After two weeks of fevered research and painstaking construction, the CJHS annual bridge contest took place this week in Mrs. Eliaser's physics class.

Students were allowed their choice of pasta and glue to construct a bridge capable of supporting many times its own weight; this year's models included double- and triple-deck bridges with some of the most ambitious designs seen to date. The winning bridge, a Warren truss made of interlocked penne and rotini, was constructed by junior Yoni Solomon and senior Jacob Shapiro and supported 31 times its own weight--more weight than could fit on the loading platform!

A close second was junior Naomi Goldberg and senior Jennifer Feldman's bridge, a tri-level structure of their own design, which used thin strands of fettucinni to support 28 times its own weight. "I can't lift that much!" joked Goldberg, as she struggled to unload the chain of weights that the slender structure was supporting. Both teams attributed their success to the care with which they glued their joints, as the less efficient models were seen to bend or snap in areas where the adhesive was weak.

Freshmen elect representative to Va'ad

Mazel tov to Rachel Braun who was elected by her peers this week to represent the freshman class on the Va'ad!

Israel speaker addresses juniors and seniors

Caravan for Democracy, an Israel advocacy organization, brought a guest speaker, Gil Hoffman, to CJHS. Mr. Hoffman spoke about making aliyah six years ago, working as a reporter while lunching with Members of Knesset, and serving in the army during the disengagement from Gaza. Students asked a variety of difficult questions, and Mr. Hoffman closed by encouraging students to remain aware of current events in Israel so as to be more effective advocates for Israel.

Va'ad Tikun Olam collects school supplies for Katrina victims

The Va'ad Tikun Olam's first drive of the year is a school supplies collection for students who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina and are attending schools in the Chicagoland area. Please bring in the following items (new or gently used) which we will pack into backpacks: small toys, (new or clean), stuffed animals playing cards, magazines, sports bottles, blow up balls/toys, a change of clothes, notebooks and binders, paper, notepads, pens, pencils, crayons and books (not heavy text books). The drive will end Sept. 23.

Where are the school supplies going?

CJHS commemorates 9-11

Rabbi Robyn Fryer and senior Shayna Flink held on Sept. 12 a memorial ceremony for the tragedy of September 11. Rachel Binstock, Aaron Magid, Richard Kahn, Aliza Stein and Avram Pachter also participated by reading biographies about people who lost their lives and reciting prayers.

See CJHS faculty and students at Nishma

Rabbi Robyn Fryer, Rabbi Ruven Barkan, Ms. Jacobson-Maisels and student Nat Sufrin will be presenting workshops at the Jewish Council on Urban Affair's Nishma Day of Learning.

Learn more about JCUA

Save the Date: Open School Night

Parents, please reserve the evening of Sept. 21 for Open School Night. Throughout the evening, you will have a chance to meet your child's teachers and hear about their program. Individual schedules were sent via snail mail.

9-11th graders mark your calendars

CJHS will give the PSAT from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 2 to sophomores and juniors. The cost of the test is $18. Write checks to CJHS.

The PLAN test will be given at CJHS from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 30 to freshmen and sophomores.

Sign up for college visits

CJHS will be hosting many, many college representatives during the next two months. Juniors and seniors must email Ms. Marcus (smarcus@chicagojhs.com) 24 hours in advance to attend a session.

Updated Sept. 16, 2005

9 a.m. Sept. 21 Indiana University
12:30 p.m. Sept. 21 American University
10:10 a.m. Sept. 23 Loyola University
9:45 a.m. Sept. 26 Northwestern University
2:20 p.m. Sept. 26 Michigan State
9 a.m. Sept. 29 DePaul University
12:30 p.m. Sept. 29 Skidmore College
1:30 p.m. Sept. 29 Columbia University
9 a.m. Oct. 6 University of Denver
10:30 Oct. 6 Purdue University
12:45 Oct. 6 University of Minnesota
1:30 Oct. 7 Brown University
9 a.m. Oct. 10 University of Kansas
2:20 p.m. Oct. 10 Ohio State University
9 a.m. Oct. 11 Amherst College
3 p.m. Oct. 11 Lehigh University
9 a.m. Oct. 21 Illinois State University
10:26 Oct. 24 Barnard College
9:45 a.m. Oct. 27 Washington University of St. Louis
12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Bradley University
1:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Brandeis University
2:15 p.m. Nov. 2 Northern Illinois University
1:30 p.m. Nov. 3 McGill University
10:45 a.m. Nov. 16 Elmhurst College

Check out Indiana University.

CJHS commemorates 9-11

On Monday Sept. 12, Shayna Flink and Rabbi Robyn Fryer organized a memorial ceremony for the tragedy of September 11. Rachel Binstock, Aaron Magid, Richard Kahn, Aliza Stein and Avram Pachter also participated by reading biographies about people who lost their lives and reciting prayers.

Shabbat Shalom

Candle lighting for Sept. 16/13 Elul is at 6:40 p.m. The parshah is Ki Tetzei.

Read the text of the parshah online: