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
- Shir Hadash Hanukkah Shop
- Lahaka Rehearsals for Lights & Miracles, December 4 and 10
- Meditation Group, December 6
- Big Tent Judaism’s Hands-On Hanukkah, December 7
- Reminder: Use SHOP for Your Gift Cards Needs
- Support Shir Hadash and Save with Entertainment Books
- Chess Club Update
- Save the Date: Annual Gala at Pinstripes, February 7
- Book Club
- Shir Hadash Summer Family Trip to Israel, June 2015
- Shir Hadash Sunday Schmear n’ Starbucks
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Services this Week: December 5 at 7:30pm, December 6 at 9:30am
- Lights and Miracles Service, December 12
- Rabbi Eitan Explains Reconstructionism on SH Website
- New! Save the Date for New Members Welcome Service, January 16
Volunteer Opportunities
- SHOP Needs You
- Holiday Gift Wrap at Barnes and Noble to Support Shir Hadash
- Thanks to PADS Shelter Volunteers
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Overcoming Adversity”
Education
- School Chocolate Sale Fundraiser
- Education Director's Blog
Teen News
- Volunteer at Hands-On Hanukkah, December 7
- BBYO Ra’am Connect Event, December 7
- Madrichim Notes
- J-Serve Chicago “Freedom Fest,” December 14
- Registration Opens Soon for Kalllah 2015
Adult Education
- Crash Course in Jewish History Resumes on December 7
- Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Tuesdays
- Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes
Jewish Community Events
- JCFS Response Parent & Family Connections, December 7
Ongoing Fundraisers
- Help Shir Hadash Earn Free Donations with iGive
- Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund
- Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers: The Continental and Butterfield’s
SHOP Shir Hadash
Membership and Upcoming Events
Visit the Shir Hadash Hanukkah Shop
Got Candles? Hanukkah’s Almost Here! Make Shir Hadash your "one-stop shop" for Hanukkah necessities! We have an assortment of candles for your hanukkiah, decorations for your home, dreidels, gift bows, cookie cutters, stickers and more! Check out our selection before services (including Lights & Miracles) and during religious school. Support Shir Hadash and stock-up for Hanukkah!
Lahaka Rehearsal for Lights & Miracles, December 4 and 10
Are you interested in singing with the Lahaka at the Lights and Miracles service on December 12? We will have rehearsals at the synagogue on Thursday, December 4 and Wednesday, December 10, from 7:30 to 9:00pm.
Meditation Group, December 6
Several Shir Hadashniks recently created a member-led meditation group. None of the group members are trained meditation teachers, let alone a guru! Thus, the group is intended primarily for people who already have some experience meditating and are looking to help sustain (or perhaps restart) their practice by committing to practice together on a regular basis. However, "first-timers" are welcome as our group can provide enough of an introduction to some of the basics that a first-timer will be able to decide if they are interested in going on for more advanced learning with a trained meditation teacher/expert.
We look forward to practicing together on December 6 at 2:00pm at the synagogue, and invite all other Shir Hadashniks who meditate to join us! For more information, contact Rick Zinbarg, rzinbarg@northwestern.edu.
Hands-On Hanukkah, December 7
Shir Hadash is one of the sponsors of “Hands-On Hanukkah” at the Deer Park Shopping Center’s Barnes & Noble store. Families of all backgrounds are welcome! Here are all the details:
When: Sunday, December 7 at 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 20600 N Rand Road in Deer Park
What: Celebrate Hanukkah through free, fun interactive activities and entertainment!
- Sing along with Rabbi Eitan
- Puppeteer, storyteller and educator Marilyn Price (show will begin at about 4:30pm)
- Face painting
- Photos with Danny the Dreidel
- Coloring activities
- Live musical entertainment
- Free raffle
Reminder: Use SHOP for your Gift Card Needs
You know you’ll be giving out lots of gift cards in December – and when you buy them from SHOP, you help Shir Hadash without paying a penny more! There’s a long list of vendors offering special bonus donations in December, so be sure to check out the SHOP section at the bottom of this newsletter for details and then stop by the SHOP table at Sunday School on December 7 to stock up. For more information about SHOP, contact Gina Zinbarg, gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net.
