WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
Tonight! JCC Maccabi Youth Games Info Meeting at SH, December 14
Tonight! Book Club, December 14
Community Dinner-and-a-Movie Night, December 24
Save the Date! Trivia Night, January 13
Save the Date! New Member Dinner, January 27
Creative Worship and Ritual
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday December 15, 7:30pm
Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
“Feeding the Hungry, Helping Those in Need”
School News
Religious School on Winter Break
Bagel Bar Help Needed
Youth Activities
Save the Date! Ga-Ga for GaGa, January 21
Thank You to our Fantastic Religious School Staff!
Adult Education
Living Judaism Sunday Class Continues in January
Today! Brunch and Learn with the Rabbi at The Continental, December 14
Social Action
New! Educational Series on Domestic Abuse and Violence
Israel Awareness
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Israel
Save the Date! Shabbat Speaker Peggy Shapiro, January 12
Save the Date! Israeli Movie Night, February 10
Ongoing Fundraisers
Simcha Tree Leaves
Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
SHOP Shir Hadash
Synagogue Building Closed Last Week in December
Due to an abbreviated holiday schedule the last week of December and a desire to save energy where possible, the synagogue building will be closed between Monday, December 25 through Monday, January 1. If you need to contact our staff, please call the main office phone number (847-498-8218) as the line will be forwarded and someone will answer the phone or get back to you as soon as they are able.
MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Tonight! JCC Maccabi Games for Jewish Youth Info Meeting at SH, December 14, 7:00pm
Teens and parents are encouraged to come learn about the 2018 JCC Maccabi Games for Jewish Youth. This year’s summer games will be held in Orange County, CA on August 5-10, 2018. Opportunities for participation include:
Team Sports (13-16 years old) Boys Baseball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Girls Softball, Boys Lacrosse
Individual Sports (13-16 years old) Dance, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track and Field
ArtsFest (13-17 years old) Acting/Improv, Culinary Arts, Dance, Musical Theater, Rock Band, Social Media Squad, Visual Arts, Vocal Music
For more information, contact Kirsten Deangelis, KDeangelis@jccchicago.org or 224 406 9224 or visit https://www.jccchicago.org/programs/aquatics-sports/maccabi/.
Tonight! Book Club, December 14
Our next book is the Spertus One Book/One Community 2017 selection, Windy City Blues by Renee Rosen. This is historical novel about the Chess brothers and their instrumental role in supporting the black original artists of the Chicago Blues movement. We will meet next Thursday, December 14 at 7:30pm at the home of Sandy Weiss, 2144 Walters Avenue in Northbrook. Please RSVP to Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
Dinner and a Movie Night, December 24
Come to Shir Hadash for a fun and social evening! We’ll enjoy delicious Chinese food and watch the delightful comedy Keeping the Faith, starring Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman. We’ll also have a kids movie playing in the youth lounge for the younger set. $15 per person for adults, $10 for children. Click here to RSVP.
Save the Date! Trivia Night, January 13
Get ready for our second annual Trivia Night, an evening of fun, challenge, and great prizes! $10 per person, with all proceeds supporting the Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund. Click here for complete details.
Save the Date! New Member Dinner, January 27
Mark your calendar for the annual Shir Hadash New Member Dinner, January 27 at 6:00pm. All new members are invited to be our guests. We also encourage the Sponsors of the Gift of Membership families and all other current members to join us. Watch for more details coming soon.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday December 15, 7:30pm
This Friday, it’s both Hanukkah and Shabbat – so we have a double celebration of giving thanks for our freedom! We will light the Hanukkah menorah and sing our favorite songs. But we'll also have a discussion about how Shir Hadash can help others, and it's tied to the Torah. This week's portion describes how Joseph feeds all the hungry of Egypt and Canaan during a harsh famine, so we will have a discussion about the social action initiatives that Shir Hadash is already doing (such as volunteering at the soup kitchen in Evanston) and what more can we (and should we) be doing. The discussion will be led by Rabbi Eitan and members Mark Lenhart and Jeff Wallk. At this time of celebration and giving, it's all the more important to find ways to help those in need. Come share your ideas, and please remember to bring a treat to share during the oneg. See you Friday night!
Oneg Volunteers Needed for Services
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
December 15-16, 2017 / 28 Kislev 5778 / Shabbat Miketz - Chanukah
Torah: Genesis 41:1 - 44:17
Maftir: Numbers 7:30 - 7:41 | Shabbat Chanukah - Day 4
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 | Shabbat Chanukah - Day 4
“Feeding the Hungry, Helping Those in Need”
Dear Friends,
How can we be more like Joseph? When Joseph was in Egypt, he rose to great power and influence by managing the food resources during the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. At first he collected food. Then, he made sure that it was distributed to all who were hungry, whether in Egypt or in surrounding lands.
