10 Cheshvan, 5777
This Week at Rochelle Zell
Mazal Tov
Arielle Bledsoe Celebrates Her Bat Mitzvah
Bledsoe Bat Mitzvah
Open House FermiLab Trip Professional Development This Week in Social Studies This Week in Arts & Sciences Lishma Spirit Week Schedule Alumni Night Ahead Griffith‐Schorsch Debate P.O. Chanukah Fund Honoring Bruce Scher Rochelle Zell Kippot Community News Alumni Trivia Student Dvar Torah
Family, friends, and alumni parents thronged to the Beit Knesset to cheer on and embrace freshman Arielle Bledsoe, who became a bat mitzvah during Thursday's freshman‐senior minyan. When Arielle was called up for her first aliyah, Arielle's friends showered her with candy; the senior boys erupted in lusty psalmody to hoist the bat mitzvah girl alo� in a chair in the ensuing singing and cheering. Arielle gave a beau៝�ful Dvar Torah about faith and personal growth; whether you are pu៶�ng your faith in your fellow human beings, or leaving your homeland because God told you to, faith should be a main component of every Jew’s life. The family treated everyone to a celebratory bagel breakfast to conclude the fes៝�vi៝�es.
Class Schedule
November 11, 2016
onday, November 14 M A
Tuesday, November 15 B
Wednesday, November 16 A
Thursday, November 17 C
Friday, November 118 BB
Quick Links
RZJHS.org Calendars Lunch Menu Edline Give Now
While celebra៝�ng with her friend, freshman Shoshana Frank commented, “I am so proud of Ari! She is an amazing friend, who always works hard. Whenever I am with her, I smile. We are all super‐excited to be sharing this moment with her.” Ms. Nancy Steinberg, who mentored Arielle to prepare for the service, is gladly shepping nachas. "Mazal tov, Arielle! It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with you on your bat mitzvah." Mazal tov to Arielle and her family from everyone in the Rochelle Zell community!
Save The Date
Fall Open House
Over 150 Visitors Tour Rochelle Zell
November 18 1:15 Dismissal Begins
November 23 8:00 a.m. Start, 1:15 Dismissal November 24‐25 No School ‐ Thanksgiving November 26 Alumni Reunion
November 29 College Program for juniors and their parents
December 11 ACT
College Visits
Kol hakavod, Tigers! With over 150 guests, this year’s admissions Open House was the largest one to date! In spite of the large crowd, the open house s៝�ll retained the in៝�macy we have come to expect from Rochelle Zell, full of posi៝�ve energy and a sense of community. Prospec៝�ve families aោ�ended from Solomon Schechter, CJDS, Hillel Torah, Bernard Zell, and several
Rochelle Zell is pleased to welcome admission representa៝�ves from over forty colleges and Israel programs as we wrap up this year's college season!
public middle schools. The event began with a student‐led ac៝�vi៝�es fair, followed by a student panel and parent program. The open house ended with classroom tours, and teacher and student presenta៝�ons. Todah rabbah to our panel of presenters, classroom speakers, chaperones, and support staff, and especially to our dozens of parent and student ambassadors who made the day such a thrilling success!
VIEW FULL SCHEDULE >>
FermiLab Field Trip
QuarkNet Visits DZero
It was a gorgeous fall day on Monday when twenty gung‐ho freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors jumped off the bus at Fermi Na៝�onal Accelerator Lab to get a closer look at the most important high‐energy research site in the western hemisphere. Although not all our students had taken a physics class or done research with QuarkNet, their weeks of thorough prepara៝�on enabled everyone to converse with lab docents and understand the significance of what they were touring. FermiLab is the world's leading authority on neutrino physics: ask one of our students how scien៝�sts track these almost‐undetectable par៝�cles‐‐and what they will mean when we find them!
A huge Tiger roar of thank‐you to our phenomenal FermiLab welcome squad! We are grateful to Ms. Dee Huie, who took us to look at the linear accelerator and the main injector, where protons are ramped up to high energies, and to our QuarkNet advisor Dr. Mark Adams, who led our climb through the DZero detector (now powered down), where the greatest discoveries of the 1990's were made. Thanks to Ms. Kathy Sue Sheehan for last‐ minute logis៝�cs, to the indefa៝�gable and charisma៝�c Dr. Michael Kirby for indulging us in 45 minutes of Ask a Scien៝�st, and to Mrs. Eliaser and Ms. Moyer for chaperoning the trip. We also love the staff at the Lederman Educa៝�onal Center for le៶�ng us run rampant through their hall of physics games‐‐we had a blast!
