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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Creative Worship and Ritual
- No Shabbat Services at SH November 22-23
- Multigenerational Service, December 6
- Save the Date! Hanukkah Party and Singalong, December 14
- Sponsor an Oneg
- Religious School, November 24
- Sunday Morning Adult Ed:
- Torah & Jewish Philosophy, 9:30 a.m.
- Hebrew Reading, 10:30 a.m.
- The Golden Land: History of Jews in America, 11:15 a.m.
- Lunch & Learn with the Rabbi, Thursdays
- Sunday! Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 24
- Hanukkah Gifts on Sale
- Book Club, December 19
- Follow Shir Hadash on Facebook -- Twice!
Social Action
- Holiday Gift Drive, Now Through December 15
- JCFS Gift Sorting, "Shopping" and Packing Event, December 8
- Shir Hadash Shoppers Keep 77 People Warm
Jewish Community Events
- JUF Chanukah Coat Club
- 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
No Shabbat Services November 22-23 -- We hope you enjoy celebrating Shabbat at home.
Upcoming Services: Save the Date!
- Multigenerational Evening Service, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
- Hanukkah Party and Singalong! December 14, 6:15 p.m. -- Light the Lights and celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of freedom. Our evening begins with games and activities at 6:15pm. At 7pm, we’ll enjoy a great Hanukkah show and Menorah lighting. Our dancers will perform and then we will hear some great Hanukkah jokes. Our Mighty Shir Hadash Klezmorim will get us on our feet for some great dancing and our Lahaka Adult Choir will lead us in song. Our children will enjoy hearing a great Hanukkah story. Rabbi Eitan will share lessons of our tradition. Then, we will wave glow lights as we sing Hanukkah songs. And when all is done, join us for potato latkes and doughnuts, traditional Hanukkah delicacies. Bring a treat to add to our refreshments. Don’t miss it!
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.
November 22-23, 2019 / 24 Heshvan 5780 / Shabbat Chayei Sarah
Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18 / Haftarah Portion: I Kings 1:1-31
“Paying to Make Peace”
Dear Friends,
How much should we pay when buying an item? As much as we love a good deal, is it fair to expect to pay less than expected? On the other hand, is it fair to pay more than the market price?
In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham purchased a burial cave in a field near today’s Hebron in which Sarah would be laid to rest. The Torah account goes into great detail explaining how much the Hittite seller was willing to give Abraham the cave at no cost. Nevertheless, Abraham insisted on paying the full fair market price. What was going on?
Two principles were in play. 1) Abraham wanted to make sure that his purchase of the cave would not be challenged by anyone. Therefore, he insisted on paying full price so that no one could say that the seller was deceived. 2) The Hebrew word for “to pay” is “L’shalaym,” which is derived from the word “Shalom.” Literally, it means to make peace between seller and buyer. Thus, the Torah is telling us that both the seller and buyer should always come away from a deal feeling whole and at peace.
In our consumer economy, make sure that these two fundamental Jewish principles are operating in your buying and selling. “L’shalaym” is about paying a fair price in order to make peace amongst all the parties involved.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Adult Ed Classes, Sunday mornings -- Check out our continuing Adult Education classes taking place this Sunday: Torah & Jewish Philosophy with Fred Andes at 9:30 a.m. and Hebrew Reading & Prayer with Steve Lewin at 10:30.
The Golden Land: History of Jews in America Sundays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.: Nov. 24; Dec. 8, 2019; Mar. 22, 29; Apr. 5 and 12, 2020; Instructor: David Liebling. This class offers an in-depth exploration of defining moments in American Jewish history including the Colonial era, immigration, anti-Semitism, the World Wars, right up to the present. Each class will involve reading in sources and textbooks along with discussion.
Lunch & Learn, Thursdays -- 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.
Hanukkah Gift Sale -- We have a large pile of items left from the gift shop which will be put out for sale in the weeks leading up to Hanukkah. This will replace the traditional Hanukkah bazaar we used to hold for students, as we are reluctant to give up instruction time for the kids to shop. But the items are very low-priced and students can shop before and after school. The table will be staffed during school hours on November 24, December 8, and December 15, as well as during the December 14 Hanukkah program and regular office hours. We could use some volunteer help for the sales events, which would be a perfect project for any high school students who need volunteer hours. If you can offer any volunteer time, please contact admin@shir-hadash.org.
Book Club, December 19 -- At our next meeting we will be talking about The Lake on Fire, a novel by Rosellen Brown. The epic narrative follows 19th-century Jewish immigrants as they move from rural Wisconsin to industrialized Chicago at the time of the Columbian Exposition. Join us for a lively discussion at a member's home and bring a nosh to share! To RSVP and for location details, contact the office at admin@shir-hadash.org or (847)498-8218.
Follow Us on Facebook – Twice! Did you know there are two Shir Hadash FB resources? One is a private group for members only, with about 110 members at present. This is a great group to post questions or updates for members about Shir Hadash events, news and business. And then we have the Shir Hadash FB page, which is a public page with over 650 people following. The Shir Hadash page is a perfect group to share synagogue events, as well as community events, recipes, links to fun sites and other items in which you have a great interest. Please follow both and post accordingly! We appreciate your support of our growing, inclusive community.
SOCIAL ACTION
Holiday Gift Drive- New, Unwrapped Presents Welcomed until December 15 -- Not all children at Jewish Child and Family Services have a holiday sponsor, so Shir Hadash is having a toy drive to make sure every child receives a gift during the holidays. New, unwrapped presents can be left in the Shir Hadash lobby any time until December 15. Toys, puzzles, games, sports equipment, dolls, craft supplies, and other non-violent presents are appreciated. Please do not donate items that need batteries because many families can't afford replacement batteries. Email SocialActionSH@gmail.com or ask Lisa Burton Radzely if you have questions.
Sort, Shop the Donations, and Prepare Holiday Gift Packages for Children In Need- December 8 All Ages Welcome -- On December 8, 1pm-3pm, Shir Hadash members will go to JCFS Northbrook to sort and "shop" the holiday gift donations to fulfill children's wish lists, and then we'll get the packages ready for delivery. This project will fill the wish lists of unsponsored children, and we will get all children's gifts ready for delivery. Feel great knowing that you are helping children receive the present they were hoping to get. All ages welcome to participate, but children under 13 must be supervised by an adult. JCFS Northbrook is located at 255 Revere Dr. #200. Email SocialActionSH@gmail.com to register or to ask any questions.
Shir Hadash Shoppers Keep 77 People Warm This Winter! This past Sunday, 11 Shir Hadashniks shopped for winter jackets, boots, and accessories for 77 people who needed assistance staying warm this winter. Using JUF Chanukah Coat Club funds, we bought a warm jacket, hat, gloves or mittens, snowpants, and snowboots for individuals in need who are clients at Jewish Child and Family Services in Buffalo Grove. JCFS received 763 assistance requests this winter, so the need is great across all JCFS locations. JUF Chanukah Coat Club distributes funds to other organizations as well.
Make a Donation to Keep Someone Warm This Winter, and Have a Hanukkah Card Sent to Announce your Gift -- JUF Chanukah Coat Club is a great way to help keep people warm this winter. For a donation of $18, a child receives a new, warm coat and accessories. Donations made in someone's honor can be acknowledged with a personalized Chanukah card announcing your gift. To ensure that cards are received in time for the holiday, send information and payment by December 2nd. Make a donation by clicking here.
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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