Social Events & Membership

Annual Meeting May 6

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 6 (the last day of Sunday School). We will initially convene the meeting at our Sunday School location, Hellenic American Academy, 1085 Lake Cook Road in Deerfield. Voting will be open starting at 9:15 at that site. Starting at 10 a.m., we will move over to the building next door, Chicagoland Jewish High School (CJHS), for the remainder of the meeting. You will be able to vote at CJHS, and there will be presentations by candidates and concerning the proposed budget, with opportunities to ask questions. Plus, there will be coffee, tea, bagels, cream cheese, fruit, and pastries available at CJHS during the meeting (at no charge).

We'll be reviewing the budget for next year and voting on several board positions. Like many congregations, we too have felt the same challenges that our members have faced with the slow recovery of our economy. We are planning on dedicating part of the board to address this issue head-on next year. 

We are introducing a restructuring of the board to improve our ability to grow our membership and enhance fundraising. The board also recognized the need to streamline our governing structure, improve communications with our committees and staff, and provide better focus. Come and help us make a quorum, meet the Board, and ask questions!

May Book Club

The May book club meeting will be held on Monday, May 14 (tentative), at Susan Grossman's home in 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 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

April Showers, Shop for Mom, and May Flowers

Shop in the rain at home with Amazon, Overstock.Com, and Barnes and Nobel. Celebrate Mom with 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, call, or stop by the Shop table during Sunday School. 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.

 

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