Congratula៝�ons to bus captain David Weisskopf and the QuarkNet board for all their organizing, Brielle Ernsteen for answering the grand slam ques៝�on in the High Energy Trivia game ("What's the difference between an៝�‐maោ�er and dark maោ�er?"), and to all the students who par៝�cipated in the day! To all the students (and disappointed parents!) who weren't able to come, you are not forgoោ�en... stay tuned for further QuarkNet events this spring!
This Week in Professional Development
This Week in Professional Development
Understanding Learning challenges With Linda Hecker
Today we hosted Linda Hecker, M. Ed., from Landmark College in Vermont who addressed the Rochelle Zell faculty and thirty other educa៝�onal professionals from Jewish day schools and educa៝�onal organiza៝�ons from the greater Chicagoland area on the topic of learning differences. Ms. Hecker presented compelling and relevant research on how best to address learning differences that faculty members face as they teach classes with diverse learners. Ms. Hecker focused on neurodiversity, dyslexia, execu៝�ve func៝�oning skills and aោ�en៝�on deficit disorder.
The presenta៝�on also included a group discussion of real classroom scenarios submiោ�ed by audience members from various grade levels. Teachers interacted with one another as they brainstormed solu៝�ons to the aforemen៝�oned scenarios, applying the research presented by the speaker. Teachers found the presenta៝�on to be prac៝�cal and relevant to their classroom experience.
Ms. Hecker has taught at Landmark College since its founding in 1985. She was recently appointed to the Landmark College Ins៝�tute for Research and Training and currently serves as lead educa៝�on specialist. We give hear៹�elt thanks to Eric and Gale Rothner for their generosity in underwri៝�ng this program.
This Week in Social Studies
U.S. President Tried by Global Studies Students
Order in the History Court! APUSH classes put Andrew Jackson on trial. In first hour the right, honorable Judge Stein (Dr. Stein) heard arguments from the Defense Team, which recommended Andrew Jackson to the Presiden៝�al Hall of Fame. He also weighed the Prosecu៝�on's case for placing Jackson in the Presiden៝�al Hall of Shame. A�er taking copious notes and carefully delibera៝�on, Dr. Stein ruled in favor of the Defense, whose arguments he felt were well documented and ar៝�culated. In fi�h hour APUSH, Judge Kramer called a ៝�e before the defense and prosecu៝�on teams could come to fis៝�cuffs. It was a spirited debate!
Alumni Trivia
Which CJHS alumni family boasts three siblings on three con៝�nents, but not one in the Middle East?
This Week in Arts and Sciences
Get Pumped for Anatomy! Students in anatomy and physiology have been flexing their muscles (both mentally and physically) this month! They designed chair‐o‐bics workouts to stay loose during a long day at the office. Next they viewed samples of glycerinated muscle under the microscope and actually watched them contract! Three cheers for ATP! Keep your eyes open next week for the annual beetles vs. humans compe៝�៝�on. Who will reign supreme?
Giving and Receiving: Studio Art Look for the fall quarter's floa៝�ng sculptures displayed around the building! Now, Ms. Snyder's Studio Art class is preparing for their next show, visual arts inspired by the Kinneret (the sea of Galilee), "which both gives and receives," as Mrs. Snyder describes Israel's na៝�onal water cycle. The class' new pain៝�ngs and glassworks will be on exhibit at the school before winter break.
Warming Up If your ears need a break from the howls of outrage and cries of despair, wander over to the music wing, where you'll hear Suddenly Seymour! rehearsing with Audrey (Eliana Kaufman) and Seymour (Koby Rosen). The spring musical is on its way...check your boxes for rehearsal schedules, cast members!
Lishma
Rabbi David Ebstein Speaks
Conserva៝�ve rabbi and United Synagogue Scholar in Residence David Ebstein addressed the staff for this month's Lishma presenta៝�on, a staff‐wide gathering of learning. Rabbi Ebstein taught mussar, "love your neighbor as yourself," as part of our yearlong theme of covenental love. Rabbi
Ebstein also taught in Rabbi Silver's 11th grade contemporary Israel seminar; he taught about his personal narra៝�ve and how his love of Israel is built upon the sanc៝�ty of the land of Israel. Many thanks to Rabbi Ebstein for his insights!
