The CJHS community congratulates three CJHS seniors who have been named finalists in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards. Sandy Johnston, Rachel Karp, and Geoffrey Levin are members of an elite group selected from among those students who scored highest nationwide on the 2005 PSAT. Semifinalists advance to finalist standing based on academic recognition, a student essay, and a counselor recommendation.

Several weeks ago, we reported that eleven members of the CJHS Class of 2007 have been honored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission as 2006-2007 Illinois State Scholars. We are pleased to add to CJHS senior Jeremy Cogan to this list.

in celebration of Tu B'Shevat, Va'ad Israel sponsored the Second Annual Create An Edible Tree Contest. This exciting program energized the entire school. Each grade, plus the faculty/staff, was assigned a table filled with delicious artistic tools (pudding, dried fruit, graham crackers, frosting, candies, etc.). Using plates as their canvases, students and faculty created beautiful trees. Yasher koach to our winners: Arianna Rozen (9), Donna Abisdris (10), Rosie Kiken (11), Adva Mir (12), and Mr. Alex Kosarev, maintenance engineer, who won the faculty/staff competition. This was a great way to get the school ready for Tu B'Shevat!

Photos from Mrs. Snyder's first semester photography class are now on display in the main lobby of The Art Center of Highland Park. Rachel Karp, Jacob Stoehr, Chappie Bark-Huss, Ari Frankel, and Josh Weintraub each have a photo on display selected from their "Architectural Details" assignment. Artwork in the main gallery includes students' work from Highland Park and Deerfield High Schools. The Art Center is located at 1957 Sheridan Road in Highland Park, and the exhibit will be showcased through February.

The men's JV and varsity basketball teams will close the regular season on Saturday night at Northridge Prep and begin tournament season next week. First up is the Metro Prep Conference Tournament, which begins on Monday. (Last year, our team took first place in the JV division of the Metro Prep tournament!)

For the first time in school history, the men's varsity team will also play in the IHSA State Basketball Tournament, beginning on Tuesday, February 20 in Elmhurst. Please come out and cheer the teams to victory!

CJHS has begun the registration process for spring athletics. The lineup includes men's and women's soccer, men's tennis, coed ultimate Frisbee, and men's golf. CJHS athletes should see the athletic board or Mr. Cohen to sign up or for more information.

Do you have old shoes that are collecting dust? The Va'ad Tikkun Olam has begun a shoe drive, which will run through February 15. Students are collecting shoes for needy children and adults. The shoes will be distributed through Share Your Soles. Please make sure your donated shoes are gently worn or new, clean, and can withstand heavy wear. For more information, contact Arianna Rozen, or Rachel Binstock.

Mazal tov to Josh Warshawsky, who has been appointed to the 2007 USY International General Board. This honor and opportunity is given to fewer than 20 high school students across North America. Josh will serve on the International Membership/Kadima Committee. He is currently the Membership/Kadima Vice President of CHUSY Region USY.

Purim is coming soon! Every year, the Va'ad and Va'ad Tikkun Olam hold a Mishloach Manot drive for the whole school community, through which students, families, faculty, and staff can buy Purim baskets for friends and colleagues. Each student, faculty member, and staff member will receive a Purim basket containing delicious treats. An individual or family can buy Mishloach Manot for individuals (at $5 per person) or for the entire school (175 people) for $120. All proceeds from this drive will be donated to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, in fulfillment of our obligation at Purim--and throughout the year--to feed those in need. Order forms have been placed in everyone's boxes and are also available by clicking on the link below. The deadline for ordering is Friday, February 23. Please submit your order form to Rachel Garfinkel, Tzedakah Chair on Va'ad Tikkun Olam.

1. Do you eat challah on Shabbat?
2. Do you enjoy baked goods like pumpkin chocolate chip bread, oatmeal raisin cookies, and fudge brownies?
3. Would you like to help support the Va'ad and make social events less expensive?

Ordering from Breadsmith is quick and easy. Simply complete an order form and place in Geoff Levin's box or e-mail your order to geoff847@juno.com before lunch on Wednesday on any week. The baked goods will be distributed on Friday morning at school. Baked goods include various types of challah, breads, and desserts. All baked goods are certified kosher pareve and are freshly baked at Breadsmith of Skokie on the morning of delivery.

Mazal Tov to Mrs. Levinson and her family on the birth of a grandson on Monday morning!

Thank you to the Weiss family for sponsoring breakfast on February 5.

Thank you to the Crawford family for sponsoring breakfast on February 8, in honor of Rebecca's 16th birthday.

If you would like to sponsor breakfast in honor of a student's birthday (or any occasion), please contact Ms. Inez Altman via email or by phone at 847-324-3713. The students love the recognition, and the bagels are great, too!

The Jewish Theological Seminar presents the Dina and Eli Field Family Endowed Lecture, featuring Chancellor-Elect Arnold Eisen's introductory address to the Chicago Jewish Community. The lecture will take place on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park.

This week, Matthew Hass, Esther Lowe, Rena Forester, Daniel Eisenberg, Elli Cohn, Matt Levin, Josh Warshawsky, and Arianna Rozen led tefillah. Richard Kahn read Torah.

Yasher koach to Ms. Musin for giving a Dvar Torah about leadership this morning.

It's lighter outside, so mincha has returned to 4:30 p.m. at CJHS, except on Thursdays, when mincha will take place at 2:45 p.m. during advisory. The community is welcome to join us at mincha.

Natan Sharansky to Speak at Moriah
Moriah Congregation presents An Evening with Natan Sharansky on Sunday, February 11, at 5:00 p.m. Natan Sharansky is perhaps the most famous of all the tens of thousands of refuseniks who sought to leave the Soviet Union and were persecuted and imprisoned for their efforts. He was also a major figure in the international human rights movement and is today an important political and social leader in Israel. General admission is $36. Call the Moriah office at 847-948-5340 or click here to order your tickets.

Women's Seder at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
Rabbi Heather Altman will lead a Women's Pesach Seder on March 7 at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El. The evening will be spent conversing, singing, eating, and learning about what happened long ago on our ancient journey to freedom from Egypt. For more information, contact Merle Tovian, Continuing Education Director, via email or at 847-432-8903 x262, or RSVP online.

This week's parashah is Yitro. Read the parashah, haftarah, and a JTS commentary online.

Candlelighting is at 4:58 p.m. today. Shabbat Shalom!