Graduation Day 1 Sivan, 5774
This Week at CJHS Class of '14 Siyyum Commencement Exercises Class of 2014 Mazal Tov from the PO! Mazal Tov, Silvermans! Host Families Needed Bike the Drive A Taste of Torah Alumni Trivia Finals Schedule Shabbat Shalom!
May 30, 2014
Siyyum Opens Up Graduation Day Festivities
Save the Date Sunday, June 1 Staff Development Tuesday, June 3 Last Day of School 1:15 dismissal Tuesday-Thursday, June 3-6 Shavuot Candlelighting: 8:04 Thursday and Friday, August 14 and 15 CJHS End-of-Summer Campout Monday, August 18 New Student Orientation Tuesday, August 19 First Day of School
P.O. Corner The P.O. is pleased to continue the gift card "Gelt" program. This program is designed to help families earn money toward their children's junior year Panim program and/or the Senior Israel Experience. Faculty and staff can also buy Gelt to support programs provided for the school by the P.O. By buying things you ordinarily purchase anyway, you can earn money which will be credited to your family or class for designated school trips. Contact Sheri Sandrof at ssandrof@cjhs.org or call her at 847.324.3723.
Community News and Events Job Opportunities at the Ramah Day Camp!
We're looking for friendly and enthusiastic Jewish students to work as:
"We are not sources but channels of blessing. We do not create the goodness we bestow but rather pass it on. A good teacher, for example, knows well that the Torah she teaches is not hers but God's; she is a vehicle for Torah but not its source. A good parent knows that the love he showers upon his child is not ultimately something he himself made; that love itself is a manifestation of divine grace." With these words, Academic Dean Mr. Bruce Scher - quoting Rabbi Shai Held - meditated on the beauty and wonder of the experience of the Class of 2014 at CJHS. The graduating seniors culminated their studies at morning services, during which Rav Beit Sefer Zachary Silver reflected on the first petitionary blessing of the Amidah, in which we ask God to grant us knowledge. The blessing, while a petition, is also a celebration of knowledge - a passage of praise for the kind of factual knowledge, critical thinking, and social and emotional intelligence which our seniors have demonstrated during their years at school.
-Counselors (seniors) -Swim Staff (16 and older) -Art Staff (16 and older) Do you enjoy playing with kids? Spending summer outside in a beautiful wooded setting? Being part of a fun and friendly Jewish community? Then Ramah Day Camp is for you! Come join us - you can make a difference in the lives of Jewish kids this summer. Our counselors ride the camp buses with the kids, so you don't need to worry about transportation. If you're interested in Working at Ramah Day Camp, please email Director Lori Stark at director@ramahday.com.
Artist's Beit Midrash
After prayers and breakfast, faculty members addressed the graduating seniors. Dr. Schorsch marveled at Madison Reisler's ability to to hilariously transform mundane moments into special ones. Rabbi Belgrad used the metaphor of flight to describe Yarden Michael's tremendous growth throughout high school, while Mr. Griffith complimented Jeremy Goodman, the "red, white, and blue, All-American kid." Senora Linda proudly described how "Dulce" Moses has fused her love of Spanish and Tikun Olam in her work in Latin America. Mrs. Eliaser proudly affirmed that in any day and age, Maya Behn would have been an exceptional scholar and leader, and Mrs. Steinberg expressed gratitude at having developed a relationship with Jacqueline Geraty. Mr. Eskin described Benny Gabel as "one of the menschiest people" he has ever met, and Ms. Katz complimented Avery Wein ("last [alphabetically] but certainly not least") for her perfectly fusing her perfectionism and easy-going attitude as a leader of the yearbook team. Mr. Taylor looked forward to many more bagel lunches with Jacob Copely, and Ms. Frankel urged Baye Miller to "never say sorry" as she continues to make her powerful voice heard. Choking back tears, Senora Weissman celebrated Zahava Vales's shining smile and personality. Parents, faculty, and students alike were moved by the ceremony, noting that it is a special quality of CJHS that by the end of four years, teachers have the opportunity and motivation to address their students
Dates: Thursdays June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31.
personally, reflecting on what each of them individually has contributed
Time: 9:45-11:45am. Artists will explore a text-based creative expression while building community through our experience as Jewish artists. Explore the Jewish vision of your art- artists of all media are welcome. The ephod and choshen have been objects of mystery and majesty, and text teacher Jane Shapiro and master artist-in-residence Judith Joseph will help you to explore these items in your own Jewish vision as an artist. Participation in the course will also include optional display in the Kol
to the school and how each has developed and grown. The words - and the tears will remain in the minds of those in attendance for a long time.
