WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Creative Worship and Ritual
- No Shabbat Services at SH on May 25-26
- Upcoming: Family Shabbat and Shabbat Evening Services, June 1
- Recap: A Special Shavuot Evening of Learning
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “We are all Nazirites”
School News
- Religious School on Summer Break
- Celebration Recap
- Shavuot at Sunday School
Adult Education
- Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi, May 24
Israel Awareness
- Did You Know? Fun Facts About Israel
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
- Events and Programs from 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
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
No Shabbat Services at SH, May 25-26
Enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family.
Upcoming Services on June 1:
Shabbat Evening Service: 7:30pm -- Board Installation Shabbat – Celebrating Jewish Leadership
Join us for a Shabbat service celebrating the long tradition of leadership in service to the Jewish community. From Moses and Aaron to the Priests and Levites to the leaders of today, there is an unbroken chain. We will install the new members of our Board of Directors and wish them great success. The Lahaka adult choir will sing during our services.
Recap: A Special Shavuot Evening of Learning
We observed Shavuot with unique and inspiring programs on May 19. We explored the galaxies from the comfort of our building in a pop-up planetarium, and heard from Deerfield Mayor Harriet Rosenthal about how her Jewish values shape her civic priorities, especially with regard to Deerfield’s recent ban on assault rifles. Many thanks to Sean Fisher-Rohde for facilitating the planetarium exhibit, and to the volunteers who made the rest of the evening possible (including the delicious blintz bar!)
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 25-26, 2018 / 12 Sivan 5778
Shabbat Naso
Torah: Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 / Haftarah: Judges 13:2 - 25
“We Are All Nazirites”
Dear Friends,
What does it take to be a Nazirite? The Torah portion describes that a Nazirite is an Israelite commoner, neither a Kohen/priest or a Levite/assistant, who wishes to take on a vow of holy service. To become a Nazirite, one must not cut one’s hair, not drink wine or eating grapes in any form, and not contact a dead body. In that state of ritual purity, a Nazirite can assist with the religious and cult worship of the people of Israel. The most famous Nazirite in the Bible was Samson. Remember his long hair?
While the biblical approach to the Nazirite is no longer applicable to contemporary times, we do have a form of holy service that is still quite relevant – volunteering to assist in the synagogue and Jewish community. Each time we step up to serve on a Board, lead or join a committee, run a program, teach in a religious school, etc., we are becoming a modern day Nazirite. The work we do as volunteers in the Jewish community is indeed holy and critical for the ongoing vitality of Jewish life, heritage, and tradition. While no vows of abstinence from hair cutting and drinking wine are required, all we ask is that you serve with honor, distinction, and do your best to add to strength of our Jewish world.
I extend my hearty Mazal tov and appreciation to our incoming Board and all the leaders, movers, and shakers of Shir Hadash in all your capacities. Because of your devotion and commitment, Shir Hadash continues to be the unique, vibrant, creative, and caring community that inspires the lives of its members and the community each and every day.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
To enjoy past entries of the Rabbi's Corner, please visit our website.
SCHOOL AND YOUTH NEWS
School’s Out for Summer!
We’ll miss all our wonderful students, teachers, and madrichim! Hope you have a great summer and we’ll see you in September.
A Message from Lisa Burton Radzely, 2017-18 Youth Group Coordinator
What a great way to conclude a year of fun Youth Group events! Religious School families joined together this past Sunday as we celebrated the end of the school year and Shavuot. The cold weather didn't dampen our fun as we packed the annex with nearly 70 people enjoying slime making, gaga, various races, sidewalk chalk, and the epic pie-eating contests. For many, the afternoon's highlight was the pie-eating showdown between Rabbi Eitan and Geoff. Mazel tov to Geoff on his victory.
Events like this one cannot happen without numerous volunteers. Thank you so much to Alan Bernover, Jen Bernover, Michelle Fisher-Rohde, Sean Fisher-Rohde, Cindy Grills, Molly Michaels, Katie Pierce, and Chana Sulpar.
We could use a bigger Youth Group Committee next year so we can hold even more fun events. Get involved! Email youth@shir-hadash.org if you are interested in learning more or want to join the Youth Group Committee.
Shavuot at Sunday School
Shavuot celebrations continued on Sunday morning during Religious School. During the tefillah (prayer) service, the madrichim (top photo) recited the Ten Commandments in Hebrew. Mazel tov to all of the madrichim, particularly Alex Schleicher who chanted an aliyah. All students, teachers, and School Advisory Committee (SAC) members were honored by receiving aliyot (bottom photo is the aliyah for grades 4-7).
ADULT EDUCATION
Lunch and Learn at Shir Hadash, May 24
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.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Israel
- Though grapes have been grown in the area for more than 10,000 years, the Israeli wine industry is very young. There were no indigenous grapes because all the grapevines were destroyed during the 7th century Islamic conquest. Baron Edmond de Rothschild, owner of Chateau Lafite, restarted the Israeli wine industry in 1882 with French varieties. Israeli researchers are now working to reintroduce indigenous varieties with origins dating back to the bible.
- With a hot climate in the South and cooler weather in the North, Israel’s vineyards are able to produce an array of grapes on various kinds of soils including, volcanic basalt stone, lime stone, sand stone, terra rossa and even clay. Most vineyards are located at high elevations, so while temperatures may increase throughout the Summer, the grapes have a chance to cool down during the night. This consistency in weather combined with four distinct seasons provides the perfect climate for producers.
- Today there are about 300 wineries in Israel producing a wide variety of wines many of which are highly rated.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
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 summer with the following upcoming programs:
- 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.
- Food Donations: 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 at 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 Teacher and Grad Gifts!
It’s the end of the school year, and you know you’ll be picking up lots of gift cards for the teachers and graduates in your life! 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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