SH Weekly Bulletin

Our Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, May 6. It featured presentations by candidates, discussion of the proposed budget, and animated conversation. The votes are in! Here is your new Shir Hadash Board:

President: Jeff Wallk
Exec VP: Steve Lewin
VPs: Melanie Andes, Marc Fargotstein, Rebecca Rice
Secretary: Marilynn Singer
Treasurer: Lise and Sandi Schleicher
At-Large Board Members: Fred Andes, Lynne Arons, Jeff Blumenthal, Steve Fisher, Ken Green, Mark Lenhart, Sandy Weiss

The board and budget were both approved by a quorum from the membership on Sunday. Thanks to all who attended and contributed their ideas and suggestions. The board will be meeting next month to align each member to their roles and responsibilities within one of the three areas of focus (Governance, Programming, and Sustainability) and to review the ideas that were contributed by our members during the meeting. Please note that our board meets every second Tuesday of the month at the office and the meetings are open for all to attend.

May Book Club

The May book club meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14, at the home of Susan Grossman, 2720 Oak Street, Highland Park. We will be reading Drawing in the Dust by Zoe Klein. RSVP to Meryl at abenkras@aol.com (preferred) or (847) 509-0377. Please tell your friends about it! This event is not exclusive to Shir Hadash. It is open men and women alike.

Looking for Three Families to Host a Tea

The tea will be an evening event during which the rabbi will teach and lead a discussion about a theme of Reconstructionist values and/or thought that is very relevant to our contemporary Jewish lives. The host will help the rabbi select the theme of most interest. The host will invite some Shir Hadash friends to attend as well as some non-member friends who might be interested in participating. Please contact Caryn McArdle at caryn.mcardle@comcast.net.

Family Bike Ride with the Rabbi...

Keep watching the newsletter for information on a family bike ride with Rabbi Eitan, Chicago architect boat tour, and a baseball game, to name a few activities planned for our community in the next few months.

Rabbi's Corner

"The Jewish Holidays"

Shabbat Emor

Torah Portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23 / Haftarah Portion: Ezekiel 44: 15-31

May 11-12, 2012 / 20 Iyar 5772

Day 35 of the Omer

Dear Friends,

I am so excited to pick my daughter Elana up from college this Friday and I am filled with questions. How has her life changed during her freshman year at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign? What has she learned as a theater and acting major? What has she experienced on the Big Ten campus? A year of study is concluding. After a summer at the OSRUI summer camp as a counselor and song leader, she will head back to school to do it all over again--a little older and a little wiser. Because of that, she will be ready for studies that are more challenging and demanding.

We Jews understand the flow of time and we understand how we grow from year to year. This week's Torah portion is about the course of the Jewish calendar and the meaning of the holidays...

Read the rest on the Rabbi's Blog.

L'shalom (In Peace)
Rabbi Eitan

Education Update

The Last Day of Religious School

When we got together last Sunday to celebrate the last day of Sunday religious school for 2011-2012, it was also a bit melancholy for many of us. We will miss seeing our soon-to-be college students every week, and we also had to say goodbye to one of our teachers, Marc Alexander.

After an hour-and-a-half of informal Hebrew "goodbyes-for-the-summer," the entire school gathered in the cozy center area of our Sunday home, the Hellenic American Academy, joined by many of our parents. Education Director Emily Ascher recognized the efforts that the Education Committee put forth once again (among other things, they supplied the ice cream sundaes that the students were enjoying). Graduating seniors Mitchell Green and Carly Rosenberg, along with volunteer college student and Shir Hadash member Ethan Zwick, and guitar-playing Josh Wallk, led the school in several rousing songs, including the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah.

Carole Mostow and Ethan Zwick were honored for their outstanding commitment to the school. Carole is our Shir Hadash Youth Group Leader, a fifth grade Jewish history teacher, the undeniable leader of the madrichim (student teacher) program, a member of the Education Committee, as well as general advisor to the Education Director. Ethan will be a junior at Depaul and will continue his studies of philosophy and music (his passion) next fall. He has volunteered every Sunday this year and lent his beautiful voice to our music program.

Rabbi Eitan, always the leader and perpetual encourager of all things Israel, announced he has certificates from the JUF each worth $100 toward a trip to Israel for each of the seventh grade students. The students will be presented with these certificates at their bar or bat mitzvahs.

