After weeks of rehearsals, CJHS thespians dazzled audiences on March 25 and 26 with their enchanting performance of Into the Woods, featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim and a cast of nearly twenty students. More than 600 people attended the two performances, held at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, which was magically transformed with flowers and greenery.

The CJHS Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mr. Chris Forte, kicked off the evening. Into the Woods, an original story by Stephen Sondheim that combines several well-loved Grimms' fairy tales, began with each of the characters sharing their wishes: Cinderella, played by freshman Miranda Borkan, wants to go to the festival. Little Red Riding Hood, played by junior Lilli Flink, wants bread to bring to her sick grandmother. Jack, played by senior Aaron Gore, wishes his cow would give milk so she didn't need to be sold at market. The Baker and Baker's Wife, played by junior Seth Berkman and sophomore Avra Shapiro, wish to have a child.  Along comes the Witch from next door, played by freshman Arianna Rozen, who has placed a spell on the Baker's house, preventing the couple from having children. However, the Witch promises to reverse the curse if the Baker and his Wife can acquire four magical objects - a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. The characters quickly venture into the woods, where amazing things begin to happen.   

For the next hour, the audience was treated to amazing performances. Narrating the story were sophomore Donna Abisdris, freshman Hannah Miller, and freshman Jamie Levin. The Big Bad Wolf, played by senior Yoni Solomon, and Little Red Riding Hood engaged in humorous combat. Two princes, also played by senior Yoni Solomon and junior David Weltman, were in "Agony" over their affection for two hard-to-reach maidens-Cinderella and Rapunzel, played by senior Naomi Goldberg. Jack discovered that there are "Giants in the Sky," and Cinderella's stepmother, played by junior Dafna Broekman, and stepsisters, played by freshman Nina Kiken and freshman Dani Wolf, went through gruesome measures to win the affections of the prince. Through bravery, clever tricks, and teamwork, the characters ended the evening with lessons learned and wishes fulfilled.  

Click here to read the Into the Woods program. 

Thank you to North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, especially Executive Director Kenneth Levin and the outstanding professional and custodial staffs, who worked tremendously to support this production.

Yasher koach to the Va'ad, who managed sales of concessions and CJHS sweatshirts.

Never Again? Turn Words into Action! Stop the Violence in Darfur!

Yasher Koach to Aaron Magid, Esther Bier, Rachel Binstock, Ms. Lensch, and Rabbi Barkan for packing boxes at Maot Chitim on Monday, March 19.

On Sunday March 18, students in the Interfaith Youth Core met for an interfaith program at Universal High School with the school's Muslim and Catholic partners. Together they explored the concept of God's will. The next program, which will take place in May, will discuss humor in the different faiths.

David Ferri, father of freshman Ariel Ferri, was featured in the Good Eating section of Wednesday's Chicago Tribune. The article, "Of Artichokes and Matzo," described the traditional Italian foods and flavor that distinguish the seders of Italian Jews. Laura Frankel, mother of junior Ari Frankel and Zach Frankel, a 2005 CJHS graduate, was also interviewed in the article.

Click here to read the article.

The Va'ad is proud to announce that CJHS will host its first blood drive. Each pint of blood that is donated is capable of saving three people's lives. Please take part in this huge mitzvah!

The blood drive will take place on Wednesday, May 2 at school. Donors must be at least 16 years old by May 1 and weigh more than 110 pounds. Students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of CJHS are all welcome to take part in this blood drive. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Braun, Va'ad Secretary.

The CJHS Parent Organization is selling roses grown on Moshav Sde Nitzan in the Negev. The roses are $18.00 per dozen (mixed color bouquets) and will be available for pickup at CJHS on Friday, May 11 between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. By participating in this fundraiser, you will be patronizing an Israeli company and supporting the CJHS Scholarship Fund. Turn in order forms to the CJHS Office (Attn: Roses from Israel) by April 19. Make checks payable to CJHS PO. For any questions, please contact Kim Frankel at 847-373-1183 or Cynthia Lerner at 847-933-1424.

If you would like to sponsor breakfast in honor of a student's birthday (or any occasion), please contact Ms. Inez Altman via email or by phone at 847-324-3713. The students love the recognition, and the bagels are great, too!

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