This past weekend, 62 students and 13 faculty members and spouses converged on Camp Henry Horner for the CJHS Spring Shabbaton. Friday's highlights included spontaneous dancing while singing Carlebach niggunim during Kabbalat Shabbat, the distribution of close to 800 shabbatograms, and a feel-good tapping game in which students anonymously recognized other students' unique and beautiful personality traits. The tapping game ended with everybody receiving buttons that read "Ohavim Oti," or "people love me" in Hebrew.

In addition to student-organized tefillot and delicious meals, Saturday's highlights included free time to take a walk, play a game, or simply hang out; a U.S. Politics Club program focusing on bias in the media; and 45 minutes of spirited singing at Seudah Shlishit. Following havdalah, students prepared for the dodgeball tournament. They arrived in the rec hall wearing their team colors in face paint, t-shirts, and shorts. The teams were announced, and when Referee Rabbi Goldberg called, "Dodgeball!" the fun really began. Each team cheered for their players as the rec hall filled with noise and excitement.

On Saturday night, students returned home, buzzing with enthusiasm over the Shabbaton experience. "This Shabbaton was the best social experience I've had at CJHS. The level of excitement in davening and during the dodgeball tournament was extraordinary and gave a huge boost to stressed-out students," said Va'ad Treasurer Sandy Johnston.

Student committees, led by Va'ad Vice President Shayna Flink and Ms. Musin, planned activities throughout the Shabbaton. Yasher koach to Va'ad Tefillah, USPC, the social committee, the food committee, the bedtime committee, and the Va'ad for all of their hard work and planning.

Thank you to Rabbi Goldberg, Mr. Scher, Rabbi Barkan, Rabbi Fryer, Ms. Bierman, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, Dr. Auslander, and Ms. Musin for staffing and contributing immensely to the Shabbaton. Thank you to Rabbi Sheryl Katzman, Mrs. Barb Scher, Rabbi Joshua Cohen, and Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels for adding to the richness of the Shabbaton. Thank you to Chuck Kahalnik at Camp Henry Horner for all of his assistance.

Debate Team Hosts Novice Tournament

CJHS hosted its first ever Debate Tournament on March 20, with students from New Trier and Glenbrook North competing against our students. All of the debaters fared well in their first ever tournament. Highlights of students' accomplishments: Aaron Magid went 3-0 and placed third, and Brian Pogrund went 2-1. Isaac Simon was third speaker, and Aaron Weinberg was second speaker. Jacob Shapiro, who brought debate to CJHS, said, "I’m extremely proud of everyone on the team; they deserve all the credit for making this happen. We are excited about the accomplishment of debating two national powerhouses (GBN and NT) and look forward to more contests in the future." The debate team and this tournament were featured in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune; see below for a link to the article.

Yasher koach to all of the debaters: Aaron Weinberg, Sandy Johnston, Isaac Simon, David Israel, Aaron Magid, Brian Pogrund, Danny Silver, and David Weltman. Yasher koach to Jacob Shapiro, tournament director, and to Mr. Gross, the debate faculty advisor. Thank you to Ms. Marcus for judging and to Mr. Gross for all of his hard work in helping to reach this milestone. Also, special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Scher for helping to run the tournament.

Click here to read the Chicago Tribune article.

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 be 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 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.

Lay Leaders and Professional Staff Attend PEJE Assembly

Over 1,000 professional and lay leaders gathered together March 19-21 in Boston for the 2006 PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education) Assembly for Jewish Day School Education. The Assembly, "Visioning, Collaborating, and Adapting for Day School Growth and Vitality," drew representatives from 200 day schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia and Israel.

Among the participants was a strong delegation from the CJHS community. Our representatives included board members Stewart Flink, Andrea Meltzer, Larry Pachter and Cindy Pogrund, and professional staff members Caren Friedman, Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, Rachel Spiro and Roslyn B. Stein. Parents of current, incoming, and past students also participated. During the conference, Rabbi Goldberg presented at a session entitled, "Structures for Professional Development."

The Assembly featured unparalleled opportunities to exchange ideas, network with colleagues, and access expertise in areas critical to propelling the day school movement forward. According to Cindy Pogrund, "The conference was a wonderful way to actively engage in the national Jewish day school learning network; we have brought back valuable tools and best practices for CJHS and the community, as well as lasting contacts with both professional and lay leaders."

Learn more about PEJE.

CJHS Joins Million Voices for Darfur Campaign

The Va'ad Tikkun Olam encourages you to join the Million Voices for Darfur Campaign. This campaign intends to present one million electronic and physical postcards to our nation’s leaders at the Darfur rally on April 30 in Washington D. C. To send a prewritten electronic postcard, go to the website linked below. After you send the postcard, the site will let you send email to your friends and family, asking them to join the campaign as well.

We ask that you send this automatic email not only to your friends, but also to savedarfur@cjhs.org. This way, the Va'ad Tikkun Olam can keep track of how many postcards our community has sent. This will help us mobilize for action on behalf of Darfur, including the rally. Also, when you are at CJHS, please sign a paper postcard. These postcards are in an envelope on the podium in front of the whiteboard used for announcements. When you enter the school building, the whiteboard is just to your left.

