To view this blog in its entirety, go to our website.
For daily event updates, visit our calendar.
What’s Happening at a Glance
- Building Update
- Landscaping Meeting, May 25
- Fundraising Committee: Contest Entries and Volunteers Needed
- Pizza Fundraiser, June 12
- Celebrating Summer Jewish Experiences, June 7
- Book Club, July 11
- Save the Date: Synagogue Dedication, August 18
- Spread the Word with Shir Hadash T-Shirts
Creative Worship & Ritual
- Upcoming Service, May 31
Adult Education
- Thursday Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, May 23
The Rabbi’s
Corner
- "What am I Complaining About?"
Community News
- Theatre Recommendation: “The Pianist of Willesden Lane”
- Oklahoma Disaster Aid: A Letter from National Reconstructionist Leadership
Donations
NEW! Accomplishments
SHOP Shir Hadash
Membership and Upcoming Events
Building Update
There's been a lot of action with regards to the building
though you can't see much of it.
Thanks to Housh's Construction Company, the building has been
cleared! All of the furniture,
equipment, and such that we acquired with the building has been moved out and
into storage PODs in the parking lot or into other areas of the building where
they will be protected during construction. Areas of the building are being sealed off with plastic to
prevent dust from getting everywhere.
Many of the subcontractors are on site this week and demolition should
be in progress as you read this.
The Landscaping Committee has been meeting with vendors and
finalizing the Phase 1 plans. If
you'd like to give input or participate in the landscaping committee please
contact Stacy Laner (stacy.laner@gmail.com) or Rachel Siegel
(rschicksiegel@gmail.com). (See below for info on the upcoming Landscape
Committee meeting.)
A Security Committee may be in the midst of forming. Rachel Siegel met on site with a member
of the Wheeling police department this week for a Vulnerability/Risk
Assessment. Several grants are
being looked at to possibly improve security at the building, including from
the Department of Homeland Security.
If you have an interest in participating in a Security Committee, please
contact Marc Fargotstein (marcfargo@att.net) or Rachel Siegel
(rschicksiegel@gmail.com).
Very soon it will be much easier to identify the building as
being a Jewish Synagogue and specifically Shir Hadash. The Building Committee has been working
very hard for the past two weeks on designing the signage for the building with
input from professional graphic designers, professional sign companies, and
many of our members. We hope to
have our new signage up on the building in the next two to three weeks.
At the recommendation of the ERC (Employee Relations
Committee), the Board decided to hire on Don Johnson, Saul Pina, and Jacob
Cutts, who are all employees of RAILS, to be part-time employees of Shir Hadash
to help maintain and clean the interior and exterior of the building and
landscape. Please wish them a warm
welcome to the Shir Hadash family when you see them!
The Interior Design Committee has been hard at work. They put in a bid for furniture and
equipment from Beth Am in Buffalo Grove to secure furnishings at very
discounted costs. A quick review
was conducted of all furnishings and equipment we acquired with the building to
pre-sort what could be reused in the building prior to moving everything into
the PODs. The first interior
design committee meeting was to be held on May 22. However, since this is being written on May 21 and our
crystal ball is locked up in one of the PODs, we can’t tell you what will
happen or what already happened, or, nevermind. Even if you couldn’t make this first meeting, everyone is
welcome to come and participate in future meetings, please e-mail Deborah
Newberger at izzyhome@aol.com or Marc Fargotstein at marcfargo@att.net.
Landscaping Committee, May 25
The Landscaping Subcommittee is meeting this Saturday, May
25, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to jumpstart our landscape planning
initiatives. We will meet outside the building to walk the area. (If the
weather is bad, we'll move the meeting to the closest Starbucks after we walk
the grounds.)
Meeting Objectives:
- Walk the grounds
- Overview/Updates on Phase 1, 2 and 3 plans / priorities / next steps
- Fundraising / grants / creative funding sources
- Designate focus areas for each committee member to leverage members' strengths and interests
- Next steps
Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Stacy
Laner at stacy.laner@gmail.com or Rachel Siegel at rschicksiegel@comcast.net.
