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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
- Shabbat Evening Service, February 15 7:30pm
- Sponsor an Oneg
- No Religious School on February 17
- Adult Education Programs -- Notes for February 17
- New Hebrew Prayers for Adults Class, February 24
- Shabbaton at Shir Hadash, March 9
Notes from Nancy
- Mussar Study Group, February 21
- Trivia Night, February 23
- New! Social Action at Orphans of the Storm, February 24
- New! JUF Dessert Reception, March 10
- Lahaka Rehearsal Schedule
- Book Club, March 21
- Soup Kitchen Help Needed, March 3
- Tzedakah for the ARK
News from Reconstructing Judaism
- Summer Havayah Programs
- Trans Jews are Here: A Convening, New York March 29-31
Israel Awareness
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel
- Birthright Trip Registration Open
- Israeli Film Series
- SHOP Shir Hadash
- Simcha Tree Leaves
- Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
- Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
- Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Shabbat Evening Service, Friday, February 15, 7:30pm - With Rabbi
Eitan away at Kallah this weekend with some of our older kids, we will do
things a little differently in this week’s service. Fred Andes will lead, except for the singing
part - which will be led by Scarlett Andes!
(So come to hear her sing/lead.) We
will hear from Fred about the organization that he is involved with that
promotes environmental cooperation between Israelis, Jordanians, and
Palestinians - EcoPeace Middle East. Water is a difficult issue in that region, so
we all need to know more about the good work that is being done to address
those issues. Fred will do a short
presentation that includes pictures from his recent trip with EcoPeace to
Israel, Jordan and the West Bank.
Sponsor an Oneg! Having a birthday, anniversary or remembrance? You can sponsor an oneg to celebrate. A dessert oneg is $136 and everybody appreciates and enjoys your hospitality. The donation covers all food, including a special celebration cake. Please contact Nancy Kekst at the synagogue office to make arrangements.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
February 15-16, 2019 / 11 Adar I 5779 / Shabbat Tetzaveh
Torah: Exodus 27:20 - 30:10 / Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10 - 43:27
“Bringing Light into the World”
Dear Friends,
This week’s Torah portion instructs the Israelites to kindle the Eternal Light or Ner Tamidin the sanctuary with pure olive oil. In Genesis Rabbah, the rabbis of the Talmud interpret the light as a symbol and reminder of Israel’s mission to bring good deeds into the world based on Proverbs 6:23, “the mitzvah is a lamp, the Torah a light.” Every act of loving kindness brings illumination and understanding into the world.
Whatever we can do to help heal the world, every act of tikkun olam – giving tzedaka (charity), feeding those who are hungry, helping a person in need, caring for the ill, and more – brings more light into the world. Every mitzvah keeps the Eternal Light burning.
Zay a mentsch -- Be a good person!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Adult Education Programs -- Since there is no religious school on February 17, Torah Study and Modern Jewish Philosophy will be meeting off site and other other our Adult Ed classes will be taking the week off. Next week, we will be back with a full slate: Torah Study & Modern Jewish Philosophy with Fred Andes, Living Judaism with Rabbi Eitan, and the Hebrew Reading and Prayers class with Steve Lewin (see below). For times, visit the Shir Hadash calendar.
New! Hebrew Prayers Adult Class, Starting February 24 at 11:30 -- Students will learn to read and understand the key prayers of the service including the Barechu, Shema/V’ahavta, Amidah, and Aleynu. We will also learn to chant the Torah blessings. This course can serve as the foundation for anyone considering becoming adult bar or bat mitzvah as well as for those who want to support the studies of their Religious School students. The text for this class is Hineni: Prayerbook Hebrew for Adults, available here.
Shabbaton, Saturday March 9 -- To make up for our snow day, we will be hosting a Shabbaton here at Shir Hadash. We will have a wonderful Shabbat Service which our students will participate in, followed by lunch,and fun Shabbat activities: games, crafts, putting together Mishloach Manot Bags (gift bags) for Purim. Please let Rabbi Marcey know if your child and family will be attending.
