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Thursday, December 26, 2013

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- December 26, 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
  • Coffee House – Open Mic Night, January 25
  • December: The Best Time to Donate!
  • Save the Date: Shir Hadash Gala, February 22
  • Support the Gala with Silent Auction Donations
  • Book Club
  • Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers: The Continental and Butterfield’s
Creative Worship and Ritual
  • Shabbat Shira Evening Service, January 10
Music Notes
  • Youth Choir & Ensembles Informational Meeting, January 12
  • Shabbat Shirah, January 10
  • Purim – To Entertain or To Be Entertained?
Education
  • Sunday School on Winter Break
Teen News
  • BBYO Spring Kickoff Dance Party, January 4
  • BBYO: “Praying with Lior” January 11
  • Junior High MLK Sports Day at the J, January 20
  • Midwest Regional Kallah, February 14-16
Adult Ed
  • The Book of Esther Interfaith Class
  • Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan
  • Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes
SHOP Shir Hadash

Membership and Upcoming Events

Coffee House Night – Open Mic Style! January 25
It’s just around the corner! With great excitement, we announce “Coffee House Night at Shir Hadash – Open Mic Style” on Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.  Enjoy a laid back Saturday night with low lighting, comfortable seating, friendly conversation, a Bake Sale with Coffee/Beverages, and the amazing talent of our friends.  EVERYONE is welcome to participate:  any age, any talent, member or nonmember, and of course, we also need audience members.  Attention Talent!  Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Storytellers, Magicians, Group Acts … it’s your time to come forward and hear the applause.  If you’d like to perform, please contact Margie Skora at MargiePromoPro1@aol.com and put “Coffee House Talent” in the subject line.  We’d like to get an idea of how many might want to perform.


Behind the scenes:  Attention Bakers!  Attention Tech Help!  Attention Set-up Crew (roadies)! Interested in participating?  Please contact Margie to find out more.  A successful event depends on YOU!  For more information, please click here.  

December: The Best Time to Donate!
The end of the calendar year is the perfect time, if you are able, to give a little extra help to make ends meet at Shir Hadash.  We have many members of our community who are struggling financially and who are unable to pay regular dues levels.  The synagogue could use a little extra end of year support from our Shir Hadash family.  And, if you can make a donation before the end of the year, you can even use it as a charitable donation for your 2013 taxes.

Please consider giving a little something extra right now to support our wonderful community. You can easily donate online through Paypal by clicking here, but a check sent into the office is just as welcome. Thank you all!

Save the Date: Shir Hadash Gala and Silent Auction, February 22
We will be having a Fundraising Gala night on February 22 at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove.  It will be a night of great live music, plenty of hors d’oeuvres and dessert and a silent auction and raffle.  Please mark the event on your calender and even bring some friends.  Invitations will be going out in January. 

Support Our Gala with Silent Auction Donations or Sponsorships
We need your help with silent auction items or becoming a Gala Sponsor.  If you have a quality items to donate, have a business with goods or services, or would be willing to purchase a gift card we could include in the silent auction, please make a tax deductible donation to our silent auction.  Sponsorship opportunities (which include a number of tickets) are also available. 

All members can help with the silent auction.  Even if you don't have an item to donate or a service to provide, it would be a great help if we can get members to ask the businesses they already patronize to donate an item.  Contract Glenn Graff at Fundraising@shir-hadash.org for information on how to ask your local businesses to donate or how to arrange your own silent auction donation.  Every little bit helps.  All proceeds go to Shir Hadash.

Book Club
Our next selection will be Second Person Singular by Sayed Kashua. The book is a mystery that explores the identity of Arabs who are assimilated in Israeli culture. We will discuss this novel at our February meeting; watch future newsletters for date and location info.

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 Beshallach – Shira: Friday, January 10, 7:30 PM 
“Splitting the Sea: We are Partners with God in Bringing the World to Perfection” 
Shabbat Shira, the Shabbat of the Song, is a special service celebrating the crossing of the Sea of Reeds as our ancestors left Egypt en route to the Promised Land.  We will chant Miriam’s song of praise from the Torah and hear our actors present a dramatized version of the song.  The rest of the service will be filled with exciting music from our Lahaka adult choir. Bring delicious treats on the theme of ‘celebration’ to share during the oneg Shabbat refreshments.

Music Notes – News and Ideas from our Music Director

Youth Choir & Ensembles Informational Meeting , January 12
On Sunday, January 12 at 8:45am, we will hold an informational meeting for parents and students interested in participating in our newly re-organizing youth ensembles - the Kolit youth choir, and student instrumentalists of all kinds who might be interested in playing in a small youth ensemble, or playing along with Kolit. Singers, drummers, guitarists, pianists, clarinetists, horn players, instrumentalists of all kinds are welcome. For more information contact Mr. D at music.director@shir-hadash.org.

Shabbat Shirah
On Friday, January 10 we read parashat Beshallakh, which contains the "Song of the Sea" that the Israelites sang after crossing the Reed Sea. Join us at the special service at 7:30pm with a focus on music and song, including music sung by the Shir Hadash Lahaka adult choir.

On Purim -- To Entertain or To Be Entertained, That is the Question
Purim is coming sooner than you think. It starts Saturday night, March 15, 2014, to be exact. Plans are underway for this year's Purim festivities. If you like to sing, act, write parody, or enjoy making other people laugh, come join our crew of merrymakers for this year's Purim shpiel. We need not only performers, but instrumentalists, and help with costumes, scenery, etc. Sometimes, being part of the Purim shpiel is more fun than watching it! Why not give it a try? If you're interested, contact Adrian Durlester or Rabbi Eitan..

