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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- February 26, 2015

To view this blog in its entirety, go to our website.
For daily event updates, visit our calendar.
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What’s Happening at a Glance


Membership News and Upcoming Events
  • “Rock-n-Roll” Purim Spiel and Dinner, March 7
  • Town Hall Meeting, March 15
  • Book Club, March 19
  • Community Seder, April 4
Creative Worship and Ritual
  • No Shabbat Services This Week
  • Services for Next Week
  • Shabbat Speaker Series Begins March 13
Volunteer Opportunities
  • Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed, March 1
  • SHOP Needs You
The Rabbi’s Corner

  • "Renewing Jewish Tradition"
Education
  • Religious School, March 1
  • Tefillin Needed
Teen News
  • Upcoming Events for Teens
Adult Education
  • Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History, March 15
  • Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi, Tuesdays
  • Sunday Morning Adult Ed Class
Community Events
  • JUF Fundraiser April 12 
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


“Rock-n-Roll” Purim Spiel and Dinner, March 7
Get ready for a Purim celebration like no other, just for the adults! Have you ever wondered what Queen Esther served the night that she invited King Ahashverus and Haman to dinner?  The Programing Committee thinks that they have been able to recreate that feast.  Here is your chance to taste history and dine royally. Click here to check out the menu for our fabulous Esther’s Dinner, and to register! Following dinner, we will be regaled with a Rock-n-Roll Purim Spiel that has to be seen to be believed. The cost is $25 per person; please RSVP by March 2. Questions? Contact Melanie Andes, fmandes@comcast.net, or Rebecca Rice, r.rice1@comcast.net.

Town Hall Meeting, March 15
Save the date for a Shir Hadash Town Hall meeting on Sunday, March 15. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about what is happening in the synagogue, ask questions, and contribute ideas. The meeting will start at 10:30am in the sanctuary.

Book Club, March 19
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 on March 19 at the Andes home, 945 Creek Bend Drive in Vernon Hills. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Meryl Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.

Community Seder, April 4
Our annual Community Seder is scheduled for April 4, at Shir Hadash. Mark your calendars now, and watch for more details to be announced soon.

Creative Worship and Ritual


No Shabbat Services this Week
Enjoy Shabbat with your family. We look forward to seeing you at our next Shabbat evening service on Friday, March 6.

Next Week's Services
  • Purim Tot Shabbat, Friday March 6, 6:15pm
  • Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, March 6, 7:30pm 

Second Friday Speaker Series Begins March 13, 7:30pm
We are excited to launch the new Shir Hadash Speaker Series. The theme of the series is Jewish Paths to Understanding, Tolerance, and Coexistence.  The series seeks to inspire listeners to join in bringing peace and understanding to our world through Jewish values and teachings. These presentations will enhance our Shabbat services on the second Friday of each month.


Our first speaker will be Harry Rhodes, the Executive Director and one of the founders of “Growing Home,” Chicago's leading organic agriculture social enterprise focused on empowering people and communities in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Growing Home's USDA certified organic farms serve as the foundation for the organization's vision of a world with healthy people and communities. Haarry will speak on the topic, “Tikkun Olam - Repairing Neighborhoods and Lives: Bringing Skills, Jobs, Engagement, and Healthy Food to those on Society’s Margins through Urban Farming.” Be sure to join us for this inspiring presentation.

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

February 27-28, 2015 / 9 Adar 5775
Shabbat Tetzaveh-Zachor
Torah: Exodus 27:20 - 30:10
Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17 - 25:19 | Shabbat Zachor
Haftarah: I Samuel 15:2 - 15:34 | Shabbat Zachor

“Renewing Jewish Tradition”

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, God chose Aaron and his sons, Nadav and Avihu, to become priests of Israel.  They were to wear special garments while serving in the sanctuary to distinguish them from the typical Israelites.  These robes and vestments were to remind all Israel that holiness was to be the constant guide of their life.

Created by skilled craftsmen, the first of the priestly garments described in the portion was the ephod, a close-fitting coat worn between the arms and the waist.  It was fashioned from precious fabrics and two onyx stones, on each of which were engraved the names of six of the tribes of Israel.

Then came the breastplate of judgment, made out of pure gold and fastened to the upper part of the ephod by golden chains, and to the lower part by two golden rings bound by threads of blue. The centerpiece comprised twelve precious stones set in rows of three (carnelian, chrysolite, and emeralld; turquoise, sapphire, and amethyst; jacinth, agate, and crystal; beryl, lapis lazuli, and jasper), each engraved with the name of a tribe....

To continue, or to view past installments of the Rabbi’s blog, please visit our website 

Education


Religious School, March 1
We will see all of our students at 9:15am.

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 contact him at rabbi@shir-hadash.org or call the office.

Teen News


Upcoming Events -- More Details Coming Soon
  • Saturday, March 7: BBYO Bonding and Recruiting Event -- Cosmic Bowling!
  • Sunday March 8: Teen Run Purim Carnival – Help us make it fun for the younger kids!

Adult Education


Winter Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History -- Next Meeting March 15
Meets on the following Sunday mornings, 11:15 to 12:25 at Shir Hadash 
  • March 15, 22
  • April 12
  • May 3 
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. 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 While It Snows!
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.

Double Your FUN - Bonus $20 for $20 Dave & Buster's Electronic Coupon with Qualifying Orders!

Place an order for $25 or more of Dave & Buster's and receive a bonus $20 for $20 Dave & Buster's electronic Gameplay from February 28 through March 6.

Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:
  • Zinbarg
  • Schleicher
  • G. Graff
  • Simon
  • Estes-Goldman
  • Idelman
  • Sharpes
  • Andes
  • Friedman


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