CJHS prepares for the 2004 Presidential elections

Seniors Jon Freed (left) and Jessie Silverman (above) presented their research on President Bush and Senator Kerry's platforms at a debate on Oct. 28 after tefillah. Students from Mr. Gross' Political Science course made the speeches at the request of the U.S. Politics Club. CJHS continues the election season with a mock Presidential election on Tuesday and an election party at the Magid's home in Skokie.

Deerfield approves CJHS Final Site Development Plan

The Deerfield Village Board unanimously voted to approve the CJHS Final Site Development Plan. CJHS has been working with the Deerfield Planning Commission and the Village Board since March 2004 regarding the zoning of our property. What happens next? The Village Attorney will finalize the Development Agreement and the requisite ordinances. The ordinances will go through two readings by the Village Board on Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. After the second reading, this zoning matter will be officially over.

The success is due to an incredible team effort. No one was more important than another; each person had a job to do and each one did it at the highest level. Attorney Richard Schoenstadt has served as team captain, orchestrating the work. The effort was begun and sustained by Dr. Mark Levin, Chair of the CJHS Site Committee, and Leo Wiznitzer, a CJHS parent, and continues in a collaborative effort as the CJHS Administrative Team partners with OWPP Architects; landscapers, Scott Byron & Co; consulting engineers, Webster, McGrath & Ahlberg, and Gewalt Hamilton; and McGraw-Edison, site lighting consultants.

“I am proud to have been a member of that team. We can all use this experience as a resource in the future; that is, as a source of confidence that in the face of trouble, we can accomplish miracles,” said Richard Schoenstadt.

CJHS celebrates this major milestone and expresses our deep gratitude to all those involved and who are part of our growing community. The School will be counting on your partnership and philanthropy for the Campaign to build the new facility, enhance operating support and build endowment in the Campaign.

CJHS Receives Marketing Grant from PEJE; Consultant Visits School

CJHS has received a grant from the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) to assist in its marketing efforts. To capitalize on that success, the school's marketing committee invited Jonathan Schreiber, one of PEJE's national coaches, to campus in order to speak with CJHS's students, parents, faculty, and administration. While here, several groups of people addressed issues directly related to how CJHS could capitalize on its strong academic program, Jewish curriculum, and core values in its student recruitment efforts. Some of the key ideas generated in sessions chaired by parent leaders Cindy Pogrund and Tami Warshawsky involved the Solomon Schechter Day School, which also engaged five of its key professional and volunteer leaders in this collaborative process. New short- and long-term ideas are expected in the very near future to bolster CJHS' already successful recruitment and fundraising efforts. Thank you to Cindy Pogrund, Tami Warshawsky, Oly Avidar, Wendy Kahn, Jennifer Flink, Joan Sohn, Cynthia Lerner, Charlene Sales and Anne McDonagh for their participation.

Update your calendar: PLAN test for sophomores on Nov. 11

The PLAN test has been scheduled for sophomores on Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to noon. The PLAN test is an important tool to assess a student'sachievement before the ACTs.

Bring slightly used or new children's books to CJHS

The Va'ad Tikkun Olam is sponsoring a book drive and has collected more than 200 books. With only one more week left, bring your elementary level books that are either in new or slightly used condition to CJHS through Nov. 9. The books will be donated to Bookmates, a social justice project of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey and the Catholic Jewish Commission of Southern New Jersey.

"The goal of the drive is to make a difference in the world," said Drive Committee Chair sophomore Hannah Berkowicz. "When seeing a little kid smile because he is fortunate to read one book, one cannot help but smile and feel good that she made a difference."

Support the Va'ad: buy your Challah from Breadsmith through CJHS

Welcome to the new and improved Va'ad Breadsmith Order Form. Have your son or daughter give the Breadsmith form and money to Geoff Levin, Va'ad Treasurer, on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the desired Friday delivery. Your challot and other selections will be delivered to the school on the Friday after the order is placed (or the Thursday after, if there is no Friday that week.) Save yourselves a trip to the store and help support the CJHS Va'ad at the same time. All of the profit of your Challah orders goes directly to Va'ad funds. If you need an order form, please email Geoff Levin at thevaad@yahoogroups.com.

CJHS student and faculty member teach at Nishma

Rabbi in Residence Rabbi Barkan and CJHS senior Charlie Gandelman (along with other fantastic people) presented sessions Oct. 24 at Nishma, a day long program exploring Judaism and social justice. Nishma was organized by the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, an organization that includes CJHS members Talmud teacher Mr. Zaff and sophomore Nat Sufrin.

Come to Malava Malka

The CJHS Parent Organization is sponsoring a Malava Malka program from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the home of Sandy and Mark Levin, 1939 Lewis Lane, Highland Park. There will be entertainment, desserts and an opportunity to socialize with other parents. Please bring a recipe for our new ad book. The cost is $15 per person, $25 per couple. Please make check out to "CJHS PO" and turn in to the office.

Lunch and learn with noted scholar

Please RSVP to Joan Waxman in the office if you will be joining us on Nov. 8 for more "lunch and learning" with Rabbi Hollander.

Attend an IFYC program

Students: come to the IFYC program at Loyola Academy at 5 p.m., on Nov. 9. Students from the three partner schools will present about pluralism within their own community and explore what implications this has for interfaith dialogue.

Sign up for the Shabbaton at Moriah

The Fall Shabbaton has been rescheduled for the Shabbat of November 19-20 at Moriah Congregation in Deerfield. Sign up forms were distributed on Oct. 25. Please return them by Nov. 1. More information will be available in next week's E-newsletter.

CJHS junior to perform at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

Junior Renana Fox is starring in the play "Little Women" at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 8 at the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Tickets cost $6 for students and $8 for adults.

Yasher Koach

Yasher kochechem to juniors Benji Derman, Shayna Flink, sophomore Brian Pogrund, and freshmen Richard Kahn and David Weltman for leading tefilah. Senior Jessie Silverman and sophomore Nat Sufrin read Torah.

Yasher koach to Rabbi Tzvi Landau, visiting from his Masorti congregation in Carmiel, Israel for giving the D'var Torah before the school community on Oct. 22. For more information about the Conservative movement in Israel (www.masorti.org). Yasher koach to Rabbi Victor Mirelman from West Suburban Congregation Har Zion in River Forest Oak Park for delivering the D'var Torah about the Conservative movement before the CJHS board on Wednesday evening.

Yasher kochech to Wendy Keter, the new shaliach for the Israel Aliyah Center, who gave the D'var Torah before the CJHS community on Oct. 29. For more info about the center call (847) 674-8861.

Students volunteer at the Ark

Yasher kochechem to senior Judah Rubin, junior Ashley Silver and sophomores Ruthie Eisenberg and Nat Sufrin for serving food at the ARK (arkchicago.org). To sign up for the November visit, speak to sophomore Matthew Silverman.

Mazel Tov

Rabbi Aaron Melman, assistant Rabbi at Beth Shalom in Northbrook, is the first-time father of a baby boy. Rabbi Melman is on the recruitment committee at CJHS.

Has your email changed or will it be changing? If so, email smarcus@chicagojhs.com with your new address.

Sharna Marcus
E-News Editor
History Teacher
College Counseling Associate
Prints and US Politics Club Adviser
Student Technology Services Coordinator
Chicagoland Jewish High School
7800 W. Lyons Street
Morton Grove, IL 60053
Phone: 847-324-3733
Fax: 847-324-3701
Email: smarcus@chicagojhs.com
Web: http://www.chicagojhs.com