Friday Night Service - Almost There!

This Friday night (7:30 at the synagogue), we have our last Friday night service before Dedication Weekend (Aug. 16-18).  The building is ALMOST ready.  Come and enjoy - and we’ll give you a status report on the building, and a preview of what’s to come on Aug. 18, when we have the Dedication ceremony.  

And what about the service?  Well, in addition to the regular Friday night prayers and songs, we’ll have a discussion of this week’s Torah portion.  It’s a very full portion - there’s a discussion of having all worship at one central site (very fitting for us right now), a review of the kosher rules, some laws about helping the poor, and a summary of the three major festivals (Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot). What could all of these issues have in common, and what do they tell us about how to be Jews in the current era?  Well, that is what we’ll have an open discussion about.   Don’t miss it - and don’t forget to bring something for oneg.

See you Friday!  That will be just 16 days to Dedication Day...

Friday Night Service - What's the Shema Really All About?

This Friday night (7:30 at the synagogue), we learn about something that you might have thought you knew: the Shema.  Shema Yisrael and V’ahavta are amongst the most well-known pieces of Torah text.  (Yes, they are directly from the Torah - did you know that?  Just a hint of what’s to come at this service.)  Yet, few know what they really say, even though we repeat them by rote at virtually every service. Rabbi Eitan will lead an in-depth text study and discussion to reveal why Shema and V’ahavta deserve their honored place in our prayers.  

Since it is the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av, which mourns Jerusalem’s destruction in antiquity, we also will read a selection from the prophets, to bring comfort to all Israel.  For oneg treats, please bring “comfort” food - see you Friday!

July 15 - Tisha B'Av Service: Come to Remember

Tisha B'Av - the Ninth of the Hebrew month of Av - is the day on which both Temples were destroyed in ancient Jerusalem.  It is a solemn day, commemorated by many Jews through fasting.  On Monday, July 15 at 7:30 pm - at the synagogue - we will have the first Tisha B'Av service in our new home. We will read a special ‘haggadah’ that recounts the destructions of the Temples in Jerusalem and other calamities that have come to the Jewish people on this day.  The room’s lights will be dimmed, and candles lit. We’ll read excerpts from the Book of Lamentations and join in discussion on the themes of tragedy, destruction, and renewal.  Since it’s a fast day for many, no oneg - so no need to bring refreshments.  Please join us for this powerful, moving service.

Saturday, July 6 - Hot Tub, Havdalah, and Marshmallows!

Due to the July 4 weekend/celebrations, we have no Shabbat service this Friday, July 5.  However, we do have a service and great event on Saturday!  Join the Shir Hadash community at 7:30 pm on Saturday, July 6, for a cozy havdalah service in the home and garden of members Sandi & Lise Schleicher.  The Schleichers open up their home each year to all members and guests for a short havdalah service followed by a campfire (marshmallow roasting!) and a soak in the jacuzzi for all. Please bring a dessert to share for our potluck oneg and don't forget your swimsuit and a towel! Address available upon request - just send a note to cwr@shir-hadash.org, and we’ll send it over.  See you Saturday night!

High Holidays Coming - Torah Parts Available!

Hard to believe, but High Holidays will be here before we know it - less than three months away.  So it's time for us to ramp up our planning - and one very important element is to assign Torah portions for reading or chanting.  We already have some parts assigned to folks who have done Torah before, but there are still parts available.  We have a particular need for readers or chanters on Rosh Hashanah Day 2 and Yom Kippur afternoon, but we do have a few slots still available on Rosh Hashanah Day 1 and Yom Kippur morning.  We are especially interested in having recent bar and bat mitzvahs come up and chant Torah.  If you volunteer, we will e-mail to you an MP3 of the Rabbi chanting the portion, plus a written copy of the portion in Hebrew and English - and you can get help from the Rabbi and Dawn in getting ready to chant.  So if you (or your son or daughter) are interested, please let Fred Andes know.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Fred, at fandes@btlaw.com or 773/354-3100.  Thanks - we look forward to seeing you all at High Holidays - and before! 

Friday Night - Jewish Kvetching and "Whine" Tasting!

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...  

To honor this tradition of “fine whines,” the oneg after services will include a wine tasting, with a selection of delicious Kosher vintages for you to try!