During Hanukkah, I encourage you to think beyond all the gifts that we receive from loved ones during the eight nights of celebration. Be more like Joseph and think about all who have so little and especially of those who are hungry. On at least one of the nights, give to those in need. Collect food and bring it to a food pantry. Volunteer to cook and serve in a soup kitchen. Help out in a homeless shelter. Bring gifts to organizations that will distribute them to poor children.
There is such great need and there are so many ways to help. Be more like Joseph and help those in need.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
SCHOOL NEWS
Religious School on Winter Break
Enjoy your time off from school, and come back re-energized on January 7! Want to learn more about the Religious School programs? Contact Geoff at 847-498-8218 or Geoff@shir-hadash.org.
Thank You to our Fantastic Religious School Staff!
We are so lucky to have an amazing religious school staff. Our teachers, madrichim (teaching assistants), director, and rabbi create a warm, nurturing environment where students receive an excellent foundation of Jewish knowledge and feel a part of a Jewish community. We always appreciate them, but this past Sunday we were glad to have an opportunity to express our gratitude for their hard work with a religious school staff appreciation luncheon.
The staff enjoyed the generous spread, which was provided by the School Advisory Committee (SAC), Board of Directors, and religious school families. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make the luncheon a success! Thanks as well to all families who contributed to the gifts that they received.
Sunday Morning Bagel Bar Help Needed
We all enjoy the delicious bagels at Sunday school, graciously donated by Tammy Pomper. Now we need some volunteers to pitch in with set-up and clean-up. Helpers would need to arrive around 8:15am to make coffee and set out bagels. If we get lots of helpers, it won't be much of a time commitment for anyone. Please contact Glenn Graff, nflsunday1966@gmail.com, or Tammy Pomper, tammy.g.pomper@gmail.com, to learn more.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Save the Date! Ga-Ga for GaGa, January 21
Our Sunday School students and madrichim have been asking for more time in Shir Hadash's new gaga ball pit, so we’re making it our next Youth Group event. On Sunday, January 21, stay after Sunday School to play traditional gaga ball and fun variations. More details coming soon!
ADULT EDUCATION
Living Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Spirituality & Civilization, Sundays
Sundays, 11:15 am to 12:25 pm on Jan 14, 21, and 28; Feb 11; March 11 abd 18; April 15, 22, and 29, 2018.
Instructor: Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
A survey of essential and fundamental concepts of Judaism - its roots, history, sacred texts, holidays, and life cycle celebration. This class offers a great opportunity to learn what Judaism offers us to live, learn, celebrate and relate to life’s challenges in a Jewish way, today! This class is for everyone – from those with no Jewish background to those with a strong Jewish background, and all in between.
Today! Brunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
It’s the second Thursday of the month, so Lunch & Learn with the Rabbi is going on the road! Come to the Continental Restaurant, 788 S. Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove to enjoy your favorite brunch dishes and participate in a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion, a selected book of the Bible, or a contemporary work of Jewish wisdom. (Everyone orders and pays separately for food and drink.) All are welcome.
SOCIAL ACTION
New Program Announcement! Educational Series on Domestic Abuse
The SH Social Action Committee announces a new six-part series on the sensitive subject of domestic violence. Beginning February 1 and running every other month, the series will welcome a variety of experts to lead thoughtful explorations of crucial topics. Watch for details about upcoming programs in future newsletters. For more information, contact Jeff Wallk, jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Did You Know? Fun Facts about Israel
Israel has 137 official beaches (but only 273 km of coastline).
The Sea of Galilee -- located .212 km below sea level -- is the lowest freshwater lake in the world, and the largest in Israel.
The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth.
Save the Date! Shabbat Speaker Peggy Shapiro, January 12
Our Shir Hadash Friday Speakers Program will be featuring speakers about Israel in 2018. Our first speaker will be on January 12. Peggy Shapiro of the organization Stand With Us will be talking about Israel and free speech on U.S. college campuses during our regular Shabbat service.
Save the Date! Israeli Film Series, February 10
The Israel Committee had a wonderful turnout on Saturday evening for its second film showing, the award-winning Israeli movie “Footnote”. Mark your calendar for February 10 for the next movie showing. If you have suggestions for a good movie, please send them to bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Simcha Tree Leaves Available for Purchase
Our Tree of Joy—a Simcha Tree—is situated in our Community Room to remind us of all the joys of our lives. The leaves come in copper, silver, and gold. Each leaf marks a lasting memory of a joyous simcha in the lives of members of Shir Hadash. We invite you to add your loved ones’ simchas to our Tree and share your nachas with our congregation or just add your loved ones’ names out of love.
Leaves can be purchased to mark your special family or individual accomplishments. Click here to see additional information and make your purchase.
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
Hanukkah’s Coming: Get SHOPping!
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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