Save the Date -- Annual Gala at Pinstripes, February 7
When you’re planning your 2015 calendar, be sure to reserve February 7 from 7:00 to 11:00pm for the Annual Shir Hadash Gala! This year’s celebration will be extra special as we honor Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow on his 20th anniversary with our congregation. The party will include silent auction items, a “Heads or Tails” raffle, a delicious dinner, and entertainment by Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos. Watch for your invitation coming in December! If you would like to be involved in planning this exciting event, please click here for more information.
Support Shir Hadash and Save with Entertainment Books
Purchasing your 2015 Entertainment Book from Shir Hadash is a great way to support the synagogue and save money at the same time! For only $25 - a $10 discount on the list price - you’ll enjoy 50% off and buy-one-get-one offers at hundreds of restaurants around Chicagoland like D’Agostino’s, Walker’s Charhouse, Café La Cave, Monastero’s, Karma, Culver’s, Buona Beef and more. You’ll save on activities like Chicago Wolves games, Medieval Times and the Kohl Children’s Museum as well as travel, retail, auto repair and rentals. As an Entertainment member, enjoy the Entertainment mobile app – a wonderful way to save again and again with the merchants you dine and shop with the most. Entertainment Books are available for purchase before Friday evening services, on Sundays during religious school and online here! For more information, contact Carrie Matt by email at fundraising@shir-hadash.org or by phone at 702-219-6584.
Chess Club Update
The start-up meeting of the new Chess Club has been postponed indefinitely. If you are interested in playing in the future, please contact Gunther Rice at guntherrice@gmail.com.
Book Club
The next Book Club selection will be Pictures from the Past by Deby Eisenberg. Our meeting will be held the second week of January. Watch future editions of the newsletter for more details.
Shir Hadash Family Summer Trip to Israel, June 2015
If you’ve been considering a visit to Israel, here’s the perfect opportunity! Rabbi Eitan and Dawn Weiner-Kaplow will lead a family tour of comprehensive sightseeing from June 16 to 26, 2015. Visit our website for a detailed package flyer and itinerary, or contact Dawn at dweinerkaplow@sbcglobal.net.
Get your Sunday Schmear and Starbucks at Shir Hadash
What to do while the kids are in Religious School? Looking for fun on Sunday mornings? Hungry while waiting for adult education to start? Come hang out with your fellow Shir Hadashnicks and have Starbucks coffee and a bagel 'n schmear. Spend some fun time with your friends, bring a newspaper, or just have a relaxing morning with a cup of Joe. All coffee and bagels proceeds benefit the Synagogue.
Creative Worship and Ritual
This Week’s Services
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, December 5, 7:30pm
Shabbat Vayishlach
“Justice & the Law: Judaism and Ferguson, Missouri”
This week’s Shabbat service will feature an open forum about recent events in Ferguson, MO. Rabbi Eitan and Shir Hadash members will present various views on the situation, which will be followed by an open discussion.
Shabbat Morning and Bat Mitzvah Service, Saturday, December 6, 9:30am
We will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Jessica Allen
Next Friday night, join us for Lights & Miracles, our annual Hanukkah celebration! We are doing Lights & Miracles in a new way this year. For one thing, it will be at the synagogue, instead of at Our Lady of the Brook. And, we are having two services. First, from 6:15 to 7:00, there will be a program for families with kids up to third grade, followed by a craft project with Lauren Shook. Then, at 7:30, there will be a program for everybody else, including families with kids in fourth grade and up. In both services, we will sing Hanukkkah songs, do some Hanukkkah dancing (assisted by the Mighty Shir Hadash Klezmorim), and hear wonderful Hanukkah stories from Jewish storyteller Susan Stone. And - of course - there will be latkes and jelly-filled treats! Be sure to put it on your calendar, and don't miss Lights & Miracles!
