"This dream is for me!" This brief statement, spoken by one CJHS student after another, set the tone for an emotional and heartfelt Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chicagoland Jewish High School, held on September 10, 2006 on the site of our future home in Deerfield. Not even a steady downpour of rain could keep nearly 600 people from crowding inside a tent at 10:00 on a Sunday morning to celebrate this historic event.

Several individuals spoke during the one-hour program, including Larry Gerber, Event Chair and CJHS Board Member; Lynn Wiznitzer, President of the CJHS Board of Directors; Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, Director of Religious Life; and Steve Harris, Mayor of Deerfield.

The event provided an opportunity to thank Mayor Steve Harris, the Village of Deerfield, and Deerfield resident Richard Schoenstadt, for their Herculean efforts to help CJHS reach this important milestone. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary CJHS Site Committee, led by Mark Levin, including Leo Wiznitzer, Nate Pickus, Louise Holland, Reuben Warshawsky, Dr. Ted Schaffner, Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, Bruce Scher, Inez Altman, and Roslyn Stein, for its ongoing efforts to oversee site selection and construction of our new state-of-the-art home.

It was a chance to thank the Crown and Goodman families and Harvey L. Miller for their leadership gifts to our school, and to acknowledge the Chicago Rabbinical Assembly and the following synagogues for pledging their generous support of CJHS through the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Challenge: Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation, Anshe Emet Synagogue, Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah, Congregation B'nai Tikvah, Congregation Beth Shalom, Moriah Congregation, and North Suburban Synagogue Beth El.

Finally, it was an opportunity to pay tribute to some of the key individuals who helped turn the dream of a Jewish high school into a reality. Honorees included Harvey L. Miller, long-time supporter; Roslyn Stein, founding Head of School; Larry Adler, founding CJHS Board President; Ron Silver, first Development Chair; Dr. Mark Levin, Chair of the CJHS Site Committee; Al Winick, member of the Campaign Steering Committee, Ken Saffir, founding CJHS Board member; Stewart Flink, Immediate Past President; and Sharna Marcus, faculty representative.

CJHS thanks everyone who came out on this rainy Sunday morning to share this important event in the history of our school.

Special thanks to the following:

• Students Yael Derman, Seth Berkman, Arianna Rozen, Sydni Cole, Avi Coven, Brian Pogrund, David Weltman, Lilli Flink, Ari Glasser, Alan Bukingolts, Yael Schwartz, Abby Landis, Josh Warshawsky, Richard Kahn, Avra Shapiro, and Aliza Stein for participating in the event
• Jonathan Ross, an amazing actor and director, for his vision and help directing our presentation
• The dynamic duo of Danny Kahn and Tami Warshawsky, who were the inspiration for the presentation and were responsible for bringing it to life through the staging, photography and script
• Kim Frankenthal, a new CJHS parent, for lending her beautiful voice to the presentation
• The hardworking Groundbreaking Committee, chaired by Larry Gerber, including Mark Levin, Danny Kahn, Tami Warshawsky, Jennifer Flink, Kim Frankel, Gail Gottlieb, Cindy Pogrund, Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, Inez Altman, Shelly Moss, Caren Friedman, and Caroline Musin
• Denny Anderson, for his security expertise
• Triangle Printing and Luzazul Design for donating the design and printing of the postcards sent to IDF soldiers
• Jamie Rozen, of J and R Video, for graciously videotaping this event
• Stanton Kramer for his extraordinary photography

Congratulations to our raffle winners: Elijah Rothschild of Northbrook, who won Bulls tickets, and Sandra and Art Sabin of Highland Park, who won White Sox tickets. We will send the tickets directly to your home.

Prospective parents have an opportunity to learn about our commitment to academic excellence, our integrated curriculum, our distinguished faculty, and active student life at one of three upcoming parlor meetings:

• Wednesday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Elisa and Steven Lupovitch in Skokie
• Wednesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Nina and Arnie Harris in Highland Park
• Tuesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Michelle and Jimmy Seidenberg in Deerfield

RSVP to Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions, via email or 847-324-3706.

CJHS is now accepting applications for admissions for the 2007-2008 academic year, when CJHS will move to its new location in Deerfield. Save $500 off tuition by submitting an application by December 15, 2006.

CJHS honored those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 at a very special ceremony following tefillah on Monday. Rabbi Fryer and leaders of the U.S. Politics Club (USPC) created a mood and environment appropriate for the day. Freshman David Binstock, who was a fourth grader at the time, and Dr. Schaffner, Interim Head of School, who was then a high school assistant principal, shared similar memories of disbelief and shock with the CJHS community. Matthew Levin, Yoni Solomon, Vanessa Youshaei, and Esther Bier also presented readings written by those who lost loved ones on September 11. The ceremony concluded with the recitation of El Maleh Rachamim and Mourners’ Kaddish.

