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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
- Dinner-and-a-Movie Night, December 25!
- New! MOSH (Men of Shir Hadash) Get-Together, December 20
- New! Shir Hadash Women’s Group Launches January 7
- Announcing the First Shir Hadash Cookbook and Top Chef Event
- Book Club
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Lights & Miracles Services, December 11
The Rabbi’s Corner
- "Hanukkah: Festival of Religious Freedom"
- Sunday School December 13
- Sunday Morning Adult Ed Schedule
- Sunday Morning Specials -- Bagels, Coffee, and Football on TV!
- Lunch and Learn with the Rabbis, Thursdays
- Regional Teen Leadership Day, December 13
- Invite Convention, January 22-24
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
What's a Jew to do on December 25? Come to Shir Hadash for dinner -- Chinese food! -- and watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! Dinner is being catered by Szechwan Kingdom in Northbrook and will be at 5:00pm, with the movie following dinner. We will also have a potluck dessert after the movie. Dinner is $20 for adults, $13 for kids age four through 12, and free for kids three and under.
Please click here to register -- the deadline is Tuesday, December 22. Any questions? Call the office at 847 498 8218 or contact Melanie Andes at fmandes@comcast.net.
New! MOSH (Men of Shir Hadash) Get Together, December 20
Mark your calendar for an afternoon of Bears football and pizza at the home of Dan Wellisch, 14 Whitehall Court in Buffalo Grove. We will also start making plans for MOSH events in 2016. Come at 12:45 (or whenever you can arrive after Sunday school). More details will be coming by email. Please RSVP to Dan at 847 254 9355 or danwellisch@gmail.com.
New! Shir Hadash Women’s Group Launches
January 7
We are
excited to announce the formation of "Women of Shir Hadash" (official
group name in the works) which will have its first informal get-together in
January. At this event, we will discuss our interests and focus on what this
new group could be. It is not a committee! The groups can be social, spiritual,
philanthropic – whatever its members would like to pursue.
The inaugural event will be held on Thursday, January 7 at
7:30pm at the home of Julie Wellisch, 14 Whitehall Court in Buffalo Grove.
Refreshments will be served. We are looking forward to a fun and engaging
evening with input from any adult women who would like to participate. For more
information, contact Julie at juliewellisch@gmail.com.
Announcing the Shir Hadash Cookbook…and “Top Chef” Inspired Event!
We are going to publish the first ever Shir Hadash cookbook in Spring 2016, and we need your recipes! We want our cookbook to reflect our diverse membership, so please submit your family favorites, Sephardic specialties, gluten-free recipes, etc.
The cookbook will be professionally published and contain special pages of interest, a table of contents, an index, helpful cooking hints, and recipe category dividers. Please submit three to five of your favorite recipes. We will strive to include at least one of your recipes. Recipes are due by December 21, 2015. Visit our website for details and submission forms.
In conjunction with the cookbook publication, we will be holding a “Top Chef”-style event on Saturday, April 9, where congregants will prepare and bring their dishes, and attendees will taste each dish and select the winning dish in each category. Mark your calendar!
Book Club
Our next meeting will be in January to discuss "A Backpack, A Bear and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoir” by Lev Golinkin. This book is the memoir of a 10 year old booy on his journey from the Ukraine to America in 1990, at the height of Soviet Anti-Semitism. The date and location for our meeting will be announced in future newsletters. For more information, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Light the lights and celebrate the Jewish festival of freedom—Hanukkah! This year, for our Lights and Miracles services, we'll have members sharing their storytelling, song, dance, and other talents. The program includes:
- Lessons from Rabbi Eitan and Rabbi Seeg
- The Mighty Shir Hadash Klezmer Band
- Menorah lighting
- Glow lights
- Singing, dancing, potato latkes, and doughnuts
Choose from two services on December 11:
- FAMILY Hanukkah Service, 6:15 to 7:00pm (for families with children from newborn through third grade):
- COMMUNITY Hanukkah Service, 7:30 to 9:00pm, for families with older children (grades 4 and up) and adults.
We’re looking forward to seeing you!
