Every year, the Va'ad Tikkun Olam sponsors several donation drives. Over the last two weeks, two drives ran concurrently to benefit organizations in our community. CJHS collected 85 old cell phones in our recent drive. The cell phones are going to Shalva, a non-profit organization that deals with domestic abuse. Each cell phone can be resold for $5-15 (with all proceeds going to fund Shalva's services), so our drive helped Shalva raise around $850! Rachel Binstock, who chaired the drive, would like to thank everyone who donated cell phones. We are no longer collecting old cell phones, but if you have any, Shalva is happy to take them.
Our toiletries drive was also a huge success. We collected 677 toiletries, which will be donated to the Lincoln Park Community Shelter, whose mission is to empower homeless individuals to make life changes. By collecting and donating toiletries, we have contributed to the effort to break the cycle of homelessness in Chicago. Nicole Wiznitzer, who chaired the drive, would like to thank everyone who participated in the toiletries drive.
Rolling Admissions Continue
Now is the time to schedule a tour of CJHS and to submit an application. The admission process continues throughout the year, and families are encouraged to explore CJHS as an option for your incoming freshmen and current high school students. Contact Ms. Spiro to schedule a visit or receive more information at 847-324-3706 or rspiro@chicagojhs.com.
Junior Class Increases in Size
During this semester, CJHS warmly welcomes two new students and their families to our school community. Hillary Weiss, daughter of Jerry and Sandy Weiss, comes to us from Glenbrook North High School, and Jeremy Cogan, son of Scott and Terri Cogan, comes to us from Stevenson High School. Hillary and Jeremy are both juniors.
CJHS Board Members Selected to Wexner Heritage Program
Mazal Tov to Board Members Alan Frankel, Nina Harris, and Bill Silverstein, who have been selected to participate in the new Chicago cohort of the prestigious Wexner Heritage Program. The program seeks to expand the leadership vision of its members, deepen their Jewish values and bring a Jewish language and discourse to their policy and decision making in the Jewish community. CJHS is honored that we are strongly represented in the new Chicago cohort.
Click here for more information about the Wexner Heritage Program.
Reminder: Senior Israel Experience Information Meeting
On Monday March 6, at 7:30 p.m., we will have our first information meeting for next year's Senior Israel Experience. Juniors and their parents are invited to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Goldberg at rabbigoldberg@chicagojhs.com.
Purim Dance to be Held
Next Saturday night, March 11, the Va'ad is sponsoring a Purim Dance. The dance's theme will be CJHS Oscars, and student-produced movies will be showcased. Invitations have been placed in students' boxes, and tickets can be purchased from Matthew Silverman, dance chair, or any other member of the Va'ad. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The dance will be at Temple Judea Mizpah, 8610 Niles Center Road in Skokie, from 8:00-11:00 p.m. For more information, please talk to a member of the Va'ad.
P.O. Presents Latke-Hamentash Debate
With Purim on the way, it's time to mark your calendar for the Second Almost, But Not Quite, Annual Latke-Hamentash Debate, which will be held on Saturday night, March 18. The Parent Organization is pleased to once again offer this evening of friendship, laughter, and serious culinary debate. Please RSVP to Sandy Levin at levusgro@aol.com.
Click here for a Latke-Hamentash Debate flyer.
Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Laufer
Chicagoland Jewish High School will host a special Lunch and Learn program on Monday, March 20 at the high school with Rabbi Nathan Laufer, who will be discussing his new book, Leading the Passover Journey--The Seder's Meaning Revealed. The program will begin at noon and conclude at 1:30 p.m. The cost of the program, which includes a dairy kosher box lunch, is $10.
Rabbi Nathan Laufer is a Senior Fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem and President Emeritus of the Wexner Heritage Foundation. During the lunch and learn session, Rabbi Laufer will present an intriguing and enlightening exploration of the Passover Seder. Rabbi Laufer uncovers the hidden meaning of the seder's rituals and customs. He insightfully brings an original, accessible, yet scholarly perspective to understanding the text of the Haggadah. Rabbi Laufer's book will be available for purchase at the end of the program. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to CJHS.
Please RSVP to Ms. Musin by March 13 for this exciting program.
Watch next week's e-news for information about the JTS/CJHS/SSDS/USCJ Lunch and Learn in April.
Shabbaton Forms Due Now
Students who have not yet turned in Shabbaton forms must do so on Monday. We already have a huge turnout and are looking forward to even more students participating. Planning is well underway, and we anticipate an exciting Shabbat experience. If you would like to assist with programming, please speak to Shayna Flink. To sign up for the Shabbaton, please complete the back of the invitation and return it to Ms. Musin on Monday. More forms are available at Ms. Musin's desk.
Mishloach Manot Deadline Extended
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 (150 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 has been extended to Tuesday, March 7. Please submit your order form to Benji Derman or Yael Schwartz.
Click here for a Mishloach Manot order form.