Following the program, everyone moved to the Social Hall for a silent breakfast where they also had an opportunity to view a special memorial created by USPC members and staff that illustrated the events that immediately followed September 11. Ms. Dori Robinson, drama instructor, said, "It was a wonderful opportunity for personal reflection and community healing." Many thanks to Rabbi Fryer, Ms. Marcus, Geoff Levin, Nat Sufrin, and the USPC for developing on this important program.

Now that Mrs. Eliaser is on parental leave, several teachers are covering her classes. Welcome to Mr. Morris Barefield and Mr. Allen Sears, who recently joined our faculty and school community. In addition to her regular teaching, Mrs. Tatel is also covering one of Mrs. Eliaser’s math sections.

Mr. Barefield is covering two of Mrs. Eliaser’s math sections. He has taught for 45 years, most recently at New Trier High School. He is as an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, and he is thrilled to be teaching the students of one of his students.

Mr. Sears is teaching the CJHS physics classes this semester. Currently in his ninth year of teaching physics, he has taught at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, Elmwood Park High School, and Ida Crown Jewish Academy, where he is currently the full-time physics teacher. Mr. Sears has also spent a summer at FermiLab as part of a TRAC summer teacher internship.

Va'ad Israel, the Modern Language department, and the Fine Arts department brought a taste of Israel to CJHS. On Monday and Tuesday, during their Hebrew classes, students watched Summer Story, one of the films featured in the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema. This film deals with the reality of Israeli youth during an extremely difficult political situation. Students gathered on Thursday afternoon to hear Ravit Turjeman speak about film within Israeli culture and facilitate a discussion about Summer Story. Turjeman is the Director of Film and Theatre at the Israeli Office of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York.

Thank you to the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest and Mrs. Donna Yates for their support and hard work, and to Va'ad Israel and Mrs. Moskovich for working tirelessly to bring the film festival to CJHS.

The Va'ad Israel started the year with several strong programs in addition to the film festival. Many of the seniors spent part of the past summer in Israel, and they created an educational program for the school community. On Wednesday, seniors Aaron Magid and Eli Miller presented a slideshow filled with information about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. After tefillah on Friday, Aaron and Eli facilitated a discussion among students and faculty regarding summer experiences and feelings about the war.

Next week, don't miss the Israel Cookoff! Students will prepare different Israeli foods together on Wednesday, September 20 from 4:45 to 6:00 p.m. To sign up, write your name on the list on Aliza Stein’s locker.

The PLAN test is a standardized exam offered each fall to sophomores across the U.S. The PLAN helps students measure their current academic development and gain a picture of their strengths and weaknesses in order to better prepare for the ACT, which most students take in their junior year. The PSAT is an abbreviated version of the SAT offered each fall to sophomores and juniors. Sophomores take the PSAT for the same reasons they take the PLAN test: to get an idea of their strengths and weaknesses so that they can better prepare for the SAT. Juniors take the PSAT to assess their academic development, and also as the screening test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, a nationwide competition for recognition and awards.

This year, the PSAT will be offered at CJHS on the morning of October 18. The PLAN will be offered here on the morning of November 28. We encourage all sophomores to take both tests and all juniors to take the PSAT. An application form and copies of the Official Student Guide to the PSAT have been distributed to students. The student guide to the PLAN will be distributed to sophomores as soon as copies are delivered to CJHS.

Students who plan to take one or both of these must complete the application form and return it to the College Counseling office no later than October 10, 2006. There is a $16 fee for the PSAT. Checks should be made payable to CJHS. The PLAN is administered free of charge.

Despite the rainy weather, it was a great week for sports at CJHS. The women's tennis team has an undefeated record; matches scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday were both rained out! The team, now 11 members strong, hopes to have better weather next week as it faces Stevenson on Tuesday and Highland Park on Thursday.

The coed cross-country team competed Tuesday in the Lake Forest Invitational. Despite a torrential downpour and a muddy, challenging course, both the men's and women's teams proved to be excellent competitors. Junior Yael Schwartz and freshman Jeremy Hipps led the squad this week. The team returns to Lake Forest Academy next Tuesday for a rematch.

Under the direction of Head Coach Rabbi Barkan and assistants Brian Robinson and Gina Cohen, the coed soccer team participated in terrific practice sessions on Monday and Friday to build their skills. The squad will scrimmage later in the season.

CJHS is already gearing up for basketball season! On Wednesday night, about 40 CJHS students interested in playing on the women's and men's teams participated in a shoot-around at Hillel Torah. The players had an opportunity to meet their coaches, work on skills, and hear about the upcoming season. Practice begins Monday, October 16 at Joy of the Game in Deerfield. Women's practice will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m., and on Sundays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Men's junior varsity and varsity teams' practice will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m., and on Sundays, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Athletic calendars are passed out each week at school. All athletic programs are posted on Trumba, the CJHS online calendar.

Questions? Contact Mr. Cohen, Athletic Director.

