WHAT’S HAPPENING AT A GLANCE
Membership News and Upcoming Events
- Building Update
- Improved Website is Now Live
- New Volunteer Coordinators
- Rabbi Receives Doctor of Divinity Degree
- Pizza Fundraiser, June 12
- Fundraising Committee: Contest Entries and Volunteers Needed
- Celebrating Summer Jewish Experiences, June 7
- High Holidays Musicians Wanted
- Book Club, July 11
- Save the Date: Synagogue Dedication, August 18
- Spread the Word with Shir Hadash T-Shirts
- New Teen Initiatives: Library and Facebook Group
- Upcoming Service, June 7: “Off to Jewish Summer Camp & Israel”
- Thursday Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Eitan: "Korach's Rebellion: The Rest of the Story"
- “Choosing Holiness”
- Theatre Recommendation: “The Pianist of Willesden Lane”
- Jewish Federation of Metro Chicago Collects Donations for Oklahoma Disaster Relief
MEMBERSHIP AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Building Update
Construction is moving forward at a brisk pace. All the framing out of the classrooms and storage space is complete and most of the electrical conduit has been run as well. The bima and ramp have been framed out and the wood for these has been ordered. The rabbi is working with Mehran and the stone vendors to get just the right look for the Jerusalem Stone to be used in the ark design. We’ve signed a contract with Grate Signs of Joliet for replacing the 200 monument style sign on Dundee Road as well as the wall lettering on the building itself. The contractor is submitting the permit for the signage this week and we hope to have that approved by Wheeling next week and the signs installed before the end of the month.
We’re working on submitting a grant application to the Department of Homeland Security that would be used to increase security aspects of the building. Marc Fargotstein and Jeff Wallk met with several folks this week to discuss our audio/visual needs, security needs, computer networking, and phone systems.
So, as you can see, there’s a lot going on and changes are happening right before our eyes. Make sure to attend services at the building in the next few weeks and get a peek for yourself! If you’d like to get involved in the decision-making process, be sure to come by the next Design Committee meeting, to be held at the Synagogue on June 20 at 7:15pm.
Improved Website is Live!
Be sure to visit www.shir-hadash.org today – you’re in for a great surprise! We’ve upgraded all the great website features you love with a bold, colorful design, including lots of photos of our Shir Hadash community in action. Many thanks to Josh Wallk for designing our new online home and transitioning over the content, and also to Jeff Wallk and Rachel Schick Siegel for their long hours of work.
New Volunteer Coordinators
Suzanne Wexler and Dan Wellisch have taken on the new role of Volunteer Coordinators for Shir Hadash. They are approaching this as a way to discover all that each of us to offer, and to help potential volunteers find the best opportunities by defining exactly what is needed for each task, including dates, time commitment, age and ability, as necessary.
Our rabbi, education director, office administrator, board, and committees will contact Suzanne and Dan with volunteer needs, and they in turn will put out the call for our community members to step up and help make our Shir Hadash community the best place it can be. Whether you work full time, are retired or a student, have summers off, can only sit to do some tasks; whether you enjoy speaking on the phone, doing heavy lifting, watering plants, planning events, sorting, stacking, teaching, directing traffic, ushering at services, etc..... we need you!
Please be on the lookout for our communications and sign up for as much as you feel you’re able. A little help from a lot of people goes a long way! If you have questions, contact Dan and Suzanne atvolunteer@shir-hadash.org.
Rabbi Receives Doctor of Divinity Degree
Shir Hadash’s own Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow will be recognized on June 9 with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. The Doctor of Divinity Degree is an honorary degree given out by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). The degree is given out to those who have been ordained as a rabbi for 25 years, and have been involved in the Reconstructionist movement. The honor is to be given out during the annual commencement exercises of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College held at Congregation Kenneth Israel. Click here to read more about the rabbi’s accomplishment. Mazel tov, Rabbi Eitan!
Lou Malnati's Fundraiser, June 12
The next Shir Hadash restaurant fundraiser will be at Lou Malnati's in Buffalo Grove on June 12, 11am - 10pm. Mark it on your calendar! Click here for a flyer with additional information. Feel free to share the info with your neighbors and friends! Let's bring in a Shir Hadash crowd and enjoy catching up during the summer while participating in Lou Malnati's Dough for Dough program. Bring the flyer and 20% of money spent by Shir Hadash members and friends will be donated to Shir Hadash.
Last Call for Contest Entries; Volunteers Needed
The Fundraising Committee is looking for a creative name/slogan for our new Restaurant Fundraising initiative. Under this program, restaurants volunteer to donate a portion of the proceeds from Shir Hadash members on a specified day during a month. Our first effort at Roti in Northbrook was a success and the next one is at Lou Malnati's (see above). We plan on having one restaurant a month. So send your suggestions for a fun name that conveys the combination of food, fun and fundraising. Send suggestions to Glenn Graff at nflsunday@aol.com with the word Fundraising in the subject line. The winner will receive a gift card from SHOP Shir Hadash. And if you like picking the occasional restaurant or helping plan a party or other event, or you are just bubbling over with fundraising ideas, let Glenn know. The Fundraising Committee is looking both for ideas and for additional members to join us in planning some FUNdraising.
Celebrating Jewish Summer Experiences, June 7
Do your plans for the summer include special Jewish experiences? Maybe your kids are attending a Jewish camp, or you’re planning a family trip to Israel? If so, we want to honor you at the June 7 service! Please email Rabbi Eitan (rabbi@shir-hadash.org) or Education Director Emily Ascher (eddirector@shir-hadash.org) to let us know. (See more service information under Creative Worship & Ritual, below.)
