WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
- Music Director Search Underway
- Informal Lifelong Learning Events with Rabbi Seeg
- Membership Renewal Forms Now Open
- Solar Capital Campaign
- Save the Date: Shir Hadash Golf Outing, August 16
- Save the Date: Shir Hadash Annual Picnic, August 23
- Book Club
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Evening Service, July 17
- Shabbat Morning Service and Pancake Breakfast, July 18
- Torah Readers Needed for High Holidays
Volunteer Opportunities
- Rummage Sale, July 31 and August 2
The Rabbi’s Corner
- "The Best of Times, The Worst of Times"
Education
Donations
- Shir Hadash Playdate Planned for August
Teen News
- Coffee Talk re Teen Programming with Rabbi Seeg, July 23
Adult Education
- Today! Coffee Talk on Adult Ed with Rabbi Seeg, July 16
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
Search Underway for Shir Hadash Music Director
We are excited to announce that we have launched our search for a music director. We are planning to hire a dynamic person who can implement a robust music program that lifts up our services, programming, and school. You can click here to view the job posting. Please pass along the link to anyone you believe is qualified to fill this important position.
Informal Lifelong Learning Events with Rabbi Seeg
Our educational programs for all ages are evolving, and you're invited to be part of the process! Please scroll down to the Education, Teen News, and Adult Ed sections for info about informal opportunities to meet Rabbi Seeg and learn more about plans for the upcoming year.
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 will be Invisible City by Julia Dahl. Watch for announcements about the date and location of our meeting in August.
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.
Save the Date: Shir Hadash Annual Picnic, August 23
Mark your calendar now for our wonderful end of summer picnic on August 23! The fun will start at 4:00pm. Watch for more details coming soon.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Matot -- Mas'ei
"Is it Time for the Jews to Leave Europe?"
It is the week before Tisha B'Av -- the commemoration of the destruction of the Temple and the Jewish community of Judea by the Romans. The Atlantic magazine ran a powerful cover story in March 2015 asking if it is time for the Jews of Europe to leave. Facing increasing anti-semitism and violent attacks on Jewish institutions and individuals, passionate voices are rising around all sides of the issue. What's your opinion? Are we affected? Will a time ever come when the question is asked about us, the Jews of North America? Click here to read the article, and then join us Friday night as we consider these daunting questions.
This Saturday, Shir Hadash will continue its Family/Tot Shabbat series with an exciting program sure to please everyone. We will begin the morning with delicious homemade pancakes at 9:15am. There will be toppings galore for the pancakes, including strawberries, nuts, syrups, jams, and more. There will also gluten-free pancakes available to ensure that everyone can enjoy.
Then at 10:15, Rabbis Eitan and Seeg will lead a lively familiy-orieented service that includes the Shabbat prayers, story, song and a drum circle. It's an interactive Shabbat experience not to be missed! If you'll be joining us for pancakes, please RSVP to Alan Bernover, bernover@litchfieldcavo.com. So... who's hungry? See you Saturday!
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.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Rummage Sale, July 31 and August 2
The Rummage Sale is back, bigger and better! This year, we are going to try to do a two-day sale on Friday, July 31 and Sunday, August 2, from 9:00am to 4:00pm each day. Last year we raised almost $2500 in just one day and we want to double that this year!To make this a success, we need 100% participation from our members. We are asking for two hours from every household over the course of this project. Some sign up options include:
- Drop-off/Sorting -- July 19, 1:00 to 5:00pm
- Sale Set-up -- July 30
- Sale Days -- July 31 and August 2
- Other Jobs -- Posting flyers, cleaning up, etc
Just log 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.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
July 17-18,
2015 / 2 Av 5775
Shabbat
Matot-Masei
Torah:
Numbers 30:2 - 36:13 Haftarah: Jeremiah
2:4 - 28; 3:4
“The Best of Times, the Worst of Times”
Dear Friends,
These are great times to be a Jew. The State of Israel is strong and vibrant and
the American Jewish community is robust and diverse. I just spent three weeks in Israel with my
family and we experienced an Israel that is confident, modern, optimistic, and
full of life. The politics are extreme –
some call it a ‘contact-sport’ – and everyone has an opinion, usually a very
strong opinion. Israel’s culture is
diverse and well developed in all aspects - culinary, visual, music, dance, and
so much more. The place vibrates and
pulses with the excitement of life. And Israel is up to date. We saw the movie, “Inside Out” (highly
recommended) at a theater that is more modern than anything we have here and
the Ikea store in Netanya is larger than our Chicago area store. Israel is
strong. Her army is well-trained and on
guard, ready to go on alert at any moment as the ‘Arab winter’ continues its
ominous seething along Israel’s borders.
These are also very difficult times to be a Jew. Anti-Semitism is clearly on the rise locally,
on our college campuses, at the United Nations, and throughout many areas of
the world, especially Europe and the Middle East. It is unfair. It is a double-standard. It is both
anti-Israel and anti-Jewish at the same time. It is ignorant and
outrageous. Now I will say it. I am skeptical about the Iran deal announced
this morning. The deal with North Korea
did not work decades ago. I do not think
this one will work either. Iran has
repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and the US. It supports, finances, and arms terror
organizations around the world. As I see
it, no deal with the West will keep Iran from moving towards its goal and
nuclear weapons will very likely be part of the equation. The nuclear arms race throughout the Middle
East that could result from this deal is equally troubling. Time and
watchfulness will tell.
To read the rest of the Rabbi's blog, please visit our website.
EDUCATION
Upcoming Shir Hadash Playdate in August
Come one, come all for playtime at the park! We are making plans for a community playdate for all families with young children at the Village Green playground in downtown Northbrook. It will be a great chance to hang out with other Shir Hadash families, and to meet Rabbi Seeg as well.
But wait, there’s more! The first 20 families that arrive will get a gift card for Graeter's Ice Cream (the best ice cream ever, conveniently located next to the park).
Watch for a specific date and more details coming soon!
TEEN NEWS
Coffee Talk re Teen Programming with Rabbi Seeg, July 23
- 4:00-6:00pm -- Location TBA
ADULT EDUCATION
Coffee Talk on Adult Ed with Rabbi Seeg, July 16
- 3:00-5:00pm @ Wheeling Starbucks (1085 E. Lake Cook Road -- SE Corner of Lake Cook and Lexington)
This is a drop-in event so come at any point to hang out and chat about what kinds of classes, topics and events you would like to see as part of our adult education program.
COMMUNITY CULTURAL EVENTS
Writers Theatre Presents The Diary of Anne Frank
The esteemed Writers Theatre, located in Glencoe, is presenting The Diary of Anne Frank through August 16. The Chicago Tribune called it "a truthful, deeply engaged production." For ticket information, visit the Writers Theatre website.
DONATIONS
To the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund- C. Stanley Maxwell
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
- Howard Grill
To the General Fund
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
To the Solar Panel Campaign
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
- Suzanne & Ken Wexler
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
Back to School Bonuses start July 18, and we have a spectacular selection of retailed lined up to help with your 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
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
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
Back to School Bonuses start July 18, and we have a spectacular selection of retailed lined up to help with your 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
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
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
- Idelman
- Pomper
- Weiss
- G. Graff
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