E-News Is Back! 8 Cheshvan, 5774
This Week at CJHS Freshmen Meet Service Dogs IFYC Spanish Field Trip Guest Rabbis Speak This Week in Sports Seniors at Printers' Row Junior Chumash Class From the P.O. Fall Parlor Meetings New Shaliach Comes to Chicago
October 11, 2013
Special Freshman Puppy Advisory
Sophomores Perform Antigone JED Camp at SSDS Science Contests STAND Update Alumni Trivia A Taste of Torah
Save the Date Wednesday, Oct. 16 PSAT & PLAN (sophomores and juniors) Friday, Oct. 18 Saturday, Sept. 19 Freshman Shabbaton Sunday, Oct. 27 ACT (not at CJHS) Tuesday, Oct. 29 2:00 p.m. Dismissal - Conferences Wednesday, Oct. 30 10:30 a.m. Late Start Wednesday, Oct. 30 Sunday, Nov. 1 Memphis Basketball Tournament Wednesday, Nov. 6 Conferences Thursday, Nov. 7 10:30 a.m. Late Start Friday, Nov. 8 1:15 Dismissal Begins Sunday, Nov. 17Wednesday, Nov. 20 Panim Trip (juniors) Friday, Nov. 22 No Classes: Professional Day
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
In what is rapidly becoming an annual tradition, CJHS student Becca Abrams, who works with service dogs, treated the freshman to a therapy session with the puppies whom she is helping train. Becca explained to the advisory groups all about Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities, and provides free trained dogs for support, assistance, and companionship to those who could benefit from a canine companion and thus lead a fuller and more productive life. Each freshman had an opportunity to practice some commands with the dogs and play with them, too! The puppies behaved themselves beautifully in class, and in the case of this one unusually pious canine, in the sanctuary!
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 5th Annual JLS Interdenominational Jewish Commnuity Event October 18 CJHS 1095 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Why is Jewish identity formation so challenging among young adults today? How should Jewish institutions, the rabbinate, and parents respond to current social realities? Join JLJS to examine how we can connect to the 'millennial' generation. Forging Jewish Identity and Community in the "Me" Generation: Rabbinic, Institutional, and Parental Responses
IFYC Kicks Off On Monday night, Interfaith Youth Core hosted 50 students from CJHS, Universal, and Loyola for the annual kick-off pizza party in the Shapiro Dining Hall. Isaac Johnston reports, "We started the event with an icebreaker of throwing a ball of yarn around the circle to show our interconnectivity. To quiet our rumbling stomachs, we sat down for dinner and began discussing some of our favorite (and strangest!) religious customs. Some of the favorites were laying tefillin, which we demonstrated to our guests; the continued sacrificing of a goat to represent Akedat Yitzhak in Islam; and the Eucharist in Catholicism. The kick-off event was a great way to start the year, and we are excited for the rest of the year!"
Soul of Spain
Panelists: Adena K. Berkowitz, Visiting Lecturer, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School Stefanie Pervos Bregman, Communications Director, JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Wendi Geffen, Rabbi, North Shore Congregation Israel Parve Kosher Dessert Reception $18 in advance $25 at the door (cash and checks only)
On Monday, October 7, the Spanish IV AP class went to the Museum of Science and Industry to see a show entitled Soul of Spain, presented by the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet in Miami, Florida. The students saw a presentation of a Zarzuela, Flamenco dancing and guitar, and a Tuna, a group of traveling troubadours from various universities in the Spanish-
To pay in advance by credit card, please call 312.362.6274 or email ggottlie@depaul.edu. Please make checks payable to DePaul University and note "JLJS" in the memo. Visit www.law.depaul.edu/jljs for more information.
speaking world who sing and play various musical instruments. The show ended with an opportunity for several students to get on stage to participate in dancing the Macarena. The trip was designed to enable students to expand their knowledge of Spanish culture, an important component of the new Spanish Language and Culture AP exam to be given for the first time in May. Thanks to Sra. Brejcha for helping to make the day a most enjoyable one.
