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:
THE VIRTUAL EDITION
THE VIRTUAL EDITION
With an abundance of caution and to ensure the health and safety of our staff, the Synagogue building is closed at least through the duration of the Illinois shelter-in-place order.
Our devoted staff will be working from home and messages via phone and email will be responded to within 24 hours.
If you need any assistance, you may call Marc Fargotstein at 847-612-6579 or contact Executive Director Nancy Kleine Kekst at 216-789-2452. The Rabbi is also available on his cell phone 847-525-7746 at any time.
Our devoted staff will be working from home and messages via phone and email will be responded to within 24 hours.
If you need any assistance, you may call Marc Fargotstein at 847-612-6579 or contact Executive Director Nancy Kleine Kekst at 216-789-2452. The Rabbi is also available on his cell phone 847-525-7746 at any time.
Creative Worship and Ritual -- Services Online via Zoom!
- Multigenerational Shabbat Evening Service, Friday May 1, 7:00 p.m.
The Rabbi's Corner -- “72 Years of Israel's Independence"
Religious Education
- Religious School e-Learning Continues This Week
- Adult Ed Programs Continue Online -- Open to Everyone!
- Worldwide Synagogue Sing, May 3-- Online!
- Today! Lunch & Learn with the Rabbi, Thursdays
Membership News and Events
- Book Club -- New Selection
- Board Nominations are Open
Social Action
- Stay Connected to Help!
- Ends May 1! Mother's Day Fundraiser Provides Baskets of Essentials for Women in Domestic Violence Shelters
- Teen Tutors Needed for Virtual Sessions
- Donations Needed: Recreational Activities for Foster Children
- JUF Coronavirus Resources
- Food Pantries Supported by Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council
Resources for Today
- Links to Help You and Your Family Work Safely, Take Care of Each Other, and Have Fun
Ongoing Fundraisers
- iGive
- Amazon Smile
- SHOP Shir Hadash
Join us online for exciting online worship experiences!
ZOOMing Multigenerational Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, May 1, 7:00 pm (Shabbat Aharei Mot-Kedosheem) - Let’s welcome Shabbat together as families with an online Kabbalat Shabbat service via ZOOM. Rabbi Eitan will lead the service from his home with meditations, prayer, readings, story, and song. We will celebrate Israel’s 72nd Independence Day and hear a musical performance by Jeff Justman on the guitar. This service begins at 7:00 pm.
May 1-2, 2020 / 8 Iyar 5780 / Shabbat Aharei Mot-Kedosheem
Torah: Leviticus 16:1 - 20:27 / Haftarah: Amos 9:7 - 9:15
Omer Day 23
Dear Friends,
This week we celebrate Israel’s 72nd Independence Day a true miracle in our lifetime. It is so easy to forget how 100 years ago, the Jewish community in British mandate Palestine was hard at work creating the foundation of a Jewish state. It is hard to fathom how only 80 years ago, the Jewish community of Europe was being systematically destroyed before the eyes of the world. And yet, in spite of it all, the State of Israel was born in 1948. In that time, Israel has become a world leader in agriculture, technology, education, defense, and so much more. It is a close ally of the United States and now a leader in COVID-19 research and development. This week’s Torah portion tells us to be holy, because the Eternal our God is holy. We Jews are commanded to live ethical and moral lives and thus, be an example to others. Israel is real. It is not perfect. Yet, it is country of which we can be very, very proud. For those who have never been to Israel and for those your have gone, now is a great time to start planning your visit. When travel starts up, go and see how Israel grows and progresses from year to year.
One of the best ways to experience modern Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic is to watch Israeli movie and television productions at home. They are terrific and truly world-class. Here are some great productions featured on NETFLIX:
- Fauda
- Shtisel
- UnOrthodox
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Religious School e-Learning Continues This Week: School families, watch for details!
Sunday Morning Adult Ed Programs: Online! Everyone is welcome to participate. Contact the class facilitator, below, for information.
- 10:00 a.m. -- Torah and Jewish Philosophy Class via ZOOM
- 11:00 a.m. -- Hebrew Reading Class via WebEx -- contact Steve Lewin.
Today! Rabbi's Lunch and Learn via ZOOM, April 30 -- Join Rabbi Eitan and Shir Hadash members for an engaging discussion of this week's Torah portion.
New Book Club Selection; Meeting June 18 -- Our new book club selection is the novel Henna House by Nomi Eve. Stay tuned for details regarding the meeting. About the book: "This vivid saga begins in Yemen in 1920. Adela Damari’s parents’ health is failing as they desperately seek a future husband for their young daughter, who is in danger of becoming adopted by the local Muslim community if she is orphaned. With no likely marriage prospects, Adela’s situation looks dire—until she meets two cousins from faraway cities: a boy with whom she shares her most treasured secret, and a girl who introduces her to the powerful rituals of henna. Ultimately, Adela’s life journey brings her old and new loves, her true calling, and a new life as she is transported to Israel as part of Operation On Wings of Eagles. Rich, evocative, and enthralling, Henna House is an intimate family portrait interwoven with the traditions of the Yemenite Jews and the history of the Holocaust and Israel."
