WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Membership Renewal Time -- Please Respond by July 31
- Gift of Membership
- Member in Need of Meal Assistance
- CJE Senior Life Chair Yoga Class in Russian Begins July 13
- Singers/Instrumentalists Sought for Lahaka
- Israeli Film Night, July 28
- Save the Date! Poolside BBQ Bash, August 4
- Book Club, August 16
- Upcoming Special Services
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
- “If Not Now, When?"
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- Events and Programs from Interfaith Council
- 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 NEWS AND EVENTS
Membership Renewal Time
It's time to renew your commitment/membership in Shir Hadash for the coming year. In an effort to streamline the process and reduce the use of paper, all our forms will, once again, be available on ShulCloud. (If you prefer to use paper forms for your registration, please contact our office at 847-498-8218.) Detailed information and instructions were sent out last week. Please complete your renewal by July 31. If you need assistance, contact Julie Wellisch at admin@shir-hadash.org, or our Executive Director Geoff Prass at geoff@shir-hadash.org.
Gift of Membership
Every renewing member will receive a Gift of Membership certificate in the mail, along with information on the program. Use the Gift to provide a free one-year membership to a friend or relative who has never been a regular or a High Holiday member of Shir Hadash previously. Your gift includes the recipient’s access to the High Holidays provided that their certificate is received at the office no later than Friday, August 17. Please note, the Gift eliminates dues for the full year. It does not include school tuition or fees.
Member Needs Assistance
Luba Rothblatt is in need of some meals. She just returned home from physical rehabilitation and would greatly appreciate a little help. You can call her at 847 412 1514, or email her at lubaroth@comcast.net to make drop-off arrangements. Her address is 2 Court of Harborside in Northbrook. Thank you!
CJE Senior Life Chair Yoga Class in Russian Begins July 13
Shir Hadash will be the site of a new health program designed especially for Holocaust survivors speaking Russian. Presented by instructors through CJE Senior Life, “Healing Mind and Body Through Healthy Exercises” incorporates chair yoga, breathing, “power brain” and meditation exercises. Shir Hadash members are invited to attend. There will be an informational presentation on Friday, July 13 from noon to 1:30pm. For more details and registration, call 773 508 1149.
Lahaka is Looking for Singers/Instrumentalists
Rehearsals start Monday, July 16
If you were at our High Holiday Services (HHS) last year you experienced the wonderful sounds of our Lahaka (Shir Hadash's choir), led by our music director, Marek Rachelski. If you sing or play a musical instrument and want to learn more about Lahaka, come to a rehearsal and give us a try! While you need to be able to carry a tune and stay on part in up to four part harmony, many of our members cannot read music There is no obligation and you don't even need to know how to read music. We provide all sheet music and can provide a learning CD.
Our first rehearsal will be Monday, July 16 at 7:15pm at the synagogue. Ken Wexler can provide the full rehearsal schedule via email, and it will also be posted soon to the website calendar and the SH App. All are welcome! For more information, contact Ken at ken.wexler@lockton.com or 847-769-8247.
Domestic Abuse Panel Discussion, July 19
Please join us as we continue to explore and learn about the Cycle of Domestic Abuse. We will have a panel of professionals who have worked with victims, abusers and the courts in many different capacities. Our speakers include a nurse/ therapist, a police social worker, and other experts. All are welcome for the presentation, which begins at 7:00pm. Click here for details.
Israeli Film Night, July 28
We have an exciting movie planned for the evening of July 28 at 7:30. We will be showing The Band's Visit, a highly praised Israeli film that inspired this year's Tony award-winning Best Musical. It's a fantastic film with an inspiring message. Admission is free and snacks will be available for purchase.
Shir Hadash needs to pay a licensing fee every time we hold a movie screening. If anyone is interested in helping by donating or being a sponsor, please contact Burton Kopulsky at bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu.
Save the Date! Poolside BBQ Bash, August 4
Mark your calendar for an evening of food, friends, and relaxation at Mehran Farahmandpour's house in Long Grove. We will BBQ, enjoy some wine, sit poolside and enjoy an evening of community. The menu will include Kosher hot dogs, burgers, vegetarian burgers, and more, plus dessert, of course!
We'll start at 6:00pm. Bring a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a favorite cousin :) If interested in swimming, you are welcome to bring your swimsuit. On the chance of rain, we will relocate indoors.
Click here for more details and registration. Please be sure to RSVP by Friday, August 3. Questions? Contact Mehran at mehranf@aol.com.
Book Club, August 16
The next Book Club selection will be What the Lady Wants by Renee Rosen. This is a historical novel about Marshall Field and the rebuilding of Chicago after the Great Fire. We will meet on Thursday, August 16. Contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com for more information.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Upcoming Special Events
Mark your calendar for these special services in July:
- New Music Shabbat, July 20, 7:30pm
- Tisha B’Av Commemoration, July 21, 7:30pm
- Shabbat Morning Bike Ride with the Rabbi, July 28
More details in upcoming newsletters!
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
July 13-14, 2018 / 2 Av 5778
Shabbat Matot-Masei
Torah: Numbers 30:2 - 36:13 Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4 - 28; 3:4
“If Not Now, When?”
Dear Friends,
How can we find balance in our lives? With so much going on and so many distractions around us, it is easy to get thrown off course and loose focus. We might forget to take care of our needs. We might lose sight of our communal responsibilities. This is the dilemma that is clarified in this week’s Torah portion.
As the Israelites approached the Promised Land, the tribes of Gad and Reuben requested to settle east of the Jordan River, outside the Land of Israel citing that the land was good for raising cattle. Moses was suspicious of the request because he knew that the upcoming conquest of the Holy Land would require the participation of all the tribes, including these two. In the end, Gad and Reuben promised to come to the aid of their fellow Israelites who were about to settle in the Promised Land.
The great Rabbi Hillel summed up this situation in one simple teaching. If I am not for myself, who am I? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? One of the great Jewish values is Community. We live in community in order to find support in the fulfillment of our needs. We live in community to help others fulfill their needs. The Torah teaches us to find focus and purpose in life by striking a balance, taking care of each other and ourselves. If not now, when?
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.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- On Friday, May 14, 1948, Israel declared independence. On Sunday morning, the new state issued its first stamps which were labelled "Hebrew Post" since they were prepared before the naming of the new country.
- Every year, the Israel Postal Company receives thousands of letters from all over the world addressed to God. Rather than consider them dead letters, the letters are collected and once a year, they are taken to Jerusalem and placed between the stones of the Western Wall.
- There are Israeli stamps that commemorate historical events and key figures- all the major Zionist leaders and founders of the State have been so honored. There are stamps that mark Jewish holidays, the arts, sports, technology, biblical stories and characters, places in Israel, nature and more.
- U.S. president Harry Truman has his own Israeli stamp. A special Israeli stamp was issued for the US bicentennial in 1976. More recently a stamp was issued remembering the victims of Sept.11, 2001. These stamps underscore the special friendship and shared values between our two countries.
- Israel is written in Hebrew, English and Arabic on all Israeli stamps.
- The glue on Israeli postage stamps is kosher.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
More 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 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: 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 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 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 Summer
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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