Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter - February 25, 2021

 

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter

February 25, 2021

If you need assistance, please email the office at  admin@shir-hadash.org or call 847-498-8218. You may additionally reach the Rabbi on his cell 847-525-7746 at any time, and our President, Marc Fargotstein at 847-612-6579.  For more information about our COVID-19 response plan, click here .  WHAT'S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE Creative Worship and Ritual  Tomorrow:  Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday, February 26, 6:15 p.m. Next Friday:: Multigenerational Shabbat via Zoom, Friday, March 5, 7:00 p.m. The Rabbi's Corner  -- "Selflessness" Religious School Religious School,  February 28 ​​​​​​​Purim Success - Thanks to You! Adult Education Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes, February 28 --Torah and Jewish Philosophy, 10:00 a.m. --No Hebrew Reading Class this Week Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. Membership News and Events Grief Support Program from JCFS, Wednesday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. New: Defining Antisemitism, Thursday, March 4, 7:30 p.m. New: Trivia & Game Night, Saturday, March 6, 7:30 p.m. New: New Member Meet-and-Greet Havdalah, Saturday March 13, 5:30 p.m Update Your Zoom Social Action Support Shir Hadash Member's Emergency Relief Efforts in Texas From Mental Illness to Mental Fitness: Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic, February 28, 5:30pm Ongoing Fundraisers iGive,  Amazon Smile, and ShopWithScrip   CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL Tomorrow:  Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday February 26, 6:15 p.m. --  Rabbi Eitan will lead a 20-minute ceremony  as we light candles, bless our families, sanctify the wine, and bless the challah to welcome our Shabbat dinners at home. Next Week: Multigenerational Shabbat via Zoom, Friday, March 5, 7:00 p.m. --  A family-friendly Zoom service for all school families, seniors, not-yet seniors, and anyone else who would like to come worship with us as a community. THE RABBI’S CORNER February 26-27, 2021 / 15 Adar 5781 Shabbat Tetzaveh Torah: Exodus 27:20-30:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10 - 43:27   “Selflessness”   Dear Friends,   What does it mean to be selfless?  As Purim approaches, we see in the Megillah text how selfish so many of the characters were.  The king wanted Vashti to dance at his party.  She wanted her privacy and refused to dance.  The king then wanted virgins so that he could select a new queen.  Two of the palace guards wanted to kill the king. Haman wanted everyone to bow down to him.  Then he wanted to punish Mordecai and finally, to kill the Jews.   In stark contrast to all this wanting and scheming are Mordecai and Esther.  His only concern was for her well-being.  Her only concern was for her life and the survival of her people. Each time she appeared before the king, he offered her anything, up to half his kingdom.  She declined his offers, only to invite him and Haman to a banquet.  She wanted nothing. Thus, when Haman’s plot was revealed and Esther was threatened, the purity of her motives and wishes became clear.  She only wanted to live and for her people to survive.   We Jews are a people of life.  Like Esther, may our motives and wishes be notable and exemplary.  May we move from selfishness to selflessness in the pursuit of justice, kindness, fairness, and truth. . Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow Read past editions of The Rabbi's Corner on the Shir Hadash website .   RELIGIOUS SCHOOL  Relgious School, February 28 -- We look forward to seeing all our student in their virtual classes at 10:15 a.m.  Questions?  Contact Rachel Goldberg or Alan Bernover.. Purim Success -- Thanks to You! Thank you to everyone who participated in Sunday’s Virtual Purim Carnival. It was a delight to see our school families participating, our amazing Madrichimot in the Spiel, and congratulations to our 50/50 Raffle and School Tuition drawing winners!  A very special thank you to Rabbi Eitan, Rachel Goldberg, our School Parent Committee, teachers, and school families, as well as our larger Shir Hadash community for always supporting our efforts to ensure our school is a source of joy for all. PS Parents, contact Shir Hadash this week to arrange a pick up of your child’s goodie bag & prizes. Call (847) 498-8218 or email admin@shir-hadash.org.   ADULT EDUCATION Adult Ed Sunday Morning Programs, February 28:  Please note that Hebrew Reading will not meet this week.  Adults are welcome to join in the following adult education programs: Torah and Jewish Philosophy, 10:00 a.m, via Zoom. If you would like to participate, contact Fred Andes for scheduling details. Call in number is 312 626 6799. Hebrew Reading will resume March 7 at 11:00 a.m. via WebEx. Contact Steve Lewin to participate.    Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, February 25, 1:00 p.m. -- Be part of an engaging examination of the week's Torah portion via Zoom.   MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS New: Grief Support Programs from JCFS -- JCFS provides a variety of support  programs and opportunities for individuals dealing with grief, particularly with the added hardships of COVID-19 restrictions. On Thursday, March 3, 7:30 p.m., Grieving a Death During a Pandemic: An Evening of Support will provide a virtual setting for participants to mourn together, with support and wisdom from a grief counselor, a community member grieving a recent death and a cantor singing a niggun, reciting a poem and chanting El Malei Rachamim, a prayer of remembrance. You will be invited to share a photo of your loved one(s) during the program. Upon completion of our formal program at 8:30pm, participants are invited to stay online for brief personal sharing and information about upcoming JCFS support groups. This event is free of charge. Register here to receive the Zoom link to the program and additional information. New: Defining Antisemitism, March 4, 7:30 p.m. -- Please join us for an enlightening conversation about defining antisemitism in the current political environment. How to define antisemitism has been a hot topic prompting statements from a myriad of Jewish organizations, including Reconstructing Judaism, and others such an many American and global cities and the Biden administration. Background information and a link to register can be found at the event page. This is a great chance to both learn and share your thoughts on this important topic. This event is sponsored by the Shir Hadash Israel Committee. New: Virtual Trivia and Game Night, Saturday, March 6, 7:00 pm via Zoom – Join your Shir Hadash friends for several rounds of general trivia over Zoom, plus games and music! As always, will be raising funds to support the Religious School's Samuel Andes Scholarship Fund. RSVP here.There is no fee to join in the fun, but donations are welcome! Questions? Contact Sean Rohde.   Donations Welcome! If you can't join us for the event, but would like to donate to the scholarship fund, we welcome your support! Please click here, then in the section that asks 'Type', select 'Samuel Andes Scholarship  Fund' from the dropdown menu, and please remember to also write 'Trivia Night' in the notes section. If you prefer to make a donation by check, please contact the office at admin@shir-hadash.org or call (847) 498-8218.  New: New Member Meet-and-Greet Havdalah, Saturday March 13, 5:30 p.m. -- The Membership Committee will be hosting a virtual Havdalah service as we celebrate our New Members for the 2020-2021 year. We will get to know each other over Zoom before and after the Havdalah service, which will be led by Rabbi Eitan. Members from Shir Hadash's many committees will also join us to share their goals and upcoming events. We encourage all Board Members and Committee leaders to join in the celebration. RSVP here. Update Your Zoom -- As a friendly reminder, Zoom has recently updated their platform. To make sure you receive the same experience and abilities during our virtual programs, make sure to update your application. SOCIAL ACTION Support SH Member's Emergency Relief Efforts in Texas -- We are all saddened by what is happening in Texas. To support an on-the-ground relief effort, contact Shir Hadash member and EMT Nat Arons by calling or texting (224) 406-6315. Monetary donations are needed to purchase supplies, rent a truck, and cover travel expenses. Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month -- Shir Hadash joins with Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and to foster acceptance and inclusion of people with all types of disabilities. An upcoming recommended program: From Mental Illness to Mental Fitness: Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic, February 28, 5:30pm -- Join Friendship Circle and RespectAbility for a fireside chat about mental fitness with motivational speaker Jennifer Fink, an accomplished social entrepreneur and management consultant. Due to an accident and illness in her mid-20s, Ms. Fink lives with nonvisible disabilities, anxiety, and depression. A captivating and relatable storyteller, Ms. Fink weaves humor and grace as she embraces and shares her story, wisdom, and lessons  Register here. ONGOING FUNDRAISERS Gift Card Purchases Help Shir Hadash - SHOP Shir Hadash allows members to order physical and electronic gift cards from thousands of stores and Shir Hadash receives a portion of every purchase.  Purchase can be for gifts or your personal use.  Thousands of dollars can be generated for Shir Hadash at no cost to you.  Click here for more information.  Once registered, electronic and physical cards can be ordered instantly ordered using the RaiseRight app on your phone or through our vendor shopwithscrip.com.  Contact Glenn Graff  for more information. When you’re shopping online, be sure to consider these donation programs that support Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you! iGive -- There are 2500 online retailers helping to make donations happen through iGive.  Click here to learn more or contact Sandi Schleicher. Amazon Smile -- Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of your purchase to when you sign up at smile.amazon.com. Be sure to select "Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue-Congregation Shir Hadash" in Wheeling as your charity of choice.