Fundraising Committee: Contest Entries and Volunteers Needed
The Fundraising Committee is looking for a creative
name/slogan for our new Restaurant Fundraising initiative. Under this program, restaurants
volunteer to donate a portion of the proceeds from Shir Hadash members on a
specified day during a month. Our
first effort at Roti in Northbrook was a success. We plan on having one restaurant a month. So send your suggestions for a fun name
that conveys the combination of food, fun and fundraising. Send suggestions to Glenn Graff at
nflsunday@aol.com. The winner will
receive a gift card from Shop Shir Hadash. And if you like picking the occasional restaurant or helping
plan a party or other event, or you are just bubbling over with fundraising
ideas, let Glenn know. The
Fundraising Committee is looking both for ideas and for additional members to
join us in planning some FUNdraising.
Pizza Fundraiser, June 12
The next restaurant fundraiser will be at Lou Malnati’s in
Buffalo Grove on June 12. Mark it
on your calendar! Flyers will be
distributed by email and also will be available on our website. Let's bring in a Shir Hadash crowd and
enjoy catching up during the summer while participating in Lou Malnati’s Dough
for Dough program. 20% of money
spent by Shir Hadash members and friends will be donated to Shir Hadash.
Celebrating Jewish Summer Experiences, June 7
Do your plans for the summer include special Jewish
experiences? Maybe your kids are attending a Jewish camp, or you’re planning a
family trip to Israel? If so, we want to honor you at the June 7 service!
Please email Rabbi Eitan (rabbi@shir-hadash.org) or Education Director Emily
Ascher (eddirector@shir-hadash.org) to let us know.
Book Club
The next book club will meet on Thursday, July 11 at the
home of the Zwick family, 385 Castlewood Lane in Deerfield. The book will be
The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolam. This true story helps to give insight into the
Palestinian-Israeli conundrum. For more info about our book club, contact Meryl
Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.
Save the Date: Synagogue Dedication, August 18
While making your summer plans, be sure to save the date for
the dedication of our beautiful synagogue on Sunday, August 18! Details are
still being worked out so watch future newsletters and emails for updates. If
you have any questions and/or would like to help, contact Melanie Andes
(fmandes@comcast.net) or Marc Fargotstein (marcfargo@att.net).
Spread the Word with Shir Hadash T-Shirts
Show off your love for Shir Hadash! White, 100% cotton
t-shirts proclaiming "Say Shalom to Our New Home" are available in
men’s, women’s and kids’ sizes for $10. To order, contact Lisa McCulloh,
847-814-2922 or jjlisamc@gmail.com.
Creative Worship & Ritual
Upcoming Service
Friday, May 31, 2013 (7:30 PM/200 W Dundee) --Shabbat Shlach
Lecha
“5th Friday / Learner’s Service”
Why are the prayers in a special order? Does the order really matter? What do the prayers really mean,
anyway? Why do we say some and
sing some? Why do we stand for
some and sit for others? At our
special 5th Friday Learner’s Service, any and every question is welcome. We will move through the service stopping
whenever a hand goes up with a question. Rabbi Eitan will explain and discuss
the fascinating fine points and open our understanding to the architecture,
wisdom and beauty of the Jewish liturgy.
Bring questions and a great treat to share at the pot-luck oneg
refreshments!
Adult Education
Lunch & Learn: Thursday Torah Study with Rabbi Eitan
Join Rabbi Eitan and fellow Shir Hadash members for an
exciting hour of Torah study, brown bag lunch, and lively discussion.
Meeting Place:
The Shir Hadash office, 3340 Dundee Road in Northbrook
Time: 12 noon - sharp
This week's portion: Numbers, Numbers, Chapter 10:11-11:35
Discussion Topic: “Of Rebels and Prophets”
The Rabbi’s Corner
May 24-25, 2013 / 16 Sivan 5773
Shabbat Beha’alotecha
Torah Portion:
Numbers 8:1-12:16 / Haftarah Portion: Zecharia 2:14-4:7
“What Am I Complaining About?”
