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September was an active month – we started out staffing a table at the NSCI High Holy Day Pass Pick Up & Synagogue Fair. We really enjoyed chatting and connecting with people interested in WNSCI. Then the next day we assisted with and co-sponsored the Elul Challah Bake and Card Making, led by Laney Pressman, Cori Levinson, and Rabbi Lisa Greene – scroll down to see some photos of the event. We also had our first board meeting of the year, confirming plans for some wonderful programs. Please plan to join us this month for Sisters in the Sukkah! Scroll down for more information.
Our next board meeting will be on Sunday, November 2nd, 9:30 am at NSCI and on Zoom. Our meetings are open to any interested NSCI and WNSCI members. If you'd like to attend, please RSVP to wnsci@nsci.org so we can save a seat for you.
Jill and I hope you all had a meaningful Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We wish you a joyous Sukkot - Chag Sameach!
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In Sisterhood,
Blythe Trilling
Co-President
(Pictured L. to R.: WNSCI Co-Presidents Jill Ruffman and Blythe Trilling)
| | Don't Miss These Upcoming Events | | |
Sisters in the Sukkah:
Potluck Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, October 8th
11:30 am – 1:00 pm at NSCI
Register
Enjoy some delicious food and a chance to schmooze while you learn more about the joyous holiday of Sukkot. We'll gather in the Jacki Lovi Sundheim Memorial Sukkah. We will also have a speaker from Shalva, an independent agency that supports Jewish women experiencing domestic abuse. Prepare and share your favorite fall recipe (lunch for 8 — we have plenty of dessert) and we’ll sample them all!
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Latkes and Vodkas
Wednesday, December 10th, 6:00 pm at NSCI
Co-hosted by the Youth and Family Community Committee (YFCC)
Join WNSCI as we kick off the Chanukah season! We'll be sampling latkes with lots of delicious toppings to choose from. There will be vodka cocktails to taste as well. And, of course, we'll be playing dreidel! More info and registration to come.
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Shop for Israel
Israel Museum Trunk Show
Sunday, November 16th at NSCI
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem is bringing their gift shop to us!
The Israeli people and their cultural institutions are in need of our support. If you can't actually visit Israel right now, then SHOP LOCALLY with us and know that your purchases benefit Israeli artists and the larger Jewish community.
NSCI is is proud to be the only venue in Chicagoland, and the entire Midwest, to present this Trunk Show. Just in time for Chanukah, shop their unique array of menorahs and dreidels, ritual items, jewelry, and sterling silver, for both contemporary and traditional tastes.
| | Highlights of Recent Events | | |
Elul Challah Bake and
Card Making
It was a wonderful evening, as the group learned how to make challah dough, and while it was rising, created beautiful Rosh Hashanah cards that were delivered by Hands of Chesed to some of our community members who may have needed an extra lift in time for the new year.
A huge thank you to master challah baker Laney Pressman, artist Cori Levinson, and Rabbi Lisa Greene who all helped to create this fabulous program.
| | Pictured above, L. to R.: Laney Pressman and Jacqueline Marcus | | Pictured above, the group shows off their Rosh Hashanah cards. | | |
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WNSCI Book Club
Each month, one book club member leads the discussion. Are you interested in joining us? No prior book club experience is required. The full list of books being discussed in 2025 can be found here. Please email Barbara Mazur with questions.
OCTOBER - No Book Club. Chag Sameach!
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The Women by Kristin Hannah
Tuesday, November 11th, 1:00–3:00 pm at NSCI
Led by Rosalie Brown
The Women by Kristin Hannah is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.
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WNSCI Mah Jongg at NSCI
Thursdays, 1:00–3:00 pm
Join us for fun and friendly games of Mah Jongg. There’s no betting allowed, just a voluntary contribution to our Tzedakah Box!
If you’re a beginner or interested in learning how to play, reach out to Karen Kohn to schedule a semi-private lesson (she needs a minimum of 2 players).
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Canasta with Congregation
Makom Solel Lakeside
Wednesdays, 1:00–3:00 pm
Makom Solel Lakeside
1301 Clavey Rd., Highland Park
RSVP to Janet Buckstein
Picture yourself having fun playing canasta with these members of NSCI! They join players from Makom Solel Lakeside for weekly canasta games. It is free and open to any interested players. We only ask that you bring canasta supplies (cards, trays, and shuffler) if you have them. Note: No class 10/8.
| | Update on Zviahel, Ukraine | | |
We sent a contribution to the community to help them with their Rosh Hashanah celebration and recently mailed a box with donated vitamins, pain killers, clothing, and towels. As always, they are very grateful for our continuing support, concern, and friendship.
We can help them by donating:
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Senior multivitamins (no iron)
Please contact Cecile Levy if you can contribute: wnsci@nsci.org
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Women of Reform Judaism News
and Upcoming Events
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Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan: Experiencing Israel through the Bitter and the Sweet
Monday, October 20th, 11:00 am CT on Zoom
Learn More and Register
On this virtual tour we will travel together to Israeli sites in nature, history, and politics related to the word “rosh,” looking at both the sweet sides of Israel while also exploring some of the bitter topics, such as the recent 12-day war with Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza. As always, we will connect to Israel through language, song, and off-the-beaten-track places.
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Savor the Season: Savory Galette Baking
with Cheryl Barenberg
Wednesday, November 12th
7:00 pm CT on Zoom
Learn More and Register
Charyl Barenberg is a classically trained chef and graduate of the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. She will demonstrate how to make a traditional savory mushroom and leek French galette (a free-form pie or tart with a foldover crust and savory filling).
| | WNSCI is part of the WRJ Heartland District. To learn more about the Heartland District, see the most recent issue of their newsletter, Lev el Lev, or go to their web page. | | |
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We'd love to learn more about you!
We've created a short survey so you can tell us something about yourself and what interests you. Please fill out the survey — it's just a few questions. We'd greatly appreciate your input, which will help us plan for the coming year.
For more information or to learn how you can help us plan any of our upcoming programs, please email us at wnsci@nsci.org.
| | Connect with us on Social Media | | WNSCI is a committed group of women working together to enrich our community, our congregation, and ourselves. We are part of a network of Reform Jewish women who identify as female, non-binary, or gender fluid, working together to empower women and communities through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. | | | | |
