Upcoming Events
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Sunday, February 20 - Tabachim Club Event - Online Private Cooking Lesson with Zelda's Catering - 1pm (See flyer below to sign up.)
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Monday, February 21 - Presidents Day & Teacher Training Day. No classes.
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Thursday, March 3 - ICJA Ann Rita Schwartz, z"l Chesed Day
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Shabbat, March 18-19 - Senior Shabbaton
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Tuesday, March 5 - ICJA Takes the Stage
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Shabbat, April 8-9 - ICGC Shabbaton
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Tuesday, April 26 - In-School SAT Test for all juniors (no charge)
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ICJA's COVID protocols were updated Monday, February 14, 2022) To view current school protocols - Click here. |
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Lady Aces are Regional Champions |
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The Lady Aces defeated North Shore Country Day to win the State Regional Championship. |
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On Thursday night, February 17, the Lady Aces defeated North Shore Country Day School to win first place in the IHSA Regional Championship. It's only the second time in ICJA history the Lady Aces have taken first place.
Yasher koach to the entire team and to coahces Zach Appel and Avigail Levinson. Next stop: Miami for the Captain Hyman P. Galbut 16th Annual RASGHA conference next week.
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Mrs. Gottlieb's Sophomore Chemistry Class |
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Students built atomic models of chemical compounds. |
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Students got a whole new appreciation of molecular chemistry as they built models of different atomic structures. |
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Pictured above: Leeya Starck and Rotem Lavi creating a model of methane and
Pictured above: Millo Benmelech and Ben-Tzion Rine creating a model of C4-H10
Pictured right: Yonah Rubin and Moshe Wiesenberg creating a model of butane
Pictured below left: Dina Osgood creating a model of C6 H14
Pictured below right: Gabriella Zipperstein and Aviva Dallal creating a model of butane
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Rabbi Yoni Fox's Senior Boys' Honors Talmud Class |
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Students discussed situations where a person causes
another person to sin.
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How culpable is someone who enables another person to persist in doing an aveira (sin)?
That was the question students in Rabbi Yoni Fox's Senior Boys' Honors Talmud class debated this week. The class is learning Bava Metziah.
When it comes to lashon hara, for example, "both the speaker and the listener are lifnei iver," explained Jonathan Thomas (pictured right), quoting from the Chofetz Chaim.
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Mrs. Arons's Sophomore Honors English Class |
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Students acted out a scene from Shakespeare,
complete with a realistic sword fight.
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Students in Mrs. Arons's Sophomore Honors English Class have been acting out scenes from Othello. This week they performed the fight scene in Act 5.1.
Their skits got a dose of verisimilitude when Shayna Weinstein (left) and Aviva Dallal (right), who are members of ICJA's fencing team, brought their epees to class.
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Rabbi Matanky's Senior Girls' Accelerated Talmud |
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Rabbi Matankyk's Senior Girls' Accelerated Talmud class is learning Masechet Taanit. This week, some of the girls spent time reviewing before class.
Pictured above right: chavrutot Attar Benmelech and Laura Bellows
Pictured below: Sarah Friedman (left) and Laura Bellows (right)
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Shiur with Rabbi Daniel Feldman |
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On Thursday, February 17, juniors heard a shiur from Rabbi Daniel Feldman, a Rosh Yeshiva at YU. |
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Why is Purim in Adar 2, not Adar 1? How do we celebrate Purim Katan? These were some of the questions juniors grappled with this week during a memorable shiur from Rabbi Daniel Felman.
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, a Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, instructor in the Sy Syms School of Business and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and Executive Editor of the RIETS initiative of YU Press, was a scholar in residence at the YU Kollel this week and visited ICJA.
Rabbi Feldman commented during the shiur that many of the juniors' statements and questions were penetrating and insightful.
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Suicide Awareness and Prevention
with Erika's Lighthouse
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Sophomores learned about warning signs and resources. |
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Erika's Lighthouse helped organize a major event on Tuesday, February 15, when sophomore boys and girls attended separate meetings to learn more about suicide prevention. Thanks to the board of Erika's Lighthouse, Mrs. Olivia Friedman, Mr. Phil Zbaraz LCPC, CCATP (Doc Phil), and Mrs. Julie Avner LPC coordinated the meetings.
Doc Phil wants all students to know some key facts:
"There are qualified resources immediately available to help students who are struggling with aspects of their life, and I can think of nothing more sad than to know that there are young people out there suffering in silence...not reaching out and letting someone know that they are in pain (both emotional and physical)."
