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 be on your NSCI ledger.
If you know that you are not already a member, 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. Our next board meeting is Sunday, March 2nd. 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 February 2025 newsletter, click here.
WNSCI’s Judaica Shop
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.
Annual Non-Event Fundraiser 2025
Thank you for participating in our operatic annual non-event WNSC FundraiserI! All contributions will go towards the support and growth of educational, cultural, and social program endeavors at NSCI. The online donation platform is closed, but if you would still like to make a donation, download the card here and mail it back to NSCI or call the Administrative Office for assistance.
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
Cast Your "Lot" and Learn Canasta
Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00 pm at NSCI
Canasta — a popular card game similar to rummy — is all the rage on the North Shore! Come to learn and play - beginners and experienced players welcome. "Casting lots" is a central part of the Purim festival, which commemorates the time when the Jewish people were saved from destruction. The word "Purim" literally means "lot." Purim is the next day, so of course there will be delicious hamantaschen and other treats! Click here to register.
Calling All Jewish Feminists Looking to Make a Difference
Do you want to become better-educated and learn advocacy skills on social justice issues such as reproductive justice, climate, and violence against women? Join Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) on April 4–7, 2025 at the Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference (SJC) in Washington, DC!
NSCI’s very own Judy Wexler, WRJ First Vice President, and Michelle Scheinkopf, WRJ Vice President of Social Justice, are thrilled to share this opportunity for anyone who identifies as female, nonbinary, or gender fluid (age 18+) interested in advocacy in the Reform Movement through a Jewish feminist lens. This gathering is an incredible opportunity to come together in sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice, the three pillars of WRJ, to continue the critical work of advocating for social justice issues.
Read Michelle Scheinkopf’s article about the conference here. And click here to register for the conference.
SAVE THE DATE
Create Challah Covers for The Ark
Tuesday, May 20th, 7:00 pm at NSCI
Get your creative juices flowing with the Women of NSCI. This month's Tikkun Olam project will provide much needed Challah covers for The Ark, which provides free, life-changing human services to Chicagoland’s underserved Jewish community. More details to come.
WNSCI Installation Brunch
Sunday, June 8th
Enjoy a delicious brunch and schmooze with friends as we install the 2025-2026 WNSCI Executive Board. More details to come.
ONGOING EVENTS
WNSCI Book Club
Contact us at wnsci@nsci.org to be added to the book club email contact list. Click here to see the full book list for the 2025 year.
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Tuesday, February 11th, 1:00–3:00 pm The Hebrew Teacher, by Maya Arad
Discussion led by Barbara Mazur
March 11th, 1:00–3:00 pm, NSCI
The Plot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Discussion led by Karen Dillon
Mah Jongg Games
Thursdays, 1:00–3:00 pm in the Rosenthal Family Gathering Place
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 (resumes November 6th)
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
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.
Sun, March 23 2025
23 Adar 5785
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.
Sisters in the Sukkah
Click here to access the cookbook put together from our October 2020 Sisters in the Sukkah event!
Annual “Non-Event” Fundraiser 2025
If you would still like to make a donation, contact the Administrative Office for assistance.
