Effective December 8, 2021, Shir Hadash has released a new set of COVID policies to keep our congregation safe and guide our use of the synagogue building. Masks are to be worn at all services, meetings and programs.
The Shir Hadash office will be closed Wednesday, December 22 until Monday, January 3. General phone messages and emails will be checked periodically. For emergencies, please reach Rabbi Eitan at 847-525-7746, or President Stuart Aizenberg at 847-840-7895.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Creative Worship and Ritual - Friday: Hybrid Shabbat with Rabbi Deborah Waxman and Seth Rosen, Friday December 17, 7:30 p.m.
- Next Friday: Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday December 24, 6:15 p.m.
- No Shabbat Services December 31
The Rabbi's Corner -- "Open Eyes to Goodness"
Membership News and Events- Congressman Recognizes Fred Andes for J Street Award
- Refugee Sponsorship Opportunity through HIAS
- Reconstructing Judaism Convention, March 23-27
Participate in a Reconstructionist Movement Convention Project
- Tonight: Book Club Reads Invisible City, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
- Krafts & Kibitzing via Zoom, January 5, 7:30 p.m.
- Save the Date: Israeli Movie Night Discussion via Zoom, January 15, 7:30 p.m.
Religious School
- Sunday School on Winter Break: Classes Resume January 9
Adult Education - Today: Lunch & Learn on December 16
- Sunday Morning Virtual Adult Ed Classes, December 19
- Hebrew Reading, 10:00 a.m.
- Torah and Jewish Philosophy, 10:00 a.m.
Ongoing Fundraisers
- Restaurants, Shop Shir Hadash, iGive, and Amazon Smile
CREATIVE WORSHIP AND RITUAL
Friday: Hybrid Shabbat with Rabbi Deborah Waxman and Seth Rosen, Friday December 17, 7:30 p.m. - We welcome two special speakers to Shir Hadash: Rabbi Deborah Waxman, President of Reconstructing Judaism, and Seth Rosen, Chair of the Board of Governors of Reconstructing Judaism. They will speak on the Jewish value of being an ally with others in the cause of social justice. RSVP here to participate in person (capacity is limited).
Next Friday: Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday December 24, 6:15 p.m. -- Join in a 20 minute Zoom service as we light candles, bless our families, sanctify the wine, and bless the challah before Shabbat dinner.
No Shabbat Service on December 31 -- We hope you take the opportunity to welcome Shabbat at home as we say farewell to 2021!THE RABBI’S CORNER
December 17-18, 2021 / 14 Tevet 5782 / Shabbat Vayekhi
Torah - Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 / Haftarah - I Kings 2:1-12
“Open Eyes to Goodness”
Dear Friends,
How can we be more mindful of the wonderful abundance with which we have been blessed? Regrettably, we often take so much for granted and fail to see how fortunate we truly are. A few weeks ago, the Torah portion told how Jacob went into a lifetime of mourning when his sons told him that Joseph had been killed, even though they sold him into slavery. In this week’s Torah portion, Jacob was reunited in Egypt with his beloved son, Joseph. When Jacob met Pharaoh, he said that his life had been a hard and sad life. This makes no sense! Yes, as far as Jacob knew, Joseph had died. Nevertheless, Jacob still had four wives, eleven sons and a daughter. He was honored, respected, and wealthy. Unfortunately, none of that mattered to Jacob. He took it all for granted and couldn’t appreciate it.
Throughout life, each of us must deal with much disappointment and sadness. While Judaism tells us to mourn our losses, it also encourages us to open our eyes to the goodness that still fills our lives. We are commanded to celebrate life and live life to the fullest each and every moment. L’chayim, everyone. To Life!
Zay a mentsch -- be a good person.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
Click here to read The Rabbi's Corner on the Shir Hadash website.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS
 
Congressman Recognizes Fred Andes for J Street Award -- Shir Hadash's Fred Andes was honored on December 15 with J Street's Tzedek V'Shalom (Justice and Peace) Award! Among the dignitaries applauding Fred's many leadership contributions was Congressman. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who spoke to recognize Fred on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Kol Hakavod, Fred!
