Upcoming Events

• Thursday, November 28 - Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving Break - no classes

• Thursday, November 28 - ICBC father-son Thanksgiving minyan, breakfast, and shiur @Skokie Kollel 9am



• Friday, December 6 - Shabbat, December 7 - Senior Shabbaton (click here to sign up; you will be billed afterwards - contact Mr. Yona Bildner to discuss financial assistance for the Shabbaton)

• Sunday, December 8 - ICBC "Wrap and Roll" - 9am Shacharit and breakfast @Adas Yeshurun, followed by bowling @Bowlero

• Monday, December 23 - ICJA Florida Get-Together in Aventura, FL (see flyer below - click here for more information and to register)

• Monday, December 23 - January 1 - Winter Break - no classes

• Thursday, January 2, the 8th day of Chanukah - Classes resume

Click here to view ICJA's December lunch menu schedule.

Wishing all members of the ICJA Community a happy Thanksgiving Break!

Students measured acceleration rates of different masses.

We all recognize that when two objects of different mass are accelerated by the same force, the object with more mass has a smaller acceleration. This week, juniors in Mr. Allen Sears’ Physics class did an experiment to quantify that relationship, creating a scatter plot of acceleration vs. mass for a cart powered by a small fan. 

Students measured the cart’s speed when empty, then when holding different weight objects, and plotted their findings on a graph. 

Pictured above: Josh Miller, Mia Weiss, and Judah Well

Pictured above: Boaz Stopek, Eli Cherney, and Daniel Wolper

Freshmen shared insights into tefillah in Yonah and in their own lives.

Freshmen in Mrs. Alissa Zeffren's honors Navi class are learning Sefer Yona. This week, they took turns presenting in-depth projects about tefillah in Yona and in their own lives.

Students discussed how Yona prayed and what lessons they can learn from him. They also discussed which tefillot are their favorites and why, and how they strengthen their connection with Hashem.

Pictured above: Emily Adler, Michal Belsh, and Dana Stein, who discussed both the Shema and Shemona Esrei

Pictured above: Adi Gryka, who discussed the Shema, and Ronit Kinar, who discussed the "Shema Koleinu" section of the Shemona Esrei

Board members learned communication skills.

On Wednesday this week, ICGC board members gathered together for a fun lunchtime game that taught vital communications skills.

Students played "Look, Run, Tell" which challenged teams to view a structure made out of plastic cups and paper, then "run" into another room and describe it to other players, who tried to construct a copy, based only on the verbal descriptions of their friends. It was a fun way to learn about effective communications strategies.

Pictured above: senior Rachel Sommer, freshman Amalia Strosberg, sophomore Sarah Leonard, and seniors Lilac Marcus and sophomore Zahava Piltz

Pictured above: junior Rivka Belsh and senior Leah Rina Brochin

Pictured above: Mrs. Ayala Zimmerman and sophomore Masha Perkins

Why makes Eliyahu Hanavi so special?

Juniors in Mrs. Beth Pogonitz's honors Navi class are learning Melaching Alef. This week they discussed what Eliyahu Hanavi's life and nevuah (prophecy).

In wide-ranging discussions, students discussed Malbim's and Ralbag's views of Eliyahu and questioned why it is Eliyahu who has special status as a Navi who is present at every Brit Milah and Passover Seder.

Sophomores are writing plays about Shlomo Hamelech.

Sophomores in Mrs. Orit Marmel's honors Hebrew class recently read a Hebrew language story that describes a Midrash about Shlomo Hamelech being stung on the nose by a bee, and how the bee later makes up for hurting the king.

This week, students wrote Hebrew-language mini-plays illustrating this story. Next week, after Thanksgiving break, students will use their work to create online puppet shows acting out their mini-plays.

Pictured above:Hillel Lennon and William Moscovitch

Pictured above: Yair Elbaz and Jacob Thomas

Pictured above: Levi Madoff and Caleb Novick

Members of the Classes of 2023 and 2025 gathered together in Jerusalem this week.

On Tuesday, ICJA alumni who are studying in Israel this year gathered for an ICJA reunion at World Bnei Akiva headquarters in Jerusalem.

Students enjoyed seeing each other once again, sharing their news, enjoying a beautiful meal and divrei Torah, and seeing Rabbi Matanky, who was able to be at the reunion.

Thank you to Carmel Schreiber '23, who is serving her Sherut Leumi at World Bnei Akiva and helped set up for this fun event.

Freshmen and their relatives davened together last Sunday at Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol Kesser Maariv.

Many Sunday mornings, ICJA's freshmen boys' rebbe, Rabbi Louis Fliegelman, arranges for students and their fathers (and grandfathers and other relatives) to meet at a different Chicago-area shul to daven Shacharit together and enjoy breakfast and learning.

Last Sunday, students davened together at Kesser maariv in Skokie. Afterwards they learned together and breakfast. 



For more information about the Veshinantam Levanecha program, email Rabbi Louis Fliegelman at lfliegelman@icja.org.

We asked students what they're planning to enjoy over the long weekend.

With the long Thanksgiving weekend looming, we asked some students what they're looking forward to doing over the four day break!

Pictured above: freshmen Eitan Spolter, who's looking forward to gathering with family in his savta's house and eating a nice meal; Aaron Gelb, who's looking forward to catching up on his sleep; and Gabriel Rich, who's looking forward to eating a nice turkey meal with family

Pictured above: freshman Chana Krupel, who's looking forward to relaxing and playing games

Pictured above: junior Penina Benjamin, who's looking forward to spending time with family on Thanksgiving

Pictured above: sophomore Oren Goizman, who is looking forward to seeing his relatives over the long weekend

Pictured above: freshmen Akiva Mishkin, who's looking forward to seeing his ggrandparents in Maryland; and Emmett Gelman, who's looking forward to being with family and having time off of school

Pictured above: sophomores Noah Ehrlich, who's looking forward to spending time with his family, and Ayden Starck, who's looking forward to practicing wrestling with his cousins when they come into town

ICJA is looking for a girls' assistant soccer coach.

