North Shore Congregation Israel was founded in 1920 for the most part by families who had lived on the North Shore for several years. There are children and grandchildren of some of those families who still belong to North Shore Congregation Israel. The stated goal of the founders was: "an interest in furthering their thought and creating a background of Jewish thought for their children."

These families were mainly members of the Classical Reform Sinai Congregation, which held services on Sundays, in accordance with most of the Reform congregations in the Chicago area at that time. The members living on the North Shore wanted to create a "branch" of Sinai Congregation, not an independent congregation. Forty families voted on the idea and a spiritual leader, Rabbi Emil G. Hirsch of Sinai Congregation, was asked to be the "traveling" rabbi. Because of his prior commitments, services were held on Friday nights. On June 1, 1920, the first services were held at the Hubbard Woods School in Winnetka, Illinois. Services were held at irregular intervals; whenever a rabbi was available.

In those early years, the major problems were rabbinic leadership and physical facilities. Thus, the "North Shore Branch of Sinai Congregation" was created and with its creation came the beginnings of our present-day congregation. A series of visiting rabbis officiated, and in 1924, the congregation affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, reporting a membership of 198 families, all residents of the North Shore. Worship was held at the Winnetka Congregational Church, but soon sentiment began to grow for a permanent house of worship.

On April 19, 1926, the members voted that the congregation should become independent of Sinai Congregation. A temple site in Glencoe was selected and three months later, on June 19, 1926, the name North Shore Congregation Israel was chosen. At the time of the dedication, we had 326 family members and 46 non-members who also contributed to the building fund.

Rabbis came and went in the early years. However, Rabbi Charles Shulman began in 1931. He left during World War II and returned briefly at the end of the war. In 1948, Dr. Edgar E. Siskin became our rabbi and was with us until he retired in 1972. During his tenure in the 1950's, we built an addition to the original building. In the late 1950's, it was apparent that we needed larger facilities. A congregant was able to acquire magnificent lakefront property where we are presently located. The building, with its beautiful sanctuary, was dedicated in 1964. In 1982, we dedicated an addition at the south end of the building, which includes Perlman Sanctuary.

Rabbi Herbert Bronstein came to us in 1972. The congregation flourished under his dedicated spiritual leadership. Much has changed in Reform Judaism across the country and we have changed with it.

In July, 1997, Rabbi Steven S. Mason became the spiritual leader of our congregation.