Board Nominations are Open! At this time, we are seeking members who are interested in serving in the open Board positions. As a Board member, you can play a significant role in shaping Shir Hadash’s future. Here are the open positions:
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Vice-President for Building
- Vice-President for Education
- Four At-Large Board Members for 2-year terms
SOCIAL ACTION
Stay Connected to Help! We are frequently adding new opportunities to help our neighbors, our community, and the world, so keep checking the weekly emails, the Shir Hadash newsletter, and the members-only Facebook group.
Ends May 1! Mother's Day Fundraiser Provides Baskets of Essentials for Women in Domestic Violence Shelters -- Are you looking to do something nice for your mom or another special woman for Mother's Day while also doing a mitzvah? Participate in National Council of Jewish Women's annual Mother's Day Basket program! For your donation of $18, you can have a beautiful Mother's Day card sent to someone that lets them know that, in their honor/in someone's memory, a basket will be delivered to a woman at a domestic violence shelter. That basket will be filled with items they will greatly enjoy, and they are things we may take for granted: shampoo, conditioner, body soap, lotion, gift certificate, chocolates, and other items that would be "luxuries" for them at this time.
Ends May 1! Mother's Day Fundraiser Provides Baskets of Essentials for Women in Domestic Violence Shelters -- Are you looking to do something nice for your mom or another special woman for Mother's Day while also doing a mitzvah? Participate in National Council of Jewish Women's annual Mother's Day Basket program! For your donation of $18, you can have a beautiful Mother's Day card sent to someone that lets them know that, in their honor/in someone's memory, a basket will be delivered to a woman at a domestic violence shelter. That basket will be filled with items they will greatly enjoy, and they are things we may take for granted: shampoo, conditioner, body soap, lotion, gift certificate, chocolates, and other items that would be "luxuries" for them at this time.
For every donation of at least $18 that is made by May 1st, a card will be sent in time for Mother's Day, and basket(s) will arrive in time at one of two shelters. NCJW North Shore's
and mail in with your check payable to NCJW CNS.
Teen Tutors Needed for Virtual Sessions -- Connect Chicago is a teen-led organization that is now providing virtual tutoring for Chicago Public Schools students. If you are a high school or college student who might be interested in volunteering, click here.
Recreational Activities Needed for Foster Children --Jewish Child and Family Services has requested recreational items to keep foster children engaged and enriched: glue/glue sticks, glitter, markers, scissors, white paper, crayons, adult coloring books, and kids activity books. JCFS also is accepting NEW toys, clothing and household items, especially:
Coronavirus Community Resources from JUF of Chicago --A good place to get help or give help, connect with others, or bust your boredom.- Art supplies (Play Doh, water color paint and paper, construction paper, and markers)
- Dolls with a variety of ethnicities
- Science themed/educational games
JCFS is unable to accept donations of furniture, computers, used clothing and used toys. All JCFS buildings are closed, so please contact Haley Zimmerman at (773) 467-3746 to make drop-off arrangements. Thank you for your support during this uncertain time.
News from the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council from President Joanne Dicker: Our food pantries desperately need your help! Due to the continued issues with the coronavirus, many more of our neighbors are in need of food and everyday supplies. Please help us support our local food pantries either through monetary donations or purchasing of needed supplies. Download all the details here!
For more information on any of our programs, please contact us by e-mail or telephone: nwsinterfaith@gmail.com, 224-699-0386 or visit our website. Donations may be made directly to: Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council. PO Box 5301. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089.
RESOURCES FOR TODAY
Article: What's Next for Jewish Businesses?
Cincinnati Zoo Daily Virtual Tours
Free or Low-Cost Online Courses
Gift Ideas for Mother's Day
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Pet Adoption During Quarantine
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
If you are home and shopping online, be sure to consider these resources. You can help support Shir Hadash AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU through these donation programs. We will need funds to help our congregants in need.
Help Shir Hadash Earn Free Donations with iGive --You can help Shir Hadash every time you shop online – the iGive Button makes it simple! iGive is a free and easy way to support the shul. Average shoppers using iGive raise between $30 and $100 a year for their causes. There are 1480 online retailers helping to make donations happen through iGive. Click here to learn more and join iGive. If you have questions, contact Sandi Schleicher, sschleicher@onebox.com.
Amazon Smile Fundraising Option
Shir Hadash is registered with the Amazon Smile fundraising program. Just go to smile.amazon.com, search for Shir Hadash (be sure to select the one in Wheeling), and from then on 0.5% of your purchases will automatically be donated to Shir Hadash at no cost to you! Remember, if you go to Amazon through iGive.com or the iGive button, SH will get money from both Amazon and iGive. And to triple-dip, just pay for your purchases with a SHOP Amazon gift card! Happy Shopping!
Shop with Scrip! 50,000 organizations use ShopWithScrip gift cards to turn everyday shopping into earnings. Now, Shir Hadash Reconst Synagogue/ Northbrook,IL is using gift cards to offset our costs and create more opportunities for families. Shop at 750+ brands with gift cards to earn on gas, groceries, eating out, clothes—the list goes on. It’s easy, it’s rewarding, and it fits right into your busy schedule. Click here for complete details!
