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Shir Chadash Newsletter
December 15 - December 21, 2022
21 Kislev - 27 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 15th
6:30 pm, YAS (Young Adults at Shir Chadash) Happy Hour at CASK
Friday, December 16th
6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, December 17th
9:30 am, Shabbat Morning Services with special guest speaker, JFGNO CEO, Arnie Fielkow, followed by Kiddush lunch sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans (JFGNO)
10 am, Chanukah Pop Up for ages 0-3 and those who love them
10:30 am, Children's Services & Babysitting
Sunday, December 18th - 1st Night of Hanukkah
NO SHUL SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK
9:15 am, Minyan with Men's Club, followed by breakfast
Monday, December 19th - 2nd Night of Hanukkah
7 am, Morning Minyan for the Yahrzeit of Lisa Finkelstein's mother, Betty Aron, the Yahrzeit of Karen Sher's father, Dr. Harold "Hal" Baumgarten, & Shloshim in memory of Rabbi Hoffman's mother, Susan Hoffman
Tuesday, December 20th - 3rd Night of Hanukkah
11 am, Lunch & Learn - Please note new date
Wednesday, December 21st - 4th Night of Hanukkah
10 am, Sisterhood Class: The Land of Truth
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Thursday, December 22nd - 5th Night of Hanukkah
8 am, Morning Minyan on Zoom
7 pm, 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Hanukkah Poker Night - Register HERE

Friday, December 23rd - 6th Night of Hanukkah
6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, December 24th - 7th Night of Hanukkah
9:30 am, Shabbat Morning Services, followed by Kiddush lunch
10 am, Babysitting
Sunday, December 25th - 8th Night of Hanukkah
NO SHUL SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK
9:15 am, Minyan with Men's Club, followed by breakfast
3 pm, Christmas Day Majong
5 pm, Chai-nese Chanukkah Dinner & Movie -
RSVP HERE (Registration closes Dec. 19)
Wednesday, December 28th
10 am, Sisterhood Class: The Land of Truth
Thursday, December 29th
8 am, Morning Minyan on Zoom
Friday, December 30th
6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Services
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Our Health Committee update as of December 7, 2022 is as follows:

'Tis the season for respiratory viruses . . . A "tridemic" of COVID, influenza, and RSV is currently upon us. As a result, we strongly encourage you to stay up to date with your COVID and flu vaccines. Bivalent COVID boosters are available for those ages 5 years and older. Flu vaccine is available for those ages 6 months and older. Please visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you. We also encourage frequent handwashing and wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces. And if you are feeling sick, please stay home to help reduce the transmission of virus to others. Zay gezunt! Be well!
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 TONIGHT!
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This event is free.
Registration is not required, but appreciated
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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: January 17th
"Jews and Power"
by Ruth Wisse
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: THIS TUESDAY, December 20th
*Please note new date*
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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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 | |
Join us at the Uptown JCC for... | |
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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