WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
- January 4: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:30pm
- Religious School Resumes January 6
- Adult Education Programs Start January 6
- Mussar Study Group Now Meets January 10
- New Member Dinner, January 12 (Register now!)
- Book Club, January 17
- New! Israeli Film Series, January 19
- Great Spaghetti Showdown & Movie Night, January 26
- Coffee House Night, February 2
- Yom Tikkun Olam, February 10
- Notes from Nancy
- Support Food Pantries with Interfaith Council
Israel Awareness
- New! Israeli Film Screening at SH, January 19
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel - Literary Edition!
- 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, January 4, 7:30pm – The holiday season has passed and with it the annual singing of Peter Yarrow’s Hanukkah song, “Light One Candle.” But have we ever stopped to ponder the deep meaning of the words? This Shabbat, we will examine and discuss the lyrics and discover the powerful Jewish message embedded within the words that sustains us throughout the whole year. Please bring a treat to share at our potluck oneg refreshments.
No Family Shabbat Event on January 4 -- Our previously announced Family Dinner and Service will not be held on January 4. Plan to join us for our next Family Shabbat experience on February 1!
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.
January 4-5, 2019 / 28 Tevet 5779 / Shabbat Va’eira
Torah: Exodus 6:2 - 9:35 / Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
“Into the Wilderness”
Dear Friends,
When speaking to Pharaoh, why did Moses insist that the Children of Israel go out to the desert to worship God? Why couldn’t they worship God in their Egyptian villages?
A Chassidic teaching offers an answer: “Pharaoh offered Israel the opportunity to bring sacrifices in Egypt rather than in the wilderness. Pharaoh did not comprehend that first Israel had to remove itself from that corruption of which Egypt was the symbol. Before man can pray he must go into the wilderness, there to repent. Then only will he be ready to bring his offering to God.”
From this teaching we learn that to pray it is important to find a place in which we feel safe, protected, and centered. There we can open our hearts and minds and seek growth, transformation, and renewal. There we can become our best selves.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
NOTES FROM NANCY
Shir Hadash Synagogue has an exceptional opportunity to enhance the security of our Synagogue but we need your help to raise $4,500. Can you pitch in? Read more below for information about this opportunity and the upcoming Town Hall on Security.
The Jewish United Fund of Chicago is offering grants to support enhanced security at synagogues whereby JUF will match synagogue funds used for security. We submitted the grant application prior to the December 31, 2018 deadline. We need your help to take advantage of this opportunity to better secure our space and keep our members safe. The grant will allow us to purchase equipment and training to make us safer and better prepared, as well as fund the cost of a plainclothes off-duty armed police officer for calendar year 2019. While we do not know whether our funding application will be granted, here’s what we do know: proper security measures cost real dollars in our budget. The Board is trying to raise $9,500 which JUF will match. $5,700 has already been raised. Can you help us with a donation to raise the remaining $3,800?
In addition to the security grant for which we are applying, we are planning to hold a congregational town hall meeting on Sunday morning, January 27 at 10:00am to share the fine work of the Security Subcommittee of the Building Operations Committee. We want to have a discussion with members about how everyone feels about various security measures so that the Board can make decisions that reflect the thoughts and concerns of our members. Please come and learn about our security precautions and share your thoughts with us.
We hope you will consider a donation to Shir Hadash which we could earmark for our security expenditures. Did you know a donation of $250 pays for a security guard during Sunday School? $180 covers the cost of an emergency bag for each classroom? $50 can pay for an additional first aid kit?
Simply visit our webpage, http://www.shir-hadash.org/donations/ , make a donation to the general fund, and in the notes, indicate security. Or you may mail a check to the synagogue.
Thank you for your support!
Shir Hadash Synagogue has an exceptional opportunity to enhance the security of our Synagogue but we need your help to raise $4,500. Can you pitch in? Read more below for information about this opportunity and the upcoming Town Hall on Security.
The Jewish United Fund of Chicago is offering grants to support enhanced security at synagogues whereby JUF will match synagogue funds used for security. We submitted the grant application prior to the December 31, 2018 deadline. We need your help to take advantage of this opportunity to better secure our space and keep our members safe. The grant will allow us to purchase equipment and training to make us safer and better prepared, as well as fund the cost of a plainclothes off-duty armed police officer for calendar year 2019. While we do not know whether our funding application will be granted, here’s what we do know: proper security measures cost real dollars in our budget. The Board is trying to raise $9,500 which JUF will match. $5,700 has already been raised. Can you help us with a donation to raise the remaining $3,800?
In addition to the security grant for which we are applying, we are planning to hold a congregational town hall meeting on Sunday morning, January 27 at 10:00am to share the fine work of the Security Subcommittee of the Building Operations Committee. We want to have a discussion with members about how everyone feels about various security measures so that the Board can make decisions that reflect the thoughts and concerns of our members. Please come and learn about our security precautions and share your thoughts with us.
We hope you will consider a donation to Shir Hadash which we could earmark for our security expenditures. Did you know a donation of $250 pays for a security guard during Sunday School? $180 covers the cost of an emergency bag for each classroom? $50 can pay for an additional first aid kit?
Simply visit our webpage, http://www.shir-hadash.org/donations/ , make a donation to the general fund, and in the notes, indicate security. Or you may mail a check to the synagogue.
Thank you for your support!
School Resumes January 6 -- Welcome back! We're looking forward to hearing all the news about Winter Break from our students and families. See you at 9:15 on Sunday morning.
Adult Education Programs Start January 6 -- Learning is a lifelong activity! The following adult education classes start this Sunday:
NEW! Living Judaism: Introduction to Jewish Spirituality & Civilization - Sundays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.; Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 24; Mar. 3, 10; April 7, 14; Instructor Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow.
A survey of essential and fundamental concepts of Judaism - its roots, history, sacred texts, holidays, and life cycle celebration. This class offers a great opportunity to learn what Judaism offers us to live, learn, celebrate and relate to life’s challenges in a Jewish way, today! This class is for everyone – from those with no Jewish background to those with a strong Jewish background, and all in between.
Torah Study/Modern Jewish Philosophy - Sundays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Instructor Fred Andes. Are you interested what the Torah has to tell us as modern Jews? Spend some time with us looking at the upcoming week’s Torah portion (in English, don’t worry about your Hebrew) and, as we Jews do, taking it apart, digging deep inside, and trying to figure out what it meant to Jews back then and what it should mean to us now. Then, we’ll take a look at modern Jewish philosophy.
Hebrew Reading Crash Course -- Sundays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.; Instructor: Steve Lewin. This course is the continuation of the Fall semester and concentrates on teaching basic Hebrew alphabet and reading skills.
New Date! Mussar Study Group, January 10-- The next meeting of the Mussar study group has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 10 at 7:30pm. The core text we are studying is Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar, by Alan Morinis, and this month's topic is Equanimity. The final meeting, on February 7, will discuss Honor. There is no charge for participation in the Mussar Study Group and all are welcome. Please email Lynn Liebling, lliebling@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions.
New Member Dinner, January 12 - Join us as we come together to celebrate the growth of Shir Hadash at this casual evening with our community. All members are encouraged to attend, especially those who gifted a membership to a new family. The program will start with Havdalah, followed by introductions, dinner, trivia and special entertainment by noted classical guitarist Mitchell Green. There is no cost for the dinner for our new members who have joined since January 2018. We appreciate a donation of $18 per adult and $7 per child ages 4-12 for our members of more than one year. Children three and under are free. RSVP here.
The next book we discuss will be Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean by Edward Kritzler. The book's subtitle gives a taste of the story: How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom, and Revenge. Melanie Andes will lead what is sure to be a fascinating discussion. We will meet on January 17 at the home of Donna Torf, 2210 Ash Lane in Northbrook. For questions contact Meryl Abensohn at abenkras@aol.com.
New! Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash, January 19 - Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem - Our next film will be on January 19 at 7:30pm. We will be showing "Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem" about the struggles of obtaining a Jewish divorce. This fascinating film has won multiple awards. Admission is free and snacks will be available for purchase.
The Great Shir Hadash Spaghetti Showdown & Movie Night, January 26 -- Following in the footsteps of two successful years of The Great Chili Cookoff, this year you are invited to attend The Great Spaghetti Showdown!
The Details: Saturday, January 26, 6:00pm
The Rules:
- Anyone can enter! We will provide regular and gluten-free pasta -- You will provide the sauce!
- Sauces and meatballs must be made with Kosher meat (beef, bison, chicken, turkey, etc.) OR can be vegetarian/pareve. No dairy will be served. (Sorry, no parmesan cheese!)
- Bring your sauce in a crock pot or Dutch oven to compete for bragging rights to best meat, best vegetarian, most innovative, fan favorite sauce, etc.
- BYOB and pot luck pareve dessert!
- $10/person; $20/family. Entrants admitted FREE! Reduced admission for movie-only attendees; Showdown attendees pay no fee for the movie. (Crossing Delancey for adults; kids’ movie TBA.)
Watch for registration information coming soon on www.shir-hadash.org.
Coffee House Night, February 2 -- Mark your calendar for another great evening of entertainment! Coffee House Night will return in February for more wonderful performances in an open-mic setting. Watch for more details and sign-ups in January.
Save the Date! Yom Tikkun Olam, A Day of Repairing the World, February 10 -- Our congregation will come together for one special day to repair the world. There will be projects for adults and children that are enjoyable and meaningful as we help make the better world a better place. More details coming soon. Save the date to be at Shir Hadash on Sunday, February 10, 11:00am-12:30pm!
Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash, January 19 - Our January film will be Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem. Scroll up to the Membership and Events section for details.
Did You Know? Facts About Israel - Literary Edition!
- First held in 1963, The Jerusalem International Book Fair is a unique biennial event which draws over 1,200 publishers from more than 40 countries who exhibit more than 100,000 books in different languages.
- Amos Oz was an internationally renowned Israeli writer whose works have been translated in 41 languages. He received numerous awards for his work, including the Israel Prize in 1998. Sadly, Amos Oz passed away last week.
- Haim Nahman Bialik was a famous Jewish poet who wrote in both Hebrew and Yiddish. He was one of the pioneers of modern Hebrew poetry and is regarded as Israel’s national poet.
- Shmuel Yosef Agnon received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1966 and was one of the central figures of modern Hebrew fiction. His works dealt with the conflict between the traditional Jewish life and language and the modern world emerging around the State of Israel.
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 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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