The Chicago community doesn't have to look any further than CJHS to discover some of the most talented performers around! Come see for yourself at this year's Cabaret Night. The theme is CJHS IDOL, and the show features 35 students performing solos, duets, dances, and even some surprises! Come and cheer for your favorite performers and enjoy a fabulous evening of entertainment while sitting cabaret-style with friends.

The performances will be held on November 19 and 20 at Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah, 3220 Big Tree Lane in Wilmette. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to reserve your tickets early by calling the Performing Arts Hotline, 847-423-5979, as last year's Cabaret Night was standing room only. Tickets are $10 ($5 for students) and will be held for you at the ticket desk.

For questions or more information, please contact Gail Gottlieb.

Congratulations to Nicole Wiznitzer, who won first place in the Love Your Body Day Essay Contest sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women. High school girls were invited to write an essay about the first time they felt beautiful, with the emphasis placed on internal rather than external beauty. Nicole's winning essay was titled "The Power of Connection" and described her experience last summer as she volunteered on a service project in the Kuna Islands off the Coast of Panama. As the first place winner, Nicole will receive a $150 prize, and her essay will be posted on the Chicago NOW website and will also appear on CJHS's website in the near future.

Member of the CJHS Mathletes Club recently participated in their first electrifying competition of the year. The club, formerly known as AMC (for the American Mathematics Competition test), challenges students interested in mathematics through exciting math games and contests. Throughout the year, students also participate in Illinois Math League competitions and in the American Mathematics Competition, a national math exam.

At last week's competition, the school's contest score was 21 points, a CJHS record. This score is the sum of the five highest scores posted by individual participants. Congratulations to Shai Kamin, who scored 5 out of 6 possible points, followed closely by Leore Avidar, Seth Berkman, Avra Shapiro, Michael Brunwasser, and Sydni Cole, who each scored 4 points. The first event had an extremely high turnout and participants from every grade:

• Freshmen: Ari Eisenstadt, Zach Kamin
• Sophomores: Sydni Cole, Hannah Rosenbaum, Lea Sarris, Avra Shapiro
• Juniors: Seth Berkman, Lilli Flink, Shai Kamin
• Seniors: Leore Avidar, Aaron Gore, Geoff Levin

Contact Leore Avidar, Seth Berkman, or Avra Shapiro if you have any questions about Mathletes.

The CJHS freshman class took their first field trip of the year to see Argonautika at the Lookingglass Theater in Chicago. The play is an interpretation of "Jason and the Golden Fleece," one of the myths freshmen read as part of their study of ancient and classical literature. The play emphasized both the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts (his crew) and Jason's relationship with Medea.

According to CJHS student Nina Kiken, the play and the entire experience was terrific. "The Lookingglass Theater did a magnificent job at highlighting the lessons of Greek mythology in relationship to modern-day conflict," she said. "The phenomenal acting and choreography added to the well-written script, making Argonautika a well-rounded, passionate production."

The field trip helped to further the students' understanding of the myths they read for English class and expose them to an artistic interpretation of an ancient text. Thank you to Ms. Blumenthal, Ms. Lensch, and Ms. Robinson for chaperoning the trip. The next theatre trip is in December, when the seniors will go to The Museum of Contemporary Art to see Charles Mee's Hotel Cassiopeia staged by Court Theater.

Va'ad Israel sponsored its first "Israel Table" during lunch on Tuesday. More than a dozen students and faculty members discussed the impact of recent scandals involving Israeli government officials upon Jewish support for Israel worldwide. Va'ad Israel encourages all students and faculty members to come to the next "Israel Table" to add more voices to the discussion. Thank you to Aaron Magid and Eli Miller, Political Chairs on Va'ad Israel's Head Committee, for planning this event.

Competition recently began in the Second Annual CJHS Backgammon Tournament. Three matches are taking place now, with winners moving on to the second round. Games are being played at lunch or during study hall. We look forward to reporting on tournament developments in the coming weeks.

Dessert Extravaganza
The USPC Dessert Extravaganza, featuring presentations about nine prominent politicians, was a huge success. Several politicians' favorite desserts were revealed (see below) and served to all who attended.

