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
- Annual Meeting, May 18
- Program for Grandparents in Interfaith Families
- Prospective Member Meet and Greet, May 8
- Save the Date: JUF Fundraising Brunch, June 1
- Save the Date: Coffee House Open Mic Night, June 14
- Book Club Recap and Next Title
- Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund
- Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers: The Continental and Butterfield’s
Creative Worship and Ritual
- No Shabbat Evening Service Friday May 9
- Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah, Saturday May 10
- Upcoming: Shabbat Service with Special Guest Rick Hirschhaut, Friday May 16
Volunteer Opportunities
- Soup Kitchen Recap
- Kudos to Volunteers
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Support for the Falling”
Music Notes
- Lahaka Adult Choir
Education
- Visit the Education Director’s Blog
- No classes this Sunday
Teen News
- Shir Hadash Ra’am BBYO Announcements: Social Events, Meetings and More
Adult Ed
- Crash Course in Basic Judaism
- Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan
- Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes
Community Events
- JCFS Response Group for LGBTQ Youth and Family
Wellness Section
- This Week’s Wellness Tip
SHOP Shir Hadash
Membership and Upcoming Events
Shir Hadash Annual Meeting, May 18
The Shir
Hadash 2014 annual meeting will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 9:30 to 11:30am, in
the synagogue sanctuary. (Since that is also the last day of Religious School
for the year, the meeting will be followed at 11:30 by the annual School
Assembly.) We will have a very full
agenda, including:
- Budget & Two-Year Plan Updates
- Land Sale Update
- Plans & Goals for Next Year
- Board Nominees’ Presentations
- Voting on Board Positions & Budget
Please plan
to attend this important meeting of our entire community.
Lunch
& Learn Program for Grandparents in Interfaith Families
Four Tuesdays in May, 11:30 to 1:00 at Shir
Hadash
Shir
Hadash is excited to offer a new program
for grandparents of children in interfaith families. We will welcome Rabbi Ari Moffic, Director of
Interfaith Family/Chicago, for a four-part series entitled “GIFTS - Gratitude,
Inspiration, Family, Tzedakah and Service.” These 90-minute lunch & learn
sessions address the challenges and successes of grandparenting and supporting
children and grandchildren in interfaith families. Click here to view the
program flyer on our website. For more
information, call 847 498 8218
Prospective Members Meet-and-Greet Coffee,
May 8
Help Shir
Hadash grow! The best way for Shir Hadash to grow is when friends tell friends
what a wonderful synagogue we have. Shir Hadash will be hosting a prospective
members' coffee on May 8 at 7 pm in Wheeling at the home of Kelly and Brian
Aron. If you know families who may be interested in learning more about Shir
Hadash, please let us know so that we can extend an invitation.
If you would
like to host a coffee on either May 22 or June 5 for your friends who are
looking for a spiritual home , please let us know. The membership committee
will provide the refreshments and attend to set-up and clean-up; you provide a
venue and a guest list. Help us spread
the word about Shir Hadash!
Save the Date: JUF Fundraising Brunch, June
1
Shir Hadash
will be hosting our first ever JUF fundraising event on Sunday, June 1, at 10
am .The JUF funds a vital network of agencies that do the important work of
caring for people in need around the world and here in Chicagoland, and also of
nurturing the Jewish community. Our guest speaker will be David Rubovits, Senior
Vice President of Planning and Allocations for the JUF/Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Chicago. Please mark your calendars and spend an hour with us enjoying
brunch and supporting a vital part of the Jewish community. For more
information, contact Rachel Schick-Siegel, rschicksiegel@comcast.net
It’s Back!
Coffee House Night – Open Mic Style, June 14
Start
practicing! With great excitement, we announce our 2nd Coffee House Night at
Shir Hadash – Open Mic Style on Saturday, June 14 from 7:00 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, audience members.
Dancers,
Actors, Musicians, Storytellers, Magicians, Group Acts … it’s your time to come
forward and hear the applause. Please
let me know if you’d like to perform. We also need bakers, tech help, set-up
roadies – a successful event depends on You!! Contact Margie at
MargiePromoPro1@aol.com.
