WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- Sunday! Jews for Refugees Chicago Assembly, October 28
- Sunday! Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, October 28
- Final Days! Donations for Hurricane Relief, Now through October 31
- Mussar Study Group, November 8
- Coffee House Night, November 10
- Social Action Committee Meeting, November 11
- Gift of Membership Program Extended to November 15
- Kids’ Holiday Bazaar, November 18
- Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 18
- Hanukkah/Diwali Joint Celebration, November 18
- Notes on the Gala from the Executive Director
- Book Club
Creative Worship and Ritual
- No Shabbat Service on October 26
- Next Week: Family Shabbat and Evening Shabbat Services, November 2
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Hospitality”
Religious School
- Religious School, October 28
- Kids’ Gift Bazaar, November 18
Israel Awareness
- SH Sponsors Film Screening at Israeli Cinema Festival, October 28
- Joint Hanukkah/Diwali Celebration, November 18
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
Social Action
- Volunteers Needed for Soup Kitchen, November 4
- Support Food Pantries with Interfaith Council
Ongoing Fundraisers
- SHOP Shir Hadash
- Simcha Tree Leaves
- Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
- Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
- Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS
Jews for Refugees Assembly, October 28
Join HIAS, Jewish Child & Family Services of Chicago, Shir Hadash Synagogue, elected officials, refugee speakers, policy experts, community leaders, and the Chicagoland Jewish community, to sound a rallying cry to the leadership of our country that we must continue to welcome people who are seeking refuge. The event begins at 2:00pm on Sunday, October 28 at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago. To learn more and to register, click here.
Sunday! Shir Hadash Sponsors Film at Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, October 28
Shir Hadash is proud to sponsor a screening of the film Fractures as part of the 2018 Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema. Directed by Arik Lubetsky, Fractures is a timely film that raises many universal questions, conflicting feelings, and dilemmas that both women and men are grappling with in today's world. Shir Hadash’s sponsorship of this event is made possible by a donation from Jerrold Carl and Susan E. Cohen.
The screening will take place Sunday, October 28, at 6:00pm at the ArcLight Cinemas in The Glen in Glenview. Contact Rebecca Rice, r.rice1@comcast.net, to see if tickets in the Shir Hadash block are still available. Tickets may also be purchased through the festival website.
After the movie, we will walk over to The Curragh restaurant to discuss the movie over dinner, a nosh or dessert (each picking up his or her own tab). Please let Rebecca know if you will be coming to The Curragh so she can make arrangements for our tables with the restaurant..
Donations for Hurricane Relief, Now Through October 31
The JUF Hurricane Relief Fund has expanded to include both Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Florence. 100% of contributions will go to hurricane relief efforts because Jewish United Fund is absorbing administrative costs. Contributions can be placed in the tzedakah box near the prayer books, mailed to the synagogue, or made online. Donations of any amount are welcomed. If you wish to leave a check in the tzedakah box or to mail one to Shir Hadash, make the check out to JUF. Credit card donations can be made online by clicking here. Donations will be matched up to $750 by one of our members, so please support Shir Hadash's effort to help the hurricane victims. Hurricane relief donations will be collected through the end of October. If you have questions, contact Lisa Burton Radzely at SocialActionSH@gmail.com.
Mussar Study Group, November 8
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. There is no charge for participation in the Mussar Study Group. The schedule for the next several months is:
- November 8: Compassion
- December 6: Gratitude
- January 3: Equanimity
- February 7: Honor
Please email Lynn Liebling lliebling@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions.
Coffee House Night Returns November 10
Members and non-members, join us for a wonderful night of live local talent, in a club atmosphere with phenomenal sound, goodies, beverages, and the amazing evening of friendship and camaraderie. Be part of the audience, help out behind the scenes, and/or perform at our next Coffee House Night on Saturday, November 10. Doors will open at 6:30pm; the event will run from about 7:00 - 10:30.
If you are interested in being part of the Coffee House Night Team (performing or contributing a treat for our Dessert Bar) please click the link or contact Margie at margiepromopro1@aol.com so we can get a rough idea of how many people will be joining us or are interested in performing. You won’t want to miss this event – you never know who will be there!
Social Action Committee Meeting, November 11
Social Action Committee will meet Sunday, November 11, 10:00am-12:00pm, in the annex conference room. We will pick what social action activities we will do this year. Come and contribute your thoughts! If you can't attend but want to be involved, contact Lisa Burton Radzely at SocialActionSH@gmail.com.
