NCJW - National Council of Jewish Women Chicago North Shore Section

10/19/2026

Early voting 🗳️ starts today!

📣 Extended Early Voting begins TODAY, Monday, October 19 across all 50 Chicago wards and at all 56 suburban Cook County locations!

All sites will have Secure Drop Boxes ready for your Vote By Mail ballot.

Same Day Registration is available at all Early Voting sites. You will need two forms of ID, one with your current address.

For more info on early voting locations, what’s on your ballot, and creating a plan to vote, check out our Voting Info Guide at shevotesil.org/your-vote-matters.html

10/19/2026

Absolutely kvelling from our Luggage for Freedom packing day for survivors of domestic violence. Today’s stats:
💜450 suitcases
💜410 backpacks
💜80+ volunteers
💜Delivery to 17 shelters
💜 One amazing event today!!
Thank you to EVERYONE who helps make it possible, year after year.

10/08/2026

We MUST VOTE in numbers too big to be questioned.

Do you have a plan to vote?

Studies show that people with a plan are more likely to take action. Think about exercising - if you have a plan to exercise you are more likely to get off the couch, right?

Email from National Council of Jewish Women   26 days until Election Day The federal government declined to have observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for the U.S. el

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Trigger warning: sexual assault.

There is a lot of important discussion happening right now about sexual assault. On this anniversary of the horrific events of October 7th, we at SHALVA want to bear witness to the many instances of sexual assault that took place that day in Israel, 2023.

In our work supporting survivors of domestic abuse, we are deeply familiar with the devastating effects of sexual assault.

We are firm in our commitment to helping all survivors heal, destigmatizing the conversation around abuse, and creating community where abuse and assault of any kind are not tolerated.

If you or someone you love may be experiencing domestic abuse, call today to speak to a kind and compassionate trained professional.

Not sure what to call it? Or, more sure than you've ever been? Call SHALVA: 773-583-HOPE (4673)

10/07/2026

Today we each must find our own way to mourn, our own way to look for peace. Tomorrow, we continue to work together for peace - in our homes, in our communities, in our world.

Today is October 7.

It is hard to believe that three years have passed since that monstrous day — a day forever seared in the memory of our people, forever a marker of before and after.

The magnitude of the date weighs so heavily that it has asserted itself as a permanent fixture on the Jewish psychological calendar. Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, October 7.

This is the first year that we mark the date without hostages in Gaza. The first time, in a sense, that we commemorate the day as a chapter finally closed. But the reality is October 7 is not a closed chapter. It is still very much open — still a painful, bleeding, open wound. We know that the wars triggered by October 7 are not really over. With no permanent diplomatic solutions to end war across its multiple fronts, we know that we could be running to our shelters again at any second.

For many of us, the ongoing suffering in Gaza and escalation of violence in the West Bank are additional sources of despair. We know that only a political horizon can bring real security and hope for the future.

Read NCJW Israel Director, Kalela Lancester’s full October 7 reflections: https://www.ncjw.org/news/october-7-reflections/

10/01/2026

As we come full circle this Simchat Torah, let's commit to taking action in the days ahead. Your actions matter—join us during Domestic Violence Awareness month by supporting our Luggage for Freedom and Court Watch programs. Your voice matters—make a plan to vote and then encourage others to use their power at the ballot box. Together, we can create a meaningful impact in our communities.

Email from National Council of Jewish Women NCJW October 2026 Newsletter CHAG SIMCHAT TORAH SAMEACH As our story both ends and begins anew, we hope for fresh look at the chapters that nurture and sus

09/28/2026

Jewish support for medication abortion dates back to the Middle Ages!

In the 13th century, Maimonides, one of the most important rabbinical authorities in Jewish history, wrote that an abortion may be performed "whether by medication or by procedure." And Jewish law doesn't just permit abortion — it even requires it when the life of the mother is at risk.

Attempts to ban or restrict access to medication abortion are against our religion. That's why we're holding today's day of action to protect medication abortion. You can join by:

🗣️ Sharing on social that medication abortion is safe, effective, and essential health care!

💌 Pledging to send postcards to RFK Jr and the FDA to tell them to leave mifepristone alone!

✍️ Sharing the story of how your postcarding events have gone so far!

Get all the resources you need to participate at ncjw.org/mife!

09/28/2026