Purim was a frailach experience at CJHS this year. Students, faculty, and staff arrived in a brilliant array of costumes and gathered in the sanctuary for raucous, joyful tefillah. Students and faculty took turns leading tefillot to the melodies from their favorite songs. Attentive ears heard music from Little Shop of Horrors, the Beatles, and more! Following tefillah and the megillah reading (punctuated by booing and a variety of creative graggers), the CJHS community moved into the social hall for a delicious se'udah. While eating, we were treated to several hilarious spiels and a costume contest. Mazal tov to Yaakov Calamaro, Yael Schwartz, Ari Glasser, Leore Avidar, Avram Pachter, and Mrs. Stein, who won the costume contest in each of its divisions.

Because one of the mitzvot associated with Purim is matanot l'evyonim, feeding the poor, students and faculty divided into three groups to participate in tikkun olam activities to feed the poor throughout the Chicagoland area. The freshmen and sophomores departed for an afternoon at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where they packed--literally--tons of food, which will be distributed to hundreds of area shelters and food pantries. The juniors were divided into "families" and went grocery shopping on severely limited budgets; afterward, they donated the groceries to the Northfield Food Pantry and helped organize donations on the food pantry’s shelves. The seniors spent the afternoon with The Book Club, a group of disenfranchised residents who study together every Friday afternoon. Students and residents discussed the divide between urban life on the streets and the more privileged suburban life, listened to a presentation by the former fugitive and present-day education professor and author Bill Ayers, and visited the Hull House Museum. Upperclassmen will have the opportunity to maintain this relationship with The Book Club.

Yasher koach to Ms. Jacobson-Maisels for organizing the morning's tefillah and to Vanessa Youshaei for recruiting megillah readers. Yasher koach to Dr. Schaffner and Benji Derman, who emceed the spiels. Yasher koach to Mrs. Eliaser and Yael Derman (in her capacity as Va'ad Vogue chair), who judged the costume competition. Many thanks to Rabbi Barkan and Ms. Musin for ensuring the three community service activities and other details were a success as well.

Yasher koach to Rabbi Fryer, who supervised the Purim festivities. At the end of the day, she was overheard saying, "Our sages teach that it is a big mitzvah to be happy. If so, the staff and students of CJHS were engaged in mitzvot all day long, as we were able to do all four of the mitzvot associated with Purim -- hearing the megillah, enjoying a festive meal, mishloach manot and matanot l'evyonim."

Another Opening...Another Show!

CJHS is proud to present its Second Annual Cabaret Evening, ROCK OF AGES, on Sunday, April 2, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Moriah Congregation. Tickets are $10 per person and can be reserved by calling the Fine and Performing Arts Hotline at 847-423-5979. Tickets may also purchased at the door for available seating.

If you are able to help set up for this epic event, please contact Mrs. Gottlieb at 847-423-5950. Your help would be greatly appreciated from 11:00 a.m.--1:00 p.m. on April 2. Be part of this wonderful CJHS community event.

The cast of Rock of Ages is required to attend rehearsals on March 19 and 26 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. with other required rehearsals on March 28 from 4:45-7:00 p.m., March 29 from 2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and March 30 from 4:45-7:00 p.m. The final dress rehearsal will take place on April 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Purim Dance Gets Rave Reviews

More than eighty students walked down the red carpet at the CJHS Oscar Awards/Purim Dance last Saturday night. Everyone danced the night away, and although technical difficulties prevented the viewing of student-produced films, students and staff alike had a fabulous evening. The three films, produced by Renana Fox, the class of 2009, and the senior boys, respectively, are being shown during lunch.

Yasher koach to students on the dance committee: Sofi Petchersky, Geoff Levin, Aaron Gore, Ari Glasser, Shayna Flink, Lilli Flink, Daniel Kanter, Michael Brunwasser, Jason Wiznitzer, Yael Derman, Benji Derman, Lindsay Seidenberg, Rachel Braun, Sandy Johnston, and Matthew Silverman, committee chair. Thank you to the following faculty, staff, and spouses who chaperoned the dance: Ms. Bierman, Ms. Gitlin, Ms. Keefe, Mr. and Mrs. Scher, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels and Rabbi Jacobson-Maisels, Mr. Gross, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Marcus, and Ms. Musin. Thank you to Ms. Terry Kane and the custodial staff at Temple Judea Mizpah for all of their assistance with the dance.

P.O. Presents Latke-Hamentash Debate

Purim isn't really over yet! This weekend, the CJHS Parent Organization is hosting the Second Almost, But Not Quite, Annual Latke-Hamentash Debate, on Saturday night, March 18, at Moriah Congregation. This evening of friendship, laughter, and serious culinary debate will feature presentations by Mrs. Eliaser, Ms. Keefe, Mr. Ben-Joseph, CJHS parent David Silverman, and Matthew Silverman. Please RSVP to Sandy Levin at levusgro@aol.com.

Click here for a latke-hamentash debate flyer.

Spring Shabbaton Update

Everything is falling into place for the CJHS Spring Shabbaton, which will be held at Camp Henry Horner next Shabbat, March 24-25. The Shabbaton will begin immediately following school on Friday and will conclude when the buses return to CJHS at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Saturday. A memo including a packing list and other instructions will be distributed to students next Tuesday, March 21. If you have additional questions after reading the memo, please contact Ms. Musin at cmusin@chicagojhs.com.

Anatomy Class Hosts Guest Speaker

On Wednesday, March 15, CJHS welcomed Craig Wallerstein of the Illinois Department of Human Services. He spoke to Ms. Lesley Redman's anatomy class about types of hearing impairments, visual impairments, the technologies used to help people overcome these impairments, and the services provided by his agency.

IFYC Event Next Week

On Tuesday March 21, the IFYC is having a dinner at Loyola Academy in Wilmette from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet has been posted on the Va'ad Tikkun Olam board. Space is limited, so sign up now to engage in this vital interfaith exchange. For more information and to arrange transportation, please talk to Vicky Neiman, Maya H., Rachel Karp, or Rabbi Barkan.

Several Teachers Attend Workshops

Mrs. Claudia Linda, Modern Language Department Chair, attended an AP Spanish Language workshop at Triton College. The workshop offered discussion concerning the changes to the Spanish language exam to be administered in May 2007. Ms. Sarah Bierman, Mathematics Department Chair, attended a workshop for AP Calculus instructors. Mrs. Ela Moskovich attended a conference in New York for Hebrew coordinators. The conference focused on the themes of the books that teachers use and how these books assist the students with their linguistic skills.

Student and Faculty Ping-Pong Tournament

Back by popular demand, the annual CJHS Student and Faculty Ping-Pong Tournament is starting soon! Now in its fourth year, the ping-pong tournament has produced champions such as Joe Waldman (2003), Jason Wiznitzer (2004), and Forrest Gump (2005). If you would like to enter the tournament, please contact Avram Pachter at marva@realestatelaw.com by Monday, March 20.

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 (cmusin@chicagojhs.com or 847-423-5960) for this exciting program.

Lunch and Learn with JTS and SSDS

Please join CJHS on Tuesday, April 4, as we partner with JTS, SSDS, and the Midwest Region of USCJ for a private study session with Rabbi Michael Schwab, assistant rabbi at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park. The topic of the discussion will be "How to Clean for Passover in Half a Day: A Frank Look at the Laws" and will begin at 12:30 p.m. at CJHS. The cost is $15 and includes a kosher lunch. Sandy Starkman and Karen and Jay Kaufman, CJHS parents, are chairing this event. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Maya Kaplan Barkay at mabarkay@jtsa.edu or (312) 606-9086, or Nadine Sasson Cohen at nacohen@jtsa.edu or (312) 606-9086. Kindly RSVP by March 28, 2006.

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 recent edition of The Prints? Do you want to help students express their creativity through the arts? Help sponsor our literary journal 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.

Place an Ad in the Yearbook Sponsorship Supplement

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.

Parents of seniors are especially invited to honor their students in the yearbook.

Click here for a sponsorship form.

Breakfast Sponsor

Thank you to the Wiznitzer Family for sponsoring breakfast on Friday, March 17 in honor of Jason's 18th birthday. If you are interested in sponsoring a breakfast, please contact Joan Waxman (jwaxman@chicagojhs.com) or Sara Coven (penguinema@napcoltd.net).

Next Week's E-News

All e-news submissions for next week must be received by noon on WEDNESDAY, March 22. Material received after the deadline will not be included. Please send all submissions to cmusin@chicagojhs.com.

Religious Life at CJHS

This week, Sandy Johnston, Richard Kahn, Josh Warshawsky, David Weltman, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, Brian Pogrund, Jason Wiznitzer, and Jennifer Feldman led tefillah. Eli Miller, Richard Kahn, and Yael Schwartz read Torah. Josh Warshawsky read the haftarah on Ta'anit Esther.

Richard Kahn, Shai Kamin, David Weltman, Mrs. Eliaser, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, Avra Shapiro, Avram Pachter, Avi Coven, and Ruthie Eisenberg read megillah.

Yasher koach to Rabbi Barkan, who gave a Dvar Torah this morning.

Read the parashah, the haftarah, and a JTS commentary.

This week's parashah is Ki Tissa.

Candlelighting is at 5:41 today. Shabbat shalom!

Read the parashah, the haftarah, and a UJ commentary.