NOTES FROM NANCY
Nancy Kleine Kekst, Executive Director - execdir@shir-hadash.org
(1) If you or anyone on a committee is planning to send a mass email to the congregation via Shul Cloud Mail, please be sure to discuss it with me at least a week in advance. We are getting complaints from congregants about receiving so much email, which means they will stop reading it all together. Every event will NOT receive their own separate email. We are trying to use fewer words, use clickable images for further information and maximize social media. We are working on some email and social media policy guidelines and welcome your expertise -- contact me if you'd like to get involved.
(2) Shir Hadash has been added to the tax exempt list at Woodman's. If you are buying anything there for the synagogue, you present the tax exempt certificate to the cashier, they verify with customer service that we are pre-approved, and then they have you sign a paper. It must be a hard copy of the certificate; they will not accept a photo. Contact me at execdir@shir-hadash.org with any questions.
Stay Warm, Nancy
PS: And here is a link to great pictures from Social Action Day: Post yours as well!
MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS
Mussar Study Group, February 21 -- The core text we are studying is Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar, by Alan Morinis. We will discuss the theme of Honor on at 7:30pm on Thursday, February 21, followed by Faith on March 14 and Trust on April 11. There is no charge for participation in the Mussar Study Group and all are welcome. Interested in learning more about Mussar? Click here for an informative overview. Please email Lynn Liebling, lliebling@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions.
Trivia Night, February 23 -- Save the date for the Third Annual Shir Hadash Trivia Night, scheduled for February 23 at 6:00pm. It's a really fun and lively Family Trivia Night to benefit the Religious School Scholarship Fund. Pizza, soft drinks, live auction and 50/50 raffle. Click here for registration, sponsorship and donation info!
New! Social Action Visit to Orphans of the Storm, February 24 -- If you love cats or dogs, this is the outing for you! We will meet the dogs and play with the cats as we give much-needed attention to the animals at this Deerfield animal shelter, just a ten-minute drive from Shir Hadash. (If you have allergies or are afraid of cats or dogs, you can skip the area with the animal you don't want to be around.) Meet at Orphans of the Storm, 2200 Riverwoods Road, from 1:00 to 2:30pm.
Donations for Orphans of the Storm can be left in the Shir Hadash lobby or brought directly to the animal shelter. They need newspapers, paper towels, towels and blankets, cat and dog food, and cat and dog toys. Register here by February 22. Questions? Email Lisa Burton Radzely, at socialactionsh@gmail.com.
New! JUF Dessert Reception, March 10 - The annual Northwest Suburban JUF Dessert Reception will be held Sunday, March 10 at Temple Chai in Long Grove. The event features guest speaker Ira Forman, a widely acclaimed former U.S. diplomat, Jewish communal activist, author, educator, and international public speaker. For details and registration, click here.
Lahaka Schedule: Rehearsals and Services
- February: Monday 2/25
- March: Friday 3/1 Shabbat; Monday 3/18
- April: Tuesday 4/2; Friday 4/5 Passover; Monday 4/29
- May: Friday 5/3 Shabbat; Monday 5/20
- June: Tuesday 6/4; Friday 6/7 Shabbat
NEWS FROM RECONSTRUCTING JUDAISM
Havaya Summer Programs – In Reconstructing Judaism’s Havaya Summer Programs, there’s never a reason for campers to be anyone other than their true selves. No matter who they are, kids are both celebrated and challenged in ways that help them grow into amazing human beings. As Reconstructionist communities open to all, we encourage each camper to explore our traditions and today’s world to discover what being Jewish means to them. See what the buzz is all about at HavayaSummerPrograms.org.
Trans Jews are Here: A Convening, March 29 - 31, New York -- Trans and non-binary Jewish individuals are welcome to come celebrate and explore the intersection of transgender identity and Jewish life. Hosted by Congregation Beit Simchat Torah with Keshet, the convening includes Shabbat experiences, workshops, panels, discussions, presentations, and performances. Click here for more information.
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Israel will be having an election for the 21st Knesset (Parliament) on April 9. Israel has no electoral districts. The selected members of Knesset reflect their parties' share of the national vote subject to a minimum of 3.25% of the vote.
