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Student Organizations
CJHS students are passionate about their school and
about making a difference in the broader community and the
world at large. Their leadership and involvement are integral
to the school culture. Student-run organizations build community
among students and provide social, leadership, and service
opportunities.
Currently there are four Va’adot
(school-sponsored student government committees) and
a wide range of clubs and organizations that are created – often based on student initiative – to meet our students’ broad range of interests.
Va'ad HaStudentim (Student
Government)
Va'ad
Tefillah
Va'ad Israel
Va'ad Tikkun Olam
U.S Politics Club
Interfaith Youth Core
Gender Identity Awareness Club
Mathletes
The
Crocheting Club
Va'ad
Vogue
The Bike Club
Student Ambassadors
Peer Helpers
The student government at CJHS, the Va'ad HaStudentim (often
referred to simply as the "Va’ad"), serves both our students and the
school at large. The Va'ad has three main goals: to create a rich
social environment of activities in the school, to train future
leaders and participants in the Jewish community, and to communicate
students’ concerns and ideas to the administration. Students elect the
officers each spring, and a ninth grade representative is elected in
the fall.
The Va'ad plans many of the school's social events, including the
Sukkah Hop, Homecoming festivities, Chanukah party, ski trip, and
Purim dance. In addition, the Va’ad sponsors a blood drive,
co-sponsors an annual Mishloach Manot drive (which benefits the
citizens’ movement Mazon/A Jewish Response to Hunger), and plans a
range of other events that promote community within the school. The
Va'ad has also been instrumental in recommending and successfully
implementing several changes throughout the school.
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The Va’ad
Tefillah oversees daily tefillah and works
to maintain an atmosphere that promotes mindful
prayer as well as creativity and individual
expression. Va’ad Tefillah's responsibilities
include recruiting students to lead services, read
Torah, serve as gabbaim, and receive
aliyot. Va’ad Tefillah also works with a
Rabbi-in-Residence to explore ways to enhance the
spirituality and kavanah (proper concentration) at
each service.
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The Va’ad Israel
raises awareness of and support for Israel. Va’ad Israel
helps plan Israel-related programs, including the annual Yom
HaAtzmaut celebration, the t-shirt design contest for the
Walk With Israel, the school-wide observance of Yom HaZikaron,
and more. Va’ad Israel also informs students about ways
they can support Israel and collects money for Israel-related
causes.
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The Va’ad Tikkun Olam
plans and coordinates social action projects for the student
body, including collection drives, tzedakah projects, trips to Café
ARK, visits to the elderly, recycling projects, and book drives.
CJHS is also a member of Jewish World Watch, a coalition of
synagogues and schools that educate, advocate, and collect
resources on behalf of world conflicts, particularly genocides.
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The
U.S. Politics Club plans social,
educational, and advocacy programs for CJHS
students to increase understanding of and
involvement in the political process.
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Interfaith
Youth Core is a collaborative effort with
a Muslim school and a Catholic school, giving
students from all three schools an opportunity to
learn about shared values, build bridges with
other faith communities, and work together on
service projects.
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The Gender
Identity Awareness Club focuses on issues
relating to gender identity among high school
students.
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Mathletes
meet twice a month to participate in math contests,
including the Illinois Math League’s in-school
competitions. This club also sponsors an annual SET
tournament for the entire student body.
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The Crocheting
Club combines a love of crocheting with a
desire to make a difference. This club teaches
students and faculty members how to crochet, and the
hats made are donated to important causes. Last
year, CJHS donated more than 150 hats to the
Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and Children’s
Memorial Hospital.
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Va’ad
Vogue is the CJHS Fashion Club. The group
sponsors special dress days each month for Rosh
Chodesh and assists with the Purim costume
contest. Last year, Va’ad Vogue partnered with
the Crocheting Club to produce hundreds of beaded
bracelets that were donated to Children’s
Memorial Hospital.
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The Bike Club
promotes health and fitness among our
students and faculty by sponsoring “Bike to
School” events and opportunities to raise
money for tzedakah while biking.
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Student
Ambassadors is a leadership programs that
trains students to promote the school at a wide
range of events throughout the school
year. Student ambassadors frequently assist with
recruitment programs and activities.
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Peer Helpers
are upperclassmen who receive specialized
training to provide support and guidance to new
students, easing their transition to high school
and CJHS.
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In addition to the student organizations
discussed above, new activities and clubs may be
instituted. Students with particular interests and
talents are encouraged to speak directly to the
Director of Student Activities. Yearly options are
determined by the level of student interest and the
availability of a faculty advisor.
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