Upcoming Events

• Friday, December 16 - Pep Rally 8th period

• Monday, December 19 - Sunday, January 1 - Winter Break - no classes

• Sunday, December 18 - Monday, December 26 - Chanukah - See flyer below for information about ICJA's 80 for 80 Chanukah Appeal, featuring trivia, quizzes and sweatshirt giveaways each night of Chanukah

• Monday, January 2 - Classes Resume

• Tuesday, January 3 - Asara B'Tevet - early dismissal 2:30pm

Seniors Hadassah Bernstein and Hersch Linzer were named 18 Under 18 By Springboard Chicago.

Seniors Hadassah Bernstein and Hersch Linzer have been chosen by Springboard Chicago to be part of this year's 18 Under 18 Honorees.

8 Under 18 was designed to recognize inspiring teen leaders who represent different aspects of our community, all working to make our community a better place. This year's group represents 11 schools and 13 congregations in the Chicagoland community.

Students enjoyed hands-on lessons about olive oil and its many Jewish uses.

Last Monday, students had the chance to learn all about olive oil with fellows from the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel. Each grade spent a period going to four stations, each offering a different opportunity for learning. Students squeezed olives to render the first olive oil drops that were used in the Menorah, measured how much olive oil formed an ancient kad shemen, burned lamps filled with different types of oil in order to appreciate olive oil's pleasant qualities as a fuel, and learned about the different oils that were used to anoint the Kohen Gadol and the King of Israel.

Pictured above: junior Ayelet Appel pouring oil over a wig stand in order to understand the way the Kohen Gadol and kings of Israel used to be annointed.

Pictured above: junior Josh Mishie squeezing olives to produce juice

Pictured above: sophomore Coby Engel measuring out the amount of oil that might have been stored in a container in the Beit Hamikdash.

Pictured above: sophomore Lauren Fensterheim lighting an ancient-style lamp

Motzei Shabbat saw two Aces victories against RZ, plus a lot of school ruach.

Motzei Shabbat, it was standing room only in ICJA's gym as our JV and Varsity Aces squared off against Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (RZ). ICJA fans dressed all in white to cheer on the Aces, who triumphed, 47-45 in the Varsity game and 40-20 in the JV game.

Thanks to junior Yonah Rubin, president of ICJA's Sports Media Club, for taking the photos below. Follow ICJA Hoops on Instagram, maintained by the students of the Sports Media Club, for up-to-the-minute updates about our basketball teams!

Pictured above: ICJA students dressed all in white for the game against RZ (photo credit: junior Yonah Rubin)

Pictured above: senior Adam Schwartz playing against RZ (photo credit: junior Yonah Rubin)

Students explored ways to solve logarithmic functions.

Students in Rabbi Zev Drutman's Pre-Calculus class discussed ways to solve logarithmic functions this week.

They explored practical uses for logarithmic functions, including calculating compound interest formulae.

Pictured above: senior Zachary Goldberg

Pictured above: seniors Rachel Adar and Chaya Laber

Students celebrated bat-mitzvah style with food, fun, friendship, and words of Torah.

Last Sunday night, December 11, over 70 students came together to celebrate an ICGC "bat mitzvah". Students enjoyed snacks and drinks, dancing, and divrei Torah. Senior Rachel Adar spoke about Chanukah and the meaning of the word Nes; senior Mika Gabay spoke about her choice to attend Ida Crown and what she has gained from her experience here.

Pictured above: sophomore Lilac Marcus and senior Adina Margolin

Pictured above: ICGC girls celebrating

Pictured above: Seniors Rachel Adar and Mika Gabay spoke at the event

Pictured above: "bat mitzvah" dancing

Students created professional-looking electronic Chanukah lights from scratch.

Students in Mr. Jonathan Keller's STEM Engineering class created electronic versions of Chanukah menorahs. After designing and building their creations using a 3-D printer, students using Arduino software to program lightbulbs to light up, blink, and in some cases, light up in a 1-8 increasing order.