Contempoary Judaism Welcomes Rabbi Balinsky and Rabbi Kedar Helene Hoffman Cantorial Concert Proceeds Benefit Israel Cancer Research Fund Sunday, Oct. 13 3:00 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook On Sunday October 13, Congregation Beth Shalom will host the Helene Hoffman Memorial Cantorial Concert. Three extraordinary cantors will be featured along with a former season 3 contestant of The Voice. The concert, Cantors' Cabaret, will be an eclectic blend of original, Broadway, operatic, and classic tunes, many of which will be sung with a unique interpretation.
Proceeds from this benefit will support scientific research of malignant brain tumors at the Israel Cancer Research Fund. The ICRF has funded outstanding cancer researchers at leading Israeli institutions such as the Weizmann Institute, the Technion, Hadassah Medical Center, and Sheeba Medical Center. Individual tickets for unreserved seating start at $25 each. For more information about this event please
Last Friday, Rabbi Silver and Rabbi Belgrad's Contemporary Judaism class welcomed Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Executive Vice President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, to speak as a representative of the Orthodox Movement. The junior Contemporary Judaism class is currently studying a unit on movements in Judaism, and previously welcomed Rabbi Karyn Kedar from B'nai Joshua-Beth Elohim to speak from a Reform perspective. Rabbi Balinsky addressed both the ideologies of the movement and some of the contemporary trends, noticeably the increased participation of women in leadership roles and in opportunities to learn Jewish texts. Central to our study of all of the movements is studying God's encounter with the Israelites at Sinai. As Rabbi Kedar expressed, "Everything goes back to Sinai." This continued with Rabbi Balinsky's address, when he stated that halacha (Jewish law) has Authority, "with a capital A."
This Week in Sports
Tuesday, the men's soccer team played Holy Trinity in the semifinals of the Chicago Prep Conference Tournament. In a nail-biting thriller of a game, they were tied at the end of regulation 4-4, but then lost on penalty kicks 5-4. In an absolute heartbreaker of a follow-through, the Tigers repeated the performance on Thursday, losing on penalty kicks to Northtown despite being tied at the end of regulation. Congratulations are in order, however, for first-team all-conference players Jeremy Goodman and Jonathan Chasin, as well as second-team allconference players Nathaniel Moses and Jacob Erlichman. But don't lose heart, Tigers: our tournament season is just starting! The IHSA regional tournament begins next Wednesday against Northridge Prep, so come on out and cheer!
contact Arnie Hoffman at 847.559.0909 or email barterboss1218@gmail.com.
JEA Middle school Tzedakah Fair 5th/6th grade B'nai Mitzvah TZEDAKAH PROGRAM with Danny Siegel The Pied Piper of Tzedakah Sunday, October 27 West Suburban Temple Har Zion, River Forest 10:30 am - 12 noon
College Visits CJHS is pleased to welcome representatives from the following schools this season: College
Date 10/9/13 Eckerd College 9:00 AM Lawrence 10/9/13 University 12:30 PM University of 10/9/13 Michigan 3:30 PM 10/9/13 Tufts University 3:30 PM 10/10/13 Amherst College 9:00 AM The George 10/10/13 Washington 9:56 AM University Lake Forest 10/10/13 College 12:30 PM 10/10/13 Oberlin College 2:34 PM Northwestern 10/14/13 University 3:30 PM Jewish Theological 10/15/13 Seminary of 3:30 PM America 10/16/13 Centre College 2:34 PM Yeshiva 10/17/13 University 9:00 AM Drake 10/17/13 University 9:56 AM University of 10/17/13 Denver 12:30 PM 10/18/13 Nativ 9:00 AM
The men's golf season culminated with Tuesday's IHSA regional tournament, which saw seniors Adam Taitz, Aaron Drexler, and Alon Spevak playing in their last ever competition for the Tigers. Congratulations to the entire team on a great season. Many thanks to coach Michael Wenzel for all of his hard work. With a new group of players taking the reins, the team's future looks bright as ever! Cross-country has returned from the Latin Invitational bearing medals! Many congratulations to Hillel Schwartz, 8th in the boys' open, and his fellow-medalists Avidan Halivni, Zev Mishell, Parker Weber, and Jonah Glick-Unterman, as well as Tali Shapiro, leader of the girls' open. Yasher koach to the entire team, too, on a phenomenal run with many runners making their best times ever!
