WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
- Rummage Sale this Weekend!
- Update: RSVP for Annual Potluck Picnic, August 23
- Membership Renewal Forms Now Open
- Solar Capital Campaign
- Donation Provides Shir Hadash Magnets
- Book Club, August 25
- Save the Date: Shir Hadash Golf Outing, August 16
Creative Worship and Ritual
- No Shabbat Services this Week
- Next Week: Tot/Family Dinner and Shabbat, August 7
- Torah Readers Needed for High Holidays
Music
- Sing With Us for the High Holidays!
- This Weekend! Rummage Sale, July 31 and August 2
- New! High Holiday Food Baskets
- New! Building Operations Committee Seeks New Members
The Rabbi’s Corner
- "Provocation"
Education
- Shir Hadash Playdate, August 13 -- New Location
Ongoing Fundraisers
- Help Shir Hadash Earn Free Donations with iGive
- Fundraising Opportunity with Amazon Smile
- Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund
- Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers: The Continental and Butterfield’s
SHOP Shir Hadash
MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Rummage Sale This Weekend! July 31 and August 2
It's finally here! Bring your kids and tell your friends to check out the Shir Hadash Rummage Sale on Friday and Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. We have loads of wonderful donated items to discover, and all proceeds benefit Shir Hadash. There's still time to volunteer too -- scroll down to "Volunteer Opportunities" for details and links. See you at the Rummage Sale.
Update: RSVP Online for Annual Potluck Picnic, August 23
It's time again for our annual day
of Fun, Food, Family & Friends! Online registration is now available for our Community Potluck Picnic to be held at Shir Hadash on August 23, starting at 4:00pm. There will be games, music, and great
socializing. We will be grilling Kosher hamburgers and hot dogs. (Please
remember that since we are serving Kosher meat, all pot luck dishes need to be
dairy free.) Click here to learn more and RSVP.
Many thanks to our friends at GO Productions, who have donated 500 Shir Hadash refrigerator magnets! We gave out magnets with other Shir Hadash information at the recent Sunday in the Park with Bagels event (pictured), and look forward to sharing them in new member welcome bags and at upcoming community events like Helping Hands at Hawthorne and Hands On Hanukkah.
Membership Renewal Forms Now Open
It's time once again to renew your membership to Shir Hadash. All the forms you need for membership, school registration, and more are available online here. Please be sure to complete your renewal promptly. If you have any questions, contact info@shir-hadash.org.
Dream to Go Green! Solar Capital Campaign Continues
The Solar Capital Campaign is making progress on our goal of raising funds to help pay for the Solar Power System that will soon be installed on our roof. We hope to have the system installed this summer. To learn more about our dream to go green, please read our story on the Chicago Tribune's website. Then be sure to visit our website where you can make a donation to help purchase a Solar Panel, a Solar Inverter, or donate other amounts. If you have any questions about the Solar Capital Campaign, please contact Art German at artgerman@comcast.net.
Our next Book Club meeting will be Tuesday, August 25, at 7:30pm, at the home of Gerry Freibrun, 574 Cyprus Point Court in Riverwoods. Our book will be Invisible City by Julia Dahl. Please RSVP to Meryl Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.
Save the Date: Shir Hadash Golf Outing, August 16
Save the date for a day of golf with your friends from Shir Hadash. We will play on Sunday, August 16 at Sportsman's Park in Northbrook, tee times starting at 1:00pm. $57/person for 18 holes, including a golf cart. RSVP to Mitch Whitefield at whitefi@attglobal.net or 224 622 1880.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
No Shabbat Services this Week
We hope you enjoy celebrating Shabbat at home and look forward to seeing you on Friday, August 7.
Tot/Family Dinner and Shabbat, August 7
Our next Tot/Family Shabbat Event is coming up on Friday, August 7. We'll be serving sloppy joes and tater tots at 5:30pm, followed by a tot/family-friendly service. Please RSVP online (click the calendar listing on August 7) so we can be sure to have plenty of tots for all!
We hope you enjoy celebrating Shabbat at home and look forward to seeing you on Friday, August 7.
Tot/Family Dinner and Shabbat, August 7
Our next Tot/Family Shabbat Event is coming up on Friday, August 7. We'll be serving sloppy joes and tater tots at 5:30pm, followed by a tot/family-friendly service. Please RSVP online (click the calendar listing on August 7) so we can be sure to have plenty of tots for all!