Pictured above: junior Gabriella Zipperstein and senior Carmel Schreiber with their Chanukkiah

Pictured above: senior Caleb Gutstein with his Chanukkiah

Pictured above: junior Ilana Schwartz with the Chanukkiah she created

Sophomore created podcasts about Jewish identity.

In the run-up to Chanukah, sophomores in Mrs. Alissa Zeffren's Jewish History Class have been learning about Hellenist challenges to Jewish identity, and also exploring how their learning informs questions of Jewish identity today.

Students chose topics to research and spoke with members of the community to gain new insights. Students then created podcasts discussing issues surrounding Jewish identity and the lessons they learned. Here are a few samples.

Elisha Shpayher, Aliza Shyovitz, Rivka Weinstein and Yossi Burstyn created the podcast "Contributors to Jewish Identity: Jewish Day Schools," an interview with Rabbi Louis Fliegelman.

Dana Kalutzky, Ella Perlman, Lauren Fensterheim and Simcha Seruya created the podcast "Jewish Identity in the Modern World," an interview with Rabbi Daniel Fox.

Aaron Hartman, Jacob Friedman, Yaakov Friedman, Levi Polsky created the podcast "Jewish Youth Groups and Jewish Identity," an interview with Rabbi Shlomo Rosen.

Students and fathers davened together at

the Chicago Center for Torah V'Chesed.

On many Sunday mornings, students in Rabbi Fliegelman's freshmen boys' Talmud class, along with some fathers, meet at different Chicago-area synagogues to daven together, then share a breakfast and divrei Torah. Last Sunday, December 11, fathers and sons met at the Chicago Center for Torah V'Chesed. Rabbi Pinchas Eichenstein delivered a brief shiur to the group.

Pictured above: Aaron Katz, Mr. Lev Katz, Rabbi P Eichenstein, Natan Rine, Mr. Jeremy Rine, Eli Gelb, Dr. Mike Gelb, Ezra Netzky, Mr. Daniel Netzky, and Rabbi Louis Fliegelman

Students had a chance to relax during lunch periods by petting therapeutic dogs.

On Monday, December 12, ICJA Erika's Lighthouse Mental Health Awareness Club was proud to partner with the Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy organization to bring therapy dogs to our students during lunch.

Rainbow Therapy dogs are specially trained to enter schools, libraries and hospitals to help promote feelings of wellbeing. Over 100 students visited volunteers Jean and her dog Maddie, Sherry and her dog Auggie, Judy and her dog Tashi and Randy and her dog Hugo. Students cuddled the dogs, fed them treats, watched them show off their tricks and skills. Erika's Lighthouse was also thrilled that this was a Keshet-inclusive event and many Keshet students joined in petting, brushing and hugging the dogs. 

Pictured above: freshman Chanani Stone with a furry friend

Pictured above: senior Carmel Schreiber with one of the dogs

Pictured above: juniors Rena Neiger and Jordana Zwelling rewarding a dog for doing tricks

Pictured above: freshman Dani Allswang and senior Zachary Miller

Each day this week saw a different mode of dressing, with creative, fun results.

This week was Spirit Week, and students got into the swing of things, wearing sports jerseys (Monday), ugly sweaters (Tuesday), carrying "everything but a backpack" (Wednesday), "throwback" dress (Thursday) and ICJA clothing (Friday).

Pictured above: sophomores Elisha Shpayher, Leah Rina Brochin and Sarah Lipson on ugly sweater day

Pictured above: freshman Josh Miller with a creative way of carrying his books and school supplies

Pictured above: Assistant Dean Dr. Gavriel Brown in his Chanukah-themed office

Pictured above: seniors Ilan Blumenthal, Zach Miller and Ori Wasserman carrying "everything but a backpack"

Pictured above: Mrs. Marlene Wasserstrom, a member of Senn High School's class of 1960, wearing her high school club jacket and pin

Pictured above: College Guidance Counselor Ms. Susan Weiss got into the spirit of Chanukah - and ugly sweater day - in her decorated office

Students competed in a fast-paced game of Chanukah Bingo.

