WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
- Shabbat Evening Service, November 16
- New! Happenings at Shir Hadash, December 2 and 7
- Religious School, November 18
- Kids’ Gift Bazaar, November 18
- Hanukkah Showcase Family Education Day, December 2
- Donations Accepted to Support Pittsburgh Families Now through November 30
- Share Winter Warmth and Holiday Magic: Outerwear and Toy Drives Going on Now
- Sunday! Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 18
- Sunday! Hanukkah/Diwali Joint Celebration, November 18
- Gift of Membership Program Extended to November 30
- Hands-on Help for Kids in Need at JCFS, December 2 Register now!
- Mussar Study Group, December 6
- Book Club
- JUF Emergency Fund for California Fires Relief
- Support Food Pantries with Interfaith Council
Israel Awareness
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- SHOP Shir Hadash
- Simcha Tree Leaves
- Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
- Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
- Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
Shabbat Evening Service: Friday November 16, 7:30pm--"Torah Reading Shabbat" We will read Torah this week, the famous portion of Jacob’s ladder and his meeting Rachel at the well. We will study the text with the chumash books and engage in a spirited discussion about how the story still resonates for us in contemporary times. As always, please bring a treat to share at the oneg refreshments following our service.hope you enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family.
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.
HANUKKAH HAPPENINGS AT SHIR HADASH!
Sunday, Dec 2: (Morning Hours to be determined by Rabbi Marcey) Hanukkah Showcase--Family Education Day:Hanukkah activities and festival celebration for all families! And latkes and jelly donuts!
Friday, December 7: 5:30 pm Family Hanukkah Shabbat -- We will gather for dinner at 5:30pm and then have a family-friendly service and celebration of Hanukkah afterwards. There will be Hanukkah songs, light sticks for the kids, and a dessert to follow. We hope to get a few dreidel games going as well. No charge but there will be a pre-registration. And latkes and jelly donuts!
Friday, December 7, 7:30pm - Community Shabbat Hanukkah Celebration -- Songs, music, dance, readings, prayers and decorations! We look forward to some special dedications too. And latkes and jelly donuts!
November 16-17, 2018 / 9 Kislev 5779 / Shabbat Vayetze
Torah - Genesis 28:10-32:3 / Haftarah - Hosea 12:13-14:10
“God is in this Place”
Dear Friends,
Where can we find God? This week’s Torah portion tells of a time after Jacob stole the birthright and blessing of the first born from his brother Esau. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled for his ancestral home in Mesopotamia. One night, he camped in a place north of Jerusalem and dreamed of a ladder extending to heaven with angels on it. Upon awakening, Jacob said, “God is in this place and I did not know it.”
This makes sense to me. In our daily activities, we rarely have time to stop. We are always on the go and our thoughts are far from holiness and spirituality. Once Jacob stops in his flight, even for a moment, he recognizes the sacredness of surroundings. The truth is that God is in every place. If only we would stop for a moment, relax, and open our eyes, we would recognize that blessing, abundance, and God’s presence are with us at every moment.
Where can we find God? God is everywhere.
Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Religious School, November 18-- 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.
Hanukkah Showcase Family Education Day, December 2--Mark your calendar for a special day at school, featuring Hanukkah activities, latkes, jelly donuts and more for the whole family. More details coming soon!
Notes from Executive Director Nancy Kekst:
- Thanksgiving Week will be a short one at Shir Hadash! The office will be open Monday and Tuesday, November 19-20, and then closed the rest of the week. We will reopen on Monday November 26.
- Is there interest in having a movie night and Chinese food event around December 24th or 25th? We are looking for someone to organize and execute this event. Please bear in mind that the synagogue will be closed December 22 through January 2 and there will be no building staff available. Contact Nancy Kekst at execdir@shir-hadash.org to discuss. Thank you!
