ELUL: A Time for Reflection & Connection
The month of Elul, leading up to the High Holy Days is a time to reflect on the past year in preparation for the new year. We invite you to peruse our many offerings that can allow us to grow and deepen our connections to one another, our community, and our Jewish values. Join us for one, two, or more exciting opportunities for growth and discovery.
“But repentance (t’shuvah), prayer (t’filah), and righteous acts (tz’dakah) avert the harshness of the decree.”
—High Holy Day liturgy
T’SHUVAH תְּשׁוּבָה — Return & Repentance
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: Conflict Reconciliation Series
Wednesdays, August 21st, September 11th, October 9th 7:00–8:00 pm; November 13th, 6:00–8:00 pm
Led by Rabbi Leizman
In the lead up to the 2024 presidential election and the one-year anniversary of October 7th, 2023, Rabbi Leizman will lead a four-part series on conflict reconciliation, using methods and wisdom from peacemaking practices and Jewish tradition. Our fourth and final session will take place the week following the election, featuring facilitators from the Rose Castle Foundation, a leading international conflict reconciliation group. We will explore how to healthfully, relationally, and effectively interact with one another amidst interpersonal and political conflicts. Each session builds upon the previous session and works as a standalone, so participate as your schedule allows.
Justice in a Time of War: Nordenberg Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Andrew Rehfeld
Friday, September 20th
6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat service with sermon by Dr. Rehfeld
7:30 pm Dinner, Teaching, and Q&A
This year’s annual Bernice and Seymour Nordenberg Memorial Scholar-in-Residence will be Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, President of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion.
Dr. Rehfeld will offer a sermon during services on the timely subject of the ethics of war. Following the service, we will have a Shabbat dinner in which Dr. Rehfeld will teach and take questions, an excellent opportunity to engage in discussion with an accessible scholar. If you’d like to join us for dinner, please register below.
T’FILAH תְּפִילָּה — Prayer & Spiritual Reflection
Spiritual Garden Walk: Teshuvah and Spiritual Vulnerability
Wednesday, September 4th, 9:00–10:30 am at Chicago Botanic Garden
Led by Rabbi Nina J. Mizrahi
Spending time in nature opens hearts and nourishes souls. We will kick off the month of Elul with our spiritual garden walk, summoning the courage to be imperfect. Each restorative step in the gardens invites presence, restores resilience, and invites spiritual awakening. Each walk is supplemented with poetry, liturgy and other spiritual texts. Questions? Contact Jennifer McKeag: https://www.nsci.org/form/CJMK.
Art & Mindfulness with the Art Institute of Chicago
Wednesday, September 4th, 7:00–9:00 pm at NSCI
Led by Rabbi Greene & Marielle Epstein
Art can be a powerful entry point for spiritual exploration and contemplation. Through poetry, images, prayer, writing, and meditation, we will reflect on our journeys of this past year as we prepare for the Days of Awe. Marielle Epstein, assistant director of interpretation at The Art Institute of Chicago, will lead with Rabbi Greene.
Hebrew in a Hurry (New Learners)
Mondays, September 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, 12:00–1:15 pm on Zoom
Led by Rabbi Shira Joseph
Finally ready to learn Hebrew? Here’s your chance! Study with an expert Hebrew teacher over Zoom. In four sessions, you can learn the Hebrew alphabet and begin to read Hebrew! Yalla! Let’s go!
Learn High Holy Day Hebrew Prayers
Mondays, September 9th, 23rd, 30th, 7:00–8:15 pm on Zoom
Led by Rabbi Shira Joseph
Avinu Malkeinu, Al Chet, Kol Nidrei … Come brush up on your Hebrew reading skills and practice some of the best known passages of the High Holy Day prayers. A basic knowledge of alef bet and the vowels is necessary (even if you forget a few letters and read like a snail).
High Holy Day Music with Cantor Goldstein
Tuesday, September 10th & 17th, 3:00–4:00 pm on Zoom
Join Cantor Goldstein on Zoom for a fun session of singing and listening to the wonderful music of the High Holy Days.
Friday, September 13th, 6:00–7:30 pm at NSCI
Come celebrate Shabbat at NSCI with other families with children in grades K–5! We will welcome Shabbat all together with blessings, grape juice, and challah, separate into engaging kids activities with pizza and enriching adult discussions with dinner and drinks, and then join back together for a Shabbat sing along and festive dessert.
Monday, September 16th, 7:00–8:30 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
Led by Rabbi Greene
So many of us never learned to recite the Mourners’ Kaddish, yet often find ourselves feeling awkward or embarrassed when at services or a shiva minyan unable to join in. Join Rabbi Greene for an informative and instructive session on the Kaddish. This class is designed for those who do not yet know how to say the Kaddish.
