Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- June 12, 2014

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, June 14
• Dining for Dollars at Sweet Tomatoes, June 24
• iWalk to Help Feed Our Community’s Hungry, June 29
• Shavuot Study Recap
• Get Ready for the SH Rummage Sale
• Book Club
• Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund
• Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers: The Continental and Butterfield’s

Creative Worship and Ritual

• No Shabbat Services this Week

Volunteer Opportunities

• Help Needed for iWalk, June 29
• Volunteer Shout-Outs: Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

The Rabbi’s Corner

• “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey”

Music Notes

• Lahaka Adult Choir

Education

• PJ Library

Teen News

• Tonight -- Ra’am BBYO End of Year Party Tonight, June 12
• Thanks to our Outgoing Board
• Recap – Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

Adult Ed

• Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan
• Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes

Community Events

• Summer Youth Programs from Response

Donations

SHOP Shir Hadash

Membership and Upcoming Events

Coffee House Night – Open Mic Style, June 14, 7:00pm

This Saturday! It's time for "Coffee House Night - Open Mic Style"! Join us Saturday night, June 14 for an evening of great entertainment.  Got talent? Whether you've made an advance reservation or not, we want you to have your time in the spotlight.  Everyone is welcome to participate: any age any talent,  member or nonmember, and of course, we need an audience.

Performers, please come at 6:30 on Saturday to sign-in on the performance sheet, tune your instruments, warm up your voice, and do your final preparation before Coffee House Night starts. Talent will have about 10-12 minutes on stage or up to about three tunes....unless the crowd is light, in which case we'll go around again, so prepare enough tunes in case you can play for longer.

Amazing bakers we need you too!  Looking forward to seeing all of you this Saturday. If you want more info please contact Margie at MargiePromoPro1@aol.com and put Coffee House in the subject line. And we've made it even easier to sign up, just click here and you're in.

Dining for Dollars at Sweet Tomatoes, June 24

Come gather with your fellow Shir Hadashniks for a fun meal at Sweet Tomatoes on Willow Road in Glenview, and help generate some funds for our Synagogue.  Address and other information is on the flyer located here. Please bring a copy of the flyer to Sweet Tomatoes.

 iWalk to Help Feed Our Community’s Hungry, June 29

The Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council is sponsoring its first annual 5K family event to help feed our community’s hungry on Sunday, June 29, at 2:00pm registration begins at 1 p.m. The walk will begin at the Saint Mary Parish parking lot, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Participating congregations include: Congregation Beth Am, Congregation Beth Judea, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Shir Hadash Synagogue, Hope Lutheran Church, Kingswood United Methodist Church, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Saint Mary Parish, and Temple Chai.

The organizers suggest a $10 donation to help stock the food pantries at Saint Mary Parish, Kingswood United Methodist Church, and Congregation Beth Am. Nonperishable food donations are highly encouraged. No pets are allowed. For further information please e-mail NWSINTERFAITH@ gmail.com. You can also contact Shir Hadash coordinator Carly Matt at carly.matt.sings@gmail.com or Richard Rosen at rickrosen18@sbcglobal.net.

Shir Hadash is looking for three to five volunteers to help staff the event. Please contact Carly Matt at the email above if you would like to volunteer.

Shavuot Study Recap

Shir Hadash celebrated its first Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Shavuot “all night” Torah study session) in its permanent home on Tuesday, June 3rd.  Thirty-six members and guests attended the program that began with an inspiring and informative Shavuot service led by Rabbi Eitan, and after noshing on a variety of delectable cheesecakes (standard Shavuot fare) and other goodies, settled in for a series of thought-provoking Jewish – themed study sessions.  Fred Andes led a discussion that addressed the Reconstructionist movement, examining Kaplan’s ideas versus our own understanding of what it means to be a Reconstructionist.  Carly Matt’s session focused on the importance of intention (what if you can’t keep all 613 commandments?), and Brad and Bonnie Davidson gave an entertaining and informative presentation on the Jewish Art of Apology.  Special guest (and Bat Mitzvah Julia Kessel’s grandfather) Hessell Meilech intrigued the audience with a fascinating talk on Jewish genealogy, in particular tracing the DNA of descendants of the Kohen and Levite tribes.