Spirit Week
Homecoming 2017
Save the Date: GriffithSchorsch Debate
December 8, 7:00 p.m. | Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
It’s finally here, the return of the Schorsch‐Griffith Debate! Please join us on Thursday, December 8 as Dr. Rebecca Schorsch and Mr. Dale Griffith present “A Dialogue of Two Confessions – Albert Camus’ The Fall and Joseph Soloveitchik’s The Lonely Man of Faith.” How do stories inform the way we orient ourselves to the world around us, consciously or unconsciously? That ques៝�on is one of the noble purposes in having adolescents read and reflect on literature. We invite you to consider, as our students have considered, Albert Camus’ depic៝�on of secular ego៝�sm in The Fall against Joseph Soloveitchik’s reading of the biblical narra៝�ve of the crea៝�on of man in his seminal work The Lonely Man of Faith. The hope is that all those who aោ�end this presenta៝�on will appreciate the significance of reading these two texts in dialogue and glimpse the rich and important learning experience of our Rochelle Zell students.
Save the Date: Alumni Reunion
Saturday, November 26, 7:00 p.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m. | Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
Featuring our annual Alumni Basketball Game! Recognizing the 10 Year Reunion of the Class of 2007!
Mingle with old friends and teachers and cheer on the alumni! Don't miss the annual interac៝�ve ac៝�vi៝�es and goofy photo booth! There will be a suggested $10 dona៝�on at the door. Each entrance dona៝�on will include a Rochelle Zell tote bag. Are you interested in par៝�cipa៝�ng in the Alumni Basketball Game? Please click here to sign up. For ques៝�ons, please contact Michelle Friedman at 847.324.3720.
P.O. Chanukah Fund
Contribute to the Annual PO Teacher/Staff Chanukah Gi� Fund
The suggested contribu៝�on is $18 per student, but any amount is greatly appreciated! Checks must be received by Thursday, December 15, but welcome sooner! Please send cash or check made out to Rochelle Zell P.O. to the school main office in an envelope labeled Rochelle Zell P.O. Chanukah Fund with your student'(s) name(s). You may also contribute online by clicking here. Ques៝�ons? Contact Mar៝�ne Gorstein at 847.791.0223. Looking forward to a Happy Chanukah for all our teachers/staff and the en�re school community. Thank you so much!
Rochelle Zell Swag
Special Items: Kippot and Magnets
Everyone's spor៝�ng them this holiday season! Handwoven kippot from Jerusalem are available for $20 from the development office. Contact Michelle Friedman at mfriedman@rzjhs.org to get yours
today.
Now available for only $5 in the Roar Store: Rochelle Zell Jewish High School car magnets! Proudly display your Tiger Pride. See Coach Mar៝�nez to purchase. #go៝�gers
Sponsored Breakfast
Many thanks to Arielle Bledsoe's family for sponsoring breakfast (and aufruf candy!) in honor of her bat mitzvah. To sponsor bagels in honor of your favorite Tiger, please contact Diane Zidman in the front office.
Community News and Events Upcoming Films
Mekonen: The Journey of an African Jew November 13, 3:00 p.m. | Deerfield High School, 1959 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield Mekonen: The Journey of an African Jew follows the backstory and personal journey of Mekonen Abebe, once a young shepherd in Africa and now a commander in the IDF. Mekonen was a 12‐year‐ old shepherd when his father died suddenly, less than a day before his family was about to move to Israel. The film accompanies Mekonen back to Africa on an emo៝�onal journey. He explores his roots, makes peace with his past and embraces his future in Israel. The Ethiopian‐Israeli Band, Café Shahor Hazak is flying in from Israel to perform and hip hop concert in conjunc៝�on with the film. Both the film and concert are free, but registra៝�on is required! To register, click here.
Order Holiday Goodies
Thanksgiving With Circle of Life Catering
Not excited about next week's cooking marathon? Chef Avram Pachter (CJHS '06) invites you to look over the new Thanksgiving menu at Beth El's Circle of Life Kosher Catering. Put down
Rochelle Zell on your order form, and 20% of the profits will go to our school! Orders must be placed by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 17. Order pick‐up will be on Wednesday, November 23 at North Suburban Beth El by
3:00 p.m. Click here for our menu. For ques៝�ons or special menu op៝�ons contact Avram Pachter, Director of Hospitality, 847.432.1024.
