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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
- Shabbat Evening Services on April 5: "Pausing in the Wilderness"
- Dedication of Bimah Artwork Panels, April 5
- Upcoming: Second Friday SHED Talks, April 12
- Sponsor an Oneg
- April 7: Religious School Takes Place at The Grove
- Adult Education Programs
- Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Thursdays
- Spread the Word! School Open House, May 5
- Check Out the New Website!
- Saturday! Israeli Movie Night, April 6, 7:30pm
- Sunday! Town Hall Meeting, April 7, 7:00pm
- Sunday! Community Event: Good Deeds Day, April 7, 10:00am
- Mussar Study Group, April 11, 7:30pm
- Family Game Night, April 13, 6:30pm
- Second Night Seder, April 20, 6:00pm
- Coffee House Night Concert Series Presents Scarlett Andes, May 4, 7:30pm
- Annual Meeting May 19, 9:15am
- SHED Talk Hats and Shirts Still Available
- Notes from Nancy
- Volunteers Needed! Pack or Deliver Passover Food Boxes, April 7 and 14
- Tzedakah for the Muslim Community and New Zealand
- Sock Drive Continues
Israel Awareness
- Did You Know? Facts About Israel - Land Edition
Jewish Community Events
- Northwest Synagogues Yom HaShoah Service, May 1
- Jewish National Fund Yom Ha'atzmaut Community Celebration, May 9
- JUF Dinner Honoring Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, May 29
- Reconstructing Judaism Summer Camps
- 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 Services: April 5 -- "Pausing in the Wilderness"
- 5:30 Family Shabbat Service
- 6:30 Matzah Ball Soup Light Dinner for All
- 7:30 PM Community Shabbat Service
Join in our community’s special way of welcoming the celebration of Passover with our “Pausing in the Wilderness” Shabbat service. This year, we will dedicate the new Twelve Tribes stained glass panels on our bima. Don’t miss the reveal!
The Family Service begins at 5:30. At 6:15, everyone is invited to share in a matzah ball soup and charoset light dinner. At 7:30, our Community service continues. The Lahaka will sing at both services. Through story, song, and even dance, we will celebrate our ancestors’ deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Please bring a treat to share at the oneg.
Dedication of Twelve Tribes Bimah Panels, April 5 -- As mentioned above, we will dedicate our Twelve Tribes Bimah Artwork Panels during our “Pausing in the Wilderness” service on April 5. Celebrating our fifth anniversary in our building, the art panels are a combined creation of artists Maureen Fisher Schweit and Abe Schor, who worked together on concept, design and colors.
You are invited to participate in this fundraising historic project by dedicating all or part of a panel. Each panel dedication is $1,800; panels may be dedicated by more than one person and families may pool resources to dedicate one panel (e.g, $180 each by 10 people). Donors will be acknowledged on our new donor wall next to the Simcha Tree. As nothing lasts forever, dedications remain for 18 years.
To learn more about the Bimah Panels, click here. For questions, panel reservation, choice and payment options, contact Executive Director Nancy Kleine Kekst at (216) 789-2452 (mobile) or email execdir@shir-hadash.org.
Second Friday SHED Talks, April 12, 7:30: Following a Kabbalat Shabbat, Shir Hadash members share tales of their personal Jewish journeys. Suzanne Sabransky and Johannah Simon will speak.
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 clickhere 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.
Shabbat Tazria/Shabat HaChodesh
- Torah: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59
- 7th aliyah: Numbers 28:9 - 28:15 | Shabbat HaChodesh (on Rosh Chodesh)
- Maftir: Exodus 12:1 - 12:20 | Shabbat HaChodesh (on Rosh Chodesh)
- Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16 - 46:18 | Shabbat HaChodesh (on Rosh Chodesh)
“The Cause of Dis-Ease”
Dear Friends,
What causes disease? Rabbinic sages commenting on this week’s Torah portion came up with a clear answer. Diseases, such as leprosy and fungal infections, are caused by speaking slander against one’s neighbor. What’s the connection? A careful reading of Torah stories reveals that Moses developed a serious skin disease after complaining to God about the Israelites. At another point Miriam became leprous after complaining about her brother Moses’ wife.
From this we learn that slander and defamation can cause the kind of ‘dis-ease’ that can rupture a community. It shatters trust and destroys confidence.
With this in mind, I share with you a few choice Jewish teachings warning us against the sin of slander:
“Have you heard something about someone? Let it die with you. Be of good courage, it will not harm you if it ends with you.” (Ben Sira 19:10)
“Your friend has a friend, and your friend’s friend has a friend, so be careful of what you say.” (Ketubot 109b)
“Where there is no wood, a fire goes out; where there is no whisper, a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20)
“He who shames his fellow is shamed.” (Mesikta Kallah)
“Someone who shames another in public is like someone who has caused bloodshed.” (Talmud)
So, avoid the temptation to slander and gossip about others. Rather, act with thoughtfulness, kindness and love. Zye a Mentsch – Be a person of honor, compassion and dignity.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
All-School Field Trip at The Grove, April 7, 9:50am -- On Sunday, April 7, join us for a Family Education experience at The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview. For our postponed celebration of Tu B’Shvat (New Year of the Trees), we will be learning about the life, purpose and care of the tree species that grow in our area. The morning will include singing and learning in the Program Barn followed by guided tours of The Grove’s hiking trails. And we will end in the Program Barn with some final thoughts and hot chocolate!
We will meet at The Grove at 9:50am and stay there for approximately two hours. There will be NO programming at the synagogue that day. At least one parent from each family should accompany their children. A $5 donation is requested from each participant to offset program fees. For more information, contact Rabbi Marcey, rabbimarcey@shir-hadash.org.
Adult Education Programs -- On April 7, Fred Andes's Torah and Philosophy class and Steve Lewin's Hebrew class will meet off-site. The instructors will contact participants with details. All classes, including Rabbi Eitan's class, will resume at Shir Hadash on April 14. To see the regular class times for future weeks, visit the Shir Hadash calendar.
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. Please note that the Rabbi is out of town this week, so there will be no Lunch and Learn on March 28.
Spread the Word! School Open House, May 5 -- We need your help! Please get the word out about our upcoming Religious School Open House Tell your friends, neighbors and long lost relatives about their chance to come in, meet Rabbi Eitan and Rabbi Marcey and have their child spend the morning in an actual class. Members who refer a family will receive a $25 Starbucks, Lettuce Entertain You or other gift card for each new family that attends the Open House! Interested member families can share the School Open House page at https://www.shir-hadash.org/openhouse.
Check Out Our New Website! We are excited to unveil the our vibrant, engaging new website (the URL remains the same, www.shir-hadash.org). The site features loads of updated photos along with a user-friendly design.
Saturday! Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash: "Jellyfish" on April 6, 7:30pm - Come to Shir Hadash for a free screening of “Jellyfish.” This poignant film tells the story of three very different Tel Aviv women whose intersecting narratives weave an unlikely portrait of modern Israeli life. The film has won many awards including the "Golden Camera" at Cannes. Admission is free and snacks will be available. Donations to help offset costs are also appreciated.
Sunday! Congregational Town Hall Meeting, April 7, 7:00pm -- Join us for a discussion of the Voluntary Commitment Model, an alternative to traditional dues. What is it? How does it work? Should Shir Hadash move in that direction? Come be part of the conversation.
Sunday! Community Event: Good Deeds Day, April 7, 10:00am - Join Shir Hadash reps at Good Deeds Day, on Sunday April 7, 10-11:30 am at the Buffalo Grove Community Center, sponsored by the JCC and the Northwest Suburban Jewish Connectors. Perfect for families with small children! Shir Hadash will have a table, so we are looking for volunteers. This is a great recruitment opportunity. To help out, contact Lynne Arons at lynnearons1@gmail.com.
MOSH Family Game Night, April 13, 6:30pm --MOSH is sponsoring a Family Game Night at the home of Chantal and Glenn Graff, 473 Thorndale Drive in Buffalo Grove. Whether you are an adult or a kid, come and have some fun playing a variety of board or card games. If you have a favorite game, bring it along. We hope to have multiple games going at once allowing choices for different ages and game tastes. Click here for registration.
Second Night Community Seder, April 20, 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Join us for a Second Night Seder led by Rabbi Eitan, where Passover is honored and reconstructed for the 21st Century. A service that is familiar but lively and involving. The Seder is followed by a pot luck meal. Click here for information on what to bring and to register.
Coffee House Night - Concert Series Presents Scarlett Andes, May 4 -- Vocalist Scarlett Andes, one of Shir Hadash’s own, accompanied by pianist Gail Mangurten of the Maxwell St. Klezmer Band, is going to grace our stage. This solo concert will span genres including Broadway, Yiddish theatre, opera, and contemporary music. Doors open at 7:00pm and the Concert begins at 7:30pm; a free will donation is requested. Contact Margie at MargiePromoPro1@aol.com and indicate how many people are in your party to reserve your seat. If you’d like to volunteer for the Coffee House Night Team or contribute baked goods for this event, please put “Coffee House Night - Concert” in the subject line.
Annual Meeting May 19 -- The Shir Hadash 2019 annual meeting will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 9:15 a.m., at the synagogue. At the meeting, we will share important information, vote on nominees for open positions on the Board of Directors, and approve the Shir Hadash budget for 2019-2020.
T-Shirts and Hats Still Available: If you missed our most recent Shabbat SHED talk, we have a limited quantity of Welli’s Warriors T-shirts and Felicia’s Fighters hats still available. All T-shirts are size large. The T-shirt and hat together as a set is $10. Please purchase directly from Nancy Kleine Kekst. Cash is preferred. There are about a dozen sets left to purchase, so get them while they’re hot!
Notes from Nancy -- The Kosher Geese have returned! Yes, every year around this time a proud momma and pappa goose lay their nest and eggs on our roof. Please do not disturb them! You will often see the papa out patrolling around the building perimeter. Watch this column for the birth announcement! Thanks to Don who is the Synagogue’s acting stork!
ISRAEL AWARENESS
Did You Know? Facts About Israel - Land Edition!
- Israel is only 1/6 of 1% of the landmass of the Middle East (Israel is roughly half the size of Lake Michigan).
- The Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest point on earth, at 1,315 feet below sea level at its lowest point.
- The Negev Desert comprises approximately 4,633 square miles, more than half of Israel's total land area.
- Israel currently has no offshore islands within its territorial waters. However, the Israeli government plans to build artificial islands off the coast to house an airport, a seaport, a desalination plant, a power plant, and a military testing base, as an answer to Israel's lack of space.
Volunteers Needed! Help Pack or Deliver Passover Food Boxes, April 7 and 14 - Shir Hadash will be joining Maot Chitim of Greater Chicagoland to help pack and deliver Passover food boxes for needy Jewish families all over the Chicago area. Members can help by packing food boxes and/or delivering them.
- PACKING will take place on Sunday, April 7, from 9:30 to 10:30am at 6137 Monroe Court in Morton Grove.
- DELIVERY of food packages will take place on Sunday, April 14, from 9:30 to 11:30am in Wheeling. We will be delivering about 100 food packages, in large boxes weighing approximately 20 lbs. each. We deliver to two large complexes and use a rental truck to transport the boxes.
Volunteers, please contact Mark Lenhart, mjlenhart@comcast.net. You will be sent more details about a week before the events.
Play Bingo with Seniors, April 28 -- Shir Hadash will join Gidwitz Place assisted living residents to play bingo on Sunday, April 28, 1:00-2:00pm. Ages 5+ welcome. Limited to the first 15 individuals who sign up here. Gidwitz Place is a part of the Weinberg Community for Senior Living- CJE Senior Life. It is located at 1551 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield. Contact our Social Action Chair, Lisa Burton Radzely, at socialactionsh@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Support for the Muslim Community and New Zealand -- We stand with the Muslim community, New Zealand, and the world that we will not tolerate hatred and violence against any religion or any group. Tzedakah will support the JUF New Zealand Islamophobe Attack Relief Fund through the end of May. Cash and check donations can be placed in the tzedakah box near the prayer books or given to the office. Checks should be made to Jewish United Fund. 100% of donations will go toward the relief fund, for JUF is absorbing all administrative costs.
Sock Drive, Now Through April 30 -- Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council is running its third annual "Knock Your Socks Off" sock drive at member congregations, including Shir Hadash. Through the end of April, drop off new socks for men, women or children in the box in the lobby. Donations will be distributed to homeless individuals and families in the northwest suburbs.
JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS
Northwest Synagogues Yom HaShoah Service, May 1 -- Shir Hadash will participate in a commemoration service at Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Rd. in Long Grove. Details will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
Jewish National Fund Yom Ha'atzmaut Community Celebration, May 9 -- Celebrate 71 years of Israel’s Independence with a traditional torch lighting ceremony featuring leaders from across the community. Guests include Boaz Konforty, star of the Israeli Netflix series Fauda. The event will be held at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road in Glencoe, with a VIP reception at 6:00pm followed by the general program at 6:45. For more information, call (847) 656-8880.
JUF Dinner Honoring Dr. Stephen Nasatir, May 29 -- JUF invites you to a very special evening celebrating Dr. Steven B. Nasatir in honor of 40-year tenure as President of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago on Wednesday May 29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For more details and registration, click here.
Reconstructing Judaism Summer Camps – There is still space (and financial aid!) available for youth interested in Reconstructing Judaism’s summer programs!
- Havaya Arts– a two week program in Southern California where participants are immersed in visual art, dance, theater or music as well as Judaism and self-exploration
- Camp Havaya – a more traditional camp experience based in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania, with two-, three-, or four-week sessions in a lively, welcoming and diverse community
- Havaya Israel -- rising high school juniors encounter varied experiences and viewpoints that help them build personal connections and make up their own minds.
Please contact Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow to learn more, or feel free to reach out to the camp directors, Reuben at Havaya Arts andSheira at Camp Havaya. And please don’t let money be what stands in your way; the camps are committed to working with families to make the experience affordable.
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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