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
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.
Creative Worship and Ritual -- Services Online
- Zoom Shabbat Service Honoring our Executive Director, Friday June 12, 7:30 p.m.
The Rabbi's Corner -- “Time to Learn and a Time to Grow"
Religious Education
- Adult Ed Programs Continue Online -- Open to All Members
- Today! Lunch & Learn with the Rabbi via Zoom, Thursdays
- Worldwide Synagogue Sing, June 14
Membership News and Events
- Save the Date! Upcoming Events
- Annual Meeting, June 14
- Book Club, June 18
- Smile! Special Family Photo Session Opportunity
Social Action
- You've Cleaned Your Closets -- Now Donate Your Stuff!
- Helping Chicagoans via the Greater Chicago Food Depository
- NWIC Virtual iWalk to Fight Hunger, June 1-28
- Make Get Well Cards for Hospital Patients in Isolation
- Teen Tutors Needed for Virtual Sessions
Support for Members
- JUF Resources
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Donations Support Members in Need
- SNAP Now Allows Online Food Shopping in Illinois
- Shir Hadash Member Business Directory
Resources for Today
- Links to Help You Work Safely, Take Care of Each Other, and Have Fun
Ongoing Fundraisers
- iGive
- Amazon Smile
- SHOP Shir Hadash
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. The service starts at 7:30 pm, and we will celebrate Nancy Kleine Kekst's time at Shir Hadash and wish her well in retirement.
The service can also be watched on Facebook on the Shir Hadash Public Facebook page. Please share the Facebook link with friends.
June 12-13, 2020 / 21 Sivan 5780 / Shabbat Beha’alotecha
Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16 / Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7
“Time to Learn and a Time to Grow”
Dear Friends,
What does the Torah teach us about moments when we recognize a gap in our learning and understanding? In this week’s Torah portion, Moses is asked a question regarding the celebration of Passover. It is fascinating to read how Moses admits that he does not know the answer. He asks for permission to inquire of God for further instructions and clarification. From this, we learn that no one is expected to know everything. Furthermore, when we encounter situations about which we are not prepared with knowledge or wisdom, it is proper to seek the advice of those with more experience and understanding.
As we encounter protests and demonstrations across America and the world, many of us are awakening to experiences of police brutality, systemic racism, inequality, prejudice, poverty, discrimination, and injustice in ways that may be new and troubling. This is a time to learn and a time to grow. Read, study, ask questions, and most important, listen. Follow Moses’ example. Gain wisdom in order to act with kindness, compassion, righteousness, and love.
Zay a mentsch – be a good person.
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Sunday Morning Adult Ed Programs: Online! All members are welcome to participate. Contact the class facilitator, below, for information.
- 9:30 a.m. (Note the early start time) -- Torah and Jewish Philosophy Class via ZOOM Contact Fred Andes for details.
Today! Rabbi's Lunch and Learn via ZOOM, June 11 -- Anyone can participate! Join Rabbi Eitan and Shir Hadash members for an engaging discussion of this week's Torah portion.
Worldwide Synagogue Sing, Sunday mornings -- Kudos to our Education Director Rachel Goldberg for creating and streaming the Worldwide Synagogue Sing. If you are a Jewish Sunday School Student, Parent, or Educator and want to sing with your friends and family near and far, join in Sundays at 10:00 am Chicago time for the Worldwide Synagogue Sing - a chance for school age kids to connect virtually for meaningful and creative Jewish experience. Perfect for family participation. Click here to sign up and register for this weekly program and watch for it as SH students will receive Avodah credit for participating! We'll be doing it each Sunday while the shutdown continues -- you only need to register once.
- Meryl's Book Club "Henna House" June 18, 7:30 pm
- Havdalah Service, June 27, 7:30 pm
Annual Meeting, June 14 -- On Sunday morning, Shir Hadash will hold its annual meeting in a new format- VIRTUALLY! The Zoom meeting will open at 10:45 am with a fun slide show, and the business meeting will be held from 11:00 - 12:15 am. We really need members to attend so we can have a quorum to elect Board members and approve our budget.
We will be conducting virtual voting which will open at the start of the meeting (11:00 am) and be open until 8:00 pm that evening. Members will receive the voting link in a separate email. Your ballot will be anonymous. It is the same vehicle as our recent congregational survey. You can, if you choose, leave the call after voting if you are unable to stay for the entire meeting. In two-adult households, one adult can obtain the ballot of, and vote for, the other adult member as well for her/himself. Instructions will be on the ballot form.