Help an Afghan Refugee Family Resettle Locally: In-person Volunteers Needed -- The Jewish people have been refugees relying on assistance from strangers numerous times. Now it is our turn to help the stranger. Working with HIAS, we have an opportunity to sponsor a local Afghan refugee family. We would assist them in every way as they settle into their new lives in Chicagoland. In order to sponsor a family, we need a core group of a few people willing to meet with and help the family once a week for several weeks -- perhaps a few months -- as they learn about how to navigate their new lives in the United States. HIAS will share resources with us; volunteers will receive a lot of support and guidance. In talking with people who have helped other refugee families, they say it is the most meaningful, impactful work they have ever done. If you have questions or might be interested, please contact our Social Action Chair, Lisa Burton Radzely.
 Sign Up for Reconstructing Judaism Convention, March 23-27 -- Rabbi Eitan, President Stuart Aizenberg, Board Member Lynne Arons, Assistant Education Director Samantha McArdle and Fred Andes, who is a member of Reconstructing Judaism’s Board of Governors are attending in person. Consider joining us either in person or virtually. During the convention, we will learn from and with experts, scholars and lay leaders. We will engage in conversations, ask questions, and listen. We will pray together, sing together, dance together and celebrate all that we do every day in our communities to reconstruct Judaism. For more information: Click Here.
Participate in a Reconstructionist Movement Project! Reconstructionist singers, musicians, dancers, artists. etc. are invited to participate remotely in a video that will premiere at Reconstructing Judaism's 2022 convention. Learn more and sign up here .Deadline to indicate interest is December 23.
Tornado Disaster Relief Efforts -- Want to help people who lost their homes in last week's tornadoes? Additional funds are needed to help meet short-term needs such as food and water, as well as for long-term rebuilding. Donate to Jewish Federation of Louisville, Kentucky Tornado Relief or to Chabad of Kentucky. (For Chabad donations, be sure to click "Please Direct my Donation to the Western Kentucky Relief Efforts.") Thank you for helping with recovery efforts for one of the worst tornado events in Kentucky history.
Tonight: Book Club Reads Invisible City, Thursday, December 16, 7:30 p.m. -- Join in a lively discussion of this mystery novel by Julia Dahl! Rebekah Roberts, a runner for the New York Tribune, is sent on assignment to report on a gruesome murder in a scrap yard in Brooklyn. As Rebekah delves more deeply into the victim's past in the Hasidic community of Borough Park, her compulsion to learn the truth gets her into trouble, in a world where she is a stranger.
Krafts & Kibitzing via Zoom, Wednesday, January 5, 7:30 p.m. -- Crafters of all ages and abilities are invited to bring in their current crochet/ knit/ or other handicraft/ art projects via Zoom. We will share ideas, learn tips and tricks, and shoot the breeze. Break-out rooms are available for our 17 years and younger set. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Save the Date: Israeli Movie Night Discussion via Zoom, Saturday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. -- Join an interesting conversation about the Israeli film "Love & Dance," a 2006 film about the challenges faced by Russian Jews who immigrated to Israel at the end of the 20th century. Participants should watch the film prior to the conversation and then join our Zoom session. Zoom link will be available in upcoming newsletter. For info on how to watch the movie for no charge, click here .
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Religious School on Winter Break -- Classes will resume on January 9. Have a wonderful break!
ADULT EDUCATION
Virtual Lunch and Learn, Thursday December 16 - Join Rabbi Eitan and Shir Hadash members and friends for a refreshing, contemporary exploration of the weekly Torah portion.
Virtual Adult Ed Sunday Morning Programs: Adults are welcome to join in the following adult education programs on most Sundays:
- Hebrew Reading, December 19, 10:00 a.m. Class will resume on December 19 at 10:00 a.m. For more information, contact Steve Lewin.
- Torah and Jewish Philosophy, December 19, 10:00 a.m: If you would like to participate, contact Fred Andes.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
No-Cost Ways to Support Shir Hadash -- There are several fundraising opportunities to support Shir Hadash without spending anything extra! Click here to learn about restaurant dine-and-donate programs, SHOP Shir Hadash gift cards, and iGive and Amazon Smile rebate donations.
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