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Thursday, April 28, 2016

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- April 28, 2016

For daily event updates, visit our calendar.
Like us on Facebook or Twitter.  

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


Membership News and Upcoming Events
  • Check Out Our New Sign!
  • Thank You for Your Donations
  • Special Synagogue Hours, April 29
  • New! MOSH and WISH Combined Cookout, May 7
  • Shir Hadash "Solarbration," May 15
  • Book Club, May 23
  • Visit the Shir Hadash Gift Shop
  • WISH Movie Night Postponed
Creative Worship and Ritual
  • This Week: 
    • Shabbat Evenng Service, April 29, 7:30pm
    • Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah, April 30, 9:30am
  • Next Week: Tot Shabbat and Shabbat Evening Service, May 6
The Rabbi’s Corner
  • "Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize"
Education Announcements
  • Sunday School, May 1 
  • Yom Ha'Shoah Service, May 1
  • New Date for 6th Grade Friday Night Service, June 3
  • New Curriculum for Next Year
Jewish Community News
  • Reconstructionism Today Newsletter
Donations

 Ongoing Fundraisers

SHOP Shir Hadash

MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  



Check Out Our New Sign!

Shir Hadash has installed our brand new, state-of-the-art LED sign.  The sign's ability to display multiple messages, images and pictures is very exciting.  The sign will be a great help in raising member awareness of Shir Hadash activities, raising our profile in the community and helping us reach our membership growth goals.  We are in the process of creating more content for the sign, so keep an eye out for new messages and pictures.

Thank You for Your Donations!
The Social Action Committee appreciates everyone who participated in our recent donation drive. All because of your generosity, 31 children living in two group homes will enjoy Passover foods and games, learn about the holiday, have fun new activities to do this spring, and enjoy the comfort of a new stuffed animal and the cathartic outlet of a writing journal. You have made a huge difference in these children's lives – thank you!

Special Synagogue Hours, April 29
Please note that Shir Hadash will be closed on Friday, April 29.

New! MOSH and WISH Combined Cookout, May 7
Men and Women of Shir Hadash and their families are invited to a pot-luck cookout at the home of Marc Fargotstein, 427 Lamont Terrace in Buffalo Grove, on May 7 from 5:00 to 9:00pm. Click here to RSVP and sign up for what you'd like to bring. All items should be Kosher Parve (no dairy). Questions? Contact Dan Wellisch, danwellisch@gmail.com.

Shir Hadash Solarbration, May 15
Please save the date for Shir Hadash’s Solarbration on Sunday, May 15 from 11:30am to 12:30pm.  We will be celebrating the installation of the massive 117 kW Solar Energy System on our roof and learning what it means for the environment and our budget. Local community leaders will join us and we will enjoy the exciting sounds of our Mighty Shir Hadash Klezmer Band.  Religious School students will join us around noon. Join us for some sun-themed refreshments following the program as we rejoice in our congregation's incredible accomplishment!

Book Club Next Selection; Meeting May 23
Our next selection will be The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a novel about two sisters in France choosing different paths during World War II. Our meeting will be May 23, at the home of Mickey Herbin, 4050 Dundee Road #103, in Northbrook. Questions? Contact Meryl at abenkras@aol.com.

Visit the Shir Hadash Gift Shop
Don't forget to stop by the Gift Shop, open during Sunday School.  There are great gifts for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, housewarming, and more. Come explore!
WISH Movie Night Postponed
Due to the very limited release of the film The Meddler, we unfortunately need to cancel our previously announced WISH Movie Night this Sunday, May 1. We plan to reschedule this event for later in the summer; please watch for future newsletter announcements.


CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL



Services this Week
  • Shabbat Evening Service Friday, April 29, 7:30pm -- This Friday night, as you may have noticed, is a Fifth Friday.  On those Shabbat evenings, we like to do something a little different.  So this Friday (at 7:30), we will have: Just Shabbat.  It will be a briefer service, about an hour, with one focus: celebrating our day of rest.  So after a long week, come and enjoy a peaceful, relaxing, joyful Shabbat evening with the Shir Hadash community.  Also - of course - don't forget to bring something for the oneg (Kosher for Passover, please).
  • Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah, April 30, 9:30am -- We welcome Alyssa Kahn to the bima as Bat Mitzvah. All are welcome to participate in the service.
Upcoming Services
  • Tot Shabbat Service, May 6, 6:00pm -- We'll enjoy a pasta dinner together followed by a Shabbat-themed puppet show starring Rabbi Eitan and Rabbi Seeg.
  • Shabbat Evening Service including 6th Graders, May 6, 7:30pm

THE RABBI’S CORNER



April 29-30, 2016 / 22 Nisan 5776
Shabbat Pesach Day 8
Torah – Deuteronomy 15:22-16:17 / Haftarah – Isaiah 10:32– 12:6

 “Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize”

As our Passover celebration comes to a close this Shabbat, it is a great opportunity to reaffirm Passover’s call to each one of us to continue the search for personal freedom.  Our tradition recognizes that this search is filled with unknowns.  While we must leave Egypt behind, we have no idea what awaits us on our way to the Promised Land.  Nevertheless, onward we must travel.  Thus, while we can never know what the final outcome will be, we are compelled to leave behind the “Egypts” that hold us and limit our potential.