With Chanukah a week away, students in Rabbi Joel Gutstein's freshman girls' Talmud class engaged in a fast-paced bingo game about Chanukah.

Questions encompassed halacha, history, and the differences between Chanukah, Purim, and other Jewish holidays.

Pictured above: Caley Gordon, Libby Bleichman and Miriam Falk

Pictured above: Jessica Michaeli

The Aces faced a week of tough opponents, with a notable win against St. Viator.

The ICJA Wrestling Team had a full slate of action for the week before winter break. On Tuesday evening, the Aces hosted St. Viator and Wheaton Academy. The following evening, ICJA travelled to DePaul College Prep to take on the hosts and Phoenix Military Academy.  

The Aces prevailed for their third consecutive dual meet win, winning against St. Viator, 33-21. Junior Jacob Friedman (138) scored a last second takedown to win, 11-10. Junior Gabriel Klein (106), Sophomore Aidan Zuckerman (132), Senior Phillip Maiman (160), and Junior Millo Benmelech (170) all pinned their St. Viator opponents. Junior Ari Klein (106) added a technical fall, and Senior Captain Menachem Reed (113) also contributed a win. 

The Aces faced Wheaton Academy squad in the second half of the doubleheader. Gabriel Klein opened the match with an efficient first period fall, though Wheaton ultimately won the match. The Aces also provided tough opposition the following night against De Paul College Prep, though there too they were ultimately unsuccessful.

The Aces return to action on December 28 against Niles North. 

(Find out why ICJA's cafeteria workers might be able to help you practice your Talmud vocabulary homework!)

We see their smiling faces every day: Mrs. Gimma Yokhana dishes up food in ICJA's cafeteria lunch line; Mrs. Ninawa Barkho works the cash register. This week, we asked our lunch servers a little about themselves.

Where did you each grow up? 

Mrs. Yokhana: we both grew up in a small village in southern Syria called Al Hazaka. I left ten years ago. It wasn't easy: my husband was working in Dubai, and I joined him there in 2011. In 2013, we came to America. My parents are in Germany; my in laws are in Austrlia. I still have an aunt in Syria, Aunt Worda. She can't get out; it's a hard life there. My husband and I had a house in Syria, but we had to leave it behind.

Where do you both live now?

Mrs. Barkho: I moved to the US 27 years ago. I live in Skokie with my husband Shimoun. He works in a steel company. We have four children: our daughter Mariam is a nurse; our daughter Michelle is a Chicago police officer; our daughter Chrsitine is working in a fertility clinic and hopes to go to medical school soon; our son George is 16 and still in high school.

Mrs. Yokhana: I live in Skokie with my husband Milad Isaac. He's an architect and designs houses. Our daughter Marita is eight years old and our son Christian is six.

What language do you both speak at home?

Mrs. Barkho: We speak Aramaic. I also know Arabic, but at home we speak Aramaic. It's different from the Aramaic in the Talmud: the language has evolved a lot.

Mrs. Yokhana: We speak Aramaic too. My kids are learning how to read and write Aramaic in after-school classes at the Mar Sarkis Church in Skokie twice a week. I'm learning the Aramaic letters too with them!

Can you please say something to ICJA's students in Aramaic?

Sure! Nani Lochu. That means Good Morning in modern Aramaic. Kadmta Bruchta. That means "Enjoy Your Lunch!" in modern-day Aramaic.

What do you like about working at ICJA?

Mrs. Yokhana: Everyone is so nice! Last year I worked at a different school and I was not happy; here, oh my goodness, I'm so much more comfortable. the students are so polite. I tell my family: Thank God for everything.

Mrs. Barkho: I've never seen somewhere like here: everyone is so nice and polite. Everyone is always respectful and says thank you and please.

Do you have any hobbies?

Mrs. Yokhana: I like to read, and I enjoy tennis and walking.

Is there anything you'd like to add?

It's always so nice to hear someone say thank you!

