The basketball season is off to a great start with exciting play by both the men’s and women’s teams. Family, friends, and faculty have shown incredible support by attending games and boosting the teams’ confidence. A schedule of games, addresses of visitor schools, and a link for directions can be found at the school’s website, www.chicagojhs.com.

Men’s Basketball Team Moves to 2-0 Record

The men's basketball season started off with a huge victory over Christian Liberty High School on November 10. Christian Liberty suffocated under the relentless pressure of the CJHS defense, scoring only two field goals in the entire second half. Juniors Brian Pogrund and Leore Avidar led the offense with 18 and 17 points, respectively. The final score was 60-33.

The second men's basketball game brought a thrilling 51-47 victory over Ida Crown Jewish Academy on November 17. In a gym filled to capacity with many CJHS students and staff in attendance, the team overcame a seven point half-time deficit to win the game. Standout player Brian Pogrund had over 30 points while juniors Matt Silverman and Leore Avidar played with great poise. Sophomore Michael Brunwasser played virtually the entire game and added critical baskets and rebounds. The next men's game is part of the Metro Prep tournament, when they will play the Yeshiva team on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m. at the Mayer Kaplan JCC. Please come out and support us.

Women’s Basketball Team Starts Out Strong

The women's basketball team got off to a great start with a very close game against Highland Park High School on November 22. The Tigers led through the third quarter, when Highland Park pulled away. CJHS lost in a hard-fought game with a final score of 30-20. Congratulations to Yael Schwartz, the team's high scorer. The next game is Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. at Regina.

Another Opening…A First CJHS Musical

Under the direction of Mr. Ron Ben-Joseph, musical director Mrs. Gail Gottlieb, and assistant director Abby Landis (a CJHS junior), Little Shop of Horrors will open this Monday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Morton Grove Civic Center, 6140 Dempster Street, Morton Grove. A cast of 23 and a pit band will make this opening a CJHS first. The play will also be performed the next night, Tuesday, November 29 at the same time.

Reserve your tickets today by calling the CJHS Fine and Performing Arts Hotline, 847-423-5979. While tickets will be sold at the door, seating is limited, so it is suggested that you contact the ticket hotline by Monday, November 28 at 8:00 a.m. to reserve your seats. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students of high school age or younger. This is the first of a wonderful series of shows, choral concerts, and art exhibits brought to you by our Fine and Performing Arts Department.

Sophomores Take the PLAN at CJHS

All sophomores will take the PLAN test on our campus during the morning of Nov. 30. The PLAN helps to identify skills and knowledge students need in order to succeed in college, areas where they need extra help or additional courses, and career areas that match their interests.

The PLAN provides an estimated ACT score and connects your tenth grader to more information about college and financial aid choices.

If you have any questions, contact the College Counseling Office at 847-324-3708.

Check out some PLAN sample test questions.

Rabin Yahrzeit Observed at School

The CJHS community observed the yahrzeit on November 14 of Yitzhak Rabin, the former Prime Minister of Israel who was assassinated by an Israeli extremist. Yasher Koach to Rabbi Fryer for coordinating the multi-media ceremony, with the assistance of the Hebrew teachers. Todah rabah to Shulamit Binah, mother of sophomore Ronni Binah, who prepared remarks about her memories of Rabin and his assassination, which took place when her family was on assignment in Washington, D.C. Yasher Koach to student participants Karen Avidar, Renana Fox, Seth Berkman, Nicole Wiznitzer, Daniel Peaceman, Hannah Berkowicz, Kayce Miller, and Ari Glasser.

Student Portrait Exhibit at The Bank of Highland Park

Mrs. Snyder's black-and-white photography class will have an exhibit opening on Tuesday, January 3 in the lobby of The Bank of Highland Park (on the corner of First and Central). The exhibit will showcase eight portraits that the students took of each other. Student photographers are Ronni Binah, Maya Gejman, Maya Hobscheid, Ari Frankel, Sandy Johnston, Rachel Karp, Dakota Miller and Michael Shapiro. The exhibit will be up for about a month. There will be a student/parent reception at the bank on Wednesday, January 25 from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The exhibit is now hanging in the entrance of CJHS.

Strong CJHS Presence at CHUSY Convention

Thirty-one CJHS students participated in last weekend’s CHUSYfest, the annual fall Shabbaton sponsored by Chicago Region USY (CHUSY). The convention, which focused on balancing science and Judaism, included discussions on the existence of free will and the possibility of modern day miracles, as well as plenty of opportunity for schmoozing with old and new friends.

Yasher Koach to Brian Pogrund, Abby Landis, Josh Warshawsky, Richard Kahn, Avram Pachter and Avi Coven, who all read Torah at CHUSYfest, and to Nicole Wiznitzer, Renana Fox, Eli Miller, Shai Kamin, and Avra Shapiro, who led various services throughout the weekend.

Israeli Official Visits Hebrew VIII Class

Amen Salman Hassan, Manager of the Olive Oil Council in the Ministry of Agriculture of the State of Israel, visited Mrs. Shifra Sheinfeld's Hebrew VIII class this week. The class is covering a unit on food, and Hassan, a Druze, talked about the global olive oil industry and using the industry as a catalyst to build bridges between people of differing faiths.

Sophomore Contacts Tribune Regarding Chemistry Error

Sophomore Ari Glasser, a student in Mr. Ron Urick’s chemistry class, knew her chemistry well enough to catch an error in a Chicago Tribune column. Bob Weber, a Chicago Tribune transportation columnist, wrote in his 11/13/2005 column that "air contains 20% nitrogen." Ari promptly emailed Mr. Weber and received his humble acknowledgment that air is in fact closer to 80% nitrogen! Kudos to Ari for actualizing her chemistry knowledge!!

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 (847) 423-5962 or RabbiFryer@chicagojhs.com.

Look at the Mercaz website.

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

This week, Nat Sufrin, Yael Kiken, Benji Derman, Rachel Binstock, and Jeremy Hulkower led tefillah. Daniel Peaceman read Torah, and Ruthie Eisenberg introduced this week’s parsha.

Happy Thanksgiving! Shabbat shalom!