Rabbi Eitan Explains Reconstructionism on SH Website
How many times have friends asked you, “So what is Reconstructionism ?” Here’s your answer – visit www.shir-hadash.org! The website now features a new video of Rabbi Eitan explaining the history behind the Reconstructionist movement and the philosophy of dynamic generational change that is an inherent part of Judaism’s evolution. All in just three minutes! Click here to check out the video (enter the password SHIR) and share it with your friends. Many thanks to Reba Meshulam for creating this great new resource!
New! Save the Date for New Members Welcome Service, January 16
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for Shabbat services on January 16. We will be honoring our congregation’s new members, and welcoming them with a special oneg. Hope to see everyone there!
Volunteer Opportunities
SHOP Needs You!
Our ongoing, and vital, SHOP Shir Hadash fundraiser needs volunteers to staff our table at Sunday School. It’s an easy job and a great chance to schmooze with other Shir Hadashniks! Can you spare one Sunday morning to help – just one – from 9:00 to 12:30? Click here to sign up for a day of your choice on Shul Cloud, or contact Gina Zinbarg, gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net, for more info.
Thanks to our PADS Homeless Shelter Volunteers
Thank you to all our volunteers who donated food, time, and empathy at the PADS Homeless Shelter in Buffalo Grove on December 2. Your kindness warmed some hearts on a cold winter’s night! We will have another opportunity to help at PADS in the spring – watch future editions of the newsletter for information.
Holiday Gift Wrapping at Barnes & Noble Deerfield Square and Old Orchard – Supports Shir Hadash
Does the mere mention of "Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel" or "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" make you tingle with excitement, yearning to beat a path to the nearest mall? Here’s a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the merry madness of the season and do a mitzvah as well: Help raise funds for Shir Hadash by wrapping gift purchases at Barnes and Noble's Deerfield Square and Old Orchard locations.
We'll be wrapping at two Barnes & Noble locations:
Deerfield Square, 728 North Waukegan Road in Deerfield
Sunday, December 14, 3:00 -- 8:00pm (volunteers sign up for 3:00-5:30 or 5:30-8:00pm)
Old Orchard, 55 Old Orchard Center in Skokie
Sunday, December 7, 9:00am – 3:30pm (shifts from 9:00-12:15 or 12:15 – 3:30)
Sunday, December 14, 9:00am -- 3:30pm (same shifts)
Tuesday, December 23, 3:30 – 10:00pm (shifts from 3:30 – 6:45 or 6:45 – 10:00pm)
This is a great way to get in the spirit of the season and raise funds for Shir Hadash! Please sign-up for a shift (or two or more) by clicking here. Questions? Contact Carrie Matt by phone at 702-219-6584 or by email at fundraising@shir-hadash.org .
The Rabbi’s Corner
December 5-6, 2014 - 14 Kislev 5775
Shabbat Vayishlach
Torah Reading: Genesis 32:4 - 36:43 / Haftarah Reading: Obadiah 1:1-21
“Overcoming Adversity”
Dear Friends,
Captain Derek Herrera was born into a military family and followed that tradition by joining the Marines, where he served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and did relief work in Haiti. On his third tour as commander of an elite force with the Marines, his team came under attack and he was shot in the back, paralyzing him from the chest down. Yet, despite being wounded, Captain Harrera got on the radio and coordinated the team’s rescue.
Determined to still live the fullest life possible, Captain Herrera researched options for a paralyzed person to walk again and learned about the ReWalk robotic exoskeleton, developed in Israel, that allows the paralyzed to stand and move on their own. When ReWalk was approved for private purchase, money was raised to help him be the first U.S. purchaser of the device.
Because of ReWalk, Captain Herrera walked up to his commanding officer at Camp Pendleton in San Diego in front of 300 of his fellow Marines, and stood as he was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism in Afghanistan.
There’s another part of this story. Having experienced the power of this innovation from Israel, Captain Herrera travelled to Israel to meet the inventor, and see the university where the product was developed. There he learned more about how Israel is helping people world-wide. He is now an Israel advocate. He has joined the Board of the American Technion Society and is working with them on the development of new products for the paralyzed. He’s also committed himself to sharing his story and helping others like him overcome the challenges that they face.
