On Thursday, January 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m., CJHS will host a Curriculum Night for prospective families. Find out how CJHS weaves the best of the arts, sciences, and humanities with the richness of Jewish life. Meet our department chairs. Learn about our academic philosophy, curriculum, and commitment to excellence. Take a school tour and hear about our extracurricular activities, fine arts program, sports teams, and more. No prior day school experience is necessary to attend CJHS. To RSVP or for more information, contact Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions, at 847-324-3706 or rspiro@chicagojhs.com.

Direct Mail Appeal Results Soar!

Response to the end of year direct mail appeal has generated over $121,000, which is over four times the result of last year's appeal. This is great news for CJHS and the entire Jewish community.

"It is wonderful to know that CJHS's reputation for excellence is spreading," said Kim Frankel, CJHS parent and member of the Development Committee. "And with it comes needed dollars to support scholarships for students who are unable to afford full tuition, to help us to attract and retain an outstanding faculty, and to enhance our fine-arts, athletics and leadership programs," said Frankel.

CJHS relies on philanthropy the entire year; the end-of-year appeal is a special opportunity to make or increase annual gifts. A current $500,000 Challenge Grant adds additional incentive. "If anyone is considering making or increasing their gift, this is an ideal time to do it," says Oly Avidar, Development Chair. Gifts of $5,000 and above, made by March 31st, are being matched dollar for dollar by the grant. For further information on the challenge or on annual giving, please contact the Development Office at 847-324-3722.

Freshmen Attend Final Exam Review Session

As part of a new academic endeavor, the freshmen attended a lunch session on Friday that focused on preparation for final exams, review and study tips, and strategies for being successful without being overwhelmed. The program was organized by the ninth grade faculty members and is intended to increase our students' confidence and knowledge on test taking strategies since this is their first time taking final exams.

As we strive for excellence, we feel it is essential to give the students the tools to achieve this goal. We encourage you to talk to your sons/daughters about their final exams and help them set up a schedule so that their lives can achieve a sense of balance during these upcoming weeks. Encourage them to organize their notes, arrange a study schedule, and plan time for relaxation.

If your sons/daughters have any questions about their final exams, encourage them to speak to their instructors prior to the week of exams. We want this experience to be a positive one, allowing them to reflect on the knowledge that they have gained over this past semester.

AP Exams to be Administered May 1-12 at CJHS

This week, juniors and seniors received detailed information about the Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams, which will be administered at CJHS during the weeks of Monday, May 1 and Monday, May 8. As outlined in the materials, March 24 is the deadline for submitting registration forms, along with the exam fee of $82 per exam, made payable to CJHS. Because the AP Exams are administered nationwide, dates and times for exams are fixed, and there are no make-up dates. Accordingly, students should avoid scheduling appointments, etc. that conflict with listed test dates and times.

CJHS Will Host ACT Exam on Three Sundays in 2006

The ACT Exam will be given at CJHS on three Sundays this year: February 12, April 9, and June 11. Students may register for the test on paper or via the Web. The regular registration deadline for the February 12 test has passed; students may register until January 20 by paying a late fee of $18 in addition to the basic fee of $29 (ACT only) or $43 (ACT plus Writing). Paper registration materials are available in the College Counseling office.

Register online for the ACT.

IFYC Day of Service to be Held

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Interfaith Youth Core is holding a Day of Interfaith Youth Service on January 16 at DePaul University (2250 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago). Hundreds of students from different faith groups from all over the region will participate. CJHS students will meet Ms. Caroline Musin at the registration table at 2:00 p.m. We will engage in a Tikkun Olam project and interfaith dialogue until 5:00pm. The evening will culminate in a Sacred Poetry Slam and pizza until 7:00pm. For more information, contact Rabbi Barkan at 847-324-3709 or rabbibarkan@chicagojhs.com.

Va'ad Tikkun Olam Co-Chair to Present to Schechter Students

Nat Sufrin, CJHS junior and co-chair of the school's Va'ad Tikkun Olam, will present "Tikkun Olam: the Power of Youth" to the eighth graders at Solomon Schechter Middle School in Northbrook on Martin Luther King Jr. day.

Congregation Beth Shalom hosts Schechter/CJHS Shabbat

This Shabbat, several CJHS families will attend Congregation Beth Shalom's Schechter/CJHS Shabbat service and dinner. Our CJHS families at Beth Shalom include Hilary & Enric Braun (Rachel, ninth grade), Karen & Jay Kaufman (Sarah, eleventh grade), Roberta & Brian Miller (Eli, eleventh grade), and Marci & Keith Shapiro (Jacob and Michael, twelfth and tenth grades, respectively). Mrs. Roslyn Stein, Head of School, will be there, as well as Mrs. Faye Tatel, math instructor and Beth Shalom member. Thank you to Charlene & Dr. David Sales (Charlene is the Admissions Director at the lower school) for hosting Mrs. Stein, and thank you to Marci Shapiro for arranging for Mrs. Stein's attendance.

Mezuzah Project 18

Attention, seniors: We invite you to participate in a fantastic new artistic endeavor called MEZUZAH PROJECT 18. Students will be able to design and create their own silver doorpost mezuzah case to be hung on a door in our new school. CJHS has arranged a partnership with The Art Center of Highland Park (formerly the Suburban Fine Arts Center). Students will be working with a metal artist at the Highland Park facility on six consecutive Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on February 12, 19, and 26, and March 5, 12, and 19. Students must attend all sessions.

