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! “Let There Be Light” LED Bulb Drive
Shir Hadash Dinner and a Movie Night, December 25
Author and Rabbi David Teutsch Speaks at SH, January 6
Book Club Meets January 15
Meet Up Day, January 15
Support Shir Hadash and Save with Entertainment Books
Save the Date: Annual Gala at Pinstripes, February 7
Shir Hadash Summer Family Trip to Israel, June 2015
Creative Worship and Ritual
No Shabbat Services This Week
Saturday Morning Services Coming in 2015
Save the Date for New Members Welcome Service, January 16
Volunteer Opportunities
SHOP Needs You
AV Expertise Needed
The Rabbi’s Corner
A Message from Israel
Education
School Now on Winter Break
Teen News
Registration Now Open for Kallah 2015, February 13-15
BBYO - GMR Invite Convention, January 30-February 1
Adult Education
Winter Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History Begins January 18
Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan -- Next Meeting January 6
Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes on Winter Break
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
“Let There Be Light” LED Bulb Drive
Hanukkah may be over, but we need to make sure that Shir Hadash remains brightly lit! As Shir Hadash’s light bulbs burn out, we are replacing them with energy-efficient LED bulbs. these bulbs are more expensive up front, but they last longer and use less energy than other bulbs, saving money over the long haul and maintaining our commitment to environmental responsibility. Recently, a number of bulbs have burned out at the the same time, so we’ve decided to launch a light bulb drive!
Each LED bulb costs $30, but saves $200 in energy costs over its life. Please help make Shir Hadash green and bright by clicking here to donate one, two, or more bulbs. Thanks for your support!
Dinner and a Movie at SH, December 25
Deadline Extended! What’s a Jew To Do On December 25? Come to Shir Hadash for Dinner and a Movie! This year we will be sharing a delicious Middle Eastern dinner from Mizrahi Grill, followed by a showing of the hilarious movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. After the movie, we’ll have a pot luck dessert table. All this food and fun for just $20 adults, $15 for kids (pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah age). Please RSVP ASAP; click here for registration. For questions contact Melanie Andes at fmandes@comcast.net
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. If you have any questions please contact Melanie Andes at fmandes@comcast.net.
Meet Up Day, January 15
Shir Hadash’s new Meet Up Day is taking a break in December, but will return on Thursday, January 15. Do you work from home? Would you like to spend a day working in the company of others? Then Meet Up Day at Shir Hadash is for you. Join us on Thursday, January 15 from 10:00am to 2:30pm. Bring your laptop and enjoy some schmooze time with fellow Shir Hadashniks. Registration is not required, but please let Melanie if you are coming at fmandes@comcast.net.
Book Club Meets January 15
The next Book Club selection will be Pictures from the Past by Deby Eisenberg. Our meeting will be held on Thursday, January 15 at 7:30pm. We will meet at the home of Ed and Rebecca Rice, 3641 Bernay Drive in Northbrook. All are welcome; please rsvp to Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
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
Invitations have been sent! 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. If you would like to be involved in planning this exciting event, please click here for more information.
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.
Creative Worship and Ritual
No Shabbat Services this Week
There will be no Shabbat Services at Shir Hadash on December 26-27. Enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family.
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!
Saturday Morning Services Coming in 2015 -- Take (a) Part!
In our continuing efforts to provide a variety of services to respond to our members' needs and interests, we are going to hold Saturday morning services several times in early 2015, on dates when there is not a bar or bat mitzvah. The first of these services will be on January 17. To get this new program going, we need two things: we need people to attend (at least a minyan, but we want a lot more than that), and we need people to help.
What kind of help? Well, we need people to read English parts. We also need Torah readers. Of course, we'll need help with setup and cleanup - including as to the kiddush afterward (where there will be wine, grape juice, challah, some snacks, maybe a little schnapps). And just think - if you haven't had an aliyah since your bar or bat mitzvah, this is your chance! But even if that's not your interest, you can still come and be part of the community, and enjoy your Saturday morning in a calm and relaxed way with the Shir Hadash clan.