Our forefather Jacob represents the biblical figure best known for overcoming adversity. During his lifetime he overcame exile, animosity, physical threats, and a night-long struggle with a celestial angel. Yet, these challenges forged his personality and gave him the strength to father a nation. Jacob was complete when he overcame the challenge of facing his brother Esau and making peace with him.
Just as Jacob overcame great obstacles on his path to greatness, others have followed in his footsteps, setting powerful examples for us to emulate. Captain Derrek Herrera’s strength, spirit, and desire to give back to others follows in the footsteps of our forefather, Jacob, and serves as an inspiration for each of us to follow in our own lives.
Shabbat Shalom.
To read the Rabbi’s Corner blog in its entirety, please click here.
Education
Education Director’s Blog
Click here to check out “Drash Hadash,” compiled by our Education Director Emily Ascher, for news about school and links to individual class reports.
School Chocolate Sale Fundraiser
Help us meet our fundraising goal! Please pick up a box of delicious World’s Finest Chocolate. It’s easy to sell at sports practice, the office, dance class – anywhere. We’ll have an all-school ice cream party if we meet our goal by December 14! For more information, contact Emily at eddirector@shir-hadash.org.
Teen News
Volunteer for Shir Hadash at Barnes & Noble’s “Hands-on Hanukkah” December 7
Come help out at Hands-on Hanukkah Sunday Dec. 7. It goes from 3:00-5:30pm at Barnes and Noble, 20600 N. Rand Road in Deer Park. We need a few teens to help as Face Painters are needed. We may also need some teens to help with Hanukkah Origami. Rabbi Eitan will be playing guitar and singing for the first hour, and then Marilyn Price will be doing puppet stories, too. It should be a festive, fun volunteer opportunity. Contact Lynne Arons, rzldzl122@aol.com or Carole Mostow, youth@shir-hadash.org, to volunteer.
BBYO Connect Hanukkah Party at Shir Hadash, December 7
Join the Ra'am BBYO Hanukkah Party! All Jewish boys and girls in 6th-8th grade are invited for pizza, games and art while learning about BBYO. Bring all of your friends for this special event with BBYO Connect. Cover is $5 at the door. We’ll meet on December 7 from 12:40 to 2:00pm in the Youth Lounge at Shir Hadash.
J-Serve Chicago “Freedom Fest,” December 14
Each year, J-Serve Chicago marks an official day of Jewish youth service. On Sunday, December 14, hundreds of Jewish teens will come together in a day of advocacy against discrimination at J-Serve Chicago’s Freedom Fest! This J-Serve event will take place at the Mayer Kaplan JCC, 5050 Church Street in Skokie, from 1:30 to 4:30pm. The afternoon will include a social media campaign, an advocacy walk, and a song session. J-Serve is open to students in grades 7-12. Click here for more event information and registration.
Madrichim Notes
We will not have a Madrichim meeting in December. Please try to attend the Lights and Miracles service on December 12.
New! Registration Opens Soon for Kallah 2015
On February 13-15, 2015, Shir Hadash 6th – 12th graders will share in a great weekend with teens from JRF congregations across the Midwest at the No’ar Hadash Midwest Youth Kallah (Retreat), to be held at the URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Staffed by rabbis and youth leaders from area synagogues, and with programming designed by teen leaders from across the region, this year’s kallah will be an amazing and exciting experience.
The cost of the weekend is $200 and includes housing, food, program costs, transportation and a souvenir sweatshirt. Registration opens next week! Contact Carole at youth@shir-hadash.org or 847 436 1034 for more information.
Adult Education
Crash Course in Jewish History – Resumes on December 7
Sundays this fall, 11:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Topic for Dec. 7: The Modern Era (From Napoleon and the Enlightenment through World War I)
Join Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and Dr. David Liebling for a journey through four thousand years of Jewish history in our free, eight part lecture series. Crash Course in Jewish History participants receive a free Companion Guide to Jewish History and timelines to help them follow the key dates and events that have shaped both Jewish and world history. This survey course enables participants to develop an appreciation for the richness of their Jewish heritage throughout the millennia, and will inspire interest in further exploration of their own Jewish experience. This program is presented in conjunction with the National Jewish Outreach Project.
Coming in January: American Jewish History! Watch for details in next week’s newsletter.
Coming in January: American Jewish History! Watch for details in next week’s newsletter.
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
All are invited to join Shir Hadash members and friends for a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion. We now meet at noon on Tuesdays in the conference room.
Sunday Morning Adult Ed
Each Sunday when Religious School is in session, Fred Andes leads a casual group as we meet at the synagogue from 9:45 to 10:45 for coffee and engaging discussion topics. All are welcome.
Jewish Community Events
JCFS Response Parent & Family Connection, December 7
Response’s Parent & Family Connection will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, December 7 from 1:00 to 2:30pm at Beth Emet, 1224 Dempster Street in Evanston. This informal group provides support to teens and families dealing with questions of sexual orientation and gender identity. The December meeting will give special attention to navigating questions or comments from family members during holiday events. New members are always welcome! For more information, contact Rachel Marro at JCFS, RachelMarro@jcfs.org or 224 625 2946.
Ongoing Fundraisers
Help Shir Hadash Earn Free Donations with iGive
You can help Shir Hadash every time you shop online – the iGive Button makes it simple! iGive is a free and easy way to support the shul. Average shoppers using iGive raise between $30 and $100 a year for their causes. There are 1480 online retailers helping to make donations happen through iGive.
Click here to learn more and join iGive. http://www.igive.com/vg1Hzlb If you have questions, contact Sandi Schleicher, finance@shir-hadash.org.
Scholarship Fund
To help families in financial need pay for their children’s Jewish education at Shir Hadash, Melanie and Fred Andes created the Samuel I Andes Scholarship Fund in memory of Fred’s great-uncle 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.
Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
The Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove and 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.
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 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.
SHOP Needs Your Help!
Please sign up to staff the SHOP table for a Sunday morning. Full details in the “Volunteer Opportunities” section above.
Get Low Denomination Gift Cards While They Last! We have a limited number of the following, special, small denomination gift cards available, just in time for the holidays!
- Amazon.com Gift Cards $10
- AMC Theatres® $10
- Barnes & Noble $5
- CVS/pharmacy $10
- Groupon $10
- Meijer $10
- Outback $10
- Panera Bread® $5
- Pizza Hut $5
- Regal Entertainment Group $10
- Target $10
- Starbucks $5
- Walmart $5
Nike Gift Cards can motivate and reward everyone on your list. Find the latest in footwear and apparel at Nike Stores and online at Nike.com. Create personalized gear with NIKEiD, and choose your favorite colors, materials and fit.
Bonuses Available Now:
- Shutterfly – 2% til December 5
- AutoZone – 1% til December 12
- Bed Bath & Beyond – 1% til December 12
- Caribou Coffee – 1% til December 12
- Cenex – 1% til December 12
- Columbia – 1% til December 12
- CVS – 1% til December 12
- Express – 2% til December 12
- Joann Fabric and Craft – 2% til December 12
- Journeys – 3% til December 12
- Lord & Taylor – 2% til December 12
- PetSmart – 3% til December 12
- Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PB Teen – 2% til December 12
- See’s Candies – 2% til December 12
- Stage – 3% til December 12
- Starbucks – 2% til December 19
- TGIFridays – 3% til December 12
- The Children’s Place – 1% til December 19
- West Elm – 2% til December 12
- Williams Sonoma – 2% til December 12
Gift Card Holiday Wrappers Back in Stock
We have a colorful collection of gift card holiday wrappers back in stock and available for ordering. These colorful pre-cut glossy wrappers fold up to wrap your gift card in a fun, festive package. It even gives you space to leave a name, gift card amount, and a little note!
Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:
- Zinbarg
- Schleicher
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