WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Events
- A Note from Executive Director Nancy Kleine Kekst
- Gift of Membership Program Extended to November 15
- Saturday! Israeli Movie Night at Shir Hadash, October 6
- Mussar Study Group, October 11
- Book Club, October 18
- Shir Hadash Gala, October 20
- Great Big Challah Bake, October 25
- Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, October 28
- Coffee House Night, November 10
- Volunteer Help Needed at SH
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Shabbat Evening Services, Friday October 5
- Family Shabbat and Dinner, 5:30pm
- Evening Service, 7:30pm
- Oneg Volunteers Needed -- Sign Up Today
The Rabbi’s Corner
- “Valuing Creation”
Religious School
- Sunday School, October 7
- Save the Date! Kids’ Gift Bazaar, November 18
Israel Awareness
- Saturday! Israeli Film "A Matter of Size" at Shir Hadash, October 6
- SH Sponsors Film Screening at Israeli Cinema Festival, October 28
- Joint Hanukkah/Diwali Celebration, November 18
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
Social Action
- New! Social Action Committee Kickoff Meeting, October 16
- New! Volunteers Needed for Soup Kitchen, November 4
- Help Hurricane Victims and Do the Mitzvah of Giving Tzedakah
- 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
A Few Notes from Nancy Kleine Kekst, Executive Director
I wanted to thank each and every one of you for the warm welcome I have received since I started at Shir Hadash a month ago. Now that the High Holidays and festivals have concluded, I hope to get down to the piles on my desk, reach out to many of you, and continue to promote the fine work we do here. Three items of note:
- To save energy and resources, the synagogue building is closed on Wednesdays. Any calls or emails will be returned on Thursday. Also please refrain from sending emails on Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday).
- For those congregants who make approved expenses on behalf of the synagogue for programs, events or supplies, there is now a Shul Cloud form required with your receipt in order to be reimbursed. Click here for the form and contact the office if you have any questions. And don't forget to use the Illinois sales tax exempt form if you shop for the synagogue.
- We could use some volunteers this Sunday morning to take down the sukkah and the bimah decorations. Please contact me at execdir@shir-hadash.org if you can help out in the morning during Sunday school.
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 religions school. Previous Shir Hadash members are not eligible.
Saturday! Israeli Movie Night at Shir Hadash, October 6
The Israel Committee presents the comedy A Matter of Size Saturday evening at 7:30pm. For details, scroll down to the Israel Awareness section below.
Mussar Study Group, October 11
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. Please note that our original meeting dates have changed. The new schedule for the next several months is:
October 11: Order
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.
Book Club, October 18
Several Book Club members took an excursion to supplement our reading of What the Lady Wants. We visited the Gilded Age-era Nickerson mansion (now the Driehaus Museum) and took the Servants’ Tour. Scarlett Andes was part of the tour. Then we adjourned for lunch at Eataly. We had a great adventure that enhanced our experience with the novel.
Our next selection will be After Abel and Other Stories by Michal Lemburger. Our meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 18 at 7:30pm at the home of Abby Edler, 275 E. LaSalle in Vernon Hills. For more information, contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
Shir Hadash Gala, October 20
Invitations have been mailed 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, 7:00 to 11:00pm, at Bella Via in Highland Park. The evening will include dinner, a silent auction, raffles, and live entertainment. Remember to RSVP online. Hope to see you all there!
Join the Great Big Challah Bake, October 25
Shir Hadash will be participating in this year’s Great Big Challah Bake at the Bernard Weinger JCC on Thursday, October 25 at 7:00pm. Limited spots are available; contact Cindy Grills by September 25 at 847 409 3707 or homes@cindygrills.com.
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. 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). We have a block of 20 tickets; $15 each. First come, first served - don’t delay! Register at www.shir-hadash.org.
Coffee House Night Returns November 10
Attention non-performers and performers, members and non-members…. 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 do not need to be one of the performers to attend; everyone is welcome! You will be amazed at the wonderful talent you'll hear. Bring a date, bring a friend or come solo – the evening is well worth your attendance. There is no charge; a free will donation will be graciously accepted.
