The Second Annual CJHS Senior Israel Experience is off to a great start. The students and Rabbi Goldberg arrived safely in Israel on Tuesday evening and ascended to Jerusalem. They spent Wednesday in the Old City exploring the holy sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. On Thursday, the group explored the security fronts and settlements around Jerusalem, focusing on the theme of coexistence in the city of Jerusalem. They also visited the Supreme Court, where they talked about the tension between Israeli law and halacha and how that plays out in Israel: The Democracy or Israel: The Jewish State.

The group is spending Shabbat in Jerusalem. "We are going to spend Friday night at the USCJ's Fuchsberg Center with NATIV, including three of our recent graduates, Shayna Flink, Avram Pachter, and Daniel Peaceman, who are all doing well," says Rabbi Goldberg. "On Shabbat morning, we'll be at Moreshet Avraham, a Masorti congregation in East Talpiot. After havdalah, we will bring in the new week with a drummers' circle. We are enjoying Israel and Hanukkah. The jelly doughnuts are so much better here than in the States!"

The CJHS Senior Israel Experience is designed to complement and supplement the Israel experiences available to our students through camps, youth movements, and family visits. It builds upon the CJHS curriculum and deepens knowledge of and connections to Israel. Seniors will return to school with new tools to enrich Israel-related initiatives at CJHS. Seniors who are not in Israel are doing internships in and around Chicago, exploring a variety of professional and volunteer settings.

This year's Early Decision Deadline was December 15. Each family who submitted an application by this date was awarded a $500 credit on their child's first year's tuition at CJHS. Applications grew by 50% over last year's numbers and were submitted by both public school and Jewish day school students, representing families from all streams of Judaism. Communities represented in this first group of applications include Chicago, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Long Grove, Northbrook, Skokie, and Wilmette. Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions, attributes this success to the skills of her recruitment committee.

Applications are still being accepted for the 2007-2008 school year for entering freshmen and transfer students. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Ms. Spiro via email or at 847-324-3706.

Save the Date for Curriculum and Beyond on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. The evening will give prospective families a better understanding of the breadth of the general studies and Judaic studies curricula. Families will also have a chance to meet CJHS department heads and hear about how CJHS is preparing students to succeed in college and throughout their lives.

CJHS juniors spent four days in Washington, D.C. last week on the Panim el Panim program, a seminar that encourages students to become politically active and to find their civic voice through their Jewish values. They heard speakers address issues such as homelessness, affirmative action, immigration, the war in Iraq, nuclear proliferation in Iran, Darfur, media bias, anti-Semitism, and challenges facing Israel.

On the first evening of the program, students met three people who were either homeless or had recently acquired housing after years of being on the streets. The evening was to prepare the juniors for a trip to MacPherson Square to meet with homeless people, provide them with clothing and toiletries, and hear their stories.

The next day students met with 23-year-old Jay Zeidman, President Bush's liaison to the Jewish community. Mr. Zeidman took time from his busy schedule, which included planning the White House Hanukkah Party.

Panim culminated with visits to the U.S. Congress, where students split into groups to meet with staff members from the offices of Senator Barack Obama, Representative Mark Kirk, and Representative Jan Schakowsky.

Students visiting Representative Schakowsky's office were greeted by the Congresswoman. She spoke to the students for twenty minutes before attending to congressional business. Students then met with her Legislative Director, Robert Marcus, a Wilmette native.

Thank you to the Community Foundation for Jewish Education, which partially subsidized the cost of our students' participation in Panim. Thank you also to Ms. Marcus and Ms. Blumenthal, who traveled with our students and served as Visiting Faculty on the Panim program.

CJHS welcomed many grandparents into the school for the first Grandparents Committee program of the academic year. The Miracle of CJHS: A Hanukkah Celebration gave grandparents of students and alumni the opportunity to meet one another and learn more about the school and new campus in Deerfield. Guests enjoyed a festive lunch, video presentation of the Groundbreaking Ceremony, remarks from several school leaders, and a tour led by Dr. Schaffner. A highlight of the event was hearing freshman Dani Wolf and sophomore David Israel speak about their positive experiences at CJHS.

