To help you on this path, National Council of Jewish Women has created a High Holy Days supplement for this new year. With pandemic-induced adaptations still in full swing, many of us will be celebrating Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur in different ways than we usually do. We have compiled intentions, poetry and ritual activities to help ground us in this time of reflection, and self-actualization. The piece was designed to enrich your spiritual experience, whether you are celebrating alone, with your pod, virtually, or with an in-person community. Please download for your own use, and share with your friends and family as well.

The shofar is used not only as part of heralding the Jewish New Year, but to bring the community together and also to sound the alarm in times of crisis. The US Supreme Court failed to act on an emergency application to block a radical Texas bill from taking effect. SB8 — which became law at midnight CST on September 1st— bans abortion after six weeks into a pregnancy and allows private citizens to sue providers and anyone who helps a person obtain an abortion. The law will do the worst harm to people of color, LGBTQ folks, communities with low incomes, and individuals with disabilities. Join NCJW, along with Rep. Judy Chu, sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) in educating our community about the law, potential court actions, and ways to take action to protect and advance abortion access! Register today: https://secure.everyaction.com/NfRtJMFOyEy58gdD_Bg69g2

Sukkot is a time of thanksgiving for the harvests and milestones in a person’s life. It reminds us to not take such things for granted. Sukkot also reminds us that our dwellings can be temporary or permanent and makes us think about what is home. For our September Salon discussion, we will meet in Melissa Prober’s backyard Sukkah and discuss the concept of home. Home can be a physical place, like the home we grew up in. It can be defined by relationships we have—as in, “I feel at home with the people I love.” It can denote experiences, as in “I feel at home when I’m reading my favorite author,” or “Making a Jewish home.” We will also explore homelessness, segregation in housing, and housing as social and economic justice. Click here for more information and to register.

Join NCJW Chicago North Shore and NCJW South Cook for a 3- Part Salon Series on Propaganda and Social Media. Learn about the impact of media propaganda in history, the impact of artificial intelligence on propaganda and how it works, and first amendment rights versus regulation.

Visit https://ncjwcns.org/actions/lets-talk/ for more information, speaker bios and to register.

Luggage for Freedom is back! Volunteers are needed to sort items and pack suitcases and backpacks and then deliver donations to local domestic violence shelters. Due to the rapidly changing COVID landscape, all volunteers will be required to register in advance. Registration will open in mid-September. Please watch your inbox for an email or visit https://ncjwcns.org/events/lff2021. If you have any questions, email luggageforfreedom@ncjwcns.org.

In partnership with NCJW Chicago North Shore and JCFS Chicago, SHALVA is very excited to be hosting Lundy Bancroft, author of “Why Does He Do That” and his new novel “In Custody” for a virtual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Program. Mr. Bancroft has over twenty-five years of experience in the fields of abuse, trauma, and recovery. He has worked with abusive men in his counseling groups and served extensively as a custody evaluator, child abuse investigator, and expert witness. Registration will open mid-September. Visit https://ncjwcns.org/events/dv102621 for more info as it becomes available.

NCJW CNS launches its newest initiative The EASE Homelessness Project in 2021-22. The project’s goal is to Educate our community about Chicagoland’s homeless population, to Advocate for the homeless at both the local and state level, and to provide Service opportunities for NCJW members in partnership with organizations providing direct services to the homeless. The evening of November 4th, our community partners, Deborah’s Place and The Night Ministry, will share their expertise and the stories and needs of this often-forgotten population via Zoom. Registration for this program will open in early-October. Please visit https://ncjwcns.org/events/ease110421 for more information.

When women lead, change follows. NCJW has been leading the way for over 125 years. But it is not enough to lead unless we also lift – lift up other voices and lift up the next generation. NCJW LIFTS brings together an annual cohort of 8-10 advocates who seek professional growth, relationship-building opportunities, and a higher level of involvement with NCJW and the progressive community. The 2022 cohort will begin in early January and will meet every 3-4 weeks until early June.

Click here for more information about each session as well as the link to apply.

Last year at the height of the pandemic, the volunteers of NCJW Gives Back worked tirelessly to support vulnerable communities throughout Chicagoland. Their acts of kindness exemplified one of the guiding principles behind NCJW’s work – Tikkum Olam – to repair the world. Visit https://ncjwcns.org/programs/ncjw-gives-back to learn more about the initiative and last year’s service projects.

 

We hope to make NCJW Gives Back a permanent program of our section, but we need you to make this a reality! If you are new to NCJW or a long time member, NCJW Gives Back is the perfect opportunity to get involved!

 

To learn more about the mission of NCJW Gives Back, please attend a virtual information session on Friday, September 30th at 10:00am. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link.