Donations Accepted to Support Pittsburgh Families Now through November 30--Tzedakah donations are now being collected for the Pittsburgh victims and families of the recent tragedy. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to the cause via JUF. You can donate directly into the Tzedakah box at Shir Hadash, or by writing a check to JUF. You can also make a donation via Shul Cloud with a notation that funds are to be directed to Pittsburgh assistance. This will run through November 30. For any questions, please contact Chana Sulpar atcsulpar@yahoo.com.
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 co-sponsoring 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 6:00pmon Sunday, November 18 at Temple Beth El, 3610 Dundee Road in Northbrook. $10 pre-registration fee; RSVP on the event website.
Gift of Membership Opportunity Extended to November 30--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 30. 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.
Make Children's Dreams Come True! December 2 at JCFS Northbrook - Register Today!--On December 2, 1:00-3:00pm, we will be sorting donated toys and then "shopping" to fulfill children's wish lists. Feel great knowing that you are helping children receive the present they were hoping to get. All ages welcome to participate, but children under 13 must be supervised by an adult. JCFS is located at 255 Revere Dr. #200, in Northbrook. Click here to register or email SocialActionSH@gmail.com for information.
Give Warmth this Winter and a Gift this Holiday Season--There are many children in our area who don't have the necessities to stay warm this winter and won't receive any holiday gifts unless people provide donations. If you would like to help, there are donation bins in the lobby. Questions? Contact Lisa Burton Radzely, Social Action Chair, at SocialActionSH@gmail.com.
Winter outerwear can be donated through December 2. Clean gently-used or new jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, snowpants, and boots are welcomed for all ages. Donations will go to children in need at nearby schools.
New, unwrapped gifts can be donated through December 16. Please no items with batteries or associated with violence. The most-requested items are: board games and card games • puzzles • Legos • dolls and accessories (especially ethnic dolls) • basketballs • soccer balls • science kits and other educational toys • headphones and mp3 players • gift cards. Donations will go to children in need who are JCFS clients or to children in the foster system who are living in group homes.
Mussar Study Group, December 6--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: December 6: Gratitude; January 3: Equanimity; and February 7: Honor. Please email Lynn Liebling lliebling@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions.
Book Club--The next book we discuss will be Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean by Edward Kritzler. We will meet in January; more details in upcoming newsletter. Looking for another great option? Meryl highly recommendsWhite Collar Girl by Renee Rosen, whose works we have read in the past. This well-written novel is about women in journalism, the Daley regime in Chicago, and the mob. For questions contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash--Our next film will be in January. Please contact Burton Kopulsky atbkopulsk@chicagobooth.edu with both suggestions for future films and/or if you can help by sponsoring a showing.
Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- Israel is only 1/6 of 1% of the landmass of the Middle East (Israel is roughly half the size of Lake Michigan).
- Per square mile, Israel has one of the highest levels of bird traffic in the world. Over 500 million migrating birds cross its airspace.
- Israeli cows produce more milk per cow than almost any country in the world, vying only with South Korea.
- Some buses and stations around Israel bear the inscription “You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old” — a quote from Leviticus intended to encourage courtesy among passengers.
- People who keep Shabbat can buy car insurance which doesn’t cover Saturdays, making it cheaper.
JUF California Fires Relief Fund -- As devastating and lethal fires continue to rage in northern and southern California, JUF is responding by creating an emergency relief fund to aid in the massive recovery. Donations to the Jewish Federation California Fires Relief Fund can be made at juf.org/DisasterRelief, by calling (312) 444-2869, or by sending a check to 30 S. Wells Street, #3017, Chicago, IL 60606. Donations may be earmarked specifically for California Fires Relief, or for any of the several other natural disasters that have occurred in recent months.
As always, JUF will work hand in hand with local Federations and agencies and will absorb all administrative costs so that 100 percent of funds collected will provide relief for the those impacted by this disaster.
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.)
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 - Now Including Flappy’s!--The Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove, Butterfield’s Restaurant in Northbrook, and now all three locations of Flappy’s 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.
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