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Thursday, February 23, 2017

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- February 23, 2017

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


"Let's Make Our Building a Home"

Membership News and Upcoming Events
  • This Saturday! Trivia Night, February 25
  • Sunday Speaker Series Welcomes Rick Rosenfeld, February 26
  • Rock 'n Roll Purim for Adults, March 11
  • Book Club, March 21
  • Save the Date! Coffee House Night - Open Mic Style, April 22
  • New! Poster Brigade Help Needed
Creative Worship and Ritual
  • No Shabbat Services this Week
  • Oneg Leaders Needed
The Rabbi’s Corner
  • Link to Rabbi's Corner Archives
Youth Education Announcements
  • Religious School, February 26
  • School Advisory Committee (SAC), March 5
  • Pitch in for Purim!
Adult Education
  • Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes 
  • Monday Evening Adult Ed Classes
Social Action
  • Mac 'n Cheese Drive for Food Pantry, through March 12
Community Events
  • Dessert Reception for JUF Annual Campaign Fund, March 5
  • Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council -- Upcoming Events
Ongoing Fundraisers
  • Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGift, and More
SHOP Shir Hadash


MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  




Saturday! Trivia Night, February 25
Limited spaces still available!  Trivia Night is coming to Shir Hadash this Saturday, February 25. This multi-round general trivia night will be fun for everyone ages 14 and up. All proceeds will go to support the Religious School and the Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund and our religious school. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams. There will also be raffle prizes galore, pizza sales, and free babysitting! Click here for registration and further info.
Sunday Speaker Series Welcomes Rick Rosenfeld, February 26
Join us on Sunday, February 26 from 11:00am -12:30pm to hear from Rick Rosenfeld, Shir Hadash member and Executive Director of Hands of Peace. Hands of Peace is an interfaith organization that empowers young people to raise their voices as leaders of change. Rick will share the important work he and Hands of Peace are engaged in, as well as what we can do to promote peace, understanding, and dialogue within our own community. Through the power of dialogue, Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans partner to pursue peace, equality, freedom, and justice.  Bagels and coffee will be available.  No RSVP is necessary.

Rock and Roll Adult Purim, Saturday, March 11
Join us as the story of the Jewish festival of Purim is told through adapted lyrics of well-known rock and roll songs on Saturday evening, March 11. The event begins at 7:30pm and is open to the public.

The celebration of Purim is usually filled with laughter and joking. This event is rated PG-13, as the celebration of Purim can get quite bawdy and racy with innuendo and double-entendre.  It’s part of the spring-fever nature of the holiday, similar to Mardi Gras. More detailed info will be coming soon!


Book Club, March 21
Our next Book Club meeting will be Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30pm at the home of Cheryl Schultz, 1381 Sunnyside in Deerfield. We will be discussing the next book will The Seven Good Years, a memoir by Etgar Keret. This promises to be a uplifting, life-affirming, and humorous read. For more information or to RSVP, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.

Save the Date! Coffee House Night - Open Mic Style Returns April 22
Mark your calendars now for an exciting night of entertainment at Shir Hadash! Our next Coffee House Night - Open Mic Style will be April 22. Everyone is, as always, welcome to participate -- come share your talent, whatever it may be. More details will be forthcoming as the date approaches. If you have questions in the meantime, contact Margie at margiepromopro1@aol.com.

New! Poster Brigade Help Needed!
We are looking for a few volunteers to join the Shir Hadash Poster Brigade! Help us get the word out about our amazing community, upcoming events and more! You can help out on your own time, in your own neighborhood!

Help the synagogue post fliers and posters at restaurants, coffee shops and other key locations.  We even have a list of suggested locations all ready for you and it will only take you a few minutes from your day!  If you are interested, please contact our Executive Director, Geoff Prass at executivedirector@shir-hadash.org.


CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL

No Shabbat Services this Week
We hope you enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family.

Oneg Volunteers Needed
We need oneg leaders for this week and future services. What does it take to volunteer for an oneg and what dates do we need? It’s simple: visit www.shir-hadash.org and sign into the member’s area of ShulCloud (or just follow this link). Choose a date, bring a challah, and show up. You’ll get a reminder that week, and an email with all the details. Feel free to sign up for any that fit in your schedule. Thank you for participating!


THE RABBI’S CORNER


Rabbi Eitan is recovering from an illness this week. To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's Corner, please visit our website.