Electoral terms are four years; however, the Knesset can be dissolved early which is why this election is being held now.
After the election, the President of Israel (a largely ceremonial post) picks a member of Knesset to form a government based on the parties selected in the election. That person, after forming a government, becomes the Prime Minister. Israel briefly experimented with direct elections for the Prime Minister in the 1990s and 2001, but ended up dropping that idea.
Israeli Environmental Issues and Ecopeace, February 15 -- An interesting topic pertaining to Israel will be highlighted at the Friday night service when Fred Andes discusses an organization he is involved with promoting environmental cooperation between Israel and its neighbors. Please see the Creative Worship and Ritual section of this newsletter for more information.
Birthright Israel Opportunities – Spring and summer dates have been announced for Birthright Israel trips. Multiple opportunities are available for college students, graduates, and adults 27 to 32. For details, visit IsraeliwithIsraelis.com
Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash - Look for more Israeli films at the synagogue in the future. Suggestions are welcome! The next film is tentatively scheduled for April 6.
SOCIAL ACTION
Photo Credit: Soben Studios (middle of bottom row, left of middle row, right of top row)
A Day Filled with Doing Good! Yom Tikkun Olam Recap
This past Sunday, Shir Hadashniks improved the world!
- We made hundreds of cards and letters that will cheer up and support hospitalized children, the troops, women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and children in Cambodia who have HIV and/or TB.
- The hearts will bring joy to the lucky people who find these beautiful objects and the inspirational messages.
- We helped feed homeless people, birds trying to get through the winter, and dogs at an animal shelter.
- Foster children will know someone cares about them every time they look at the friendship bracelet on their wrist.
- Troops and people in domestic violence shelters will have enjoyable activities to do and have their personal care needs met.
- The picture frames brightened the day of dozens of veterans, and they will continue to bring them joy throughout their stay at the VA hospital.
- We learned more about recycling and composting to help us take care of the earth better.
- We discovered new ways to get involved on an ongoing basis, either volunteering at an organization or doing activities at home. Click here for the websites and contact information for all organizations we supported during Yom Tikkun Olam.
- We experienced that tikkun olam -- repairing the world -- is both enjoyable and meaningful.
Tikkun olam activities occur at Shir Hadash and offsite locations throughout the year. Watch for further information in the newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, Shir Hadash website, synagogue emails.... If you have an idea for a project we can do or want to get involved in planning these events, join the Social Action Committee, email socialactionsh@gmail.com, or talk to Lisa Burton Radzely.
A Note from Our Social Action Chair, Lisa Burton Radzely --
A big event like Yom Tikkun Olam could not have occurred without the help of numerous people.
A big event like Yom Tikkun Olam could not have occurred without the help of numerous people.
- Thank you to everyone who donated supplies for the activities. We could not have held this day without the generosity of so many people who gave in-kind or monetary donations.
- A fabulous turnout of nearly 100 people put all of those donations to good use.
- Every member of the Social Action Committee played an important role in helping us plan and execute Yom Tikkun Olam. Thank you for the many hours you put into it.
- Thank you to the religious school teachers and madrichim for running stations or assisting in other ways during Yom Tikkun Olam.
- Shir Hadash staff were key to Yom Tikkun Olam's success. Thank you for the numerous ways you helped to get ready for this big event.
Soup Kitchen Help Needed, March 3 -- On Sunday, March 3, Shir Hadash will be serving over 90 meals to needy individuals at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church inner faith soup kitchen in Evanston. We need six to eight families (20-25 people total) who are able to prepare, cook and serve at this meaningful event. Volunteers must be available from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. There is no age limit to volunteer, but kids should be at least six years old to safely participate in this event.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart as soon as possible at mjlenhart@comcast.net.
Tzedakah for the ARK -- Tzedakah collections for February and March will help the ARK do its important work of providing medical care, food, and other basic necessities to more than 4,000 Chicagoland Jewish families. The ARK assists them in navigating self-reliance by providing free, comprehensive services within a framework of Jewish values and laws.
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 - 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 SHOP!--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.
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