game Night with JRC 

Our 8th through 12th graders will meet for pizza and games on Saturday, May 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., at JRC. Details to follow. Please e-mail questions to: youth@shir-hadash.org.

Carole Mostow

Youth Director

Musical Notes: Kolit

We are always looking for new voices. Kolit rehearses on Sunday School are from 12:30 to 1 p.m. It's not too late to join Kolit (the Shir Hadash children's choir). Join Kolit Director Arielle Galante and Ethan Zwick for a fun half-hour of singing. 

Creative Worship and Ritual

Community Seder a Smash!

Members of the Shir Hadash community met for a wonderful seder on Saturday, April 7. Rabbi Eitan led a spirited, moving retelling of the Passover story. Audience participation made for an engaging evening, complete with singing, play-acting, asking the four questions in a number of languages and dialects, and drums and other musical instruments. 

 

And the food...the buffet table groaned under the weight of kugels, salads, gefilte fish, casseroles, rice dishes, and all sorts of savory items. Meanwhile, the dessert table featured all kinds of tasty treats, fruit, chocolate covered matzah, and other delicacies. The platters were licked clean.  

A special element this year was the eco-friendly aspect of the seder. We used reusable plates and rented linens and napkins instead of using disposables. But most importantly, Rabbi Eitan coordinated a composting service, so all of the table scraps were composted instead of thrown away.

A special thank you to Melanie Andes for all of her hard work organizing the seder. Thanks to Fred Andes for operating the projector. Thank you to Rabbi Eitan for leading the seder. And thanks to everyone who helped set up beforehand and clean up after.

Upcoming Friday Night Services

Friday, April 20: Pausing in the Wilderness. This year, we are doing something different: the theme is Our Jewish Wanderings. We're going to share our stories of how our families made it to America. We want members to bring their stories-from www.ancestry.com, old family stories, or wherever-and share them that night. Also, we need members to send in family pictures, so we can create a montage of our Shir Hadash ancestors. Please send your photos to Gary and Janelle Kuper at http://www.blogger.com/ as soon as possible. 

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee 

Adult Education

We have all of our Adult Ed classes this week: 

Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi

Thursday, April 12, noon to 1 p.m., Shir Hadash office

Torah Class

Sunday, April 15, 9:30 to 10:20, Hellenic American Academy

 

Adult Hebrew Class

Sunday, April 15, 10:25 to 11:20, Hellenic American Academy

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class

Sunday, April 15, 11:25 to 12:25, Hellenic American Academy

All Things Jewish

Sunday, April 15, 11:25 to 12:25, Hellenic American Academy

For more information, please contact Fred Andes (fandes@btlaw.com) for the Torah class and Steve Lewin (stevelewin@yahoo.com) for the Hebrew class.  

Mitzvah 

Learn How to Do the Mitzvah of Visiting the Sick

Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick, is one of the holiest of all mitzvot.  Anyone who has ever had a family member in the hospital knows what great healing power even a short visit can provide.  The Mitzvah Committee is looking for people who would like to participate in this great act.

The Jewish Healing Network is sponsoring a four-week training program in Bikur Cholim at B'nai Tikvah in Deerfield. Several members of Shir Hadash participated in this program several years ago and learned how effective we can all be. The sessions are on four consecutive Tuesday evenings from April 17 through May 8. Each session runs from 7:00 to 8:30. If you are interested, please contact Bob Roiter at bob.roiter@sbcglobal.net or go to www.jcfs.org/calendar/bikur-cholim-training. 

Mitzvah Committee

We're looking for more Shiva leaders (adults and yes, even Havayah kids). If you are interested, please contact Bob Roiter

Call for Volunteers 

Wanted: Web Gurus

We are looking for volunteers to help design and build a new Shir Hadash website, migrate content, and help maintain it. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jeff Wallk at jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com.

Get Involved with the Spring Membership Drive

We're planning a lot of activities this spring to expand our membership. If you're interested in helping us grow, please call the office and ask for Lillian (847) 498-8218.   

bob.roiter@sbcglobalnet.net. 

Community Events

Genetic Education and Screening Program

Registration opens Monday, April 23, 2012 for the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders upcoming screening programs for young Jewish adults. The Center is now offering an expanded panel of 18 disorders. Join the Center in June or August for a subsidized screening program ($180 per person), which includes an educational presentation, dinner, and screening.These tests usually cost more than $3,000! Pre-registration is required. Please contact Taryn Brickman at tarynbrickman@juf.org to learn more or visit http://www.jewishgenetics.org/.

We Remember: Yom Hashoah

A Yom Hashoah Commemoration will be held on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:45 p.m. at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, in Highland Park. Sponsored by North Shore Chavurah of Rabbis, the commemoration will include memorial prayers and a candle lighting, followed by a presentation by author and cave explorer Chris Nicola. Nicola is the author of The Secret of Priest's Grotto, the true story of a Ukrainian Jewish family who survived the Shoah by hiding in a series of underground caves.