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
- Thank You to Landscape Volunteers
- Book Club, December 5
- Free Fire Wood – Come and Get It!
- iGive and SHOP: Two Great Ways to Help Shir Hadash
- Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers: The Continental and Butterfield’s
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Evening Service, November 8
- Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah, November 9
- Upcoming: Shabbat Service Featuring Grades Gan-3, November 15
- Mark Your Calendar: Lights & Miracles, November 22 at OLB
Volunteer Opportunities
- Help Plan Our Upcoming Gala
- Soup Kitchen Opportunity, November 10
- Shir Hadash Supports PADS
Music Notes
- Lights and Miracles
- Your Turn to Create Some Hanukkah Music
- Religious School Music/Kolit
- Join the Lahaka
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Kedushah - When God’s Presence Creates Holy Places and Times”
Education
- Education Director's Blog -- News, Photos and More!
- Shabbat Service Starring Grades Gan – 3: November 15
Teen News
- High School in Israel Information Meeting, November 3
- SHY Lounge, November 7
- BBYO, November 7
- Madrichim, November 10
Adult Ed
- Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan
- Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes
Donations
Jewish Cultural Events in Chicagoland
- “Old Jews Telling Jokes”
- ”Signs of Life”
SHOP Shir Hadash
Membership and Upcoming Events
Shir Hadash Landscape Volunteers Make Huge Impact!
 |
| Before... |
Our sincere
thanks to the following volunteers:
 |
| During... |
- Susan Butman
- Mehran and Noor Farahmandpour
- Ann Gusfield
- Mike Guth
- Stacy and Ken Laner
- Mark and Jennifer Lenhart
- Jodi Marvet
- Sandi Schleicher
- Rachel Siegel
- Larry Weingardt
- Dan Wellisch
- Ken Wexler
 |
| ...and After! |
Warm Up with Some Free Firewood
Did you know that splitting wood is a great workout? (Abe Lincoln was ripped!) We still have wood piled up on the North side of the building from the landscaping project. Help yourself to as much as you can carry! Be sure to
stop by ASAP. Thanks for helping!
Book Club
Our next
selection for the Shir Hadash Book Club
is The Slave, by Isaac Bashevis Singer, the Yiddish story of a Jewish
scholar sold into slavery in 17th
century Poland who falls in love with his gentile master's daughter. We will
meet Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm at the home of Rebecca Rice in Northbrook.
Contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com for more information.
iGive and SHOP: Two Great Ways to Help Shir
Hadash
Did you know
that we have two easy, pain-free fundraising programs that deliver donations to
Shir Hadash without costing you a dime? When you plan your holiday shopping and
traveling, remember these options that support our congregation with every
purchase:
- iGive: Established in 1997, iGive is the first online shopping mall where a portion of each purchase benefits the shopper's favorite cause. iGive members have raised over $7 million for charities across the U.S. and Canada. Every time you shop at any of the 1,300+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue. It's a free service, and you never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. There are also coupons, free shipping deals, and sales available through iGive. To get started, just click here to create your free iGive account. If you have questions, contact Sandi Schleicher, treasurer@shir-hadash.org.
- SHOP
Shir Hadash: Shop Shir Hadash provides a way for you to buy gift cards for your favorite stores, including grocery, gas stations, Starbucks, and hundreds more. You pay face value for the gift card but Shir Hadash gets a percentage of the card value too. If you pay $50 for a gift card, you get $50 of value, and Shir Hadash also earns a few dollars. It is a win-win for everyone! If you use Shop Shir Hadash for your grocery purchases alone you can help raise an extra $100 or more for Shir Hadash in a year. For more info, scroll down to the end of this newsletter or contact Gina Zinbarg, gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net.
Hungry Before or After Religious School (or
Anytime)?
The
Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove or Butterfields Restaurant in
Northbrook permanently will donate 5% of your total bill to Shir Hadash! No
flyer needed – just mention Shir Hadash when you are paying or fill out the
Shir Hadash book behind the desk. A
great way to start or end Religious school!
Creative Worship and Ritual
Shabbat Evening Service
Friday,
November 8, 2013 (7:30 PM): Shabbat Vayetze
“Traditional
Shabbat”
Every so
often, it’s nice to return to the traditional way of doing things. Join us for a Shabbat evening service filled
with comfortable and old-style melodies and old prayers that you probably
haven’t heard in a long time. We’ll
reminisce about the synagogues in which some of us grew up and talk about how
the traditional world gave way to the liberal and creative experience that we
enjoy at Shir Hadash.
Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday,
November 9, 2013 (9:45 AM)
We will
celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Jonathan Wallk, son of Ruth & Jeffrey Wallk
Upcoming: Shabbat Evening Featuring Gan Yeladim through Grade 3, November 15
Scroll down to Education News for details.
Scroll down to Education News for details.
Mark Your Calendars: Lights & Miracles
Service, November 22 at OLB
Don’t miss a
true Shir Hadash tradition – the annual Lights & Miracles Hanukkah Service.
Bring your family and friends to share in our celebration of Hanukkah music and
traditions, with a special Thanksgiving twist especially for this unusual year.
Latkes and cranberry sauce, anyone?
To
accommodate a great turnout, this year’s service will be held at Our Lady of
the Brook, 3300 Dundee Road in Northbrook. Come ready to sing, dance, laugh,
and be inspired! Our service starts at 7:30pm.
Volunteer Opportunities
Help Plan Our Shir Hadash 2014 Gala
Do you like
planning parties? Do you want to have some fun with your fellow Shir
Hadashniks? Shir Hadash is throwing a
gala evening on February 22, 2014, and we need volunteers to help plan the
event. Our gala will be a fun night of music, dancing, hors d'oeuvres and
dessert – a great opportunity for members of the Congregation and their friends
to relax and enjoy a night out.
There are a
number of different volunteer opportunities, including:
- General event planning and coordination
- Menu selection
- Invitations
- Obtaining silent auction items
- Creating a sponsor event book
- Marketing materials
- Day-of assistance: set up, clean up, ticket taking, etc
Working on
this fundraising gala will be fun and will make a meaningful difference for our
Congregation. Whether you have a little
time to give or want to dive in deep, any help would be very much appreciated.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Glenn Graff at
fundraising@shir-hadash.org or 847-420-2505.
Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed THIS SUNDAY
On Sunday,
November 10th, Shir Hadash will be preparing, cooking and serving over 90 meals
to needy individuals at the St Paul's Lutheran Church Soup Kitchen in Evanston.
This event will require volunteers to be available from 1:30 to 4:30
p.m. We need a minimum of 25 volunteers
(about 10-12 families). There is no age limit to volunteer, but from past
experience, kids should be at least 6 years old to fully participate. Each family will be responsible for bringing
an entrée that will feed 15 to 20 individuals, one gallon of milk, one gallon
of orange juice, one large bag frozen mixed vegetables, one large bag of fruit
(oranges, bananas, etc.) and dessert.
If you are
interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart ASAP at mjlenhart@comcast.net. After this, the next opportunity to volunteer for the Soup Kitchen will
be February 2014.
Shir Hadash Supports PADS Shelters for the
Homeless
The Shir
Hadash Social Action Committee is excited to announce a new partnership with
the PADS Shelter Program in Northern Cook County. PADS provides hospitality, food, and
overnight emergency shelter to the homeless between October 1 and April 30, seven
days a week (including holidays). Please
visit their website to learn about the vital services PADS provides.
Initially,
Shir Hadash will be providing some portion of the food needed at the Tuesday
PADS Site located at the Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove. At
this point, we are just collecting names of interested people who are willing
and able to provide food once or twice a season, depending on the number of
volunteers we get. If you are interested
in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net for detailed information. Maureen Rivkin will be coordinating and
assigning volunteers as needed. Thanks
in advance for your support of this great organization!
Music Notes – News and Ideas from our Music Director
Lights & Miracles
Hanukkiah?
Check. Candles? Check. Latkes? Check. Jelly Doughnuts? Check. Turkey and
Stuffing? Check. Pumpkin Pie? Check. Miles Maccabee and Judah Standish? Check.
What a crazy, mixed-up holiday it's going to be. Come celebrate what some are
calling Thanksgivukkah at this year's Lights & Miracles service on Friday,
November 22, at Our Lady of the Brook. Come and gobble up some latkes!
Your Turn to Create Some Hanukkah Music
I had a
little dreidl, from cranberries I made it
It stained
the floor so badly
That my mom
and dad forbade it!
