More than fifty CJHS students and six faculty members took part in a delightful Shabbaton Nov. 11-12 at Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah. We davened on our own on Friday night and enjoyed Shabbat dinner together at the synagogue. We spent the night at host homes graciously arranged by our housing chair, CJHS parent and BHCBE congregant Vicki Hass, with the assistance of CJHS parent and BHCBE congregant Deborah Boxerman. On Shabbat morning, we returned to the BHCBE and davened with the congregation. Many of our students and faculty led various parts of the service. Following a relaxing afternoon, spirited tefillah, a song-filled Seudah Shlishit, and havdalah, the students took buses downtown to see ComedySportz, an improvisational comedy show. Freshman Tova Goldberg and junior Matthew Silverman were selected to join the comedians on stage for two skits.

Many thanks to everyone at Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah, and a special thank you to Rabbi Allan Kensky, Rabbi Michael Mishkin, Cantor Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo, Youth Director Heidi Massey, Education Director Marshall Kupchan, Executive Director Bob Yaffe, and Catering Director Jill Ross for all of their assistance with the Shabbaton, as well as Vicki Hass, Deborah Boxerman, and the many CJHS faculty, staff members, and faculty spouses who helped to make the Shabbaton a success.

Little Shop of Horrors Debuts after Thanksgiving Break

The Fine and Performing Arts Department at Chicagoland Jewish High School proudly presents Little Shop of Horrors at 7:30 p.m. on November 28 and 29 at Morton Grove Civic Center, 6140 Dempster Street in Morton Grove. The cast includes Shayna Flink, Matthew Silverman, Yael Kiken, Yoni Solomon, Seth Berkman, Avra Shapiro, Lilli Flink, Rachel Binstock, Rachel Karp, Vicky Neiman, Tova Goldberg, Josh Warshawsky, Naomi Goldberg, Geoff Levin, Hannah Rosenbaum, Yael Derman, Jimmy Casen, David Weltman, Adva Mir, Aaron Gove, Hannah Helford, Leore Avidar, and Sofi Petchersky. The play is directed by Mr. Ron Ben-Joseph, and Mrs. Gail Gottlieb is the musical director. Ticket information is available on the Performing Arts Hotline, 847-423-5979. (Please note the change of date in order to accommodate our student community. This change allows our students to participate in both athletic and fine art programs and will allow our parents to support their students and our educational endeavors. We look forward to your continued support of our programs.)

CJHS Sends Delegates to Women's League Symposium at JTS

Junior Ruthie Eisenberg attended the Women's League of Conservative Judaism Symposium on Women in Halakha/Women in Law at JTS. Head of School Mrs. Roslyn Stein, CJHS parent Ms. Sandy Starkman, and Ms. Phyllis Hofman Waldmann, Founding Chair of the CJHS Education Committee, also attended the symposium, which included female leaders and thinkers of the Conservative movement and about 40 girls from various Solomon Schechter high schools in the New York area, as well as CJHS. Sessions focused on various issues relating to women in both Jewish and American law. Ruthie states, "It was interesting for me to hear speakers trace the roles women were given throughout the development of halakha and discuss solutions to halakhic problems women face today. I enjoyed this opportunity to learn about issues relevant to Jewish women."

Two seniors attend AIPAC Teen Summit

Seniors Jacob Shapiro and Jason Wiznitzer attended the AIPAC Advanced Advocacy and Activism Seminar, the first summit AIPAC has held for high school students. Around 200 of the most experienced and active students were chosen from public and private high schools across the nation to participate.

"The AIPAC summit was simply unbelievable. It was well planned and thought out. I feel that I have a much better grip on what AIPAC does and how to lobby for Israel," Jacob says about his experience. Jacob and Jason urge everyone to attend the January 29 all-day AIPAC event to be held at the Donald E. Stephens Center in Rosemont. The two seniors are chairing this event.

Freshmen View Israeli Film

The Hebrew teachers arranged a field trip for the freshman class, in which the students saw the film "White Balance," an Israeli movie shown as part of the Children's International Film Festival of Chicago. Both before and after the movie, the students participated in discussion sessions. The field trip offered the students the opportunity to use the skills that they are learning in Hebrew classes, as they were thrilled to recognize recently learned vocabulary items. In addition, the movie reinforced the important values of caring and friendship.

