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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Creative Worship and Ritual
- Sukkot Dinner & Service, October 13
- Simchat Torah Pizza Dinner & Service, October 20
- Sponsor an Oneg
- Religious School, October 13
- Adult Ed: Torah & Jewish Philosophy and Hebrew Reading, Sundays
- School Parents Meeting, October 13
- No Lunch and Learn on October 10
- Israeli Film Series at SH Presents "Ushpizin," October 12
- Mussar Study Group, October 17
- Book Club, October 17
- Landscaping Notes
- Chicago Festival of Israeli Film, November 9 and 17
- Visit our Reading Corner
Social Action
- Tzedakah to help the Bahamas -- Hurricane Relief
- Sponsor a Child for Hanukkah -- Sign Up by October 25
- Sponsor a Bimah Ark Panel -- Only Three Left!
- SHOP Shir Hadash
- Simcha Tree Leaves
- Don’t Forget Our Permanent Restaurant Fundraisers!
- Shir Hadash Memorial Wall
- Links to Fundraisers: Amazon, iGive, and More
Sukkot Dinner & Service, October 13 -- Celebrate Sukkot at Shir Hadash with a soup-and-salad dinner, followed by a potluck "S'Mores-gasbord" oneg. The evening begins with a service at 5:30 p.m., followed by lulav-shaking and then a friendly dinner. Click here for details and registration (no fee to participate, but RSVPs are requested to ensure we have enough soup and salad for all).
Simchat Torah, October 20 -- Be part of a memorable service where we see the Torah scroll completely unrolled and learn from Rabbi Eitan. Join us for a pizza dinner at 5:30 p.m. (click here to RSVP) followed by a festive service at 6:30.
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, execdir@shir-hadash.org 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.
October 11-12, 2019 / 13 Tishrei 5780 / Shabbat Ha’azinu
Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52 / Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51
“Recalling Our Jewish History”
Dear Friends,
We Jews love to recall our Jewish history. In this week’s Torah portion, Moses told the Israelites to “Remember the days of old. Consider the years of ages past.” Throughout our Jewish civilization we have many opportunities to remember. Our rituals and celebrations have historical roots. Passover is about our deliverance from bondage in Egypt. Shavu’ot is about receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai. Hanukkah is about the victory of the Maccabees. Purim is about Queen Esther defeating Haman. When we recite the Kiddush on Shabbat, the prayer reminds us about our liberation from Egyptian slavery to freedom.
The message is clear. It is critical for us to learn and remember our Jewish history. History is a path to strengthening our sense of Jewish identity.
As we enter a New Year, I encourage you to learn more about Jewish history. Discover your Jewish past, present, and future.
Zay a mentsch -- Be a good person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Religious School, October 13 -- We're looking forward to seeing our students back at school this Sunday at 9:15 a.m.
School Parent Committee Meeting, October 13 -- All parents are invited to participate in the SPC meeting in the annex, beginning at 10:15 a.m.
Adult Ed Classes, October 13 -- Our regular Adult Education classes resume this Sunday: Torah & Jewish Philosophy with Fred Andes at 9:30 a.m. and Hebrew Reading & Prayer with Steve Lewin at 10:30.
No Lunch & Learn on October 10 -- Rabbi Eitan's regular Thursday Lunch & Learn will resume on October 17. Join the Rabbi and Shir Hadash members and friends at 1:00 p.m. for a refreshing and contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion, a selected book of the Bible, or a contemporary work of Jewish wisdom.
Office Hours During the Holidays -- The Shir Hadash office will be open Thursday and Friday, but will be closed next Monday in observance of Sukkot.
Israeli Film Series at Shir Hadash Presents "Ushpizin,” October 12 - Come to Shir Hadash at 7:30pm on October 12 for a screening of “Ushpizin.” This film is a heartwarming story for the Sukkot holiday, which begins the following evening. Admission is free and snacks will be available. Donations to help offset costs are always appreciated.
Book Club, October 17 -- The Shir Hadash Book Club is reading The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. The author, a renowned culinary historian, offers a fresh perspective on our most divisive cultural issue, race, in this illuminating memoir of Southern cuisine and food culture that traces his ancestry—both black and white—through food, from Africa to America and slavery to freedom. We will meet on Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. For the location of the meeting or more information, contact the office at admin@shir-hadash.org or (847) 498-8218.
Mussar Discussion Group -- Life repeatedly challenges us. How do we translate high-level concepts of ethical living to this moment in time? Mussar is a Jewish practice that guides us on this path. Shir Hadash's Mussar Study Group discusses the core text Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis. Our next group meeting will be Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Lynn Liebling, lliebling@sbcglobal.net or Kayla Shonberg, klashon74@gmail.com.