University of 10/21/13 Massachusetts, 9:56 AM Amherst Skidmore 10/23/13 College 9:00 AM Dartmouth 10/23/13 College 10:52 AM Hofstra 10/23/13 University 1:26 PM University of 10/23/13 Minnesota, 2:34 PM Twin Cities University of 10/24/13 California at San 10:52 AM Diego 10/24/13 Lynn University 9:00 AM Oakton 10/24/13 Community 9:56 AM College Kalamazoo 10/29/13 College 12:25 PM Interdisciplinary 10/31/13 Center (IDC) 10:52 AM Herzliya University of 10/31/13 Vermont 12:30 PM Michigan State 11/5/13 University 3:30 PM
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.
An announcement 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 idrazin@cjhs.org. Order forms are available online here.
Seniors Meet Author Jhumpa Lahiri Proud English teacher Dr. Roberta Miller reports from Printers' Row, kvelling, "I had the privilege of taking Talia Canter and Elizabeth Barras downtown to the Palmer House to the Chicago Tribune Printers' Row event which featured author Jhumpa Lahiri. Our class embraced The Namesake for our summer read. The Pulitzer prize-winning author was interviewed by Tribune writer Mary Schmich for an hour. Lahiri spoke about her approach to characters and plots. Although many of her books may appear bleak in nature, Lahiri does not feel sadness when writing. Originally from India and raised in the US, Lahiri moved to Italy a year ago with her husband. When asked how she would answer the question, "Where are you from?" Lahiri replied, "I don't know." She discussed the value of words and her focus on sentences. We were treated to a reading from her latest book, Lowlands. One day, perhaps other students will be able to listen to a CJHS alum discussing her Pulitzer prize!"
Junior Bible Lyrics Jam Ms. Tamara Frankel's Advanced Chumash class is studying Avram and his call to be different and leave behind his heritage--rather apropos to this week's parsha! Among their many creative assignmets intended to explore the resonance of the divine call, junior Elan Karoll submitted the following lyrics parodying the Norweigian pop duo Ylvis' latest hit "The Fox": Terach left Avram went Sarai came And Lot did too From Ur Kasdim To Eretz Canaan But they came to Haran said stop So Avram did But God said "leave your land!" (Breshiet 11:1) But there's one line That no one knows
What did Avram say? "A 'great nation' (Breshiet 12:2) Blessed by God, Teaching right And helping souls. No more idols, Destroy them all! To 'bless all of Earth's families.' (Breshiet 12:3) So come with me To the promised land. Let's be a 'great nation!' (Breshiet 12:3) All our enemies God 'will curse.' (Breshiet 12:3) Will you come with me to Cana-a-a-a-an? Cana-a-a-a-an? Cana-a-a-a-an? On a divine journey to Cana-a-a-a-an! Cana-a-a-a-an! Cana-a-a-a-an!
What did Avram say? "Sarai Saria 'Sarai eishto' (Breshiet 12:5) C'mon babe lets go Wait we can't forget about Lot!" What did Avram say? "It'll be rough rough rough rough rough, Super tough tough tough tough tough, But God 'will bless' us us us." (Breshiet 12:3) That's what Avram said.
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From the P.O. Ms. Liz Geifman, president of the P.O., reports, "I hope that everyone had a wonderful Sukkot! We definitely lucked out with the weather this year. Although the students may not agree, as a parent, I'm happy that school is finally in full swing. It's nice to be back on a regular schedule. A special thank you to the Hochberg family for hosting the Senior GradeLevel Gathering this past Sunday. It was a lovely evening!" Upcoming Events: Sunday, October 20 - Junior Grade Level Gathering at the Wolf home Sunday, October 27 - Sophomore Grade Level Gathering at the Taitz home "If you have a student/students in either of these grades, please be sure to RSVP! If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved in the PO, please drop me an email at po@cjhs.org. I look forward to hearing form you!" --Liz Geifman, CJHS PO President
:: 847.470.6700
Alumni Trivia
Who's this with the chancellor of Pitt, and what's she up to this year?