Eight CJHS students packed boxes of food for Maot Chitim on Monday night. Kol Hakavod to Ruthie Eisenberg, Aaron Magid, Lea Sarris, Jenna Corush, Rachel Binstock, David Binstock, Eli Miller, and Jacob Stoehr. Maot Chitim refers to the custom of gathering wheat to provide the poor with the makings of matzah for Passover, and Chicago’s Maot Chitim organization delivers holiday food to the needy for both Pesach and Rosh Hashanah.

Volunteers are needed for package pickup and delivery on Sunday, September 17, 9:00-11:30 a.m. The Maot Chitim warehouse is located at 7500 North Caldwell in Niles.

CJHS will sell lulavim and etrogim again this year. To order your set, please fill out a Lulav/Etrog Order Form (available at school) and return it to Rabbi Fryer's box in the teachers' room by Friday, September 29. Each set is $35; please make checks out to CJHS. Lulavim and etrogim will be ready for pickup on Thursday, October 5. Please contact Rabbi Fryer via email or at 847-423-5962 if you have questions.

Each year, the CJHS College Counseling Department sponsors numerous visits from college admissions offices. These visits are designed to help students navigate the college landscape. Representatives from the following schools are scheduled to come to CJHS: University of Montana, Oberlin College, University of Illinois Hillel, Skidmore College, Vassar College, Loyola University Chicago, American University, University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Michigan State University, Washington University, Amherst College, and Drake University, and more.

Please check the CJHS Online Calendar for the exact dates and times of each visit. This is most easily accomplished by selecting only the College Counseling calendar and viewing in list or table mode. Sign-up sheets for college visits are in a binder outside Mr. Scher’s office. Students must sign up no later than 24 hours before a scheduled visit. Updates will be posted as additional schools schedule visits.

Twenty-one riders are registered for this Sunday’s Bike Chai! The participants include the following students—David Silver, Adva Mir, Daniel Eisenberg, Avi Coven, Alex Fisher, Zack Warso, Jamie Rubin, Nicole Wiznitzer, Avra Shapiro, Aliza Shapiro, Jeremy Hipps, Richard Kahn, Jeremy Hulkower, and Esther Lowe—as well as parents, faculty, and CJHS friends. This bike ride will benefit Magen David Adom, so please support the riders by making a pledge. It’s still not too late to ride—please contact Dr. Auslander or Esther Lowe. Watch this space next week for a full report of the day’s festivities!

The Fall 2006 issue of Reform Judaism includes a feature on Jewish life in college. Rabbi Aaron wrote one of the 20+ articles in the feature; his article focuses on dealing with class conflicts during the high holidays.

The yearbook staff is off to a great start! Students are learning to use a new web-based program to develop pages, pictures are being taken, and the business staff is already planning this year's sponsorship book.

Parents, students, and faculty are always taking pictures of athletics and other events. If you have pictures from CJHS events, summer events, or anything else the yearbook may want to use, please upload them at http://portal.jostens .com. The User ID is 1114242, and the password is cjhs. Right now, we are particularly looking for pictures from last year’s graduation and prom. Thank you.

We are also seeking sponsors for the 5767 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, which will be distributed throughout the community along with the CJHS yearbook, Yachad. The money raised helps to cover the cost of publishing the yearbook. Ads can be purchased in the following sizes: full page ($200), half page ($100), quarter page ($50), and business card ($25). For more information, please contact junior Jeremy Frankenthal.

Please direct yearbook questions to Leore Avidar, editor-in-chief, or Ms. Blumenthal, yearbook advisor.

Talented CJHS students will have the chance to audition for the school’s first-ever CJHS Idol! Although Simon, Paula, and Randy are not able to serve as judges, it is sure to be an exciting event! Auditions will take place during lunch on the last two Tuesdays and Thursdays of September. Sign up for an audition slot on the Fine Arts bulletin board outside the TRC. The show will take place on November 19 and 20 at Beth Hillel Congregation B’nai Emunah in Wilmette. For more information, please speak to Mrs. Gottlieb.

A wide variety of forms have been sent home in the last week. The following items have a Monday deadline:

• Panim deposits for juniors
• Freshman Shabbaton registration forms
• Driver Education questionnaires, so we can gauge the best time to schedule classes
• Late picture day order forms

If you would like to sponsor breakfast in honor of a student’s birthday (or any occasion), please contact Ms. Joan Waxman via email or by phone at 847-324- 3711. The students love the recognition, and the bagels are great, too!

Mazal Tov!
Mazal tov to Mr. Eric Zaff, former CJHS Talmud teacher, on his September 10 wedding to Jillian Freedman.

This week, Rena Forester, David Weltman, Hannah Miller, Eli Miller, Esther Lowe, Ms. Marcus, Matthew Hass, and Aaron Weinberg led tefillah. Aaron Magid and Richard Kahn read Torah. David Silver, Jenn Hipps, Esther Lowe, David Weltman, and Geoff Levin blew the shofar. Sandy Johnston prepared a summary of this week’s parashah, Nitzavim-Vayelech.

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

Candlelighting is at 6:44 p.m. today. Shabbat Shalom!