WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Tonight! Book Club, August 16
- Annual Picnic, August 26
- 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 Evening Service, Friday August 17, 7:30pm
- Selichot Service and Study, Saturday September 1
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Do Not Waste”
Israel Awareness
- Israeli Film Nights
- Save the Date! Joint Hanukkah/Diwali Celebration, November 18
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
- 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
Tonight! 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.
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.
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 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.
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!
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday August 17, 7:30pm
- “Recon 201: Seeking God - Jewish Spirituality for the 21st Century”
Don’t miss our annual exploration of Reconstructionist theology - Recon 201. Throughout the course of our worship, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow will offer explanations on what Reconstructing Judaism teaches about the meaning of prayer and what we mean when we pray to God. Bring a treat to share at our pot luck oneg refreshments.
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 17-18, 2018 / 7 Elul 5778
Shabbat Shofteem
Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9 / Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12
“Do Not Waste”
Dear Friends,
What is Judaism’s take on environmentalism and conservation? In this week’s Torah portion, Moses warns the Children of Israel not to cut down trees when laying siege to a city. He argues that the trees are not able to run away as people can. Trees are non-combatants, rather innocent bystanders. From these verses, Judaism derives its principle and value of not wasting (ba’al tashcheet) and not destroying the environment.
In these summer days, take some time to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the natural world. Furthermore, check out the COEJL (Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life) website, a Jewish organization devoted to protecting the Earth’s environment. www.coejl.org
Commit yourself to making our environment better for all.
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 atbkopulsk@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
- Israel / India relations are rapidly growing. The Indian Prime Minister visited India in 2017 and Netanyahu reciprocated by visiting India this year.
- Around 40,000 Israelis visit India every year and about 35,000 Indians visit Israel.
- Air India launched direct air service between India and Israel with flights that fly over Saudi Arabia.
- India is the largest buyer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest defence supplier to India after Russia.
- Shir Hadash is a partner in sponsoring a local event to bring together the Jewish and Hindu communities in Chicago. (See above.)
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.) 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.
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