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 and Open Mic Night, February 21
Highlights from Annual Gala, February 7
Book Club: New Selection for March
“Rock-n-Roll” Purim Spiel and Dinner, March 7
Community Seder, April 4
Creative Worship and Ritual
This Week: Shabbat Morning Service, Saturday February 14
Coming Soon: Shabbat Speaker Series
Volunteer Opportunities
Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed, March 1
SHOP Needs You
The Rabbi’s Corner
"The Fine Print"
"The Fine Print"
Education
No Religious School on February 15
Tefillin Needed
Education Director’s Blog
Teen News
Film Screening for Teens: Beneath the Helmet, February 23
Upcoming Events for Teens
Adult Education
Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History, February 22
Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi, Tuesdays
Sunday Morning Adult Ed Class
Community Events
JUF Fundraiser April 12 -- Join the Committee!
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
Coffee House Night--Open Night Style, February 21
It’s getting exciting! Only one more week until Coffee House Night – Open Mic Style, Saturday, February 21 from 6:30 – 10ish. It’s shaping up to be a really great evening
Thank you everyone who has signed up already. We always have room for everyone who wants to participate. Please continue to sign up – especially you Bakers … we “knead” you! For Talent, please click the link here or contact Margie at MargiePromoPro1@aol.com or for baking, please contact Katy at KatyZwick@gmail.com.
Be prepared for an awesome evening, featuring our friends entertaining us with their talents in our cozy, laid back, candlelit environment. Audience members, we need you too! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, February 21, 2015. Doors open at 6:30 and we’ll begin shortly thereafter. Event runs until 10:00 or so.
Saturday night Shir Hadash honored our own Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow for his 20 years of service to Shir Hadash. A group of nearly 200 people gathered for drinks, dinner, a silent auction, and outstanding dueling pianos entertainment. A fantastic time was had by everyone! We want to thank everyone for attending and special thanks to our Sponsors and people who contributed towards the Tribute Journal. The event was a record breaking success in raising funds for our Synagogue. Professional pictures will be posted on the website soon. If you want to see some early iPhone shots, check out this link on Facebook.
Book Club: New Selection for March
Our book club’s next selection will be Son of Hamas by Mossab Hassam Yousef. Our discussion will be led by Ed Rice, who has attended a talk by the author. Our meeting will be held in March; specific date and location TBA. For more information, contact Meryl Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.
“Rock-n-Roll” Purim Spiel and Dinner, March 7
Get ready for a Purim celebration like no other, just for the adults! We will start the evening at Shir Hadash with a Persian dinner at 6:30, followed by the spiel. Watch future newsletters and your emails for lots more details coming soon!
Community Seder, April 4
Our annual Community Seder is on the books for April 4, at Shir Hadash. Mark your calendars now, and watch for more details to be announced soon.
Creative Worship and Ritual
This Week’s Services
Friday, February 13 --- No Shabbat evening service this week. Enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family!
Saturday, February 14 -- Shabbat morning service, 10:00am
Last month, we started a new practice of holding, once a month, a Shabbat morning service on a Shabbat that does not have a bar or bat mitzvah. It's that time again! So this Saturday, at 10:00 am, come and enjoy a Shabbat morning service at Shir Hadash, complete with kiddush and light lunch afterwards. Remember to bring your tallit. And if you'd like a part in the service, or would like to help with bringing and/or setting up the kiddush/lunch, please let us know - it would be such a mitzvah! See you on Shabbat.
Coming Soon: Second Friday Speaker Series at Shir Hadash
Rabbi Eitan is organizing a Speaker Series for the second Friday of each month beginning in March. The theme of the series is Jewish Paths to Understanding, Tolerance, and Coexistence. Guest speakers will offer personal reflections on how their work is forging a unique approach towards repairing a broken world and creating trust and cooperation amongst people, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, etc. The series seeks to inspire listeners to join in bringing peace and understanding to our world through Jewish values and teachings. Watch for more information coming soon!
Volunteer Opportunities
Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed, March 1
The Social Action Committee needs your help. On Sunday, March 1, we will be preparing, cooking and serving over 90 meals for needy individuals at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church soup kitchen in Evanston. This event will require volunteers to be available from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. We need a minimum of 25 volunteers, about 10-12 families. Each family will be responsible for bringing an entrée that will feed 10 to 15 individuals, one gallon of milk, one large bag frozen mixed vegetables, one large bag of fruit (oranges, bananas, etc.) and dessert.
If you are interested in helping or have questions, please contact Mark Lenhart before February 22 at mjlenhart@comcast.net. More information will be sent to all volunteers approximately one week before the March 1st date. There is no age limit to volunteer, but from past experience, kids should be at least six years old to fully participate. Thank you in advance for your support!
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.
The Rabbi’s Corner
January
24-25, 2014 / 25 Shevat 5774
Shabbat
Mishpatim - Shekalim
Torah –
Exodus 21:1–24:18 & 30:11-16 / Haftarah –II Kings 12:1-17
“The Fine Print”
Dear Friends,
Last week, the broad principles and this week, the fine
print. Last week, our ancestors received the Ten Commandments. This week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim or
“Laws,” contains a long list of rules and instructions regarding the creation
of a just society.
This becomes the basis for our Jewish commitment to Social
Action, first, because it is just and righteous, and second, because we have
experienced deprivation and are now in a position to help others. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught: “To be a
Jew is not simply to be, but to stand for.” Rabbi Leo Baeck wrote: “We are Jews for the
sake of humanity.” Professor Isadore
Twersky observed: “One cannot claim to be a God-intoxicated Jew without a
passion for social justice.”…
To read the rest of the Rabbi's Corner, or to view past installments of the Rabbi’s blog, please visit our website.
Education
No Religious School, February 13
We will be taking one week off while our older students attend the Reconstructionist Midwest Kallah. See you all back at school on February 22.
Tefillin Needed
Rabbi Eitan is collecting sets of tefillin for his teaching of traditional Judaism to our students. If you have an unused and unwanted set to donate, please call the rabbi.
Education Director’s Blog
For an up-close look at happenings in the Shir Hadash Religious School, click here to view Education Director Emily Ascher’s blog.
Teen News
Film Screening for Teens: Beneath the Helmet, February 23
All teens are invited to a special screening of Beneath the Helmet on Monday, February 23 at Northbrook Court. Beneath the Helmet: From High School to the Home Front is a coming-of-age story that follows the journey of five Israeli high school graduates who are drafted into the army to defend their country. At the age of 18, away from their homes, families, and friends, these young individuals undergo a demanding, inspiring journey that reveals the core of who they are and who they want to be.
There will be two showings of the film on February 23, at 7:00 and 7:45pm. Sixteen area synagogues, including Shir Hadash, have combined to make this film available. We will be joined by the star of the film, 1st Lt. Eden Adler, and the film’s co-producer David Coleman. For more information, click here. Sign up soon, space is limited!
Upcoming Events -- More Details Coming Soon
- Sunday, February 22: BBYO Stand UP Event
- Thursday, February 26 (note date change): Ra'am Board Meeting via Google hangout
- Friday, March 7: BBYO Bonding and Recruiting Event -- Cosmic Bowling!
Adult Education
Winter Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History -- Next Meeting February 22
Meets on the following Sunday mornings, 11:15 to 12:25 at Shir Hadash
- February 22
- March 15, 22
- April 12
- May 3
Topic for February 22: Westward Expansion
This survey course focuses on the fascinating story of the Jewish community in America. Our study will be divided into eight periods spanning colonial times to the present. Each class session will include lecture, discussion, and reading through historical source documents and artifacts. We will also touch on Jewish genealogy and tracing our families’ roots. Students are encouraged to bring online/web resources to class. Instructor: Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow assisted by Shir Hadash members. Everyone is welcome to participate.
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 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.
Community Events
JUF Fundraiser April 12 -- Join the Committee!
Shir Hadash will be a participating congregation in an exciting Northwest Suburban JUF Fundraiser on Sunday, April 12, to be held at Temple Chai in Long Grove. This dessert reception, featuring an inspiring appearance by President Emeritus of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center Sam Harris, will raise money for the JUF Annual Campaign that supports vital programs and services in Chicago, Israel, and the world. Other participating congregations include Beth Am, Beth Judea, Or Shalom, and Temple Chai.
Rich and Rachel Schick Siegel are co-chairs for this event, and invite other Shir Hadash members to be part of the planning committee. Committee members are asked to make a pledge to the JUF-Israel Emergency Fund, allow their names to be included on the event invitation, attend the event, and encourage friends and family to attend as well. Several of our synagogue’s leaders have already joined the committee; please consider adding your name to the list! For more information, contact Rachel at 847/724-5720 or rschicksiegel@gmail.com.
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 Your Valentine!
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.
- California Pizza Kitchen -- $25 Gift Card Available
- Office Depot Gift Cards Change -- Please note, Office Max® gift cards can be used in both Office Max and Office Depot® stores.
- See's Candies Price Change-- Please also note, the cost of See's Candies "One Pound" gift certificate is increasing from $18.00-1 lb. to $18.50-1 lb.The contribution will remain the same at 20%.
Bonuses Available Now
- Restaurant.com -- 5% til February 13
- Boston Market -- 2% til Feb 13
- LL Bean -- 2% til Feb 13
Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:
Zinbarg
Schleicher
Weiner-Kaplow
Idelman
Shinsky
Soglin
Farahmandpour
Singer
Fargotstein
G. Graff
M. Graff
Mostow
Chesler
Friedman
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