Book Club
Recap and Next Title
On May 1, 15
SH members met to discuss Unorthodox: The
Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman. We enjoyed an
engaging discussion regarding Hasidic sects, particularly the Satmar in
Brooklyn, New York; shared delicious treats; and concluded with a reading of
Yiddish poetry. Thanks to the Zwicks for hosting!
The next
Book Club will be held in July to discuss Under
the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. Time and place TBA. All are welcome –
watch for details. Questions? Contact Meryl Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.
Scholarship Fund
We are
grateful to the many donors who have contributed to the Samuel I. Andes
Scholarship Fund, a need-based fund for children whose families cannot afford
to pay for their Jewish education at Shir Hadash. Melanie and Fred Andes have
created this fund in memory of Fred’s great-uncle Samuel I. Andes, who was a
staunch advocate of education, both religious and secular, and have graciously
offered to match all donations to the fund up to $11,000.00. Be part of this exciting initiative!
Click here to
donate online or mail your check to made out to Shir Hadash with “Scholarship”
written in the memo line.
Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant
Fundraisers!
The
Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove or Butterfield's 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
No Shabbat Evening Service on Friday, May 9
Enjoy a
celebration of Shabbat at home with your family.
Shabbat Morning Service, Saturday, May 10,
9:30am
We will
celebrate the bar mitzvah of David Varon, son of Phyllis and Steve Varon.
Upcoming: Shabbat Evening Service on
Friday, May 16, 2014, 7:30pm
“Jewish
Lessons on the 2oth Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide”
Guest
Speaker: Mr. Rick Hirschhaut
Founding
Executive Director, Illinois Holocaust Museum
Director,
International Outreach
Kwibuka20:
Remember, Unite, Renew
Volunteer Opportunities
Soup Kitchen Recap
On Sunday,
April 27, Shir Hadash served over 90 meals to needy adults, children and
families at St.Paul's Lutheran Church in Evanston as part of the Interfaith
Sunday Soup Kitchen Program. Over 30
adults and kids helped prepare, serve and greet guests at this worthy
event. Thank you again to all those who
volunteered at the soup kitchen; it was a great turnout and your generosity and
support was very much appreciated by all those who attended.
Shir Hadash
has participated in this program for over 10 years and it is one of the
favorite social action opportunities we offer.
The next chance to serve will be on November 9, 2014.
Volunteer Shout-Outs
This new section will thank volunteers who
go “above and beyond” in helping Shir Hadash. Know someone who has done
something special? Let us know at newsletter@shir-hadash.org.
Kol Hakavod
to:
- Steve Stark – for spot cleaning our bima chairs and carpet throughout the building
- Brad Steinback -- for helping get the budget finalized
- Mickey Herbin – for helping with mailing of budget and notes
- Mark Michaels – for cleaning the parking lot
- Pauline Levy – for delivering “Welcome Wagon” gifts to new members
- Sandy Weiss – for labeling the kitchen
- Rachel & Rick Siegel – for donating mulch and organizing our spring landscape cleanup
- Mark Shinsky – for donating two boxes of gardening gloves for our landscape projects
- Wendy & Burton Kopulsky – for donating a work bench
- Mark Lenhart and Rebecca Rice – for helping with landscape cleanup
Mitzvah Project - Help the Animals.
Julia Kessel
is collecting food and pet toys for the Humane Society as her mitzvah project
for her May 31 Bat Mitzvah. She is collecting for cats and dogs, and any food
or toys would be a big help. If you can
contribute food or toys, please put them in box in the Synagogue lobby. Thank
you!
The Rabbi’s Corner
May 9-10,
2014 / 10 Iyar 5774
Shabbat
Behar
Torah:
Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2 / Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6 - 32:27
“Support for
the Falling”
Dear
Friends,
All around
us and throughout the world, we see friends, neighbors, relatives and strangers
falling on hard times. What are we
supposed to do? What are our obligations
and responsibilities as Jews? This week’s Torah portion and the powerful work
of Israel’s universities offer some guidance.
