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.
Spiritual Garden Walk: Teshuvah and Spiritual Vulnerability
Wednesday, August 27, 9:00–10:30 am at the Chicago Botanic Garden (Rain date September 3rd)
Led by Rabbi Nina J. Mizrahi
Congregants: No Fee, Non-Congregants: $18
There is nothing so whole as a broken heart. ~ Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
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.
This year's walk is at capacity. We are starting a waiting list and will open a second session if there is enough interest. If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please email jenniferm@nsci.org.
Meeting the Machzor: An Introduction to the High Holy Day Prayerbook
Wednesday, September 3rd, 1:00–2:30 pm in Rebecca K. Crown Social Hall
Led by Cantor Wolman and Rabbi Leizman
With a combination of instruction, discussion, and music, Cantor Wolman and Rabbi Leizman will lead an introduction to the machzor, the High Holy Day prayerbook, that will include major themes, meanings, and questions for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Sunday, September 7, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at NSCI
NEW THIS YEAR! Join us to pick up your High Holy Day passes, engage with NSCI auxiliaries and activity groups, and enjoy coffee and ice cream while schmoozing with your NSCI friends and family.
No registration required.
Sunday, September 7, 14, and 21, 10:00–11:00 am in the Large Sanctuary
Led by Cantor Ross Wolman
Have you always wanted to blow the shofar? Own a shofar and ready to learn how to use it? Come learn with Cantor Wolman 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.
Greatest Hits of the Talmud: High Holy Day Edition
Mondays, September 8 and 15, 1:00–2:00 pm at NSCI
Led by Rabbi Geffen
Join Rabbi Geffen in studying a selection of the most well-known or important sugiyot (talmudic discussions) specifically linked to the High Holy Days. No experience necessary. Texts will be provided.
Elul Challah Bake and Card Making
Monday, September 8, 5:00–8:00 pm at NSCI
Led by Laney Pressman, Cori Levinson, and Rabbi Greene
Co-sponsored by Women of NSCI
Join us for an evening of creativity with master challah baker Laney Pressman and Cori Levinson, a skilled artist and card-maker. Laney will teach us how to bake her delicious Rosh Hashanah challah, and we will prepare our own to bring home for the holiday. She 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. These cards will later be delivered with Rosh Hashanah sweetness by Hands of Chesed to a prearranged list of our community members who may need an extra lift in time for the new year. This workshop is for adults. Limited spots available.
Friday, September 12, 6:00–7:30 pm in the Tross Family Education Center
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. Kids will enjoy activities and pizza, while adults engage in enriching discussions with dinner and drinks. We’ll then join back together for a Shabbat sing along and festive dessert.
Selichot Storytelling & Havdallah
Saturday, September 13, 7:00 pm on the Lillian and Larry Goodman Terrace (weather permitting)
Led by Rabbi Greene and Neil Rigler
This year's storytellers are Laurie Bagan, Enid Brick, Graham Carron, Joey Heimlich, Susan Solway, and Judy Wexler
Each year as we enter this contemplative season, we each have a chance to reflect on our journeys. Selichot is our reflective ritual before Rosh Hashanah that offers a space for that contemplation. We will hear from several members of our congregation who will present short spoken pieces on a powerful facet of their personal journey, a la the popular radio show The Moth, written with the guidance of Rabbi Greene and Neil Rigler. Each Selichot our speakers’ words inspire us to reflect on our own journeys. Join us for an evening of storytelling, Havdalah, and dessert overlooking the lake.
High Holy Day Parenting: An Inside Scoop
Sunday morning, September 14, 9:00–10:00 am in Perlman Sanctuary
Led by Cantor Wolman and Rabbi Greene
Rabbi Greene and Cantor Wolman will share their top 10 ideas for creating High Holy Day meaning, connection, and joy for parents and grandparents of preschool through teenage children—ideas accessible for us all!
Feed the Homeless: Sunday Meal Preparation
Sunday, September 14, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm in Rebecca K. Crown Social Hall
Serving those in need is an especially meaningful way to enter the High Holy Day season. We provide 1,000 hot meals and brown bag lunches monthly. Families are welcome!
Embracing our Flaws Boldly with Kintsugi
Monday, September 15, 5:00 or 7:00 pm
Led by Rabbi Greene and Steve Jensen
$36 NSCI congregants, $72 for non-congregants
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together and filling in the cracks with gold—a metaphor for embracing our flaws and imperfections. Led by Steve Jensen, Academy Kintsugi certified instructor, we will each learn and try our hand at the art of Kintsugi. Each participant will create their own tile piece. Rabbi Greene will lead us in study and conversation about the themes of this period on the Jewish calendar and how they dovetail with this creative work. As we approach the new year, we engage in self-reflection to see where and how we want to repair and grow. We look to make change, we explore our imperfections.
Space is limited. Pre-registration required; sign up by August 29. Contact Rabbi Greene for scholarship assistance for congregants.
Hands of Chesed Package Assembly & Deliveries
Thursday, September 18, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm for package assembly and 12:00–4:00 pm for deliveries; Friday, September 19, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm for deliveries
Led by Leslie Rosen, Oli Harris Barkoff, and April Victor
Connect with your NSCI community, spread kindness (chesed), and do a mitzvah! We will meet at NSCI and assemble Rosh Hashanah packages of challah and cards handmade by fellow congregants for those in our NSCI community who would appreciate the gesture of kindness. Volunteers will then deliver these packages.
If you’d also like learn more about Hands of Chesed, contact Leslie Rosen at www.nsci.org/form/CLR.
Sunday, September 21, 9:30 am at Lake Shore Country Club Beach
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 and turn left—you’ll see us! Wear your bathing suit and bring a towel and warm clothes. Curious? Rabbi Greene would love to talk to you.
Rosh Hashanah Family Round Challah Bake
Sunday, September 21, 11:00 am in the Goodman Center for Jewish Education
The seasons go round and round and here comes Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Join us for preparing the traditionally round challah of the holiday with your family and NSCI friends.
High Holy Day Supplies Drive for The Ark and Cradles 2 Crayons
September 19th – October 14th, 2025
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.
Join Cradles 2 Crayons on their mission to provide children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. C2C supplies these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities. Place all donations in the appropriately labeled collection pod located at the edge of NSCI’s North Parking Lot near the school entrance. Click here for a full list of needed items.
Tue, August 19 2025
25 Av 5785
Rabbi Ryan Daniels 