"Unfortunately a couple of the barriers that make it difficult to reach out for help are STIGMA and FEAR....the worry of "what others will think of me if they know I am asking for help" or the fear of making the erroneous conclusion that 'if I ask for help, it must mean that I am broken, pathetic, less than and not worthy of love or acceptance'."
"(Tuesday's) program helped to peel back the curtain a bit so that we can openly and honestly discuss what to do when depression is experienced by oneself or someone close...we also discussed a bit of what depression looks like (without getting to clinical). We provided students with a few tools of what to do when they see a friend in emotional distress...it is summarized by the acronym ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell)...ACKNOWLEDGE what you are hearing/seeing in your friend, show your friend that you genuinely CARE and finally TELL a trusted adult."
Both Doc Phil and Mrs. Avner are available to speak with students about any concerns. Another item discussed in the meetings was that T-Mobile has now added the emergency suicide prevention number 998 to its service. People experiencing suicidal thoughts can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or can dial 911.
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Pictured above right: Erika's Lighthouse board members addressing the girls' session: sophomore Bella Schwartz, freshman Tali Weiss, and juniors Audrey Perlman and Gabrielle Rosenzweig
Pictured below: Erika's Lighthouse board member junior Ilan Blumenthal telling students about the new 998 suicide prevention emergency number, and the sophomore boys watching a video as part of the presentation
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Rabbi Fliegelman's Freshman Boys' Talmud Sunday Morning Learning at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue |
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Last weekend, some students in Rabbi Fliegelman's Freshman boys Talmud class gathered to daaven, eat breakfast,
and share insights they learned in class.
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On some Sunday mornings, students in Rabbi Fliegelman's freshman boys' Talmud class have the option of gathering to daven and learn together along with their relatives at local synagogues.
Last Sunday, February 13, students met at Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue.
They davened Shacharit, ate breakfast, and shared insights of Torah learning that they learned in their classroom.
Students pictured above: Ami Weiss, Ezra Comrov, Gabe Aberman, Jacob Friedman, and Elisha Shpayher
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Last week's ICGC party bus event was a blast. |
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Last Thursday evening, February 10, ICGC rented party buses for each grade of girls: 9th on one bus, 10th-11th on another, and 12th on a third, to party the night away.
The girls sang and danced their way to Graeter’s Ice Cream in Northbrook and back, bonding with each other while having a blast.
Thank you to all the ICGC student board members and to Mrs. Lynn Kraft and Mrs. Alise Gold for planning this fun evening and making sure the girls had a fabulous time.
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7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Grade Boys' Mishmar |
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Students from a variety of schools learned, played basketball and had fun together |
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On Wednesday night, February 16, freshman and sophomore boys from ICJA came together with 7th and 8th grade boys from schools including Hillel Torah, Arie Crown, and Solomon Schechter for a fun Mishmar.
Students participated in a shiur about the mitzvot of mishloach manot, then enjoyed a game of Knock-Out, raffles, and left at the end of the evening with boxes of popcorn chicken and ICJA swag.
Thank you to Rabbi Yoni Fox, Rabbi Meyer Stromer, Mrs. Suzy Nussbaum and Mrs. Deva Zwelling for making this mishmar a great success.
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2nd Place Conference Champs! |
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Yasher Koach to the JV Aces for winning 2nd place in the Chicago Prep Conference! |
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The JV Aces' season wrapped up on Wednesday, February 16 with a second-place finish in the Chicago Prep Conference.
Congratulations to the whole team and to coach Mr. Jeremy Geller!
(Picture courtesy of Orah Weberman Katz)
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Celebrating Purim Katan with CTeen |
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Students decorated hamentaschen for Purim Katan. |
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On Purim Katan, Wednesday, the 15th of Adar 1, CTeen brought a special treat to ICJA during lunch: decorate your own hamentaschen.
Pictured below left: Rabbi Yosef Posner of Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie, enjoying hamentaschen with senior Gavi Engel
Pictured below right: junior Phillip Maiman and freshman Kaela Nagel decorating their hamentaschen.
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Student to Student presented to Buffalo Grove High School. |
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On Tuesday, February 15, Student to Student presented to Buffalo Grove High School.
Seniors Ethan Comrov, Hannah Stein, and Taly Benzaquen (pictured below with two other Student to Student presenters) answered questions about kosher food, Shabbat, Jewish weddings, and what it's like being a Jewish teenager today. (Pictured left: Student to Student presenters acting out a Jewish wedding.)
When a Buffalo Grove High School student asked whether students had ever experienced anti-Semitism, Taly Benzaquen shared a powerful story about how her family experienced anti-Semitism in Venezuela, where they used to live. Buffalo Grove students also asked how Jewish students manage to find kosher food and why bar mitzvah age is 13.
