AIPAC Coming to Shir Hadash on June 1!

Our next Friday night service, on June 1 at 7:30, will have a special speaker, from AIPAC - the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.  Susan Millner, who is a leader for AIPAC in Chicago, will talk to us about the challenges facing Israel and what the future holds.  And we will, I'm sure, ask her a lot of questions (since that's what we do).   One other thing - we have a different location for this service - the Vernon Township Community Service Building, at 2900 N. Main in Buffalo Grove (where we have our Seders).  See you there!

    

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee

Shavuot on Saturday Night - and Special Speaker and Location for June 1 Service

We have two special programs coming up.

First, just a quick reminder: This Saturday night, May 26, is Shavuot, and we are getting together to have a "Jewish teach-in" and eat (primarily) dairy desserts - both Shavuot traditions.   This program will run from 8 pm to 10:30 on Saturday, at the home of Ed and Rebecca Rice, which is at 3641 Bernay Drive in Northbrook.  If you have not already RSVP'ed, please e-mail Rebecca at r.rice1@comcast.net or call her at 847/509-9951.  

Second, our next Friday night service, on June 1 at 7:30, will have a special speaker, from AIPAC - the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.  Susan Millner, who is a leader for AIPAC in Chicago, will talk to us about the challenges facing Israel and what the future holds.  And we will, I'm sure, ask her a lot of questions (since that's what we do).   One other thing - we have a different location for this service - the Vernon Township Community Service Building, at 2900 N. Main in Buffalo Grove (where we have our Seders).  See you there!

    

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee

A Special Saturday Night Shavuot Program - Come, Discuss and Eat!

This Saturday night, May 26, is Shavuot, and we are trying something new that actually follows an old Jewish tradition on this holiday: we are going to meet to learn, to talk, and (of course) to eat! 

First, we need to give you the "where and when."  This program will run from 8 pm to 10:30 on Saturday, at the home of Ed and Rebecca Rice, which is at 3641 Bernay Drive in Northbrook.

Now the "what."  There are two important traditions about Shavuot.  First, you are supposed to get together at night, and learn together about Jewish topics.  Second, you are supposed to eat - specifically, dairy products.  So we're going to combine the two (with flexibility for those for whom dairy is a problem). 

So first, the learning.  Not just one topic, but four!  We will have four bite-size  time periods of about a half-hour each, and during each of them, a leader will start a discussion by teaching about a topic, then will open the floor for our usual free-flowing dialogue. 

Here are the topics.  First, Rabbi Eitan will teach from the Book of Ruth, which will lead us into a discussion aboutmodern relationships.   Steve Lewin will follow up with another topic from the Book of Ruth - about intermarriage and conversion.  Then we will switch to a different area entirely, and Ed Rice and Burton Kopulsky will lead a discussion of Israel, but not about politics: instead, it will be about Israel's world leadership in high technology.  Finally, Fred Andes will teach us about a Recon topic, but not about philosophy: instead, since we talk a lot about "Rabbi Kaplan," we will find out exactly who Mordecai Kaplan was - and you will be surprised!

OK, now about the food.  We'll do our traditional "bring your own dessert" - in the Shavuot tradition, it should be dairy, but it would be good if some folks can bring non-dairy and non-gluten products as well, so everyone can enjoy.

One final thing: if you are coming, please RSVP to Rebecca atr.rice1@comcast.net or call her at847/509-9951.  And see you Saturday!

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee

Event: “Why Israel Matters”

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

847/498-8218

rabbi@shir-hadash.org

Quick Facts

Event:  “Why Israel Matters” – AIPAC Speaker at Shir Hadash Synagogue

Date:  Friday evening, June 1, 2012

Time:  7:30 PM

Place:  Social Hall of Lutheran Church (30 Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire)

Cost:  Free and Open to the Public

Call for more information:  Shir Hadash office - 847/498-8218

Why Israel Matters: AIPAC’s Susan Millner to Speak at Shir Hadash Synagogue

(Northbrook, IL) Each day the headlines bring new and serious challenges for the State of Israel. Come and explore pressing Middle East issues that affect Israel’s security and U.S. Interests from the Peace Process to the Arab Spring. Join us and see how Israel is forming relationships with countries across the globe and why United States and Israel are safer, stronger and better together.

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue will feature Susan Brent Millner, AIPAC (America-Israel Public Affairs Committee) Chicago Leadership Management Director at its shabbat evening service, Friday evening, June 1, 7:30 PM at the social hall of the Lutheran Church (30 Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire).  Millner’s topic is “Why Israel Matters: Telling the Story.” Shir Hadash Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow said, “It is important to understand why Israel matters to America and the whole world.  In addition to recognizing the many challenges that Israel faces every day, Israel has bright future as an important leader of and contributor to the family of nations.

AIPAC works with leaders in Congress and the administration to ensure a U.S.-Israel relationship that makes both countries safer, smarter and stronger. AIPAC is a bipartisan organization whose members are from every state in the union, representing all faiths, Democrats and Republicans, seasoned political veterans, as well as high school and college students.

Since 2005, Susan Brent Millner, Chicago AIPAC Leadership Management Director, has been responsible for deepening pro-Israel activism within the Chicago area by empowering AIPAC members to connect to the important work of political engagement and to continuing their education of the critical issues affecting the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Shir Hadash, which means a "new song," was founded in the spring of 1995.  It serves more than 160 households from more than 25 different towns in the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago.  Reconstructionism, the fourth branch of contemporary Judaism, was founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 1930’s.  It defines Judaism as the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people.   Thus, it seeks to create warm and welcoming Jewish synagogue communities that are respectful of traditional Jewish practice yet open to new interpretation and creative forms of religious expression.  For further information contact 847.498-8218 or www.shir-hadash.org.

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Come Enjoy - and Learn - on Friday Night with Shir Hadash!

This Friday night, May 18 (7:30 at LCHS),  please join us for an experience that we have not had in a very long time: Rabbi Eitan will teach us about amazing archaeological finds in Israel!  In case you didn't know, the Rabbi has a degree in Old World Archaeology and has excavated at numerous Israeli digs.

After the service Friday night (so about 8:45), we'll grab something from the oneg table, come back to our seats, and the Rabbi will give us an exciting look at the latest archeological discoveries from Jerusalem's City of David excavations. He will present some of the fascinating new finds from the City of David, the earliest levels of Jerusalem where King David ruled. Jewelry, engravings, seal impressions, weapons, walls, water systems, palaces and escape tunnels have been found in the past few months. Be among the first to see them!

We'll look forward to seeing you on Friday night - and don't forget to bring something for oneg!

  

 Creative Worship & Ritual Committee