The Chicago community is warmly invited to attend a very special event on May 18, 2006, to honor Roslyn B. Stein, Founding Head of School, and to celebrate the dramatic growth and success of CJHS. The event, "Building on Success," is being chaired by Harvey L. Miller. Co-chairs are Oly Avidar and Shulamit Binah. The dinner event will be held at the new Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview.

CJHSs success is largely due to Mrs. Stein's vision and extraordinary leadership. Mrs. Stein will return to the east coast in June to pursue the next phase of her professional career. Over 450 people are expected to attend the benefit. If you would like to celebrate with us, please RSVP no later than Monday, May 8 by contacting Caren Friedman at 847-324-3723 or cfriedman@cjhs.org.

CJHS Welcomes Seventh Graders to Experience High School

Seventh graders are invited to visit CJHS during the morning of Thursday, May 11. Students will be able to sit in on classes and tour the school. Solomon Schechter Middle School students will be given an excused absence; a bus will transport students to and from SSMS to CJHS. RSVP to Rachel Spiro, Admissions Director, 847-324-3706 or rspiro@cjhs.org, or parents can also RSVP to the SSMS office. (A permission slip must be signed in order to take the bus.)

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2006-2007 academic year. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible to be included in next year's planning. Contact Rachel Spiro to schedule a visit or to receive an application packet.

Circle of Service Foundation Gives Money Toward Tuition Scholarships

CJHS is the recipient of a four-year grant toward tuition scholarships from the Circle of Service Foundation. These funds are for two four-year partial tuition scholarships and are restricted for use by students entering CJHS from the public school system.

As a private family foundation, the Circle of Service Foundation makes grants to qualified non-profit organizations primarily in the area of Education and the Arts. This is the second time CJHS has received this grant from the foundation.

For more information, please contact Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions, 847-324-3706.

Six CJHS Juniors Rank Among Highest PSAT/NMSQT Scorers

Last fall, more than 1.4 million juniors across the U.S. took the 2005 PSAT/NMSQT, an abbreviated version of the SAT that serves as the screening test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards. The National Merit Scholarship program recently notified the 50,000 students who scored highest nationwide on the 2005 PSAT. We are pleased to announce that among the students so honored are six members of the CJHS junior class: Ruth Eisenberg, Sandy Johnston, Rachel Karp, Geoffrey Levin, Aliza Stein, and Nat Sufrin.

Next fall, the 16,000 highest scoring entrants will be notified that they have been selected as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. The remaining 34,000 students will be named Commended Students. CJHS will offer the PSAT to next year's junior class in October.

Students and Faculty Receive CJHS Israel T-shirts

Don't forget to wear the brand-new CJHS Israel t-shirts on Sunday morning at the Walk With Israel! This year's shirt reads "One Fish, Two Fish, White Fish, Blue Fish," and was designed by Lanie Abisdris. Yasher koach to Lanie and to Shai Kamin for coordinating the design contest and t-shirt orders for Va'ad Israel.

Seniors Select Colleges and Universities

It has been a busy and successful year in the CJHS College Counseling Office. We are pleased to announce that CJHS seniors will attend the following colleges and universities: Barnard College, Bradley University, College of Lake County, Columbia University, Columbia University/Jewish Theological Seminary, George Washington University, Northwestern University (Honors Program in Medical Education), Ohio State University, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), Syracuse University, University of Central Florida, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, and University of Pittsburgh. Before matriculating, several students will participate in NATIV and Young Judaea Year Course, yearlong post-high-school programs in Israel.

CJHS students were also admitted to the following schools: American University, Arizona State University, Binghamton University, Boston University, Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Cincinnati, University of Denver, Drexel University, Emerson College, Emory University, Florida State University, Harper College, Hofstra University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University, Kent State University, University of Minnesota, New York University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Oberlin College, Purdue University, Radford University, Rutgers University, Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville), University of Tampa, Washington University, Western Illinois University, and University of Wisconsin.

CJHS Observes Yom HaZikaron

CJHS observed Yom HaZikaron throughout the day on May 2. During an extended tefillah, our community listened to poetry in Hebrew and English, sang songs, and recited prayers. We also heard from an Israeli who shared his experiences being in the Israeli Army. Many thanks to the following individuals who participated in the tekes (ceremony): Eli Miller, Rachel Braun, Ashley Silver, Yael Kiken, Adva Mir, Jason Wiznitzer, Jen Feldman, Hannah Berkowicz, Jeremy Hulkower, Daniel Bier, Alexandra Sakols, Elli Cohn, Aliza Stein, David Weltman, Richard Kahn, Josh Warshawsky, Rabbi Goldberg, Rabbi Fryer, Ms. Hoch, and Ms. Sheinfeld.

Thank you to the Hebrew VII students, as well, for their involvement: Ronni Binah, Ruthie Eisenberg, Jenn Hipps, Sandy Johnston, Rachel Karp, Abby Landis, Aaron Magid, Eli Miller, Brian Pogrund, Matthew Silverman, Aliza Stein, Nat Sufrin, Lilli Flink, Ari Frankel, Ron Gejman, Richard Kahn, Shai Kamin, Sarah Kaufman, Sofi Petchersky, Yael Schwartz, Lindsay Seidenberg, Yoni Solomon, Wylee Soskin, Josh Warshawsky, and David Weltman.

Yasher koach to Rabbi Fryer, Ms. Hoch, Ms. Sheinfeld, and Ms. Moskovich for preparing the tekes.

Later in the day, Mrs. Werlin, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, and Rabbi Fryer focused their classes on Yom HaZikaron themes, including redemption and the clash between communal and private commemoration.

Happy Birthday, Israel!

Israel's 58th birthday was front and center at CJHS on Wednesday, May 3. Yom HaAtzma'ut celebrations began during tefillah with a festive Hallel. Our special guest speaker, Consul General Barukh Binah, spoke about Israel today, including her strengths and challenges. Mr. Binah was introduced by his daughter, sophomore Ronni Binah. Yasher Koach to Aaron Magid for asking a thought-provoking question following Mr. Binah's remarks.

The Vaad Israel planned and executed a wonderful program in the middle of the day, celebrating different communities found in Israel. Freshmen Karen Avidar and Avra Shapiro created and hosted a Beit Cafe (coffee house) where students were exposed to celebrities and authors in secular Israeli society. Many thanks to Ms. Dickman for being the "bartender."

Juniors Aliza Stein and Ruthie Eisenberg exposed our students to the Ethiopian-Israeli community and specifically the pottery that was brought over from Ethiopia. Our students molded clay creations, which are currently on display.

Junior Aaron Magid hosted an Orthodox tisch following the "wedding" of Eli Miller and Yali Derman. Students learned and sang new songs, made a few l’chaims (on grape juice, of course), and learned about the tensions of being Orthodox in Israel. The entire community came together for a picnic lunch in a "Druze Village," following the vision of senior Lanie Abisdris, who also was very helpful with overall logistics.

Yasher Koach to the entire Va'ad Israel, and especially chair Abby Landis and faculty advisors Ms. Bierman and Ms. Moskovich. Yasher koach to Abby, Shai Kamin, Lindsay Seidenberg, Rachel Garfinkel, and Lilli Flink for being tour guides and ensuring that all students were in the correct rooms and having fun. Thank you to the following faculty members, who were instrumental in this successful program: Ms. Moskovich, Ms. Bierman, Mr. Gross, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Dickman, Mrs. Stein, Dr. Schorsch, Ms. Gitlin, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, Rabbi Barkan, and Ms. Musin. Yasher koach to Rabbi Fryer, Joan Waxman, and Alex Kosarev, for overseeing the many details that went into this program.

Students and Staff Remain Committed to Darfur

Many students, parents, and faculty members participated in the Rally to Stop the Genocide in Sudan on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, April 30. Prior to the rally, Sandy Johnston, Mr. Robert Johnston, Rachel Garfinkel, Ms. Cynthia Lerner, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels, Nat Sufrin, Mr. Barry Sufrin, Esther Bier, Hillary Weiss, and Rabbi Barkan attended a PANIM brunch and discussion that focused on why people came to the rally, the Jewish content and values inherent in it, and further action people can take. The rally took place on a sunny day in D.C., and tens of thousands of people were present. The speakers, including Elie Wiesel and Barack Obama, were riveting, and the group has returned recharged on the issue. "For each speaker, we all cheered and clapped and planned. Everyone left with a sense of urgency, and it wasn't just to hurry and catch the subway. The death toll in Darfur weighed on all our minds, as did the descriptions of pain those people felt very day…Just because the rally is over, that doesn't mean our work is over," said junior Hillary Weiss. Members of the CJHS community signed 110 postcards, which were dropped off at the rally. Thank you to everyone who signed a postcard.