At the meeting, you will be asked to vote for candidates for open positions on the Board of Directors. Before voting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates. We will also bid farewell to Nancy and wish her well in her retirement. In addition to leadership reports, we will also vote on the proposed operating budget for 2020-21.
Meryl's Book Club Selection; Meeting June 18 -- Our new book club selection is the novel Henna House by Nomi Eve. The meeting on June 18 will be held via Zoom; links will be included in newsletters the preceding week. 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."
Smile! Special Family Photo Session Opportunity -- There is an upside to being homebound with your family in the summer. It's the perfect time to take a family portrait! Our congregant Annette Leibovitz, who owns Mitzvah Photography, is offering mini sessions to take family portraits outside at your home or in a nearby area in a socially distant manner (and she wears a mask!). Have some fun and update your family photos. The family will receive all the digital images! Schedule with several neighbors the same day and get a discount. The fee is just $75, and she will donate $25 back to Shir Hadash. All we ask is for you to give the synagogue one great family image that we can use on our website, in publicity (no names), and in our membership directory. To book your portrait, contact Annette Leibovitz at 847-913-5588 or write mitzvahphoto@aol.com.
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.
Get Unwanted Items Out of Your Home, and Donate to Those Who Would Appreciate Them! Many nonprofits have resumed accepting donations. If you've been cleaning out your closets and garage, consider giving to one of these local organizations so someone in need can enjoy the items. Listed are the items they are currently accepting. Please check their websites for updated information.
Helping Chicagoans via the Greater Chicago Food Depository-- Property destruction and looting have led to more small businesses needing to shut their doors, compounding the economic struggles many Chicago business owners and their employees already were facing due to COVID-19. The Greater Chicago Food Depository will be an even-more important resource for those struggling to have enough food. To learn more or to make a donation, click here.
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council's 2020 Virtual "i-Walk" Against Hunger, June 1-28 – Help NSIC feed those in our community and stock the food pantries at Congregation Beth Am, Kingswood United Methodist Church, Saint Alphonsus Liguori Church, and Saint Mary Parist. Be creative while supporting this worthy cause! Find the i-Walk signs at local shops and places of worship, or make your own sign with your kids. Submit a photo of you walking by or with the signs by clicking here or emailing nwsinterfaith@gmail.com For more info, visit www.northwestsuburbaninterfaith.org.
Make Get-Well Cards for Hospitalized Patients in Isolation -- Cheer up hospital patients who are in isolation. You can email or drop off a get-well card, and it will be laminated and delivered to a hospital. Draw/color a card no larger than 8.5x11 inches. Drop it off at PostNet, 825 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, or take a picture/scan your card and send it to Graphics.IL106@PostNet.com and PostNet will print and laminate the card for you.
Teen Tutors Needed for Virtual Sessions -- It's Not Too Late! Connect Chicago is a teen-led organization that is now providing virtual tutoring for Chicago Public Schools students. CPS's school year runs until June 18, so there is still a need for tutors for the next few weeks. If you are a high school or college student who might be interested in volunteering, click here.
JUF Resources -- Check out the JUF Coronavirus Community Resource Page where you’ll find links to more resources, info on JUF initiatives and ways to help or donate. And be sure to follow JUF's Facebook page for daily updates. Get Unwanted Items Out of Your Home, and Donate to Those Who Would Appreciate Them! Many nonprofits have resumed accepting donations. If you've been cleaning out your closets and garage, consider giving to one of these local organizations so someone in need can enjoy the items. Listed are the items they are currently accepting. Please check their websites for updated information.
- A Safe Place: household items, linens, self-help books, and baby items for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
- Beacon Place: educational activities and outdoor recreational items that will be distributed to children in Waukegan.
- Chicago Furniture Bank: furniture in good condition is distributed to families and individuals transitioning into supportive housing.
- Cradles to Crayons: books and toys for birth through 12 years, clothing and shoes for children and adults. Click llnk for more specifics about items accepted and local dropoff locations. Donations will meet the needs of children in the Chicago area.
- Fill A Heart 4 Kids: art supplies, books, basketballs, sprinklers, flip flops or slides (new only), and other summer activities for foster and homeless children throughout Chicagoland
- giveNkind: donations of all kinds that are in good condition, and your items will be connected with nonprofits that have clients who need them; you don't need to figure out who could benefit from them
- Goodwill: gently-used or new stuffed animals, clothes, electronics, furniture, and more. Revenue from sold items is used for job training and placement for people in local communities.
