Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- June 19, 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

• Recap and Thanks, Coffee House Open Mic Night
• Membership Renewal Now Available
• Dining for Dollars at Sweet Tomatoes, June 24
• iWalk to Help Feed Our Community’s Hungry, June 29
• 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

• Shabbat Evening Service, Friday June 20 at 7:30

Volunteer Opportunities

• Help Needed for iWalk, June 29
• Help Feed the Homeless, July 21

The Rabbi’s Corner

• “Getting Involved”

Music Notes

• Lahaka Adult Choir

Teen News

• Mazel Tov to our Graduating Senior
• Coming Soon: Teen Nights

Adult Ed

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

Community Events

• “Sunday in the Park with Bagels,” June 29
• Summer Youth Programs from Response

Donations

SHOP Shir Hadash

Membership and Upcoming Events

Recap and Thanks: Coffee House Night -- Open Mic Style

Yet again, we were graced with a nice size crowd and wonderful talent.  Coffee House Night – Open Mic Style June 2014 was a success!   On this special night, nine amazing performances included poets, musicians, and vocalists.  And lucky us, we were able to have encores by most of our talent.  Our yummy Bake/Beverage Sale yielded very generous donations in our baskets, allowing us to continue offering Coffee House Night programming and other special creative events. 

Community involvement – we had about 45 people attending including many from outside our congregation!   Considering the number of graduations, weddings, vacations and summer camp drop-offs that occurred on this date, we had a sizeable crowd.  

Thank you to:

• Rabbi Eitan, for kicking off the event with a lovely Havdalah service
• Katy Zwick and Margie Skora, whose energy and enthusiasm as co-coordinators of the event made it all possible
• The Zwick family for donating and assembling six more tables for our event; we’re really lookin’ good now! 
• Katy Zwick and Mira Zweiban for working the Bake/Beverage table and for providing delicious treats, and all the other awesome contributors to our Bake Sale
• Our front of the house sign-in table maven, Lucia, for welcoming our participants
• Joel Schleicher for excellent tech support
• And all our talented performers--Wow!  Thank you so much for stepping up and entertaining us
• Our fabulous audience who supported the talent with their applause embodying what Coffee House Night is -- friends and family.  Plenty of schmoozing added to the feel-good atmosphere;
• PR, Newsletter and Web support for getting the exposure we needed to make this event a success;
• Bonus:  everyone who helped put our Coffee House venue back in pristine, back-to-business order! 

So... are we game for another Coffee House Night – Open Mic Style?  Please let us know. Contact Margie at Margie@promopro1.com to get involved or share your ideas.

Membership Renewal Now Available

Membership emails have now been sent out. Please use the links to renew your annual membership as soon as possible. If you have not received your email, or have any questions about the renewal process, contact Lise Schleicher at info@shir-hadash.org.

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.

Want to help even more, without paying an extra dime? Use Sweet Tomatoes giftcards from SHOP to pay for your dinner! Call Gina Zinbarg at 847 405 0636 to order your giftcards. See you at Sweet Tomatoes on June 24.

 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, 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 if you would like to volunteer.

Get Ready for a Rummage Sale

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 in 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

Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, June 20 at 7:30pm

Shabbat Korach: “Judaism & Democracy: Was Korach Right to Rebel Against Moses?”

When Korach challenged Moses’s and Aaron’s authority and leadership, some say that he was showing arrogance and insubordination in trying to topple a tested and loyal leader.  Others say that Korach was a patriot, trying to exercise his democratic right to ‘run for office.’  How do you see it?  We will read the portion, hear what our Jewish sages had to say, and open it up for conversation and discussion amongst our members.

Also, we’ll offer a Summer Camp Send-off to our campers, and special blessings for those journeying to the Land of Israel this summer.  We will package up the prayer notes in our Jerusalem wall and send them to be deposited in the crevices of the Western Wall in Jerusalem!

Volunteer Opportunities

Help Feed the Homeless, July 21

Shir Hadash is pleased to announce a partnership with our local Interfaith Community to provide monthly suppers for the homeless at Kingswood United Methodist Church, 401 West Dundee Road in Buffalo Grove (just down the road from Shir Hadash).   Our assigned night is Monday, July 21st.  We will be serving alongside members of Kingswood Church. The doors will be open to our homeless guests from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

Our needs include cooks to prepare and drop off food, people to purchase and drop off other items needed for the evening, and dinner staff to set up, serve and clean up after the meal. All hot food needs to be dropped off at Kingswood Church, ready to eat, at 6:00pm.  Other foods may be dropped off earlier in the day or the day before.

Dinner staff -- We are looking for five people to serve as dinner staff from 5:30 to 9:00pm.  Onsite training will be held the first 15 minutes of the shift.