The High Holidays will be here before we know it. As we ramp up our planning, one very important element is to assign Torah portions for reading or chanting. We have a particular need for readers or chanters on Rosh Hashanah Day Two and Yom Kippur afternoon, but we do have a few slots still available on Rosh Hashanah Day One and Yom Kippur morning. We are especially interested in having recent bar and bat mitzvahs come up and chant Torah.
If you volunteer, we will e-mail to you an MP3 of the Rabbi chanting the portion, plus a written copy of the portion in Hebrew and English - and you can get help from the Rabbi and Dawn in getting ready to chant. So if you (or your son or daughter) are interested, or if you need more information, please contact Fred Andes at fandes@btlaw.com or 773 354-3100.
MUSIC
Sing With Us for the High Holidays!
Do you love to sing? Have you wanted to be part of Shir Hadash's music on the High Holidays? This is your year! Rehearsals for High Holidays will begin the first week of August. If you've sung with a multi-part choir in the past and have a basic ability to read music, please contact Ken Wexler at 847 769 8247 or ken.wexler@lockton.com for more information.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
This Weekend! Rummage Sale Volunteers Needed
It's here at last! The Rummage Sale is back, bigger and better. This year, we are holding a two-day sale on Friday, July 31 and Sunday, August 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. We still need help on our set up day (Today, Thursday, July 30), as well as each of the sale days (Friday, July 31, and Sunday, August 2).
Please volunteer by logging into Shul Cloud to sign up. Don't miss your opportunity to do some good, and have a good time doing it! Questions? Contact Lise Schleicher at info@shir-hadash.org.
Once again this year, Shir Hadash
will be joining with Maot Chitim of Greater Chicagoland to help them pack and
deliver High Holiday food baskets for needy Jewish families all over the
Chicago area. There are two different
ways you can help, either packing food boxes or delivering them.
- Packing will take place on Sunday, August 23 from 9:30 to 10:15am. The address for the packing is 1808 Holste Rd., Northbrook, IL.
- Delivery of food packages will take place on Sunday, August 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the Buffalo Grove/Wheeling area. We will be delivering 105 food packages, which will be in large boxes weighing approximately 20 lbs. each. We deliver to several large complexes and use a rental truck to transport the boxes. I will provide the address of where to meet for those interested in helping deliver boxes.
The Building Operations Committee is looking for new committee members. Specifically, the committee needs a person with interior/exterior experience and someone with general building supervisory experience. The BOC meets once a month on the third Wednesday of the month. Please contact Marc Fargotstein at 847-612-6579.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
July 31-August 1, 2015 / 16 Av 5775
Shabbat Va’etchanan
Shabbat Nachamu (Shabbat of Consolation) –The Shabbat after
Tish'a B'Av
Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11 / Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1 -
40:26
“Provocation”
Dear Friends,
In the fable attributed to Aesop, The Bear and the Bees, a
bear was stung by a bee; the pain was so acute that in the madness of revenge,
he ran into a garden and overturned a hive. This outrage greatly provoked the
bee’s anger and quick as a wink, the entire swarm of bees flew out of the hive
and began to sting the bear from head to heel. This fable reminds us that
provocation evokes a response—usually one that will ultimately cause unwanted
suffering.
It is precisely this type of provocation that Moses predicts
will ultimately trip up the Children of Israel. In his final address to the
nation, Moses repeatedly warns the people to remember the covenant at Sinai and
to adhere to it once they settle in the Promised Land. Should the people go
back on their agreement to adhere to God's law, they will suffer great
consequences. “Take heed unto yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the
Adonai your God…” (4:23) Moses predicts that over time, the nation would indeed
forget its prior commitments, “and shall do that which is evil in the sight of
the Adonai your God, to provoke Him.” (4:25) Moses warns the people that this
would provoke an immediate and harsh response from God.
Often, in the process of settling disputes, emotions are
hurt and tempers flare. Provocative
actions are interpreted as aggression, which only raises the level of
conflict. Around and around it goes
until things spin out of control. Our
tradition recognizes this piece of human behavior and seeks to teach a
lesson. In the search for
reconciliation, keep calm and stay focused. Rather than provoke and incite, be
a leader and seek peace. Zy a mentsch - Be a good person.