THE RABBI’S CORNER
December
11-12, 2015 / 30 Kislev 5776
Shabbat Miketz - Chanukah
Torah: Genesis 41:1 - 44:17
8th aliyah: Numbers 28:9 - 28:15 | Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah
Maftir: Numbers 7:42 - 7:47 | Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 | Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah
“Hanukkah: Festival of Religious Freedom”
Dear Friends,
On August 17, 1790, the leader of
the synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, Moses Seixas wrote a letter welcoming
President George Washington to the synagogue.
In his letter, Seixas expressed his vision of an American government in
words that have become a part of the national vocabulary. He saw in the United
States “a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no
assistance—but generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and
immunities of citizenship: - deeming every one, of whatever nation, tongue or
language equal parts of the great Governmental Machine: – This so ample and
extensive federal union whose basis is Philanthropy, mutual confidence, and
public virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who
ruleth the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing
whatsoever seemeth [to Him] good.”
Washington’s response drew upon
Seixes’ words: “The Citizens of the
United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to
Mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation.
All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is
now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one
class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural
rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry
no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live
under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens… May the
Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and
enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit under
his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid… May the
father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us
all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way
everlastingly happy.”
Hanukkah is our Jewish festival
celebrating freedom from religious bigotry for everyone, freedom from religious
prejudice for everyone, and freedom from religious persecution for everyone. It
is our Jewish festival celebrating freedom from fear on the part of good people
who worship as they choose. It is our
Jewish festival of religious freedom… for everyone.
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
We look forward to seeing all our school families at 9:00am.
This Sunday, we welcome Susan Alexander, the associate director of Olin-Sang-Ruby Unioin Institute (a/k/a OSRUI) to Shir Hadash. OSRUI is the flagship camp of the Reform Movement and has a trmenedous variety of great programs for kids of all ages. Susan will tell us all about them on Sunday at 11:30am.
Adult Education Classes on Sunday
Adult Ed is back on Sunday mornings at Shir Hadash! This year we have two of the regular favorites and then a new class especially for parents. The schedule for the day includes:
9:30-10:30 Torah Study/Modern Jewish Philosophy with Fred Andes
10:30-11:15 Adult Hebrew Reading with Steve Lewin.
11:15-12:25 Jewish Spiritual Parenting: Raising a Mentsch with Rabbi Seeg and Rabbi Eitan
.
.
For more info about any of these adult ed programs, contact Rabbi Seeg at learning@shir-hadash.org.
Bagels and Coffee on Sunday Mornings
Each Sunday that we have Religious School, coffee and bagels are available in the lobby for purchase. President Glenn Graff and some Board members are usually around to discuss all things Shir Hadash. Stop in and sit and chat with your fellow Shir Hadashniks and enjoy the mornings!
Football Games on TV before Religious School Pickup
It's warm inside and the TV's on! When you're picking up the kids from Sunday School, come into our multipurpose room and watch the first 25 minutes of the Bears game.
It's warm inside and the TV's on! When you're picking up the kids from Sunday School, come into our multipurpose room and watch the first 25 minutes of the Bears game.
Lunch & Learn with the Rabbis
Rabbis Eitan Weiner-Kaplow & Scott Segal invite Shir Hadash members and friends to a a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion. Don’t be surprised if archaeology, sociology, contemporary world affairs as well as law, medicine, and business ethics enter the lively conversation as we plumb the deeper meanings of Judaism’s core text. We’ll meet on Thursdays from noon to 1:00pm. Pack a lunch and join us!
TEEN NEWS
Teen Leadership Day at Shir Hadash, December 13
This Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30pm, Ra'am will host the regiional Teen Leadership Day! Pleae spread the word and encourage our entire chapter to attend -- this is not limited to just board officers! We hope to see you all on Sunday. Click here to register online.
This Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30pm, Ra'am will host the regiional Teen Leadership Day! Pleae spread the word and encourage our entire chapter to attend -- this is not limited to just board officers! We hope to see you all on Sunday. Click here to register online.
Teen Registration is open now -- we encourage our chapter to register and show our Ra'am spirit! Invite Convention is January 22-24 at the Lincolnshire Marriott. Early registration ends December 27 -- after that the fee goes up, so sign up now by clicking here! Contact gmr@bbyo.org for more information or scholarship applications, and watch the calendar for Ra'am Invite planning events.
