WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
- Shofar Blowing Workshop, September 17
- Membership Renewal Forms Past Due -- Please Complete Now!
- Office Schedule Next Week
- Save the Date! Coffee House Night, October 21
- Videographers Wanted for High Holidays
- Office Volunteers Wanted
- Book Club
- Join the Shul Cloud Support Team
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, September 15, 7:30pm
- Shabbat Morning Bat Mitzvah Service, Saturday, September 16, 9:30am
- “Selichot – Prayers of Forgiveness” Saturday, September 16, 7:30pm
- Register Now for High Holiday Services
- Special High Holiday Memberships
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “From Generation to Generation”
School News
- Religious School, September 17
- Madrichim Needed and Wanted
- Mitzvah Project: Sports Equipment Donations Requested
Youth Activities
- SHY Kickoff Event: Bowling! October 22
Adult Education
- Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi, Thursdays
Social Action
- Holiday Food Baskets
Israel Awareness
- Join the SH Israel Committee
- Israel in the News: Suggested Reading
Ongoing Fundraisers
- Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
- Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
- Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
- SHOP Shir Hadash
MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Shofar Blowing Workshop, September 17
Get ready to make yourself heard at Rosh Hashanah! Learn how to blow a shofar or improve your technique with our master shofar-blowers. An assortment of shofars will be available for purchase for $36. Students will get shofar practice during Religious School; adults will have a workshop at 11:30am. Everyone welcome!
Membership Renewal Forms Past Due -- Please Complete Now!
Renew your membership for the coming year. Click here for detailed information. (If you prefer paper forms for your registration, contact our office at 847 498 8218.) If you need assistance, contact Julie Wellisch at admin@shir-hadash.org, or our Executive Director Geoff Prass at geoff@shir-hadash.org.
Office Schedule Next Week
Please note that the Shir Hadash office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, September 21-22, in observance of Rosh Hashanah.
Save the Date! “Coffee House Night– Open Mic Style” Returns October 21
Did you know that you don’t have to be a performer to enjoy Live Local Talent at our Coffee House Night events? Our Coffee House Nights are open to the community. Enjoy our cozy atmosphere, comfortable seating, hot beverages, goodies, and the amazing talent of our friends. Doors will open at 6:30pm, performances will run from 7:00pm to about 10:30pm.
- Got talent? Any talent is welcome -- Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Storytellers, Group Acts -- you name it. Talent will have about 10-12 minutes on stage. Start practicing now, and sign up for a slot through the Shir Hadash calendar.
- Want to be part of the Coffee House Night Team? Contact Margie at MargiePromoPro1@aol.com and put “Talent,” “Baker,” or “House” in the subject line.
Mark your calendar on October 21 for a night of fantastic entertainment !
Videographers Wanted
We are looking for volunteers to help record our high holiday services so that we can capture our uplifting and musical services and share them with more people. This might include Facebook Live if possible. We already have an excellent sound set up, we just need to add video and plug in the sound. We hope to have multiple volunteers so that the burden is not too heavy on any one person. If you have the skills to help us, please contact Glenn Graff at nflsunday1966@gmail.com or 847-420-2505.
Office Volunteers Needed
It’s the busiest time of year in the Shir Hadash office! Now through the High Holidays, Julie, our Office Administrator, needs help with answering phone calls, taking down information, filing, and various other office tasks. She welcomes volunteers during office hours everyday except Thursdays. For more info, contact Julie at admin@shir-hadash.org. Thanks for helping!
Book Club
The upcoming Book Club discussion will be on Daniel Silva's The English Assassin. This book is the first in a spy mystery trilogy revolving around the Nazis. The story involves an Israeli spy, Nazi art heists, and of course a murder. Our next meeting will be held in Deerfield in October. Exact date and details TBA. For more info, please contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com
Join the Shul Cloud Support Team
Want to help out, but hate going to meetings? Read on! We are looking for a few good people to help on the Shul Cloud team. If you have been looking for a way to get involved with helping the synagogue and have some knowledge in technology -- we want you! We are looking for people who:
- Enjoy teaching and coaching
- Have experience with computers other than word processing
- Have experience with web or graphic design
After initial training, there are no regular meetings. You get to help out the shul in a very needed way, and everything can be done from home! Everything thing we do is task based -- assuming we have a full team, we will be able to flex the work around different schedules and skill sets easily.