I share a reading from our Kol Haneshama Shabbat and Festival Prayer Book attributed to the wisdom of the great Rabbi Nahman of Bratzlav:

“Rabbi Nahman of Bratzlav comments on the Torah verse about the Exodus, “and they made no provisions for the way.”  He said, “When you are about to leave Egypt – any Egypt – do not stop to think ‘But how will I earn a living out there?...’  One who stops to ‘make provisions for the way’ will never get out of Egypt.” A comment to be repeated annually for college seniors, midlife-crisis confronters, and all the rest of us.

Keep your eye on the prize!  Freedom!


Have a healthy and happy Passover.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's blog, please visit our website.


EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS



Sunday School, May 1
We're back! Looking forward to seeing all our school families at 9:00am on Sunday.

Yom Ha’Shoah Service

On Sunday, May 1, our 7th grade class will lead a service for the observance of Yom Ha’Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).  The service will take place in the sanctuary from 11:30 to 12:25; the community is welcome to attend.

New Date for 6th Grade Friday Night Service
Our Kitah Vav (6th grade) class Shabbat Evening Service has been changed from Friday, May 6 to Friday, June 3, still at 7:30pm.

New Curriculum for Next Year
There are some exciting changes coming to our Sunday school program for 2016-17. You can see a general overview, schedule, and course offerings on our website. The complete presentation from the March town hall meeting, with a fuller explanation, will be available online soon. 

TEEN NEWS


Upcoming Ra'am BBYO Events
We have loads of fun events planned for the next few weeks! Mark your calendars!

May 2: A super fun night of throwback games!
  • Where: Shir Hadash Synagogue 
  • When: 7:00pm - 8:30pm 
May 15: A movie night and chapter bonding!
  • Where: TBD
  • When: 6:00pm - 9:30pm  
May 30: Chapter board elections!
  • Where: Shir Hadash Synagogue (200 W. Dundee, Wheeling)
  • When: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
June 9-10: Chapter convention and sleepover!
  • Where: Shir Hadash Synagogue (200 W. Dundee, Wheeling)
  • When: 7:00pm (June 9) - 10:0 am (June 10)

JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS



 Reconstructionism Today Newsletter
You can enjoy the current edition from the RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities by clicking here.

DONATIONS


To the Solar Panel Campaign
  • Phyllis and Steve Varon
  • Lisa and Howard Radzely, in honor of their children Brendan and Devin


ONGOING FUNDRAISERS



Fundraiser Information Now Available on Shul Cloud
You can help Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you by taking advantage of a variety of ongoing
fundraisers, including iGive, Amazon Smile, and more. For complete details, click here.


SHOP SHIR HADASH


SHOP for Spring Break!
SHOP is 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. 

Click here for information about this week's special bonus offers!
Low Denomination Gift Cards
We have a limited number of special small denomination gift cards available, perfect for teacher gifts and grad parties! These cards will only be available while supplies last, so don't wait to place your orders. Click here to view all our low denomination cards and place your order before they're sold out!

Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP last week:
  • Schleicher
  • Zinbarg
  • Herbin
  • Sulpar
  • G. Graff
    To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
    Posted by at No comments:

    Thursday, April 21, 2016

    Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- April 21, 2016

    For daily event updates, visit our calendar.
    Like us on Facebook or Twitter.  

    WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


    Membership News and Upcoming Events
    • Community Seder, April 23
    • Make Passover and Springtime Nicer for Orphans
    • Special Synagogue Hours, April 22 and 29
    • Save the Date! Shir Hadash "Solarbration," May 15
    • Book Club, May 23
    • Visit the Shir Hadash Gift Shop for Passover
    • New! WISH Movie Night, May 1
    • MOSH Mini-Golf Recap
    Creative Worship and Ritual
    • No Shabbat Services Friday Night (Passsover)
    • Community Seder, April 23
    • Summary of Upcoming Services
    The Rabbi’s Corner
    • "The Bitterness of Oppression"
    Education Announcements
    • No Sunday School, April 24 -- Passover Projects 
    • Yom Ha'Shoah Service, May 1
    • Upcoming Service for Grade 6, May 6
    • New Curriculum for Next Year
    Jewish Community News
    • Reconstructionism Today Newsletter
    Ongoing Fundraisers

    SHOP Shir Hadash

    MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  



    Community Seder, April 23
    RSVP now for the Ninth Annual Shir Hadash Community Seder on April 23 at 6:00pm. Click here for complete details on the website. Please note: our registration deadline has been extended to April 22 at noon. Questions? Contact Melanie at fmandes@comcast.net.