“And if your
brother grows poor and is unable to maintain himself amongst you, then you
shall support him.” (Leviticus 25:35) The Medieval Torah commentator Rashi
notes how the verse appears to describe an individual who have already fallen
into poverty. Thus, we are commanded to
“support him”. Rashi further explains that if only we could catch him before he
falls into poverty, the job of supporting him will be so much easier. He
compares this to a heavily loaded donkey: while the donkey is standing one
person is enough to steady and help him. Yet, if the donkey falls to the ground
beneath the load, even five people cannot lift him up.”
Thus, our
Jewish tradition teaches that we must assist anyone in need by ensuring that he
never falls in the first place. Israeli colleges have taken this lesson to
heart, creating programs to help Ethiopian Jewish immigrants succeed and
prosper….
To read the
rest of the Rabbi’s Corner on our website, click here.
Music Notes – News and Ideas from our Music Director
Come Join Us - We're Already
Looking Forward to High Holidays!
Our adult
choir, Lahaka is meeting regularly on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month
at 7:30pm. If you like to sing and be part of a warm, friendly, fun-loving group,
come join us! Be on the lookout for information on our summer and High Holidays
rehearsal schedule. We are starting to learn new and review old repertoire for
High Holidays, so come join us in May as we begin our work to prepare for a
meaningful musical Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For more information contact
Adrian Durlester, music.director@shir-hadash.org
Education
Visit the Education Director’s Blog
Education
Director Emily Ascher’s blog has news about everything happening at Shir Hadash
Religious School. Click here to see it.
No School This Sunday
No classes
will be held on May 11. See you next week for our end of the year festivities!
Teen News
Ra'am BBYO Convention Recap
Enjoy these
photos from our first BBYO Convention, where our Ra’am chapter became
officially recognized. Thanks to Marc Fargotstein and Joanne Litman for serving
as volunteer chaperones through this exciting and exhausting weekend!
All 8th to 12th graders are
invited to a great regional program. Shir Hadash Ra'am teens will lead
Havdalah at 7:00 followed by a super fun dance with two DJs including a sound and
lighting spectacle. The evening runs from 7:00 to 10:00pm. You don't need to
belong to BBYO to attend this event, which is co-sponsored by Ra'am and Shabak
chapters. $5.00 admission, payable at the door. Temple Beth El is located at
3610 Dundee Road in Northbrook. See you there!
Stand Up Event for Ra’am BBYO, May 18
Chapter
members and friends: join us for a fun program to spread the awareness of
inclusion. Learn the importance of accepting other and being kind in everyday
life. Meet at Shir Hadash in the Teen Lounge on May 18 from 7:00-8:30pm.
BBYO Summer Experiences
Did you know
that BBYO offers a variety of summer leadership, service, and travel programs
for Jewish teens throughout the summer? Our region offers several scholarships
for summer programs, and there is a great variety of experiences available.
Click here for more information regarding BBYO summer experiences.
Adult Education
Monday, May
12 and June 9, 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Please note changed May date.
Taught by
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
There are
two more sessions still to come in the Rabbi’s crash course. Participants will learn the basics of Judaism
and receive a free copy of the Companion Guide chock-full of thought-provoking,
extra-curricular reading to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the
depth and breadth of Judaism. This program is presented in conjunction with the
National Jewish Outreach Project. All are welcome: members and non-members,
Jews and non-Jews, family and friends. Click here to view our program flyer.
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan
Weiner-Kaplow
Join Shir
Hadash members and friends for a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the
weekly Torah portion. This informal
group meets on Thursdays from noon to 1:00 in the Shir Hadash Kitchen/Café. All
are welcome.
Sunday Morning Adult Ed -- No Classes this Week
Since Sunday School is closed on May 11, we will not have Adult Ed classes. Join us on school Sundays 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 General Fund
- Art and Diane German, in memory of Lillian Cohen
- Gerri and Dick Freibrun, in memory of Lillian Cohen
- Joy Anes Davis
Community Events
JCYS Response Groups – “Alliance” begins June 24
Response, an
agency of JCFS, offers programs for LGBTQ teens and their families. All
programs are located at the Response office, 9304 N. Skokie Blvd in Skokie.This
summer, Response will be running a new group called Alliance for LGBTQ high
school students and allies. There will be discussions, activities, and movies
all related to LGBTQ issues, plus snacks and time to meet new people from other
schools. Meetings will be Tuesdays beginning June 24 from 4:00 to 5:30pm at
Response. The program is free and drop-ins are welcome throughout summer. For
more info or to RSVP, email RachelMarro@jcfs.org or call (224) 625-2946.
Wellness Section
Wellness Tip of the Week: Small, Frequent Snacks
Keep your
metabolism going and avoid being hungry with small, healthy snacks throughout
the day. Bring these to work and avoid the “2:00pm coffee cake calorie fest”: a
small handful of almonds, a Special-K bar, an apple or two clementines, or
Weight Watchers cheese sticks.
Many thanks to SH member Jennifer Dumrauf
for her wellness tips. Watch future issues for more great ideas!
SHOP Shir Hadash
Spring into SHOP!
SHOP is our
congregation’s ongoing fundraiser – and the easiest way to support the shul
without spending an extra dime! Purchase gift cards 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 or at Sunday school.
Mother’s Day Special from Panera Bread and FTD.com
Order $50 in
Panera Bread ScripNow cards by May 11 and you’ll receive an email from ShopWithScrip
with a special link to receive $10 off almost everything at FTD.com.
Thank-Scrip-ing Day on May 12 features big rebates on
ScripNow products only.
For 24 hours you
can earn some of the highest rebates ever offered from popular ScripNow retailers,
and you’ll be able to order and print eCards minutes before heading out the
door when you’re set up to pay online with PrestoPay. The list of retailers
will be released at midnight when it starts! To participate, you just need a
ShopWIth Scrip Accoutn and you must be able to login to place online orders.
Think about signing up for PrestoPay, ShopWithScrip’s online payment system, if
you haven’t already. Please note: PrestoPay requires 2-5 business days to
verify new accounts.
New Retailer: Golf Galaxy
Bonus Contributions Now Available:
- AMC Theatres – 5% through May 9
- Athleta – 2% through May 9
- Banana Republic – 2% through May 9
- Bed Bath & Beyond – 1% through May 9
- Boston Market – 2% through May 16
- Cabela’s – 1% through May 16
- Dell – 2% through May 9
- Gap – 2% through May 9
- Spafinder – 2% through May 9
- Stage – 3% through May 9
- Staples – 5% through May 9
- LL Bean – 2% through May 16
- Old Navy – 2% through May 9
- Piperlime – 2% through May 9
- Restaurant.com – 15% through May 23
Bonuses Starting May 10
- Albertson’s – 1% through May 23
- Belk – 2% through May 23
- Caribou – 1% through May 23
- Exxon/Mobil – 1% through July 4
- Joann – 2% through May 23
- Lowe’s – 2% through May 23
- Shutterfly – 2% through May 23
New Small
Denomination Cards - Limited Time Only!
Through May 23,
or while supplies last, the following plastic gift cards will be available:
- AMC Theatres® $10
- Amazon.com Gift Card $10
- Barnes & Noble $5
- CVS/pharmacy $10
- Pizza Hut $5
- Panera Bread® $5
- Regal Entertainment Group $10
- Target $10
- Starbucks $5 Teacher Card
- Walmart $10
New: $20 Starbucks “Happy Father’s Day” cards available until June
13 or while supplies last.
Thanks to the
following families for participating in SHOP this week:
- Zinbarg
- Schleicher
- Herbin
- Farahmandpour
- Mostow
- Grills
- Callistein
- Friedman
- Allen
- Singer
- Fargotstein
- G. Graff
- M. Graff
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