• President George Bush: hot fudge sundae
• Governor Rod Blagojevich: mint chocolate chip ice cream
• U.S. Congresswoman Melissa Bean: strawberry shortcake
• U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky: fudge brownies
• Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert: lemon pie
• U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk: crème brulee
• Senator Barack Obama: New York super fudge chunk ice cream
• Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka: apple pie
• Gubernatorial Candidate Rich Whitney: warm chocolate chip cookies ala mode

Election Night Hangout
USPC is hosting a casual Election Night Hangout at the home of students Eli and Hannah Miller from 8:00-10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7. We will be watching eagerly as election returns come in for the congressional, senatorial, and gubernatorial races. Snacks will be served. If you have any questions, email Geoff Levin.

CJHS students: Don't miss out on the fun of a CJHS Shabbaton! This year, the All-School Shabbaton will take place in Palatine on December 8-9, 2006. Students and faculty are already working hard to ensure that this Shabbaton is a huge success. Please turn in your registration form and check to Ms. Musin by November 15. Please direct Shabbaton questions to Ms. Musin.

What Makes CJHS An Amazing High School?
Prospective parents and students find out at recent Open Houses
Parents and students considering CJHS heard inspirational remarks from administrators, parents and students at two recent CJHS Open Houses. Speakers included Dr. Ted Schaffner, Interim Head of School, who described the unique academic environment at CJHS; Cindy Pogrund, CJHS parent and Board member, who highlighted many of the school's firsts during the past six years; Lynn Wiznitzer, CJHS President, who conveyed the excitement of being a part of CJHS as this important time in the school's life; Bruce Scher, Academic Dean and Director of College Counseling, and Tracy Mehr, College Counseling Associate, who each described the school's athletics, fine arts and leadership programs and the success CJHS students have had with college admissions; and Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, Director of Religious Life at CJHS, who explained the rich Jewish life at CJHS and the depth of the Judaic Studies program.

The highlight of the Open Houses was, of course, remarks by students Rachel Braun, Ariel Glasser, Eli Miller, and Brian Pogrund. They each shared examples to illustrate the school's amazing community, the close relationship between students and faculty, the accessibility of CJHS teachers to students, and the many opportunities that are available to CJHS students. Following the formal presentation, guests had an opportunity to tour the school and receive personalized attention from CJHS students, parents and faculty.

A special thank you to Roberta Miller, CJHS parent, teacher, and recruitment committee member, for coordinating the two open houses; to recruitment committee chairs Marci Shapiro and Margaret Cohn and their committee; and to the many parents, students and faculty members who attended the event as school ambassadors!

Applications are Pouring In
The CJHS admissions office is reporting a 60% increase in applications over this time last year. Be sure to submit your child's application by the December 15 Early Decision Deadline to save $500 on your child's first year of tuition at CJHS. Applications can be downloaded from the CJHS website or contact Rachel Spiro via email or 847-324-3706.

Thank you to the Stein family for sponsoring breakfast on November 1 in honor of Aliza's 17th birthday.

Thank you to the Wasserman/Weinberg family for sponsoring breakfast on November 2 in honor of Aaron's 16th birthday.

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!

This week, Matt Levin, Avi Coven, Matthew Hass, Hannah Rosenbaum, Aaron Weinberg, Nicole Wiznitzer, and Aaron Magid led tefillah. Matthew Silverman read Torah. We regret last week's omission of Esther Lowe and Aaron Weinberg, who read Torah on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan.

Mincha and Ma'ariv
Beginning on November 6, CJHS will have a ma'ariv minyan after school rather than a mincha minyan. A mincha minyan will meet during the school day. For the week of November 6, mincha will be held during the last eight minutes of the lunch period on Monday (12:09 and 1:24), Tuesday (12:34), and Wednesday (12:49 and 1:28). On Thursday, mincha will be held during the advisory period (2:45). Mincha will be in Room 106, and the times will be posted on the whiteboard. Please refer to this space in future weeks, as this schedule may change.