Va'ad Israel/USPC Discuss "One Day in September"
On February 25, more than two dozen CJHS students gathered for a Va'ad Israel/ U.S. Politics Club movie night. After watching the fascinating and moving documentary, "One Day in September," the students ate shwarma and falafel from Taboun and had a long discussion about the documentary. The $68 profit from the evening will be donated to the Koby Mandell Foundation. Thank you to the Avidar family for hosting Movie Night at their home and to G'veret Moskovich for chaperoning the event.
American Math Competition Results
Last week, many of our students participated in the American Mathematics Competition. Congratulations to Seth Berkman, for being the highest CJHS scorer in the ninth and tenth grade contest, and to Jimmy Casen, for being the highest CJHS scorer in the eleventh and twelfth grade contest. Congratulations to Jimmy, Geoff Levin, and Yael Kiken for qualifying for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination!
Math Team Sponsors SET Tournament
On February 22 and 23, the CJHS Math Team sponsored its first SET Tournament. SET is a card game that involves quick mathematical reasoning and minor amounts of agility. In the preliminary round of the tournament, four groups of four students played three games each. (Got that?) One winner from each group advanced to the finals. Finalists Renana Fox, Lea Sarris, Avra Shapiro, and Josh Warshawsky competed in the final round of the tournament. Mazal tov to Josh, who won the tournament and is the official CJHS SET champion. Congratulations to all who participated!
Learn more about SET.
Basketball Seasons Comes to a Close
The men's basketball team finished a record-breaking season with a nail-biter against Ida Crown Jewish Academy on Tuesday. In front of a huge North Suburban YMCA crowd, junior Brian Pogrund racked up a hard-earned 25 points and the talented team pulled to within three points with minutes to go. Despite this effort, CJHS came up short and lost the basketball game. The team finished the season with an impressive 14-7 record and a pre-season tournament championship. CJHS wants to thank Coach Jonathan Minkus for all of his time, commitment, and expert leadership. We also want to think all the parents, students, friends, and faculty who came to the games in impressive numbers to support the team. Most important, however, we want to thank the members of the men's basketball team, who put a little more fun into our cold Chicago winter nights.
In celebration of our many accomplishments this year, an athletic banquet will be held on Thursday, May 11. Mark your calendar now!
Students Attend U of I Shabbaton
Over Presidents' Day Weekend, several CJHS students attended a Prospective Student Shabbaton hosted by Hillel at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An article about the Shabbaton was published on Hillel's website and included a picture of several of our students and a quote by Eli Miller, a CJHS junior.
Read the article posted online.
Science Chair Attends Conference
Mrs. Ann Levinson, Science Department Chair, attended the Illinois Science Education Leader Association (ISELA) meeting on February 10 at the College of DuPage. Science inquiry was discussed as well as current texts and technology.
Piano Competition
Mazal tov to CJHS sophomore Vanessa Youshaei, who participated in a piano competition a couple weeks ago and took home a silver medal!
Cabaret Setup
We're looking for several parents and students to help set up for Cabaret Night, which will take place on Sunday, April 2 at Moriah Congregation in Deerfield. Setup will take place that day from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Moriah. Please contact Mr. Scher if you can help.
"We Don't Roll on Shabbos" T-shirts On Sale
Over the last few months, you may have seen students and faculty sporting new t-shirts. We are placing an order for more t-shirts in the coming weeks. Please submit your order by Friday, March 10 to a member of the Va'ad or Ms. Musin.
Click here for a t-shirt order form.
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.
Click here for a Breadsmith order form.
Sponsor the Prints
Did you like the most recent edition of The Prints? 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.
Click here for a sponsor book form.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet
The CJHS community regrets to inform you of the death on Tuesday evening of Barry Lowe, beloved father of Esther Lowe, a freshman at the school. The funeral was held on Thursday morning. Esther is sitting shiva at her home, 8622 Kedvale in Skokie. Minyanim are at 7:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. on Sunday) and 5:20 p.m. through Wednesday morning. Memorial contributions may be made to Chicagoland Jewish High School.
HaMakom yinachem etchem b'toch sha'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yerushalayim. May Esther be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to Mrs. Anita Goldberg, English Department Chair, on the birth of a grandson. He is Mrs. Goldberg's ninth grandchild--the seventh since CJHS opened in 2001!
Religious Life at CJHS
This week, Avi Coven, Jason Wiznitzer, Hannah Rosenbaum, Richard Kahn, Matthew Silverman, Josh Warshawsky, Mrs. Eliaser, Vanessa Youshaei, Jenn Hipps, and Rabbi Fryer led tefillah. Richard Kahn, Jennifer Feldman, David Weltman, and Yael Kiken read Torah.
Yasher koach to Rabbi Elliot Pachter, of B'nai Moshe Congregation in West Bloomfield, Michigan, uncle of Avram Pachter, who gave a Dvar Torah on February 21 to one of the multiple minyanim.
Yasher koach to Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, who gave a Dvar Torah this morning about this week's parashah.
Read the parashah, the haftarah, and a JTS commentary.
This week's parashah is Terumah.
Candlelighting is at 5:25 today. Shabbat shalom!
Read the parashah, the haftarah, and a UJ commentary.