Community Events
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Alumni Trivia
A far‐flung hey‐ya to the three Foresters, circumnaviga៝�ng the globe in their post‐college and high school adventures! Rena Forester (CJHS '10) is teaching English in Vietnam a�er 14 months teaching English in Busan, South Korea and a summer teaching in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel. Rena is currently a third
grade homeroom teacher for interna៝�onal students in Hanoi. She is enjoying this opportunity to grow as an educator, learn about a new culture, and explore the beau៝�ful country of Vietnam. She’s also happy that there is a wonderful Chabad House that allows her to celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays! Rena earned a degree in elementary and special educa៝�on at Indiana University. Benjy Forester (CJHS '12) is "Danube Guy in Town," the Joint Distribu៝�on Commiោ�ee’s BBYO fellow in Budapest. Among his many other accomplishments, Benjy created and implemented the first ever BBYO camp in Hungary! Crea៝�ng a summer camp out of nothing was incredibly challenging, but the Bereshit Shabbaton was wildly successful. Benjy writes, "Watching my ideas come to life in a collabora៝�ve and successful fashion was incredibly gra៝�fying." Read more about his European adventures at hោ�p://benjywithawhy.blogspot.com/ and keep an eye open for him on the East Coast; he's back in U.S. to aោ�end a Project Nachson Jewish leadership seminar‐‐and to vote! Benjy earned his degree in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Shira Forester (CJHS '15) is in the pre‐nursing track at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Shira reports, "When I am not studying anatomy and microbiology, you can find me at Beth Israel Center, teaching first graders their Alef‐Bet and holiday tradi៝�ons or working with small groups as the Hebrew enrichment and resource teacher. I am also star៝�ng a volunteer program at a local hospital." Good for you, Shira!
A Taste of Torah: Lech Lecha
Why does the Torah need to emphasize that Avram should 颱�ְל �ֶ?ל In biblical Hebrew, �ֶל (lech) is a command which means “go.” It seems like the Torah added the work 颱�ְל (lecha), a redundant or unnecessary word. However, in the Torah, words are not wasted. So what is the purpose of this “extra” word, 颱�ְ?ל What do the two words (颱�ְל �ֶ)ל combined mean?
Rashi explains “颱� ְוּלְטוֹבָת 颱� ְלַהֲ נָאָת ‐ 颱�ְל �ֶל:”. In other words, Rashi essen៝�ally believes that 颱�ְל �ֶל means “to go ‐ for your own benefit and for your own good.” Perhaps God can sense that Avram is hesitant to go to a foreign land. At this point the Torah, Avram might be ៝�mid because he doesn’t know God; their rela៝�onship has just recently been established. He might also be worried about
Sarai and Lot, who depend on him very much; Avram worries that his wife and dependent nephew may not wish to follow him, ideologically or even prac៝�cally. Despite many worries, God wants to tell Avram that this journey is for Avram’s own good. When God tells Avram to “go for himself,” God is giving him the opportunity to start over and to have a new beginning.
What can we learn from Avram and God here? First, we must realize that God’s rela៝�onship with Avram might be tainted by God’s past experiences with human beings. Adam and Chava betrayed God, as did the people in Noach’s genera៝�on. By the ៝�me Avram comes into the picture, God could be extremely skep៝�cal of whether human beings can be trusted at all. Avram also has good reason to be really scared. God tells him without any warning to restart his life, to leave everything that he knows and begin again. At the start of Parashat Lech Lecha, both God and Avram have good reasons to be hesitant about this rela៝�onship.
Nonetheless, in Avraham’s story, the Torah shows us that even though we might not yet trust or know each another, does not mean we cannot have faith in one another. Trus៝�ng yourself and the other person are vital quali៝�es for a rela៝�onship to blossom, to the benefit of both par៝�es. Great things will only happen if Avram trusts God, while he himself must be worthy of God’s trust—and if he must find in the divine something he himself can rely on! Nowhere does either party make any promise about soon. The parasha teaches us to be pa៝�ent with ourselves and with others. Now that we are in the thick of first semester of our school year, we have a beោ�er sense as to how school works: how to interact with teachers and peers, how to manage our work, how to be involved in the school community and much more. Nevertheless, we s៝�ll encounter new situa៝�ons at every juncture and may feel like we have to rethink our en៝�re strategy. God and Avram teach us that when we are scared or unsure, when we are at a crossroads, we need to rely on people we trust. We must have faith and deserve faith by being trustworthy. We need to be pa៝�ent ourselves and with one another. And if we find ourselves having to start over, we must look for the opportuni៝�es as well as the disappointments and distress. Shabbat Shalom!
Aitan Maeir ('19)
1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • ៝�gers@rzjhs.org • 847.470.6700