NCJW April 2020 News and Events
So much has changed in just one month.

We know it’s been a difficult time for all of us and we are thinking about you! We hope you are staying safe and healthy and taking care of yourselves. Please let us know how we can support you during these times. While it’s difficult to navigate the changes being made across the country, we are strong women who can weather difficult times doing what we do best - safeguarding our loved ones, ourselves and our community. 

In Judaism, pikuach nefesh (saving lives) takes precedence over everything else we do. In these uncertain times, we're committed to protecting women, children, families and vulnerable communities.

For information on protecting yourself and your loved ones, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at
Tributes
An NCJW Chicago North Shore Tribute is a thoughtful way to acknowledge a life event while supporting NCJW’s many valuable projects. You may purchase an individual tribute or packages of tribute cards.

To purchase Tributes visit

We Need Your News!
Whether you are celebrating a simcha or sharing your sorrow, your NCJW friends want to know! Email  info@ncjwcns.org



Questions, concern or just want to reach out to a friend, email info@ncjwcns.org and we can set up a virtual chat!
Upcoming VIRTUAL Events
Since virtually all in-person programs are being cancelled or postponed, we thought we would make virtually all of our upcoming programs virtual!

NCJW in the Time of Corona
Monday, April 6, 7:00 pm
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we advocate but certainly hasn’t eliminated the need. Join us online for a virtual meeting where we will give you an update on the issues, tools you can use to advocate from your home, and actions you can take right now that will help women, children and families during this difficult time. This will also be a time to check in with your NCJW friends and let us know how you are doing. Click here to RSVP.

Matzo and Margaritas (Merlot, Milkshakes, Moccachinos...)
Sunday, April 12, 4:00 pm
April 12 is roughly the mid-point of Passover and by then you may be getting tired of Matzo with leftover brisket or Matzo with butter. Join us online with your favorite beverage (it doesn’t have to start with “M” but alteration is so much fun!) and share your tips for Passover dining (and let us know what you put on your post-passover pizza!). In addition, cook along with us as we make matzo toffee – a little sweet treat to get you to day 8! Click here to RSVP.

City Salon: NCJW Moving into the Next Triennium
Monday, April 27, 6:30 pm
Although the NCJW National Convention had to be cancelled, NCJW members still voted on the new Resolutions and Bylaws as well as the new Board of Directors Slate. Attend the April Virtual City Salon and see where NCJW is headed! Email ChicagoSalon@ncjwcns.org for information

Suburban Salon: How have our Identities Transformed during the Time of COVID-19
Thursday, April 16, 7:30 pm
For so many of us our daily routines are now disrupted; how do we take care of our physical and emotional well-being in such stressful times? Our tentative topic is: How have our Identities as Professionals / Parents / Spouses / Daughters / Jews / Feminists / Social Justice Advocates been Transformed during the present National Health Crisis? How are we navigating these sudden changes? What can we do to ease the transition and maintain emotional balance? Email SuburbanSalon@ncjwcns.org for information.

Shanghai Before the Ghetto
Tuesday, April 21, 7:30
As a prequel to our soon-to-be rescheduled program with Shanghai Ghetto Survivor Doris Fogel, join NCJW online for a fascinating look at Shanghai before WWII. Susan Blumberg-Kason, author of Good Chinese Wife: A Love Affair with China Gone Wrong and co-editor of Hong Kong Noir will take us on a virtual tour of pre-war Shanghai including the true story of Bernardine Szold Fritz, a Jewish woman from Peoria who travels lead her 1929 Shanghai. Visit https://ncjwcns.org/events/shanghai to register.