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- March 25, 2021

 

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter

March 25, 2021

If you need assistance, please email the office or call 847-498-8218. You may additionally reach the Rabbi on his cell 847-525-7746 at any time, and our President, Marc Fargotstein at 847-612-6579.  For more information about our COVID-19 response plan, click here. Note: Shir Hadash staff will be off on Monday, March 29, in observance of the 2nd day of Passover. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE Creative Worship and Ritual  Tomorrow: Pausing in the Wilderness Service, Friday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. Community Second-Night Seder, Sunday, March 28, 6:00 p.m Multigenerational Shabbat Service, Friday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. Passover – Shabbat Morning and Yizkor Memorial Service, Saturday, April 3, 10:00 a.m. Passover Reflections from Reconstructing Judaism The Rabbi's Corner  -- "Run for your Life" Religious School Religious School -- Spring Break, March 28 and April 4 School Reopening Task Force -- Your Input Needed! Adult Education Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes, March 28 --Torah and Jewish Philosophy, 10:00 a.m. -- Hebrew Reading Class, 11:00 a.m. Thursday Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan, March 25, 1:00 p.m. New: "A Mother and Her Daughter-in-Law" Study of the Book of Ruth, Tuesdays beginning April 13, 1:00 p.m. Membership News and Events Board Nominations Due by March 31; Annual Meeting June 6 Saturday Night at the Israeli Movies Discussion, Saturday April 3, 8:00 p.m. Support Shir Hadash with Max & Benny's Boxes: Order by April 6, Pickup April 9 "Food for Thought" Virtual Event, Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. Apply by April 6: JUF COVID-19 Initiative Academic Scholarships for Academic Year 2021-22   Save the Date: Book Club, April 15 Social Action New: Food and Toiletry Drive, Friday, April 9 and Sunday, April 11 Social Justice Statement of Support for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Ongoing Fundraisers iGive,  Amazon Smile, and ShopWithScrip   CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL Friday: Pausing in the Wilderness Service via Zoom, Friday March 26, 7:30 p.m. -- Join us on Zoom for our community’s special way of welcoming our celebration of Passover! Through story, song, and even dance, we will celebrate our ancestors’ deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Sunday; Please RSVP! Community Second-Night Seder via Zoom, Sunday, March 28, 6:00 p.m. --  Join the Shir Hadash Community for a second-night seder led by Rabbi Eitan in a unique service that is familiar, lively, and interactive. This year, we will be gathering via Zoom, each at our own seder tables in our own homes, with a computer or other device on the table to link us together.  Click here for details to help you plan, and to RSVP! Next Week: Multigenerational Shabbat Service via Zoom, Friday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. -- Click here for the Zoom link.  (Meeting ID 869 2916 5393, Passcode 757767, Dial-in 312 626 6799) A family-friendly Zoom service for all school families, seniors, not-yet seniors, and anyone else who would like to come worship with us as a community. Enjoy a Shabbat service with fun music, engaging prayer, and a delightful story. Passover – Shabbat Morning and Yizkor Memorial Service, Saturday, April 3, 10:00 a.m. -- Join Shir Hadash on Zoom for an hour-long Shabbat morning service with Torah reading on the closing of the Passover holiday. Rabbi Weiner-Kaplow will lead a brief Yizkor memorial service as well. ​​​​​​​Passover Reflections from Reconstructing Judaism --  Click here for a Passover message from Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D, President of Reconstructing Judaism. THE RABBI’S CORNER March 26-27, 2020 / 14 Nisan 5781 Shabbat Tzav/Shabbat HaGadol Torah: Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36 Haftarah: Malachi 3:4 - 3:24 | Shabbat HaGadol   “Run for Your Life”   Dear Friends, This is the shabbat before we celebrate Pesach – our festival of freedom.  As we await the great event of our liberation there is so much preparation to do.  Of course, our ancestors had to pack and get ready to leave their homes for life in the desert.  We have to get ready for the seder meal with all its rituals and the telling of the great story.  But there is more.   The Haftarah portion for this shabbat comes from the book of Malachi.  In the portion, God instructs us through the prophet, saying, “be mindful of and remember the Torah of My servant Moses, whom I charged at Mt. Horeb with laws and rules for all Israel. (Malachi 3:22)   The Exodus has not happened, and we are already being told to follow the Torah and its laws.  