New friends make major gifts for future

CJHS has received two generous gifts for critical new initiatives. The first is a $250,000 gift of stock from a family in Knoxville, Tennessee who had never before made a gift to Jewish education. The gift will establish the school's endowment fund, which will provide annual income for school programs in perpetuity. In addition, the gift qualifies CJHS for a $50,000 match from the Jewish Funders Network and AVI CHAI Foundation. The Board has set an initial $1 million goal for the endowment, with plans to ultimately reach $10 million.

The second gift is a $150,000 capital commitment toward construction of the new high school building from Buz Hoffman, a prominent developer and friend of the high school.

"We are grateful for both of these wonderful gifts, which will significantly help our efforts to build the new school and provide for its future," said Board President Stewart Flink. "And as more gifts come in for endowment, the Board and Head of School can rely on this income year after year for school priorities."

Commitments from Board members and close friends now total nearly $1.9 million for capital, operating and endowment purposes.

Chicago Tribune sports writer speaks to CJHS Publications Students David Haugh, Bears beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, spoke to CJHS Publications Students on Nov. 9. Mr. Haugh (photo right) discussed the challenges of sports journalism.

Va'ad collects 465 children's books during drive

The Va'ad Tikkun Olam sponsored a book drive and has collected 465 books. 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."

Parents fill the halls during conferences

CJHS parents met with their student's teachers on Nov. 11. Conferences were held from 12-9 p.m. Thank you to all of the CJHS parents who make their children's learning their priority. Thank you to the CJHS staff for coordinating the long day. And thank you to the teachers who spent a long day and night at CJHS.

Department chairs attend conference

English Department Chair Anita Goldberg and Math Department Chair Sarah Bierman attended the Independent Schools Association of Central States (ISACS) Regional Conference on Nov. 5 at the Palmer House Hilton. They attended a workshop on writing across the curriculum and one on improvisation for creative pedagogy.

"It was an excellent workshop," Ms. Bierman said. "The presenters were fantastic, and it was also great to see how exciting and important an organization ISACS is."

Seniors present the values of pluralism at IFYC event

Seniors Becky Kupchan and Rachel Weiner presented the value of pluralism in the Jewish Community to Muslim and Catholic teenagers at an IFYC event on Nov. 9 at Loyola Academy. Seniors Jon Freed, Phil Kostov, juniors Ron Gejman and Vicky Neiman also participated in the program.

CJHS junior performs at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

Congratulations to junior Renana Fox who starred in the play "Little Women" on Nov. 7 and 8 at the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Renana received rave reviews from the community. Yasher kochech!

Student anticipate Shabbaton

The CJHS Fall Shabbaton will be held Nov. 19-20 at Moriah Congregation. Students will have an opportunity to learn from Rabbi Ben Hollander, who is the visiting scholar of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's Midwest Region this fall. Students will attend Kabbalat Shabbat services and will then be hosted for Shabbat dinner and overnight by Moriah families. Shabbat morning students will attend services and sponsor a kiddush luncheon for the congregation. The Va'ad Hatalmidim has planned programming for Shabbat afternoon. Students will have free time before Mincha, Seudat Shleisheit, Maariv, and Havdalah. After Shabbat ends, everyone will enjoy Whirleyball in Arlington Heights. For more information, contact History teacher/Student Activities Coordinator Harvey Gross.

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.

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 students 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."

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.

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.

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 Ms. Jacobson Maisels, senior Charlie Gandelman, Shlomi Mir, junior Jennifer Feldman, Shayna Flink, Jason Wiznitzer, sophomore Aaron Magid and freshmen Richard Kahn and Shai Kamin for leading tefilah. Freshman David Weltman 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 4:14 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