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 until Monday, January 3. General phone messages and emails will be checked periodically (847-498-8218 or admin@shir-hadash.org). 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: Shabbat Dinner Blessings via Zoom, Friday December 24, 6:15 p.m.
- No Shabbat Services December 31
- Upcoming: Multigenerational Shabbat, January 7, 7:00 p.m.
- Photos from Reconstructing Judaism Leadership Visit
The Rabbi's Corner -- "Belief in God"
Membership News and Events- Fred Andes Receives J Street Award
- Refugee Sponsorship Opportunity through HIAS
- Reconstructing Judaism Convention, March 23-27
- Participate in a Reconstructionist Movement Convention Project
- Tornado Disaster Relief Funds
- Krafts & Kibitzing via Zoom, January 5, 7:30 p.m.
- 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 - New! "The Book of Job: Lessons of Faith and Suffering" Interfaith Class, Tuesdays beginning January 11
- No Lunch & Learn Today; Resumes January 6
- Sunday Morning Virtual Adult Ed Classes, December 26
- 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: 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!
Upcoming: Multigenerational Hybrid "Puppet Shabbat", Friday January 7, 7:00 p.m. -- Rabbi Eitan and special friends will be telling the story of our people’s enslavement in and liberation from Egypt. We encourage all generations to enjoy a Shabbat service with music, story, and Torah reading. Register to participate in person,
Photos from Reconstructing Judaism Leadership Visit -- We were honored to welcome Rabbi Deborah Waxman and Seth Rosen, leaders of the Reconstructing Judaism movement, as the guest speakers at our December 17 Shabbat service. Thank you to Annette Leibowitz, Mitzvah Photography, for the photos above.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
December 24-25, 2021 / 21 Tevet 5782 / Shabbat Shemot
Torah - Exodus 1:1-6:1 / Haftarah - Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23
“Belief in God”
Dear Friends,
Does it matter what we believe about God? In this week’s Torah portion, Moses encountered God at the burning bush. Moses heard a voice that told him to return to Egypt to free his people from slavery. In the movie, “Prince of Egypt,” the voice that Moses heard was in fact his own. Each of us encounters God in different and often very personal ways.
Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan wrote: “As far as Jewish religion, with its teachings and rituals, is concerned, it matters very little how we conceive God, as long as we so believe in God that belief in Him makes a tremendous difference in our lives.”
Even though we all have different concepts of God, what matters most is that we believe that God exists. God’s existence is the power and motivation that moves us to be better individuals and do our best to make the world a better place for all.
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
Fred Andes Receives J Street Award -- Congratulations to our own Fred Andes for being honored by J Street with their Tzedek V’Shalom Award. Members of the Shir Hadash Community were proud to celebrate with Fred and Melanie at the J Street luncheon last week. Click here for comments from U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi who gives a wonderful summary of Fred and his achievements. 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 today, 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.
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.
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
New! "The Book of Job: Lessons of Faith and Suffering" Tuesdays beginning January 11 -- In this joint project from Shir Hadash and St. Norbert/Our Lady of the Brook Parish, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and Deacon Peery Duderstadt look at the Book of Job from Jewish and Catholic perspectives. Classes will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 - 2:00 PM on Zoom, beginning January 11 and ending March 8. Register here to be sent the Zoom link.
No Lunch and Learn Today; Resumes Thursday, January 6 -- In 2022, 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 26, 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 26, 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.
To view past editions of the Newsletter, please visit our website. |
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