I made a
little menorah,
I shaped it like a turkey
And what
else could I call it
Besides the
name "menurkey?"
Oh Hanukkah
and Thanksgiving
This year
they share the day
A day of
miracles and thanks
The perfect
time to pray
Though we
have a new building
We people of
the book
Our Lights
& MIracles service
Is at Our
Lady of the Brook
If you think
you're so clever
Then you
might do no worse
So why not
take a stab
And write
your own Thanksgivvukah verse?
Try your hand at writing some verses, send them to Adrian at
music.director@shir-hadash.org, and we might include them in the very special
"Mr. D's Dreidl Song Challenge" at this year's Lights & Miracles
Service on Friday, November 22 at Our Lady of the Brook. Deadline for
submissions is 11/17/13. (Of course, you never know- you may find me adding
lyrics to the Powerpoint slides during the show itself!)
Religious School Music
Do your
children like to sing? Do they play an instrument? Soon after Hanukkah we'll be
reforming our Kolit Youth Choir, and also looking to find ways to use our
student musicians as well. Stay tuned (and in tune.)
Choral Singing is the New Black
Well, not
really, but it got your attention! Like to sing? Come join the Shir Hadash
Lahaka, our adult choir. Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:30pm at Shir Hadash. If
you're interested, contact Adrian at music.director@shir-hadash.org.
The Rabbi’s Corner
November 8-9, 2013 / 6 Kislev 5774
Shabbat Vayetze
Torah - Genesis 28:10-32:3 / Haftarah - Hosea 12:13-14:10
“Kedushah -
When God’s Presence Creates Holy Places and Times”
Dear
Friends,
This week’s Torah portion speaks about the miracle of
marriage. The Torah reading this week begins by noting that "Jacob left
Beer-Sheba and set out for Haran." According to last week's portion, his
parents sent him there to "take a wife there from among the daughters of
Laban, your mother's brother." Jacob went from his home to seek the
comfort of love and marriage.
Marriage - that two people, two entire universes of ideas,
experiences, preferences and quirks, can share their lives as one is
astounding. In fact, the rabbis considered the existence of a good marriage to
be one of the most astounding of God's miracles….
To read the rest of the Rabbi’s Corner, click here to visit our website.
Education News
Check Out the Education Blog
Our
Education Director Emily Ascher shares school news, photos, and insights in her
weekly blog. Click here to see what’s new!
Friday,
November 15th will be a special Shabbat service led by the Gan Yeladim, First,
Second, and Third graders (Rabbi Eitan too!). This service is quite fun and a
chance for the children to get used to standing on the bima and leading the
prayers they are working on in Sunday school.
We also get to bless our children and sing some songs together. Please let me know if you are interested in
hosting a pre-service pizza dinner in our beautiful kitchen -- it's really fun
and a great way to start a family tradition. This is a perfect opportunity for
bonding with other Shir Hadash families--don't miss out.
Teen News
SHY Lounge -- TONIGHT!
On Thursday,
November 7th from 7-8:30 pm, come hear Shir Hadash senior Claire Marvet talk
about the documentary Blood Brother,
a powerful film about a young American who dedicates himself to working in an
HIV/AIDS hostel for poverty-stricken children in India. Claire is hosting a
special showing of the film on November 20th at the AMC Showplace in Vernon Hills,
with proceeds benefiting the children of the hostel. Click here for
details about the documentary and ticket information.
BBYO – TONIGHT!
Our next
meeting will be Thursday, November 7 at 6:00. We’ll share a pizza dinner and hold
chapter elections. (Remember, you must
be officially registered with BBYO in order to be elected as an officer. Click here to signup.) After the
meeting, stay for the presentation by Claire Marvet about Blood Brother.
Madrichim
Next
meeting: Sunday, November 10th at 8:40
am.
AMHSI – High School in Israel Program
Thank you to
Dana Klein from Alexander Muss High School in Israel for a terrific presentation of some options
for high shcool students to live and study in Israel for 6, 8 or 14 weeks. If
you are interested in the program but were unable to attend the meeting, please
see Carole Mostow for an information packet.
Information will also be placed on the info table at the front of the
synagogue.
Adult Education
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan
Weiner-Kaplow
Thursdays,
noon-1:00pm in the Shir Hadash Kitchen/Cafe
Join Shir
Hadash members and friends for a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the
weekly Torah portion. Don’t be surprised
if archaeology, sociology, contemporary world affairs as well as law, medicine,
and business ethics enter the lively conversation as we plumb the deeper
meanings of Judaism’s core text.