The junior class, accompanied by Rabbi Barkan, Rabbi Dickman, and Ms. Musin, attended the rally for Darfur in downtown Chicago on Monday, May 1. On the way to the rally, juniors and staff members were overheard discussing the rights we have as Americans--freedom to assemble, freedom of speech, etc.--and the obligation we have as Jews to exercise those rights. Local politicians, clergy, and other influential speakers inspired our students, who particularly enjoyed the moment when a speaker asked everyone to take out their cell phones and dial the White House comment line, as Va'ad Tikkun Olam co-chair Nat Sufrin has been encouraging CJHS community members to call this number and urge the President toward greater action for several months. Although many Jews were at the rally, the students appreciated that people of many different faiths were present, too.

Students Highly Involved in CHUSY Kinnus

Thirty CJHS students (and nearly a dozen incoming students!) were among the almost 250 USYers in attendance at CHUSY Kinnus in Milwaukee last weekend. Yasher koach to Jacob Shapiro, Eli Miller, and Daniel Peaceman for their outstanding leadership throughout the weekend and over the last year that they served on the Regional Executive Board. Mazal tov to Josh Warshawsky, who was elected to the position of CHUSY Region's 2006-2007 Membership/Kadima Vice President.

Yasher koach to Seth Berkman, Shai Kamin, Hannah Rosenbaum, Richard Kahn, Jacob Shapiro, Josh Warshawsky, Eli Miller, Daniel Peaceman, Jimmy Casen, Rachel Braun, and Elli Cohn for leading tefillot, reading Torah or Haftorah, or other involvement in ritual leadership.

Yasher koach to Jimmy Casen, who served on the Kinnus executive committee; Ari Glasser and Nicole Wiznitzer, who planned and implemented the eighth grade program; and Richard Kahn and Josh Warshawsky, who served on the Yom HaZikaron program committee and provided musical accompaniment.

Many thanks to Rabbi Goldberg and Ms. Musin for leading sessions at Kinnus.

USY is one of our partner organizations, and the informal education (planned and led by the students themselves) within USY complements the formal education provided at CJHS and in other schools within the community.

Join us at the Annual CJHS Parent Organization Lag B’Omer Picnic

The Parent Organization cordially invites you to the Annual Lag B'Omer Picnic on Sunday, May 21, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Laramie Park in Skokie (Sherwin and Niles Center Road, behind the Holiday Inn on Touhy). The picnic will feature food, games, and a parent/child ultimate frisbee march. The cost is $20 per family, and is free for incoming and prospective families. Please RSVP by May 17 to Kim Frankel at kim.frankel@schechter.org or Sandy Levin at levusgro@aol.com.

Rabbis on Faculty Speak in their Synagogues on Pesach

Yasher koach to Rabbi Barkan for delivering a sermon at Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah on the seventh day of Pesach. He spoke about the importance of the Jewish community's activism on behalf of Darfur.

Yasher koach to Rabbi Dickman for giving a sermon about CJHS at Anshe Emet Synagogue during Pesach. She spoke about the special relationships forged between CJHS students and faculty members and about the deep sense of service CJHS students have toward the world. In addition to Rabbi Dickman, sophomore Seth Berkman and his brother Zach, a 2004 CJHS graduate, also spoke.

Bowling Party to Benefit Student's Summer Program

David Weltman is planning a bowling party for everyone at CJHS. The party will take place on Sunday, May 21, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Wilmette Bowling Center. The cost is $20, part of which will help cover David's costs this summer when he represents the school as an ambassador of the United States through the People to People program. Kindly RSVP to David by May 16.

Click here for more information about People to People.

Breakfast Sponsorships

Thank you to the Seidenberg family, who sponsored breakfast on Thursday, May 4, in honor of Lindsay's seventeenth birthday.

Thank you to the Shapiro/Stark family, who sponsored breakfast on Friday, May 5 in honor of Avra's fifteenth birthday.

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

Mazal Tov!

Congratulations to Ms. Martha Keefe, administrative assistant, on the birth of her first grandchild, Taylor Kathleen Nygren.

Religious Life at CJHS

This week, Yael Kiken, Jeremy Hulkower, Eli Miller, Matthew Hass, Aaron Magid, Shai Kamin, Nicole Wiznitzer, Benji Derman, Rabbi Barkan, and Ms. Bierman led tefillah. Elli Cohn, Jeremy Hulkower, and Matthew Silverman read Torah.

Yasher koach to Mrs. Stein for delivering a Dvar Torah this morning.

This week's parashah is Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. Candlelighting is at 7:35 today. Shabbat shalom!

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