From vision to reality to the future: seniors on the move

This has been a very exciting, yet a very hectic and anxious time for our seniors and their parents. The "college season" is underway and the seniors are feeling its impact.

"First, let me say what a pleasure and a privilege it has been to work with the seniors and their parents," said Director of College Counseling and Academic Dean Bruce Scher. This is truly a "coming of age" time for our seniors and Ms. Marcus and I are pleased to be able to work with such a talented and diverse senior class."

These seniors are definitely on the move. They have applied to more than 40 different colleges and universities across the country. In fact, our seniors have begun to receive their acceptances. Many seniors have made their campus visits and more than 40 schools have visited CJHS.

"After meeting with CJHS students and touring the campus, they are very impressed with the quality of our students and of our curriculum," Mr. Scher said. "One college representative said, 'I need to keep CJHS on my radar screen. These are really great kids. They are diverse, well-rounded, and articulate.' These comments have been echoed by many of our visitors."

The next CJHS college counseling office deadline is Nov. 10 for Dec. 15 college application submissions. Please see Mr. Scher or College Counseling Associate Ms. Marcus if you have any questions.

U.S. Politics Clubs watches 2004 Presidential election results

Twenty students attended an election party at the Magid's home on Nov. 2. Many thanks to the Magid family for opening their home to the US Politics Club. Students ate pizza and Kerry and Bush frosted cupcakes before watching the incoming election results. Congratulations to the US Politics Club board comprised of sophomores Nat Sufrin (president), Ruthie Eisenberg (vice president), Matthew Silverman (treasurer) and senior Ari Berkowicz (secretary) for all of their hard work.

Director of Religious Life installs Solomon Schechter Board Members

CJHS Director of Religious Life Rabbi Elliot Goldberg served as the installing officer for new Board Members and Officers at the Solomon Schechter Day school on Oct. 28. In his charge, Rabbi Goldberg juxtaposed the ideal characteristics of board members listed in the "Trustees Handbook" to those mentioned in Pirke Avot, the Jewish trustees handbook.

Stay warm in a Va'ad sweatshirt

The VA'AD has leftover sweatshirts from the last two school years in medium, small and child sizes. If you are interested in purchasing a sweatshirt, please email Va'ad President Ari Gore.

Chicago Tribune sports writer to speak to Literary Journal

David Haugh, Chicago Tribune Bears beat writer, will speak to the Prints during at 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 9. The program is open to faculty as well as students from other cocurriculars with permission from their teachers.

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

All sophomores will be taking the PLAN on Nov. 11 at CJHS. Bus service will be available. The test will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 11:30 a.m.

"The PLAN is an important assessment tool for our sophomores," said Director of College Counseling and Academic Dean Bruce Scher."It's great preparation for the ACT-same subject areas and same types of questions. It gives the student an estimated ACT score and links to colleges interested in you. It highlights your son/daughter's academic strengths and weaknesses so you can choose courses that will best prepare you for success in college. Finally, it helps the student to identify careers that match your interests. Sophomores across the nation will be taking this test this fall and we are pleased to offer this to our sophomores on our campus."

Juniors: Register for the ACT

Registration materials for juniors to sign up for the ACT or SAT are located in the College Counseling Department at CJHS or students can register on-line at www.actstudent.org or for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com. CJHS will be offering the test on Sunday Feb. 13, April 10 and June 12 to accommodate our students (and any other student in the community who cannot test on Saturday). The code number for the CJHS ACT test center is 216681.

Keep in mind that the new ACT and SAT with the writing component will begin in 2005. Since many colleges and universities are going to require the writing test, even though a class of 2006 student may have taken the ACT this fall, it is highly recommended that he/she takes one of the new tests this spring. Traditionally, 11th graders test in the spring of their junior year, however some student opt to take the test in February to become more acquainted with the test format.

"Almost every college in the country will accept either the ACT or the SAT for college admissions," said Director of College Counseling and Dean of Students Bruce Scher. "The idea that eastern schools prefer the SAT is no longer true. Since the ACT and SAT are different exams, I highly suggest that students take each test and report the one that best represents their strengths."

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 offers Debate Club

Beginning Nov. 10, after school, the CJHS Debate Club will be meeting. For more information contact junior Jacob Shapiro. "Debate is a fun activity that is educational as well," Jacob said. "It will help you with speech and with writing. I hope to see you there."

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.

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.

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.

Save the Date: Study with Rabbi Lebeau

The Jewish Theological Seminary, CJHS and Solomon Schechter Day School invite you for a private breakfast study session with Rabbi William H. Lebeau, dean of the JTS Rabbinical school, who will be speaking on "Not Reform; Not Orthodox: Conservative Judaism's Essential Middle Way - A Study of Maimonides' Treatise on the Importance of the Center in Jewish Life" on Dec. 9 at CJHS. The event is chaired by Karen and Jay Kaufman and Sandy Starkman.

Join CJHS for tefillah at 8 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. followed by the study session. The cost is $10.
Please respond by Dec. 1 to Nadine Sasson Cohen or Maya Kaplan.

Yasher Koach

Yasher kochechem to seniors Zach Frankel, Rachel Hilker, juniors Jennifer Feldman, Shayna Flink, Avram Pachter, sophomore Brian Pogrund and David Weltman for leading tefilah. Sophomores Aaron Magid and Sandy Johnston read Torah.

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

Shabbat Shalom! Candle lighting is at 4:21 p.m. The parshat hashavuah is available through the Jewish Theological Seminary.

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