Landscaping Notes -- What's in Bloom. Fall is here! We hope you enjoy the colorful mums in the river birch parking lot island. Also, the purple asters facing Dundee Road are in full bloom. Many thanks to Vicky Brice and Fiore Nursery for their donation of the asters. If you haven't stepped into the meditation garden on the northwest side of the building, now is a great time, with the lush clematis and lamium at their peak. Or, you can enjoy a view of the meditation garden from the sanctuary.
Parking lot islands. You may notice that we are doing work on the two furthest parking lot islands. We have had recurrences of poison ivy, which spreads there from the wooded area by the creek. To help control the poison ivy, we removed all the vegetation. Stay tuned for further updates in the spring.
Chicago Festival of Israeli Film, November 9 and 17 -- Shir Hadash has blocks of tickets available for two great Festival offerings at the ArcLight Theater in Glenview: "The Unorthodox" on Saturday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. and "Israeli Men in Shorts" on Sunday, November 17, at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 each. After the films, we will walk to a nearby restaurant for a nosh and conversation. Registration coming soon on the SH website. Shir Hadash is a sponsor of the Festival thanks to a generous donation by Susan E. Cohen and Jerry Carl.
Visit our Reading Room -- Have you seen our new mini-reading room? It is located in the hallway outside the sanctuary. There are many books of interest. Please feel free to take one, enjoy it, and pass it along to a neighbor, but DON"T return it! We have more books to put out!
SOCIAL ACTION
Help the Bahamas -- Hurricane Dorian's impact on the Bahamas is staggering. Thousands of homes were destroyed. As of September 22, at least 53 people are dead and more than 1,300 still missing—many likely swept to their deaths. The recovery process will be very slow, for they still are without running water, have no electricity unless a generator supplies it, encounter fuel shortages, and face shortages of food and daily necessities. The government has ordered no rebuilding for six months in order to "allow for recovery efforts and the removal of (billions of pounds of) storm debris."
Just as people around the world helped the US after Hurricane Katrina, it is now our turn to help the Bahamas. There are multiple ways you can give tzedakah: leaving cash or a check in the tzedakah box near the prayer books, or by mailing a check or leaving one with the office. Checks should be made out to Jewish Federation Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund. 100% of collected funds will provide relief for those impacted by this disaster, with Federation absorbing all administrative costs. Questions? Ask our Social Action Chair, Lisa Burton Radzely, or email socialactionsh@gmail.com.
Shir Hadash is teaming with Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS) to help children get what they want this holiday season. Your involvement makes the difference between these children receiving gifts or not getting anything.
There are three ways you can help:
- Shop for a child's entire wish list ($50).
- Shop for half of a child's wish list. We will pair you with someone ($25 each).
- Donate any amount and have someone else shop for you. All amounts add up, so donations of all sizes are welcomed. $50 fulfills one child's wish list.
Sort, Pack, and/or Deliver Items for Domestic Violence Shelters, October 27 -- Shir Hadash will participate in the upcoming Luggage for Freedom event helping hundreds of donations get to women and children leaving domestic violence shelters. Volunteers are needed to sort items, pack suitcases and backpacks, and then deliver donations to local domestic violence shelters. Ages four and up are welcome. Donations of new sheets, new towels, and Ziplock bags are accepted on that day at the event. If you have other items to donate – such as luggage - please email luggageforfreedom@ncjwcns.org.
The next Luggage for Freedom event takes place on Sunday, October 27, at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park.
- 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Sort
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Pack
- 1:30 PM: Deliver to shelters
Please email SocialActionSH@gmail.com if you would like to be part of the Shir Hadash team participating in this event. Indicate which time slot(s) you will participate.
Gently-Used and New Winter Clothing Drive: October 20 to November 17 -- As you're pulling out jackets and other clothing that keeps you warm, please keep in mind that we will be doing a winter warmth drive for local families. Gently-used and new hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, jackets, snowpants, and boots are welcomed. They will be distributed to local families who need assistance staying warm this winter. There will be a collection bin in the lobby October 20 through November 17. If you have any questions, please email SocialActionSH@gmail.com or ask our Social Action Chair, Lisa Burton Radzely.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Twelve Tribes Bimah Panels: Only Three Panels Left to Dedicate! -- Celebrating our fifth anniversary in our building, our Twelve Tribes bimah ark 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. The panel dedications will remain in perpetuity, or as long as the art remains in our sanctuary. (They will not expire in 18 years as originally stated.) 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.
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 --The Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove, Butterfield’s Restaurant in Northbrook, and 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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