Food Donations -- We are responsible for the following:

• Five Main Dishes - provide enough food to feed 15-20 adults; suggestions include lasagna, meatloaf, chicken, fish, pork chops, spaghetti and meatballs, brisket.  All food should be brought in hot, in disposable containers.
• Five Vegetables - provide any type of vegetable dish to feed 15-20 adults. Food should be brought in hot, in disposable containers, ready to eat.
• Five Salads - provide any type of salad to feed 15-20 adults; suggestions include:  green salad, fruit salad, cole slaw, taco salad.  Food should be brought in disposable containers, ready to eat.
• Three Desserts - provide your favorite dessert to feed 15-20 adults. Suggestions include:  cookies, brownies, cakes, and pies.  (Cakes or pies can be cut by our volunteers.)
• Also:  Three gallons of juice, two gallons of milk, two cases of bottled water, 25 granola bars, 25 mini bags of pretzels, 25 pieces of fruit

Please RSVP no later than June 30, indicating what you would like to sign up for.  It would be helpful for you to give us more than option, as we will fill the slots as responses come in. To volunteer, contact Suzanne Wexler at 847-478-1704 or skwexler@yahoo.com.

 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.

The Rabbi’s Corner

June 20-21, 2014 / 23 Sivan 5774

Shabbat Korach

Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32 / Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

“Getting Involved”

Dear Friends,

I just don’t relate to Korach. He was an Israelite leader of a group who challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron as they guided the Children of Israel through the desert wanderings.  Korach and his group protested, rebelled and taunted.  They questioned why Moses and Aaron were so exalted and mighty.  After all, weren’t all the people holy?  Why not have Korach as the new leader of the people, instead?

How can one argue against that?  It’s a matter of opinion, right?  Wrong.  It’s a matter of merit, ability and results.  So, Moses set up a competition, at which both sides of the dispute made offerings to God.  Of course, Moses’s offerings were preferred by God and he remained as leader.  Korach and his followers were swallowed up in a great earthquake and were never heard from again.

So, what’s the Torah’s problem with Korach?  We Jews are a people of political activism.  We read, think and discuss the issues of our day.  Aren’t we encouraged to speak up and complain when we don’t like our leaders?  Aren’t we compelled to ‘throw the bums out’ and elect ‘new leadership’ so that we can have change?...

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.

Teen News

Ra’am BBYO News

Mazel Tov to Joel Schleicher, who celebrated his Senior Life Ceremony during the Ra’am BBYO End of the Year Party last Thursday. The teens gathered for a delicious pasta dinner (thank you, advisors!) and had a great time sharing their summer plans and just hanging out.

Coming in July – Teen Nights in the Youth Lounge

Spend an evening hanging out with old friends and making new ones at Shir Hadash. Watch for details coming soon.

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:

• Sharon Greenspan, in memory of Stephen Carl, brother of Jerry Carl and brother-in-law of Susan E. Cohen

To the Samuel Andes Scholarship Fund

• Mehran Farahmandpour, in honor of his daughter Noor graduating with highest honors from Stevenson High School
• Carole and Michael Mostow, in honor of their daughter Julia graduating from 8^th grade
• Ronna and Brad Steinback
• Alex and Michelle Goldin

To the Education Fund

• Lauren & Doug Tashma, as a going away present (they are moving to Atlanta – we will miss you!)

Community Events

“Sunday in the Park with Bagels,” June 29

On Sunday, June 29, all families with young children are invited to Sunday in the Park with Bagels, a free, fun, delicious celebration of the Jewish calendar. Snack on your favorite holiday treats, create special crafts, and enjoy a sunny day outdoors with your family. The day features a performance by puppeteer, storyteller, and educator Marilyn Price at 11:00am. Check out the Facebook event page for a complete listing of holidays, foods, activities, crafts, and participating organizations.

• Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
• Location: Deerpath Park, 299 Onwentsia, Vernon Hills

Parking is available in the main lot (off of Cherokee). The event is located just south of the main parking lot.

In case of inclement weather, Sunday in the Park with Bagels will be held at Westfield Hawthorn Mall (122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills) in the atrium near Carson's. Sunday in the Park with Bagels is hosted by Big Tent Judaism and the Northwest Suburban Collaborative, a partnership of Jewish congregations, organizations, and agencies. For more information, please contact Alyssa Latala, Big Tent Judaism Coordinator, at 224.323.3472 or alatala@joi.org.

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, RachelMarro2jcfs.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.

New ScripNow  Retailer: Omaha Steaks

Now Available for ScripNow and ReloadNow: Target

Bonus Contributions Now Available:

• Red Robin – 2%
• Exxon/Mobil – 1% through July 4
• Meijer – 1% through June 20
• Plan a Scrip Pizza Party! Domino’s Pizza offers a 2% bonus contribution until 6/27.

Going to our Dining for Dollars fundraiser at Sweet Tomatoes on June 24? Buy giftcards first on SHOP!

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
• G. Graff