Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue’s annual Chanukah: Lights & Miracles service

Shir Hadash Presents Chanukah Lights and Miracles: An Interactive Evening of Music, Dance & Glowsticksˇ -  Community Invited to Join Annual Artistic Celebration

Thinking of warm glowing candles, the aroma of latkes (potato pancakes), children spinning dreidels, and richly-woven stories told and retold throughout generations can mean only one thing:  Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights is just around the corner.  It also means it’s time for one of North Shore’s most anticipated holiday events, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue’s annual Chanukah: Lights & Miracles service.

Shir Hadash’s philosophy that the beauty of music and artistry contribute to our lives by enriching the spirit will once again be reflected in their participatory Shabbat and Chanukah celebration scheduled at 7:30pm on Friday, December 16th at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit social hall, 30 Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire. According to Jewish storyteller and emcee of the event “Bubbie Bailah,” this year’s festivities promise to be chock-full of music, singing, dance and story, as well traditional Jewish foods. The event is free and the entire community is invited to share in the celebration.

After a brief Shabbat service, the program begins with performances from the children’s choirs led by renowned Music Director Heather Aranyi, and continues with dance, candle lighting and storytelling. The evening culminates with a moving “Glowstick Dance” during which the entire congregation - with the lights out - waves a sea of multi-color glowsticks to the beat and lyrics of a Chanukah song. The effect is beautiful. Choreographer Rebecca Rice leads the community in this collective movement art moment to honor the festival of lights.

“Our annual Chanukah: Lights and Miracles service is a special expression of our creative synagogue of the arts,” says Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow, founding rabbi and spiritual leader of Shir Hadash. “I am always amazed and delighted by the many talented members who contribute to our moving and engaging celebration.”

Beverly Berneman Lieberman, producer of the event and creator of the “Bubbe Bailah” character said, “Lights & Miracles is a chance for us to entertain each other in a festive way. It’s about us as a community celebrating and bringing joy to each other.”

ABOUT SHIR HADASH

Shir Hadash, which means a "new song," was founded in the spring of 1995.  It serves more than 175 households from more than 25 different towns in the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago.  Reconstructionism, the fourth branch of contemporary Judaism, was founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 1930’s.  It defines Judaism as the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people.   Thus, it seeks to create warm and welcoming Jewish synagogue communities that are respectful of traditional Jewish practice, yet open to new interpretation and creative forms of religious expression. For further information contact Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow at 847.498-8218. www.shir-hadash.org.