February 21, 2013 / 12 Adar 5773
CJHS Makes History at Jewish IHSA Regionals In This Issue Pep Rally Jewish Semifinals Make History IHSA Regionals New Students Model U.N. Blog Purim Schedule Alumni News: Mazal Tov
CJHS Kicks Off Basketball Championship
Tikkun Olam Corner The Prints Presents Cell Phones for Shalva Jazz Band Concert Alumni Trivia Save the Date A Taste of Torah
Save the Date Monday, Feb. 25 Shushan Purim Tuesday, March 5 Sunday, March 10 Model U.N. Trip Basketball post-season began with a bang this week as our Va'ad Hastudentim led the CJHS student body in Friday, March 15 a pep rally to Friday 2:45 Dismissal remember! Begins Senior M.C.'s Elan Sykes and Annie Monday, March 25 Schrayer took Pesach Break Begins the floor to spotlight all the hard work and P. O. Corner impressive accomplish- ments of our winter sports teams. The moment was especially sweet for the fourGelt Program year senior basketball veterans of the Lady Tigers, who finished their season last Saturday night against Ida The P.O. is pleased to once again Crown with a thrilling 31-29 victory. introduce the gift card "Gelt Thursday, March. 14 Pi Day
program" to our families and we have made it much easier (look for upcoming email with details on how to register). Faculty and staff can also buy Gelt that will help to support programs provided for the school by the P.O. This program is designed to help families earn money toward their children's junior year Panim program and/or the Senior Israel Experience. The program is a passive earning system, in which you buy the things you ordinarily purchase anyway, and earn money which will be credited to
your family for designated school trips. If you have any questions, contact Sheri Sandrof at ssandrof@cjhs.org or call her at 847.324.3723.
Community News and Events Stop and Breathe: Community Program at Gidwitz We all wrestle with stress on a daily basis. How we choose to combat it can vary... yoga, meditation, and exercise are common methods. But breathing properly can also be very effective. Take a "time out" for yourself and attend this interactive session to: Learn how to breathe in a more healthful way. Learn how to relax your mind and body. Learn the best stressrelieving tools that fit easily into your lifestyle. Please RSVP at 847.236.7852, or Michelle.Bernstein@cje.net. Light dinner will be served. This event is FREE to the community!
Moriah Welcomes Rabbi Harold Kushner Sunday, March 10 5:00 p.m. Moriah Congregation 200 Taub Dr, Deerfield Rabbi Kushner is the author of more than a dozen books including the bestseller When Bad Things Happen to Good People. For tickets, bio of Rabbi Harold Kushner, and additional information visit www.moriahcong.org or call 847.948.5340.This event is cochaired by CJHS parents Jennifer and Stewart Flink, as well as Sheri and Neil Cooper.
American Friends of
CJHS Lady Tigers vs. ICJA Lady Aces
Israeli War Disabled Presents... "Everything Is Illuminated"
In lighter moments, sophomore Larry Bender beat out several close contenders in the crazy pieeating contest of school spirit, and in yet another faculty thrashing, the seniors beat the teachers in the annual tug o' war match! (Watch out, you meddling kids, we'll get you yet... one of these days!)
Sunday, March 17 2:00 p.m. Noyes Cultural Center 927 Noyes Street, Evanston
The Next Theater Company's upcoming production is Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything is Illuminated, adapted for the stage by Simon Block. It chronicles a young Jewish man's journey as he struggles to unlock the secrets of his past. It follows the quirky journey of Jonathan scouring the rural Ukraine landscape in the search of a woman who may have saved his grandfather from the Nazis, accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war, an amorous and excitable dog named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr., and an irreverent translator with a unique grasp of the English language Join us at 1:00 p.m. before the show for an hour of light refreshment and camaraderie at the Noyes Cultural Center in the studio right next door to the theater entrance. The play begins at 2:00 p.m. Advance copies of the script will be available and we are invited to a special post-show discussion with members of the cast and artistic team. The cost for this wonderful afternoon is only $36.00 per person. Make your checks out to AFIWDF.
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.
The pep rally ended with a surprise flash mob touched off by the soon-to-becrowned champion men's basketball team--and the faculty, who assuaged their grim defeat with a very passable Harlem Shake. Go Tigers!
Many, many thanks to all our stalwart Tiger fans, especially photographer Tom Snitzer of Snitzer Photography, who donated his time and expertise to creating these stunning game photos. (If you have a simcha or a state championship in your life, you can't ask for better photo journalism!) Thanks also to our midnight video editor, Coach Newlander, for the game montages!
CJHS Trounces Roycemore; Ida Crown Dispatches Cristo Rey
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 ENews. If you have any questions, please call 847.324.3713 or email idrazin@cjhs.org. Order forms are available online here.
