For daily event updates, check our calendar. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Download the Shir Hadash App for Apple or Android
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Creative Worship and Ritual
- No Shabbat Evening Service on February 28
- Sponsor an Oneg
- Religious School, March 1
- Lunch & Learn with the Rabbi, Thursdays
- 2020 Event Preview
- Saturday! Trivia Night, February 29
- Sunday! Family Event -- Hamantaschen Baking, March 1
- Adult Purim Night: Back to the Catskills! March 7
- Purim Carnival & Spiel, March 8
- Noisy Food Drive for Purim, Through March 8
- Yom Tikkun Olam Makes an Impact
- A Note from the Social Action Chair
- Metropolitan Chicago Jewish Population Study
- Voting in World Zionist Congress Election, Now Through March 11
- Get Involved in Gala Planning -- Committee Meeting on March 1
Social Action
- Aid to Australia
- 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 Evening Service on February 29 -- We hope you enjoy observing Shabbat at home.
Sponsor an Oneg! Having a birthday, anniversary, or remembrance? You can sponsor an oneg to celebrate. A dessert oneg is $136, which covers all food including a special celebration cake. Everyone appreciates your hospitality! Please contact Nancy Kekst, execdir@shir-hadash.org for information.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
February 28-29, 2020 / 4 Adar 5780 / Shabbat Terumah
Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19 Haftarah: I Kings 5:26 - 6:13
“B’Seder”
Dear Friends,
What does it mean when we follow a prescribed order when doing something? Following a sequence of steps is important to accomplishing a goal. Thus, this week’s Torah portion tells the Children of Israel to methodically follow a series of steps in building the Mishkan – the portable shrine during the desert wanderings.
We understand the importance of following an order when we prepare a recipe or assemble a piece of furniture. As Jews, we understand order when we pray or sit down to a Passover meal. In fact, in Hebrew the prayer book is called a siddur and a Passover meal is called a seder. Siddur and seder mean “order.” In Israel, when we say that something is “OK,” we say that it is “B’seder” – in order.
Judaism gives order and structure to our lives. Following that order assures that we will live meaningful and successful lives.
Zay a mentsch – Be a good person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Religious School, March 1-- We look forward to seeing our students at Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. In addition, the following adult classes and meetings will take place on Sunday:
- Torah & Jewish Philosophy with Fred Andes at 9:30 a.m. -- Conference Room
- Hebrew Reading & Prayer with Steve Lewin at 10:30 a.m. -- Remote on Zoom
- Gala Planning Committee at 11:00 a.m. -- Corner Meeting Room
- Purim Acts Run-Through at 12:30 p.m. -- Sanctuary
- Madrichim Meeting at 12:30 p.m. -- Conference Room
- Hamantaschen Baking Event at 12:30 -- Kitchen
New Adult Ed Class: Judaism's 10 Best Ideas -- Final Class, March 15, 11:15 a.m. This class is based on Rabbi Arthur Green's book Judaism's 10 Best Ideas. Led by Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow, we will explore what Rabbi Green considers the fundamental principles of Judaism and the concepts that exemplify the best contributions that Judaism has made to civilization.
Overview of Upcoming Events -- Be sure and add these Shir Hadash events (and scroll down for details about February events):
- February 29 -- Trivia Night
- March 1 -- Hamantaschen Baking Party
- March 7 -- Adult Purim Night (Performers Wanted!)
- March 8 -- Purim Carnival
- April 3 -- Pausing in the Wilderness Service
- April 9 -- SH Community Seder
- April 25 -- Israeli Movie Night
- May 2 -- 25th Anniversary Gala
- May 16 -- Coffee House
Saturday! Trivia Night, February 29 -- Save the date for the 4th Annual Shir Hadash Family Trivia Night on Saturday, February 29 at 6:00 p.m. The event benefits the Samuel I. Andes Scholarship Fund, which is a need-based fund to assist children who otherwise would not be able to attend the Shir Hadash Religious School due to economic reasons. Trivia buffs - high school-aged and older - will enjoy this fast-paced, high energy, friendly competition! There will be six rounds of trivia with cash prizes for the top teams, plus a live auction and a 50/50 raffle! Pizza, soft drinks and bake sale items will be available for purchase. Free babysitting is available for children up to age 12 (tots must be potty-trained). Click here for online registration.
Special Auction Item! Check your calendars and come ready to bid on four choice aisle seat Cubs tickets! The game is against the Phillies on April 25 (2:20 start) in row 3 of section 226.
Sunday! Family Event -- Hamantaschen Baking, March 1-- Roll up your sleeves and make some delicious hamantaschen to take home! From 12:30 to 2:30 on Sunday afternoon, we will be crafting, eating pizza, and cooking up a storm. Parents - you are invited, but not required- to help bake. Click here for details and registration.
Adult Purim Event: Back to the Catskills, March 7 -- Come to Shir Hadash at 7:00 p.m. on March 7 for an evening of rousing entertainment at Mordecai's Mountain Resort! We'll revisit the good old days in the Catskills as our emcee guides us through an evening of great variety acts. Click here for registration.
Purim Spiel & Carnival, March 8 -- Come one and all to Shir Hadash's annual Purim Carnival, featuring fun for all ages! Order your child's wristband in advance and enjoy unlimited games for $20 ($25 at the door). Food packages available too! Click here for details and pre-orders.