Click here to send an electronic postcard.

Got Summer?

Can you believe that summer is almost here? What are you going to do this summer? If you don’t already have plans, see Ms. Marcus in the College Counseling office, or email her at smarcus@chicagojhs.com. She can give you some great ideas.

Students Attend IFYC Program at Loyola

Students from CJHS met with students from Loyola Academy (a Catholic school) and Universal High School (a Muslim school) after school on March 21. After sharing food together, the students divided into small groups with representatives from each faith in every group to discuss relevant issues.

Freshman has Letter to Editor Posted Online

Yasher koach to Eden Noy, whose response to an online article about drinking on Purim was published.

Two Students Attend Heschel Kinnus in New Jersey

Daniel Peaceman and Eli Miller, CJHS students and CHUSY officers, recently attended USY's annual Heschel Kinnus in Teaneck, New Jersey. This kinnus (convention) was only open to USYers who are members of the Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society. One hundred USYers were in attendance, including five from the Chicago area. The convention's focus was Torah Lishma, learning for the sake of learning.

Learn more about USY’s Heschel Society.

Chemistry Teacher Attends Conference, Wins Prizes

Mr. Urick went to an "Enhancing Chemistry" conference on March 17 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to attending valuable presentations, Mr. Urick won a door prize—a complete set of Zumdahl's Chemistry, including a lab manual, teacher's edition, text, and other resources—which he is donating to the CJHS Science Department. Each participant also received a $25 gift certificate for Flinn Scientific; this will be used on the next order placed by CJHS.

Summer Engineering Program

The University of Illinois sponsors the WYSE (Worldwide Youth In Science and Engineering) program for interested students. Participants are exposed to different fields of engineering in a friendly environment at the Urbana campus. This is an excellent program and very highly recommended. Please visit the web site listed for more information and/or feel free to contact Science Chair Ann Levinson, alevinson@chicagojhs.com. Not sure if your interest is in engineering? This program will help you decide. If you graduate in 2007 or 2008, you can register for either Session I held from June 11-17, 2006 or for Session II held from July 9-15, 2006. If you graduate in 2009, you can register for the session held from July 23-29, 2006. Applications are due by April 15.

Click here for more information.

Mishloach Manot Fundraiser a Huge Success

On Purim, mishloach manot were distributed to students, faculty, and staff. Thank you to the 40+ families who sent mishloach manot through CJHS. This annual fundraiser brought in $4474, all of which will be sent to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Yasher koach to Benji Derman and Yael Schwartz for organizing the mishloach manot initiative. Yasher koach to Yael, Dafna Broekman, Rachel Braun, Sofi Petchersky, Lilli Flink, Matthew Silverman, Michael Brunwasser, Shayna Flink, Rabbi Barkan, and Ms. Musin for packing the mishloach manot.

Learn more about MAZON.

Latke-Hamantash Debate a Thrill for All

On March 18, the Parent Organization presented a Latke-Hamantash Debate. Those in attendance heard arguments in the following genres: a scientific study of each delicacy, the culinary connections that cross religious lines, an improvised debate between two audience members, the potential inclusion of herring in latke or hamantash recipes, and a comparison between Haman's ears and Amalek's fingers. Yasher koach to Mrs. Shira Eliaser, Mr. Ron Ben-Joseph, Ms. Martha Keefe, Mr. David Silverman, and Matthew Silverman for their delightful presentations. The night also featured a raffle for a million dollars (to be paid out at $1 per year for the next million years). The winner, Meghan Nygren, has graciously donated her first $1 check back to CJHS.

Many thanks to David Silverman and his committee for an evening full of laughter and fun.

Visiting Scholar Rabbi Nathan Laufer Teaches at CJHS

Last week, Rabbi Nathan Laufer revealed hidden meanings within the Haggadah to a group of 25 teachers, parents, and community members. Following this lunch and learn, the junior and senior classes were treated to an interactive session on leadership with Rabbi Laufer.

Many thanks to Leo and Lynn Wiznitzer for making this day of learning possible.

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 to download a Breadsmith order form.

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.

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

Click here for a sponsorship form.

Breakfast Sponsorships Available

If you would like to sponsor breakfast in honor of a student’s birthday (or any occasion), please contact Joan Waxman at jwaxman@chicagojhs.com or Sara Coven at penguinema@napcoltd.net. The students love the recognition, and the bagels are great, too!

Religious Life at CJHS

Last week, Nicole Wiznitzer, Eli Miller, Hannah Rosenbaum, Matthew Silverman, Avi Coven, Seth Berkman, Abby Landis, and Jason Wiznitzer led tefillah. Jason Wiznitzer read Torah.

Yasher koach to Josh Warshawsky and Richard Kahn for giving a Dvar Torah on being a gabbai on Friday morning.

Yasher koach to the students who visited the Friend Center on March 17.