     Special Synagogue Hours, April 22 and 29
    Please note that Shir Hadash will be closing early at 1:00pm on Friday in preparation for Passover. We will also be closed all day on Friday, April 29.

    Save the Date! Shir Hadash Solarbration, May 15
    Please save the date for Shir Hadash’s Solarbration on Sunday, May 15 from 11:30am to 12:30pm.  We will be celebrating the installation of the massive 117 kW Solar Energy System on our roof and learning what it means for the environment and our budget. Local community leaders will join us and we will enjoy the exciting sounds of our Mighty Shir Hadash Klezmer Band.  Religious School students will join us around noon and together, younger and older, we will rejoice in our congregation’s incredible accomplishment.  After all, our solar array is the largest of its kind on any religious building in the Midwest!  Join us for some sun-themed refreshments following the program.

    Book Club Next Selection; Meeting May 23
    Our next selection will be The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a novel about two sisters in France choosing different paths during World War II. Our meeting will be May 23, at the home of Mickey Herbin, 4050 Dundee Road #103, in Northbrook. Questions? Contact Meryl at abenkras@aol.com.

    Visit the Shir Hadash Gift Shop
    Don't forget to stop by the Gift Shop, open during Sunday School.  There are great hostess gifts for Passover as well as beautiful gifts for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, housewarming, and more. Come explore!

    New! WISH Movie Night, May 1
    The Women in Shir Hadash (WISH) had such a great time at My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 that we're making plans to see another chick flick together. This time, it's The Meddler, on Sunday, May 1, at the AMC Theatre at Northbrook Court. (Note: our outing to Paint & Pinot is being rescheduled to later in the year.)

    All the adult women of Shir Hadash are invited. Meet at Stir Crazy for dinner at 5:30 pm, followed by the movie at approximately 7:30. We will have an updated movie time closer to May 1; watch your Shir Hadash newsletter. Participants will be responsible for the cost of their own meals and tickets.

    Please RSVP to Andrea Idelman at Andrea0822@yahoo.com or Marilyn Idelman Soglin at soglinm@gmail.com by Friday, April 29, so we can let the restaurant know how many to expect.  Feel free to join us for the movie even if you can't join us for dinner; let us know that as well.
    MOSH Mini-Golf Recap
    Last Saturday, MOSH families honored the Sabbath by playing "Chai" holes of skill golf at Par-King. Everyone enjoyed the warm and sunny weather. Adults and kids broke up into separate groups.  After golf, we had a short and creative Havdalah service during which we sniffed the spice boxes to mark the end of Shabbat.We then had a nice dinner at Roti while raising some shekels for Shir Hadash. A nice day was had by all who attended.


    CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL



    Services this Week
    • No Shabbat Services this Friday, April 22: Enjoy celebrating Shabbat -- and Passover! -- with your family and friends.
    • Community Seder, April 23: Please see information above under "Membership News and "Upcoming Events"
    Upcoming Services
    • No Shabbat Evening Service Friday, April 29
    • Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah, April 30, 9:30am
    • Tot Shabbat Service, May 6, 6:00pm
    • Shabbat Evening Service including 6th Graders, May 6, 7:30pm

    THE RABBI’S CORNER



    April 22-23, 2016 / 15 Nisan 5776
    Shabbat Pesach
    Torah – Exodus 12:21-51 & Numbers 28:16-25 / Haftarah – Joshua 5:2-15

    “The Bitterness of Oppression”

    We think of Passover as a holiday of freedom and redemption, and rightly so. We gather for the Seder each year to celebrate the liberation of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt roughly 3,250 years ago. At the Seder, we ask the Four Questions, remember the Ten Plagues, drink four cups of wine, eat too much, and celebrate the birth of our nation. Yet, this description only tells part of the story. While the Seder is designed to remember our freedom, many aspects of the Seder experience remind us of the bitterness of slavery as well. We begin the Seder by highlighting the Matzah and declaring, “ha lachma anya — this is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in Egypt.” On Passover we eat the bread not of kings, but of slaves. We dip the Karpas greens in salt water to remind ourselves of the bitter tears of the Jewish slaves who suffered for so many years. Finally, we eat the maror, the bitter herbs, because “The Egyptians embittered our ancestors’ lives in Egypt, as it is said: ‘They made their lives bitter with hard service, with mortar and with bricks, and with all manner of service in the field; all their service which they made them serve with rigor.’” (Exodus 1:14) Passover is not just about the sweet thrill of freedom. We must also remember the bitterness then and make a connection to our lives today.

    The Jewish people are well acquainted with the pain of persecution, not only in biblical times, but also in our own day. Whether in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East, we have suffered under the yoke of oppression. Through that experience, Passover reminds us to feel the pain of others and not ignore their suffering.

