Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- April 9, 2015

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What’s Happening at a Glance

Membership News and Upcoming Events

• Shir Hadash Neighbor Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony
• MOSH Penny Poker Night, April 15
• Annual Meeting, May 17
• Yoga at Shir Hadash, April 14
• Book Club

Creative Worship and Ritual

• This Week’s Services: Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11
• Next Week: Pausing in the Wilderness Services, April 17

Volunteer Opportunities

• New! LifeSource Blood Drive at Shir Hadash, May 3
• Stamp Out Hunger Food Pickups
• SHOP Needs You

The Rabbi’s Corner

• “The Eternal Longing for Peace”

Education

• Religious School Resumes April 12
• Last Day of Religious School Moved to May 31
• Tefillin Needed
• Geocaching Mitzvah Project, April 18

Teen News

• Upcoming Teen Events
• BBYO GMR Spring Convention, April 24-26

Adult Education

• Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History, April 12
• 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

Shir Hadash Neighbor Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony

On April 1, the LaSalle Group had its ground breaking for their new facility on the land Shir Hadash sold them. Shir Hadash sold the land to the LaSalle Group in December in exchange for $765,000, 33 parking spaces and a beautiful landscaped green space area near the creek. The new facility will be called the Whitley of Wheeling, and will be a combination Memory Care and Assisted Living Facility. Construction is expected to start soon, and the new 33 parking spots for Shir Hadash are slated to be done early in the construction process. The facility and the landscaping of the Shir Hadash green space are expected to be completed in 2016.

MOSH Penny Poker, April 15

MOSH (Men of Shir Hadash) is hosting a penny poker night on April 15, starting at 7:00pm, at the home of Sean Fisher-Rohde in Deerfield. This is a great opportunity for current, new, and prospective male members to get to know one another. There will be food, drinks, and good times, so break open that piggy bank and spend tax day playing poker. Please RSVP to Sean at srohde5@gmail.com. 

Annual Meeting, May 17

On Sunday, May 17 at 9:30am, we will have our Shir Hadash Annual Meeting. At the meeting, you can vote on the election of new Board members and the approval of the annual budget. You will hear reports on synagogue activities and plans, and you can ask questions and participate in the discussion. Please come – we need a quorum!

SH Board Positions Available

At the Annual Meeting, we will be electing members to serve in the following positions: President, Executive Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President for Programming, and four At-Large Board Members. If you are interested in serving in one of these positions, please contact Fred Andes at fandes@btlaw.com.

Yoga at Shir Hadash, April 14

Our yoga program continues on Tuesday, April 14 from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Newcomers may still join us! Our classes are being taught by a certified instructor and are appropriate for men and women, ages 14 and up with any level of yoga experience. For more info and online payment please click here, or email Joanne Litman at jolitman@gmail.com with questions.


Book Club
Our next book club selection will be What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander. The date and location of our next meeting will be announced soon. For more information in the meantime, contact Meryl Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.

Creative Worship and Ritual

This Week’s Services

Shabbat Evening Service: Friday, April 10, 7:30pm

This Friday night, we continue our new Speaker's Series services for second Fridays. We start with a brief (half-hour) Kabbalat Shabbat service, and then welcome Dr. Larry Marks to speak on the topic, "Opening Eyes in the College Classroom." Dr. Marks will explore how to create a nurturing academic environment that encourages open discussions about personal issues, individual identity, and group affiliation. Dr. Marks is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Global Studies at Oakton Community College, where he teaches a student population religious and ethnic groups from all over the world. Dr. Marks is also a "tummler" with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. (You may know him as "Dancing Larry.") It should be fascinating, so don't miss it -- and don't forget to bring something for the pot luck oneg. (Remember, it's still Passover -- oneg food contributions should be Kosher for Pesach.)

Shabbat Morning Service: Saturday, April 11, 10:00am

On Saturday morning, we will continue our new practice of holding, once a month, a Shabbat morning service on a Shabbat that does not have a bar or bat mitzvah. So 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! (Again, please remember to make all foods Passover-appropriate.)