Interested? Please contact Geoff or Lise Schleicher at info@shir-hadash.org as soon as possible. We hope to get the team trained and running in August.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, September 15, 7:30pm
On our last Shabbat evening service before the High Holidays, we will use this time to do some "Holiday prep." We will study some of the ancient and contemporary texts that lay out the Days of Awe themes - repentance, introspection, growth, compassion, love, community, family, and spirituality. We will sound the shofar, enter our prayer, study the texts, and (of course) enjoy oneg refreshments. (So please bring something to share.)
Shabbat Morning Bat Mitzvah Service, Saturday, September 16, 9:30am
We welcome Georgia Varon to the bima as Bat Mitzvah.
“Selichot – Prayers of Forgiveness” Saturday, September 16, 7:30pm
Join us for an evening of reflection, study, and friends. Selichot is a brief Saturday evening service that prepares us for the work of the High Holidays. Its readings and melodies are meditative, reflective and stirring. Our study portion of the evening features a screening of the Academy Award nominated short documentary Joe’s Violin, an inspiring and touching film about the powerful effect of small acts of kindness and compassion. Bring a special treat to share in our dessert refreshment buffet.
Register Now for High Holiday Services
The High Holidays are fast approaching, beginning with Selichot on Saturday, September 16. Shir Hadash will be holding some services at Our Lady of the Brook Worship Center, at 3700 Dundee Road in Northbrook, with the remainder of the services at the synagogue. If you have yet to register for your tickets, please do so as soon as possible. For a complete schedule of services, information about children's programming, and registration, visit our website.
Guests Encouraged!
Shir Hadash welcomes participants in our High Holiday services who are not (yet!) full members. We consider these guests to be High Holiday Members, and encourage them to join in all our services from Selichot through Simchat Torah. We have two separate levels for returning guests and first-timers:
- High Holiday Members: For those who have come to our High Holiday services in the past, we offer a Holiday Membership for $250/person ($200 for seniors). They can register on our website.
- New High Holiday Members: Guests who have not been with us for previous High Holidays may be eligible for our special New High Holiday Membership rate of $54 per person. Invite your friends and family to take advantage of this opportunity by visiting our website.
If you are paying for your friends’ or family members’ Holiday Membership, you can do it at the same time when you register for yourself. Questions? Call the office at 847-498-8218.
Oneg Volunteers Needed for Services
Please sign up to help as an oneg volunteer for one of our upcoming services. It's easy: just click here to pick a date, bring a challah, and show up! You'll receive a reminder email the week before with more details. For more information, contact Sean Fisher-Rohde at oneg@shir-hadash.org.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
Shabbat Nitzaveem-Vayelech
Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9 - 31:30 Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9
“From Generation to Generation”
Dear Friends,
What is our responsibility to the younger and upcoming generations? As we approach the High Holidays, so much emphasis is placed on self-introspection and repentance. Yet, whenever services begin, I marvel at the young adults who are with us – some making their way through high school, others returning from college for a visit, and still others with mates and even babies! My, how they have grown and matured! We have raised a generation at Shir Hadash! What is their place at High Holidays?
This week’s Torah portion describes Moses passing on leadership to Joshua. After 40 years in to wilderness, in front of all the people, Moses places his hands upon Joshua and transfers the power of leadership, saying “Be strong and resolute… Fear not nor be dismayed.” We took over from our parents’ generation. And, in turn, we must train and prepare the next generation of leaders.