Combined Salon:
An American Summer: Love & Death in Chicago
Monday, May 18, 2020, 6:30 pm
Read this timely chronicle of individuals touched by violence in our city, and then join your North Suburban and City Salon friends for the First Annual NCJW Chicago North Shore Book Discussion. Our discussion will be facilitated by Chicago gun violence prevention professionals and activists. Registration will open after Passover. Check ncjwcns.org/events/american-summer for more information as it becomes available.
Save The Date!
We hope that the following programs will still go on as scheduled but we will know more next month. Meanwhile, save the date for the following:
Annual Installation and Award Celebration
June 2, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Wildfire Restaurant, 1300 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL
Join us for our annual NCJW Chicago North Shore Board Installation and Awards Celebration. This year, enjoy a delicious Wildfire lunch as we thank our outgoing board members and welcoming our new board members. Celebrate with us as we honor Cathy Carmody, Volunteer of the Year and Beth Najberg and Jill Lexier, Advocates of the Year. Our keynote speaker will be journalist and author Sylvia Foti. Click here for more information. Registration will open in April.
2020 Hannah G Solomon Awards Dinner
Monday, September 14, 2020, 6:00 pm — 9:00 pm
East Bank Club, 500 North Kingsbury Street, Chicago
This year marks the hundredth anniversary of women having the right to vote. While we still have much to do to ensure that everyone can vote, we are celebrating the impact that women have had in the political process. In honor of this, we are thrilled to announce that State Senator Sara Feigenholtz will receive , the Hannah G. Solomon Award, presented at our annual gala dinner, on Monday, September 14, 2020. Famed columnist, Lynn Sweet will be our keynote speaker at this event.  Click here for more information as it becomes available.
Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical
December 6, 2020; 1:00 pm
The coolest ticket on Broadway is coming to Chicago. Share a special event with your children, grandchildren or anyone who loves a battle between good and evil! Frozen is the timeless tale of two sisters, pulled apart by a mysterious secret. As one sister struggles to find her voice and harness her powers within, the other embarks on an epic adventure to bring her family together.

NCJW has a limited amount of tickets to the December 6, 1:00 matinee performance of Disney’s Frozen. The seats are located in the center balcony in rows F, G, & H. Disney’s FROZEN is recommended for ages 6+. Click here for tickets
Take Action!
NCJWebinars
Grab your beverage or snack of choice and join National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) advocates and allies from around the country for NCJWebinar, a new weekly online series to educate, inspire, and build a virtual sisterhood. All are welcome. Click here to register.
  • April 7: Resistance Lessons From the Heroines of the Passover Story
  • April 14: When the coronavirus becomes an excuse to restrict abortions
  • April 21: Direct Service in the Age of Coronavirus 
  • April 28: Advocating for At-Risk Populations
  • May 5: Weaponizing White Supremacy during COVID-19 

Urge Congress to include NCJW priorities in the next coronavirus relief package
Through the passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (S 3548), Congress has undoubtedly taken significant steps to address the devastating impact of the ongoing global pandemic. However, we know that there is still much more work to be done to respond to the immediate health emergency; to support families, workers, and those most vulnerable; and to prepare for a successful recovery. As lawmakers consider the next phase of response legislation, urge them to incorporate critical NCJW priorities surrounding reproductive health, rights, and justice; health care; economic justice; voter engagement; domestic violence; and all of the issues we care about. Click here for more information and to take action.

Call on Governors to Increase Nutrition Assistance
Right now, across our country, vulnerable people are struggling to feed their families. As more people are at home during the pandemic, they are also facing the very real issue of hunger. NCJW is proud to partner with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger as we call on governors and all policymakers to use every tool at their disposal to increase and expand nutrition assistance for all those struggling with food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.  Click here to add your voice!
Anti-abortion legislators continue to use coronavirus as an excuse to prohibit access to abortions. Governors in the South and Midwest have already attempted to classify abortion as ‘non-essential,’ in some states shutting down access for pregnant people seeking abortions, and the government is not providing emergency assistance to abortion clinics. 
NCJW knows that abortion is safe, moral, legal, and an essential part of health care.