Participants are encouraged to share their views, questions, and
opinions. Each month, one of the class
sessions will be devoted to the Chai Mitzvah curriculum.
Sunday Morning Adult Ed
Sunday School isn't just for the kids! Join us this Sunday for Torah and
Philosophy at 9:45 with Fred Andes, followed by Hebrew Reading at 10:45 with
Steve Lewin. For more information, contact Fred Andes,
frederic.andes@btlaw.com..
Donations
To the Capital Campaign
Lise and
Sandi Schleicher, in memory of Andrea Cohen, stepmother of Jennifer Lenhart and
grandmother of Ryan and Jessica
To the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Karen, Marc
and Nikki Schwartz, also in memory of Andrea Cohen
Jewish Cultural Events in Chicagoland
"Old Jews Telling Jokes" at the
Royal George Theatre
This
long-running Off-Broadway show will be playing at the Royal George Theatre from
September 24 through January 26. Click here to visit the theatre’s website.
SHOP Shir Hadash
SHOP for Hanukkah!
SHOP is our
congregation’s ongoing fundraiser – and the easiest way to support the shul
without spending an extra dime! Purchase giftcards through SHOP and the vendors
pay a percentage back to Shir Hadash. SHOP orders of at least $400 are now payable by
credit card, as well as annual SHOP orders. Orders can be picked up at the
synagogue office. For more information, visit our SHOP page on the website.
Your
ScripNow Page is Better than Ever!
We made some
changes to your ScripNow® Purchase History page on ShopWithScrip.com so you
have a few more options to keep your scrip organized!
- Hide eCards that are completely redeemed, so only those that still hold value are visible.
- Show a complete list of your ScripNow, including hidden eCards, at any time.
- View ScripNow purchased in a specific range of dates.
- The most recently purchased eCards are now listed at the top of the page.
We hope this
makes it even easier to use your eCards and keep track of all your ScripNow
purchases! If you have any questions, give our friendly Customer Support Team a
call at 1.800.727.4715 opt. 3, or send an email to glscmail@glscrip.com.
Announcing a
limited run of small denomination gift cards from some of your favorite
retailers! These small denomination gift cards make thoughtful, easy gifts for
teachers, coworkers, babysitters, and all the other special people in your
life. While supplies last, the following
plastic gift cards will be available:
- Amazon.com Gift Card $10
- Barnes & Noble $5
- Pizza Hut $5
- Target $10
- Panera Bread® $5
- Walmart $10
Bonus
Contributions:
Currently
Available
- iTunes – 5% through Nov. 8
- Petco – 1% through Nov. 8
- Bass Pro Shops – 3% through Nov. 8
- Belk – 2% through Nov. 15
- Black Angus – 1% through Nov. 15
- Boston Market – 2% through Nov. 15
- JC Penney – 1% through Nov. 15
- Kmart – 3% through Nov. 15
- Red Robin – 3% through Jan. 3
- Restaurant.com – 10% through Nov. 29
- Sears – 3% through Nov. 15
- Smart & Final – 2% through Jan. 3
- Spafinder – 2% through Nov. 15
Bonuses Beginning
Nov. 9:
- Bath & Body Works -- 5% Nov. 9 to Nov. 22
- Cabela’s – 3% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- CoolCuts – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- Express – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- Hallmark – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- Lowe’s – 1% Nov. 9 through Nov. 15
- Pottery Barn – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- Regis Salons – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- Stage – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
- SuperCuts – 2% Nov. 9 through Nov. 22
Thank-Scrip-ing
Day will be back for Thanksgiving, November 28, with a whole new set of
retailers and ScripNow bonuses! Plus, we still have a lot of different bonuses
you can see on our Special Offers page, and we'll have more exciting news about
upcoming events like free shipping, special coupons, and more. Contact Gina
Zinbarg, gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net, for more information.
Thanks to the
following families for participating in SHOP this week:
- Zinbarg
- Schleicher
- Estes-Goldman
- Idelman
- M. Graff
- F. Farahmandpour
- M. Farahmandpour
- Singer
- Allen
- Cllistein
- G. Greff
- Farkas
- Mostow
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