Pictured above: Rabbi Daniel Fox speaking with Mrs. Barkho (middle) and Mrs. Yokhana (right) in Aramaic. Rabbi Fox asked if they knew the Talmudic expression ta shama (listen)? In modern Aramaic the expression would be ta shmi (for a man) or ta shma (for a woman).

Watch home games in ICJA's gym from the comfort of your own home with the "Zaidy Cam".

The Zaidy Robert Berezin, z"l Court Cam allows fans to watch games taking place in ICJA's gym. This week's Varsity Aces game against Crystal Rey was the first time that ICJA's new Media Club provided live commentary on the Zaidy Cam.

To watch the Zaidy Cam during game, click here.

Watch this year's Open House video

for prospective students - and share it with people you know who'd like to learn more about ICJA!

Monday the 18th of Kislev, 5783, December 12, 2022, Wednesday the 20th of Kislev, 5783, December 14, 2022, and Friday the 22nd of Kislev, December 16, 2022, by Orah, Lev, Benjamin ('21), Adam ('24), Aaron ('26) and Abigail Katz, and by Rena, Richard, Zakia, Elinoa ('26) and Adiellah Berger, in memory of Dr. Jerrold Katz, z"l, on his first yahrzeit.

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.

Be sure to pick up your updated ICJA Learning Commons passwords to access books and journals online!

In addition to many thousands of physical books and journals, ICJA's Learning Commons contains tens of thousands of online books, journal articles and other resources, including subscriptions to newspapers such as The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, the Encyclopedia Britannica, and more.  Students are able to access these resources through our portal.

Please stop by our librarian Mrs. Steinberg's desk in the Learning Commons or email her at  librarian@icja.org her to pick up your updated passwords to access our online material. ICJA's subscriptions are available at icja.libguides.com/home.

Do you have school-related news you'd like to see in this newsletter? Let us know!

If you have exciting ICJA-related news to share about classes, sports, clubs, or other projects, please tell us! Send news tips and/or photos to Dr. Yvette Miller, Director of Communications at ymiller@icja.org. Your items can enhance our newsletter and ICJA's social media presence.

Be part of Ida Crown Jewish Academy history!

This year is our school's 80th Anniversary.

Each night of Chanukah, we will highlight a different decade of ICJA history. Check your inbox for our nightly emails with school facts, old pictures and links to fun quizzes.

The Campaign will go live Sunday night, December 18, 2022.

We have opened submissions for this year's edition of Charlotte's Web, and we want to hear and see your work. Our theme this year is Time: Past, Present, and Future. However, please submit any piece of prose, poetry, or artwork even if it does not align with the theme. We will do our best to incorporate at least a part of it.

The form to submit pieces is at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxAsU5T6rIerwbcAcd771hCPnK3MiTegyedbQbqyjPjk0PGg/viewform

Charlotte's Web is funded by a grant from The Susan and Joseph Ament Fund.

Student Internship Opportunities

The YU Torah Mitzion Kollel is looking to hire 2 interns: one to help with program logistics and general office work and one for technology.

Program Logistics Intern

Responsibilities include: grocery shopping for events, ordering food for events, and stuffing envelopes for mailings. The work will be on an as needed basis, generally requiring no more than 2 hours on any given week.

Intern will report directly to the Director of Operations, who will meet with the intern periodically to explain assignments.  

Intern must have access to a vehicle.

Technology intern

Responsibilities include: Editing Audio and video clips, uploading media to Youtube and Podcasts, possibly some data entry. This position will include approximately 1 hour of tasks per week.

Intern will report directly to the Director of Operations, who will meet with the intern periodically to explain assignments.  

Familiarity with any form of editing software a plus but not required.

For more information or to apply, please contact Tracy Schultz, Director of Operations, admin@torahchicago.org

Last summer, ICJA gave its Class of '22 alumni the second edition of our directory listing ICJA alumni who live in Israel and have graciously offered to open their homes to recent ICJA grads who are currently spending a gap year in Israel.

Thank you to the many alumni who have reached out to us, offering to host.

The directory was sent out to the emails of '22 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. Please contact Dr. Miller to be included.