DONATIONS
To the General Fund
- Robin & Allen Berg, in honor of the marriage of their son Jason to Alexa Rosenbloom, daughter of Bari & Jay Rosenbloom
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.
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! Remember, 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 for Hanukkah!
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.
So many bonuses! December is a great month to stock up on cards and give Shir Hadash a fundraising boost.
So many bonuses! December is a great month to stock up on cards and give Shir Hadash a fundraising boost.
Bonuses Starting December 12
AMC Theaters -- 5% December 12 - 25
Athleta -- 6% December 12 - 18
Banana Republic -- 6% December 12 - 18
Bon Ton -- 2% December 12 - 18
Dominos -- 2% December 12 - 25
Gap -- 6% December 12 - 18
Bonuses Available Now
American Eagle -- 2% December 5-18
Home Depot -- 1% December 5-11
Dell -- 2% December 5-18
Hallmark -- 2% December 5-11
Payless -- 2% December 5-18
JC Penney -- 1% December 5-18
Landry's -- 4% December 5-18
Subway -- 3% December 5-18
Stage -- 2% December 5-18
Ulta -- 1% December 5-18
Bob Evans -- 2% til December 11
Caribou Coffee -- 1% on physical cards til December 11
Carter's -- 1% til December 11
CVS -- 1% til December 11
Express -- 2% til December 11
Journeys -- 3% til December 11
Lane Bryant -- 1% til December 11
Red Robin -- 3% til December 11
LL Bean -- 2% til December 11
Osh Kosh B'Gosh -- 1% til December 11
Starbucks -- 2% til December 18
See's Candies -- 2% til December 11
SpaFinder -- 2% til December 11
TGI Friday's -- 3% til December 11
AMC Theaters -- 5% December 12 - 25
Athleta -- 6% December 12 - 18
Banana Republic -- 6% December 12 - 18
Bon Ton -- 2% December 12 - 18
Dominos -- 2% December 12 - 25
Gap -- 6% December 12 - 18
Bonuses Available Now
American Eagle -- 2% December 5-18
Home Depot -- 1% December 5-11
Dell -- 2% December 5-18
Hallmark -- 2% December 5-11
Payless -- 2% December 5-18
JC Penney -- 1% December 5-18
Landry's -- 4% December 5-18
Subway -- 3% December 5-18
Stage -- 2% December 5-18
Ulta -- 1% December 5-18
Bass Pro Shops -- 4% til December 18
Bed Bath & Beyond -- 1% til December 11Bob Evans -- 2% til December 11
Caribou Coffee -- 1% on physical cards til December 11
Carter's -- 1% til December 11
CVS -- 1% til December 11
Express -- 2% til December 11
Journeys -- 3% til December 11
Lane Bryant -- 1% til December 11
Red Robin -- 3% til December 11
LL Bean -- 2% til December 11
Osh Kosh B'Gosh -- 1% til December 11
Starbucks -- 2% til December 18
See's Candies -- 2% til December 11
SpaFinder -- 2% til December 11
TGI Friday's -- 3% til December 11
Gift Card Holiday Wrappers Back in Stock
We have a colorful collection of gift card holiday wrappers back in stock and available for ordering. These colorful pre-cut glossy wrappers fold up to wrap your gift card in a fun, festive package. It even gives you space to leave a name, gift card amount, and a little note! The wrappers are available in a pack of 10 for $2, with a 10% non-profit contribution, and each pack includes 10 different seasonal designs.
Shop with Scrip, one of our vendors, is closed December 24 -
January 1. During closed business days ScripNow® and ReloadNow® will process
like normal. Reload orders will not process December 25 or January 1. If you
have any questions about your holiday orders, please call their helpful Customer
Support Team at 1.800.727.4715 option 3.
Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP this week:
- Zinbarg
- Schleicher
- Sulpar
- G. Graff
- Fargotstein
- Fields
- M. Graff
- Singer
- Farahmandpour
- Edler
- Stein
- Soglin
- Newman
- Grills
- Wellisch
- Friedman
- Idelman
- Estes-Goldman
- Simon
- Mostow
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