    As we retell the Passover story, let us never forget the bitter taste of our own slavery nor become callous to those suffering today. At your Seders this year, take a few moments to identity all those in the world today who suffer under the yoke of slavery, oppression, and persecution.  Think of those who are hungry, poor, cold, homeless, frightened, lonely, and forgotten.  Think of those who have no voice, no rights, no power, and no identity.  Then, offer ideas of what we can do to make a difference in their lives and how we can help others on their journey to freedom.  May our Passover celebration inspire us to share our liberation with all in need.


    Have a healthy and happy Passover.

    Shabbat shalom,
    Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

    To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's blog, please visit our website.


    EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS



    No Sunday School, April 24 -- Passover Mini-Projects
    Following a poll of our Religious School families, we have decided not to hold Sunday School classes this week due to Passover. Instead of classes, we are asking students to document their families' Passover observance in a way that is fun and meaningful. For ideas from Rabbi Seeg, click here. These Passover Mini-Projects should be sent to mypassoverexperience@gmail.com by Wednesday, April 27 -- Rabbi Seeg will be using them to create a montage of our community's family traditions. Questions? Contact him at learning@shir-hadash.org.

    Yom Ha’Shoah Service

    On Sunday, May 1, our 7th grade class will lead our school and community in a service for the observance of Yom Ha’Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).  Timing and other details coming soon

    Reminder of Upcoming Friday Evening Services
    • Kitah Vav (6th grade): Friday, May 6 -- Regular Service at 7:30pm.
    New Curriculum for Next Year
    There are some exciting changes coming to our Sunday school program for 2016-17. You can see a general overview, schedule, and course offerings on our website. The complete presentation from the March town hall meeting, with a fuller explanation, will be available online soon. 

    TEEN NEWS


    Mazel Tov to our New GMR President!
    We are excited to announce that Ra'am's own Natalie McCulloh was elected N'siyah (President) of the Great Midwest Region of BBYO last weekend at the GMR spring convention. Kol Hakavod, Natalie - we know you will do amazing things for our region.

    Ra'am Retro Game Night, April 25
    Come play some goofy games with your friends! We'll be meeting from 7:30 to 8:30pm on April 25 at Shir Hadash.


    JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS


    Reconstructionism Today Newsletter
    You can enjoy the current edition from the RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities by clicking here.

    DONATIONS


    To the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
    • Chana Sulpar, for the honor to be part of Rabbi Eitan's congregation and to recognize him for all he does.


    ONGOING FUNDRAISERS



    Fundraiser Information Now Available on Shul Cloud
    You can help Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you by taking advantage of a variety of ongoing
    fundraisers, including iGive, Amazon Smile, and more. For complete details, click here.


    SHOP SHIR HADASH


    SHOP for Spring Break!
    SHOP is 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. 

    Click here for information about this week's special bonus offers!
    Low Denomination Gift Cards
    We have a limited number of special small denomination gift cards available, perfect for teacher gifts and grad parties! These cards will only be available while supplies last, so don't wait to place your orders. Click here to view all our low denomination cards and place your order before they're sold out!

    Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP last week:
    • Schleicher
    • Zinbarg
    • Herbin
    • Sulpar
    • Singer
    • Stein
    • Sultan
    • Gagerman
    • Estes-Goldman
    • Roiter
    • Friedmn
      To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
      Posted by at No comments:

      Thursday, April 14, 2016

      Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- April 14, 2016

      For daily event updates, visit our calendar.
      Like us on Facebook or Twitter.  

      WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


      Membership News and Upcoming Events
      • MOSH Mini-Golf and Dinner Fundraiser, April 16
      • Community Seder, April 23
      • Make Passover and Springtime Nicer for Orphans
      • Book Club, May 23
      • WISH Movie Night Recap
      • Visit the Shir Hadash Gift Shop for Passover
      Creative Worship and Ritual
      • Services This Week 
        • Friday, April 15: Pausing in the Wilderness, 7:30pm
      The Rabbi’s Corner
      • "The Seder: A Meal of Community and Partnership"
      Education Announcements
      • Sunday School, April 17
      • Religious School Open House, April 17
      • New! Family Passover Program April 17
      • Youth Group Event at Color Me Mine, April 17
      • Upcoming Service for Grade 6, May 6
      Donations

      Jewish Community News
      • JUF Dessert, April 17
      Ongoing Fundraisers

      SHOP Shir Hadash

      MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  




      MOSH Mini-Golf and Fundraising Dinner at Roti, April 16
      Spring is here -- we hope! Weather permitting, MOSH will be meeting for a fun round of mini-golf at Par-King, 21711 N. Milwaukee Road in Lincolnshire. We'll meet at 4:15pm and enjoy a round of challenging mini-golf. Families are welcome, and we get a discount if we have a group of 20 or more. (Par-King is cash only, and you must be at least 48" tall to play.) Afterwards we will have a brief, informal Shabbat observance and then move on to dinner at Roti, 1240 E. Route 45 in Vernon Hills, which is hosting a Shir Hadash fundraiser that night! Click here for complete details.

