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Thursday, January 11, 2018

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- January 11, 2018



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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
Saturday! Trivia Night, January 13
Register Now! New Member Dinner, January 27
Save the Date! Coffee House Night– Open Mic Style, February 3
Meal Help Requested for SH Member
MOSH Poker Recap

Creative Worship and Ritual
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday January 12, 7:30pm
    Guest Speaker: Peggy Shapiro, StandWithUs
Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today

The Rabbi’s Corner
“In The Wilderness”

School News
Religious School, January 14
SAC Meeting, January 14
Info Session for Camp Havaya, January 21
Bagel Bar Help Needed

Youth Activities
Register This Week! “Ga-Ga for GaGa Event”, January 21

Adult Education
Torah and Jewish Philosophy Class, January 14
Living Judaism Sunday Class Continues January 14
Today! Brunch and Learn with the Rabbi at The Continental Restaurant, January 11

Social Action
Educational Series on Domestic Abuse and Violence, February 1
The Impact of the Holiday Gift Drive

Israel Awareness
Shabbat Speaker Peggy Shapiro, January 12
Israeli Movie Night, February 10
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Israel

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

MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS




Saturday! 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.

Register for New Member Dinner, January 27
Join us to celebrate the growth of Shir Hadash at this casual dinner with our community. There is no cost for our new members.  We’d appreciate a donation of $10 per adult and $4 per child ages 4-12 for our members of more than one year.  Children age three and under are free.

Please register here by Tuesday, January 16, so we can finalize the numbers and have the right amount of food. Let us know how many will be attending and if you prefer a gluten free or dairy free meal. We hope to have members of the Madrichim helping with the younger children, so please plan to bring them as well.



Save the Date! Coffee House Night– Open Mic Style, February 3
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. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and performances will run from 7:00pm to 10:30pm or so. Enjoy our cozy atmosphere, comfortable seating, hot beverages, goodies, and the amazing talent of our friends. Remember, everyone is welcome to participate!
  • Got talent? Whether you’ve made an advance reservation or not, we want you to have your time in the spotlight. Any talent is welcome -- Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Storytellers, Group Acts -- you name it. Please click here or go to the Shir Hadash website and click on the Coffee House link so we know who you are and can plan properly. Talent will have about 10-12 minutes on stage or up to two tunes depending on length.
  • 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.
Can’t wait to see you all there on Saturday, February 3!

MOSH Poker Recap
On January 6, MOSH had eight men gather at David Edler’s house for poker. We played with different crazy twists, which made the games a lot of fun. Everybody learns, everybody teaches -- keep the mind sharp. We welcome everyone to join us for our next poker night. Watch for details in upcoming newsletters.

Meal Help Requested for SH Member
Luba Rothblatt is recovering at her home from a fall and has requested some help with meals. She will be recovering for about a month. Any  help would be greatly appreciated. You may reach out to her directly by phone (847 412 1514) or email: (lubaroth@comcast.net). She lives in Northbrook at 2 Court of Harborside.

CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL

Shabbat Evening Service, Friday January 12, 7:30pm -- Shabbat Shemot
Second Friday Kabbalat Shabbat & Speaker: Peggy Shapiro, StandWithUs
We begin with a brief Kabbalat Shabbat to welcome the Shabbat with song and story. Then, Peggy Shapiro of the organization StandWithUs will talk about Israel and free speech on U.S. college campuses.

Peggy Shapiro is the child of teenage Holocaust survivors. She was born in a displaced persons camp in Germany and went on to become the Chairperson of the Foreign Language/ESL Department at Harold Washington College where she was a professor for 31 years. Peggy is now the Midwest Executive Director of StandWithUs and is also co-chair of Protect Our Heritage, the Midwest’s oldest and largest pro-Israel political action committee.
Her presentation will address the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement on college campuses, along with the tools and strategies we can use to protect and support students. Her presentation will provide background on this global extremist campaign, highlight the tactics and fronts they use on campus, and discuss how to maintain free speech on our college campuses.
Oneg refreshments to follow.

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

January 12-13, 2018 / 26 Tevet 5778
Shabbat Va’eira
Torah: Exodus 6:2 - 9:35
Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21

“In the Wilderness”

Dear Friends,

Where can we best encounter God?  The answer, of course, is anywhere. Inside or outside - anywhere. However, in this week’s Torah portion, Moses insists that Pharaoh permit the Children of Israel to go to the wilderness to worship God. What is it about the wilderness? Certainly it is out in nature that we encounter the full grandeur and majesty of God’s creation. Whether we go to mountain, forest, desert, ocean, or lake, we are easily overcome with appreciation for the beauty and power of the natural world. It is precisely in those places, away from daily distractions and interruptions, that we can settle down and explore our spirituality. There we can encounter God’s creation and presence.

