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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Shir Hadash Newsletter -- May 30, 2013


To view this blog in its entirety, go to our website.
For daily event updates, visit our calendar.

What’s Happening at a Glance


Membership News and Upcoming Events
  • Building Update
  • 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


Teen News
  • Suggestions Wanted for Teen Library
  • Proposed SH Teen Facebook Group


Creative Worship & Ritual
  • Learner’s Service, May 31


Adult Education
  • Thursday Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan

The Rabbi’s Corner
  • “Looking on the Bright Side”

Community News
  • Theatre Recommendation: “The Pianist of Willesden Lane”

Donations

Accomplishments

SHOP Shir Hadash

Membership and Upcoming Events


Building Update

Demolition is in process throughout the building and construction is about to begin.  Work has started in the lobby, women’s restroom, and the “living room.”  Wood for the bima has been ordered and we expect construction of it to start very soon.  

The interior design committee met on May 22, 2013.  They are working on making recommendations to the BOC for countertops, fabric for the benches in the lobby, lighting fixtures for the lobby, classroom paint, sanctuary lighting, interior signage, dedication plaques, and treatment of glass walls.  The next committee meeting will be on May 30th at 7:15 at the synagogue.  Contact Deborah Newberger (izzyhome@aol.com) to offer input or to join the committee.

The Landscaping Subcommittee met on Saturday, May 25, to walk the grounds of our new synagogue and start to develop a landscaping plan for the garden beds around the building, as well as the two-acre adjacent field. Long-range plans that are being explored include a "river walk" along Buffalo Grove Creek, with benches, walkways, flowering and fruiting trees, and a patio with a fire pit; a community garden; a Zen garden outside the sanctuary window; a children's play area in one of the courtyards; and much more. Right now, our focus is on sprucing up the garden beds along Dundee Road and addressing some pruning needs for the shrubs and trees. We welcome input from the congregation. What do you want from our grounds? Contact co-chairs Stacy Laner at stacy.laner@gmail.com or Rachel Schick Siegel at rschicksiegel@gmail.com to share your thoughts or if you want to join the committee. And stay tuned: We will be scheduling a service day to help clean up the grounds soon.

Exterior signage was approved by the BOC and Board and is in the hands of the chosen vendor.  Final artwork and pricing are expected this week.  We hope to have the signage in place within two weeks.  Once that is in place, everyone driving by will know there is a new Jewish synagogue in town named Shir Hadash.

The Wheeling Police conducted a security assessment of the building to help us apply for a federal grant.  Our architect also contributed a schematic of a security plan for this as well.  Rachel Siegel has taken this bull by the horns and is moving forward on it.  If you have input, questions, or comments, please contact Rachel (rschicksiegel@gmail.com).



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.

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.



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).





Teen News


New Teen Initiatives: Library and Facebook Group
We are trying to gauge interest in building a teen library in our new home. Teen intern, Dan Roiter, is spearheading the research for this project. He would love to get in contact with the students to directly ask them what type of media and texts they would want in a library. We are also looking into the possibility of organizing a moderated, closed Facebook group for all the Shir Hadash teens. This will allow the students to stay in touch over the summer and into college, facilitate communication, and build a sense of community amongst the Shir Hadash teens. We could also talk about their library “wish list” on this Facebook group as well. Please let Dan know how best to reach you: phone or e-mail.  Contact him at dan.roiter@shir-hadash.org.

Creative Worship & Ritual


Upcoming Service -- Friday, May 31, 2013 (7:30 PM/200 W Dundee) --Shabbat Shlach Lecha
“5th Friday / Learner’s Service”
This Friday, May 31 (7:30 at THE SYNAGOGUE, 200 W. Dundee in Wheeling), we have one of our very unique Fifth Friday services - it’s all about finding the answers to your questions about why we do what we do in our  services.  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 this 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.  So don’t miss it, and don't forget to bring something for the pot-luck oneg!


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 18: 8-45
Discussion Topic: “The Spies: The Rest of the Story”


The Rabbi’s Corner


May 31 - June 1, 2013 / 23 Sivan 5773
Shabbat Shlach Lecha
Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41 / Haftarah Portion: Joshua 2:1-24

“Looking on the Bright Side”

Dear Friends,

Fear seems to be the new product of the day.  I look at television and so much of the programming is rooted in fear.  The news programs have us frightened to change the station, in case we should miss the next ‘breaking news’ disaster, calamity, or catastrophe.  Shocking audio, repeating video clips, and bright red banners have us convinced that we are next to experience the tragedy we are witnessing on the screen.  Police, Lawyer, and Doctor shows have ramped up the fear quotient to depict the most heinous crimes and incurable illnesses, depicting them with terrifying realism.  What are we to do?

This week’s Torah portion takes place in the second year following the Exodus from Egypt and includes the famous story of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land.  Of the twelve, only Joshua and Kalev reported that the land was good and that the Children of Israel should move immediately to settle it.  The others focused only on the fortified cities of local inhabitants and how the Israelites would be squashed like grasshoppers if they even tried to enter the land.  Of course fear and panic spread throughout the camp.  Because of this loss of courage, the Children of Israel were sent to wander in the desert for 38 more years.

There is a powerful lesson here that speaks to each one of us.  It’s all about how you look at things that will determine a plan of action and ultimately a result….

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 July 7


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." The play’s run has been extended through July 7 – don’t miss it!
Click here to visit the Royal George Theatre site for more information.

Donations


To the Building Fund:
Bonny and Rick Goldin, in honor of Deborah Newberger’s birthday.

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:
Tory Lieberman, who was awarded a merit scholarship to attend the American Art Academy’s Summer Studio by the Glenbrook North Art Department.

Maggie Cain, who was featured in the Winnetka Talk’s “Spotlight: People to Watch” section for her appearance as Amanda in “The Glass Menagerie” at Theatre Wit, running through June 30. 

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 Sunday school or 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.

Celebrity Cruise Lines is a new ScripNow® Retailer.
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
•            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

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.

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 until 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.

Below you'll find a list of special offers
•            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
Also, the SUBWAY® restaurants 1% bonus has been extended through through 5/25, and will continue through 6/7 for ReloadNow orders only.

Below you'll find a list of special offers beginning next Saturday, June 1.
•            AutoZone® 1% bonus 6/1 - 6/21
•            AMC Theatres® 2% bonus 6/1 - 6/14
•            Cabela's® 2% bonus 6/1 - 6/14
The Home Depot® has everything Dad needs to get started on his summer projects!
Check out The Home Depot's blog to find some great inspiration for Dad's summer projects!

Thanks to the following families for participating in Shop this week:   
•            Zinbarg
•            Schleicher
•            Wexler
•            Zweiban

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