      Roti Fundraiser, April 16
      Whether or not you can join us for MOSH Mini-Golf (above), you can enjoy a delicious meal at Roti Mediterranean Grill and give SH a helping hand! Print out the fundraiser flyer -- it's good all day on April 16 at the Vernon Hills Roti restaurant.

      Community Seder, April 23
      RSVP now for the Ninth Annual Shir Hadash Community Seder on April 23 at 6:00pm. Click here for complete details on the website. Please note: our registration deadline has been extended to April 22 at noon. Questions? Contact Melanie at fmandes@comcast.net.

      Make Passover and Spring Nicer For Orphans
      Last Call -- Please Help!
      The Social Action Committee is running a donation drive to help orphans living in group homes. If everyone donates one or more items to help these children enjoy Passover and have some fun this spring, imagine the impact on the lives of kids who have so little!

      We will collect Passover foods, outdoor and water toys, AMC movie gift cards, and therapeutic items like small stuffed animals, writing journals, coloring books, and colored pencils. Click here for more info and ideas.  Please no liquids, items with strings, or anything resembling a weapon.  We will collect donations through April 20.  Contact Lisa Burton Radzely with any questions at lisashsa@gmail.com.

      Book Club Next Selection, Meeting May 23
      Our next selection will be The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a novel about two sisters in France choosing different paths during World War II. Our meeting will be May 23, at the home of Mickey Herbin, 4050 Dundee Road #103, in Northbrook. Questions? Contact Meryl at abenkras@aol.com.

      Visit the Shir Hadash Gift Shop for Passover
      Don't forget to stop by the Gift Shop, open during Sunday School.  There are great hostess gifts for Passover as well as beautiful gifts for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, housewarming, and more. Come explore!
      WISH Movie Night Recap
      The WISH had a great time at My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 last Sunday. Thank you Andrea and Marilyn for organizing this event! We’re looking forward to our next flick -- The Meddler. (Watch for details to follow later.)  



      CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL



      Services This Week: Friday, April 15
      • Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30pm: "Pausing in the Wilderness" -- Always a high point of the year, it’s time for our annual “Pausing in the Wilderness” service. Prepare for the coming Passover festival through a dynamic Shabbat service of dance, song, prayer, and - for the first time ever - a story slam! Along with the singing of the Lahaka choir and the choreography of our dancers, we will hear stories from our new group of Shir Hadash Magid Storytellers, sharing memories of their favorite Passover Seders.  Join in the always-evolving and moving experience that is “Pausing in the Wilderness” at Shir Hadash!


      THE RABBI’S CORNER




      April 15-16, 2016 / 8 Nisan 5776
      Shabbat Metzora/Hagadol
      Torah: Leviticus 14:1 - 15:33
      Haftarah: Malachi 3:4 - 3:24 | Shabbat HaGadol

      “The Seder: A Meal of Community and Partnership”

      Dear Friends,

      Next Friday evening, Jews around the world will celebrate the evening of Passover by gathering around the Seder table, reading the Haggadah, and sharing a festive meal. Yet, our Sages teach us that while representing an evening of family and feasting, the Seder must also be an evening of community—exactly like the very first Seder celebrated by the Children of Israel in Egypt thousands of years ago.

      From its very conception, the Paschal Lamb has represented the idea of gathering together to celebrate community, for Moses commanded the people to join together in small groups to share the sacrifice. “And if the household be too little for a whole lamb, then shall he and his neighbor next unto his house take one according to the number of the souls.” (Exodus 12:4) This explains why we begin the Seder by declaring, “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” On Passover, we discover the beauty, power and majesty of shared community. This power began on Shabbat Hagadol—the day that the ancient Israelites “set aside” their lamb for sacrifice. On that day, they were obligated to connect with other families to become a larger group that would share the Seder meal together. On that day, they began the process of transformation from a band of individual slaves into a community of unity, sharing and mutual care.


      This notion of sharing and community encourages us to ensure that we transform our Seder into an opportunity for community. Have we reached out to the singles in our community to ensure that they have a place for Seder? Have we ensured that those who may have been overlooked or missed receive an invitation to share in the power of community this Pesach night? It is not too late to ensure now that “everyone who wishes may come and partake.”

      Shabbat shalom,
      Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

      To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's blog, please visit our website.


      EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS



      Sunday School, April 17
      We're looking forward to seeing our Religious School families at 9:00am.

      Religious School Open House, April 17
      Do you know someone looking for a great religious school, synagogue, and community? If so, we have something to share. On Sunday, April 17, Shir Hadash will host a school open house from 11:00am to noon. Parents and families will have the opportunity to see our school in action and hear about the progressive new structure and style that has been developed for next year. It is a great way for prospective families meet the rabbis and our teachers, and ee what makes Shir Hadash great! Click here for a shareable flyer, and here for details and registration. Contact Rabbi Seeg at learning@shir-hadash.org with any questions.

      New! Family Passover Program, April 17
      Passover is just around the corner – spice up your Seder! This Sunday, we will have a family Passover program that will not only cover some of the basics, but also introduce customs from a range of Jewish communities and ideas for discussions, games, and projects that will spice up your seder.  The Seders will be the Judaica program for that day, with Hebrew and chugim running for their usual time allotment. The times for the seders are:
      • K-2: 9:15 -10:10am
      • 3rd-5th: 11:30am -12:25pm
      • 6th-7th: 10:25 - 11:20am
      We need your help to make these Seders successful. We are looking for people to volunteer to help with set-up and clean-up, and to bring various food items. Please click here to sign up. 

      Youth Group Event at Color-Me-Mine, April 17
      On April 17 from 3:00-4:30pm, we will have an expanded youth group excursion at Color-Me-Mine in Glenview. The event is open to 2nd-7th graders, and is a great opportunity to make a lovely, personalized Mother’s Day present or simply create something awesome. The cost for this event is $20 for Shir Hadash members or $25 for non-members; this will enable your son or daughter to pick and design one piece that will be ready to take home the following Sunday (April 24). Space is limited, so RSVPs will be taken at learning@shir-hadash.org on a first-come, first-served basis.

      Reminder of Upcoming Friday Evening Services
      • Kitah Vav (6th grade): Friday, May 6 -- Regular Service at 7:30pm.

      DONATIONS


      To the General Fund
      • The Graupe Family, in honor of and congratulations to Alex Schleicher on the occasion of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

      JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS


      JUF Dessert Reception, April 17
      Shir Hadash is proud to join with Temple Chai and Congregations Beth Am, Beth Judea, and Or Shalom to present the 2016 Dessert Reception, a benefit for the Jewish United Fund's Annual Campaign. The event will feature a presentation by Dr. Steven Nasatir, President of  JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Join committee members Richard and Rachel Schick Siegel at Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove, beginning at 7:00pm on April 17. For more information and registration, click here.

      “What’s Jewish About Parkinson’s?” Expert Panel Discussion, April 17
      Working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Center for Jewish Genetics will host an expert panel on the Jewish Genetic Link to Parkinson's Disease, updates to research and knowledge about the disease, and important information for family members of individuals affected with this disease. This engaging and informative event will be held Sunday, April 17 at 10:00am at Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters Avenue in Northbrook. For more information and registration, click here to visit the event website.


      ONGOING FUNDRAISERS



      Fundraiser Information Now Available on Shul Cloud
      You can help Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you by taking advantage of a variety of ongoing
      fundraisers, including iGive, Amazon Smile, and more. For complete details, click here.


      SHOP SHIR HADASH


      SHOP for Spring Break!
      SHOP is 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. 

      Click here for information about this week's special bonus offers!
      Low Denomination Gift Cards
      We have a limited number of special small denomination gift cards available, perfect for teacher gifts and grad parties! These cards will only be available while supplies last, so don't wait to place your orders. Click here to view all our low denomination cards and place your order before they're sold out!

      Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP last week:
      • Schleicher
      • Zinbarg
      • Herbin
      • Sulpar
      • Singer
      • Kharasch
      • Estes-Goldman
      • Rice
      • Lewin
      • G. Graff
        To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
        Posted by at No comments:

        Thursday, April 7, 2016

        Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- April 7, 2016

        For daily event updates, visit our calendar.
        Like us on Facebook or Twitter.  

        WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


        Membership News and Upcoming Events
        • New! Live from NY's 92nd Street Y, April 10
        • New Times! WISH Girls Night Out, April 10
        • New Date! MOSH Mini-Golf and Dinner Fundraiser, April 16
        • Community Seder, April 23
        • Make Passover and Springtime Nicer for Orphans
        • Book Club -- Recap and New Selection
        • Mitzvah Project Donation Request
        Creative Worship and Ritual
        • Services This Week: 
          • Shabbat Evening Service with Guest Speakers -- Friday, April 8, 7:30pm
          • Shabbat Morning Service with Bat Mitzvah -- Saturday, April 9, 9:30am
        The Rabbi’s Corner
        • "All Are Welcome"
        Education Announcements
        • Sunday School, April 10
        • New! Religious School Open House, April 17
        • Youth Group Event at Color Me Mine, April 17
        • Upcoming Service for Grade 6, May 6
        Teen News
        • Register Now for GMR Spring Convention
        Donations

        Jewish Community News
        • JUF Dessert, April 17
        • Reconstructionism Today Newsletter
        Ongoing Fundraisers

        SHOP Shir Hadash

        MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  
        New! Live from NY's 92nd Street Y, Aprill 10
        We are excited to announce our next presentation in the Live from NY's 92nd Street Y series. This live, interactive webcast gives audience members the opportunity to submit questions for outstanding speakers. This Sunday at 3:45pm, Professor Ralph Buultjens brings his insight to a discussion of Israel and its neighbors. For more information and registration, click here.