From this we learn that the leaving Egypt is more than just a jailbreak.  It is literally ‘running for our lives,’ and that means creating new lives as free and responsible individuals. Our tradition is telling us that running away from slavery is not enough.  We must run towards life itself, which includes the Torah and our Jewish heritage, tradition, and identity.  That is the deeper meaning as we raise our glasses and say, ”L’chaim - to Life.”     Chag Pesach same’ach – Have a healthy, happy, and meaningful Passover.. Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow Read past editions of The Rabbi's Corner on the Shir Hadash website .   RELIGIOUS SCHOOL  Religious School on Spring Break, March 28 and April 4 -- There will be no youth Religious School on March 28 and April 4.  Enjoy Spring Break, and we look forward to seeing all our students in their virtual classes at 10:15 a.m. on April  11.  Questions?  Contact Rachel Goldberg or Alan Bernover. New: School Reopening Task Force -- The Synagogue is looking to create and staff a “School Re-Opening Task Force” to prepare for the 2021-2022 Religious School educational year.  This task force will shape policy, create protocols for safe re-entry to our school, and implement best practices and procedures to comply with city, state and national guidelines regarding COVID-19.  Professional areas of expertise are essential such as: medical professionals, school administrators and teachers, architects, engineers, safety compliance managers, project managers, and the like.  We are hoping to include a wide array of backgrounds in this new task force and welcome school parents' input as well.  Please contact Alan Bernover by email or at (773) 865-3136 if you are interested in participating in this new action committee.  We plan to form this committee in the coming two weeks. ADULT EDUCATION Adult Ed Sunday Morning Programs, March 21:  Adults are welcome to join in the following adult education programs on Sundays:: Torah and Jewish Philosophy, 10:00 a.m, via Zoom. Contact Fred Andes. Hebrew Reading, 11:00 a.m. via WebEx  -- contact Steve Lewin.    Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Thursday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. -  Join the Rabbi and other members in an engaging examination of the week's Torah portion via Zoom.  New: "A Mother and Her Daughter-in-Law: Four Movements in Two Women's Lives"  Tuesdays beginning April 13, 1:00 p.m. via Zoom --   .Join Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and Deacon Peery Duderstadt for a series of five Zoom meetings, where we’ll delve into the Book of Ruth. Bring your Bible and discover a beautiful story of a mother and her daughter-in-law thousands of years ago. Sessions begin on Tuesday, April 13 at 1:00 pm and last about an hour. They continue each Tuesday through May 11. They will cover one chapter each week.    MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS Board Nominations Deadline March 31 - Last Chance!  -- As in 2020, the Shir Hadash Annual Meeting will be held via Zoom. Please plan to participate on June 6 at 10:00 a.m. for an informative session as well as elections for new Board members and approval of the annual budget. Your input is needed and greatly appreciated! If you will need an absentee ballot, please contact Karen in the office. At this time, we are seeking members who are interested in serving in the open Board positions, including: President Executive Vice President Vice-President for Programming Four At-Large Board Members for two-year terms   In order to hold any of these offices, the individual must be a member in good standing as described in Article III, Section 4 of the bylaws.  If you would like a nomination form or more information about the positions, please contact Fred Andes at 773-354-3100.  Completed nomination forms must be received at the office by March 31, 2021. Saturday Night at the Israeli Movies Discussion: "She's Got It", Saturday, April 3, 8:00 p.m. -- Join us for Saturday Night at the Israeli Movies! This time, we've got a comedy: She's Got It, which centers around three women and a counterfeiting scheme. Watch the movie at your leisure beforehand, and we'll gather virtually for a lively discussion. Click here to learn more, watch the trailer, and RSVP! The film is available online for free on Hoopla which you can access with most local library cards. Support Shir Hadash and Enjoy from Max and Benny’s!  We are excited to offer these Max and Benny's food options as a delicious fundraiser: Bagel Box $9.99 Family Lox Platter $36.00 Bagel Baking Kit $9.99 Emoji Cookie Kit   $9.99 Place your order here by 4:00 pm on Tuesday April 6, for pickup on Friday, April 9 between 1:00 and 3:00 at Shir Hadash.  