CJHS Receives Official Accreditation

Chicagoland Jewish High School is proud to announce that the school recently became accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

ISACS is a membership organization of more than 225 independent schools from 13 states in the Midwest region. Its mission is to promote the development of strong learning communities characterized by high achievements, social responsibility, and independence of governance, programs, and policies. This goal is achieved through a rigorous accreditation process, targeted professional development programs, and focused support services.

The accreditation came after a team of respected educators from throughout the country visited CJHS in October. These educators spent three intensive days talking to faculty, staff, board members, students, and parents; observing classes; and reviewing hundreds of documents.

At the end of the visit, Dr. Ray Levi, who led the ISACS team, presented a preliminary report to members of CJHS's administration, faculty, staff, and board. This report can be read by clicking on the link in the left column.

"CJHS is both proud and honored to receive this accreditation by ISACS," says Dr. Ted Schaffner. "It is quite an accomplishment that at the young age of our school we have been able to meet the very high standards set by ISACS."

"This accreditation is a tribute to our exceptional administration, faculty, students, and Board," adds Lynn Feiger Wiznitzer, President of the CJHS Board. "The ISACS team recognized the passion and commitment to excellence of everyone associated with CJHS. We look forward to working together to ensure the continued fiscal and academic strength of this important institution."

Curriculum and Beyond

Please join us for Curriculum and Beyond, a program for prospective and incoming families for the 2007-2008 year, on Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. Learn about our academic philosophy, curriculum, and commitment to excellence, and find out how CJHS prepares students for college and for life. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions, at 847-324-3706 or e-mail rspiro@cjhs.org.

CJHS is now accepting applications for the 2007-2008 academic year when the school moves to its state-of-the-art campus, conveniently located at the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Pine Street in Deerfield.

Students Participate in Poetry Out Loud

CJHS students participated in the Poetry Out Loud Contest sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. Each participant memorized and recited poems selected from the Poetry Out Loud anthology, which is available at www.poetryoutloud.org. Yasher koach to the following students, who were winners in the classroom-level competitions: Nat Sufrin, Isaac Simon, Hannah Miller, Skye Miller, Eden Noy, Miranda Borkan, David Weltman, Adva Mir, and Rebecca Silverman.

Mazal tov to Nat Sufrin, who won the school-wide competition and will represent CJHS at the regional competition in Chicago on February 22. The three winners of this contest will have the opportunity to move on to the state competition in Springfield on Thursday, March 8, and each will receive $200 and a stipend for their schools. The winner at the state level will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington to compete in the National Finals, where a total of $50,000 in scholarships and additional school stipends will be awarded to winners. Good luck next week, Nat!

CJHS Athletics Update

While the women's basketball team completed its season with an exciting blue/white inter-squad scrimmage on Sunday night, the men's junior varsity and varsity teams went directly from their blue/white scrimmage to tournament play. Thank you to Mrs. Joan Brunwasser and Mrs. Cathy Silver who organized the delicious post-blue/white game refreshments for all the basketball players.

With a victory over Waldorf and a tough loss to Ida Crown this week, the men's varsity team will play St. Gregory at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Northside Prep for third place in the Metro Prep tournament. Come cheer for your team at this important game. The men's varsity team plays in the state tournament next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception School in Elmhurst. The men's junior varsity basketball team lost to Yeshiva in a close game on Wednesday and lost to St. Gregory in a hard-fought contest on Thursday in the Metro Prep JV tournament.

It's still not too late to sign up for spring sports. This spring, CJHS students may participate in men's tennis, coed ultimate frisbee, men's and women's soccer, and men's golf. Students may sign up on the athletic board or see Mr. Cohen for more information.

GO TIGERS!!!

Students Announce Hunger Banquet

Celebrate Purim with a Va'ad/Va'ad Tikkun Olam-sponsored Hunger Banquet. Spend time with friends while fulfilling the mitzvah of matanot l'evyonim (gifts to the poor). The Hunger Banquet will take place on Purim, Sunday, March 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jessica Rosenberg's home. Please bring a minimum donation of $5; 100% of your donation will go directly to Mazon. Please RSVP to Rachel Braun by February 26 or simply respond to the evite.

A Hunger Banquet is a unique opportunity for students to put themselves in someone else's shoes and learn about the lives of millions of hungry people around the world, while at the same time raising money to help people in need. Upon arrival, each person is randomly assigned a role in a social class and served a meal according to their class. During the meal, everyone will learn about the realities of living in each of these social classes.

Mishloach Manot Drive Underway

Purim is coming and that means it's time to think about Mishloach Manot! 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 here. The deadline for ordering is Friday, February 23. Please submit your order form to Rachel Garfinkel, Tzedakah Chair on Va'ad Tikkun Olam.

Sweatshirts are Here!

The Va'ad is pleased to announce that the brand-new CJHS sweatshirts have arrived. If you have not picked up your order, stop by Ms. Musin's desk.

Yes, we have extra hooded sweatshirts! They are $15 each and are also available through Ms. Musin. All profits from the sweatshirt sale help to subsidize the cost of social programming for students.

Order Challah from the Va'ad

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

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, consider ordering Breadsmith baked goods from the CJHS Va'ad HaStudentim. Ordering Breadsmith products through the Va'ad costs the same as buying directly from Breadsmith, and it saves you a trip to the bakery. The Va'ad receives a portion of the profit, which helps to support the cost of social programming for students.

Ordering challah 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 freshly baked at Breadsmith of Skokie on the morning of delivery.

JTS Chancellor to Speak in Chicago

The Jewish Theological Seminary 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.

Click here for the flier.

Religious Life at CJHS

This week, Elli Cohn, Richard Kahn, Matt Levin, Avra Shapiro, Rena Forester, Jacob Stoehr, Lea Sarris, and Jeremy Hulkower led tefillah. Richard Kahn, David Weltman, Aliza Shapiro, and Josh Warshawsky read Torah.

Yasher koach to Matthew Silverman for giving a Dvar Torah on the roots and reasoning behind matanot l'evyonim (giving food to the poor) as part of our Purim celebration.

Shabbat Shalom

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

Candlelighting is at 5:07 p.m. this week. Shabbat Shalom!

Weather Alert

In case of bad weather, school closings are posted at www.emergencyclosings.com. You can sign up through this website to receive an automated email or text message notifications when school is closed.