Students and Faculty Collect over $850 for Katrina Relief

The Va'ad Tikkun Olam has collected over $850 towards Hurricane Katrina relief. The emergency tzedakah collection was started following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. The money will be sent to the Jewish Federation and will be distributed to both Jews and non-Jews affected by Katrina.

Faculty and Staff Bid Michael Rubin Fond Farewell

At the end of October, faculty and staff planned a dessert reception to bid Michael Rubin farewell. Michael led the Development Team for the past three-and-a-half years. Under his guidance, CJHS professional and lay leadership raised funds for the operational budget and has realized $7.5 million towards its Capital Campaign.

In her remarks at the reception, Mrs. Roslyn Stein, Head of School, said, "Michael, you have been a key member of the team that has brought CJHS from dream to reality. Thank you for the significant contributions you have made both personally and professionally. Our gratitude and best wishes accompany you as you move forward in your career."

Michael begins work with The Ostroff Group, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, as Campaign Director for The Jewish Community Center of St. Louis, to develop and execute a capital and endowment campaign.

Students and Faculty Volunteer at ARK

Kol HaKavod to freshmen Lea Sarris, Francesca Hirschfeld, Elli Cohn and Director of Admissions Ms. Rachel Spiro for volunteering this week at the ARK.

Mandatory meeting for juniors and their parents attending Panim El Panim

CJHS is excited to announce that it is sending 22 students to Washington D.C. from Dec. 11-14 for the Jewish political advocacy program, Panim el Panim. CFJE gave a $250 subsidy to each student, which gave each junior the opportunity to attend the program. This is CJHS's third year attending Panim but its first year sending almost the entire junior class!

All juniors and their parents must attend an important meeting at 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 5 at CJHS. We guarantee an hour-long meeting if everyone arrives at 7 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Sharna Marcus at smarcus@chicagojhs.com or 847-324-3733.

Register to Vote in the WZO Election

Support Masorti (Conservative) organizations, groups, synagogues, Ramah, USY, etc. in Israel by voting MERCAZ USA in this election. Please go to www.mercazusa.org and click the link to register to vote in the election; voting is only possible with advance registration. Even if you are a MERCAZ USA member and/or voted in the last WZO election, you still need to register. You can also learn about Mercaz USA, the Conservative Movement's Zionist organization.

Visit the MERCAZ website, www.mercazusa.org, and sign up via the secure website, or download a membership form and mail it in. Either way, join MERCAZ today! Please contact the MERCAZ USA office at 1-888-99 MERCAZ to register over the phone (or info@mercazusa.org) or if you have questions. Vote the Mercaz-USA Slate.

Thanks for your help in making this election the success we need for Israel, the Conservative Movement, and the future of the Jewish people and Modern Zionism. If you have any further questions, contact Rabbi Robyn Fryer at (847) 423-5962 or RabbiFryer@chicagojhs.com

Register here!

Mazal Tov

Rabbi Sam Fraint, a member of CJHS's Rabbinic Advisory Committee, will receive an honorary doctorate at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York on Nov. 17, 2005. The Fraints will return to Deerfield and Moriah Congregation to be honored throughout Shabbat and to celebrate the eighteen years they have spent with the congregation. Rabbi Fraint's mentor and friend, Rabbi Joel Roth, will be present on Shabbat to teach and to participate in the festivities.

CJHS wishes Rabbi Sam and Deena Fraint a Mazal Tov for their lifelong dedication to Jewish education.

Refuah Shlemah

CJHS extends its best wishes and prayers for a Refuah Shlemah to Dr. Gary Peckler, our Physical Education Teacher and former Athletic Director.

Religious Life at CJHS

Over the last two weeks, Vanessa Youshaei, Josh Warshawsky, Abby Landis, Richard Kahn, Nicole Wiznitzer, Aaron Magid, Sandy Johnston, Shayna Flink, Shai Kamin, Matthew Silverman, Avi Coven, Hannah Rosenbaum, and Eli Miller led tefillah. Abby Landis read Torah this week. Sandy Johnston introduced the Torah reading.