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The men's basketball team made history Tuesday night! In the first round of the IHSA regional semifinals, our mighty Tigers beat Roycemore 79-61, advancing to Thursday night's regionals! Jake Newlander led a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as Daniel Fishbaum and Joshua Silverman added 11 each and Josh Newlander chipped in 10. Great was the excitement when we discovered that we would be playing Ida Crown. Thursday's contest was the first time in the history of the Illinois High School Association that teams from two Jewish parochial schools met for a regional championship!
2013 IHSA Regional Semi-finals: CJHS vs. Roycemore
Spirits were high going into Thursday's game: we set off for Elgin with heads held high. Win or lose, we were ready to rumble!
Tigers Take Regionals! We're front page news in today's Sun-Times Sports section! In overpowering the Aces 67-38 Thursday night, the Tigers took home their second regional title in the school's 12-year history. "It's what we worked all season for. We are so happy," senior Jake Newlander told Sun-Times reporter Jon Kerr. "We're seniors! We didn't want to go out with a loss." Our Tigers forced 10 first-half turnovers off a relentless full court press, then got two straight turnovers and scored four quick points. By halftime, the Tigers had closed on a 21-6 run and led 37-21. The redoubtable Jake Newlander hit two three-pointers to open the half; when the lead swelled to 46-23 two minutes into the third quarter, the Tigers started to clear their bench.
"Coach talked about making sure the pressure was on them," added senior Daniel Fishbaum, who had six rebounds. "Most of us have been playing ball together since fifth grade. To be able to win a regional championship senior year means everything." Sophomore Josh Newlander had 13 points, while junior Avidan Halivni added 13 points for the Tigers, shooting 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Ida Crown (6-14) was led by Elan Kolom, who had 11 points: CJHS congratulates our stalwart basketball rivals on a good game and a great season. Now.. on to sectionals! Don't put away those air horns and face paint yet, because the conquering Tigers continue their winning streak next Wednesday night at sectionals in Mooseheart, IL. Contact Mr. Gleicher about the fan bus and stay tuned for more updates, video clips, and photos from last night's historic game!
Welcome, Freshmen! Being a nationally famous basketball school has its advantages: CJHS is delighted to welcome two new freshmen this week! Julia Mati comes to us from New Trier, and Michael Weldler hails from Mesivta N'eimus HaTorah Yeshiva in Baltimore. Both new students insist that they are here for academics and nice Jewish schoolmates and not for basketball glory, but we figure it can't hurt! Bruchim ha-ba'im, newbies: we're happy you're here.
Model U.N. Counts Down to NYC
The CJHS Model U.N. blog is up and running! Our nationally recognized team is continuing where they left off last year, with freshman Eli Schrayer signing in with his thoughts as a firstyear member. This year's schedule and committee assignments are posted on the top of the page; the team hopes to add some more posts and pictures prior to their departure in two weeks. Start the diplomatic review at http://cjhsmun.wordpress.com.
Chag Purim Sameach A freilichen Purim to all of our merry readers! Volunteering in the community on Purim has always been a central component of how CJHS celebrates Purim, giving gifts of time both toward short-term and systemic change in our society. This Monday afternoon, we will be dispersing to five separate locations to serve the community. Freshmen will be running Purim carnivals and Bingo games at Gidwitz Place for Assisted Living and CJE SeniorLife in Evanston. Sophomores will be stocking food pantries at the ARK, while juniors will learn about homelessness and canvas El stations with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The senior class will join CJHS parent Mr. Ralph Schwartz and Webster Middle School in Waukegan for our annual "Freedom Riders" film festival and communication forum. Check your email for details about your student's project!
Alumni in the News Mazal tov to Elli Cohn ('09), the first CJHS graduate to be accepted into rabbinical school! Elli had her interview at the Jewish Theological Seminary on Tuesday, and five years from now, she will be a rabbi. Elli is now working full time for the Masorti Foundation (the Conservative Movement in Israel) and teaching religious school at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue three afternoons a week. Congratulations, Elli: we couldn't be prouder!
Alumni Trivia For all you Vegan hamantaschen lovers, you may have some new converts this year: several of our staff have gone Vegan for the month in hopes of cultivating good health and reducing their carbon footprints. Which CJHS musical star has also recently gone Vegan without losing any of her dance-major energy?
Tikkun Olam Corner Thank you to everybody who contributed to the pet supplies drive for Orphans of the Storm, a local animal shelter. The donations will soon be brought over to the shelter and will be greatly appreciated by the many dogs and cats who reside there. Another drive is coming up this March, and we will release more information about it soon! The weekly installation of "I am Congo", a video-series documenting the lives of various Congolese people, focuses on Petna Ndaliko, a artist who leads film and music programs for Congolese youths. Click here to watch.