Fall Parlor Meetings Attend a Parlor Meeting and learn all about CJHS. Ask questions, address concerns, and share experiences with other interested families, current CJHS students and faculty members. Parlor meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m on the following dates:
Monday, October 14 in Highland Park at the home of Karen and David Ecanow Wednesday, October 16 in Long Grove at the home of Martine and Alan Gorstein Tuesday, October 22 in Chicago at the home of Cortney Stark Cope and Jonathan Cope Wednesday, October 23 in Skokie at the home of Abby
Polin Reisler Open House Our Open House takes place on Sunday, November 3 at 1:00 p.m. The format has been completely revamped, offering families the opportunity to learn about all aspects of student life at CJHS using an interactive and personal approach. The afternoon begins with a full blown activities fair and pizza lunch where all of our extra-curricular activities will be showcased by our students. Prospective parents and children will then be treated to unique opportunities to ask questions that are meaningful to them. A tour highlighting our students' experiences will follow. The afternoon ends with a Meet and Greet Reception with CJHS faculty, administration, and students. To learn more about these events, please contact Lily Zoberman at 847324-3706 or at lzoberman@cjhs.org.
CJHS Welcomes New Shaliach This year, CJHS, CHUSY, and Ramah Wisconsin are working together to bring a shaliach (Israeli emissary) to the Chicagoland area. Orr Yardeni arrived in Chicago on October 2. He will be work with Va'ad Israel, attend Shabbatonim, join Hebrew classes, and hang out with our CJHS community throughout the year. Say hello when you see him! Orr writes to the CJHS community: My name is Orr Yardeni, I am 23 years old, and I live in the old city in Jerusalem. My younger brother Gil is 18 years old and just joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). My mom is a lawyer and my dad is a doctor. I graduated from the "Masorti" high school in Jerusalem, where I majored in robotics and Jewish studies. I served for 4 years as a 1st lieutenant in the Special Forces unit for the Israeli Air Force. During the past three summers, I worked as a Shaliach for the Jewish Agencies in Chicago, Nashville and Italy. My hobbies include basketball (Go Bulls!), soccer, sports, hiking, reading and music. I am so excited to meet you all, and cannot wait to start my work. My main goal for this upcoming year with CJHS is to connect with students and show them a different side of Israel, not from books or internet, but a more "real" and fresh point of view, telling them personal experiences about my life as an Israeli. I would also like to raise awareness and encourage them to discover more about themselves as Jews and young adults.
Sophomores Perform in English Ms. Friedman's sophomore English class trod the boards this week, performing Jean Anouilh' s Antigone. "I want the world to know," kvelled their proud teacher and drama coach, "those performances were just incredible--clever, funny, moving! These kids are ready for Broadyway!" The class has been contrasting the modern Anouilh play with the classical one penned by Sophocles; they have concluded that
while the modern Antigone is younger, hipper, and more understandably motivated than the classical heroine, she is also nastier and not as attractive of a person. "When students become the characters, they not only find themselves understanding their motivations more clearly, but the act of performing gives them a new respect for the writer's craft." Stay tuned for Ms. Friedman's next round of performance art with "the Scottish play"!
JED Camp at Solomon Schechter
Jerusalem Science Contest--Apply Today! This year's Chidon Mada, the Jerusalem Science Contest, is now accepting applications! This year's topic is forensic science. Many CJHS students have won cash prizes by studying up on the year's material and competing with other Jewish high school students for mastery. Read about the contest and register here! The qualifying round begins October 24.