Note: When you're picking up your order, please consider bringing a donation for our Food & Toiletry Drive -- see below for details!. Limited Delivery is available.  No substitutions please. Contact Vicky Brice with questions -  (224) 423-4797 New: "Food for Thought" Virtual Event, Tuesday, April 6 --  Save the date for an interfaith experience reflecting on hunger in our nation.  Presented by the Children of Abraham Coalition and Tri-Faith Initiative.  More information to be announced.  Applications Due April 6 -- JUF COVID-19 Initiative Academic Scholarships for Academic Year 2021-22 -- The Jewish United Fund and JVS Career and Employment now offer scholarships for Jewish low-income high school graduates who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis. The funds are intended to make a difference in the ability to gain a post-high school education. Students must demonstrate how this crisis has impacted their ability to afford their education, be Jewish, and have a permanent residence in the Chicago metropolitan area. The funds are limited and not intended to pay full tuition. Eligible students may attend the full spectrum of post-high school institutions, including vocational schools, community colleges and four-year colleges/universities. They may be either full-time or part-time students. Preferences will be given to students attending Illinois institutions.   Apply here. The deadline is April 6, 2021 and awards will be made by May 2021. This is a one-time fund generously funded by JUF’s COVID-19 Initiative. For more information contact jvsscholarship@jvschicago.org. Save the Date!  Book Club, April 15 -- Book Club's next book for April 15 will be Concealed by Esther Amini, a memoir of growing up in a Persian-Jewish family in Queens, New York. Click here to learn more! SOCIAL ACTION New: Food & Toiletry Drive, April 9 and 11 -- To help food pantries keep up with the demands of those struggling with food insecurity and meeting other basic needs, Shir Hadash will hold a contactless drive-thru food and toiletries drive to benefit the Wheeling Food Pantry and the SNAPGap program at First United Methodist Church of Evanston (where we host a soup kitchen twice a year). There will be two donation opportunities: Friday, April 9, 1:00-3:00pm when you can also pick up your Max & Benny's order – see above), and Sunday, April 11, 2:00-4:00pm. Click here for a list of food items most needed at the Wheeling Food Pantry. The most-needed toiletries are full-size shampoo, full-size body wash, and disinfectant wipes. You can send a monetary or online in-kind donation if you cannot attend in person. Click here to send toiletries via Amazon, and click here for information how to provide in-kind and monetary donations directly to Wheeling Food Pantry. Please note our drop-off procedures to protect everyone's safety: Toiletry donations should be bagged separately from food donations. All donations must be placed in the trunk; volunteers will not enter a vehicle. All volunteers will be masked. Drivers and passengers should wear masks if your windows are down and/or if the trunk is open to the driver and passenger area. Email our Social Action Chair, Lisa Burton Radzely, if you have any questions. SOCIAL JUSTICE Support for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders -- We stand with Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI)  in calling for an end to violence and an end to hate. Shir Hadash grieves with you, and we stand in solidarity with you.  Click here to read Reconstructing Judaism's Statement condemning the Atlanta attack. ONGOING FUNDRAISERS Gift Card Purchases Help Shir Hadash - SHOP Shir Hadash allows members to order physical and electronic gift cards from thousands of stores and Shir Hadash receives a portion of every purchase.  Thousands of dollars can be generated for Shir Hadash at no cost to you.  Click here for more information.  Once registered, electronic and physical cards can be ordered instantly ordered using the RaiseRight app on your phone or through our vendor shopwithscrip.com.  Contact Glenn Graff  for more information. When you’re shopping online, be sure to consider these donation programs that support Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you! iGive -- There are 2500 online retailers helping to make donations happen through iGive.  Click here to learn more or contact Sandi Schleicher. Amazon Smile -- Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of your purchase to when you sign up at smile.amazon.com. Be sure to select "Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue-Congregation Shir Hadash" in Wheeling as your charity of choice. To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter -- February 18, 2021