Ami Museum exhibit in the fall. Trimester Fee: $60 for members; $90 for non-members; no additional fee for students enrolled in another Summer Trimester course. To register, contact Marcie Eskin at 847-926-7903 or by email.
Chicago Kosher Meat BBQ Festival and Competition
Commencement Exercises MEAT me at the Festival! The first-ever Chicago Kosher BBQ Festival & Competition is THIS SUNDAY, June 1, from 11:30-4! Friendly competitions, family entertainment and activities, and cRc-supervised food. Admission is a $3 suggested donation to Mazon or Lakeview Pantry to feed the hungry. Enter at the Anshe Emet parking lot, 3751 N. Broadway, Chicago (parking solutions available!). Fourteen BBQ teams - Holy Smoke, Burnt Offering, The Three Brisketeers, Hava NaGrilla, and so many more! -- will compete for trophies, with celebrity judges such as America's Best Cook winner Stephanie Goldfarb, Israel Counsel General to the Midwest Roey Gilad, Krafts Foods corporate chef Aliza Katz, and the owners of two popular non-kosher BBQ restaurants. For more information, go to chikosherbbq.org or call Debbie Saul at (773) 472-7141. Follow twitter.com/Chikosherbbq, join facebook.com/ChicagoKosherBBQ, and RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/ 714051898647062/?ref=br_tf. Come hungry and leave happy!
Keep Calm the Festival is On!
The Class of 2014 marched into the gymnasium for graduation to the familiar strains of "Pomp and Circumstance," led by their class marshals, Jessica Hochberg and Yadid Licht. Alana Spellman blew the shofar to open the proceedings on a strong note, and Federico Romano delivered the invocation. Dana Levin and Orly Schlessinger, in English and Hebrew Join our community at the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival on Sunday, June 8 from 11 am to 6 pm at the Cook County Forest Preserve. Bring your friends and family for a memorable day of fun, food, art, music and dancing! For more information about the event,visit www.jewishfestival.org.
Sponsor Breakfast What's better than a birthday celebration with friends? Celebrate your student's birthday or other milestone with a special breakfast at CJHS.
For a donation of $180 (10x chai), bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice will be served to everyone. Announcements will be made in Tefillah and in the dining hall, and the occasion will also be listed in our weekly E-News and on the school announcement board. If you have any questions, please call 847.324.3713 or email dzidman@cjhs.org. Order forms are available online here.
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respectively, reflected on the achievements of their class, bringing forth memories and words of wisdom which they have gleaned from four years at CJ. They marveled at the creativity, the astounding achievements, and especially the unity and togetherness of their grade. Grounding their remarks were two quotes which together constituted the theme of the evening: from Abraham Joshua Heschel, "Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge," and from Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, "Let us first of all and before all be kind, then honest, and then - let us never forget one another." The students speaking and those listening reverently seemed to affirm that they would continue to live by these adages, and certainly would not forget one another. Board President David Fishbaum and Head of School Tony Frank each addressed the graduating seniors and the community as a whole, congratulating them on their tremendous achievements and charging them to use what they have learned as they begin their pursuits beyond the walls of CJHS. Alana Spellman presented a gift from the Class of '14 to the school: a podium with the CJHS logo. Just as many students have found their voice at CJHS, so, too, may many who follow use this podium to express themselves and put forward the highest expression of their ideals. The ceremony concluded as Rachel Small led all those assembled in the Shehechiyanu, marking and sanctifying this tremendous moment of celebration. The Class of '14, having received their diplomas and shaken hands with the leaders of the CJHS community, exited the gymnasium
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through a tunnel of their teachers and staff - a fitting conclusion to their final event as CJHS students. Congratulations seniors! To view the graduation ceremony, which was live-streamed, click here.
Class of 2014 Trumba Tips
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2013-2014 Dates
:: 847.470.6700 We bid farewell this week to the Class of 2014. As Mr. Frank noted at graduation, this class "set the school on fire from day one." They were big in every way: in numbers, in enthusiasm, in ruach, and in achievement. Students in this class have brought home basketball trophies and Model U.N. awards, they have reinvigorated the Va'ad HaStudentim and transformed the school's approach to social justice. These 52 students have loved and been loved by the CJHS community, and they will be greatly missed as we continue to celebrate their successes in college and in Israel, on gap years and in military service. So long, Class of 2014!
