WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Mussar Study Group, September 6
- Save the Date! Shir Hadash Gala, October 20
- Save the Date! Coffee House Night, November 10
- Volunteer Help Needed at SH
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Evening Service, Friday August 31
- This Saturday! Selichot Service and Study, Saturday September 1
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Paying It Forward”
Religious School
- First Day of School is September 16
Israel Awareness
- Israeli Movie Program
- Save the Date! Joint Hanukkah/Diwali Celebration, November 18
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
Social Action
- Maot Chitlim High Holidays Food Delivery
- Support Food Pantries with 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 NEWS AND EVENTS
Mussar Study Group, September 6
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. Mussar provides guidance in identifying your uniquely personal path of spiritual growth and offers practices to help bring about that growth.
All are welcome to join the Shir Hadash Mussar study group, which will meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm. The core text we are studying is Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar, by Alan Morinis, Founder and Dean of the Mussar Institute. The book is available on Amazon and through other booksellers. There is no charge for participation in the Mussar Study Group. The schedule for the next several months is:
· September 6: Order
· October 11: Compassion
· November 1: Gratitude
· December 6: Equanimity
· January 3: Honor
· February 7: Faith
Please email Lynn Liebling lliebling@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions.
Save the Date! Shir Hadash Gala, October 20
Mark your calendar for our community gala honoring Fred and Melanie Andes for their years of leadership and service. This very special event will be held October 20 at Bella Via in Highland Park. More details will be coming soon.
Save the Date! Coffee House Night Returns November 10
It's not too early to Save the Date for our next Coffee House Night - Open Mic Style on Saturday, November 10. Doors will open at 6:30; the event will run from about 7:00 - 10:30. You will be amazed at the wonderful talent you'll hear. For a sneak preview, come to the SH picnic on Sunday to see performances by some of our past Coffee House stars! Mark your calendar and we’ll see you on November 10.
Volunteer Office Help Needed
Our administrator Julie Wellisch would greatly appreciate some volunteer help around the Shir Hadash office as we get busy with membership and High Holiday registration. No experience required, just a positive attitude and some free time! In particular, we have the following roles to fill:
- On the second and fourth Friday of each month, we have the Russian Holocaust survivors group that meets here in the morning from 9:30 through the Chair Yoga class at noon. Volunteers are needed to help answer the door and direct people to their meeting location.
- On the second Tuesday of every month, we have the Jewish War Veterans of Buffalo Grove meeting at 9:30 - 12:00. Volunteers can help with coffee and also answering the door and directing people.
There are plenty of other jobs to do around the office as well. Please contact Julie at admin@shir-hadash.organd let her know the times you’re available to help. Thank you!
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday August 31, 7:30: “Fifth Friday Learner’s Service”
Our Fifth Friday Learner’s Service offers a unique opportunity to ask your questions about the Shabbat worship service, the meaning of the prayers, why we do things as we do, and just about anything else in Judaism. Rabbi Eitan is ready to take your questions in this creative, lively, informal, and inspiring service style.
Selichot Service, Study, and Film Screening, Saturday September 1, 7:30pm
Shir Hadash invites you to an evening of study and preparation for the High Holidays. We begin with a short Selichot service filled with reflective and stirring readings and melodies. We will study texts together, followed by a screening of the PBS documentary Raise the Roof, the story of the 10-year restoration of the Gwoździec synogogue in Poland. Bring a treat to share in our dessert buffet after the film.
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
August 31-September 1, 2018 / 21 Elul 5778
Shabbat Ki Tavo
Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 / Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22
“Paying it Forward”
Dear Friends,
How many times have I heard the expression, “What goes around comes around?” It’s another way of saying “You reap what you sow.” The Torah seems to understand this basic law of karma.
In this week’s portion Moses instructed the Children of Israel to hold a ceremony in the Promised Land during which curses and blessings would be called out over the people. Curses would come from turning away from God. Blessings would come to Israel for following God’s commandments. Thus, by following the laws and values of Israel, the people could be assured of abundance and security.