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Service, Friday October 5
-- Family Shabbat, 5:30pm:
Join us for a fun night for families with young children. We will start with a light dinner followed by a lively child-friendly service led by Rabbi Eitan that includes the Shabbat prayers, a story, song, and dance. We finish the experience with oneg refreshments and a fun craft activity.
-- Evening Service, 7:30pm
Is it possible that there are two Creation stories in the Torah? Rabbi Weiner-Kaplow will present both versions through an intriguing text study of the early chapters of Genesis. Don’t miss it… and please bring a treat to share at out potluck 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 5-6, 2018 / 27 Tishrei 5779
Shabbat Bereisheet
Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8 / Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 42:5-43:10
“Valuing Creation”
Dear Friends,
Did the creation of the world really happen in seven days? Were the heavens, the stars, sun and moon, sea and sky, grasses and trees all created on different days? Were fishes, bugs, birds, beasts, and humanity created on others? Did it happen just as the Bible says it does? For fundamentalists and ‘Creationists,’ it did. Creation rolled out exactly as the Bible says. For them, the Bible should be read literally, as a newspaper, listing all the facts just as they happened.
Yet, many Jewish sages and scholars teach that the Torah has to be read between the lines. The meaning runs deeper. For, the Torah was not written to give a factual account as we expect history to be written, compiled, and redacted today. Rather, its account was written to tell us more about the meaning of life itself. It tells us to emulate the values that are presented. Just as the creation account tells us about God’s creative energy and presence, so should we engage in creative acts to continue the unfolding of creation in our own time. Just as the Torah account tell us of the responsibility of humanity to care for all living creatures and the very earth itself, so should we become stewards of the earth and all life. Just as Adam and Eve repent for their misdeeds, so should we strive to better ourselves when we make mistakes.
What concerns the Torah are less the facts of creation and more the values of creation. These values have the power to transform our lives and teach us to seek lives of morality, holiness and derech eretz (thoughtful behavior).
As we begin the reading of the Torah this week, from the very beginning, all possibility and opportunity for living a good and holy life are before us.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Sunday School, October 7
We look forward to seeing all our students and families at 9:15am on Sunday.
Save the Date! Kids’ Holiday Gift Bazaar
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
Saturday! Israeli Film "A Matter of Size" at Shir Hadash, October 6
The Shir Hadash Israel Committee invites you to a free showing of an Israeli comedy like nothing you've seen before, a hilarious and heartwarming tale about four overweight guys who learn to love themselves through the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. The showing is at 7:30 on Saturday, October 6. There is no charge for the film. Concessions are available. Donations are appreciated. Join us after the movie for a discussion! 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!
Save the Date! 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
- The Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has visited Israel twice - once in 2015 and a second time in 2018.
- Israel is the first country that Japan signed an Industrial R&D (Research and Development) Collaboration Agreement with.
- There is a museum of Japanese Art in Haifa Israel.
- Israel has hosted Sumo wrestling tours and Sumo workshops.
- Sumo wrestling is the topic of a fun Israeli comedy showing at Shir Hadash on October 6 at 7:30 (see above).
SOCIAL ACTION
New! Social Action Committee Kickoff October 16
The first Social Action Committee meeting will take place Sunday, October 16, at 9:45am. Let's start planning which social action activities Shir Hadash will do this year. If you can't attend the meeting but want to get involved, email Lisa Burton Radzely at socialactionsh@gmail.com.
New! 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.
Help Hurricane Victims and Do the Mitzvah of Giving Tzedakah
To help those who have lost their homes and businesses in the hurricane, we will collect donations for the Jewish United Fund's Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Fund. Please put contributions in the tzedakah box near the prayer books. Coins, bills, and checks made out to JUF are welcomed. All donations will be matched up to $750 by one of our members, so please support Shir Hadash's effort to help the hurricane victims. We will collect for a few weeks.
100% of contributions will go toward hurricane relief. JUF is absorbing all administrative costs.
If you have any questions, contact Lisa Burton Radzely at SocialActionSH@gmail.com.
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 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 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.
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
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