CJHS is thrilled to announce a $2.5 million challenge gift from the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation. This commitment is to encourage major gifts to the CJHS Endowment Fund, which provides resources for scholarship, programming, and the ability to finance the construction of a new building. The challenge will match all gifts to the CJHS Endowment Fund of $100,000 or more, to a total of $2.5 million during the period between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006.
"CJHS is a success in every meaning of the word," says Harvey L. Miller, who has supported the school since its inception in 2001. "It has earned full accreditation from the state of Illinois as an exemplary college preparatory high school. It is recognized in the Jewish community as a bona fide center for Jewish education. Its first graduates have been accepted at the finest colleges. CJHS is here to stay and is worthy of the support of all those who value superior education in a Jewish setting."
This challenge grant comes at a very exciting time for CJHS. Enrollment, curriculum and programming are growing rapidly. Momentum is building as CJHS prepares to break ground this spring on a 7.3-acre block of land in Deerfield. Plans call for the building to be completed in time for an opening in September 2007.
CJHS is deeply grateful to the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation for its generosity. If you are considering a gift to the school in response to the challenge, please contact the Development Office at 847-324-3722 or email Development Consultant Sheldon Moss at smoss@chicagojhs.com.
Roslyn Stein to be Honored at Community-wide Celebration
On May 18, 2006, the Chicago community is cordially invited to attend a very special event to celebrate the dramatic growth and success of CJHS. The event, "Building on Success," is being chaired by Harvey L. Miller, and will be held at the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview. Oly Avidar and Shuli Binah are co-chairs.
During the evening, CJHS will honor Roslyn Stein, who has been Head of School since 1999, even prior to the school's 2001 inception. The success of CJHS is largely due to Roz's vision and extraordinary leadership. Roz is leaving in June to return to the East Coast and the next phase of her professional career.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important event. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sheldon Moss, CJHS Development Consultant, at 847-324-3722.
Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
The CJHS community congratulates senior Yael Kiken on her most recent academic accomplishment. Yael has been named a finalist in the 2006 National Merit Scholarship Program. She is one of an elite group selected from over 16,000 semifinalists in the nation. Selection is based on academic recognition, a student essay, and counselor recommendation.
From the Athletic Director's Desk
Mazal tov to the women's basketball team for its first-ever win over Ida Crown Jewish Academy on Wednesday evening. In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd at the Mayer Kaplan JCC, the team won in a hard-fought contest with a final score of 34-30. Senior Shayna Flink, who scored the game-high 10 points, said, "I am really proud of the team. Four years ago, I never thought that CJHS would have a women's basketball team that played at such a high level." The team's last game was a win Thursday night at Cristo Rey, ending the season with an 8-7 record.
After a tough loss against Yeshiva on Sunday, the men's basketball team defeated Waldorf on Wednesday with a final score of 43-36. Junior Brian Pogrund led the team with 18 points, while sophomore Michael Brunwasser was a key contributor. Their next game will be against Roycemore on Wednesday, February 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Mayer Kaplan JCC. The CJHS dance team will perform at halftime--with a new routine!
Though the weather is still cold, we are already thinking spring sports at CJHS. Registration has begun for both men's tennis and a new entry, coed ultimate frisbee. Competition will begin after Passover.
Va'ad Tikkun Olam Sponsors Cell Phone and Toiletries Drives
Over the next two weeks (February 13-24), Va'ad Tikkun Olam will sponsor the following two drives:
Cell phones are being collected for Shalva, an organization that increases awareness of domestic abuse in the Jewish community, provides services for Jewish families experiencing abuse, and plans prevention programs that will help to build a community free of abuse. You can contact Shalva at 773-583-4673 or shalvachgo@aol.com. If you have questions about the cell phone drive, please contact freshman Rachel Binstock or Rabbi Barkan (rabbibarkan@chicagojhs.com).
Unused toiletries will be collected and donated to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter in Chicago, whose mission is to empower homeless individuals to make life changes. By collecting and donating toiletries, we will contribute to the effort to break the cycle of homelessness in Chicago. If you have questions about the toiletries drive, please contact freshman Nicole Wiznitzer or Rabbi Barkan.
Learn more about the Lincoln Park Community Shelter.
Plant Trees in Israel
CJHS is having a tree-planting competition among each of the grades and the staff in the building. Please contact Rabbi Fryer (847-423-5962 or RabbiFryer@chicagojhs.com) to find out how to purchase trees in Israel from the Jewish National Fund, and make sure to specify to which grade you would like to attribute the tree.
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.
Note Change of Date: Eleventh Grade College Program to be held on February 22
Attention eleventh graders and parents: Come to an imperative and informative college information session at 7:00 p.m. on February 22 at the school. Learn about standardized testing, college visits, analyzing transcripts, utilizing technology for research, financial aid and more during this important evening.
Please call Sharna Marcus, College Counseling Associate, to RSVP by February 15 at 847-324-3733.
AP Exams to be Administered at CJHS May 1-12
Juniors and seniors have received detailed information about the Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams, which will be administered at CJHS during the first two weeks of May. 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 To Host ACT on Three Sundays in 2006
The first of three ACT Exams will be given at CJHS on Feb. 12. Arrive at the school at 7:45 a.m. Bring sharpened pencils and an ACT approved calculator. You must also bring a Student ID.
Students may register for the April 9, and June 11 tests 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.
Zisenwine Lunch and Learn an Amazing Success--Sign up for Next Week Now!
Dr. David Zisenwine, the United Synagogue Scholar-in-Residence, treated over a dozen parents, faculty, and staff to an energetic conversation about identity according to Erik Erikson. Dr. Zisenwine is an engaging teacher, and we look forward to learning with him again on February 15 and 22, from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. In the coming weeks, he will focus on the development of Jewish identity in teenagers. Dr. Zisenwine is currently a professor at Tel Aviv University, specializing in Jewish education, Jewish identity issues and Biblical literature.
The sessions are open to parents and members of our extended community. The cost for the sessions is $18 (or $6 per session), which includes lunch. Please respond to RabbiFryer@chicagojhs.com if you are able to attend. The RSVP deadline for the February 15 session is 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 13.
IFYC Event to Take Place at CJHS
CJHS will welcome Catholic and Muslim students from our sister schools, Loyola Academy and Muslim Education Center, for a dinner program on Tuesday, February 21 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. We will be discussing the modern tensions among our religious communities. For more information, please contact Vicky Neiman, Rachel Karp, Maya Hobscheid, or Rabbi Barkan.
Rabbi-in-Residence Invited to Judge Oprah's Essay Contest
Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Robyn Fryer, who has been invited to judge entries in Oprah's National High School Essay Contest. The contest asked students to write about the relevance of Elie Wiesel's book Night in today's world.
Enhance Your Shabbat While Supporting the Va'ad
Every Friday, the halls of CJHS are treated to the aroma of freshly baked challah. You can bring this sensation to your home by purchasing challah and other treats through the Va'ad's weekly Breadsmith sale. To place an order, fill out the form below and return it along with payment to Sandy Johnston, Va'ad Treasurer, by Wednesday of each week. Breadsmith orders are available for pickup on Friday mornings at school. This fundraiser supports Va'ad programming during the year.
Download a Breadsmith order form.
Students Visit Friend Center
Yasher koach to Ruthie Eisenberg, Brian Pogrund, Matthew Silverman, Nicole Wiznitzer, Vanessa Youshaei, and Rabbi Reni Dickman, who visited the Friend Center on Thursday, February 9.
Pop Tabs Help to Bear Witness
CJHS is proud to announce its participation in a nationwide project, Wings of Witness. This project is a Holocaust memorial sculpture in honor of the poem, "The Butterfly." Shaped like a butterfly, the sculpture is made entirely of pop tabs; it is ninety feet wide and weighs about five tons! We are pleased to contribute to this amazing and important project. Pop tabs may be deposited in the container in the social hall or may be given to junior Hannah Berkowicz.
Crocheting Students Hook a New Recipient
The Crocheting Club has made 160 hats since the beginning of the club. Nearly eighty hats were donated in December to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The hats made since early December will be donated to Children's Memorial Hospital. Students, faculty, and staff are all busy making hats, and many within the CJHS community have helped by donating money, yarn, and time. Thank you to everyone who has participated.
Beading Bonanza to Begin
The Fashion Club has evolved into Va'ad Vogue--your fashion 411. With 24 members (and more signing up each day), Va'ad Vogue is busy with several upcoming initiatives. The newest and perhaps most exciting project is a Beading Bonanza, in which students will bead together to make jewelry for sick children at Children's Memorial Hospital. Many donations have been made to the Beading Bonanza, and Va'ad Vogue will begin beading in the next week or so. Va'ad Vogue also plans theme days for each Rosh Chodesh and plans to work with the fine arts department regarding costume design for upcoming dramatic productions.
Sponsor The Prints
Did you like the most recent edition of The Prints, CJHS's literary journal? Do you want to help students express their creativity through the arts? Help sponsor the Chicagoland Jewish High School by making a donation! All checks should be made payable to CJHS. For more information, please contact Prints advisors Ms. Marcus and Mr. Blumenthal, or Prints Editor Benji Derman.
Looking for a way to honor your student or advertise your business?
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.
Download a sponsorship form.
CJHS Alumna to Participate in Hillel-sponsored Social Justice Program in Uruguay
Rachel Weiner, a 2005 CJHS graduate and first-year student at the University of Oregon, is one of fifteen students selected to participate in an Alternative Spring Break Social Justice program in Montevideo, Uruguay. Under the auspices of Hillel at University of Oregon, the students will be volunteering alongside members of the Jewish and non-Jewish communities in Montevideo to repair and construct homes for Uruguay's recently impoverished Jews as well as non-Jews. The students will also be establishing meaningful links with the Jewish community in Uruguay and with Jewish students at Hillel of Uruguay.
Do You Need Some Household Appliances?
The Flink family is looking for a new home for the following appliances: a new washing machine, a not-so-new dryer, a stove and cooktop, and a dishwasher.
Anyone in need of these items may arrange to pick them up in the next two weeks in exchange for a donation to CJHS. Please contact the Flinks directly if you are interested.
Religious Life at CJHS
Yasher koach to Sofi Petchersky and Hannah Rosenbaum for presenting to 200 sixth graders from Conservative synagogues throughout the Chicagoland area on February 5. Hannah and Sofi spoke about mitzvah projects and encouraged the students to incorporate such projects into their Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
Yasher koach to Sandy Johnston, Jason Wiznitzer, Lilli Flink, Shai Kamin, Matthew Silverman, Avra Shapiro, Avi Coven, and Richard Kahn for leading tefillah, and to David Weltman for reading Torah this week. Richard Kahn gave an introduction to this week's parashah.
Yasher koach to Debbie Korman, Outreach Educator of Shalva, for presenting about Shalva to our students during Tefillah on Friday, February 10.
Read the parashah, haftorah, and a JTS commentary online.
This week is Shabbat Shira. The parashah is Beshallach.
Candlelighting is at 4:59 today. Shabbat shalom!
Read a UJ commentary on this week's parashah.