Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- January 21, 2016

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE

Membership News and Upcoming Events

• Shir Hadash Board Gains Insights in Successful Workshop with Consultant
• Help Make Shir Hadash Beautiful! Design Committee Open Meeting, January 28
• MOSH: Pinstripes Recap and Upcoming Events
• Welcome to WISH!
• Next Week: Book Club, January 28
• Shir Hadash Cookbook -- Deadline Extended to January 30
• Save the Date! Lil Rev Concert Performance, February 20

Creative Worship and Ritual

• This Week: Friday Evening Shabbat Service, January 22, 7:30pm

The Rabbi’s Corner

• "To Life"

Education Announcements

• Sunday School Celebrates Happy New Year for Trees, January 24
• Upcoming Service Dates -- Grades 4, 5, and 6
• Introducing SH Youth Band -- The Menschkins!
• Lunch and Learn with the Rabbis, Thursdays

Volunteer Opportunities

• Help Needed with Soup Kitchen, February 21

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  

Shir Hadash Board Gains Insights in Successful Workshop with Consultant

Last week the Board of Directors, Shir Hadash staff, and other leaders spent two nights at a workshop with our consultant, Rabbi David Wolfman.  The Board has engaged Rabbi Wolfman to assist us in our next stage of growth, and to help us identify goals and work on strategic planning to achieve those goals.  This Workshop focused on: 

• Shir Hadash accomplishments in its first 20 years
• Responsibilities of the Board, improving and making more efficient our Board and Committee structures, and the importance of leadership development
• Discussion of the changing nature of the American Jewish community, and how that affects membership in synagogues
• Identifying current and possible Shir Hadash activities, developing a process to analyze how the activities serve the core values of Shir Hadash, and determining the resources needed to make the activities happen,
• The Mission and the “Why” of Shir Hadash

The Board and other participants plan to continue meeting to help advance these goals, with the purposes of keeping Shir Hadash focused on its mission, maintaining a community that serves the needs of our members, and achieving our goals for continued growth and synagogue health.  Future progress will be reported in the Newsletter, and the group will also work to implement methods to seek further input from the membership as a whole.

Help Make Shir Hadash Beautiful! Design Committee Open Meeting, January 28

Want to help make our building more attractive and welcoming?  Have ideas for a Memorial Wall, Sanctuary enhancements, or other improvements?  Come to a meeting of the Design Committee on January 28 at 7:00pm and share your ideas.  Find a project that interests you and would help make our Shul as beautiful as the Community we all share. For more info or to let us now that you're coming, contact Glenn Graff at nflsunday1966@gmail.com.

MOSH Pinstripes Recap and Upcoming Events

Last Sunday, we had 12 people turn out for our first MOSH event of the year.  We played an hour of bocce ball and then ate some lunch.  Pinstripes was very accommodating (thank you, Carrie Matt!) and we were able to get a table right by the bocce ball courts.  Everyone had a lot of fun, and the food was as great as always.  The bocce ball was free for the hour and we simply ordered what we each wanted for lunch.  We all got great value for the price and enjoyed the Shir Hadash camaraderie and light competition.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming MOSH events:

• February 21, 3:00pm: Wolves Hockey Game at Allstate Arena.
• March 5: Poker night at Glenn Graff’s house.  Time TBD.

Questions? Contact Dan Wellisch at danwellisch@gmail.com.

Welcome to WISH!

And the winner is...W.I.S.H. (Women in Shir Hadash)! Here is a recap of our inaugural gathering on January 7.

What was so awesome about that night was the diversity in the room. Over 23 people attended that night, and more would have come except for last minute conflicts. Most age groups and life stages were represented. (We could still use a few more Millennials!)

Once we came up with our official name, we went to work creating our WISH List of activities, programs, and projects. The first Thursday of each month we will hold planning sessions at 7:30pm at Shir Hadash starting February 4. Social activities are definitely at the top of the list. The energy in the room was electric and the excitement is clear that this is a group that is going to produce fun! For information or questions, our official email is wish@shir-hadash.org.

Book Club, January 28

Our next meeting will be on January 28 at 7:30pm. We'll meet at the home of Rebecca Rice,  3641 Bernay Drive in Northbrook, 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 boy on his journey from the Ukraine to America in 1990, at the height of Soviet Anti-Semitism.

To RSVP, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com. If you're coming, please bring a nosh to share.

Shir Hadash Cookbook -- Recipe Deadline Extended to January 30

We are going to publish the first ever Shir Hadash cookbook in 2016, and we still need some more 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. We've extended our deadline to January 30. Visit our website  for details and submission forms.

Lil Rev is Coming to Shir Hadash! Save the Date for New Coffee House Night - Concert Series, February 20  

“A remarkable muscian, entertainer and teacher.” -- John Leefe, Mayor of Liverpool, Nova Scotia

On Saturday, February 20 at 7:30pm, Coffee House Night - Concert Series is delighted to announce our inaugural show: the fabulous, award-winning Jewish entertainer, Lil Rev, a talented multi-instrumentalist and storyteller. Lil Rev has put together a special variety show filled with stories and songs for us. Known for his ukulele and harmonica stylings, he’s equally adept at old time banjo, flat- pick guitar and blues mandolin. Click here for a video preview of Lil’s amazing performance style. As always, this event is offered for a free-will donation.

Please save February 20 for an incredible evening of musical entertainment and camaraderie. Click here to register. If you are interested in helping make this evening a success with baking or front of the house, please contact Margie at MargiePromoPro1@aol.com.

CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL

This Week's Service:  Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, January 22 at 7:30pm

This Friday night at 7:30, we have another very special service, celebrating Shabbat Shira!  Shabbat Shira is the Shabbat of the Song.  Why?  Because in this week's Torah portion, the people go across the Red Sea - and once they get across, they sing to God.  And then, Miriam leads the women in another song.  So on Shabbat Shira, we sing!  We will be led in our singing by our wonderful Lahaka choir, under the leadership of our High Holidays Music Director, Benjamin Rivera.  (And yes, they will perform their famous rendition of "Miriam's Song.")  So don't miss the celebration - and don't forget to bring something for the oneg!

THE RABBI’S CORNER

January 22-23, 2016 / 13 Shevat 5776

Shabbat Beshalach

Torah - Exodus 13:17-17:16 / Haftarah - Judges 4:4-5:31

“To Life”

Dear Friends,

To Life! That’s what Moses, Miriam, and the Children of Israel must have called out when they crossed the Sea of Reeds and spontaneously broke out in song.  They had just done the most difficult thing of their lives by rebelling against Pharaoh and running from Egypt.  The barrier of the sea could have broken their spirits.  Yet, they moved forward, determined to leave 430 years of slavery behind and seek out freedom in the Promised Land of Israel.

What a moment that must have been when they looked back towards Egypt and realized that they were not being followed.  What a moment that must have been when they understood that they were truly free.  What a moment that must have been when our ancestors danced and sang their celebration to life and all its new possibilities!

Since that day, we Jews have never stopped dancing and singing our celebration.  Every prayer and every blessing is an affirmation of our gratitude for the abundance given to us each and every day – in the worst of times and the best of times.  Every song, every story, every ritual, and every tradition takes us deeper and deeper into our appreciation for the honor of living a life of goodness and kindness here in this amazing universe.  Every meal, every drink, every moment shared with family, friends, coworkers – anyone – is an opportunity to affirm our joy of life.  That’s what it means to be a Jew and it all started at the shores of the Sea.

This Friday evening, we will celebrate Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of the Song.  It will be a celebration of singing and music led by our Lahaka choir.  Come join in the festivities and express your appreciation for life itself.  Oh, and join us for our oneg wine tasting, when we raise our cups, bless the fruit of the vine, and call out “L’chayim – To Life.”

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow.

To read past entries of Rabbi Eitan's blog, please visit our website.

EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Happy New Year Trees! January 24

On Sunday, we will have family programming celebrating Tu B’Shevat during normal Sunday school time.  Tu B'Shevat (meaning "15th of the month of Shevat") is a holiday that celebrates the transition from winter to spring in the Land of Israel (oh, if only we were so lucky).  We will be doing Tu B’Shevat seders, a practice that is connected to the mystical tradition but has become associated in recent years with ecology and environmental awareness. 

The seders will take place by grade units, staggered throughout the morning. The schedule is as follows:

• Kitah Aleph and Bet (K-2nd grade): 9:15-10:15 a.m.
• Kitah Gimmel, Dalet, and Heh (3rd-5th grade): 11:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
• Kitah Vav and Zion (6th-7th grade): 10:20-11:20 a.m.

So make sure you mark your calendars to come celebrate with song, food, and fun the holiday known as the “New Year for trees.”

Reminder of Upcoming Friday Evening Services

• Kitah Dalet (4th grade): Friday, March 4th Regular Service at 7:30 p.m.
• Kitah Heh (5th grade): Friday, April 1st Regular Service at 7:30 p.m.
• Kitah Vav (6th grade): Friday, May 6th Regular Service at 7:30 p.m.

Are You Ready to Rock?!

Does your kid love music?  Does he or she play an instrument? If so, then we have just what you need.  Introducing the Shir Hadash youth band: The Menschkins!  This group will meet every few weeks or so for a short jam/practice after Sunday school.  While the group will receive guidance from the various musicians in our Shir Hadash community, it will be predominantly student/peer led. Whether a student plays an instrument or just loves music, all are welcome to participate.  Stay tuned for details on the first gathering.  To those about to rock, we salute you!

Lunch & Learn with the Rabbis

All are welcome to join Rabbis Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and Scott Segal for a contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion.  We meet on Thursdays from noon to 1:00pm at Shir Hadash. Pack a lunch and come in!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Soup Kitchen Help Needed, February 21

The Social Action Committee needs your help.  On Sunday, February 21, 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 2:00 to 4:30 pm. We need a minimum of 25 volunteers; that's about 8-10 families. There is no age limit to volunteer, but from past experience, kids should be at least six years old to fully participate. 

Each family will be responsible for bringing an entrée that will feed 10 to 15 individuals, one gallon of milk, one large bag of frozen mixed vegetables, one large bag of fruit (oranges, bananas, etc.) and dessert. Please Note: If you sign up to participate in this event but need to cancel at the last minute, you will still be expected to provide food even if you cannot attend.

​If you are interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net before February 15. More information will be sent to all volunteers approximately one week before the February 21 event. 

Thank you in advance for your support! Please feel free to contact Mark should you have any questions.

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 2016

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:
Albertson's -- 1% Bonus Rebate, January 23 -- February 5
Home Depot -- 1% Bonus Rebate,January 23 -- 29
See's Candy -- 2% Bonus Rebate, January 23 to February 5
Shutterfly -- 2% Bonus Rebate, January 16 - 29
TGIFriday's -- 1% Bonus Rebate, January 23 to February 5

New ScripNow Retailer: Red Door Spa

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

• Zinbarg
• Schleicher
• G. Graff
• Herbin
• Farahmandpour
• Fargotstein
• Fields
• M. Graff
• Singer
• Estes-Goldman
• Idleman
• Soglin