Shir Hadash Synagogue will continue its long tradition of celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, with its annual “Lights & Miracles” service. This festive event will inspire holiday spirit through music, dancing, storytelling, and other creative expressions in which all are encouraged to participate. The service will be held on Friday, November 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Brook, 3700 Dundee Road, Northbrook.
Led by Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and new Shir Hadash Music Director Adrian A. Durlester, the service will include dance music from the Mighty Shir Hadash Klezmorim Band, songs from the adult choir Lahaka as well as children in the religious school, and storytelling from “Bubbe Bailah Nacha.” After the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah, the program closes with a memorable “glow light” dance.
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Shir Hadash has presented the Lights & Miracles service for several years, and it has grown into a popular tradition with area families. To accommodate the large numbers of guests expected, the synagogue opted to hold the service at Our Lady of the Brook, rather than at its home at 200 W. Dundee in Wheeling.
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This year’s celebration has a uniquely American twist. In recognition of the coincidence of Thanksgiving and the first night of Hanukkah this year (which only happens every 100 years or so), the service will include a bit of Thanksgiving cheer. Hanukkah traditions and Thanksgiving favorites will come together in surprising ways – like a treat of latkes (potato pancakes) with cranberry sauce.
Rabbi Weiner-Kaplow notes, “It is wonderful that Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coincide this year. The Jewish and American traditions share so much, especially in the common values of freedom, independence, hope, justice, kindness, and love. These are the themes of both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. We look forward to this year’s extra-special celebration.”
For detailed information about Shir Hadash or the Lights & Miracles service, visit www.shir-hadash.org or call (847) 498 8182.
About Shir Hadash
Shir Hadash is a progressive, active, and dynamic congregation, serving the Jewish community in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago from its synagogue in Wheeling, Illinois. Our inclusive membership welcomes singles, couples, and families. The synagogue attracts members from Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights and Palatine as well as Chicago, Skokie, Park Ridge, Barrington, and Gurnee. Under the leadership of Founding Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and an active member board, Shir Hadash presents a “new song” for the Jewish community in worship, education, and cultural connections. Reconstructionism is a progressive, egalitarian, inclusive movement that makes Judaism relevant to contemporary life, while still honoring Jewish tradition. For more information, call (847) 498-8218 or go to www.shir-hadash.org.
