Women of NSCI
WNSCI is an active group of committed women working together to help enrich our NSCI community and connect with others beyond the NSCI walls. The programs and services we provide benefit all members of the NSCI community!
When you become a member of WNSCI, you can help support and engage in:
• WNSCI annual retreat
• Book club
• Mah jongg and canasta
• Museum field trips
• Holiday events
• The finest Judaica shop on the North Shore
• Interfaith activities
• Gifts to our religious school children
• Supporting our sister community of Zviahel in Ukraine
• Senior programs
• Membership in Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) (See more below)
Whatever your area of interest, we welcome and encourage you to attend any WNSCI events and meetings. All WNSCI events are open to those who are female-identifying, non-binary, and gender fluid. Additionally, some events are open to all members of the congregation. Click here to contact us for more information and feel free to reach out with questions. Also, please make sure to like us on Facebook.
Our annual dues are $60 for the 2024–2025 membership year.
If you have paid in the past, the charge should appear on your NSCI Annual Dues Statement in July.
If not, please click the button above to join.
Not sure if you’re a WNSCI member? Email WNSCI here to check.
WNSCI Board Meetings
Our board meetings are open to all. Look for more information about our welcome-back event on August 26th, which will include a brief board meeting. Regular board meetings will resume in the fall. If you'd like to attend, RSVP to wnsci@nsci.org.
WNSCI Newsletter
The newsletter comes out monthly, with lots of news about upcoming programs. If you'd like to be added to our email list, please contact us here. To view the July 2024 newsletter, click here.
WNSCI’s Judaica Shop
WNSCI’s Judaica Shop is open with regular hours through Memorial Day, and by appointment during the summer months. Our selection of talitot, ritual items, and the full line of Michael Aram Judaica & Tabletop is the best on the North Shore! Click here for more information and hours of operation.
WNSCI Leadership
L to R Back Row: Michelle Scheinkopf, Judy Wexler, Cecile Levy, Denise Heimlich, Janie Skolnick, Susan Schencker, Nancy Mantynband, Fran Morof, Jill Ruffman, Susan Ellenby (NSCI)
L to R Front Row: Ann DuBois, Debra Cohen, Karen Dillon, Blythe Trilling, Michele Tuvel
Upcoming EventS
Honey for the Holidays!
Wish Family and Friends a Sweet and Happy New Year! Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, we will ship an 8 oz. jar of Kosher clover honey with a personalized card. The cost is $16 per jar. Order by August 8th for FREE SHIPPING within the United States.
Click here to place your order. Click here to learn more.
Welcome Picnic and Concert
Monday, August 26th, 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Chicago Botanic Garden
The cost of this event is $18, which includes a box dinner provided by Sunset Foods. You'll be able to choose your food options when you register (Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Vegetable Wrap, Caesar Salad, or Greek Salad).
Join us as we kick off the 2024–2025 programming year with a picnic and concert on the Chicago Botanic Garden Esplanade featuring Brass From the Past: R&B, Soul, and Motown, one of Chicago's top cover bands! We will meet at 5:00 pm in the parking lot at NSCI and then carpool to the Garden using members' cars so there is no cost for parking. Hopefully, we will have enough CBG members so non-members can be taken as guests. To register, click here.
SAVE THE DATE
Tour the Illinois Holocaust Museum with WNSCI
Thursday, September 19th, time TBD
Join us for this very special program as we enjoy lunch and a tour of several exhibits at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, including Kindertransport: Rescuing Children on the Brink of War, and Interactive Holograms: Survivor Stories Experience.
Stay tuned for more information.
Sisters in the Sukkah Potluck Lunch & Learn
Tuesday, October 22, 11:30 am–1:00 pm at NSCI
Join us for some delicious food and a chance to schmooze while you learn more about the joyous holiday of Sukkot. More details coming soon.
ONGOING EVENTS
WNSCI Book Club
Contact us at wnsci@nsci.org to be added to the book club email contact list.
- Tuesday, August 13th, 1:00 pm at NSCI The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride
Discussion Led by Barbara Mazur
- Tuesday, September 10th , 1:00 pm at NSCI
In the Land of the Postscript: The Complete Short Stories of Chava Rosenfarb by Chava Rosenfarb
Discussion led by Lynn Shapiro
Mah Jongg Games
Thursdays, 1:00–3:00 pm in the Rosenthal Family Gathering Place (no game July 4th)
Join us for fun and friendly games of Mah Jongg. Beginners and the “just curious” are welcome. There’s no betting allowed, just a voluntary contribution to our Tzedakah Box!
Canasta
Wednesdays, 1:00–3:00 pm at Makom Solel Lakeside, Starting June 26th
1301 Clavey Road in Highland Park
Join members of Makom Solel Lakeside and NSCI for weekly play. There is no fee. We only ask that you bring canasta supplies (cards, trays, and shuffler) if you have them. Janet Buckstein from Makom Solel Lakeside will provide written rules and teach those who are interested. Please email her at jfbuckstein@gmail.com and let her know if you plan to attend and if you would like lessons.
Knitting Hearts Together for Good
Glencoe Union Church is starting an interfaith knitting group to make hand-crafted items for those in need. The group will meet twice a month at various North Shore congregations. Beginners welcome. Learn more here.
WNSCI is part of the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), a network of Jewish women working together to empower women and communities through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. WRJ members come from congregation sisterhoods, women’s groups, and individual members from all over North America. Our sisterhood belongs to the WRJ Heartland District. Click the links below to learn more about WRJ as a whole or the WRJ Heartland District.
Hundreds of WRJ-affiliated sisterhoods like WNSCI gain access to a vast network of
membership, programming, and leadership resources as well as the opportunity to network with thousands of other women and make a difference around the world. Two of our most active WNSCI members serve major roles in WRJ:
Michelle Scheinkopf is Vice President for Social Justice, and Judy Wexler is 1st Vice President and will serve as President of WRJ in 3 years.
Learn more about the WRJ Heartland District.
WNSCI at the WRJ Fried Women's Conference 2024 in New Orleans
Pictured L to R: Michelle Scheinkopf, Judy Wexler, Blythe Trilling, Karen Dillon, and Debra Cohen
Every Voice, Every Vote
Want to make a difference in the remaining primaries and the national election in November? Then get involved with Every Voice, Every Vote, the Reform Jewish Movement’s new campaign to protect, expand and strengthen democracy.
The History of WNSCI with Merle Branner
The Ruthie & Bill Katz Archives Archivist, Merle Branner, presented the History of Sisterhood/Women of NSCI.
Click here to view the recording and enter the password "G6kA6^vE". To learn more about the archives, click here.
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
Come Check Us Out
Karen Dillon
Co-President
Blythe trilling
Co-President
Whatever your area of interest, we welcome you to attend any WNSCI events or meetings and click here to contact us for more information.
We've created a short survey so you can tell us something about yourself and what interests you! Please fill out the survey here.