- JCFS Chicago: new toys, games, crafts supplies, and sports equipment for local children. Contact Haley Zimmerman at HaleyZimmerman@JCFS.org .
- Luggage for Freedom: luggage and backpacks in good condition, for women and families leaving domestic violence shelters.
- Midwest Veterans Closet: clothing, household items, shoes, linens, books, music, movies, and more for veterans.
- Reach Rescue Upscale Resale Shop: dog items, home decor, housewares, garden items, jewelry, and furniture. Resale shop sales support veterinary needs and foster care for rescued animals until they find forever homes.
- Sharing Connections: furniture, household items, linens, and baby items at this time; no clothing at this point. Furniture pickup anticipated to resume in July.
- Upscale Rummage and Furniture Warenouse: books, toys, clothes, electronics, household items, home goods, sports equipment, hardware tools, furniture, shoes, and other items. All proceeds go to local nonprofit organizations.
- WINGS: clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, and soft items in sealed plastic bags, and household items in sealed boxes if possible. Furniture also welcomed. Resale shop sales fund services for families fleeing domestic violence.
Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council's 2020 Virtual "i-Walk" Against Hunger, June 1-28 – Help NSIC feed those in our community and stock the food pantries at Congregation Beth Am, Kingswood United Methodist Church, Saint Alphonsus Liguori Church, and Saint Mary Parist. Be creative while supporting this worthy cause! Find the i-Walk signs at local shops and places of worship, or make your own sign with your kids. Submit a photo of you walking by or with the signs by clicking here or emailing nwsinterfaith@gmail.com For more info, visit www.northwestsuburbaninterfaith.org.
Make Get-Well Cards for Hospitalized Patients in Isolation -- Cheer up hospital patients who are in isolation. You can email or drop off a get-well card, and it will be laminated and delivered to a hospital. Draw/color a card no larger than 8.5x11 inches. Drop it off at PostNet, 825 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, or take a picture/scan your card and send it to Graphics.IL106@PostNet.com and PostNet will print and laminate the card for you.
Teen Tutors Needed for Virtual Sessions -- It's Not Too Late! Connect Chicago is a teen-led organization that is now providing virtual tutoring for Chicago Public Schools students. CPS's school year runs until June 18, so there is still a need for tutors for the next few weeks. If you are a high school or college student who might be interested in volunteering, click here.
SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS
National Domestic Violence Hotline -- While staying home and social distancing are best practices for reducing the spread of COVID-19, it may create unsafe situations for those in abusive relationships. Help is available if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence. You can visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's page with specific tips on staying safe during COVID-19. You can also call the hotline 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 and talk to someone anonymously. Some steps to take include:
- Creating a safety plan. This is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave.
- Practice self-care. Take time for your health and wellness.
- Reach out for help. Even if you are isolated, try to maintain social connections online or over the phone if it is safe to do so, and try to stick to your daily routines as much as possible.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Permits Online Food Shopping in Illinois -- Starting June 2, SNAP will allow online food shopping in Illinois! This change was made due to COVID-19, but the option will be permanent. Want to find out if you qualify for SNAP benefits or wish to learn more about the program? Check out the USDA's website.
Shir Hadash Member Business Directory – Click here to reach the Shir Hadash Member Business Directory, and please patronize member businesses if you can. If you would like to add your business to the page, there is a link on the right side you can click, or click here. Note: You must be a synagogue member and must be logged into the member portal to submit your listing.
RESOURCES FOR TODAY
Articles to entertain, educate, and inspire smiles --
Time-saving social media tips for business owners - GoDaddy BlogUltimate Instagram guide for your small business - GoDaddy Blog
Chicago theater performances available to stream at home - ChicagoPlays.com
Podcasts that became must-watch TV shows - Better.net
The 19 funniest parents on social media
If you’re planning a summer vacation, make sure you do so safely and affordably with these tips from epidemiologists.
According to “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban, here’s what you can do as a consumer to help save your favorite businesses.
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 2500 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! To double-dip, just pay for your purchases with a ShopWithScrip Amazon gift card! Happy Shopping!
Shop with Scrip! 50,000 organizations use ShopWithScrip gift cards to turn everyday shopping into earnings. Now, Shir Hadash 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!
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.
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