Mazal Tov From the Parent Organization! ClichĂŠ as it may sound, it's hard to believe that the 2013-14 school year has come to an end (though I think we're all ready for summer given this past winter). On behalf of the Parent Organization, I'd like to thank all of the parents who chaired, hosted, volunteered, and participated throughout the year in programs such as our new family buddy program, grade-level gatherings, teacher appreciation gifts, the student special breakfast, and parent programs. I also extend much thanks and appreciation to Lily Zoberman, who will be deeply missed next year, and Michelle Friedman for their partnership and guidance in the planning and execution of our PO programing. PO programs and events are already in the works for next year. Please drop me an email at po@cjhs.org if you're interested in getting involved. I would love to hear from you! Have a wonderful summer!
Liz Geifman, CJHS PO President
Passing the Torch
For the first time since the school opened, CJHS will be going back to school next fall without a single Silverman! The Silvermans were one of our pioneer families and have graduated four children from CJHS: Jessica (Silverman) Gandea ('05), Matthew ('07), Rebecca ('10), and Joshua ('14). We are grateful for all these wonderful families have given the school: as we leave our pioneer days behind us and move into the new era of IHSA championships, award-winning debate teams, worldclass M.U.N., and college admissions readers who know us by name, we will surely not neglect to continue the work they began.
Alumni Trivia
Which CJ alum is currently conquering the programming world of Palo Alto?
Host Families Needed We are in need of families who are interested in becoming hosts during the 2014-2015 school year for CJHS students who live beyond daily commuting range. If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful opportunity, please contact Lily Zoberman at 847-3243706.
Bike the Drive
On a beautiful Memorial Day weekend Sunday morning, ten students and two faculty members from CJHS set out on a bike ride down Lake Shore Drive, starting at Buckingham Fountain, riding to the Museum of Science and Industry, and finally making their way back. The group raised over $4,500 for Chai Lifeline and rode together with over 20,000 bicycle enthusiasts. Chemistry teacher Mr. Urick drove more than 90 from his home to do the ride and said that he "would gladly do it again. It was amazing. I even think I would start earlier in the morning to get more miles in." Sophomore
Ranan Vales, who raised over $700, initially worried that he might not enjoy this trip, his second, as much as his first. "But I did, and even more so," he said. "Great to ride with my friends and have a wonderful day." Chai Lifeline was grateful to CJHS for its participation and looks forward to many more rides in years to come.
A Taste of Torah For this week's d'var Torah on Parashat Naso, please enjoy the joint words of 2014 graduates Maya Behn, Josh Swatez, and Shira Harris, delivered at the siyum. This week's Parsha is Parshat Naso, a portion that covers a wide range of topics from census, to gifts, to priestly blessings. Naso starts out with taking a census of the Levites. This is done specifically within the three branches of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kehat and Merari, born in that order. Interestingly, the sons of Kehat are counted before those of Gershon - a strange system given the Tanach's respect for birth order. To understand this anomaly, let's take a closer look at the sons' names. Gershon, the firstborn's name, comes from the verb "legaresh," to divorce. Kehat's name comes from the word, "gathering," referencing the amassing of good, or congregating to do good. The combination of these two names evokes a statement of the Rabbis in the Gmara, that one should first refrain from doing evil, or divorce one's self from evil, and then do good. This makes sense - Gershon, born first, represents the first step of becoming closer to God: staying away from evil. Kehat, the next, represents doing good, the next step. However, when the census is taken, the names are reversed so we can see the importance of each. Although keeping from evil is the place to start, it is by no means the endgame. You have to do good. I believe our grade illustrates this... To read the rest of this poignant joint d'var Torah, please click here.
Alumni Trivia Jordan Shapiro ('11) is well on his way toward completing a Bachelors of Science in Bioengineering from Stanford University, along with a minor in Modern Languages (specifically, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese). These credentials will be followed shortly by a Masters of Science in Management Science and Engineering. Jordam has taken on such varied projects as constructing a Lego-based robot for remote technology and TA-ing for a class titled, "Learning Shakespeare: From Audience to Critic at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival." He served this year as Class President at Stanford and as Editor-in-Chief of Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology & Society. These are just a few of the amazing things Jordan has done since graduating from CJHS. Way to go, Jordan!
Finals Schedule Finals continue on Monday and Tuesday. Be sure to check the schedule
by clicking on this link!
Shabbat Shalom! Candlelighting tonight will be at 8:01 p.m. To all our readers, we wish a relaxing, safe, and productive summer. Whether you're at camp, in Israel, working hard, or just relaxing at home, we wish you nothing but the best. E-News will resume in August. See you in the fall!