JCC Maccabi Games/ArtsFest Information Sessions, November 3, 13 or 14
Calling all Teen Athletes and Artists! Next summer, JCC Chicago will be traveling to Atlanta (July 28-August 2) and Detroit (August 4-9) for the 2019 JCC Maccabi Games. The JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest are an Olympic-style sporting competition and arts
celebration held annually each summer in North America. With delegations from Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico, Panama, and the United States participating in the games, it is the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world.
JCC Chicago is committed to bringing Jewish athletes and artists together from across the greater Chicagoland area. To participate in Maccabi, athletes must be 13-16 years old as of July 31, 2019 and artists must be 13-17 years old. Last year, we saw our participants push themselves to new limits, make new friends and experience the pride of representing our community on a national stage. Amazing, to say the least.
To learn more about this opportunity, come to one of the following informational events:
- Saturday, November 3, 7:00-8:30pm; Brunswick Zone Niles (7333 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles)
- Teens are welcome to come for free bowling and pizza, meet other teens interested in the games and our awesome coaches!
- Tuesday, November 13, 6:30-7:30PM, Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook or
- Wednesday, November 14, 6:30-7:30PM, Bernard Horwich JCC in Rogers Park
- Information session for parents and teens to learn about the Maccabi experience, tryouts, cost, housing, schedule, and all other things Maccabi!
Being part of Maccabi is a great way to be part of the largest Jewish teen gathering in the world through competition, teamwork, social activities, community service and more. For more information, contact Julie Minor at jminor@jccchicago.org or at 847-763-3639.
Gift of Membership Opportunity Extended to November 15
Do you have a friend or family member you'd like to give the Gift of Membership for the balance of this year? Contact the office or Stuart Aizenberg, stuartaizenberg@gmail.com, for more information. You will be provided with a certificate that you can give to your candidate that they can turn in with their request for membership.The deadline is extended to November 15. Their membership will be good through June 30. Dues and Building Fund are waived. School tuition and fees are required if they want to enroll children in our religious school. Previous Shir Hadash members are not eligible.
Kids’ Holiday Bazaar, November 18
Kids can find great, inexpensive gifts for friends, family, and teachers at the Shir Hadash Gift Bazaar on November 18. Scroll down to the Religious School section for details!
Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 18
Shir Hadash and the congregations of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council will come together for a Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday, November 18 at 7:00pm at Saint Mary Parish, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove. The service will include music, thoughts and prayers of thanks, and be followed by light refreshments. Please bring non-perishable donations for area food pantries.
Celebrate Hanukkah and Diwali with Shir Hadash and StandWithUs, November 18
Shir Hadash is cosponsoring a first for Chicago: a joint celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees, and Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Come celebrate these two festivals of light with an evening of desserts, dancing, and entertainment by the world's only Indian-Jewish standup comedian!
The event will be held at 6:00pm on Sunday, November 18 at Temple Beth El, 3610 Dundee Road in Northbrook. $10 pre-registration fee; click here to RSVP on the event website.
Notes from Executive Director Nancy Kleine Kekst
What a wonderful weekend I had (despite the hail and wind)! I attended my first Shir Hadash Synagogue gala event, this year honoring Fred and Melanie Andes, along with their family, at Bella Via Saturday evening. It was great to see everyone there!
And what an event it was! From the food, to the music and performances, to the speeches and gifts; from the silent auction to the raffle, to all the volunteers who made it happen; it was a warm and festive evening that was a Shir Hadash highlight!
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on our behalf: the volunteers, vendors, venue, donors and sponsors. In working together, it was a successful fundraiser as well as a fun evening.
To view pictures of the event, visit: www.mitzvahphotography.com
Code to see photos: SHGALA
Pin to download for free: 1019
If you wish to purchase a print, the profits will be donated to Shir Hadash! (Thank you, Annette!)
Code to see photos: SHGALA
Pin to download for free: 1019
If you wish to purchase a print, the profits will be donated to Shir Hadash! (Thank you, Annette!)
Also: Do you have the wrong coat in your closet from the Gala evening? We are looking for a black wool ankle length coat with centered hidden buttons and a faux fur collar that looks sort of like mink and stands upright, with a top button brooch. We have your black wool coat with a hood and belt. To make the coat switch, contact the office.
Book Club
On October 18, the Book Club had an engaging discussion of the short stories in After Abel by Michal Lemberger. In addition, we talked about biblical archeology as it relates to these biblical women’s tales. Thank you to Abby Edler for hosting this event.
The next book will be Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean by Edward Kritzler. We will meet in January; more details in upcoming newsletter. For questions contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
No Shabbat Evening Service on October 26
Enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family.