Musicians Wanted for High Holidays
Calling High Holiday singers and instrumentalists! Do you like to sing? Do you play an instrument? Musical rehearsals for High Holidays will begin in mid-July. Adults and post b'nai mitzvah students are welcome. Contact Sandy Weiss at sandy2weiss@gmail.com.
Book Club
The next book club will meet on Thursday, July 11 at the home of the Zwick family, 385 Castlewood Lane in Deerfield. The book will be The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan. This true story helps to give insight into the Palestinian-Israeli conundrum. For more info about our book club, contact Meryl Abensohn,abenkras@aol.com.
Save the Date: Synagogue Dedication, August 18
While making your summer plans, be sure to save the date for the dedication of our beautiful synagogue on Sunday, August 18! Details are still being worked out so watch future newsletters and emails for updates. If you have any questions and/or would like to help, contact Melanie Andes (fmandes@comcast.net) or Marc Fargotstein (marcfargo@att.net).
Spread the Word with Shir Hadash T-Shirts
Show off your love for Shir Hadash! White, 100% cotton t-shirts proclaiming "Say Shalom to Our New Home" are available in men’s, women’s and kids’ sizes for $10. To order, contact Lisa McCulloh, 847-814-2922 or jjlisamc@gmail.com.
TEEN NEWS
New Teen Initiatives: Library and Facebook Group
We are trying to gauge interest in building a teen library in our new home. Teen intern, Dan Roiter, is spearheading the research for this project. He would love to get in contact with the students to directly ask them what type of media and texts they would want in a library. We are also looking into the possibility of organizing a moderated, closed Facebook group for all the Shir Hadash teens. This will allow the students to stay in touch over the summer and into college, facilitate communication, and build a sense of community amongst the Shir Hadash teens. We could also talk about their library “wish list” on this Facebook group as well. Please let Dan know how best to reach you: phone or e-mail. Contact him at dan.roiter@shir-hadash.org
CREATIVE WORSHIP & RITUAL
Upcoming Service: Friday, June 7, 2013 (7:30 PM/200 W Dundee)
Friday Night - The Origins of Jewish Kvetching!Shabbat Korach – Rosh Hodesh
This Friday, June 7 (7:30 at the Synagogue, 200 W. Dundee in Wheeling), we will celebrate - the day that the whining began! So you thought that everything went smoothly after the Exodus? Come hear what happened in this week’s Torah portion, when Korah and his followers rebelled against Moses. We come from a long tradition of being dissatisfied...
Also, we will honor, bless, and bid a hearty bon voyage to those attending Jewish summer camp and others traveling to Israel in the coming weeks. Our 7th Graders will receive scholarship certificates for next year’s Ta’am Yisrael trip to Israel.
We’ll also enjoy a special oneg treat this week: in observance of our long tradition of “fine whines”, we’ll have a wine tasting party with a selection of delicious Kosher vintages for you to try. Please remember to bring some food to share, preferably in keeping with the theme of camp treats or Israeli sweets. See you Friday night!
ADULT EDUCATION
Lunch & Learn: Thursday Torah Study with Rabbi Eitan
Join Rabbi Eitan and fellow Shir Hadash members for an exciting hour of Torah study, brown bag lunch, and lively discussion.Meeting Place: The Shir Hadash office, 3340 Dundee Road in NorthbrookTime: June 6, 12 noon - sharp
This week's portion: Numbers 16:23 – 17:15Discussion Topic: “Korah’s Rebellion: The Rest of the Story”
THE RABBI’S CORNER
June 7-8, 2013 / 30 Sivan 5773
Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32Maftir: Numbers 28:9 - 28:15 | Shabbat Rosh ChodeshHaftarah: Isaiah 66:1 - 66:24 | Shabbat Rosh Chodesh
“Choosing Holiness”
Dear Friends,
There is the old story of the rabbi who mediates an argument by listening carefully to both sides. When the presentations conclude, the rabbi says to one, “You are right.” To the other, he says, “You are right.” Someone listening to the conversation asks, “Rabbi, how can both be right?” To which the rabbi answered, “And you are right, too!”
In this week’s Torah portion, a rebellion breaks out against Moses and Aharon led by Korach and his followers. Korach opposes Moses’ primary leadership role citing that all the children of Israel are holy and therefore, do not need a strong central leader. Korach makes a good point, yet his rebellion fails, leaving a legacy of commentary and learning opportunities….
To read the rest of the Rabbi’s Corner, click here to visit our website.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Theatre Recommendation: “The Pianist of Willesden Lane
Now playing at the Royal George Theatre through July 7Set in Vienna in 1928 and in London during the Blitzkreig, “The Pianist of Willesden Lane” tells the true story of noted pianist and author Lisa Jura, as performed by her own daughter Mona Golabek. When Lisa is sent on the Kindertransport to London to protect her from the Nazi regime, everything about her life is upended except her love of music and her pursuit of her dreams. Tribune Critic Chris Jones praised the production, saying, "The simple act of Golabek sitting down at the Steinway piano is...enough to make your mouth fall open with a certain wonder at the way of the world." The play’s run has been extended through July 7 – don’t miss it!
Click here to visit the Royal George Theatre site for more information.
Jewish Federation of Metro Chicago Collects Donations for Oklahoma Disaster Relief
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago continues to accept donations to help those impacted by the devastating tornadoes that have ripped through the Oklahoma City area, killing and injuring scores of people and destroying homes, schools and places of business. The Federation’s Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund was opened within a day of the massive May 20 storm that destroyed much of Moore, OK, and nearby areas, killing 24. Eleven days later, a series of twisters struck the state again, killing at least 18 and causing further injuries and damage.
Chicagoans may contribute online at www.juf.org/relief, by calling (312) 444-2869, or by sending a check to the Jewish Federation Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund, Room 3022, 30 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60606. The Chicago Federation will absorb all administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of all donations go directly to aid those most grievously affected.