YOUTH EDUCATION 



Religious School, February 26
We will be happy to see all our students back in school this Sunday at 9:15am.

School Advisory Committee (SAC), March 5
All school parents are encouraged to attend the next SAC meeting on March 5. We will share ideas and provide feedback on the school, as well as learn ways we can help the Sunday school.  Come to the kitchen at 10:30.
Pitch in for Purim!
It’s almost time for Purim, and we are getting ever closer to the annual Shir Hadash Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 12! We have a number of easy ways that you can help us make it the best carnival ever:
  • There are a handful of items that we are asking people to donate – things that will help us decorate, create additional games, and provide the carnival atmosphere that we all love. Click here to see our wish list. No donation is too small (or too big!), so please help out any way you can.
  • We are also accepting donations of excess “swag” – leftover toys, games, bar/bat mitzvah goodies, party favors – items that could be prizes for our carnival games.
  • Lastly, we are collecting items for a silent auction. If you have a skill or item to donate, or know another individual/organization/business that might want to donate, please contact Rabbi Seeg or Lisa Burton Radzely (shirhadashsac@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

ADULT EDUCATION 



Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes 
Check out these engaging Adult Ed opportunities that meet during our Religious School hours. All are welcome.
  • Torah and Philosophy, 9:30-10:30am 
  • Learning the Shir Hadash Prayer Book, 10:30-11:30am -- We will be studying the Amidah, or Standing Prayer, including its meanings, origins, and significance in modern Jewish life.
  • Modern Hebrew, 11:30am-12:30pm

      SOCIAL ACTION

      Mac & Cheese Drive for Food Pantry
      When you come to Shir Hadash for a service, school, a program, or a meeting, bring boxes of mac & cheese to donate to a food pantry. Shake them as a grogger, or just drop them in the donation box.  We will collect through March 12.  The donation box is located in the lobby.



      COMMUNITY EVENTS


      Dessert Reception for JUF Annual Campaign Fund, March 5
      Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Emory University, will be the special guest speaker at the annual Dessert Reception supporting the JUF Annual Campaign Fund. The reception will be held at 7:00pm on March 5 at Congregation Or Shalom, 21 West Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. Shir Hadash is a proud sponsor of this event, partnering with Congregations Or Shalom, Beth Judea, Beth Am, and Temple Chai. $5 cover charge. Click here to register.
      Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council – Upcoming Events
      Did you know:
      Shir Hadash is a member of this interfaith organization which promotes community, understanding, and education. Together, we lead and/or sponsor some really great programs!  Information will be shared through the newsletter as well as on Shul Cloud.  Please contact Suzanne Wexler if you have any questions, at skwexler@yahoo.com.

      Plans are underway for one of Interfaith Council’s most important yearly events: the Fourth Annual Mission Trip for families to help rebuild the lives of those who have suffered extreme loss. Scheduled for July 30 – August 3, this year the trip will be to the St. Louis area to help rebuild homes destroyed in the Great Flash Flood of December 2015. Skilled and unskilled help is needed.  Come join our neighbors on this meaningful four-day journey of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Click here for details.

      More upcoming NSIC events:
      In May, we will have two clergy-led panels entitled “Know your Neighbor.”  Shir Hadash will host a panel on Judaism and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will discuss Christianity.  Dates TBA.

      Also, mark your calendar for the Annual “i-Walk” to feed the hungry on June 25.


      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 an Early Spring!
      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. Orders can be picked up in the Shir Hadash office or purchased during Sunday School.

      Thank you for supporting Shir Hadash with your SHOP purchases this week!


      To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
      Posted by at No comments:

      Thursday, February 16, 2017

      Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- February 16, 2017

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

      WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


      "Let's Make Our Building a Home"

      Membership News and Upcoming Events
      • Sign Up Now for Trivia Night, February 25
      • Book Club 
      • Follow Rabbi Eitan and 8th Graders on their Ta'am Yisrael Adventure
      • New! Rock 'n Roll Purim for Adults, March 11
      Creative Worship and Ritual
      • Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, February 17, 7:30pm
      • Oneg Leaders Needed
      The Rabbi’s Corner
      • Link to Rabbi's Corner Archives
      Youth Education Announcements
      • No Religious School on February 19
      • Kallah is this Weekend! February 17-19
      • Pitch in for Purim!
      Youth Activities
      • Kallah Retreat for Grades 6-12, February 17-19
      Adult Education
      • Sunday Speaker Series Welcomes Rick Rosenfeld, February 26
      • Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes 
      • Monday Evening Adult Ed Classes
      Social Action
      • Help Shir Hadash Feed the Needy, February 19
      Community Events
      • Denial Film Screening, February 19
      • Dessert Reception for JUF Annual Campaign Fund, March 5
      Ongoing Fundraisers
      • Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGift, and More
      SHOP Shir Hadash


      MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  




      Sign Up Now for Trivia Night, February 25
      Limited spaces still available!  Trivia Night is coming to Shir Hadash next Saturday, February 25. This multi-round general trivia night will be fun for high schoolers and beyond. All proceeds will go to support the Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund and our religious school. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams. There will also be raffle prizes galore, pizza sales, and free babysitting! Click here for registration and further info.


      Book Club
      The next book will The Seven Good Years, a memoir by Etgar Keret. This promises to be a uplifting, life-affirming, and humorous. The next Book Club will meet in March - details as to date and location TBA. For questions, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.

      Follow Rabbi Eitan and our Eighth Grade Students on their Ta'am Yisrael Adventure!
      Seven of our eighth grade students are participating in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Israel with Rabbi Eitan.  Get a sneak peak at all the fun they are having as it unfolds! Check out the links below:
      Rock and Roll Adult Purim, Saturday, March 11
      Join us as the story of the Jewish festival of Purim is told through adapted lyrics of well-known rock and roll songs on Saturday evening, March 11. The event begins at 7:30pm and is open to the public.

      The Purim holiday celebrates the rescue of the Jews of Persia from the plot of the evil Haman to exterminate them all. The celebration is usually filled with laughter and joking. This will be an adult-only evening as the celebration of Purim can get quite bawdy and racy with innuendo and double-entendre.  It’s part of the spring-fever nature of the holiday, similar to Mardi Gras.

      Shir Hadash member David Liebling wrote the parody words to the rock and roll songs and will perform them with Scarlett Andes, accompanied by back-up singers and Shir Hadash music director Marek Rachelski on piano. More detailed info will be coming soon!


      CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL

      Shabbat Evening Service -- Friday, February 17, 7:30pm: This Friday night, we celebrate a holiday, and we celebrate protecting the environment - both at the same time! We just had the holiday of Tu B'shvat - the New Year of the Trees.  It's the perfect time to talk about the environment, and there are basic principles of Judaism, drawn directly from the Torah and the Talmud, that teach us how important it is to preserve nature for future generations.  During the service, we will talk about those ideas, and we'll discuss what specific actions we can all take to act in a Jewish AND environmentally conscious way in our daily lives.  If you'd like to learn more, you may want to check out the web site for the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.  See you on Friday night - and don't forget to bring something for the oneg!

      Oneg Volunteers Needed
      We need oneg leaders for this week and future services.What does it take to volunteer for an oneg and what dates do we need? It’s simple: visit www.shir-hadash.org and sign into the member’s area of ShulCloud (or just follow this link). Choose a date, bring a challah, and show up. You’ll get a reminder that week, and an email with all the details. Feel free to sign up for any that fit in your schedule. Thank you for participating!


      THE RABBI’S CORNER


      Rabbi Eitan is currently traveling with the 8th Grade Ta'am Israel trip. To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's Corner, please visit our website.


      YOUTH EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS



      No Religious School on February 19
      School is off this week while many of our older students and Madrichim participate in Kallah (see below). We look forward to seeing our students and families return next Sunday.

       Kallah is this Weekend! February 17-19
      6th through 12 graders, get ready for a great Kallah retreat! We will leave by bus on Friday, February 17 around 4:00pm and return on Sunday, February 19 around 1:00pm.  The retreat takes place at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and includes Reconstructionist youth from Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. 

      This is a great chance to get to know other Shir Hadash students as well as peers from around the region.  All of the programming is created and implemented by a committee of student leaders including a number of our Shir Hadash madrichim. Click here for the registration form. 

