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
New! Shir Hadash Dinner and a Movie Night, December 25
New! Author and Rabbi David Teutsch Visits SH, January 6
Shir Hadash Hanukkah Shop
Reminder: Use SHOP for Your Gift Cards Needs
Support Shir Hadash and Save with Entertainment Books
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
Lights and Miracles Service, December 12
Save the Date for New Members Welcome Service, January 16
Volunteer Opportunities
New! Volunteers Needed at Lights & Miracles Service
SHOP Needs You
SHOP Needs You
Holiday Gift Wrap at Barnes and Noble to Support Shir Hadash
The Rabbi’s Corner
“Becoming Our Best Selves”
Education
School Chocolate Sale Fundraiser
Education Director’s Blog
Teen News
Madrichim Notes
J-Serve Chicago “Freedom Fest,” December 14
Registration Now Open for Kalllah 2015
Adult Education
Crash Course in Jewish History Concludes on December 14
Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Tuesdays
Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes
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
New! Dinner and a Movie at SH, December 25
What’s a Jew To Do On December 25? Come to Shir Hadash for Dinner and a Movie! This year we will be showing My Big Fat Greek Wedding at 5pm. We are still planning the menu, and that will determine the cost. Keep watching the Newsletter and your emails for the final details and RSVP information. For questions contact Melanie Andes at fmandes@comcast.net
New! Author and Rabbi David Teutsch Speaks at Shir Hadash, January 6
Mark your calendar for a special appearance by Rabbi David Teutsch on Tuesday, January 6 at 7:30pm. Rabbi Teutsch will present the third and final volume, Life Cycle, in his series A Guide to Jewish Practice. Rabbi Teutsch is Professor, Department Chair of Contemporary Jewish Civilization, and
Director of The Jewish Ethics Program at The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA.
All three volumes of the series will be available for sale in advance and at the door. Individual books are $39.95 and the complete three-volume set is $99.00. Registration and purchase information will be available in upcoming Newsletters. If you have any questions please contact Melanie Andes at fmandes@comcast.net.
Visit the Shir Hadash Hanukkah Shop
Got Candles? Hanukkah’s less than a week away! 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!
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 to stock up. For more information about SHOP, contact Gina Zinbarg, gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net.
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 and entertainment venues around Chicagoland. 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 call 702-219-6584.
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.
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. TVisit 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
Lights and Miracles Service, December 12, 7:30pm
This 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!
Volunteers are needed to help at Lights & Miracles -- Please see below.
Volunteers are needed to help at Lights & Miracles -- Please see below.
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
New! Volunteers Needed at Lights & Miracles Service
We need members to help make our Lights & Miracles Celebration go smoothly this Friday:
- Greeters for both the Family Service and the Main Service, to chat with guests and make them feel welcome. Greeters for the Family Service should be at Shir Hadash by 6:00pm; greeters for the Main Service should be there by 7:00pm
- Set-Up and Clean-Up help before and after each service -- a few minutes of your time makes a big difference!
If you can help in either of these roles, please contact Suzanne Wexler ASAP at volunteer@shir-hadash.org.
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.
Holiday Gift Wrapping at Barnes & Noble to Support SH
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 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
November 12-13, 2014 / 21 Kislev 5775
Shabbat Vayeshev
Torah Reading: Genesis 37:1-40:23 / Haftarah Reading: Amos 2:6-3:8
“Becoming Our Best Selves”
Dear Friends,
Sometimes, we encounter difficult or unfamiliar situations during which we do things or say things that, at the time, seem right or justified, but later we regret. The Torah tradition understands this and recognizes that we constantly walk a road of trying to do our best. At times we make errors, then realize where we went astray, and pledge to do better next time. We are flawed beings. We are human. But, through study, prayer and community we persistently seek to improve ourselves and overcome our faults.
The week’s Torah portion begins the story of Joseph and his eleven brothers, a story fraught with unfortunate mistakes and terrible misbehavior. First, father Jacob favored Joseph above his brothers. Next, Joseph began to tell his dreams of grandeur in which the eleven sheaves of wheat belonging to his brothers bowed down to Joseph’s sheaf. In another dream, the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph’s star. That was enough for the brothers. Soon after, they conspired to have him sold into slavery and then lied to their father, saying that Joseph had been killed by wild animals.
One of our core values at Shir Hadash is Derech Eretz - Thoughtfulness – “We commit ourselves to mentschlichkeit - behaving with kindness, compassion, respect, dignity and sensitivity.” It is a fundamental Jewish value. For through derech eretz, we are taught to be honest with each other and honest with ourselves. Through derech eretz, we may be able to avoid going astray and, possibly, hurting others in the first place. Through derech eretz, we find a way to correct and atone for wrongdoing when it is revealed and understood.
For Joseph’s brothers, it would be many years before they would meet Joseph in Egypt and reconcile to reunite their family once again. It was Joseph who would recognize that all things happen for a reason. Understanding would come. Growth would come. Forgiveness would come.
As we celebrate Shabbat and prepare for Chanukah, think of those you have hurt and wronged. Think of those with whom some relationship repairs are needed. Think of situations in which you have not acted your best. Make some phone calls or, better yet, meet and sincerely try to work things out. Take a risk for honesty. Take a risk for atonement. Take a risk for healing. Take a risk for peace.
Shabbat Shalom.
To read the Rabbi’s Corner blog in its entirety, please click here.
Education
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.
Education Director’s Blog
Check out “Drash Hadash,” compiled by our Education Director Emily Ascher, for news about school and links to individual class reports.
Teen News
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.
Registration Now Open 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 (OSRUI) 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.
New! Kallah Planners Google Hangout, December 14
Attention Kallah Planners: please log on to the Google Hangout on December 14 at 8:00pm. Be prepared to share the progress you’ve made on the programs you are planning. If you have questions, contact Carole at youth@shir-hadash.org or 847 436 1034.
New! BBYO - GMR Invite Convention, January 30-February 1
BBYO’s Great Midwest Region has opened registration for its Wild Wild Great Midwest Invite Convention, to be held at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel in Northbrook on January 30 through February 1. All BBYO-GMR members in grades 8 through 12 are encouraged to sign up by December 28 to take advantage of early bird discounts. To learn more, visit the event website.
Adult Education
Crash Course in Jewish History Concludes on December 14
Sundays this fall, 11:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Topic for Dec. 14: “Judaism in the Contemporary Period: WWI to the Present”
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 coming soon.
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.
Donations
To the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
- Dawn and Monty Allen, in honor of Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah
- Cindy and Jim Schultz, in appreciation of the aufruf for their son Brian and new daughter-in-law Emily.
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. 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:
- 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
Bonuses Beginning December 13
- Applebee’s -- 2% December 13 to 19
- Athleta -- 2% December 13 to 19
- Banana Republic -- 2% December 13 to 19
- Domino’s -- 2% December 13 to 26
- Gap -- 2% December 13 to 19
- Hallmark -- 2% December 13 to 19
- iTunes -- 5% December 13 to 19
- Old Navy -- 2% December 13 to 19
- Piperlime -- 2% December 13 to 19
- Regis Salons -- 2% December 13 to 19
1800flowers.com $50 Gift Card Now Available The $25 gift card is no longer available, but you can also still order 1800flowers.com ScripNow®eCards in increments of $10, from $10 - $500. 1800flowers.com gift cards and eCards are redeemable at: 1800flowers.com®, 1800baskets.com®, Cheryl's Cookies®, Fruit Bouquets®, Fannie May Berries®, and The Popcorn Factory®, or online at www.1800flowers.com.
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
- Andes
- Bagby
- Sanders
- Soglin
- Simon
- Ascher
- Mostow
- Friedman
- Anderson
- M. Faramandpour
- Fargotstein
- G. Graff
- Singer
- Anderson
No comments:
Post a Comment