STAND UPdate Gabe Wacks reports, "The Rohingya tribe in Burma is a Muslim tribe living in predominantly Buddhist Burma. Situated mainly in Rakhine State in Western Burma, the Rohingya face discrimination and constant threats from Burmese civilians and the Burmese government. A recent wave of Burmese-Buddhist nationalism has led to discrimination against non-Buddhists, and a wave of violence has accompanied this. Several hundred Muslims have been killed, and over 150,000 live in refugee camps in Burma or in neighboring Bangladesh and Thailand. In June of 2013, mobs of Buddhist monks and other Burmese attacked Rohingya villages in Rakhine State, killing nearly 300 innocent civilians and burning down around 8,000 homes. Nation-wide boycotts of Rohingya businesses have also hurt the Rohingya, and internment and refugee camps in Burma are unsanitary and dangerous for Rohingya refuges, especially during monsoon season, where heavy rainfall can lead to severe floods. The government does little to help the Rohingya, often creating anti-Muslim propaganda that leads to more discrimination. "The Burmese government does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens, despite Muslims having lived in the area since the 15th century. Band of Arakanese Buddhists, inhabitan ts of the Rakhine State, have also attacked those who have tried to help the Rohingya, such as UN and Muslim workers. Fourteen Muslim humanitarian workers have been arrested since June, with several remaining in custody. The Burmese government dismisses the claims of discrimination as Arab propaganda. However, many people, both inside and outside of Burma, fear that cases of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya may become more common. We must keep watch and speak out to ensure that Burma does not become another Rwanda."
Alumni Trivia Alana Stoehr ('13) was elected to her residence hall's executive board. She serves as recognition chair and is pictured here with other University of Pittsburgh board members along with the chancellor of the university. Alana reports from Pitt, " I'm hoping to major in psychology with a minor in administration of justice. I'm taking a criminalistics class all about forensic science and CSI sort of things, and it's really interesting. I'll probably end up working in clinical psychology doing experimental research, or working for a police force as a psychologist that assesses certain criminal patterns or children's behavior during traumatic experiences." Good luck, Alana!
Sponsored Breakfast Happy birthday to Molly Copley. Many thanks to her family for sponsoring breakfast.
A Taste of Torah: Lech Lecha
In God's famous declaration for Avram to leave his land (Lech Lecha), we reach an interesting literary structure in Genesis 12:3. God describes what God will do to those that bless or curse Avram's progeny: va'avarecha mivarchecha u'mikalelecha aor. Curiously, the text uses an "A,B,B,A" chiastic structure. A literal translation of the verse would be: "I will bless those who bless you and he who curses you, I will curse." Why this structure, rather than a typical parallelism (A,B,A,B)? After all, both in English and Hebrew the phrasing, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you," is smoother to say. Sixteenth-century commentator Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz, better known as the Kli Yakar, notices that in our verse, as it is structured, God's blessing comes before the other nations bless Avram's descendants. However, God curses others only after words come out of their mouths. He suggests that in the case of blessings, God can read people's thoughts even before they utter the words. But in the case of curses, God only punishes the act after it has left somebody's mouth. This leads to a further question, the Kli Yakar acknowledges. If God can read our thoughts, what need do we have to say them aloud at all? Citing a midrash (Yevamot 64a), he says that God desires to hear the prayers of the righteous, because God loves the sounds of these voices. While a parent may know what his child wants, the parent still wants the child to ask for it - and to do so in a certain way. Metaphorically, while dinner happens around six every evening, our commentator suggests that God (the parent) wants to hear the child's wants and needs on a daily basis. This is important for the parent, who wants to hear about both the mundane and the sacred of a child's life. It is also important for the moral education of the child, who must learn not to take anything for
granted and also learn how to ask questions. The Kli Yakar's close reading of but one half of a verse points to the beauty and complexity of Biblical literature. May our study both of the structure of the prose and of the content that it illustrates lead us to new understanding of our collective narratives. May we always provide opportunities for our students to ask questions, both about the mundane and sacred moments of our lives. --Rav Beit Sefer Zach Silver
Shabbat Shalom Candlelighting tonight will be at 5:59 p.m. Shabbat Shalom!