ICJA is looking for a girls' varsity soccer assistant coach for the Spring season. This is a 3 day per week commitment. The season runs from the beginning of March thru mid-May. Anyone interested can also reach out to athletic director Brittany Peters at bpeters@icja.org.

Give-Get is available.

This week's learning dedications include:

Friday, the 21st of Cheshvan, 5785, November 22, 2024, by Henry '73 & Lisa Goldberg, Jonathan '75 & Gelah Goldberg, and Devorah '79 & Alan Aranoff

in memory of Rabbi Norman T. Goldberg, z"l, הרב נחמן טוביה בן יוםף ברוך ז"ל , former teacher and Assistant Principal at ICJA, as we commemorate his eighth yahrzeit, the 23rd of Cheshvan

Monday, the 24 of Cheshvan, 5785, November 25, 2024, by Nathan & Aviva Lichtenstein and family, in memory of their mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Mary Lichtenstein, z"l, Royza Malka bas Hershel, in commemoration of her yahrtzeit on 24 Cheshvan

If you would like to sponsor a Day of Learning, please contact our Director of Development, Deva Zwelling, at (773) 973-1450 ext. 115, or dzwelling@icja.org.

This week we caught up with ICJA's popular Judaic and general studies teacher and asked her a few questions about herself.

Students have had Mrs. Beth Pogonitz for Chumash, Navi, Jewish history and even Biology and more! This week we caught up with this busy teacher and asked her a few questions about herself.

Where did you grow up? And where do you live now?

I grew up in West Roger's Park. Today I live in Skokie with my husband Jeff. Six of our kids attended ICJA: Margalit (Pogonitz) Hershman '16; Rabbi Efraim Weisenberg '18, who is still in the building with the YUTMK kollel; Noah Pogonitz '19, Avromi Weisenberg '20; Josh Pogonitz '20; and Moshe Weisenberg '24.

How did you decide to go into education?

After high school, I got a teaching degree at the Israeli teacher's college Orot. I did my student teaching in Petach Tikva in Israel and loved it. Later on I came back to the US and studied Judaic studies and English literature. This is my 26th year teaching.

As a teacher, I love the analysis of the Parshanut. I love when we see the connections between the pesukim and the mefarshim and our world. I love the connections to the text that students discover and bring out.

What do you love about ICJA?

My students - I have the best students!

Can you describe a favorite ICJA memory?

Yes - one year my students invited me to go to a concert with them; that was a lot of fun.

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy reading and music; I like all genres and types of literature and music. I also enjoy doing Crossfit and watching sports.

What advice would you like to give to ICJA students?

Learn not only what to do, but why you do it. Because if your actions don’t have meaning for you, then you won’t continue doing them.

Watch "Oh the Places You'll Go," our newest video

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

Watch this moving video documenting some of the volunteer activities last year's seniors participated in during their month-long Mission to Israel 2023-4!

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.

Review ICJA on Niche.com and enter a sweepstakes.

Help let people know how fabulous ICJA is! Whether you're a parent, student, teacher, or alumnus/alumna, the popular school ranking website Niche.com wants to hear from you. Plus, every person who reviews ICJA (or any other school) is automatically entered into a monthly $1,000 sweepstakes by Niche.com. For more information and to leave a review, click here.

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 items 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.

Join our New Alumni Facebook Group

We are excited to announce that we have a new private Facebook group called “ICJA Official Alumni Page.” It is a space for alumni from all graduating years to join. We will periodically post alumni reunions, events, fundraising opportunities, information about ICJA today, and news.

We are proud to have some families with us for four generations. If you are an alum, please join the group HERE and be sure to share the link with your family, friends, and fellow graduates. You can also share this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/UeTsqg16DDx4JHGK/?mibextid=hubsqH. Thanks for staying connected to ICJA!

Please reach out to Ilana Levy at ilevy@icja.org if you have any questions about this new effort.

Dear NILI Community,

I am excited to announce the launch of the NILI Teens Leadership Fellows Program, a unique opportunity for high school girls to grow as leaders within the Jewish community. This program is designed to inspire and empower young women to discover their individual strengths, passions, and goals while building leadership skills to make a meaningful impact.

Program Highlights

• Fellows Application Now Open: All high school age girls are welcome to apply. 
• Selection Process: The inaugural cohort of Leadership Fellows will be selected by a NILI committee.
• Monthly Leadership Sessions: Fellows will meet once a month to learn together, develop leadership skills, hear from guest speakers, and create impact projects in the community.
• Certificate of Completion: In June, we will honor the cohort’s achievements with a special certificate celebration.

First Meeting: Sunday, December 1st

Application Deadline: November 20th

To apply, please click the button below.

I encourage all high school girls who are interested in this leadership opportunity to apply! 

Sincerely,

Alissa Zeffren

NILI Director 

Calling all 3^rd – 12^th grade students attending an ATT school! It’s time for the Pogrund Family Essay and Judaic Artwork Contests! Demonstrate your writing and/or art skills as you explore a Judaic topic. Winners receive a $50.00 check. Deadline for art/essay submission is Wednesday, January 15, 2025. FOR ESSAY/ARTWORK RULES AND GUIDELINES, visit www.att.org → For Students or call ATT at 773-973-2828 

Last summer, ICJA gave its Class of '24 alumni the third 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.

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.