The Grandparents Committee is chaired by Dr. Donald and Roberta Charous, grandparents of two alumni and two current students.

If you know of a grandparent who is not currently receiving our e-news or mailings, please contact Caren Friedman, Assistant Director of Development.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, we know you will receive many fundraising appeals, including a recent appeal from Chicagoland Jewish High School. At this time, we would like to say thank you for your past and future generous support of our school and our students. Your contributions to our Annual Fund help to meet the growing need for scholarship support and to maintain the excellence of our school. Please consider a generous gift to this year's Annual Fund. For more information or to make a gift, please contact Caren Friedman, Assistant Director of Development, via email or at 847-324-3723.

The Development Office will remain open throughout the winter recess. Please feel free to contact us at 847-324-3722 or 847-324-3723.

The freshman class gathered for a special lunch meeting on Thursday to talk about upcoming final exams. Ms. Marina Gitlin and Ms. Sarah Bierman presented a list of the Top Ten Things to Know About Exams at CJHS, with the goal of relieving some of the freshman anxiety about finals, as well as to give some helpful suggestions for studying. Sophomores and juniors joined the meeting to share tips and tricks for getting through final exams. Matthew Hass, Avi Coven, Seth Berkman, Josh Warshawsky, and Rachel Braun contributed their strategies and advice for how to study and prepare.

Many freshmen asked questions, and it seemed that everyone left feeling more in control and comfortable about exams. Ask your freshman about the Top Ten list or what ideas she took away from the discussion. Some talking points might include how to get organized, what to ask teachers about the final, how to plan a study schedule, when to begin studying, how to relax before and after a test, and what else besides the final exam counts in your grade.

Students will take final exams January 16-19, 2007.

Third Annual CJHS Ski Trip
After final exams are over, the best way to celebrate is by hitting the slopes! Mark your calendar for Monday, January 22, when students will enjoy their Semester Break Day at the Third Annual CJHS Ski Trip. We will meet at school early in the morning and daven before heading up to Wisconsin for a day of fun. A flier with more information will be distributed immediately after Winter Break.

Sophomore/Junior Shabbaton
The first Freshman Shabbaton was held at the end of September, and students reported that it was a big success. We look forward to hearing the same about the first Sophomore/Junior Shabbaton, which will be hosted by Moriah Congregation on February 16-17. More information will be available right after Winter Break. (Seniors, mark your calendars for your Senior Shabbaton on May 18-19.)

Women's Team
The women's basketball team is off to an amazing start. Under the expert guidance of Coach Rob Davis, the team plays with energy, spirit, and enthusiasm. Players include Karen Avidar, Ronni Binah, Rachel Binstock, Lilli Flink, Tova Goldberg, Adva Mir, Naseem Parsa, Lea Sarris, Emily Pogrund, Aviva Schwartz, Yael Schwartz, Aliza Shapiro, and Jessica Rosenberg. The next women's game will be on January 8 at Joy of the Game in Deerfield. The team hopes to see you there!

Men's Teams
At the midway point in the season, both the junior varsity and varsity men's basketball teams are off to great starts. After the JV team's win this week against Islamic Foundation School, in which they went on a 18-1 run to start off the fourth quarter, they improved their record to 3-3. Additionally, the varsity team increased their winning streak to four after their 30-point win over Waldorf, which brought their record to 5-3.

All of the basketball teams are eager to see more fans come out and support the teams in the second half of the season.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m., when there will be a meeting for all juniors and their parents to talk about college planning and the college admissions process. (This meeting replaces the meeting originally scheduled for March 12.)

Our discussion will cover a wide range of issues and will give you the tools to take charge of the college admissions process. You will receive a copy of your cumulative transcript along with information on how to begin building a college list based on your academic record and personal preferences. We'll also interpret PSAT score reports and talk about the "big tests" -- ACT, SAT I, and SAT Subject tests -- that most colleges require as part of the college application process.

Several CJHS representatives attended "Community, Commitment and Covenant," the Solomon Schechter Day School Association Biennial Conference, held last week in Florida: Dr. Schaffner, Interim Head of School; Caren Friedman, Assistant Director of Development; Lynn Wiznitzer, Board President; and board members Andrea Meltzer and Larry Pachter. Lay leaders and professionals alike learned about many topics that they are bringing back to CJHS, ranging from professional development to refining a school's vision.

Let's begin the New Year with a social gathering to meet new friends and reacquaint with the old. The CJHS Parent Organization is planning an evening of coffee, dessert and fun for CJHS parents on Saturday night, January 27, from 8:15-11:00 p.m. at a location to be announced. Watch your mail for an invitation.

It's time again for CJHS Regalia! In November, students submitted design entries, and during Spirit Week, the student body voted for the design of their choice. Yasher koach to sophomore Rachel Binstock for creating the winning design. You do not want to miss this opportunity to purchase your CJHS sweatshirts! Order forms for zip-up hooded sweatshirts and regular hooded sweatshirts will be available right after Winter Break. Order forms and payment must be turned into either Ms. Musin or Hannah Miller by Friday, January 12. Sales of CJHS sweatshirts help to support and reduce the cost of student programming.

The entire CJHS staff celebrated the holiday with an after-school party on Tuesday, the fifth night of Hanukkah. Teachers, secretaries, administrators, and custodial staff began the afternoon by lighting candles and singing favorite Hanukkah songs, led by Mrs. Gottlieb. Next, they participated in a "white elephant" auction, with Dr. Auslander as auctioneer. The money raised from the auction will go to a tzedakah organization to be decided by Va'ad Tikkun Olam. Thank you to Dr. Auslander and Mrs. Tatel for organizing the festivities.

We wish a complete and speedy recovery to Mrs. Keefe, who underwent a successful surgery this week. She is at home recuperating. Get well soon!

This week, Esther Lowe, Richard Kahn, Rena Forester, David Weltman, Nicole Wiznitzer, Aaron Weinberg, Arianna Rozen, Avi Coven, Avra Shapiro, and Elli Cohn led tefillah. Matt Levin, Jacob Stoehr, Seth Berkman, David Binstock, Esther Lowe, Jeremy Hulkower, and Aviva Schwartz read Torah.

Mincha and Ma'ariv
During the winter months, CJHS will have a ma'ariv minyan after school rather than a mincha minyan. A mincha minyan will meet during the school day.

From November 20 through January 9, mincha will be held in Room 106 at the following times:

• Monday: 12:54 and 1:24, at the end of each lunch period
• Tuesday: 2:45, during the advisory period
• Wednesday: 12:49 and 1:19, at the end of each lunch period
• Thursday: 2:45, during the advisory period

This week's parashah is Miketz. Read the parashah, haftarah, and a JTS commentary online.

"Israel Is..." Contest
Be part of a creative exploration of Israel in a one-of- a-kind art exhibit, "Israel Is..." The exhibit will be shown at Israel Experience Programs Day on Sunday, January 28, 2007, at Ezra Habonim Niles Township Jewish Congregation. You are invited to submit your photography, artwork, poem or essay showcasing what Israel means to you. The winning entry in each category (creative writing and visual arts) will be published in JVibe Magazine and the winners will each receive a $250 gift certificate toward any approved Israel Experience program.

Contest Rules:

• Submissions must be received by January 5 to qualify for prizes
• Submissions (not eligible for prizes) must be received by January 19 to be showcased in the art exhibit on Israel Experience Day
• Open to Jewish high school students in grades 9-12
• Essay Maximum: 800 words
• Poem Maximum: 50 lines
• All submissions must be the original work of the person submitting it.
• You may submit even if you have never been to Israel.
• Submit online to IsraelExperience@juf.org or send a hard copy to Israel Is...,30 S. Wells St., Room 5035, Chicago, IL 60606

Have a wonderful winter break! School resumes on January 8 for everyone except students who participated in the Senior Israel Experience, who will return to school on January 9. The next CJHS E-News will be sent on Friday, January 12.

Candlelighting is at 4:05 p.m. today. Shabbat Shalom and Happy Hanukkah!

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