Spoken Word Workshop: The Prints
A few years ago, the documentary film Louder than a Bomb captivated the imaginations of Prints students. The film follows the journeys of four high school students as they write and perform poetry for Chicago's annual poetry slam competition. Prints students have been inspired by the art of spoken word ever since. This year, the Prints is proud to announce that Adam Gottlieb, one of the film's featured performers, is coming to speak and to lead CJHS students in a spoken word workshop. Adam's program will take place on Thursday February 28, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. We have a number of open slots and hope you will join us. If you are interested, please let Ada Moses know. In preparation for Adam's visit, the Prints screened the first part of Louder than a Bomb during FPLA this week. Students from many other FPLA classes joined. Both audience and movie were wonderful. We will be watching the film's conclusion on Tuesday during lunch in the Beit Knesset. Please plan to join us. You will be excited to see the final rounds of the LTAB slam festival. Find out who "wins" and learn what Adam, Lamar, Nova and Nate do after graduating high school.
Cell Phones for Shalva Bring your old cell phones to the Cell Phone Drop Box in the office. By doing so, you will be supporting Shalva and providing critical support to Jewish survivors of abuse. Recycle that old phone and do a mitzvah! Jazz Band Concert CJHS is proud to be part of TUNED-IN, the teen music showcase to benefit RESPONSE. This organization services over 13,000 young people and their families each year, empowering teens to make healthy life choices. This year's concert will take place at Glenbrook North High School on March 2 at 8:00 p.m. with a dessert reception at 7:30 p.m. For information, please contact Mr. Scher or
RESPONSE at 224.625.2922.
Listen For...
The Roar! Coming soon to a yearbook near you!
Save the Date: Wagner Institute Join us at
"Creating a Just Society" The Isidor and Rose Wagner Institute for Leadership Development of The Jewish Theological Seminary in partnership with Chicagoland Jewish High School Featuring JTS Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen Sunday, April 21 - Monday, April 22
Sponsored Breakfast Happy birthday to Jorian Rosenmertz and Aitan Licht. Many thanks to their families for sponsoring breakfast.
Alumni Trivia Maddie Klein ('10), consummate Vegan as of 2013, starred as Sandy in Grease! and led the pronoun safari in Schoolhouse Rock. She reports from Oberlin, where she is a dance major and considering an English or art history minor. "I'm a busy human being... just like everyone! I am negotiating work, dance, class, and sleep, to find a sustainable balance. These days, I am working on my dance major, which means I'm taking four dance classes a week, participating in several other students' dance projects, and choreographing for two upcoming performances. I will be in a total of five dance performances this semester, which is almost insanity!" Break a leg, Maddie!
A Taste of Torah: Hester Panim
The name of God is not found in the megillah; in his introduction to the megillah, the Ibn Ezra put forward a perfectly logical explanation. From his vantage point at the crossroads of Catholic and Muslim Spain, Ibn Ezra observed that official documents bearing greetings in the name of the Trinity were translated into Arabic with the name of Allah and vice versa: he surmises that in the Persian Empire, edicts were regularly translated, "in the name of [insert local deity here]" by local translators who valued piety over strict accuracy and wished to promulgate the royal message without sparking cries of heresy. Mordechai, the Ibn Ezra believes, omitted the name of our God on purpose so that God's holy being should not be sullied by Achashverosh's scribes with the names of local idols. "Ha mevin, yavin," as the Ibn Ezra was fond of saying--those in the know will surely understand. When Mordechai tells Esther, "revach v'hatzala yavo la-Yehudim miMAKOM acher," salvation will arise for our people from another place, Jewish readers will surely recognize the Makom, the Omnipresent: one of our beloved names for God. Tradition identifies the principle of hester panim, alienation from the Divine, from the verse: "But I [God] will surely conceal my face [haster astir panai] on that day for all of the evil that they have done--for they turned to other gods. (Deuteronomy 31:18)." The connection between "hester" and "Esther" is clear even in the Hebrew, and the Talmud encourages us to do as Esther did, seeking the hidden hand of God even in the darkest times when neither God's name nor God's presence can be seen. Esther used her faith, her cleverness, and her courage to answer the call of a God who could not be found. And we? If we are silent at this critical juncture, salvation will arise for our people from the hands of the Omnipresent, while we and the ways of our culture are lost--and who knows, was it not for a time such as this that God blessed us with leadership potential, creature comforts, and the power to make a difference? --Shira Eliaser
משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה Candlelighting will be at 5:14 p.m. shalom, and happy Purim!
Shabbat