Kol hakavod to our presenters, bakers, Rabbi Eitan, the Creative Worship & Ritual Committee, and of course, our participants for coming together to make this Tikkun Leil Shavuot a meaningful and memorable evening!

Get Ready for a Rummage Sale

Cleaning out closets? Perfect timing -- Shir Hadash will be holding a rummage sale in August!  If you have quality items at your house that you don’t need any longer, please set them aside for our rummage sale (and get a tax deduction too).  Times for dropping off items will be announced shortly.

Book Club

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 everyone who has 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 and have graciously offered to match all donations to the fund up to $11,000.00.  Click here to donate online or mail your check made out to Shir Hadash with “Scholarship” written in the memo line. Thank you!

Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!

The Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove or Butterfield’s Restaurant in Northbrook 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. 

Creative Worship and Ritual

No Shabbat Services this Week

Enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family, and plan to join us on Friday, June 22 for our next community service.

Volunteer Opportunities. 

iWalk Help Needed, June 29

Please see the notice under Upcoming Events regarding the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council’s “iWalk” 5K on Jun 29. If you can volunteer to help staff the event, please contact Carly Matt, carly.matt.sings@gmail.com.

Volunteer Shoutouts – Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

We had a terrific turnout for Shir Hadash at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival on June 8! Thanks to these volunteers who showed everyone our congregation’s enthusiastic spirit: Mitch Whitefield, Lynne Arons, Fred Andes, Nadine Goldman, Luba Rothblatt, Brian Marks, Mickey Herbin, Carrie Matt, and Sandy Weiss. Special thanks go out to Rachel Schick Siegel for preparing new brochures and materials, and to Mickey Herbin for getting them printed, folded, and prepared for the festival. (Shir Hadash’s youth was well represented too; see Teen News below for the names of our great teen volunteers!)

The Rabbi’s Corner

June 13-14, 2014 / 16 Sivan 5774

Shabbat Shelach Lecha

Torah: Numbers 13:1 - 15:41 / Haftarah: Joshua 2:1 - 2:24

“A Land Flowing with Milk & Honey”

Dear Friends,

What happens when we overlook the positive and see only the overwhelming negative in life?  In Parashat Shelach Lecha we read that God commanded Moses to send out twelve scouts to see the Land of Israel and bring a report back to the people.  Obviously the intent was to bring a positive and motivating account filled with great joy and excitement. Sadly, things did not go as planned. Only two, Joshua and Kalev, praised the goodness and abundance of the Promised Land.  The ten other scouts returned filled with dread and fear - convinced that the Israelites would never succeed in battling the Canaanites and settling in the Land. They could only see the negative. Because they lacked faith and frightened the people, the Children of Israel were sent back out into the desert to wander for a full 40 years.  The next generation, born in freedom, would succeed in entering the Land of Israel.

Parshat Shelach Lecha reminds us of the great merit of praising the blessings of the Land of Israel and focusing on the positive.  While in ancient times we praised the Land of Israel for its agricultural richness - “a land flowing with milk and honey” - today Israel flows with high-tech advances….

To read the rest of the Rabbi’s Corner on our website, click here. 

Music Notes

Lahaka (Adult Choir)

Come Join Us - We're Already Looking Forward to High Holidays!

If you like to sing and be part of a warm, friendly, fun-loving group, come join Lahaka, our adult choir! Be on the lookout for information on our summer and High Holidays rehearsal schedule. We will be preparing for a meaningful musical Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For more information contact Sandy Weiss, sandy2weiss@gmail.com.

Education

PJ Library

We are thrilled to tell you about an opportunity from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to receive free Jewish books and music – PJ Library!  PJ Library sends high quality, age-appropriate Jewish books and music to families with children ages six months to eight years– with absolutely no strings attached.  The PJ Library was created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and is a gift to your family from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, local donors and local early childhood Jewish educators.

Space is limited and the program already filled up once!   To learn more and sign up, please visit www.juf.org/pjlibrary or call 312-357-4831 for more information. 