While we no longer believe completely in this simple equation, there is some truth to it. We know that if we live lives of compassion, respect, and kindness towards others, there is a high likelihood that they will respond positively and kindly back towards us. We know that if we build societies based on justice and the rule of law, all will benefit. We know that if we follow the ethics, values, and morals of our tradition, we will participate in tikkun olam – bringing repair to our world.
Zay a mentsch – Be a good person. Help each other.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Sunday School Resumes September 16!
Get ready for an exciting school year with our new education director, Rabbi Marcey Rosenbaum! If your kids aren’t registered yet, click here for the forms.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Israeli Film Nights
We are excited about the interest these events have generated and are looking forward to screening more fascinating films after the High Holidays. If anyone is interested in helping by donating or being a sponsor, or has suggestions for films, please contact Burton Kopulsky at bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu.
Save the Date! Celebrate Hanukkah and Diwali with Shir Hadash and StandWithUs, November 18
Mark your calendars for the evening of November 18th. We are partnering with StandWithUs at an event to bring together our local Jewish and Hindu communities. The event will feature Samson "Mahatma Moses" Koletar, the world's only Indian-Jewish stand-up comedian, along with music, desserts, and dance lessons! We are looking for members to help underwrite our sponsorship. Please contact Burton Kopulsky at bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu if you can help.
Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- The Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra (today the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra), founded at the initiative of Polish-born violinist Bronislaw Huberman, gave its first concert in Tel Aviv under the baton of Arturo Toscanini in 1936.
- Today there are over 15 orchestras in Israel.
- Opera in Israel also predates the formation of the state. The Israeli Opera is based in Tel Aviv. Open air operas are staged at Masada, Jerusalem, and Acre.
- Israel has produced some of the world's leading performers and conductors. These include pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, and a large number of violinists, among them Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham, Ivry Gitlis, Gil Shohat and Shlomo Mintz.
- World-class music events which take place in Israel include the International Harp Contest and the Artur Rubinstein Piano Competition. Local festivals such as the Music Festival at Kibbutz Ein Gev, the Chamber Music Festival at Kibbutz Kfar Blum and the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat, draw appreciative audiences, while the Israel Festival, which features music, theater, and dance performed by groups from all over the world, turns Jerusalem into a cultural magnet for three weeks each spring.
SOCIAL ACTION
High Holidays Food Delivery
For the past 15 years, volunteers from Shir Hadash have helped deliver Passover and High Holidays food boxes to those who are less fortunate in our community. On August 26, 12 Shir Hadash members and some of their kids helped deliver 115 boxes of food and other holiday items, to needy Jewish seniors in the Wheeling area. It is always a very rewarding volunteer experience to deliver these food boxes, and to see the joy we are bringing to these people. For many of the recipients, we may be the only person who visits them that day or even that week. They are always so thankful and appreciative of our efforts and most make sure to give the kids a little candy as a thank you for helping (the adults get some candy too).
It’s also a great chance for the adult member volunteers to talk and catch up on what’s been happening over the summer. For most of the families, this is an annual volunteer event, and many make sure to bring their kids back to help volunteer even after they have moved out on their own or are in college.
We hope that you will be able to join us for the fun and rewarding volunteer experience in the spring. Mark your calendar for April 7, 2019 for non-perishable food box packing for Passover and April 14, 2019 for box delivery. Please contact Mark Lenhart, mclenhart@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to find out how to volunteer.
Food Pantry Donations Continue
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council supports local food pantries throughout the year. Please remember those less fortunate by donating canned goods 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.)
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 School!
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.
I am an event photographer, I love this venue, and I will revisit this venue in a heartbeat. The venues in NYC have really great staff and pretty decent drinks. Their halls and rooms are absolutely gorgeous.
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