Next Week’s Shabbat Services, Friday November 2
- Family Shabbat, 5:30pm -- Our K-1 and 2-3 grade classes will help lead our Family Service. Wear your pajamas! Dinner will be at 5:30, with the service at 6:30 and dessert afterward.
- Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30pm -- Rabbi Eitan leads our worship with song, story, and explanation that makes our service meaningful for all. Bring a treat to share at our pot luck oneg refreshments.
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
October 26-27, 2018 / 18 Heshvan 5779
Shabbat Vayera
Torah Portion: Genesis 18:1-22:24 / Haftarah Portion: II Kings 4:1-37
“Hospitality”
Dear Friends,
Where does the mitzvah of extending hospitality to the stranger rank amongst our Jewish values?
A story should answer this question: A young person once visited the famed teacher known as the Chofetz Chaim. The guest had arrived at the synagogue just as the Sabbath began, having been on the road for many hours. He was hungry and weak as they walked from the synagogue to the rabbi’s home. To the surprise of the guest, the Chofetz Chaim skipped the singing of ‘Shalom Alechem’ (a song that greets the Sabbath angels) and, after quickly reciting Kiddush and the Motzi, began to eat. “Why did you skip the singing of ‘Shalom Alichem,’” the young man asked his host. The Chofetz Chaim replied: “You were hungry. A hungry person should be fed as soon as possible. The angels can wait to be greeted.” (A Torah Commentary for Our Times. Harvey Fields. Volume 1, page 47.)
In this week’s Torah portion, three angels visit the tent of Abraham and Sarah and are welcomed warmly. Thus, we learn that hospitality is one of the greatest of Jewish values. In the coming weeks or months, find a Shabbat or Jewish Festival when you can open your home to welcome guests to celebrate with you. Enjoy the mitzvah of hachnasat orcheem – hospitality.
Shabbat shalom.
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Religious School, October 28
We look forward to seeing all out students and their families at 9:15am.
Kids’ Holiday Gift Bazaar, November 18
Don’t miss our Kids’ Bazaar at Sunday School on November 18! Each class will have an opportunity to visit the Holiday Bazaar to purchase Hanukkah gifts for parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents – including lots of options priced $10 or less. Please send money to Religious School with your child. We have great gifts for everyone! Parents are welcome to shop as well! Don’t forget, all proceeds go to benefit Shir Hadash.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash
Our next film will be in January. Please contact Burton Kopulsky at bkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu with both suggestions for future films and/or if you can help by sponsoring a showing.
Shir Hadash Sponsors Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema Screening, October 28
Don’t miss a special Shir Hadash outing to see the film Fractures, sponsored by Shir Hadash as part of the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema. Scroll to the top section for details!
Celebrate Hanukkah and Diwali with Shir Hadash and StandWithUs, November 18
Mark your calendars for the evening of November 18. 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 is ranked as the third most educated country in the world. This is slightly ahead of the United States which is ranked as sixth.
- Israel has a literacy rate of about 98%, well above the United States at about 86%.
- Israeli newspapers are published in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, and French.
- Despite being a small country, Israel has 15 book publishers and two major bookstore chains with over 200 stores.
SOCIAL ACTION
Hurricane Relief Donations Now through October 31
Shir Hadash is participating in the JUF relief fund for victims of Hurricanes Florence and Michael through the end of October. Click here for more information.
Volunteers Needed for Soup Kitchen, November 4
On Sunday November 4, Shir Hadash will be serving over 90 meals for needy individuals in our community. In order to provide the food and support for this meaningful project we need approximately six to eight families (20-25 people total) who are able to prepare, cook and serve at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church interfaith soup kitchen in Evanston. This event will require volunteers be available from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on November 4.
Each family will be responsible for bringing:
- A precooked meat or pasta entrée (in disposable dish, non-vegetarian)
- One large bag uncooked frozen mixed vegetables
- Dessert and fruit to feed approximately 12-15 people.
Please feel free to join with another family to fulfill a meal.
This is a great family event because there is no age limit to volunteer, but from past experience, kids should be at least six years old to safely participate in this event. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart at mjlenhart@comcast.net.
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.)
SHIR HADASH IN THE WIDE WORLD
Share Your Travels!
Do you have a photo of yourself or your family in a unique Jewish place you have encountered in your travels? Share it with your fellow Shir Hadashniks! To participate, send your photo with a brief description to newsletter@shir-hadash.org.
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 SHOP SHOPl!
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.
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