So, please let us know two things: (1) if you think that you will be attending on January 17; and (2) if you are planning to attend, how you would like to pitch in. And if you have any questions, just let us know. For all of the above, contact Fred Andes at fandes@btlaw.com.
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 Zinb arg, gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net, for more info.
AV Advice Needed
We have been offered a generous donation to upgrade the audio/visual capabilities in our sanctuary. We are seeking someone with expertise in this area to help determine configuration and purchasing. If you have the know-how, we’d appreciate your help! Please contact Marc Fargotstein at marcfargo@att.net.
The Rabbi’s Corner
“A Message from Israel”
Dear Friends,
Hi everyone,
We have been in Israel just two days and are delighted. Our daughter, Elana looks great and it’s wonderful to be with her. These photos were taken at the airport upon our arrival and on Saturday evening as we celebrated Hanukkah in the Holy Land. We thought of the letters of the dreidel - how in Israel they represent the phrase “A Great Miracle Happened Here!" We baked the fresh Hanukkah donuts you see on the table with friends. Happy Hanukkah!
L'shalom (In Peace),
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
To read the Rabbi’s Corner blog in its entirety, please click here.
Education
Religious School Now on Winter Break
Enjoy your relaxed Sunday mornings for the next couple weeks. We will see everyone back at class beginning January 11.
Teen News
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. Click here for registration. Contact Carole at youth@shir-hadash.org or 847 436 1034 for more information.
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.
Going to Invite?
Come help plan Ra'am’s Invite Convention activities during our lock-in: Friday, January 2 at 6:00pm through Saturday, January 3 at noon. Bring your sleeping bag, toothbrush, and creative energy. Contact Carole or Mira for details.
Adult Education
New! Winter Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History, Begins January 18
Eight Sunday morning sessions, 11:15 to 12:25 at Shir Hadash
- January 18
- February 1, 8, 22
- March 15, 22
- April 12
- May 3
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow--Next Meeting January 6
The Rabbi’s weekly Lunch & Learn sessions will be on break until January 6. 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 Now on Winter Break
Our regular Sunday discussions are on hiatus while Religious School is on Winter Break. 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.
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 2015!
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. http://www.shir-hadash.org/shop/ Full details in the “Volunteer Opportunities” section above.
There's still time to finish your holiday shopping! If you're still scrambling to find gifts for those last few people on your list, you can order a ScripNow eGift and have it delivered right to their email account. 250+ stores offer ScripNow®, and all of them can be ordered as eGifts, so you can find exactly what you're looking for. You can pick your eGift design and include a personalized message. Plus, eGifts make it easy to surprise friends and family across the country. Place your eGift orders today and pay with PrestoPay™ so you can schedule them to be delivered in time for holiday festivities! NO PrestoPay fees through Friday, January 2! Visit our Shop page and select "ScripNow" under card type to see all the stores available. If you have any questions about sending eGifts, give the Customer Support Team a call at 1.800.727.4715 option 3.
Bonuses Available Now:
Domino’s -- 2% til December 26
Albertsons is offering a 2% bonus on ReloadNow from December 20 through December 26. Customers who order Albertsons ReloadNow will receive a 6% contribution instead of the standard 4%. The card is redeemable at Acme, Albertsons, Cub, Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy, Hornbacher’s , and Jewel-Osco.
Great Lakes Scrip, a gift card vender, will be closed for Christmas December 24 through 26, and for New Year’s January 1 and 2. Please note that during closed business days ScripNow® and ReloadNow® will process normally. Reload orders will not process December 25 or January 1.
Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:
Zinbarg
Schleicher
Sharpe
Litman
G. Graff
M. Graff
Estes-Goldman
Anderson
Simon
Furlett
Idelman
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