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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
- No Shabbat Evening Service on February 22
- Sponsor an Oneg
- Religious School, February 24
- Adult Education Programs, February 24
- New Hebrew Prayers for Adults Class, February 24
- Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Thursdays
- Shabbaton at Shir Hadash, March 9
- Tonight! Mussar Study Group, February 21
- Saturday! Trivia Night, February 23
- Sunday! Social Action at Orphans of the Storm, February 24
- JUF Dessert Reception, March 10 - Join the Committee
- Lahaka Rehearsal Schedule
- Book Club, March 21
- Soup Kitchen Help Needed, March 3
- Tzedakah for the ARK
News from Reconstructing Judaism
- 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
No Shabbat Evening Service on February 22 -- We hope you enjoy celebrating Shabbat with your family. Next week (March 1) - Family Shabbat at 5:30 and an Evening Service at 7:30!
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.
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.
February 22-23, 2019 / 18 Adar I 5779 / Shabbat Ki Tissa
Torah: Exodus 30:11 - 34:35 / Haftarah: I Kings 18:1 - 18:39
“Keeping the Shabbat”
Dear Friends,
This week’s Torah portion teaches us to keep the Shabbat throughout all the generations. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, in his book, “The Bedside Torah,” gives a beautiful description of Shabbat and what it can mean to us in contemporary times. Let me share it with you:
“Shabbat offers a period of sanity, a time for centering, that is otherwise absent in our culture. Shabbat assures each observant Jew that there will be twenty-four hours in which nothing will interfere with spiritual growth, strengthened community, and family. Chores and obligations can wait; cultivating family ties and spiritual values cannot…
Shabbat is our eternal sign with God, a timely reminder of a timeless bond.” [The Bedside Torah. Page 152]
This weekend, and every weekend, find some time to explore and enjoy the power and meaning of Shabbat. It is a special part of our Jewish tradition and heritage that makes Judaism and Jewish life so special.
Zay a mentsch -- Be a good person!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Religious School, February 24 -- We look forward to seeing all our students back in school at 9:15 a.m.
Adult Education Programs -- Our Adult Ed classes return this week, including Torah Study & Modern Jewish Philosophy with Fred Andes, Living Judaism with Rabbi Eitan, and the new Hebrew Reading and Prayers class with Steve Lewin (see below). For times, visit the Shir Hadash calendar.
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. The text for this class is Hineni: Prayerbook Hebrew for Adults, available here.
Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan -- Each Thursday, join the Rabbi and Shir Hadash members and friends for an exploration of the weekly Torah portion from 1:00 to 2:00pm. Don’t be surprised if archaeology, sociology, contemporary world affairs as well as law, medicine, and business ethics enter the lively conversation as we plumb the deeper meanings of Judaism’s core text. Participants are encouraged to share their views, questions, and opinions.
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.
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!
Sunday! Social Action Visit to Orphans of the Storm, February 24 -- Register here by February 22. If you love animals, 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. (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. Questions? Email Lisa Burton Radzely, at socialactionsh@gmail.com.
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.
Join the Committee! Rachel and Rich Siegel invite all Shir Hadashniks to participate in the JUF fundraiser as a committee member. No meetings to attend or calls to make -- committee members are just asked to make a donation of any size, allow their names to appear on the event program, and attend the event if possible. We have a great reason to participate: In 2018, Shir Hadash was awarded a Nonprofit Security Grant Program grant in the amount of $136,470! We could not have done it without the help of the JUF, which reviewed our application and gave us great feedback. To be part of the Committee, contact Rachel at rschicksiegel@gmail.com or Sandi Kaplan, sandikaplan@juf.org.
Book Club, March 21 -- The next book will be Gateway to the Moon by Mary Morris. This wonderful novel traces the legacy of 15th Century Spanish Jews leaving their mark on a present-day small town in New Mexico. Our meeting will be held on March 21 at 7:30 at the home of Susan Grossman at the Vi at the Glen. Questions? Contact Meryl Abensohn, abenkras@aol.com.
Singers Welcome to Join Lahaka! We are always looking for congregants to join our choir, Lahaka. Below are our rehearsal and, in bold, performance dates. Please join us! Contact Julie Wellisch in the front office, admin@shir-hadash.org.
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
, 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
Did You Know? Facts About Israel - Environment Edition!
- Israel is one of two countries in the world where the desert is shrinking vs. expanding.
- Israel is the world's leader in using water recycled from sewage. This "grey water" has allowed up to 40% cuts in fresh water while still producing equivalent crop yields.
- Over 80% of Israeli homes uses solar energy for hot water - the highest percentage in the world.
- Land use is a critical challenge for Israel since it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. A lot of effort is currently being focused on managing development in a sustainable manner.
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.
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 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.
Each family will be responsible for bringing a precooked meat or pasta entrée (in disposable dish, not vegetarian), a large bag uncooked frozen mixed vegetables, dessert, and bags of fresh fruit (oranges, tangerines etc) that can feed approximately 12-15 people. This may be a lot for some families to provide, so please feel free to join with another family to bring a meal. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mark Lenhart as soon as possible at mjlenhart@comcast.net.
Tzedakah for the ARK -- Giving tzedakah will help heat local households. The ARK paid utility bills for 750 clients last year, and the recent polar vortex will increase that need. All donations placed in the Shir Hadash tzedakah box near the prayer books or given to the office during February and March will be donated to The ARK.
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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