      Pitch in for Purim!
      It’s almost time for Purim, and we are getting ever closer to the annual Shir Hadash Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 12! We have a number of easy ways that you can help us make it the best carnival ever:
      • There are a handful of items that we are asking people to donate – things that will help us decorate, create additional games, and provide the carnival atmosphere that we all love. Click here to see our wish list. No donation is too small (or too big!), so please help out any way you can.
      • We are also accepting donations of excess “swag” – leftover toys, games, bar/bat mitzvah goodies, party favors – items that could be prizes for our carnival games.
      • Lastly, we are collecting items for a silent auction. If you have a skill or item to donate, or know another individual/organization/business that might want to donate, please contact Rabbi Seeg or Lisa Burton Radzely (shirhadashsac@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

      YOUTH ACTIVITIES


      Kallah Retreat for Grades 6-12, February 17 to 19
      We're getting ready for Kallah, an outstanding chance to join with other Reconstructionist youth from around the Midwest! Scroll up to our "Youth Education" section for details, and contact Rabbi Seeg with any questions.

      ADULT EDUCATION 


      Sunday Speaker Series Welcomes Rick Rosenfeld, February 26
      Join us on Sunday, February 26 from 11:00am -12:30pm to hear from Rick Rosenfeld, Shir Hadash member and Executive Director of Hands of Peace. Hands of Peace is an interfaith organization that empowers young people to raise their voices as leaders of change. Rick will share the important work he and Hands of Peace are engaged in, as well as what we can do to promote peace, understanding, and dialogue within our own community.  .  Through the power of dialogue, Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans partner to pursue peace, equality, freedom, and justice.  Bagels and coffee will be available.  No RSVP is necessary.

      Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes 
      Check out these engaging Adult Ed opportunities that meet during our Religious School hours. All are welcome.
      • Torah and Philosophy, 9:30-10:30am 
      • Learning the Shir Hadash Prayer Book, 10:30-11:30am -- We will be studying the Amidah, or Standing Prayer, including its meanings, origins, and significance in modern Jewish life.
      • Modern Hebrew, 11:30am-12:30pm
      Monday Evening Adult Ed Discussion, February 20
      Our Monday “Soup and Study” series continues with a new class.  All sessions start with soup at 6:30pm and continue with the learning component at 7:00pm. Please RSVP to Rabbi Seeg (learning@shir-hadash.org) only if you will be coming for soup.  Otherwise, no RSVP necessary.
      • February 20: The Ethics of Euthanasia -- With the emergence of the “right to die” movement and the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in several states, the question of choosing death remains at the forefront of many ethical and political conversations.  This class will explore what Judaism says about these questions as well as refusing treatment and “pulling the plug.” 

          SOCIAL ACTION

          Help Shir Hadash Feed the Needy, February 19
          On Sunday, February 19, Shir Hadash will be serving over 90 meals for needy individuals in our community. In order to provide the food and support for this meaningful project, we are looking for five or six families (18-20 people total) who are able to prepare, cook, and serve at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church soup kitchen in Evanston.  This event will require volunteers to be available from 2:00 to 4:00pm on February 19. Each family will be responsible for bringing a precooked meat or pasta entrée, one large bag of frozen mixed vegetables, and a dessert to feed approximately 10-12 people. ​If you are interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net.

          COMMUNITY EVENTS

          Denial Film Screening, February 19
          Congregation Beth Judea will host a free screening of the 2016 film Denial, based on the book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier by Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt. (Click here to view a trailer for the film.) Dr. Lipstadt will be the guest speaker at the JUF Dessert Reception on March 5, described below. The film screening, free of charge and open to the public, will take place at Beth Judea, at the intersection of Hilltop and Route 83 in Long Grove. Please RSVP to lneiman@bethjudea.org.

          Dessert Reception for JUF Annual Campaign Fund, March 5
          Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Emory University, will be the special guest speaker at the annual Dessert Reception supporting the JUF Annual Campaign Fund. The reception will be held at 7:00pm on March 5 at Congregation Or Shalom, 21 West Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. Shir Hadash is a proud sponsor of this event, partnering with Congregations Or Shalom, Beth Judea, Beth Am, and Temple Chai. $5 cover charge. Click here to register.


          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 an Early Spring!
          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. Orders can be picked up in the Shir Hadash office or purchased during Sunday School.

          Thank you for supporting Shir Hadash with your SHOP purchases this week!