Torah commentator Pinchas Peli said, “A good leader must know his own mind; he must be able to stand up for his views; and he also must be capable of changing his mind, of freeing himself from preconceived ideas. He must not be the type who declares: ‘My mind is made up – don’t confuse me with the facts.’”
These High Holidays, work on yourselves and support our future leaders – from generation to generation.
Dawn joins me in sending you and your families our fondest wishes for a Shanah Tovah – a good year, a healthy year, a happy year, a prosperous year and a year of life!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
SCHOOL NEWS
Religious School, September 17
We’re off to a great start! We look forward to seeing all our students at 9:15am this Sunday. Want to learn more about the Religious School programs? Contact Geoff at 847-498-8218 or Geoff@shir-hadash.org.
Madrichim Needed and Wanted!
If you have an 8th through 12th grader who is looking for a way to earn some extra spending money, to add something great to his/her college application, or to earn some community service hours, being a madrich/a is a perfect fit for them! To apply and/or register, click here.
Mitzvah Project: Sports Equipment Donations Requested
For his mitzvah project, SH student Ryan Siegel is collecting new and gently used sports equipment for The Sports Shed, a Chicago organization that supplies equipment for thousands of young people in low-income neighborhoods of the city. Please support his project with donations in the collection barrel at Shir Hadash through October 1. To learn more about The Sports Shed and the types of items they need, click here.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
SHY Youth Group Kickoff: Bowling! October 22
This year, our SHY Youth Group will include a wider range of ages, but still keep the kids separated with their similarly-aged peers. Shir Hadash Youth (SHY) kindergarten and up are invited to bowl immediately after religious school ends on October 22, 12:45-2:15pm. Lunch and bowling will take place at Bowlero, which is just minutes from Shir Hadash. Teens and young children will be in separate areas. Parents are welcome to stay, either with your children or eating lunch at the restaurant located in a separate part of the bowling alley.
Contact Lisa Burton Radzely at sac@shir-hadash.org if you have any questions.
ADULT EDUCATION
Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Thursdays
The Rabbi’s weekly Lunch and Learn conversations have resumed. Bring your lunch and discuss the week’s Torah portion every Thursday at 1:00pm. All are welcome.
SOCIAL ACTION
High Holiday Food Baskets
Once again this year, Shir Hadash is joining with Maot Chitim of Greater Chicagoland to deliver High Holiday food boxes for Jewish families in need all over the Chicago area. Delivery of food packages will take place on Sunday, September 17, from 9:30 to 11:30am in the Buffalo Grove/Wheeling area. We will be delivering 105 food packages, which will be in large boxes weighing approximately 20 lbs. each. We deliver to several large complexes and use a rental truck to transport the boxes. Details on where to meet will be provided to delivery volunteers.
If you are interested in helping, please email Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net as soon as possible.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Join the Israel Committee
Reach out regarding this newsletter section to Ed Rice (e.rice1@comcast.net) or Burton Kopulsky (bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu) of the SH Israel Committee. They appreciate your feedback, ideas, and suggestions, and encourage other members to join the committee.
Israel in the News
Last Thursday morning, Israeli jets bombed a Syrian military base that was producing chemical weapons and guided surface-to-air missiles for the Syrian Government. Israel had repeatedly warned Syria that it would not tolerate Syria’s production of weapons that Syria’s ally, Hezbollah, might use against Israel. As a New York Times op-ed piece notes, the attack sent several strong messages. For further reading, see these articles from the New York Post and the Council on Foreign Relations.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
The Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove or 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.
Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
Having a Memorial Plaque for a loved one in Shir Hadash’s Memorial Wall ensures that Yahrzeit will be observed for them in perpetuity by our congregation.The cost for a plaque is $360. Many congregants prepay and reserve plaques.You may register for the plaque(s) through our website, or request a paper order form by calling the office (847-498-8218),
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 Back to School!
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. For more information, email Michelle at SHOP@shir-hadash.org. Thank you for supporting Shir Hadash with your SHOP purchases!
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
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