"Noisy Food" Drive to Celebrate Purim and Help Those who are Hungry, Now through March 8 -- During Purim, there is a commandment to give gifts to the poor. We will do this in a fun way by having "noisy food" groggers (noisemakers) that are then donated to a food pantry. Bring noisy foods like mac & cheese boxes, bags of beans, containers of oats, boxes of rice, or anything else that makes noise when you shake it. Donations can be left in the lobby through March 8th. Questions? Email socialactionsh@gmail.com.
Making an Impact at Yom Tikkun Olam! At Yom Tikkun Olam - Social Action Day - this past Sunday, we helped improve the lives of the homeless, foster children, veterans, domestic violence survivors, people facing food insecurity, individuals with cancer, troops, people with mental health struggles and others needing cheering up, shelter dogs and cats, and the environment. We did this through activities where we created items that we are donating to them, and we began a partnership with Growing Healthy Veterans.
We were privileged to have had Growing Healthy Veterans' co-founders speak to our congregation. Marshall Fox and Lukan Paulus helped us understand the importance of therapeutic gardening and the healing power of community. We look forward to seeing the pumpkin patch we helped you start with seedlings, and we look forward to the harvest party! Most of all, we look forward to working alongside veterans and continuing our partnership.
Several Shir Hadashniks also went to Orphans of the Storm animal shelter to play with cats, see dogs, and deliver the dog treats, cat toys, and dog toys that we made earlier in the day. It was a wonderful experience.
Our day of tikkun olam started Sunday morning and continued well into the afternoon! Thank you to all who came to Yom Tikkun Olam and helped to repair the world.
A Note from Social Action Chair Lisa Burton Radzely -- We did so much good to make the lives better of so many people, animals, and the environment. We accomplished so much tikkun olam this past Sunday, and it was possible thanks to those who donated supplies, the people leading activities, the individuals participating in activities, staff's assistance getting ready for the event, and the Social Action Committee members who spent months and many, many hours planning and implementing these activities.
A very big thank you to everyone who donated supplies! Due to your generosity, we were able to do a lot of projects that help others. Without the supplies, there would have been no way for it to happen.
Thank you to generous Shir Hadash members and staff, as well as Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply, giveNkind, and Lake Forest Smiles for donating supplies.
Thank you as well to our teachers and madrichim for leading activities at Yom Tikkun Olam. It was due to your assistance that we could offer so many activities.
If there were no participants, none of the projects would have happened. Thank you to all Shir Hadashniks and guests who came on Sunday.
Most of all, thank you to the Social Action Committee for spending months planning this event and for all of your help publicizing the event, sorting supplies, setting up, implementing the activities, cleaning up, and delivering items. A big thank you to Muriel Blumstein, Vicky Brice, Suzan Eckstein, Michelle Fisher-Rohde, Iris Kapp, Wendy Kopulsky, Mark Lenhart,, Molly Michaels, Tammy Pomper, Holly Rotman-Zaid, Rachell Runion, Tracy Sasso, Chana Sulpar and Sara Sultan.
Thanks as well to our amazing Shir Hadash staff. Our administrator Karen Burnham and executive director Nancy Kleine Kekst assisted in many ways with making Yom Tikkun Olam happen. Board members Stuart Aizenberg and Steve Varon were a huge help with cleaning up and delivering donations.
Yom Tikkun Olam was a fabulous day to focus more on tikkun olam than we normally do. I hope that you continue to find ways to help make the world a better place. The newsletter, website, app, and social media will detail more social action activities that Shir Hadash is doing.
Voting in World Zionist Congress Election, Now Through March 11 - The 2020 World Zionist Congress elections are here! This election is your opportunity to make progressive American Jewish voices heard in Israel, and to give support to progressive Israelis who are fighting for democracy, equality, and renewed peacemaking in their beloved country.
Reconstructing Judaism is partnering with the Union for Reform Judaism in support of the ARZA slate in this important election. If you’re 18 or older and a Jewish-American, you are eligible to vote. Voting is happening online now, and continues until Mar. 11, 2020.
Visit www.zionistelection.org and follow the steps to cast your vote. The whole process takes 90 seconds, though it does include a series of steps. It’s worth the effort! Click here for step-by-step voting instructions.
Shir Hadash 25th Anniversary Gala, May 2 -- Planning is underway for our 25th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, May 2. The event chair is Ila Rothschild and we have a core committee in place. If you can help, or would like to get involved with the planning committee, contact Nancy Kekst, execdir@shir-hadash.org.
SOCIAL ACTION
Australia Wildfire Assistance -- We've all seen the heartbreaking images and heard the staggering statistics about the Australian wildfires. A problem this huge needs all of the help they can get from everyone around the world. There are several reputable organizations where you can help displaced persons, injured animals, and the firefighting effort.
- Local fire departments: Victoria and New South Wales have been hardest hit. The Victoria fire department is welcoming donations at this link, while New South Wales fire department donations can be made by clicking here.
- Injured animals: WIRES is the New South Wales-based Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc., Australia's largest wildlife rescue organization. It requests donations to fund the rescue and care of animals affected by the fires. In December, WIRES received more than 20,000 calls and volunteers attended more than 3,300 rescues, according to the organization's website. All animal rescuers are volunteers. Learn more at wires.org.au.
- Displaced persons: The Australian Red Cross is supporting thousands of people in evacuation centers and recovery hubs. Learn more about where your money goes and donate at redcross.org.au. The American Red Cross is also accepting donations for bushfire relief efforts.
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.
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment