NCJW June 2019 News and Events
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June started off with rainy, then warmed up and then cooled off. And that's only the first 3 days! I'm sure we will soon be enjoying those hot summer days, but until then, add the dates below to your calendar!
All current NCJW Chicago North Shore members should have received a print copy of the
newsletter in their mailboxes last month. If you didn't, please let us know and we will update our mailing list and get a copy out to you. If was full of information regarding our current advocacy issues, a recap of Washington Institute 2019, images of our
NEW tribute cards, and much more! And watch your mailboxes in mid-August for our fall newsletter with information about our 2019-2020 events including the Hannah G Solomon Award Dinner honoring Donna Gutman!
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Upcoming Events
June 11: Installation Celebration
June 12: Women's Salon
June 19: Death Over Tea
June 30: LFF Collection Drive
July 27: NCJW at Ravinia
August 14: Beth Emet Soup Kitchen
SAVE THE DATE:
September 23 - Hannah G Solomon Awards
Honoring Donna Gutman
and
Featuring Keynote Speaker Heather Booth
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Tributes
An NCJW Chicago North Shore Tribute is a thoughtful way to acknowledge a life event while supporting NCJW’s many valuable projects. You may purchase an individual tribute or packages of tribute cards.
To purchase Tributes visit
Recent Tributes
To: Joan Zahnle
From: Andy and Rich Amend
In honor of your birthday. All the best.
To Sharon Johnson
From: The NCJW CNS Board
Condolences on the loss of your husband David.
To Marsha Swetin
From: NCJW CNS Board
Our best wishes for a speedy recovery
We Need Your News!
Whether you are celebrating a simcha or sharing your sorrow, your NCJW friends want to know! Email
info@ncjwcns.org.
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Take Action Today!
Illinois Legislature Passes the Reproductive Health Act
Late Friday night after an impassioned speech by the bill’s sponsor State Senator Melinda Bush (District 31), the Illinois Senate passed SB25, the Reproductive Health Act (RHA). Governor Pritzker has promised to sign the legislation into law. The RHA ensures that women in the state of Illinois have a fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about reproductive health. It creates access to contraception, pregnancy benefits, diagnostic testing, abortion procedures and other related health care as a fundamental right, forbidding the state or local governing body from restricting access to those services.
NCJW Chicago North Shore thanks each of you who called, emailed, or texted your Illinois lawmakers and/or attended Lobby Days in support of this landmark legislation.
Please take a moment to thank your lawmakers and Senator Bush for her leadership in passing the RHA and standing-up for Illinois women.
Click here for contact info.
Not all news was good at the close of the Illinois legislative session
Though the Illinois House of Representatives voted in favor of the Fix the Foid Act, the gun licensing reform bill, the Senate failed to call for a vote. Representative Kathleen Willis (District 77) who championed the Fix the Foid Act promises to continue “to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that will Fix the Foid and make the state safer.”
Watch for Take Action Tuesday updates on how you can help to support her efforts and be sure to
WEAR ORANGE
to fight for a future free from gun violence on Friday, June 7th - Gun Violence Awareness Day.
June is Pride Month
A month to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and asexual people, plus all other sexual orientations and genders. We celebrate in June in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots, which kicked off the first major demonstrations for gay rights in America. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, but bar patrons — gay men and drag queens — fought back, a spontaneous incident which is now marked as the beginning of the gay rights movement in the United States. Brenda Howard, a bisexual activist, organized a march and other events to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the riots and is known as the “Mother of Pride.” (Vire, Kris. timeout.com) Today, Pride Month features parades and awareness events across the country.
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NCJW Suburban Women's Salon
Wednesday, June 12, 7:30 pm
Wilmette location given with RSVP
The focus of Tablet’s list is not a list of good food. It’s not a list of the most popular Jewish foods, or the tastiest, or the most enduring. In fact, a number of the dishes on this list are no longer cooked or served with any regularity—at least not in the home kitchens or communal spaces where they originated—and the edibility of many others is… well, let’s say it’s up for debate. The point, instead, was to think about which foods contain the deepest Jewish significance—the ones that, through the history of our people (however you date it), have been most profoundly inspired by the rhythms of the Jewish calendar and the contingencies of the Jewish experience. That many of them are also delicious is obvious, and Darwinian: It’s how they survived as long as they did.
Readings:
Please come prepared to discuss YOUR most meaningful Jewish food and bring 10 copies of the recipe and we’ll do a recipe swap!!!
NCJW Women’s Salon consists of monthly evening programs to discuss fiction and non-fiction books and journal articles on timely feminist and Jewish issues, take outings to theater and films, and advocate for and take action on NCJW issues.
Death Over Tea. Small group discussions about living and dying well
Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 2:30-4:30 pm
Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being 126 E. Chestnut Street Chicago
Join NCJW, Skyline Village Chicago, Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and JourneyCare for a series of life-affirming conversations about living and dying well. Attend one program or all three. All workshops will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago. For more information contact Anne Rossiter,
arossiter@journeycare.org
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Beth Emet Soup Kitchen
Wednesday, August 14,
4:00 – 7:00 pm
Beth Emet Synagogue, 1224 Dempster, Evanston.
Volunteers and Groceries Needed! Help shop, prepare and serve dinner and bag lunches. The evening is part of an ongoing collaboration between NCJW and Project Hamotzi to provide free meals to the area’s homeless and working poor. NCJW members and a limited number of children, ages six & older, may volunteer. Contact Lauren at
labsler@att.net
.
SAVE THE DATE:
September 23 - Hannah G Solomon Awards
Honoring Donna Gutman and featuring Keynote Speaker Heather Booth
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Luggage For Freedom Collection Day
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Sunday, June 30, 2019; 10am – 11:30am
Extra Space Storage, 1610 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park.
Luggage for Freedom, a project of the National Council of Jewish Women, is holding a collection drive on Sunday, June 30, 2019 from 10:00 – 11:30 am at Extra Space Storage located at 1620 Old Deerfield Road in Highland Park. They will be collecting donations of the following:
- New or gently used luggage and kids backpacks (*no hanging bags please)
- NEW Towels
- NEW Sheets
- NEW small toiletries
- Children’s Books
- NEW Stuffed Animals
*** Luggage for Freedom has set a 2019 goal to collect 125 sheets sets and 125 towel sets. Please help us reach that goal!
Extra Space Storage is a drive-through facility. No need to get out of your car. Just follow the signs and volunteers will take your donations out of your car!
Luggage for Freedom is an initiative of NCJW Chicago North Shore Section. Its goal is to provide a sense of dignity to women who are staying at and transitioning out of domestic violence and homeless shelters, by giving them a suitcase packed with sheets, towels and toiletries. Luggage for Freedom also provides backpacks filled with books and stuffed animals for children. Our volunteers pack an average of 125 suitcases and over 150 backpacks and deliver them to 9 shelters in the Chicagoland area. Luggage for Freedom has an incredible ability to directly impact women and children in a positive way, at a time when they are most vulnerable.
Add Sunday, October 27, 2019 to your calendar for the
Luggage for Freedom Packing and Delivery Date!
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Do you Like Social Media? Apply for the NCJW Action Facebook Group Coordinator Cohort!
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We are now accepting applications for our NCJW Action Facebook Group Coordinator Cohort for 2019-2020.
This is a 1-year volunteer position with flexible hours and virtual work. The cohort will act as administrators and leaders for the closed NCJW Action Facebook group, which is a Facebook group for NCJW advocacy leaders to share and collaborate on ideas and their advocacy work. If you’re not already a member,
here’s a link to the group so you can join
.
This is a great opportunity for a rising leader, someone who only has a few hours to commit per month, and/or someone who wants to hone their social media advocacy skills.
The deadline to apply has been EXTENDED to Friday, June 7, 2019.
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Support the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA, HR 2975/S 1645)
Our Jewish values compel us to support full access to safe and legal abortion care as basic health care and as a basic human right. (Check out our new resource on Judaism and abortion to learn more!) But extremist lawmakers across the nation are determined to legislate abortion rights out of existence, passing over 400 restrictions since 2010. These laws are patently unconstitutional and jeopardize the lives, health, and economic security of those living in poverty and in rural areas, people of color, LGBTQ people, and young people.
Enough is enough. The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA, HR 2975/S 1645) would guarantee providers an affirmative statutory right to deliver care free from medically unnecessary restrictions. This critical bill would end the mandatory waiting periods, clinic regulations, and outright bans sweeping the country and will stand as a backstop to Roe v. Wade, ensuring that abortion is safe, legal, and available where we live.