Now that it is wintertime, I encourage you to go out into nature and discover a special kind of magnificence, a unique kind of beauty. Sitting or hiking in a winter park or forest offers a special quiet all its own. Without leaves, the wind sounds different as it whistles through the trees. If there is snow, a muted quiet is all around. If there is ice, footfalls sound different. If it is cold, dress warm and enjoy the uplifting sense of feeling safe and protected while surrounded by the winter freeze. Notice your breath. Feel your heart beat. Listen for special sounds of life all around, including creatures on the ground and in the air. Feel at peace. Feel God’s presence.Say a prayer in your own words.

Moses knew it. Our Jewish tradition knows it. And now you know it. The wilderness is a very special place to encounter God.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

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

SCHOOL NEWS

Religious School, January 14
Welcome back! We hope you had a fun and relaxing winter break. We’re looking forward to seeing our students ready to go at 9:15 this Sunday. Want to learn more about the Religious School programs?  Contact Geoff at 847-498-8218 or Geoff@shir-hadash.org.



School Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting, January 14
Religious School parents, come share your ideas or just listen to what’s happening in school. We will meet in the annex conference room from 9:30 to 11:00am.

Info Session for Camp Havaya (Formerly Camp JRF), January 21
On January 21, Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Executive Director of Camp Havaya (formerly Camp JRF) from the Reconstructionist Movement camp,  will be at Shir Hadash to give a presentation about the camp for our students and hold a special meeting just for parents. This is a great chance to find out about a fantastic camp and to have answered any questions you may have.  Specific times for the presentation will be given when we get back from break.  Please plan to come to hear about this awesome opportunity for our students. To see the camp video, click here.

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


Ga-Ga for Gaga! Youth Group Event, January 21
One Week Left to Register!
Kindergarteners through teens, we heard your request for extra time in Shir Hadash's new indoor gaga pit, so we are making it the next youth group event.  On Sunday, January 21, 12:30-2:30 we will eat lunch and then Coach Cliff Silverman will lead us in traditional gaga games as well as fun variations.  The different age groups will have separate gaga pits.  

Gaga ball is an Israeli game that is enjoyed by all ages and athletic abilities.  No experience necessary; it can be learned in a couple of minutes.  More information on gaga ball and Coach Cliff Silverman can be found here.

$10 SHY youth group members/ $12 non-SHY youth group members.  Register by Thursday, January 18, by clicking here. Ask Lisa Burton Radzely any questions at sac@shir-hadash.org.  

ADULT EDUCATION

Torah and Jewish Philosophy Class, January 14
Instructor: Fred Andes
Dig deep into the weekly Torah portion and take a look at modern Jewish philosophy.

Living Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Spirituality & Civilization, January 14
Sundays, 11:15 am to 12:25 pm on  Jan  14, 21, and 28; Feb 11; March 11 and 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.

Brunch & Learn at The Continental Restaurant, January 11
Join the Rabbi and Shir Hadash friends for a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion, a selected book of the Bible, or a contemporary work of Jewish wisdom. The restaurant is located at 788 S. Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove. All are welcome.

SOCIAL ACTION

Educational Series on Domestic Abuse, February 1
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.

The Impact of the Holiday Gift Drive
Last week we recapped how the holiday gift drive helped dozens of low-income children who would not have received presents without generous donors like you. This week, we detail how your donations helped foster children.

Several foster children had nobody sponsoring them.... until Shir Hadash stepped in. Thanks to you, eight children received presents that delighted and thrilled them.They opened not only one gift, but each of them received two presents.  

Thank you for showing children they are valued and remembered. Fill A Heart 4 Kids was honored to direct your gifts to children in need.

ISRAEL AWARENESS

Shabbat Speaker Peggy Shapiro, January 12
Our Shir Hadash Friday Speakers Program will be featuring speakers about Israel in 2018. This week, 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. See above in the Creative Worship and Ritual section for details.

Save the Date! Israeli Film Series, February 10
Mark your calendar for February 10 for the next Israel Committee movie showing. If you have suggestions for a good movie, please send them to bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu.

Did You Know? Fun Facts about Israel
The Negev is 60% of the State of Israel's land with only 8% of Israel's population
The Negev is over 4,600 square miles.
The Negev is actually part of a much larger desert that stretches from Egypt through the southern part of Israel to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Average annual precipitation ranges from almost 10 inches in the Northern Negev to less than an inch in the Eilat area

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


SHOP for the Winter
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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