For more information, please contact Mrs. Snyder at 847-324-3744 or msnyder@chicagojhs.com.

Spring Shabbaton Announcement

This year's Spring Shabbaton will be held at Camp Henry Horner on March 24-25, 2006. We are seeking student involvement in planning the Shabbaton. For a committee sign-up form, please see Ms. Musin.

Tu B'Shevat Preparations Underway

Va'ad Israel is sponsoring a special Jewish National Fund-based initiative that will include our students, faculty, staff, and friends within the community. JNF's tree-planting program, Tu B'Shevat in the Schools, helps students establish a direct and positive connection to the Jewish homeland by planting trees in Israel. Since JNF was established in 1901, the organization has planted over 220 million trees in Israel--connecting Jewish people around the world to the land of Israel. For more information, contact Rabbi Fryer at rabbifryer@chicagojhs.com.

The Parent Organization is sponsoring a Tu B'Shevat Seder on Saturday, February 11 at 7:15 p.m. Join other CJHS parents for a light dairy dinner and desserts. The program will take place at the home of Mark and Sandy Levin, 1939 Lewis Lane in Highland Park. Please RSVP to Sandy Levin at levusgro@aol.com by February 4.

Chefitz Tapped for ISACS Accreditation Team

Mrs. Sharon Chefitz, school librarian, and co-chair of our ISACS accreditation committee has been invited to serve on a visiting accreditation team for another school. Mrs. Stein served on a visiting accreditation team in November for a private school in Wisconsin.

AVI CHAI Grant for New Day School Students

CJHS received a grant from the AVI CHAI Foundation for students attending day school for the first time. Each student was sent a set of ten books as a starter Judaic library. Seven CJHS students received these books.

Mark Your Calendar!

January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School Closed)
January 16 IFYC Day of Service
January 19 Curriculum Night
January 23-27 Exam Week
January 30 Semester Break Day/Va'ad Ski Trip
February 11 P.O. Tu B'Shevat Seder
February 17 Junior Class Theatre Trip
February 20 Presidents' Day (School Closed)
March 11 Va'ad Purim Event
March 18 P.O. Latke Hamentaschen Debate
March 24-25 CJHS Spring Shabbaton at Camp Henry Horner

Honor Your Student or Advertise Your Business in the Yearbook

The CJHS yearbook staff is looking for sponsors for the 5766 edition of Yachad. You can advertise your business or honor students and other individuals in the school community by placing an ad in our sponsorship book. The sponsorship book will be distributed throughout the community along with the CJHS yearbook, Yachad. For more information and prices, please contact Vanessa Youshaei, Yachad business manager, at yachad@chicagojhs.com.

Time Running Out to Register to Vote in the WZO Election

Support Masorti (Conservative) organizations, groups, synagogues, Ramah, USY, etc. in Israel by voting MERCAZ USA in this election. Please go to www.mercazusa.org and click the link to register to vote in the election; voting is only possible with advance registration. Even if you are a MERCAZ USA member and/or voted in the last WZO election, you still need to register. You can also learn about Mercaz USA, the Conservative Movement's Zionist organization.

Mail-in registration for the WZO Election ends January 15, and online registration ends in mid-February. Voting will end February 28. Anyone who has not received a ballot (mail or internet) should contact the AZM Helpline at 1-866-720-4357 or azmhelp@electionservicescorp.com to request a duplicate.

Visit the MERCAZ website, www.mercazusa.org, and sign up via the secure website, or download a membership form and mail it in. Either way, join MERCAZ today! Please contact the MERCAZ USA office at 1-888-99 MERCAZ to register over the phone (or info@mercazusa.org) or if you have questions. Vote the Mercaz-USA Slate.

Thanks for your help in making this election the success we need for Israel, the Conservative Movement, and the future of the Jewish people and Modern Zionism. If you have any further questions, contact Rabbi Robyn Fryer (847) 423-5962 or RabbiFryer@chicagojhs.com

Visit the Mercaz website.

Thank You

Thank you to the Newman-Kamin family for sponsoring breakfast on Friday, January 13 in honor of Shai's sixteenth birthday. If you are interested in sponsoring a breakfast at school, please contact Sara Coven at penguinema@napcoltd.net or Joan Waxman at 847-324-3711 or jwaxman@chicagojhs.com.

Mazal Tov

Congratulations to Women's Basketball Coach Rob Davis on the birth of his daughter, Zoey Jeanne, on December 21, 2005.

Mazal Tov to Igor Burda, maintenance engineer, on the birth of his daughter, Victoria, on January 11, 2006.

Refuah Shlemah

CJHS extends wishes for a refuah shlemah to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Religious Life at CJHS

This week, Brian Pogrund, David Weltman, Shayna Flink, Aaron Magid, Nicole Wiznitzer, Shai Kamin, Linda Levin, Hannah Rosenbaum, Matthew Silverman, Avi Coven, and Seth Berkman led tefillah. Josh Warshawsky, Richard Kahn, Brian Pogrund, Matthew Silverman, Nicole Wiznitzer, and Avram Pachter read Torah. On Tuesday, Joshua Warshawsky read haftarah for the fast day (Asara B'Tevet).

Yasher koach to Mr. Harvey Gross, history instructor, for giving an inspiring D'var Torah about his experiences in the civil rights movement and the meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Candlelighting is at 4:24 today. This week's parsha is Vayechi.

Shabbat shalom!

Read the parsha and haftarah online.