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Shir Chadash Newsletter
December 1 - December 7, 2022
7 Kislev - 13 Kislev 5783
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Some of our congregants have some difficulty driving at night, but still wish to attend evening services and programming. Shir Chadash wishes to be as inclusive as possible and hopefully provide assistance to those who may need it.
If you need assistance in getting to shul in the evening OR are able and willing to provide a ride to those in need, please fill out the survey below.
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Shalom, Shir Chadash family!
We are so grateful for the support of the community while our mom and wife, Charisse Sands, has been in the hospital receiving care for ongoing health issues. We appreciate all your calls, texts, and offers of support. She has now been discharged and is staying with Josh and Chaviva while she regains her strength. It will be a long road to full recovery, but she is on her way.
At this time, we would be grateful for your time and assistance in aiding Charisse and those currently caring for her. While meals are still appreciated, the real need now is people to keep Charisse company, drive her to appointments, walk the dogs, etc. If you would like to assist in any way, please contact Chaviva Sands at 504-237-1522 or chaviva.sands@gmail.com.
Again, we are so grateful for your continued prayers and hope to see Charisse at 100% soon!
With gratitude,
Mark, Sara, Josh, Mirit, and Chaviva Sands
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Vanessa Cohen is an early childhood educator at the New Orleans JCC. This will be her sixth year teaching there. Vanessa was recently diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. She is taking at least the first semester off from teaching to undergo aggressive cancer treatment which includes radiation and chemotherapy. If you know Vanessa, then you know she is one of the most caring and loving humans on this planet. She takes an interest in every single student. Teaching young and curious minds is Vanessa's greatest love, so for her to have to take extended time off of work must have been an especially challenging decision for her. As a teacher at the JCC, Vanessa has always supported her students and their families with so much enthusiasm and warmth.
Even with health insurance, Vanessa will have many medical bills and extra expenses as a part of her treatment. FMLA will not be enough to support Vanessa with all of her routine and extra expenses. Now is our time to give back and show our support for Vanessa. Please donate if you can and please feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be willing to help.
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Shir Chadash Calendar
All links have migrated to our webpage. Click here to get there!
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Thursday, December 1st
6 pm, YAS (Young Adults at Shir Chadash) Happy Hour at The Bulldog-Midcity
Friday, December 2nd
6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, December 3rd
9:30 am, Shabbat Morning Services, followed by Kiddush lunch sponsored by Miriam & Bruce Waltzer in honor of their 65th wedding anniversary
10:30 am, Children's Services
Sunday, December 4th
9 am, SHUL SCHOOL
9:15 am, Minyan with Men's Club, followed by breakfast
10 am, "Living Fully" Workshop with Rabbi Daniel Kripper - Register HERE
4:30 pm, Teen/Tween Learning
Wednesday, December 7th
10 am, Sisterhood Class: The Land of Truth
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Thursday, December 8th
8 am, Morning Minyan on Zoom
Friday, December 9th
6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, December 10th
9:30 am, Shabbat Morning Services, followed by Kiddush lunch
10:30 am, Children's Services
Sunday, December 11th
9 am, SHUL SCHOOL with special Chanukkah programming
9:15 am, Minyan with Men's Club, followed by breakfast
Tuesday, December 13th
7 pm, Great Jewish Books (of the Last Decade)
email rabbiscott@shirchadash.org to RSVP
Wednesday, December 14th
10 am, Sisterhood Lunch & Book Review
Thursday, December 15th
8 am, Morning Minyan on Zoom
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Our Health Committee update as of August 12, 2022 is as follows:

We have seen a precipitous drop in the rate of positive tests in the New Orleans area, and we are starting to see a drop in the hospitalization rate as well. In addition, our community threat level has been reduced from "High" to "Medium." All very encouraging news!
Unfortunately, we have also learned that with the recent highly contagious variants, vaccination does not prevent infection nor the ability to transmit the virus to others. However, it does continue to help protect against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Therefore, vaccination remains important for one's personal protection but is less essential to the community's health at large.
As a result, the Health Committee has recommended that we lift our vaccine requirement for shul entry, and the recommendation was approved by the Board on Monday, August 8th. This decision is also in keeping with current local guidelines for schools and businesses.
We do continue to encourage everyone to be vaccinated, if eligible. The CDC recommends COVID-19 primary series vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, a booster for everyone ages 5 years and older, and a second booster for everyone ages 50 and older. Please note that special rules apply to those who are immunocompromised. Please visit the CDC website to learn more about staying up to date with vaccinations.
We also continue to encourage everyone to mask while indoors, most especially for those at risk of serious disease (e.g. those who are moderately/severely immunocompromised).