Dear Friends,
So my children, Ayal and Elana, are both young adults and
living at home for the next two months.
This week they invited me to join them on a quick one-night camping
trip. “It will be a great
time! We’ll sit at the campfire
and talk all night, Abba.” What
parent can say ‘no’ to that? So,
late in the day, we packed the car and headed to Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine
South State Park. The weather prediction
was perfect – high pressure, clear sky and warm. It doesn’t get better than that, until it started drizzling
and then raining just as dinner was ready. Rain?! The
weather report did not mention rain – and we did not bring our rain gear. Rain?! Who said anything about rain. Oy
gevalt!
So here I am, with my precious and beloved children beside
me, and all I can do is complain about the drizzle and the rain and how much it
upsets me. Which is precisely when I remembered this week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha.
…
To read the rest of The Rabbi’s Corner, click here to visit
our website.
Community News
Theatre Recommendation: “The Pianist of Willesden Lane"
Now playing at the Royal George Theatre through May 25
Set in Vienna in 1928 and in London during the Blitzkreig,
“The Pianist of Willesden Lane” tells
the true noted pianist and author Lisa Jura, as performed by her own
daughter Mona Golabek. When Lisa is sent on the Kindertransport to London to protect
her from the Nazi regime, everything about her life is upended except her love
of music and her pursuit of her dreams. Tribune Critic Chris Jones praised the
production, saying, "The simple act of Golabek sitting down at the
Steinway piano is...enough to make your mouth fall open with a certain wonder
at the way of the world." Don’t miss it!
Click here to
visit the Royal George Theatre site for more information.
Oklahoma Disaster Aid: A Letter from National Reconstructionist
Leadership
Shir Hadash Members,
The destruction caused by the tornado in Moore, OK has been
overwhelming. The devastation and
loss has touched many of our hearts as have the incredible stories of
survival. We grieve with our
fellow citizens at the loss of so much.
It is a humbling reminder of the fragility of life. Many of us will want also to reach out
and express our common bonds and assist in offering relief and eventually the
rebuilding of this community as a gesture of comfort and hope that life
continues even as we mourn our losses. We are called to help however we are able.
For those of us who would like contribute to the relief
efforts here are some opportunities:
1. The Jewish Federations of North
America has opened a Oklahoma Relief Fund to gather aid from across the Jewish
community for the victims of the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma
City area on May 20. Funds raised will support relief efforts of the Jewish
Federation of Greater Oklahoma City. One hundred percent of funds donated will
go to the local Federation and its relief efforts on the ground. Click here to make donations on their website.
2. The Red Cross
requested donations be given to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps
provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters, by
visiting http://RedCross.org, dialing 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting "REDCROSS"
to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
3. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma:
Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged.
Monetary donations can be made at http://RegionalFoodBank.org or text "FOOD"
to 32333 to donate $10.
We join with
those all around our country who pray with and for the people of central
Oklahoma, that they may find the healing, the strength and the consolation to
grieve such an incredible loss, to face what lies ahead and to rebuild and
repair their lives and their homes.
Rabbi Joshua Lesser, Chair, Tikkun Olam Commission of RRC
Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Director, Tikkun Olam Commission,
RRC
Rabbi Jason Klein, President, RRA
Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Executive Director, RRA
David Roberts, Chair, Board of Governors
Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, President, RRC
Donations
To the Building Fund:
Dale and Ronald Freeman, in memory of Florine Lesht, mother
of Carole Mostow
Accomplishments
If you know of
a special accomplishment by a Shir Hadash member, give them some recognition In
this new section of our newsletter! Send info to Carolyn Gessner,
gessnermom@hotmail.com.
Mazel Tov to:
Nate Elfant, who earned top five honors in the Illinois
State High School Gymnastics Championship
Liat Wasserman, who was named PE/Wellness 8th
Grade Student of the Quarter at Maple Middle School
SHOP Shir Hadash
SHOP orders of at least $400 are now payable by credit card.