I'm sure we are all following the news of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the resulting refugee crisis. As you know, immigration reform and assisting refugees is one of National NCJW's core issues. Our CNS Section is currently exploring ways to be involved in an impactful way, including communication with HIAS Chicago about local advocacy efforts and Chicago's RefugeeOne about volunteer tutoring or supplies collection opportunities. For websites to follow and CNS Section updates, please email robbie.schreiber08@gmail.com.

Welcoming the stranger — the immigrant, the refugee, the asylum-seeker — is one of Judaism's most core values. For more than 125 years, NCJW has boldly imagined a world where women, children, and families are fully valued and supported. This vision is more important than ever as we remember what the Torah teaches us and heed the moral imperative to do our part to welcome the stranger.

Sunday, October 24, Luggage for Freedom, NCJWCNS' premiere community service project, will will once again hold its annual Packing and Delivery Day at the West Ridge Center in Highland Park. Due to the rapidly changing COVID landscape, all volunteers will be required to register in advance. Registration will open in mid-September. Visit https://ncjwcns.org/events/lff2021 for more information and registration.

Ways you can help - because the pandemic prevented us from having our traditional packing and delivery day in 2020, our storage space is almost full and we are unable to accept donations of luggage until after the October event. We are still looking for donations of new toiletries (travel-size preferred), new sheet sets and new towels. Email luggageforfreedom@ncjwcns.org to arrange for drop off or place an order from our Amazon Wish List and have it shipped directly to the LFF chairs. Use this link to view and order: https://a.co/9MKPSkp.

New Storage Space Needed: Luggage for Freedom is in need of a new storage facility in the Deerfield area! At our current storage facility, rental increases have become prohibitive. A Corporate or Business Sponsorship would be most appreciated, as would a less expensive rental. Please contact Melissa Prober if you can help or would be willing to make some calls.

Abortion is a racial justice issue. It is an economic justice issue. It is a public health issue. We must continue to advocate for access to abortion so that everyone, not just those in positions of privilege, can make their own health care decisions with dignity. NCJW has been advocating for reproductive rights, health and justice for over 125 years. And for any donation of $36 or more, we will will send you a Hanger Project charm to symbolize the desperate acts women will take when they don’t have access to safe abortion care. No woman should EVER have to resort to a coat hanger in place of safe, quality healthcare. Click here to donate.

Let’s make our own NCJW CNS Members Family Cookbook. Whether the recipes are traditional Jewish dishes, gourmet delicacies, or just plain delicious, join us in compiling a cookbook we can call our own.

Recipes and stories will be formatted to become a paperback book that will be available on Amazon as an ongoing fundraiser. This memorable collection will be great for your own kitchen and for holiday gifts. Please send your favorite recipe(s) and family stories about the dish (optional) to Jan at vote@ncjwcns.org. I can’t wait to taste all of your entrees. 

NCJW CNS was honored to be asked to participate in the First MACGV Chicago Peace Walk. MACGV provides opportunities for wellness and healing for individuals and communities dealing gun violence.

NCJW members were honored to walk alongside Chicago leaders such as Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Superintendent David O. Brown, Alderman Jason C. Irving and the support of Congressman Danny K. Davis. Each city official acknowledges the need to combat the violence that is plaguing our community. Other participating organizations and groups were the NAACP, Mothers on a Mission 28, Chicago Behavioral Hospital, Nurturing Neighborhoods, Inc. and Elizabeth Chapter #8.

Annual Member? Most NCJW annual memberships expired on June 30? Click here to join, renew or gift a membership online. If you prefer to mail a check, please send your membership donation to the NCJW Chicago North Shore (NCJWCNS) to: NCJW Chicago North Shore, 5 Revere Drive, Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062. Your annual membership donation is only $50 but it helps us make such a difference! And for those 36 and under, we offer a special double chai membership rate of just $36!

Life Member? You're not just a life member because you made that life member donation back in the day - you are a life member because you are the heart and soul of our section! Is there someone in your life that you think would enjoy being a part of our group of motivated, fun, and thoughtful women? A collective of folks connecting with each other and learning together as a community of progressive change-makers. If you do, why not gift them a membership!

While Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion may be the law, the reality is different for so many in this country who cannot access abortion — particularly people of Color, low income people, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ folks. Just this week, the US Supreme Court failed to act on an emergency application to block a radical Texas bill from taking effect. SB8 — which became law on September 1 — bans abortion after six weeks into a pregnancy, before most people even know they’re pregnant. This Texas law allows people to sue anyone who helps someone get an abortion after 6 weeks. And if they are successful in their suit, they’ll be rewarded with at least $10,000 - to be paid by the person sued. Lawsuits can be filed against a broad range of people who “helped,” including: a person who drives their friend to obtain an abortion; abortion funds providing financial assistance to patients; health center staff; and even a member of the clergy who counsels an abortion patient.

The chipping away at Roe v. Wade is real. 

Chicago North Shore has several new ways to support our section. As always, you can make a one time donation or purchase a tribute (links are below), you can even purchase an NCJW star necklace or hanger charm or become a monthly donor!