On Dec. 5, thirteen seniors, accompanied by Rabbi Elliot Goldberg, boarded a plane to spend four weeks in Israel as part of CJHS's Inaugural Senior Israel Experience. The students will spend significant time in Jerusalem, as well as a week in the north and several days in Kiryat Gat, Chicago's Partnership 2000 sister city. The students' main areas of study will be democracy in the State of Israel, religion in the State of Israel, Tikkun Olam, and interaction with Israelis. One student emailed this week, saying, "The experience [here in Israel] is incredible. I'm so glad to be able to visit Israel with my friends before graduating from high school." Mr. Bruce Scher, Academic Dean and Director of College Counseling, will join the students on Dec. 15.

The Challenge is On!

Excitement is growing as responses to the $500,000 Challenge Grant come in. The challenge, offered by a strong supporter of the school, will match all new gifts of $5,000 and above which are received by March 30, 2006.

End of year gifts in any amount are encouraged and welcome, as ongoing philanthropy is vital to sustain our school. Your gift will support scholarships for students who are unable to afford full tuition, help us attract and retain an outstanding faculty, and enhance our fine-arts, athletics, and leadership programs. Please consider an end of year gift at a level that is right for you.

For more detailed information about the Challenge, please contact the Development Office at 847-324-3722.

Thank you for investing in our students and our school.

From the Admissions Desk

Save $500 on tuition!
When you submit an application to CJHS by the December 15 deadline, you'll receive a $500 credit off your child's first year tuition.

Schedule a Visit!
Do you want your child to shadow a CJHS student? Would you like to visit the school? Contact Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions, to request an application packet, to schedule a tour, or to request a copy of CJHS's new brochure for students. You can also go to www.chicagojhs.com to download an application. Call 847-324-3706 or email rspiro@chicagojhs.com.

Save the Date for Curriculum Night!
Mark your calendar now for Curriculum Night. On Thursday, January 19, 2006, department chairs will explain CJHS's academic philosophy and curriculum. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at CJHS.

Crocheting Club Donates 78 Hats

Students at CJHS have started a Crocheting Club, teaching students and staff how to crochet hats that will be donated to cancer patients. On Friday, December 2, Brian Goodman from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society came to school to speak to students in the club and to accept the 78 hats made by the CJHS community this fall. If you are interested in making hats for the club or would like to donate yarn, please contact Ms. Marina Gitlin (club advisor) or Esther Bier (club chair) at school.

Winter Athletics Move from Strength to Strength

Mazal tov to the men's basketball team, which took first place in the Metro Prep tournament. The trophy and a framed picture of the team are on display at the school's entrance. After playing one more game this week, the team now holds a 6-0 record. The women's basketball team had a fantastic week, winning games at Christian Liberty and Noble Street. The women currently have a 2-2 record. The CJHS dance team performed on Dec. 7 during halftime of the women's game vs. Noble Street. It was the first public performance for the dance team, which is new to CJHS this year.

Fine Arts on Tour

Students in the CJHS choir, jazz band, and dance classes went to Skokie Solomon Schechter on Dec. 10 to perform for the elementary school students at a special assembly.

Odyssey Explored through Art

The freshman English classes have donesome wonderful written and artistic work exploring aspects of The Odyssey. The CJHS bulletin board between Rooms 103 and 105 is currently displaying collages and artists' statements that students completed based on Romare Bearden's 1977 "Return of Odysseus."

Looking for a way to honor your student or advertise your business?

The CJHS yearbook staff is looking for sponsors for the 5766 edition of Yachad. You can advertise your business or honor students and other individuals in the school community by placing an ad in our sponsorship book, which will be distributed throughout the community along with Yachad. For more information and prices, please contact Vanessa Youshaei, Yachad business manager, at yachad@chicagojhs.com.

Recent Graduate Lobbies in Washington

Charlie Gandelman, a member of CJHS's Class of 2005 and a freshman at Brandeis University, recently participated in a day-long lobbying effort in Washington, D.C. as a member of BIPAC, Brandeis Israel Political Action Committee.

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

Thank You!

Thank you to the Sarris family for sponsoring breakfast on Dec. 5 in honor of Lea's 15th birthday

Religious Life at CJHS

This week, David Weltman, Seth Berkman, Nicole Wiznitzer, Shai Kamin, Hannah Rosenbaum, Avi Coven, and Brian Pogrund led tefillah. Avi Coven and Richard Kahn read Torah.

Yasher Koach to Rabbi Fryer for giving a D'var Torah on the ninetieth yahrzeit of Solomon Schechter. Here is a brief excerpt: "Schechter taught that Judaism has kept its course through the ages by a legion of teachers who recognized the responsibility to develop and extend the tradition as well as to safeguard it. While Solomon Schechter died at the age of 68, his legacy lives on in your teachers and in yourselves. He was a visionary and believed in a bright future of Judaism. He would have been so proud of us in this room. Every single one of here in this room, in this Makom Tefillah, is a disciple of Solomon Schechter the person, in one way or another."

Shabbat Shalom!