If you’re already receiving books (or just signed up) or don’t qualify yourself, but know a family who does, please share this information with them. Make sure to ‘like’ PJ Library Chicago on Facebook to stay up to date with upcoming PJ Library and JUF Joyfully Jewish Programs, parenting information, prize giveaways and more!

Teen News

Ra’am BBYO End of Year Party, June 12 – Tonight!

Calling all teens in 8th - 12th grade – You’re invited to our end of the year party  on Thursday,  June 12 from 7:00 - 9:00pm at Shir Hadash.  Come hang out with your friends, enjoy a dinner provided by the Ra'am advisors, and celebrate the beginning of summer fun.

Thanks to our Outgoing Board Members

Kol Hakavod to the outgoing BBYO Ra'am board: Alyssa Wexler, Danny Mostow, MacKenzie Michaels, Natalie McCulloh, Joel Schleicher, Hannah Allen, and Mira Horwitz. You did an amazing job in leading us during our very first year as a chapter. You worked hard, played well, and shared many happy times together as a board. You made an impact on all you encountered and grew with each meeting and program. Thank you for being inspirational to all of us!  Congratulations on a great year. Enjoy the summer - and start planning for next year!

Recap and Thanks: Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

Thank you to our teen volunteers who ran the drink station at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival: David Anes, Sam Mostow, Adam Weiss, Joel Schleicher, Mira Horwitz, Natalie McCulloh, Michelle Katz, Julia Mostow, and Alex Schleicher. You did a great job - cold hands, warm heart!  

Adult Education

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

School’s out for the kids, but Adult Ed goes on! 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.

Donations

To the General Fund

• Gerry and Dick Freibrun

To the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

• Susan & Rick Hirschhaut 

To the Samuel Andes Scholarship Fund

• Gunther Rice
• Carolyn Gessner, in honor of Shir Hadash Religious School teachers
• Lauren and Doug Tashma, in honor of Emily Ascher
• Karyn and Andrew Gordon, in honor of Jack and Matthew's great Sunday school teachers, Emily Solomon and Gail Barnard
• Lisa and Howard Radzely, in honor of Brendan Radzely's middle school graduation.
• Harold Bland, in memory of Samuel Andes.

Community Events

Summer Youth Groups from JCYS Response

Response, an agency of JCYS, sponsors a number of social and support groups for adolescents and their families at its main facility, 9304 N. Skokie Blvd in Skokie. This summer, groups include:

For Middle School Students:

• Relax with Response, Wednesdays 4:00-5:30 (starts 6/25) --Come with your friends to hang out at Response each Wednesday for snacks, movies, games, arts & crafts!

For High School Students:

• Alliance, Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 (starts 6/24) -- For LGBTQ+ teens and allies! Come hang out for discussions, activities, and movies related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Comic Book Club, Thursdays 3:30-5:00 (starts 6/26) -- Do you like reading comics? Drawing comics? Watching movies based on comics? Spend Thursdays this summer with other people who do too!

All programs are free of charge. For more information, contact Rachel Marro, RachelMarro@jcfs.org or visit their website here.

SHOP Shir Hadash

SHOP Over the Summer!

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.

Bonus Contributions Now Available:

• Exxon/Mobil – 1% through July 4
• LL Bean – 2% through June 13
• Lowe’s – 1% through June 13
• Meijer – 1% through June 20

Last Chance! $20 Starbucks “Happy Father’s Day” cards available until June 13 or while supplies last.

Plan a Scrip Pizza Party! Domino’s Pizza offers a 2% bonus contribution 6/14 to 6/27.

GLSC Summer Hours:  GLSC summer schedule for Customer Support begins on Friday, May 30. Our office hours will be 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m Eastern Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Fridays.  GLSC will resume normal schedule on Tuesday, September 2.

MyScripWallet, ScripNow’s new mobile website, makes it easy to support SHOP while you’re on the go! To learn more about this convenient service, click here for the site’s FAQs.  

Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:   

• Zinbarg
• Schleicher
• Idelman