Abortion must be protected in this critical time and always. Make sure to subscribe to NCJW CNS Action Alerts and help us raise our collective voice!
Don't Forget to Be Counted! Complete The Census
The 2020 Census is quick and easy and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.
National Voting Delegates
Traditionally, NCJW, Inc. would hold voting on the Bylaws, Resolutions, and the new Board of Directors at the National Convention. With the Convention cancelled, NCJW is moving the Business Sessions online! Our section is entitled to seven (7) voting delegates* and this is truly our best opportunity to shape the future of our national organization. Click here for information on the Business Sessions.

There are two Voting Meetings: Thursday, April 23 1:00-5:00pm (central time) for the Bylaws and New Board Slate and Friday, April 24 10:00am-3:30pm (central time) for the Resolutions. If you would be willing to serve as an NCJW CNS Voting Delegate for one or both of the online Business Meeting sessions, please let us know. We have to send the names and contact information of the delegates to NCJW, Inc by April 12 so that each voting delegate receives their log-in information for the voting system and can attend training sessions (training sessions are on 4/17/20 and 4/20/20 - you only need to attend one training), to prepare for the meeting.

If you are available and willing to serve as a NCJW Chicago North Shore Voting Delegate, please click here and complete the form. *You must have a current section membership to participate as a Voting Delegate.
Other Virtual Events of Interest*
Support Resources During COVID-19

JCFS WarmLine:
For some, social distancing can lead to a sense of isolation or increased anxiety. In response, JCFS has added a Warm Line to provide assistance for people in the Chicagoland whose need is not urgent and just looking to talk to someone about their emotional distress. JCFS emotional support professionals are available between 9am-5pm Monday throughThursday and 9am-4pm Fridays at 855.275.5237.

Emergency Child Care for Essential Workers:
If you are considered an essential worker and in need of emergency child care, call ‪(888) 228-1146‬ or visit COVID-19 Emergency Provider Search . This page contains information and resources on emergency child care for essential workers; child care providers; and volunteers who want to offer support.

OHEL Children’s Home & Family Services launches tele-mental health support
This initiative will provide a multitude of much-needed support tools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to virtually attend to the growing demands of the many clients that OHEL serves – families, residents in OHEL homes, older adults, and beyond. For more information, visit www.ohelfamily.org/covid19 or call us at 800-603-OHEL. 
NCJW Mother's Day Basket Project
mothers-day-gift.jpg
For 125 years, NCJW, Inc has worked to develop and pass effective public policy to address intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking to ensure increased emphasis on prevention, accountability for perpetrators, and resources and justice for survivors.

To that end, the NCJW Chicago North Shore Mother’s Day Project specifically supports two area domestic violence shelters – the Downers Grove Domestic Violence Shelter run by the Family Shelter Services of Shore and Mary Lou’s Place run by the YWCA Evanston/North Shore. These Shelters serve women and their children who are victims of domestic violence by providing housing, meals, counseling and other personal essentials. Women are taught job skills and employment before they move into their own apartments. It has become our tradition to show our support for these women who have been threatened by violence and abuse by giving them each, a very special Mother’s Day basket.

For each donation of at least $18.00, we will send a Mother’s Day card to anyone you choose, or, you may wish to send a card in memory of a loved one – and their memory shall be a blessing. Click here to donate.
Membership
Membership Renewal
Although we will not formally begin our membership renewal season until June 1, you can renew renew your annual membership now We hope all of our annual members will renew their membership for another year. All NCJW annual memberships run from July 1 through June 30. If you haven't renewed your membership for the 2019-2020 membership year, you can do so either by clicking the link below or sending your check for $36 to NCJW, 5 Revere Drive, Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062. Or get a head start on your membership for the 2021 membership year. Renew or join today for $50 and your membership will valid through June 30, 2021. Not sure if you have an active membership? Email info@ncjwcns.org .

Your support makes it possible for NCJW to create meaningful social change for women, children, and families locally, nationally and internationally. Together with you, NCJW will empower women to educate their communities, mobilize the grassroots, and advocate for fundamental rights and freedoms.