WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Saturday! Intergenerational Pancake Breakfast & Shabbat Service, August 11
- Next Week! Book Club, August 16
- New! Annual Picnic, August 26
- New! School Supply Drive, Now through August 26
- Mussar Study Group, September 6
- Save the Date! Shir Hadash Gala, October 20
- Volunteer Help Needed at SH
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Morning Family Service (See Pancake Breakfast Above)
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “The Chosen People”
Israel Awareness
- Future Movie Nights
- Recap: StandWithUs Campus Crash Course
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
- Food Pantry Donations Welcomed
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
Intergenerational Pancake Breakfast & Shabbat Family Service, August 11
Calling all grandparents, parents, and children! Join us at 10 a.m. for a free event for the whole family. We’ll start with a light pancake breakfast prepared under the direction of chef Michael Kahn. Then, Rabbi Eitan will lead a lively service that includes the Shabbat prayers along with story, song, and even dance. It’s an interactive Shabbat experience not to be missed! Following the service, we will join for kiddush refreshments. Bring treats to share. Visit the event page on the Shir Hadash calendar for more info, and RSVP so that we can be sure to have enough food for all. If you can come early to help get the pancakes ready, let us know!
Next Week! Book Club, August 16
Book Club will have its next meeting on Thursday, August 16 at 7:30pm at the home of Sandy Weiss, 2144 Walters Avenue in Northbrook. We will be discussing What the Lady Wants by Renee Rosen. This is a historical novel about Marshall Field and the rebuilding of Chicago after the Great Fire. Please RSVP to Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com to help us plan for the evening, and as usual please bring a nosh to share.
New! Annual Picnic, August 26
Get ready for our annual day of Food, Friends, and Fun! This year, we're celebrating the Fifth Anniversary of the dedication of our building, which merits a true party!
Join us on Sunday, August 26 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for…
Join us on Sunday, August 26 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for…
- Music by DJ and member Lorry Immergluck from 4:00-5:30
- Live music by selected artists from our Coffee House events from 5:30-7:00
- Games and sports for all ages courtesy of the School Advisory Committee (SAC)
- Kosher Hamburgers & Kosher Hot Dogs, Salmon (new this year!), and vegetarian options
- Potluck side dishes and desserts
- (Click here to RSVP by letting us know what you'll be bringing. Since this is a meat meal, all dishes should be dairy-and-dairy-product free.)
- S'mores roasting at the Rabbi's fire pit
Bring family and friends who might like a "taste" of Shir Hadash by joining in our celebration! If you have any questions, please contact the office at 847-498-8218.
School Supply Drive, Now Through August 26
Help local youth start the new school year off on the right foot! We are collecting school supplies to distribute to nearby schools.
Children most need:
- crayons (24 count)
- markers
- colored pencils
- composition books (wide rule)
- spiral notebooks (wide rule)
- glue sticks
- tape
- calculator (Target, Staples, and other places have ones less than $5)
- backpacks (only $5 at Five Below and other locations)
Place your donations in the buckets located in the Shir Hadash lobby. We will collect through the annual picnic on August 26.
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 4: 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.
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 Morning Family Service, Saturday August 11
Bring the whole family for our Intergenerational Morning Service and Pancake Breakfast this Saturday at 10:00am. Scroll up for more details..
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 10-11, 2018 / 30 Av 5778
Shabbat Re’eh/Rosh Hodesh Elul
Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
Maftir: Numbers 28:9 - 28:15 | Shabbat Rosh Chodesh
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1 - 66:24 | Shabbat Rosh Chodesh
“The Chosen People”
Dear Friends,
Are the Children of Israel God’s chosen and ‘treasured’ people? According to Moses, the prophet Isaiah, and other biblical sources we are. Yet throughout our history many have challenged this notion as being arrogant and conceited. Most recently, Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, argued against the concept of chosenness. In a time of the United Nations and international relations, a time when the State of Israel exists as a sovereign state, chosenness is wrong.
Rather Rabbi Kaplan taught that every people and nation has a special contribution or ‘vocation’ to bring forward for all mankind. He wrote, “No nation is chosen or elected or superior to any other, but every nation should discover its vocation or calling as a source of religious experience and as a medium of salvation to those who share its life…” (The Future of the American Jew)
For Kaplan, the Jewish people should share its traditions, history, morals, ethics, wisdom literature and spirituality to help and contribute to the welfare of all humanity.
Zay a mentsch – be a good person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
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.
Recap: StandWithUs Campus Crash Course
Several members participated in last Sunday's "Campus Crash Course" co-sponsored by Shir Hadash. We encourage members with high school and college students in their families to take advantage of StandWithUs as they deal with issues of anti-Semitism and Israel advocacy on campus. Please keep suggesting both Israel-related activities at Shir Hadash as well as community activities like last Sunday's event where Shir Hadash can play a role.
Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- Approximately 3.6 million people visited Israel last year.
- Israel is seeing rising numbers of tourists from countries such as China Croatia, Belarus, Latvia, Georgia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. However, the United States still sends more tourists to Israel than any other country making up 19% of the total. Russia is second to the United States.
- Ben Gurion Airport is Israel’s largest airport, but Israel will be opening an additional significant airport, Ramon Airport, outside of Eilat.
- Approximately 60% of travelers to Israel now come independently rather than as part of tour groups, a significant change in Israel’s tourism landscape.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
Food Pantry Donations Continues
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 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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