WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
- Book Club, May 22
- Registration Open for Reconstructing Judaism Convention, November 15-18
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Kabbalat Shabbat with Special Speaker, May 11, 7:30pm
- Shavuot Programs, May 19
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Treating the Poor”
School News
- No Religious School on May 13
- Teacher Appreciation Gift Donations Being Accepted Now
- Tzedakah Challenge - Help Our Students Meet Their Goal
- End of the Year Party, May 20
Adult Education
- Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi, May 10
- Torah and Jewish Philosophy, Sundays
- Living Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Spirituality & Civilization, Last Class on May 20
- A Taste of Mussar Class, Thursday Evenings
Israel Awareness
- Speaker on Israel Issues at Friday Services, May 11
- Israeli Film Screening -- Recap
- Did You Know? Fun Facts About Israel
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
- Sock Drive for the Homeless Going on Now
- More Events and Programs from Interfaith Council
- Seeking an Additional Shir Hadash Rep for Interfaith Council
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
Book Club, May 22
The Book Club’s next selection will be The Bridal Chair by Gloria Goldreich. This is an exciting historical novel about the artist Marc Chagall: his personality, his physical flight from Russia to Paris (later Nazi-occupied) to America, and his daughter’s love. Our meeting will be on May 22, 7:30pm, at the home of Rebecca Rice, 3641 Bernay Drive in Northbrook. For more information, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
Registration Open for Reconstructing Judaism Convention, November 15-18
The annual convention for the Reconstructing Judaism Movement will be held November 15-18 in Philadelphia. Registration is open for this exciting event filled with workshops, music, worship, and fresh ideas. Click here for registration details, or contact Executive Director Geoff Prass, geoff@shir-hadash.org, for more information.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Kabbalat Shabbat with Special Speaker, May 11, 7:30pm
On this 2nd Friday of the month, we will start with a short Kabbalat Shabbat service to welcome the Shabbat. Then we will move into a presentation by Shir Hadash member Fred Andes, who recently attended the J Street Conference in Washington DC. After the discussion we will share our pot luck oneg refreshments.
Shavuot Programs, May 19
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Shavuot programs on Saturday, May 19. That night, we study - and we eat dairy and wheat, in the form of our Famous Blintz Bar! We also have exciting twist to our study this year: after a short service, we will study the stars in a Jewish way - with the help of SH member and science teacher Sean Fisher-Rohde, who will bring a pop-up planetarium to Shir Hadash. (Kids and families especially welcome!) Then, we have a very special speaker, the Mayor of Deerfield, Harriet Rosenthal. She will talk about the assault weapons ban that Deerfield recently enacted - and her Jewish perspective on the actions that she has taken on that issue. Save the date for a fascinating evening!
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
May 11-12, 2018 / 27 Iyar 5778
Omer Day 42
Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai
Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34 / Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14
“Treating the Poor”
Dear Friends,
How are we to treat someone who is poor? In this week’s Torah portion four times the phrase appears, “and if your brother/sister is reduced to poverty.” What follows are examples on how we are to act, such as, if one is forced to sell property, neighbors should establish a fund to purchase it all for him. If one falls into debt, interest may not be charged on funds to assist him as he reestablishes himself. From these and other commandments, a whole body of discussion arose amongst our sages on how to treat the poor.
Tzedaka, giving to support those in need, is considered amongst the highest of righteous obligations. Yet, the rabbis urge that support funds be given in a way to preserve the dignity and honor of the poor. Whenever possible, every effort must be made not to cause embarrassment or shame. Thus, we read in the Talmud, “The person who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses.” (Baba Batra 9b) Sometimes the best way to help is enable the needy to find employment to support themselves.
Yet, most important is to give and assist in ways that will truly make a difference and help those in need, whether through direct aid or through service organizations. Our sages remind us that the more we give, the more we receive. Exodus Rabba states, “A torch is not diminished though it kindles a million candles. A person does not lose by giving to those in need.”
Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's Corner, please visit our website.
SCHOOL NEWS
No Religious School on May 13
There will be no Religious School this Sunday. Enjoy Mother’s Day, and then get ready for a big celebration on our final day of school May 20! See below for details.
One Week Left to Contribute to Teacher Appreciation Gift Donations
Thank you to everyone who already has contributed toward the teachers' gifts. If you would like to donate toward the end-of-year present, please click here. Any contribution is appreciated; no amount is too small (or too big). Recommended amount is $10 per student. Click here for more info; to make an online donation by May 15, click here.
Tzedakah Challenge - Help Our Students Meet Their Goal!