          To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
          Posted by at No comments:

          Thursday, February 9, 2017

          Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- February 9, 2017

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

          WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE


          "Let's Make Our Building a Home"

          Membership News and Upcoming Events
          • WISH Turkish Art Marble Painting, February 15
          • Sign Up Now for Trivia Night, February 25
          • New! Meal Train to Support the Wellisch Family
          • Book Club 
          Creative Worship and Ritual
          • Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, February 10, 7:30pm
          • Shabbat Morning Minyan Service, Saturday, February 11, 10:00am
          • Oneg Volunteers Needed
          The Rabbi’s Corner
          • "It's the Little Things"
          Youth Education Announcements
          • Religious School -- Special Tu B'Shevat Family Program, February 12
          • Kallah is Coming! February 17-19
          • New! Pitch in for Purim!
          Youth Activities
          • Kallah Retreat for Grades 6-12, February 17-19
          Adult Education
          • New! Sunday Speaker Series Welcomes Rick Rosenfeld, February 26
          • Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes 
          • Monday Evening Adult Ed Classes
          Social Action
          • Help Shir Hadash Feed the Needy, February 19
          Community Events
          • New! National Day of Jewish Action for Refugees, February 12
          • New1 Denial Film Screening, February 19
          • New! Dessert Reception for JUF Annual Campaign Fund, March 5
          Ongoing Fundraisers
          • Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGift, and More
          SHOP Shir Hadash


          MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS  




          WISH Turkish Art Marble Painting, February 15
          Come and join WISH (Women In Shir Hadash) on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00pm for a fun night of Ebru Turkish Art Marble Painting!  (Look it up on YouTube.)  We’ll meet at Shir Hadash. Bring a bottle of wine or your favorite decadent snack.  All we need is an idea of how many are coming so that we have enough supplies.  A $10 donation at the door is also appreciated to cover the cost of the supplies needed for our activity.  Email your RSVPs to juliewellisch@gmail.com or call/text 847-345-9073. Hope to see all you ladies there!

          Sign Up Now for Trivia Night, February 25
          Limited spaces still available!  Trivia Night is coming to Shir Hadash on Saturday, February 25. This multi-round general trivia night will be fun for high schoolers and beyond. All proceeds will be donated to the Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund and our religious school. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams. There will also be raffle prizes galore, pizza sales, and free babysitting! Click here for registration and further info.


           Meal Train to Support the Wellisch Family
          Julie Wellisch, one of our longtime members, recently started chemotherapy due to a recurrence of metastatic breast cancer of the bones. A meal train calendar has been set up to help the family with dinners, to give them more time to spend together and less time in the kitchen. You can sign up to help by clicking here. Please set up an account and pick a date when you can help with dinner. Julie, Dan, and Benji thank everyone for the support they are receiving.

          Book Club
          The next book will The Seven Good Years, a memoir by Etgar Keret. This promises to be a uplifting, life-affirming, and humorous. The next Book Club will meet in March - details as to date and location TBA. For questions, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.


          CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL

          Shabbat Evening Service -- Friday, February 10, 7:30pm: This Friday night, we celebrate Shabbat Shira – the Shabbat of the Song. In this week’s Torah portion, the people of Israel cross 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! Our singing will be led by our wonderful Lahaka choir under the direction of our Music Director Marek Rachelski. (Yes, they will perform their famous rendition of “Miriam’s Song.”) Don’t miss this celebration, and don’t forget to bring something for the oneg! We’re coming up to Tu B’shevat, the New Year of Trees, so fruit is especially welcome. See you Friday!

          Shabbat Morning Minyan Service -- Saturday, February 11, 10:00am: On Saturday morning, we will hold a small, information Shabbat service. Everyone is welcome to participate – we have English readings, Torah portions, and other roles to fill. Afterwards, we will enjoy a light Kiddush lunch together. Please let the Worship committee know that you are planning to come by emailing Fred at fandes@btlaw.com.

           Oneg Volunteers Needed
          We need oneg leaders for this week and future services.What does it take to volunteer for an oneg and what dates do we need? It’s simple: visit www.shir-hadash.org and sign into the member’s area of ShulCloud (or just follow this link). Choose a date, bring a challah, and show up. You’ll get a reminder that week, and an email with all the details. There are more dates than these, so feel free to sign up for any that fit in your schedule. Thank you for participating!