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.

Don’t forget to bring something for the oneg - if possible, on the themes of camp treats and Israeli sweets.  See you Friday night!

Friday Night - The Origins of Jewish Kvetching!

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.

Don’t forget to bring something for the oneg - if possible, on the themes of camp treats and Israeli sweets.  See you Friday night!

Friday Night - Questions and Answers at THE SYNAGOGUE

This Friday, May 31 (7:30 at THE SYNAGOGUE, 200 W. Dundee in Wheeling), we have one of our very unique Fifth Friday services - it’s all about finding the answers to your questions about why we do what we do in our  services.  Why are the prayers in a special order?  Does the order really matter?  What do the prayers really mean, anyway?  Why do we say some and sing some?  Why do we stand for some and sit for others?  At this Learner’s Service, any and every question is welcome.  We will move through the service, stopping whenever a hand goes up with a question. Rabbi Eitan will explain and discuss the fascinating fine points and open our understanding to the architecture, wisdom and beauty of the Jewish liturgy.  So don’t miss it, and don't forget to bring something for the pot-luck oneg!

Friday Night Service - Led By Our Teens

This Friday, May 17 (7:30 at THE SYNAGOGUE, 200 W. Dundee in Wheeling), we will celebrate the Jewish festival of the Spring harvest - Shavuot - led by our 8th grade through high school teens.  Our students have been hard at work at our Havayah Monday Jewish high school classes, studying Torah, Talmud and Jewish values.  We will read the story of the Ten Commandments from the Torah scroll.  We will honor our graduating high school seniors.  There will be a special dance tribute by Rebecca and Shoshi Rice.  And, as always, there will be singing and storytelling.  Wait, there's more: during the oneg, Ken Wexler will present his exhibit of photographs from Israel.  So don’t miss it, and don't forget to bring something for the pot-luck oneg!

Pausing Next Friday Night - Bring Your Memories!

Hope you’re enjoying Passover!  We hope that you will join us for a very special Pausing in the Wilderness service next Friday, April 5 (7:30 at LCHS).  As you know, the Pausing service is always about the Jews’ journey through the wilderness.  Well, we’re coming to the end of our own initial (18-year) journey, and getting ready to start a whole new journey in our own building.  So the April 5 service will be all about remembering the journey, and celebrating the last 18 years in song, dance, stories, and much more!  

So here is the part where we need your help.  The celebration would not be complete without reminiscences about some of the great things that have happened to us as a group over the last 18 years - funny, exciting, moving things.  So we need you to come and share your stories!  Maybe you were at the first Shir Hadash service.  Or that service, the first year, with the puppet lady.  Or the Purim service a few years later with the guy in the loincloth.  (Seriously.  He didn’t tell anyone beforehand.)   Or you were at our concert with Debbie Friedman.  Or you were one of the first adults to celebrate their bar or bat mitzvah with us.  Or maybe you want to tell about how Shir Hadash people showed up at your parent’s shiva.  Or you want to share how Shir Hadash helped your child to celebrate an incredible bar or bat mitzvah.  Or, maybe you don’t have a story, but you want to hear all of these other stories.  (Including the ones about the puppet lady and the guy in the loincloth.)  But you get the picture - come and share!

So, don’t miss this - it’ll only happen once!  And, of course, please bring something for the oneg.  And it shouldn’t be 18 years old...

NO Friday Night Service This Week - But Pausing Is Coming Up!

Happy Passover!  We want to let you know two important things about upcoming services.  First, we will NOT have a service this Friday night, March 29.  We figured that it’s vacation, it’s just after our Community Seder (with a record 130+ people attending tonight!), and it’s just before our Pausing in the Wilderness Service, the following Friday.  

And that’s the other thing to let you know about: the Pausing service on April 5.  As you know, the Pausing service is always about the Jews’ journey through the wilderness.  Well, we’re coming to the end of our own initial (18-year) journey, and getting ready to start a whole new journey in our own building.  So the April 5 service will be all about remembering the journey, and celebrating the last 18 years in song, dance, stories, and much more!  More details will be coming, but make sure to put it on your calendar, so you don’t miss this very special night...  Again, Chag Sameach, and enjoy the rest of Passover!

Next Friday Night: Pre-Passover Service at New Location - and Discussion of Sanctuary Plans Too!