Annual SHOP orders are also payable by credit card. If every family purchases
$400 a month in grocery, gas, or other cards, we can earn more than $15,000.
Purchasing SHOP gift cards helps the shul raise much needed funds without
spending any more money than you already do for your regular expenses. Orders
can be picked up at the Shir Hadash office.
Don't Toss That Card! Reload it.
Reloading allows you to add funds to many plastic gift cards
you previously purchased on ShopWithScrip® with ease and speed. In fact, if you
pay for your Reload order with PrestoPay™, our online payment method, before
3:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, the funds will be added to your card
overnight! For a growing number of retailers, you can add funds to your gift
card in minutes with ReloadNow™! Please remember, if you pay by check, your
reload purchase will be processed after the order is released by your
coordinator.
Remember, using ScripNow is simple: To order, visit any of the brand pages
on ShopWithScrip.com and select the ScripNow product choice.
•Order your ScripNow .
•Pay with PrestoPay™ to print your ScripNow in minutes.
•Or, pay by check to have your coordinator release your
order.
•Receive an email when your eCard is available on your
ShopWithScrip.com account.
•Click on View ScripNow from your Family Home page to view
and print your eCard.
IHOP - New ScripNow® Retailer
Lowe's® 2% bonus 5/11 - 5/24
Caribou Coffee® 1% bonus 5/11 - 5/24
Shutterfly® 2% bonus 5/11 - 5/24
The Cheesecake Factory® 2% bonus 5/11 - 5/24
Journeys® 3% bonus 5/11 - 5/24
Sears® 2% bonus 5/18 - 5/31
Kmart® 2% bonus 5/18 - 5/31
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® 2% bonus 5/18 - 5/31
Now through May 24 (or while supplies last), a limited run
of the following plastic gift cards will be available:
Barnes & Noble $5 Gift Card
Target $10 GiftCard
Panera Bread $5 Gift Card
Walmart® is offering a savings of 10 cents a gallon on gas
purchases made when using a Walmart Gift Card, effective through July 7, 2013.
Bonus Contributions going on now:
iTunes®: 5% bonus 5/4 - 5/24
T.G.I.Friday’s: Through Friday, June 28, you can get a FREE
$5 T.G.I. Friday's® Bonus Bites electronic coupon simply by ordering T.G.I.
Friday's® products on ShopWithScrip.com. These coupons can be redeemed between
July 1 and August 31.
Every time you use Reload or ReloadNow® to add funds to your
gift cards on ShopWithScrip.com between May 25 and June 7, you'll be
automatically entered to win your share of over $1000 in prizes! Ten families
will win an extra $100 dollars added onto one of their gift cards eligible for
Reload, and one of those families will also win a custom scrip banner for their
organization. If you haven't used Reload or ReloadNow to add funds to your
cards, now's the perfect time to try. The promotion starts this Saturday, and
some of your favorite retailers will be offering Reload-only bonuses at the
same time! Order an eligible gift card now so you'll be ready to reload on May
25. Below you'll find a list of special offers beginning next Saturday, May 25.
Uno Chicago Grill® 2% bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Regal Entertainment Group® 2% bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Some of your favorite retailers are also offering
Reload-only bonuses during our Ready, Set, Reload promotion:
Jiffy Lube® 2% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
GFS Marketplace® 1% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Lowe's® 2% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Hallmark® 2% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Bath & Body Works® 5% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Sheetz® 1% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
Hyatt Hotels® 2% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
AMC Theatres® 2% Reload-only bonus 5/25 - 6/7
The SUBWAY® restaurants 1% bonus has been extended 5/25, and
will continue through 6/7 for ReloadNow orders only.
The Home Depot® has everything Dad needs to get started on
his summer projects! He can find a huge selection of building materials,
fixtures, hardware, and paints for both outdoor and interior work. With stores
in all 50 states staffed by friendly, knowledgeable associates, The Home
Depot's your best choice for home improvement!
Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP
this week:
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