Next Week: Pausing in the Wilderness Services!

On Friday, April 17, we will have our annual Pausing program -- this year, two programs! First will be an event for families with young children, starting with matzah ball soup for everyone at 5:30pm. After enjoying our soup together, the program will begin at 6:00pm.

Our second service, for everyone else, will begin at 7:30pm. In both services, we will "wander" through the building and share in various Jewish experiences. More details to come in next week's newsletter.

Volunteer Opportunities

New! LifeSource Blood Drive at Shir Hadash, May 3

Shir Hadash will be hosting a blood drive with LifeSource on Sunday, May 3 from 8:30  a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at our building located at 200 W. Dundee Rd, Wheeling.  This drive is very important because the recent weather conditions have prompted a significant drop in donations at all of LifeSource’s 18 donor centers. Remember that each pint of blood donated helps save three lives!

To schedule your appointment with LifeSource, go to www.lifesource.org; Donate Blood; Make an Appointment (Scroll down) and Search by group code 528B. If you need assistance, you can email Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net. There will also be a sign up sheet in the lobby of the building during Sunday School hours the morning of the drive. Appointments are every 15 minutes starting at 8:30 a.m. until 1:00, and we can accommodate up to three people per 15 minute slot.

Donors need to be 16 or older to donate.  16 year olds will need a signed parent consent form which will be available on site. 

If you have any specific medical questions, please call LifeSource at 877-543-3768 or 800-486-0680.

“Stamp Out Hunger” Food Distributions

The Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council, which includes Shir Hadash, will be arranging pickups of food donations collected at the Skokie Post Office through the USPS “Stamp Out Hunger” program. The food will then be delivered to food pantries run by Interfaith Council congregations. Details are still in the planning stages, but if you are interested in learning about helping with this project contact Marla Callistein at marlandan@yahoo.com

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

April 10-11, 2015 / 22 Nisan 5775

Shabbat Pesach Day 8

Torah - Deuteronomy 16:1-17   Haftarah - Isaiah 10:32-11:9

“The Eternal Longing for Peace”

Dear Friends,

As we come to the end of Passover, our tradition asks us to dream about a future of peace and understanding.  Do we really believe that in Messianic times the nature of the world will change, and wolves will live peacefully with lambs? That’s what the Haftarah portion for this Shabbat says. “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together” (Isaiah 11:6). This famous verse spawned a centuries-long rabbinic debate. While Nachmanides and many other scholars believed that nature would indeed change, Maimonides strongly disagreed. He wrote, “Do not presume that in the Messianic age any facet of the world’s nature will change or there will be innovations in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern. Although it is written ‘The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the young goat,’ these words are a metaphor and a parable. The interpretation of the prophecy is as follows: Israel will dwell securely together with the wicked who are likened to a wolf and a leopard…”

Tradition teaches us that we need not hope, yearn and pray for the natural world to change in order to bring about peace. Rather, we must hope and pray and work towards the time when those who wish to destroy the Jewish people will abandon their hatred and dwell in peace with Israel and all peace-loving nations of the world.

Have a healthy and happy Passover.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

To read the rest of The Rabbi’s Corner, or view past installments of the Rabbi’s blog, please visit our website. 

Education

Religious School Resumes, April 12

Welcome back! We hope you all had a wonderful Spring Break. See you back at Sunday School this week.

Last Day of Religious School Moved to May 31

Due to the February snow day, the Education Committee has added an extra day to the school year. Be sure to join us on Sunday, May 31 -- it will be a great day to spend together.

Tefillin Needed

Rabbi Eitan is collecting sets of tefillin for his teaching of traditional Judaism to our students.  If you have an unused and unwan ted set to donate, please contact him at rabbi@shir-hadash.org or call the office.