(Student to Student is always looking for more presenters, including from other high schools. If you know of anyone who might like to take part, please forward them the Student to Application, available here.) |
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Wednesday, February 23 - Boys' Varsity Basketball plays in the Conference Tournament at Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin, 7:30pm
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - Sunday, February 26 - Girls' Varsity Basketball competes in the Captain Hyman P. Galbut 16th Annual RASGHA conference in Miami
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Spotlight on Mrs. Stephanie Pederson |
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This week we caught up with Mrs. Stephanie Pederson,
ICJA's Math Department Chairwoman,
and asked her about herself and math at ICJA.
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Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Aurora, Illinois and now live in Chicago.
My husband is a classical guitarist and entrepreneur. He once taught band at ICJA. I have two daughters - both in high school.
How did you decide to go into teaching?
When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a teacher, because grading papers looked so fun. Ha!
As I entered college, I decided to major in High School Math Education because I saw friends struggle at math and feel bad about themselves. I believe that everyone can learn math.
What are your goals as the Math Department Chair?
My goal is to help teachers and students succeed. I want to help students have a positive math experience - to learn perseverance, to look for patterns, and to be a logical thinker.
What are some of your favorite things about teaching at ICJA?
I LOVE the faculty and students. We are like a family.
Can you please share some of your favorite memories from ICJA?
One favorite memory is working together on Math problems with Rabbi Robinson and Dr. Kahan. One of us would share a problem, and then the rest of the department would work on it and share solutions.
Another favorite memory is playing combat laser tag on a special day trip. Mrs. Zeffren, Mr. Keller, and myself played with the students and had a great time. We even joined in the fierce face paint.
Tell us about your hobbies?
I enjoy sewing, playing volleyball, watching movies, and spending time with my family.
What is something that few people know about you that you’d like to share?
Most people don't know that I was adopted as a baby. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had in life because my parents chose me.
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This Week's Learning Dedications |
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This week's sponsors included: |
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Tuesday, the 14th of Adar 1, February 15, 2022, by Josh and Erika Legum and Family, wishing a refuah shlaima to Yaakov Eliezer ben Sarah HaKohen
Friday, the 17th of Adar 1, February 18, by Daniel and Ramesh, Ezra (Zahava), Adam, Tamara, and Taliah Soleymani, in memory of their dear father and grandfather Youssef Ben Benyamin Amrami, z"l, יוספ בן בנימין, in commemoration of his first Yahrtzeit
For more information or to sponsor a day of learning, please contact our Director of Development, Deva Zwelling, at (773) 973-1450 ext. 115, or dzwelling@icja.org.
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School Events and Annoucements |
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Submit your work to Charlotte's Web!
Students can submit poetry, prose, essays, photography and more. Click here to submit your work.
(Charlotte's Web is supported by the Susan and Joseph Ament Fund.)
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Watch the "Discover ICJA" Video Here |
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Enjoy the "Discover ICJA" video -
& share it to help people learn more about our school.
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Introducing ICJA Bar Association for Alumni |
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Introducing ICJA Bar Association: a way for ICJA alumni
who are lawyers to form informal connections.
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ICJA ISRAEL CONNECT:
Connecting ICJA Alumni in Israel
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The first ICJA Israel Connect directory is out. |
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Over Chanukah, ICJA gave its Class of '21 alumni a Chanukah gift: a brand-new directory that lists ICJA alumni who live in Israel and have graciously offered to open their homes to recent ICJA '21 grads who are currently spending a gap year in Israel this year.
Thank you to the many alumni who have reached out to us, offering to host.
The directory was sent out to the emails of '21 grads that we have on file. If you have any questions or would like to update our contact information to help recent ICJA grads obtain a copy, please contact Dr. Yvette Miller, ICJA Director of Communications, at ymiller@icja.org.
We are still taking submissions from alumni who are willing to host, to include in future copies of this directory.
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Yachad Chicago’s Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Program is proud to present an all-inclusive performance of Disney’s Newsies for women of the community.
In this show, you will see individuals of all abilities, ages, and gender given the opportunity to share the stage and shine equally FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN CHICAGO!
Join us on Sunday March 6 at 2:00 pm or Wednesday March 9 at 6 pm at Cahn Auditorium (600 Emerson St., Evanston IL 60201).
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Support ICJA when you shop on Amazon - Here's How |
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Win-win! You can support Ida Crown Jewish Academy, while shopping via Smile.Amazon.com
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Inspiring bnei and bnot Torah to thrive in the modern world
ICJA is an affiliate of the Associated Talmud Torahs and a partner with JUF in serving our community.
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Ida Crown Jewish Academy
8233 Central Park Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
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