EDUCATION
Shir Hadash Playdate, August 13 -- New Location!
- Thursday, August 13, 5:00 to 7:00pm, Northside Park, 200 Glendale Street in Wheeling
Join Rabbi Seeg and current and prospective members for some summer fun! We'll meet on Thursday August 13 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Northside Park on Glendale Street, just over the bridge from Shir Hadash. (Please note the location change.) Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a special treat that Rabbi Seeg has planned for dessert! For more information, contact Rabbi Seeg at (847) 498-8218 or learning@shir-hadash.org.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
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.
Amazon Smile Fundraising Option
Shir Hadash is now registered with the Amazon Smile fundraising program. Just go to smile.amazon.com, search for Shir Hadash (be sure to select the one in Wheeling), and from then on 0.5% of your purchases will automatically be donated to Shir Hadash at no cost to you! Note that this works in conjunction with iGive (see below) and allows for double-dipping: if you go to Amazon through iGive.com or the iGive button, SH will get money from both Amazon and iGive. And to triple-dip, just pay for your purchases with a SHOP Amazon gift card! Happy Shopping!
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. 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 Over the Summer!
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.
Bonus Offers Now Available:
Meijer Illinois Grand Opening Bonus: 4% on physical cards until August 28.
Six Flags Tickets Available
Please note, Six Flags® tickets are once again available to order. Tickets cost $44.25 and award a 7% rebate. Tickets ordered now are valid through the 2015 season only, expiring on 12/31/15.
Bonus Offers
We have a spectacular selection of retailers lined up to help with your back to school shopping!
Aeropostale -- 2% bonus July 18-31
AMC Theatres -- 5% bonus July 18-31
Athleta -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Banana Republic -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Bath & Body Works -- 5% bonus July 18-31
Bon Ton -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Restaurant.com -- 5% bonus July 18-August 7
Cabela's -- 3% bonus July 18-31
Children's Place -- 2% bonus July 18-31
CVS -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Dave & Buster's -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Gap -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Home Depot -- 5% bonus July 25-31
iTunes -- 5% bonus July 18-31
JC Penney -- 1% bonus July 18-31
Kohl's -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Payless -- 1% bonus July 18-31
Landry's -- 3% bonus July 18-31
Old Navy -- 2% bonus July 18-31
LL Bean -- 1% bonus July 18-31
Target -- 1% bonus July 18-31
New ScripNow Retailer: StubHub available in $25, $100, $300, and $1000 denominations, each with a 4% rebate.
Summer hours for Customer Support at Great Lakes Scrip, one of our Shop vendors: 8:00am - 4:00pm Eastern Monday through Thursday, and 8:00am - 12:00pm Eastern on Fridays. They will resume their normal schedule on Tuesday, September 8.
Bonus Offers
We have a spectacular selection of retailers lined up to help with your back to school shopping!
Aeropostale -- 2% bonus July 18-31
AMC Theatres -- 5% bonus July 18-31
Athleta -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Banana Republic -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Bath & Body Works -- 5% bonus July 18-31
Bon Ton -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Restaurant.com -- 5% bonus July 18-August 7
Cabela's -- 3% bonus July 18-31
Children's Place -- 2% bonus July 18-31
CVS -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Dave & Buster's -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Gap -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Home Depot -- 5% bonus July 25-31
iTunes -- 5% bonus July 18-31
JC Penney -- 1% bonus July 18-31
Kohl's -- 2% bonus July 18-31
Payless -- 1% bonus July 18-31
Landry's -- 3% bonus July 18-31
Old Navy -- 2% bonus July 18-31
LL Bean -- 1% bonus July 18-31
Target -- 1% bonus July 18-31
New ScripNow Retailer: StubHub available in $25, $100, $300, and $1000 denominations, each with a 4% rebate.
Summer hours for Customer Support at Great Lakes Scrip, one of our Shop vendors: 8:00am - 4:00pm Eastern Monday through Thursday, and 8:00am - 12:00pm Eastern on Fridays. They will resume their normal schedule on Tuesday, September 8.
Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:
- Zinbarg
- Schleicher
- G. Graff
