WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Today! Mussar Study Group, August 2
- Friday! Shabbat Under the Stars, August 3
- Saturday! Poolside BBQ Bash, August 4
- Sunday! StandWithUs Campus Crash Course, August 5
- Intergenerational Pancake Breakfast & Shabbat Service, August 11
- Book Club, August 16
- Volunteer Help Needed at SH
- Singers/Instrumentalists Sought for Lahaka
- CJE Senior Life Chair Yoga Class
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Bring Your Own Picnic Family Shabbat, Friday August 3, 5:30pm
- Shabbat Under the Stars, Friday August 3, 7:30pm
- Bike Shabbat Recap
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Pride”
Israel Awareness
- Movie Night Recap
- Did You Know? 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
MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS
Starts Today! Mussar Study Group, Open to All! First Meeting August 2
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.
Several members of Shir Hadash began to study Mussar this spring, and they have decided to continue meeting. All are welcome to join the 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.
As background for the next session on August 2, please look over Parts One and Three of the book. We will be discussing in detail the character trait, or middah in Hebrew, of Patience. 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.
Friday! Shabbat Under the Stars, August 3
Celebrate summer with two special services this Friday: a family-friendly picnic and service at 5:30pm, and an outdoor version of our regular evening service at 7:30. Scroll down to the Creative Worship section for details.
Saturday! 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.
Sunday! StandWithUs Campus Crash Course, August 5
StandWithUs will present a “Campus Crash Course” to help high school and college students become informed about Israel and prepared to respond to tough questions. The workshop will be held Sunday, August 5 from 10:00 am to 1 pm at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road in Glencoe. Students, parents, and community members are all welcome! Shir Hadash has joined with other local congregations to sponsor this enlightening and empowering event. Advance registration only; $18 includes a kosher lunch, snacks, t-shirt, swag and course materials. Click here to register.
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!
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.
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.org and let her know the times you’re available to help. Thank you!
Lahaka is Looking for Singers/Instrumentalists
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. We provide all sheet music and can provide a learning CD.
The next rehearsal will be Monday at 7:15pm. The full schedule is on the website calendar and the SH App. All are welcome! For more information, contact Ken at ken.wexler@lockton.com or 847-769-8247.
CJE Senior Life Chair Yoga Class in Russian
Shir Hadash is 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. The group meets at noon on Fridays, and Shir Hadash members are invited to attend. For more details and registration, call 773 508 1149.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
"BYOP - Bring Your Own Picnic" Family Shabbat Dinner and Service, Friday August 3, 5:30pm
Our first service this Friday is intended for families with young children through 3rd grade. Come at 5:30pm and "BYOP - Bring Your Own Picnic" light dinner (dairy or veggie please). At 6:00, Rabbi Eitan will lead a lively service that includes the Shabbat prayers along with story, song, and dance. It’s an interactive Shabbat experience not to be missed! Following the service, we will join for refreshments and a shabbat activity. Bring treats to share at the oneg refreshments.
Shabbat Under the Stars: Services on the Lawn, Friday August 3, 7:30pm
Join for a Shabbat service under the stars in our courtyard. The topic for the evening is “Recon 101: Reconstructing Judaism 101 – History, Philosophy, and Doing Jewish.” Rabbi Eitan will teach how Reconstructing Judaism is all about creating a Contemporary style of Judaism that is Sensible, Meaningful and Enriching – a modern Judaism that continues to evolve with the times and keeps in step with the reality of our lives. Our service with also include a send-off blessing for Suzanne & Ken Wexler, who are moving to Denver. Special music and singing will enrich our service. Bring your friends and a treat to share at the potluck oneg refreshments.
Six Shir Hadash riders made the 15 mile round-trip to the Botanic Garden on Saturday morning, July 28. They were met by three additional members at the Garden View Cafe where everyone enjoyed a relaxing morning of breakfast, drinks, and Torah study led by Rabbi Eitan.
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 3-4, 2018 / 23 Av 5778
Shabbat Ekev
Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25 / Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3
“Pride”
Dear Friends,
What are the responsibilities and pitfalls of pride? In this week’s Torah portion Moses warns the Children of Israel not to get too full of themselves when things go so well in the Promised Land. When God showers abundance and blessing upon them through wonderful crops, healthy herds, and more, they should not think that they are responsible for the results. They should beware not to take all of the goodness for granted. Rather, they should give thanks to the Eternal One and recognize God’s blessing.
The Israelites are compared to a grapevine loaded with clusters of grapes. Some clusters are large, sweet, and juicy. Others are smaller and less select. Note that the larger the cluster, the heavier, and the closer it hangs to the ground. Thus we are taught that the greater a person’s lot in life is, the greater must be his humility.
Jews say blessings throughout the day to demonstrate this basic point - humility. All of life is amazing and miraculous. We must be mindful of the good fortune and blessing that surrounds us at all times, morning, noon, and night.
Zay a mentsch – be a good person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Israeli Film Night
We had a full house in the sanctuary for last Saturday's showing of The Band's Visit, the award- winning Israeli film that inspired this year's Tony award-winning Best Musical. A special thank you to Mady Fern for sponsoring this terrific event! We are looking forward to screening more exciting 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.
Did You Know? Facts About Israel
An extensive study that looked at residents of 187 countries found that Israelis have one of the most healthful diets in the world. 80% of the respondents ate fruits and vegetables daily.
Falafel plays an iconic role in Israeli cuisine and is widely considered to be the national dish of the country. Due to its being entirely plant based, it is considered Kosher Pareve which helped it to gain wide acceptance since it can be eaten with meat or dairy.
Typical Israeli breakfasts feature the egg dish shakshouka, eggs poached in a tomato sauce, as a common choice.
A popular Israeli sandwich is Sabih – a sandwich of fried eggplant, hard boiled egg, tahini in pita.
Global foods are popular in Israel. Tel Aviv has the highest number of sushi restaurants per person in the world and a restaurant with food described by the Italian Government as the best Italian food outside of Italy.
NORTHWEST SUBURBAN INTERFAITH COUNCIL
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.) For more information, 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment