School Bulletin 5.4.14

 7th Grade Students Honor Holocaust Survivors with a Beautiful Service



Shir Hadash students, under the tutelage of esteemed 7th grade classroom teacher, Judy Kleiman, talented Art Specialist Phyllis Levun-Agostino, creative music director Adrain Durlester, and our beloved Rabbi Eitan, led a lovely Yom Hashoah service remembering the Holocaust and heroism. Students studied aspects of the Holocaust for several weeks, researching survivors and their stories. They used, among other resources, a website called Centropa, from a  "Jewish historical institute dedicated to preserving 20th century Jewish family stories from Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans."  One warning, once you go to the website, it's very difficult to leave.


Music Director Adrian Durlester worked with the students for weeks, teaching them relevant music and history for them to share during the service. Art Specialist Phyllis Levun-Agostino and her teen helpers, Julia Mostow, Tory Lieberman, and Alek Kopulski created an art project entitled "Putting the Pieces Together, " which is presently on display in the Sanctuary. As you can see from the photographs below (as taken and shared by our very own Carolyn Gessner) it was a contemplative, meaningful service. Thank you to all involved.

Mitzvah Project Corner (send us a blurb about your mitzvah project and we will spread the good word!)

Help the Animals.  Julia Kessel is is collecting food and toys for the Humane Society as her mitzvah project for her May 31st Bat Mitzvah. She is collecting for cats and dogs and any food or toys would be a big help.  If you can contribute food or toys, please put them in box in the Synagogue lobby.

Sunday, May 4--Sunday School--Ari Moffic Spiritual Parenting (postponed until next year)

Sunday, May 11--NO SCHOOL (Mother's Day)

Sunday, May 18-- Last day of school--Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Annual Meeting

Sunday School Bulletin 4.27.14

Please join us in the Sanctuary this Sunday at 11:35 a.m., for our Yom Hashoah Service. The seventh grade class will lead this special service. All are welcome. The students, under the leadership of teacher Judy Kleiman and Art teacher Phyllis Levun-Agostino, have studied the Holocaust and created some meaningful artwork, which will be on display Sunday.

On Sunday, May 4th, 11:30 am. -12:25 p.m., Rabbi Ari Moffic, Director of Interfaith Family/Chicago will lead an interactive discussion for parents who did not grow up with Judaism. The session is about how to raise your children with a sense of the sacred, holy, or spiritual--exploring Jewish bedtime food and eating rituals, marking time with meaning on a weekly and yearly basis, doing good deeds, loving learning, playing, praying, and more.  RSVP to eddirector@shir-hadash.org.

No Sunday school on May 11th. Happy Mother's Day!

Just because Sunday school is almost over (May 18th is the last day) does not mean we won't see each other until Fall. The Education Committee, Cindy Salomon, Mady Fern, Rebecca Rice, Marc Fargotstein, Lisa Radzely, Carole Mostow,and  Dawn Allen are planning some fun get-togethers over the summer! These ideas came up as a result of our newly formed parent advisory group. Thank you, creative people.

Sunday, Apr. 27--Sunday School, Yom Hashoah Service

Sunday, May 4--Sunday School--Ari Moffic Spiritual Parenting

Sunday, May 11--NO SCHOOL (Mother's Day)

Sunday, May 18-- Last day of school--Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Annual Meeting

Happy Passover and Todah Rabah! Thank You!

The seder liturgy challenges us to declare "kol dichfin yeitei v'yeichol," let all who are hungry come and eat." Have participants bring canned food to the seder to be donated to a local soup kitchen or shelter. Again, at some point during the evening, allow for discussion of the phrase and explain where the food will be going. Alternatively, make a contribution for a percentage of the money you spend on food to Mazon, the Jewish response to hunger, to metaphorically invite others to share in the meal at your seder.

( http://www.ritualwell.org/ritual/incorporating-tzedakah-and-tikkun-olam-your-seder)

The Shir Hadash Annual Yom Tikkun Olam 

(Day to Repair the World) 

Family Mitzvah Day A Huge Success!

Shir Hadashniks showed up in big numbers (we lost count when we hit 80) on Sunday to help out and show appreciation for people and pets from firemen to children in Cambodia, Israeli soldiers to American soldiers, policemen to sick children in hospitals, as well as our friend's Pesach tables.  Thank you to all that showed up for the fun, feel-good day, and especially to those who helped plan for it.  

Lisa Radzley, Joanne Litman, Carole Mostow, Cindy Salomon, Dawn Allen, Lynne Arons, Rebecca Rice, Mady Fern, Marc Fargotstein, Tammy Pomper, and Emily Salomon all took leadership roles in the planning and execution of this great day. Great job, everyone!

After making lunch for 40, Shir Hadash families get a tour of the Wheeling firestation

…They also got a tour of the police station!

Gathered together for the big Kick-Off

Joined in prayer with Rabbi Eitan

Mira explaining Passover Treat-Making

Emily talking about the importance of Tikkun Olam

Singing with Rabbi Eitan

Girls pretending to be forlorn (?)

Teen leaders

Learning about making dog biscuits for Orphans of the Storm

Gathered in kitchen, ready to bake!

Recorders for Hope table.

Making lunches for fireman and police.

…lot's of lunches!

Making blankets for hospitalized people

Lot's of blankets, too!

Making delicious (they were) Passover treats

We had fun, and now we are tired.

Caravan to Fire and Police Stations

Cards for Soldiers

More lunches!

Sunday, Apr. 20--Sunday School
Monday, Apr. 21--Havayah
Sunday, Apr. 27--Sunday School, Yom Hashoah Service
Sunday, May 4--Sunday School--Ari Moffic Spiritual Parenting
Sunday, May 11--NO SCHOOL (Mother's Day)

Sunday, May 18-- Last day of school--Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Last Day Meeting, Annual Meeting