Geocaching Mitzvah Project, April 18

Looking for a fun activity for the whole family? Zoe Berthold’s Bat Mitzvah Project is both a good time and for a good cause! Drop by The Grove (1421 Milwaukee Ave) in Glenview any time from 1-3 PM on Saturday, April 18, for an introduction to a real-life scavenger hunt called Geocaching. We will teach you how to use your smartphone to find containers called “geocaches” hidden all around. After finding the three geocaches that we’ve hidden with clues inside and solving the puzzle based off the clues, you get a prize. There is a suggested donation of $5, but 100% of the proceeds go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository! No registration required. Please email Julie Berthold at Avergirl@gmail.com with any questions. Click here to learn more.

Teen News

Upcoming Teen Events

Monday, April 13th - 8:00 p.m. Ra'am Board Google Hangout

Sunday, April 19th - 8:30 a.m. Madrichim meeting before Sunday school

BBYO-GMR Spring Convention, April 24-26

Registration is Due by April 17

Registration is now open for the Spring Convention, which will be held at the Marriott Lincolnshire. Join BBYO GMR for a weekend of fun programming, guest speakers, Regional Board elections, and lots of socializing with friends. Registration is $299. Open to BBYO members in grades 8-12. For more information and registration, click here or contact Celia Livshin, clivshin@bbyo.org.

Adult Education

Winter Adult Ed Class on American Jewish History -- Next Meeting April 12

Upcoming meetings on the following Sunday mornings, 11:15 to 12:25 at Shir Hadash

April 12; May 3 

Two sessions remain in our survey course focusing on the fascinating story of the Jewish community in America. Our study is 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 – RSVP Today!

The JUF Fundraiser/Dessert Reception honoring Holocaust survivor Sam Harris is this Sunday, April 12, at 6:45pm. The reception will be held at Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road in Long Grove. Advance registration closes tomorrow, Friday, at noon, but the JUF is taking walk-in registrations at the door. Click here for more information. Shir Hadash’s Rachel and Richard Siegel are the event’s co-chairs – hope to see many of you there!

Donations

To the General Fund

Luba Rothblatt, wishing Katy Zwick Refuah Shleimah, a complete recovery.

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 Spring!

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.

Low Denomination Gift Cards are Coming Back Soon! 

Starting Saturday, April 11, we will have a limited number of special small denomination gift cards available, perfect for teacher gifts and graduation parties!  The following cards will be available:

•             Albertsons and Supervalu $10

•             Amazon.com Gift Cards $10

•             AMC Theatres® $10

•             Applebee's $10

•             CVS/pharmacy $10

•             Groupon $10

•             IHOP $10

•             Meijer $10

•             Outback $10

•             Panera Bread® $5

•             Pizza Hut $5

•             Regal Entertainment Group $10

•             Starbucks $5 Teacher Card

•             Target $10

Keep things green for Earth Day with Reload & ReloadNow®bonuses, plus a chance to win big! From Saturday, April 18 to Friday, April 24, you will earn a chance to win a bonus $100 Reload every time you order Reload or ReloadNow from one of the participating retailers below. As an extra perk, all these retailers will also be running Reload & ReloadNow bonuses during the promotion.

• Bath & Body Works: 5% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 13%, Total 18%)
• Hallmark: 3% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 4%, Total 7%)
• Dominos: 3% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 8%, Total 11%)
• Aeropostale: 3% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 10%, Total 13%)
• Gap: 2% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 14%, Total 16%)
• Old Navy: 2% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 14%, Total 16%)
• Banana Republic: 2% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 14%, Total 16%)
• Athleta: 2% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 14%, Total 16%)
• Hyatt: 2% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 10%, Total 12%)
• Target: 1% ReloadNow Bonus (Normal 2.5%, Total 3.5%)

If you don't have a card from one of these retailers already, plan ahead and order one now. Register the card beforehand so you're ready to Reload. Click here for more info and a helpful how-to video, and click here for terms and conditions.

Bonus Offers:

• Athleta – 2% March 28 to April 10
• Banana Republic – 2% March 28 to April 10
• Burlington – 1% March 28 to April 10
• Gap – 2% March 28 to April 10
• Joann – 2% March 28 to April 10
• Old Navy – 2% March 28 to April 10 

Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:

Zinbarg

Schleicher

Estes-Goldman

Herbin

Anes

Otero