 

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue

Shir Hadash Weekly Newsletter

February 18, 2021

If you need assistance, please email the office at  admin@shir-hadash.org or call 847-498-8218. You may additionally reach the Rabbi on his cell 847-525-7746 at any time, and our President, Marc Fargotstein at 847-612-6579.  For more information about our COVID-19 response plan, click here .  WHAT'S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE Creative Worship and Ritual  Tomorrow:  Shabbat Evening Service via Zoom, Friday, February 19, 7:30 p.m. Next Friday: Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday, February 26, 6:15 p.m. The Rabbi's Corner  -- "Actions Speak Louder" Religious School Religious School Purim Celebration and Carnival!  February 21 4th Graders to Receive Bar/Bat/B'nai Mitzvah Dates Adult Education Sunday Morning Adult Ed Classes -- Adjusted Schedules This Week Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Eitan, Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. Membership News and Events Tonight! Book Club, February 18, 7:30 p.m. Tomorrow! Max and Benny's Bagel Pickup Saturday! Adult Purim Virtual Event-- Mordechai's Mountain Resort Presents Shushan Shenanigans! February 20, 7:30 p.m. Sunday! Purchase Your Purim Carnival Raffle Tickets by February 21 Update Your Zoom Social Action Deep Appreciation from Holmes Middle School Social Justice Disability Awareness Month -- Recommended Events Ongoing Fundraisers iGive,  Amazon Smile, and ShopWithScrip   CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL Tomorrow:  Shabbat Evening Service via Zoom, Friday February 19, 7:30 p.m. --- Mehran Farahmandpour will tell us about what it was like to live in Persia, where Esther and Mordecai lived and were buried.  Their tomb is in Hamadan, Iran. Next Week:  Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday February 26, 6:15 p.m.  THE RABBI’S CORNER February 19-20, 2021 / 8 Adar 5781 / Shabbat Terumah - Zachor Torah: Exodus 25:1-27:19 Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17 - 25:19 | Shabbat Zachor Haftarah: I Samuel 15:2 - 15:34 | Shabbat Zachor   “Actions Speak Louder”   Dear Friends,   They say that actions speak louder than words.  And this week’s Torah portion supports that adage.  In Genesis, it takes only 34 verses to describe the Creation of the World.  However, in this week’s Torah portion, its take more than 100 verses to describe the construction of the Mishkan, the traveling sanctuary.  And still, we cannot agree on what the mishkan looks like.  Words alone don’t cut it.   So it is in life.  Words are a tremendous tool for teaching and explanation.  However, they are easily misunderstood and misinterpreted.  Action, example, and demonstration actually show others how one should act and live life to the fullest.  A mentsch is one who goes beyond the words and leads by example – one who shows the way to living a good and helpful life.  Actions do speak louder than words. Zay a mentsch – Be a good person! . Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow Read past editions of The Rabbi's Corner on the Shir Hadash website .   RELIGIOUS SCHOOL  Sunday! Virtual Purim Carnival, Sunday, February 21, 10:15am-12:15pm. Join us for our annual Purim Carnival! Yes, we are virtual this year, but it won't stop the fun! We have been busy planning and are excited to present a carnival with baking, crafts, virtual games, and more! We will also be hosting a 50/50 raffle plus a drawing for FREE tuition!  Click here to learn more and to signup. Members and guests of all ages are welcome and will help make this event the success it always is. We are looking forward to seeing you! For any questions about SH Religious School, contact Rachel Goldberg or Alan Bernover. 4th Graders to Receive Bar/Bat/B'nai Mitzvah Dates -- Parents of 4th Graders, watch for an email from Rabbi Eitan regarding selecting dates for your children’s bar/bat/b’nai mitzvah. Mazal tov! ADULT EDUCATION Adjusted Schedules This Week! Adult Ed Sunday Morning Programs:  Both of the regular Sunday morning classes will meet at different times this week. Adults are welcome to join in the following adult education programs: Torah and Jewish Philosophy, Time TBA,. If you would like to participate, contact Fred Andes for scheduling details. Call in number is 312 626 6799. Hebrew Reading will meet Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. -- contact Steve Lewin.    Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan, February 18, 1:00 p.m. -- Be part of an engaging examination of the week's Torah portion.    MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS Tonight: Book Club, February 18, 7:30 p.m. -- The Book Club will meet Thursday, February 18 to discuss The Only Woman in the Room, a fictionalized account of the life of Jewish actress, refugee and inventor Hedy Lamarr, by Marie Benedict. Tomorrow: Pickup Max and Benny's Bagel Boxes -- Friday is Bagel Day!  If you ordered a box from Max and Benny's, please come by Shir Hadash to pickup between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Saturday! Mordechai's Mountain Resort Presents: Shushan Shenanigans! February 20, 7:30 p.m. -- This year for Purim, the Catskills are coming to you!  Mordechai's Mountain Resort may be temporarily closed, but our beloved Mordy is hosting a very special, never-before-seen, Virtual Evening Spectacular! There will be laughs, songs, and surprises from our performers broadcasting right to your living room, so mark your calendars for a Catskills evening like you've never had before!   Click here to RSVP and to see the ingredient lists for our mocktail & dessert demonstrations! Sunday! Purim Carnival and Raffle, February 21 -- The Shir Hadash Purim Carnival on Sunday morning includes a 50/50 raffle, plus a raffle for free religious school tuition!  The raffle is open to all, and you don't have to attend the carnival to participate.  Just remember to purchase raffle tickets here by Sunday at noon. Thanks for supporting the synagogue and helping to make this event a great success.  ​​​​​​​ Update Your Zoom -- As a friendly reminder, Zoom has recently updated their platform. To make sure you receive the same experience and abilities during our virtual programs, make sure to update your application. SOCIAL ACTION Deep Appreciation from Holmes Middle School -- A Note of Heartfelt Thanks from Holmes Middle School's Social Workers  "Mainly due to Shir Hadash's generosity, Holmes Middle School was able to give hygiene and household items to 60+ families. The families that have picked up their donation bags have been so appreciative and thankful. Thank you so much! Without you, we wouldn't have been able to help anywhere near this many families with the basics. Each family indicated where they needed assistance, and we were able to fulfill every family's needs: shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine products, laundry detergent, dish soap, baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, toilet paper, and diapers. We cannot say thank you enough!" SOCIAL JUSTICE Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month -- Shir Hadash joins with Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and to foster acceptance and inclusion of people with all types of disabilities. We recommend these programs: “We Walk: Life with Severe Autism,” February 23, 6:00 p.m. -- Amy S.F. Lutz combines personal narrative, interviews, and research in philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, disability studies, bioethics, and sociology to examine social issues such as inclusion, therapeutics, and religion through the lens of her son Jonah’s severe autism. Register by clicking here . Children's Books by Autistic Authors, February 23, 6:30 p.m. -- Autism Ontario in partnership with The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre invites parents and children to join in on a conversation about children's books that truly resonate. All resources discussed are written by people with autism, about autism, for ages 5-18.   Register here. From Mental Illness to Mental Fitness: Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic, February 28, 5:30pm -- Join Friendship Circle and RespectAbility for a fireside chat about mental fitness with motivational speaker Jennifer Fink, an accomplished social entrepreneur and management consultant. Due to an accident and illness in her mid-20s, Ms. Fink lives with nonvisible disabilities, anxiety, and depression. A captivating and relatable storyteller, Ms. Fink weaves humor and grace as she embraces and shares her story, wisdom, and lessons  Register here. ONGOING FUNDRAISERS Gift Card Purchases Help Shir Hadash - SHOP Shir Hadash allows members to order physical and electronic gift cards from thousands of stores and Shir Hadash receives a portion of every purchase.  Purchase can be for gifts or your personal use.  Thousands of dollars can be generated for Shir Hadash at no cost to you.  Click here for more information.  Once registered, electronic and physical cards can be ordered instantly ordered using the RaiseRight app on your phone or through our vendor shopwithscrip.com.  Contact Glenn Graff  for more information. When you’re shopping online, be sure to consider these donation programs that support Shir Hadash at no extra cost to you! iGive -- There are 2500 online retailers helping to make donations happen through iGive.  Click here to learn more or contact Sandi Schleicher . Amazon Smile -- Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of your purchase to when you sign up at smile.amazon.com. Be sure to select "Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue-Congregation Shir Hadash" in Wheeling as your charity of choice. To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website.