        WISH Girls Night Out, April 10
        Please note updated schedule.
        Opa! It's time for a Girls Night Out! Please join Women In Shir Hadash (WISH) for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 at the AMC Theater in Northbrook Court on Sunday, April 10. All the adult women of Shir Hadash are invited. The evening begins at 5:45pm with dinner at Stir Crazym followed by the movie at 7:20. Participants will be responsible for the cost of their own meals and tickets.

        Please RSVP to Andrea Idelman at Andrea0822@yahoo.com or Marilyn Idelman Soglin at soglinm@gmail.com by tomorrow, Friday, April 8, so we can let the restaurant know how many to expect.  Feel free to join us for the movie even if you can't join us for dinner; let us know that as well. WISH you will join us!

        New Date! MOSH Mini-Golf and Fundraising Dinner at Roti, April 16
        Spring is here -- we hope! Weather permitting, MOSH will be meeting for a fun round of mini-golf at Par-King, 21711 N. Milwaukee Road in Lincolnshire. (The park should be open if the weather is dry and over 50 degrees.) Families are welcome, and we get a discount if we have a group of 20 or more. Afterwards we plan to have dinner at Roti, 1240 E. Route 45 in Vernon Hills, which is hosting a Shir Hadash fundraiser that night! Click here for complete details.

        Community Seder, April 23
        RSVP now for the Ninth Annual Shir Hadash Community Seder on April 23 at 6:00pm. Click here for complete details on the website. Please note: our registration deadline is Wednesday, April 13 at noon. Questions? Contact Melanie at fmandes@comcast.net.

        Make Passover and Spring Nicer For Orphans
        The Social Action Committee is launching a donation drive to help orphans living in group homes. If everyone donates one or more items to help these children enjoy Passover and have some fun this spring, imagine the impact on the lives of kids who have so little!  We will collect Passover foods, outdoor and water toys, AMC movie gift cards, and therapeutic items like small stuffed animals, writing journals, coloring books, and colored pencils. Click here for more info and ideas.  Please no liquids, items with strings, or anything resembling a weapon.  We will collect donations through April 20.  Contact Lisa Burton Radzely with any questions at lisashsa@gmail.com.

        Book Club: Recap and Next Selection
        Twelve readers gathered in March to discuss The Marriage of Opposites, the story of a little-known historical figure: Rachel Pissarro, the mother of the painter Camille Pissarro. The psychological overlay and beautiful descriptions of tropical sensations and colors were discussed. We thank Melanie Andes for her gracious hospitality.

        Our next selection will be The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a novel about two sisters in France choosing different paths during World War II. Our meeting will be May 23, at the home of Mickey Herbin, 4050 Dundee Road #103, in Northbrook. Questions? Contact Meryl at abenkras@aol.com.

        Bar Mitzvah Project Donation Request
        Mikey Grills, one of our students, is  performing a mitzvah project to help the family of a young relative who is battling serious illness. He is collecting used DVDs, Blu-Rays, video games, and CDs for re-sale, with proceeds going to help the family. Please support his efforts by leaving items in the labeled box near the coatroom. Thank you!


        CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL



        Services This Week: Friday, April 8
        • Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30pm: We welcome Gunther Rice as our Second Friday Speaker Series this week. Gunther’s presentation, Miracles and Reflections, tells the story of his traumatic expulsion from Germany in 1938 at the age of 14. Deported to a “no-man’s-land” bordering Poland, Gunther was separated from his parents and sisters several ties. He was miraculously reunited with them until they said their last good-bye, when the Kindertransport brought him to England just three days before the start of WWII. He presents his reflections on the impact of his experiences on his Jewish identity. Please join us for this meaningful and moving service.
        • Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah, 9:30am: We will call Sophia Levitt to the bima as Bat Mitzvah. All are welcome to participate in the service.


        THE RABBI’S CORNER



        April 8-9, 2016 / 1 Nisan 5776 
        Shabbat Tazria/Shabat HaChodesh
        Torah: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59
        7th aliyah: Numbers 28:9 - 28:15 | Shabbat HaChodesh (on Rosh Chodesh)
        Maftir: Exodus 12:1 - 12:20 | Shabbat HaChodesh (on Rosh Chodesh)
        Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16 - 46:18 | Shabbat HaChodesh (on Rosh Chodesh)

        “All Are Welcome”

        Dear Friends,

        Quarantine was the judgment for those whom this week’s Biblical text deemed impure and not fit to be within the community.  This applied to women who had just given birth.  It applied to those with extreme cases of leprosy – or skin rashes.  While this made sense to the ancient mind, it certainly does not apply to us in modern times. Exclusion was also the case for those with physical disabilities.  Up until only recently, stairs, narrow doorways and other impediments kept out many of our community.  But in modern times, especially at Shir Hadash, gladly this too has changed.