Click here to urge your lawmakers to support WHPA to ensure that every single person has equal access to the full range of reproductive health services without delays, judgment, or misinformation.
Protect All Dreamers, TPS Holders, and DED Recipients
On March 12, the Dream and Promise Act (HR 6) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY). The bill would provide a pathway to citizenship for all Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Liberian Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders. These programs were all promises to protect individuals and families from deportation and separation — and were all terminated by President Trump. It is critical we call for the introduction and passage of a clean, permanent, legislative solution.
On March 27, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Dream Act (S 874) and Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Secure Act (S 879). Together, these bills would achieve the same outcome as the Dream and Promise Act in the House.
Community Conversations: American Denial Screening & Discussion
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Northbrook Public Library, Pollak Room AB
Join the Northbrook Public Library for a screening of the PBS documentary
American Denial which seeks to examine who is represented - and who is left behind - by the American Dream. In partnership with RAIN (Racial Awareness in the Northshore).
Volunteers needed for Highwood Summer Reading Project
Make a positive difference in a young child’s life this summer! Volunteer summer tutors are needed for Nuestro Verano Summer Camp 2019. Tutors will work with small groups of early elementary students from Highland Park / Highwood School District 112 in a Pilot Reading Program. Prior teaching experience not needed; training and curriculum will be provided.
Camp location | Oak Terrace Elementary School (240 Prairie Ave, Highwood)
Dates | June 18 - July 17, 2018
Volunteer times | Tuesdays and Wednesdays - 2:30-3:30 p.m.
NUESTRO VERANO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES & FIRST AID TRAINING
(exempt if attended training in 2018)
Tuesday June 11 or Wednesday June 12 4:00-6:30PM
Nuestro Center (501 Bank Lane, Highwood)
Support the Do No Harm Act!
On May 2, the Trump administration released a final rule authorizing any individual or entity involved in a patient’s care – from hospitals and doctors to those tasked with scheduling appointments and preparing examination rooms – to refuse to provide health services based on their moral or religious beliefs. Put plainly, this license to discriminate jeopardizes patient health, rights, and dignity, particularly for women and LGBTQ individuals who are more likely to face such discrimination and to be refused needed care.
Religious freedom should be used as a shield to protect free exercise, not as a sword to undermine discrimination and workplace laws, evade child welfare laws, or deny access to health care. The Do No Harm Act (HR 1450/S 593) – reintroduced on February 28 by Reps. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) alongside Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) – would end attacks on vulnerable and marginalized communities by restoring the often abused Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to its original intent.
Click here to urge your lawmakers to preserve RFRA’s power to protect religious freedom and clarify that it cannot be used to harm others by supporting this critical legislation.
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Chicago North Shore has several new ways to support our section. As always, you can make a one time donation or purchase a tribute (links are below), but we now also have a lovely, hand-crafted necklace you can purchase for yourself or for a gift. Net proceeds from the sale of each
necklace
supports NCJW's mission.
You can also support NCJW as a Sustaining Advocate.
Complete and print this form
and mail it to our office, 5 Revere Drive, Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062 and your scheduled monthly donation will ensure the viability of Chicago North Shore for generations to come. Your support makes it possible for NCJW to create meaningful social change for women, children, and families in the US and Israel. Make a difference for women, children, and families by giving a generous gift to NCJW through a variety of options:
Put your dollars to work immediately by making a fast, secure online donation. Become a Major Donor by making a donation of $500 or more.
Honor a family member, colleague, friend, or loved one by giving a gift to NCJW. A handwritten NCJW tribute card with a message of support, celebration, or sympathy will be sent to the honoree or the family of the person you wish to remember.
Canadian jewelry artist Hilary Druxman has handcrafted a beautifully designed necklace and has partnered with NCJW Chicago North Shore to bring her design to our members and supporters. Overlapping triangles come together to form a star, reflecting our belief in advocacy and action. Each necklace costs $44 ($40 + $4 sales tax) and can be shipped anywhere in the US. Net proceeds from the sale of each handcrafted sterling silver necklace support our mission.
NCJW is recognized as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Contributions to it are tax deductible to the full extent provided by the law.
Create a Legacy!
Want to ensure NCJW's legacy for years to come? Are you a life member and want to extend your support in perpetuity? Have you thought out a bequest to NCJW?
Already have a bequest to NCJW? Please let us know that you put us in your will so we can acknowledge you!! Email
melissa@ncjwcns.org
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