Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue eighth grade students Zach Goldman, Sophie Horwich, Samantha Lewin, Alex Lieberman, and Ari Rice, along with their rabbi, Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow, returned last month from this year's "Ta'am Yisrael--Taste of Israel" Eighth Grade Journey to Israel. The trip ran from February 4th through 12th.

The Shir Hadash participants joined a group of 185 Chicago area eighth graders along with chaperones and guides to Israel for one week of tourning in southern Israel and Jerusalem. Amongst the exciting and jam-packed program, the group excavated at an archaeolgical dig, climbed Masada at sunrise, hiked in the desert, visited with patients at a hospital and met and exchanged gifts with Isaeli youth of Kiryat Gat and Jerusalem. the students also visited sites in Jerusalem including the Western Wall, Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial, Mount Herzl and the Jerusalem Zoo.

According to Shir Hadash Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow, "Ta'am Yisrael program is a fantastic opportunity for our eighth grade students to follow up on their bar and bat mitzvah studies with an amazing journey to the Land of Israel--the homeland of the Jewish people. By touring Israel for one week they quickly learned and understood the essential role that each student plays in the present and future of the Jewish people."

The Ta'am Yisrael program is coordinated by the Chicago based Community Foundation for Jewish Education and was started by the late film critic Gene Siskel.

T'chiyah's New Torah: (Courtesy of Detroit Jewish News)On Sunday afternoon, February 4th, about 45 people gathered to witness the completion of a new Torah scroll being gifted to Congregation T’Chiyah, located just outside Detroit, MI. Rabbi Levi Kagan, a local Sofer (scribe), publicly completed the last 75 letters of the scroll, each of which had been dedicated in honor or memory of a person or persons named by the individuals who went up to the Torah to witness its completion. T'chiyah members and guests were invited to participate in this ceremony in a very special way that will remain as a highlight of the congregation’s history.

(L-R) Dan Cedarbaum and Bob BarkinDaniel Goldman Cedarbaum of Evanston, IL, immediate past president of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF) was honored at a luncheon on Sunday, February 28th. The event was held at Ezra Habonim, The Niles Township Jewish Congregation in Skokie, IL.  read more »

Over 170 people from the area and from around the country participated. Rabbi Rachel Gartner, Rabbi for Campus Ministries at Earlham College, Richmond, IN and Rabbi Brant Rosen of the Evanston-based synagogue, the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, led the program. A Conversation about Spirituality. Also participating in the program were Rabbis Jonathan Ginsburg of Ezra Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation, and Moti Rieber of Beth Sholom in Naperville, IL.

Congregation Shir Hadash Celebrates Chai Year With Gala

On Saturday evening, May 19, Shir Hadash will celebrate its eighteenth year together. The highlight of the gala will be a celebration of all of its past presidents. In addition, Milwaukee’s own chanteuse, Robin Pleur, backed up by “Mrs. Fun” and clarinetist, Julie Wood, will entertain us as only they can. Those attending will also be able to participate in raffles for a trip to Eilat, Israel, Steam Boat Springs, Colorado, and twelve gift certificates for dinners at some of Milwaukee’s best restaurants.

The celebration will take place at the North Shore Country Club, 3100 W. Country Club Dr. 106 N, Mequon, WI. Sit down dinner included in the $75.00 ticket price.

Contact Eve Eiseman, at saftaeve@wi.rr.com, or 262-238-1542 for more information

Rabbi Leila BernerRegister Online Now

Where: Perlstein Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

Theme: Tales Through Jewish Time: The stories that shape our lives. Featuring: Creative services, music, storytelling, free time, hiking, Torah study and much more...

Cost: $300, including room and board.  read more »

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Leila Gal Berner is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and holds a Ph.D. in Medieval Jewish History.

Leah Kamionkowski, President, Kol HaLev, 216-464-2940, Cleveland, OH leah@bepure.com

Sandy Weiss, Vice-President, Shir Hadash, 847-564-1495, Northbrook, IL weiss@fsinet.net

Leon Puttler, Vice-President, Kehillat Israel, 517-353-5926, Lansing, MI puttlerl@msu.edu

Abby Weinberg, Regional Staff, 734-998-1781, Ann Arbor, MI Midwest@JRF.org

List of congregational presidents:  read more »

Rabbis in JRF's Midwest Region:  read more »