Education News

Sunday School on Winter Break
The Shir Hadash Religious School is on break for the next two Sundays. Have a fun and safe vacation, and we’ll look forward to seeing all our students return on January 5, 2014.

Teen News

BBYO Spring Kickoff Dance Party, January 4
The Great Midwestern Region of BBYO will be hosting the first ever Spring Kickoff Dance at the Deerfield Hyatt on January 4 from 7:00pm-9:30pm. Transportation will be provided from Skokie, Chicago and South Suburbs. There will be door prizes and the chance to enter a raffle to win 50% off Invite Convention! In order to be entered into the raffle you must bring two non-members with you to the dance!

During the dance, each chapter will receive designated colored wrist bands to give out to perspective members. Each of you will be able to “bid” membership to your chapter by giving an 8th grader or prospect your designated wrist band! Each 8th grader and prospect can receive multiple wrist bands, so be social, meet new friends, and recruit for Ra’am! This is an exciting time, so come prepared with your best chapter spirit. For more information, contact Carole Mostow, youth@shir-hadash.org.

BBYO: “Praying With Lior”, January 11
On Saturday, January 11 from 7:00 - 9:00, BBYO presents the film “Praying With Lior” with a discussion to follow.  Watch for details, coming soon!

Junior High MLK Sports Day at the J, January 20
Jewish teens in grades 6-8 are invited to a fun day at the Northbrook JCC on Monday, January 20 from 11:00 to 3:00. $25 gets you Laser Tag, Dodgeball, a pizza lunch and lots more! Sponsored by BYOB Connect, JCC Camp Chi, B’nai B’rith Beber Camp, CBS Kadima, and Shir Hadash. Click here to view the flyer, and click here to register.

Midwest Regional Kallah, February 14 – 16
Save the Date for the Midwest Regional Kallah for 6th-12th graders. Join teens from the Chicago area and Michigan for a weekend of Reconstructionist living.  Registration forms are now available; contact Carole Mostow at youth@shir-hadash.org if you would like one emailed to you.

Adult Education

The Book of Esther – An Interfaith Class

We are joining forces with Our Lady of the Brook to offer a unique examination of the Book of Esther from both Jewish and Catholic perspectives. Led by Rabbi Eitan and OLB’s Deacon Peery Duderstadt, “The Book of Esther: Yours, Mine and Ours” will meet at Shir Hadash on Tuesdays at 9:30am from January 7 through February 25. Click here to register. 

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
Our Sunday Morning adult ed classes are currently on break, along with the rest of Sunday School. See you in January!  We hope you will join us 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.

SHOP Shir Hadash

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.

New Small Denomination Cards: Limited Time Only!
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 

Comfort Inn and Gap Inc. Gift Cards now available for reload!

New Gas Brands Available for ReloadNow:
76, Arco, BP, Chevron/Texaco, Exxon, Mobil, and Sunoco

New ScripNow Retailers:  Hotels for Winter Break Travel!
Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Collection

Bonus Contributions:

Currently Available:
Albertson’s – 1% through Dec. 27
Athleta – 2% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
Banana Republic – 2% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
Build a Bear Workshop – 2%  through Dec. 27
Cracker Barrel – 1% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
CVS – 2% ScripNow and Reload only through Dec. 27
Domino’s – 2% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
Home Depot – 1% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
iTunes – 1-% on ScripNow only through Dec. 27
Jiffy Lube – 3% through Dec. 27
Old Navy – 2% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
Piperlime – 2% on ScripNow through Dec. 27
Pizzeria Uno – 2% through Jan. 3
Red Robin – 3% through Jan. 3
Smart & Final – 2% through Jan. 3

Marriott ScripNow Change: Effective immediately, Marriott ScripNow will only be available in $100 eCards. The non-profit contribution remains the same at 8%.

Announcing the PrestoPay Holiday Giveaway!
We are thrilled to announce NO PrestoPay fees from December 21 through January 3! As an extra bonus, every PrestoPay order you place during the promotion earns you an entry into a big giveaway at the end of the promotion, which will have a random drawing of five winers who will receive a $100 eCard to a ScripNow retailer of their choice!

TGI Friday’s Bonus Bites: Get a FREE $5 TGI Fridays Bonus Bites electronic coupon simply by order TGI Fridays products on ShopWithScript.com redeemable between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2014.

Connect with Scrip on Facebook and you could win $50 ScripNow! Check out the ShopWithScrip page on Facebook for a quick $50 ScripNow giveaway next week.

Gift Card Holiday Wrappers are available in packs of 10 for $2, with a 10% non-profit contribution. Find them on ShopWithScrip.com!

ShopWithScrip Holiday Schedule:
ShopWithScrip offices be closed through December 26. ScripNow and ReloadNow orders will be available as usual, but Reload orders will NOT be processed December 25 or 26. Any Reload orders placed and paid for with PrestoPay between 3:30pm EST on December 24 and 3:30pm on December 27 will available the morning of December 28. ShopWithScrip will also be closed on January 1 for New Year’s Day. Again, ScripNow and ReloadNow orders will be available, but Reload orders placed between 3:30pm December 31 and 3:30pm on January 1 will not be available until January 3. Questions? Call the ShopWithScrip support team at 800 727 4715 option 3.

Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:   
  • Zinbarg
  • Schleicher
  • Fisher-Rohde
  • F. Farahmandpour
  • Fargotstein
  • Anes
  • Herbin
  • Goldin
  • Wexler
  • Estes- Goldman
  • Weiss
  • Singer


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