The melodic Kolit, our children's choir, was led in song by Kolit leader Arielle Gallante. Julia Fargotstein, Maya Fisher-Rhode, Lauren Bagby, and Alyssa Kahn did a beautiful job and we hope to see and hear more of them next year. They had devoted an extra half-hour every Sunday to practice in order to make this performance special.

The madrichim (student teachers) were introduced and given a well-deserved round of applause. Many of them surprised Emily Ascher when they remained on stage and recited an especially meaningful poem to her. Teachers were all introduced and thanked--Cindy, Lynne, Joanie, Pearyl, Carole, Limor, Jennifer, Forouz, Marc, Yohay, Phyllis, Rebecca, and Ben make up our treasured team. Joanie Siegel, second and third grade Hebrew teacher taught us her Hebrew vowel Karate moves in what proved to be a highlight of the event. Josh Wallk showed his photo montage of the year, Rabbi Eitan led us in Shehecheyanu, a prayer of celebration, and then the students enjoyed a refreshing bowl of ice cream before they went out into the rain.

Thank you for all of your support, don't forget to practice Hebrew with your child over the summer. We can't wait to see you in the fall, please watch for school registration with your renewal packets.

Emily Ascher

Education Director

Teen News

Game Show Night a Success

Survey says: Teens have a great time doing this. Number 1 answer? Getting together on a Saturday night for dinner, Family Feud and hanging out. Several of our teens got together with the kids from JRC and Naperville last Saturday. Although many had never heard of Family Feud before they were standing at the podium, clicker in hand, they quickly caught on to the game and had a blast answering such riveting questions as "places that have aisles" and "things you do with your old car when you buy a new one." Surprisingly difficult was the "places they sell cotton candy" category. Clearly, our kids have not been to Chuck E. Cheese recently, much to their chagrin! The kids are looking forward to more programs together in the fall.

Teen Advisory Board Activities

We had a very productive meeting on Sunday and the teens are working very hard toward establishing a cause to support. Working with the ideas generated from our ideation session under the guidance of synagogue president Jeff Wallk, the teens are working to define an activity that makes a difference. We want to create a program that is fun, interactive, and brings people in to both raise money and increase awareness for our cause. With the momentum rolling, the teens plan to meet again this coming Sunday, May 13, at the synagogue office.

Volunteer Opportunity for Teens

The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival will be held on Sunday, June 10, at St. Paul Woods, Morton Grove. It will have three stages with music, dance and storytelling; a family stage; a kosher food fair; an art fair; and an organization fair. The fair will take place between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

More than 200 volunteers help on the day of the Festival, selling beverages and t-shirts and working as cashiers and in the information booths. While producing the Festival takes a tremendous amount of work during the months leading up to the big day, the organizers could not physically run the various activities without the help of volunteers.

Please contact Carole Mostow at youth@shir-hadash.org if you are interested in getting a volunteer group together. Or you can sign up to volunteer for a shift at www.jewishfestival.org/volunteers.htm.

Carole Mostow

Youth Director

Creative Worship & Ritual

Friday, May 18: Latest Jerusalem Archaeological Discoveries

Please join us on Friday, May 18, at LCHS, for an exciting look at the latest archeological discoveries from Jerusalem's City of David excavations. Rabbi Eitan 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!

Rabbi Eitan holds a B.A. in Old World Archaeology from Rutgers University and has excavated at a number of archaeological digs around the Land of Israel. Shabbat worship services will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the slide lecture will begin at about 8:45. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

May 4 Service Offered Torah, Ethics

Our May 4 Shabbat worship featured a complete Torah service. Dawn Weiner-Kaplow chanted the Torah portion and Rabbi Eitan supplied a lively and humorous simultaneous translation. Everyone came up and joined in the Torah blessings. Rabbi Eitan explained the meaning of the different parts of the Torah service to the sixth grade students and their families. Many participated in the discussion about the meaning of the Torah commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself." Everyone agreed that the true essence is simply "Zye a Mentsch," which is Yiddish for "Be a Good Person."

Creative Worship & Ritual Committee

Adult Education

There will be no Adult Education classes this week because of Mother's Day. Stay tuned for our adult education summer schedule!

Mitzvah

Having a Tough Time?

The Mitzvah Committee had a highly successful education program in Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick). It was sponsored by the Jewish Healing Network. Please remember that our Mitzvah Committee members are available to help you in your time of need. Those in need should feel free to contact Bob Roiter at bob.roiter@sbcglobal.net or (847) 989-4994.

Mitzvah Committee

We're looking for more Shiva leaders (adults and yes, even Havayah kids). If you are interested, please contact Bob Roiter

bob.roiter@sbcglobalnet.net.

Call for Volunteers

Wanted: Webmaster

We are looking for someone to maintain our Shir Hadash website. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jeff Wallk at jeffrey.wallk@gmail.com.

Get Involved with the Spring Membership Drive

We're planning a lot of activities this spring to expand our membership. If you're interested in helping us grow, please call the office and ask for Lillian (847) 498-8218.

Community Events

Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival will be held on Sunday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival will feature Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies, Blue Fringe, and Soul Aviv, along with a juried art fair, kosher food court, children's activities, and an organization fair.

The festival will be held at the Cook County Forest Preserve, St. Paul Woods, Oakton Street west of Lehigh. There is plenty of parking on site. A $5 per person donation is suggested. For more information, go to www.jewishfestival.org or call (847) 933-3000.

Genetic Education and Screening Program

Registration is underway for the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders upcoming screening programs for young Jewish adults. The Center is now offering an expanded panel of 18 disorders. Join the Center in June or August for a subsidized screening program ($180 per person), which includes an educational presentation, dinner, and screening.These tests usually cost more than $3,000! Pre-registration is required. Please contact Taryn Brickman at tarynbrickman@juf.org to learn more or visit www.jewishgenetics.org.

Donations

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

Over the years, the number of people aided by this fund has reached the hundreds. They include fellow congregants; homeless individuals and families; disaster victims locally, in Israel, and various social causes and institutions that are devoted to an inclusive vision inspired by our Jewish values.Donations may be made to commemorate joyous occasions, or in response to troubles or sorrow. All are acknowledged in writing by our staff and rabbi. When donations are given in someone's honor, that person is also informed.

General Fund

Donations to this fund are used to offset consideration provided to members and offer special assistance to families in need. These contributions can be used to strengthen existing programs (Shabbat Services & Onegs) and underwrite free programs like Adult Education, Rabbi's Lunch & Learn.

Building Fund

This fund supports the ongoing upkeep and maintenance required to support a future building as Shir Hadash is actively pursuing opportunities for expanded office space, shared meeting space, improved space for worship & ritual, and educational facilities.

Educational Fund

Donations to this fund help us underwrite programs for special needs students, allows us to purchase media and explore new training materials. We are also looking to upgrade technology used to support and deliver programming for students. There are additional art supplies and creative aids to further expand the ways we reach students. We are also planning to enhance the Hebrew Lab and we also want to provide refreshments for the teachers, Madrachim, room parents, and for the Kolit.

Music & Arts Fund

Donations will help underwrite the future performances by our Kolit and Lahakah, develop new music, purchase existing music, support expanded music offerings in our education program and build on our existing repertoire of dance and creative performance.

SHOP

Shop for Mom! Celebrate Mom with Amazon, Overstock.Com, Barnes and Nobel, Bath and Body Works; Bed, Bath, and Beyond; Dicks; Great Clips; J. Jill; REI; Sports Authority; Target; Ulta; Walmart/Sam's; Fanny May; Best Buy; Home Depot; JoAnne Fabrics; Michaels; Darden and Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. Lettuce Entertain You restaurants are now available for purchase by credit card.

Save time and support Shir Hadash. Order gift cards instead of shopping for gifts. Dine out with gift cards. Just give us a click or call. Remember, Shop raises money for the congregation and you don't spend a dime more than you would have anyway! For more information on any these great programs contact Lise at info@basketworks.biz, or Gina at Gzinbarg@sbcglobal.net.

iGive

iGive is a free service which enables our members to earn money for their favorite cause whenever they make an online purchase or search the web. For more information, go to www.igive.com/shir-hadash.

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Congregation

"The Creative Synagogue"

3340 Dundee Road Suite 2N4

Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Office: (847) 498-8218

Website: www.shir-hadash.org