          THE RABBI’S CORNER


          February 10-11, 2017 / 15 Shevat 5777

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

          “It’s the Little Things”

          Dear Friends,

          This week we will read of the miraculous liberation of our people as they left Egyptian slavery and crossed the Sea of Reeds to freedom.  It was an amazing event.  Moses and Miriam’s song of celebration is recorded in an epic poem called the “Song of the Sea” which is read in synagogues around the world.  From this song come the words of the famous Mi Chamocha – Who is like you, Eternal One – section of the worship service. That event should have changed us forever.  But, memories are short. As soon as the celebrations finished, our ancestors continued with their complaining and whining about the water, the food, the conditions of desert life, and so much more. Apparently miracles, as spectacular as they are, simply don’t change lives. They are easily and quickly forgotten.

          According to Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, “To reform human character takes much more than “special effects,” no matter how divine their origin.  To transform human behavior requires instead constant and gradual education, reinforcement, discipline, and community.” And that is the beauty of our Jewish way of life.  Instead of waiting for the big events, we recognize that each custom, each ritual, each mitzvah, each celebration, each act of worship, and each moment of learning has the potential to move us closer and closer to becoming our best selves. It’s the little things that make the greatest difference.


          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 under the direction of Marek Rachelski.  Come join in the grand festivities and then remember to focus on the little things of Jewish tradition that make life so meaningful and transformative.

          Shabbat Shalom,
          Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

          To read past entries of the Rabbi's Corner, please visit our website.


          YOUTH EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS



          Religious School, February 12 -- Special Tu B'Shevat Family Activities, 10-11:30am
          On Sunday, February 12, we will have a departure from our usual schedule and classes. From 10:00-11:30 am, join us to celebrate Tu B’Shevat together with activities for the whole family.

          Tu B’Shevat is the New Year for Trees, an opportunity to look longingly toward spring, and a chance to consider Judaism’s view of our natural world.  Our program includes five different stations with each station’s program running approximately 20 minutes.  We will have art projects, food projects, planting projects, and more! There is no set rotation; families will be able to experience the different options in whatever order best suits your mood and interests.

          At 11:30, the Shir Hadash programming will finish for the day. Families are encouraged to head over to Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in Deerfield for the JNF (Jewish National Fund) Tu B’Shevat Community Celebration. Please contact Rabbi Seeg, learning@shir-hadash.org, for more information.

          Kallah is Coming! February 17-19
          Next month over President’s Day weekend, we will have our annual regional retreat for 6th-12th graders.  We will leave by bus on Friday, February 17 around 4:00pm and return on Sunday, February 19 around 1:00pm.  The retreat takes place at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (aka OSRUI) in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and includes Reconstructionist youth from Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. 

          This is a great chance to get to know other Shir Hadash students as well as peers from around the region.  All of the programming is created and implemented by a committee of student leaders including a number of our Shir Hadash madrichim. Click here for the registration form. 

          Pitch in for Purim!
          It’s almost time for Purim, and we are getting ever closer to the annual Shir Hadash Purim Carnival! We have a number of easy ways that you can help us make it the best carnival ever:
          • There are a handful of items that we are asking people to donate – things that will help us decorate, create additional games, and provide the carnival atmosphere that we all love. Click here to see our wish list. No donation is too small (or too big!), so please help out any way you can.
          • We are also accepting donations of excess “swag” – leftover toys, games, bar/bat mitzvah goodies, party favors – items that could be prizes for our carnival games.
          • Lastly, we are collecting items for a silent auction. If you have a skill or item to donate, or know another individual/organization/business that might want to donate, please contact Rabbi Seeg or Lisa Burton Radzely (shirhadashsac@gmail.com) as soon as possible.
          Thank you! Mark your calendar for a fantastic carnival on March 12!

          YOUTH ACTIVITIES


          Kallah Retreat for Grades 6-12, February 17 to 19
          We're getting ready for Kallah, an outstanding chance to join with other Reconstructionist youth from around the Midwest! Scroll up to our "Youth Education" section for details, and contact Rabbi Seeg with any questions.

          ADULT EDUCATION 


          Sunday Speaker Series Welcomes Rick Rosenfeld, February 26
          Join us on Sunday, February 26 from 11:00am -12:30pm to hear from Rick Rosenfeld, Shir Hadash member and Executive Director of Hands of Peace. Hands of Peace is an interfaith organization that empowers young people to raise their voices as leaders of change. Rick will share the important work he and Hands of Peace are engaged in, as well as what we can do to promote peace, understanding, and dialogue within our own community.  .  Through the power of dialogue, Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans partner to pursue peace, equality, freedom, and justice.  Bagels and coffee will be available.  No RSVP is necessary.

           Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes 
          Check out these engaging Adult Ed opportunities that meet during our Religious School hours. All are welcome.
          • Torah and Philosophy, 9:30-10:30am 
          • Learning the Shir Hadash Prayer Book, 10:30-11:30am -- We will be studying the Amidah, or Standing Prayer, including its meanings, origins, and significance in modern Jewish life.
          • Modern Hebrew, 11:30am-12:30pm
          Monday Evening Adult Ed Discussion, February 20
          Our Monday “Soup and Study” series continues with a new class.  All sessions start with soup at 6:30pm and continue with the learning component at 7:00pm. Please RSVP to Rabbi Seeg (learning@shir-hadash.org) only if you will be coming for soup.  Otherwise, no RSVP necessary.
          • February 20: The Ethics of Euthanasia -- With the emergence of the “right to die” movement and the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in several states, the question of choosing death remains at the forefront of many ethical and political conversations.  This class will explore what Judaism says about these questions as well as refusing treatment and “pulling the plug.” 

            SOCIAL ACTION

            Help Shir Hadash Feed the Needy, February 19
            On Sunday, February 19, Shir Hadash will be serving over 90 meals for needy individuals in our community. In order to provide the food and support for this meaningful project, we are looking for five or six families (18-20 people total) who are able to prepare, cook, and serve at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church soup kitchen in Evanston.  This event will require volunteers to be available from 2:00 to 4:00pm on February 19. Each family will be responsible for bringing a precooked meat or pasta entrée, one large bag of frozen mixed vegetables, and a dessert to feed approximately 10-12 people. 

            ​If you are interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net.

            COMMUNITY EVENTS

            National Day of Jewish Action for Refugees, February 12
            Opposed to the Immigration Ban? On Sunday, February 12, cities across the country will be holding Jewish Rallies for Refugees. There will be two action-oriented events happening in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Everyone is invited to join in community, lend your voice, and stand in support of refugees and immigrants:

            Congregation Beth Am, Lakeside Congregation and the Children of Abraham Coalition
            @ Congregation Beth Am, 1370 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove
            Start time: 12:15pm
            Speakers: Rabbi Lisa Bellows, Beth Am; Father Corey Brost, Founder of the Children of Abraham Coalition; Magda Brown, Holocaust Survivor; Congressman Brad Schneider, 10th District; Rabbi Ike Serrota, Lakeside Congregation.
            Click here to view the Beth Am Facebook Event.

            Congregation Solel, 1301 Clavey Road, Highland Park
            Start time: 1:00pm
            Speakers: Rabbi Evan Moffic, Solel; Jessica Schaffer, HIAS Chicago; Congressman Brad Schneider, 10th District

            These events are sponsored by HAIS in partnership with over 20 national co-sponsor organizations. Share the invitation, make signs, and be heard!

             Denial Film Screening, February 19
            Congregation Beth Judea will host a free screening of the 2016 film Denial, based on the book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier by Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt. (Click here to view a trailer for the film.) Dr. Lipstadt will be the guest speaker at the JUF Dessert Reception on March 5, described below. The film screening, free of charge and open to the public, will take place at Beth Judea, at the intersection of Hilltop and Route 83 in Long Grove. Please RSVP to lneiman@bethjudea.org.

            Dessert Reception for JUF Annual Campaign Fund, March 5
            Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Emory University, will be the special guest speaker at the annual Dessert Reception supporting the JUF Annual Campaign Fund. The reception will be held at 7:00pm on March 5 at Congregation Or Shalom, 21 West Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills. Shir Hadash is a proud sponsor of this event, partnering with Congregations Or Shalom, Beth Judea, Beth Am, and Temple Chai. $5 cover charge. Click here to register.


            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 your Valentine!
            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. Orders can be picked up in the Shir Hadash office or purchased during Sunday School.

            Thank you to the following families for supporting Shir Hadash with your SHOP purchases this week!
            • Fargotstein
            • Farahmandpour
            • G. Graff
            • M. Graff
            • Fields
            • Idelman
            • Andes
            • Sultan
            • Herbin
            • Wexler
            To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
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