Saturday, September 28th, 8:00–10:00 pm on the Perlman Patio (weather permitting)
Led by Rabbi Greene & Neil Rigler
Each year as we enter this contemplative season, we have a chance to reflect on where we are on our journeys. Selichot, our reflective ritual before Rosh Hashanah that occurs on a Saturday night prior to the new year, offers a space for that contemplation. Rabbi Greene and Neil Rigler will guide us as we hear from several members of our congregation who will speak, a la the popular radio show The Moth, to a powerful facet of their personal journey—and will, no doubt, inspire us to reflect on our own journeys. Join us for an evening of inspiring storytelling, havdalah, and dessert outside on the Perlman Patio, overlooking the lake.
Sunday, September 29th, 9:30 am at Lake Shore Country Club Beach
Led by Rabbi Greene
At the water’s edge ... at the year’s edge
Mikvah is a ritual of transition and transformation. As we approach the new year, mark your change and growth of the past year with spiritual preparation. Join Rabbi Greene at Lake Shore Country Club’s beach where we’ll engage in reflective conversation, and then those who wish will together take a dip in the lake. We’ll meet at the beach—walk down the road at the north end of the NSCI parking lot. Wear your bathing suit and bring a towel and warm clothes. Curious? Rabbi Greene would love to talk to you. Contact Rabbi Greene by visiting www.nsci.org/form/ERLG or call the office at 847.835.0724.
Sundays, September 22nd & 29th, October 6th, 10:00–11:00 am in the Large Sanctuary
Led by Cantor Goldstein
Have you always wanted to blow the shofar? Own a shofar and ready to learn how to use it? Come learn with Cantor Goldstein how to make the proper sounds for the High Holy Days and help to usher in the High Holy Day season with the calls of the shofar at our Rosh Hashanah services.
TZ’DAKAH צְדָקָה — Acts of Kindness
Sunday, September 8th, 11:30 am
For nearly three decades NSCI’s Feed the Homeless program has helped to feed thousands of people around Chicago. We provide 1,000 hot meals and brown bag lunches monthly. Volunteer on one Sunday a month for hot food prep and brown bag lunches making. Families are welcome!
Elul Challah Bake & Card Making (Adults Only)
Monday, September 9th, 5:00 pm
Led by Laney Pressman, Cori Levinson, & Rabbi Greene
Co-sponsored by Women of NSCI
Join us for an evening of creativity. Master challah baker, Laney Pressman, will teach us how to bake her delicious Rosh Hashanah challah, and we will prepare our own to bring home for the holiday. Laney approaches challah making with a unique spiritual vantage point that is sure to inspire.
While the challah is rising, we will make beautiful Rosh Hashanah cards with Cori Levinson, a skilled artist and card-maker. These cards will later be delivered with Rosh Hashanah sweetness by Hands of Chesed to a prearranged list of those in our community who may need an extra lift in time for the new year. This workshop is for adults. Limited spots available.
Wednesday, September 11th, 4:00 pm
Volunteer to cook and serve at the Beth Emet Soup Kitchen in Evanston with other members of our NSCI community. Advance sign up is required, and the week before volunteers will be told what to shop for. Space is limited, and some spaces may be filled by children. To sign up or ask questions, contact Brooke Hazan using the button below. The soup kitchen is a warm, community-embracing place, and you'll likely get to meet new folks in the kitchen, too!
Hands of Chesed Rosh Hashanah Package Assembly & Delivery
Monday, September 30th, 1:00–3:00 pm (assembly) & 3:00–6:30 pm (delivery)
Leslie Rosen & the Hands of Chesed team
Connect with your NSCI community and do a mitzvah! It’s always a good time to engage in acts of kindness, but it’s extra special to do so during the month of Elul. We will meet at NSCI, and assemble Rosh Hashanah packages for members of our NSCI community who would appreciate the gesture. Volunteers will deliver these packages and Rosh Hashanah cards handmade by our community. Sign up to pack by visiting www.nsci.org/event/HofCChallahB in the afternoon and/or to deliver in the afternoon or evening by visiting www.nsci.org/event/HofCChallahD. We’ll provide names and addresses for delivery.
Back to School Donation Drive for Cradles to Crayons
September 1st – October 31st, 2024
Help Cradles to Crayons provide essential items that Chicago’s children need to thrive at home, at school, and at play. Click here for a full list of needed items. Place all donations in the appropriately labeled collection pod located at the edge of NSCI’s North Parking Lot near the school entrance.
September 1st – October 31st, 2024
Help stock The Ark’s food pantry by donating kosher, non-perishable food. Place all donations in the appropriately labeled collection pod located at the edge of NSCI’s North Parking Lot near the school entrance and/or consider taking home, filling up, and returning a grocery bag with instructions available for pickup at NSCI. Click here for a full list of needed grocery items.
Mon, September 9 2024
6 Elul 5784