We are so close to our goal of collecting $500 in tzedakah contributions this year, and next Sunday May 20 is the last day! If we collect $500, all students will receive a prize to celebrate how much they've done to help others.
Free End-of-Year Party After School on May 20
After school on the last day, we will have a free end-of-year bash. Lunch and all activities will be provided compliments of Youth Group. There will be pie-eating contests, sack races, slime making, hula hoop contests, Minute to Win It challenges, relay races geared to younger children and ones for tweens and teens, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and more! Fun for all ages.
Families are welcome, or students can attend by themselves. The picnic and party begin immediately after school on May 20, and the fun continues until 2:00. Join us to celebrate the fabulous school year and Shavu’ot.
ADULT EDUCATION
Torah and Jewish Philosophy Class, Sundays
Instructor: Fred Andes
Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 to dig deep into the weekly Torah portion and take a look at modern Jewish philosophy.
Living Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Spirituality & Civilization, Last Class on May 20
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. Our final class for the school year will be Sunday May 20 at 11:15am.
Lunch and Learn at Shir Hadash, May 10
Join Rabbi Eitan and Shir Hadash members and friends for refreshing and contemporary Jewish learning. We are studying the books of Joshua and Judges, which cover the fascinating period of Jewish history from the crossing of the Jordan River until the first kings of Israel. Everyone is welcome. No prior study, expertise, or background required. Feel free to bring your lunch.
A Taste of Mussar
An introduction to the study and practice of Jewish spiritual ethics. Mussar is a centuries old Jewish body of teachings, a perspective, and a disciplined practice that provides distinctively Jewish answers to the sorts of questions any thinking person asks about life.
Our remaining classes will be on Thursdays, May 10 and 17. Shir Hadash member Lynn Liebling, who has studied Mussar for seven years, will facilitate. The fee for the course is $36.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Israel Speaker Series Continues, May 11
This Friday we will have a brief Kabbalat service at 7:30pm, followed by a discussion about Israel led by Shir Hadash member Fred Andes. Fred will discuss his participation in last year's J Street congressional trip to Israel and what he learned at the J Street National Conference. This should be a great experience to hear an interesting viewpoint and analysis of the situation in Israel.
Israeli Film Night Held on May 5
Last Saturday over 30 people enjoyed a screening of the film The Ballad of the Weeping Spring followed by an interesting discussion. We are planning to resume showing interesting Israeli films in fall after the high holidays.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Israel
Israel hosted the first stages of the key international cycling race the Giro D'Italia last week.
- This was the first time the race was held outside of Europe.
- An Israeli professional cycling team participated the first time ever.
- In conjunction with this race, Israel is expanding its cycling infrastructure.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
Sock Drive Going on Now
Interfaith Council’s annual Knock Your Socks Off collection for mens’, womens’, and childrens’ new socks is going on now. Please bring new socks to help fill the box near in the Shir Hadash lobby during April and May. Donations will be distributed to our homeless neighbors in the Northwest Suburbs.
Other Events and Projects from the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
Shir Hadash is an active member of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council. We look forward to the spring and summer with the following upcoming programs:
- Stamp Out Hunger, May 12, sponsored by the US Postal mail carriers: You place non-perishable food in your mailbox and the mail carriers will collect it. The Interfaith Council will then pick up the food and distribute it to our pantries that serve our community.
- 5th Annual i-Walk Against Hunger, June 24: A family walk from St. Mary Parish to Hope Lutheran Church and back. All donations collected go to assist our food pantries. We need walkers, sponsors and volunteers.
- 5th Annual Service Trip to Detroit, August 1-5: Volunteers will work with Cass Community Social Services to repair, maintain and build facilities to benefit the hungry, homeless, and unemployed. For more information and to register, click here.
- Interfaith Trip to Israel, summer 2018: details forthcoming.
- Food Donations: Please remember those less fortunate. Donations of canned goods are accepted throughout the year at our food pantries located at Congregation Beth Am (1370 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove), Kingswood Methodist Church (401 W. Dundee, Buffalo Grove) and St. Mary Parish (10 North Buffalo Grove Road.)
We are discussing ideas for further educational programming. If you have any suggested topics, please contact Suzanne Wexler, skwexler@yahoo.com or 847-769-8257.
Seeking Shir Hadash Representative for Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
Please consider joining Suzanne Wexler in representing SH at the Interfaith Council. The council members meet on the first Monday of each month from 7:30-9:00pm. We share ideas from our congregations as well as plan and execute community-wide programs to serve our communities, including our neighbors in need. Please contact Suzanne if you are interested in hearing more: skwexler@yahoo.com or (847) 769-8257.
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 nachaswith 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 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. 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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