On Friday, March 15, at 7:30, we will have a very special service and program, at our planned new building - 200 West Dundee in Wheeling.  We will start with an abbreviated service, with a Passover theme: "Dayenu: Would It Have Been Enough?"   Every Passover, we sing "Dayenu," which means "it would have been enough."  But what does that really mean?  The Rabbi will help us to unlock the secrets of Dayenu.  And then, we will discuss the plans for the sanctuary, and provide an opportunity for members to provide input on the bima, the ark, and other aspects of the sanctuary design.  Then a little oneg - if you can, bring a Passover treat!  Come and share...

Friday Night - Meet Our Shir Hadash Leaders of the Future (and the Present)

This Friday night (7:30 at LCHS), join us for a very special program,  led by the Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders in our Religious School.  Our students have been hard at work learning their prayers, and now they get the chance to recite them in a real service.  Of course, there will also be singing and storytelling - and don't forget to bring something for the pot-luck oneg!  This service is for everyone - the kids, their families and friends, and everyone else who enjoys sharing a Friday night with Shir Hadash - don't miss it!

Friday Night: The Real Story of Purim (the Persian Connection) and a Photo Exhibition!

This Friday night (7:30 at LCHS), with Purim approaching, we have a special Purim/Persia program!  Shir Hadash members will speak about what it was like to grow up in Iran with Esther and Mordecai as heroes of the Jewish community.  Some have visited Esther's tomb and will tell about the experience.  Come hear what the Persian Jewish community thinks of the Book of Esther and its meaningful and enlightening impact on their lives.

Shir Hadash member Barry Cain will present a number of his brilliant wildlife and travel photographs in an exhibition during the oneg refreshments.  This will be the first of four visual arts exhibits scheduled for the winter and spring. 

Barry has photographed landscapes as a hobby since high school.  In the last 10 years he has become more serious about his work and now includes headshots and interior architecture in his repertoire.  His work can be seen at the Zia Gallery in Winnetka as well as online at www.barrycainphotography.com.  He shot the cover photo for "So Lucky to be Loving You", Wayne Messmer's recently released CD. He is available for individual instruction in digital photography as well as photofinishing in Photoshop and Lightroom. 

Friday Night - So Did the Exodus Really Happen?

So did the Exodus really happen? How about the plagues? Do we take the Bible literally on these issues, or not so much? At services this Friday night, February 1 (7:30 at LCHS), we look into these issues. Our Torah portions during this month are all about the plagues and the Exodus, so we'll explore what the Torah has to say, and then view a video of a program from NOVA, first aired on PBS, called “The Bible's Buried Secrets,” which provides some interesting new information and perspectives. Then, of course, we'll have a wide-open dialogue. Come to the service, and be a part of the discussion! Plus, bring something for oneg...See you Friday night!    

Friday Night - The Plagues with Rabbi Eitan and Aaron Freeman!

 Friday, January 18, 2013 (7:30 PM/LCHS)

Shabbat Bo

“Yosi Had a Little Lamb” – Maven and Comedian Aaron Freeman, David Edler, Carly Matt and Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow bring Storahtelling to Shir Hadash.

The First Passover in ancient Egypt was a huge festival that all the Hebrews shared. The lessons from that evening still speak to us and the real-time issues of our lives to this very day.

Don’t miss this exciting and dynamic Storahtelling Torah reading Shabbat service.  Just like we saw on Rosh Hashanah morning, Maven Aaron Freeman, David Edler, Carly Matt and Rabbi Weiner-Kaplow will present the Torah portion with a combination of drama, commentary and discussion in order to bring the Torah lesson to life in ways you never expected.

Special send-off ceremony for our eight 8th graders heading to Israel with the Ta’am Yisrael program.

Friday Night - What is Your Burning Bush?

This Friday night’s service (7:30 at LCHS) - In this week’s Torah portion, we have the story of Moses and his first encounter with the Lord.  When Moses approached the Burning Bush, he received his calling and changed the world as we know it.  What is your burning bush and how will you answer the call?  This service will feature three individuals - all Shir Hadash members - who created incredible projects that are making a real difference in people’s lives.  Don’t miss this inspiring service.


And, of course, don’t forget to bring something for oneg - see you Friday night!