Please click HERE to read our guidelines in full.
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Shir Chadash Events & Announcements | |
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No registration required. If you can't find the group,
please text or call Chaviva Sands at (504) 237-1522.
We look forward to seeing you TONIGHT!
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This event is free. Registration is not required, but appreciated. More information coming soon! | |
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The Torah covers are looking a bit shabby. Be part of the campaign to raise funds for new covers - 10 white ones for the high holidays, and 10 colorful ones for the rest of the year. Each cover will cost about $1500-2000. Contributions to the Fred Bronfin Torah Preservation Fund for all or part of one or more covers would be a great Chanukah gift! Naming opportunities will be available.
To be part of the committee to make this happen please contact the synagogue office or Diane Schleifstein, 504-782-5237.
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CLASSES WITH RABBI HOFFMAN
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Great Jewish Books
(of the Last Decade)
Once a month, Tuesdays, 7 PM
@ Rabbi Hoffman's Home
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Next Class: December 13th
"Have a Little Faith"
by Mitch Albom
Numerous Jewish books are published every year, and many are of a very high quality. But what about the most important books, those that make a deep impact on the American Jewish community? In this course, led at Rabbi Hoffman’s home (aka the parsonage) one Tuesday evening per month, we will review a book together.
Please RSVP to Rabbi Hoffman at rabbiscott@shirchadash.org
Click here for the full 2022-2023 schedule and book list
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Lunch & Learn:
One Hour Responsa
With gratitude to the Nat Leon Fund
Once a month, Tuesdays, 11 AM
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Next Class: December 27th
Join Rabbi Hoffman for a one-hour session followed by a delicious catered lunch. They will take a look at contemporary issues through the lens of Jewish sources. You don’t need to bring anything to class but yourself and your appetite – everything will be supplied to you. The course is based upon the responsa writings of Dr. David Golinkin of the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem.
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Sisterhood Class: The Land of Truth
Wednesdays. 10 AM
In-person and available on Zoom

Join us on Wednesday mornings at 10 for lively teaching and discussion with Rabbi Hoffman of Jeffrey Rubenstein's book The Land of Truth.
The Talmud has numerous stories which address everyday life. Rather than being historical in nature, these tales are didactic, intended to teach an important lesson. The question is always what lesson are the Sages trying to teach?
All materials will be provided - come join us for an exploration of Talmudic texts in translation and enjoy!
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Minyan will be in the Chapel
at 9:15 am, followed by breakfast.
Zoom participation remains an option.
Everyone welcome!
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Thursday Shacharit Minyan | |
Join us at 8 am for our
virtual weekday minyan.
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Click here for the most recent Family Newsletter
to learn more about upcoming children's programming!
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Click here for the most recent Shul School Recap!
If you have not yet registered your child(ren) and wish to enroll them,
please contact Chaviva Sands at educationdirector@shirchadash.org.
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Top 10 Reasons to Join Sisterhood! | |
10. Sisterhood needs & values you
9. Interesting discussions & conversations
8. Opportunities to learn new skills
7. Being a part of something bigger than yourself
6. Connections to individuals around the world
5. Longest ongoing Torah study class in NOLA
4. Innovative programming
3. Increased longevity & decreased stress
2. Unmatched support system
1. Lasting friendships
For details about membership, dues payments, or contributing, please click HERE.
Information and/or questions, contact Charisse Sands at 504-231-6464 or annsandsc@aol.com (Sisterhood in subject line)
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It’s time to order your 2023 Mah Jongg cards. A portion of each card sold is donated to Shir Chadash Sisterhood. Thank you for your support!
The selling of Mah Jongg cards last year earned $182 for Shir Chadash Sisterhood. Let's try to reach $200 for this year!
Regular cards are $14 and large cards are $15.
To order a card, please send a check made out to:
Harriet Hillson
4839 Bissonet Dr.
Metairie, LA 70003.
The deadline for ordering cards is January 13, 2023.
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Community Events and Announcements | |
Immigrant Resettlement. Touro Synagogue continues its collaboration with Home is Here NOLA (www.homeisherenola.org), an organization working with a network of community support groups such as Touro for the resettlement of asylum seekers. Volunteers provide a wide variety of support to new community members, with the ultimate goal of facilitating self-sufficiency. Touro welcomes non-Touro members for this important effort. If you are interested in volunteering or just learning more, please contact Jill Israel (jisraelnola@gmail.com). | |
Scott Hoffman
Rabbi
Executive Director
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Chaviva Sands
Director of Education & Programming
Sarah Lustig
Office Manager
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