        Our amazing synagogue facility is fully wheelchair and handicapped accessible.  Instead of stairs, we have ramps.  Our halls and doorways are wide and washrooms are free from obstruction.  Our new sound and video system helps us all hear and see well. Even our ark is fully accessible to all.

        This makes sense in the context of this being a special week in the Jewish year.  You see, in addition to reading the Torah portion Tazriah along with its concerns for illness and quarantine, it is also Shabbat HaChodesh when we welcome the new month of Nisan.  Nisan is the month of Passover, the celebration of our liberation.  And here’s the point.  When our ancestors left Egypt, everyone of the community left – young and old, men and women, rich and poor, disabled and abled.  All left together in a movement of full inclusion and equality. All left together!  And that’s the way our community has been ever since.  We help each other and we assist each other.

        As we make our way towards our Passover celebration in only two weeks, let us leave quarantine and exclusion behind.  Instead, consider all those who need assistance and reach out to them so that they are not left out.  Seek ways to assure to that all are welcome!  Zeye a mentsch – Be a good person!

        Shabbat shalom,
        Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

        To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's blog, please visit our website.


        EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS



        Sunday School, April 10
        Hope you all had a relaxing Spring Break! We're looking forward to seeing our Religious School families at 9:00am.

        New! Religious School Open House, April 17
        Do you know someone looking for a great religious school, synagogue, and community? If so, we have something to share. On Sunday, April 17, Shir Hadash will host a school open house beginning at 11:00am. Parents and families will have the opportunity to see our school in action and hear about the progressive new structure and style that has been developed for next year. It is a great way for prospective families to learn about our program, meet Rabbi Eitan, Rabbi Seeg, and our teachers. See what makes Shir Hadash such a great place for learning, community, and fun! Contact Rabbi Seeg at learning@shir-hadash.org with any questions.

        Youth Group Event at Color-Me-Mine, April 17
        On April 17 from 3:00-4:30pm, we will have an expanded youth group excursion at Color-Me-Mine in Glenview. The event is open to 2nd-7th graders, and is a great opportunity to make a lovely, personalized Mother’s Day present or simply create something awesome. Space is limited, so RSVPs will be taken at learning@shir-hadash.org on a first-come, first-served basis.  The cost for this event is $20 for Shir Hadash members or $25 for non-members; this will enable your son or daughter to pick and design one piece that will be ready to take home the following Sunday (April 24).

        Reminder of Upcoming Friday Evening Services
        • Kitah Vav (6th grade): Friday, May 6 -- Regular Service at 7:30pm


        TEEN NEWS



        Register Now for GMR Spring Convention
        The BBYO Great Midwest Region Spring Convention will be April 15-17 at the Renaissance Hotel in Northbrook. Open to all BBYO members in grades 8-12. Registration closes this week!  Click here for complete details.

        New! Good Deeds Day, April 10
        This Sunday, April 10, is JUF's Good Deeds Day with community service sites available throughout Chicagoland. Click here to learn more about this great opportunity.

        DONATIONS


        To the General Fund
        • Carol & Arthur Friedman, in memory of Muriel Blitstein's sister, Phyllis.

        JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS


        JUF Dessert Reception, April 17
        Shir Hadash is proud to join with Temple Chai and Congregations Beth Am, Beth Judea, and Or Shalom to present the 2016 Dessert Reception, a benefit for the Jewish United Fund's Annual Campaign. The event will feature a presentation by Dr. Steven Nasatir, President of  JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. Join committee members Richard and Rachel Schick Siegel at Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove, beginning at 7:00pm on April 17. For more information and registration, click here.

        New! “What’s Jewish About Parkinson’s?” Panel Discussion, April 17
        Working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Center for Jewish Genetics will host an expert panel discussion on the Jewish Genetic Link to Parkinson's Disease, updates to research and knowledge about the disease, and important information for family members of individuals affected with this disease. This engaging and informative event will be held Sunday, April 17 at 10:00am at Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters Avenue in Northbrook. For more information and registration, click here to visit the event website.


        ONGOING FUNDRAISERS



        Fundraiser Information Now Available on Shul Cloud
        You can help Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you by taking advantage of a variety of ongoing
        fundraisers, including iGive, Amazon Smile, and more. For complete details, click here.


        SHOP SHIR HADASH


        SHOP for Spring Break!
        SHOP is 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. 

        Click here for information about this week's special bonus offers!
        Low Denomination Gift Cards
        Starting April 9, we will have a limited number of special small denomination gift cards available, perfect for teacher gifts and grad parties! These cards will only be available while supplies last, so don't wait to place your orders. Click here to view all our low denomination cards and place your order before they're sold out!

         Thanks to the following families for participating in SHOP last week:
        • Schleicher
        • Zinbarg
        • Herbin
        • Sulpar
        • Singer
          To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
          Posted by at No comments:
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