Ida Crown Jewish Academy2828 West Pratt Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60645Phone: (773) 973-1450 Fax: (773) 973-6131 icja@icja.org

Ida Crown Jewish Academy is an affiliate of the Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago and a partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

2828 West Pratt BoulevardChicago, Illinois 60645

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 47

Morton Grove, IL

Do You Know Who?Correctly identify the alumni in the photo below to win an ICJA Alumni Decal! Send your answer to icjanews@icja.org.

Education Rabbi Dr. Leonard A. Matanky, Dean

(773) 973-1450 x113matanky@icja.org

Daniel Harris, Associate Principal(773) 973-1450 x112

dharris@icja.org

Dr. Jeremy Kahan, Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction

(773) 973-1450 x144jkahan@icja.org

AdmissionsRivkah Rabin, Director of Admissions

(773) 973-1450 x152rivkahr@icja.org

DevelopmentDeva Zwelling, Director of Development

(773) 973-1450 x115dzwelling@icja.org

Melissa Lipschultz, Assistant Director of Development(773) 973-1450 x133mlipschultz@icja.org

Jane Best, Project Campaign Director(773) 973-1450 x136

jbest@icja.org

Crown EssentialsA P u b l i c a t i o n o f I d a C r o w n J e w i s h A c a d e m y

JIda Crown Jewish Academy

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JIda Crown Jewish Academy

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Ida Crown Jewish Academy

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Winter 2012

Inspiring bnei and bnot Torah to thrive in the modern world.

for ExcellenceBuilding

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN I D A C R O W N J E W I S H A C A D E M Y

Our Capital Campaign to relocate to Skokie has surpassed $22 million! Please contact Jane Best at 773.973.1450 x136 or jbest@icja.org to find out more.

Academy Students Make Their Mark Nationally and Locally

In community and even national programming, Academy students not only have a strong presence, but they are recognized as teen leaders.

Academy students—especially seniors—work in various capacities as local teen leaders. Four of the nine NCSY Midwest Regional Board Members and eight of the Skokie NCSY Chapter Board Members are Academy seniors. All three of the Mazkirei Galil of Bnei Akiva are Academy seniors and numerous students are Yachad board members. Several students take part in Jewish United Fund’s Voices and Write On For Israel programs.

As a class, the seniors this fall were privileged to attend the JUF Annual Meeting, along with nearly 2000 other attendees. The meeting was especially exciting this year, featuring Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as the keynote speaker. The students themselves were noted for the significance of their future impact on the Jewish world and the importance of taking action at an early age.

Perhaps most memorable to the seniors was the opportunity to meet Mr. Lester Crown (pictured below with seniors). Mr. Crown told the seniors about his grandmother, Ida Crown, and how our school was founded.

On a national level, our students made three trips to our nation’s capitol this year, participating in advocacy and social justice programming.

A delegation of five Academy students led by Mr. Danny Harris attended AIPAC’s annual Schusterman Advocacy Institute High School Summit for the first time. Three other ICJA students attended the summit

with the Chicago chapter of Write On for Israel, an Israel advocacy program from the JUF/JF. The students joined more than 400 high-school students from schools around the country for a three-day convention consisting of dozens of seminars lead by experts on topics, including: Middle East history, public speaking, advocacy writing, fundraising and more.

The culmination of the trip came when individual delegations went to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their advisors in order to lobby for causes related to Israel. The ICJA delegation met with Nina Besser, a senior legislative assistant to Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

Prior to the summit, student council president Spencer Brasch joined Rabbi Matanky for a one-day Midwest Rabbinic Summit of AIPAC. Spencer was the only student leader to join more than 50 Chicago rabbis from all denominations. He was a participant in AIPAC briefings and received special training as a young leader on how to lobby on Capitol Hill.

In the annual Panim el Panim program, 12 Academy students visited Washington, D.C. to learn about advocacy and lobbying. The group, headed by Ms. Susan Sennett, consisted of both juniors and seniors, who joined interesting lectures and programs such as a presentation from two formerly homeless men representing the National Coalition for the Homeless. The students also attended the Anti-Defamation League’s annual concert, featuring the National Symphony

Orchestra, and visited a public site occupied by homeless people and members of the Occupy D.C. movement. The students spoke to individuals from both groups and delivered items to the homeless.

On the final day, the Academy delegation met with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (pictured below), who engaged the students in a wonderful discussion regarding her policies on Israel, distribution of affordable medicine and social causes.

These programs are just a sample of many ways Academy initiatives prepare our students for future community leadership, social justice and advocacy opportunities.

Seniors David Quintas, Talia Molotsky and Sophia Weisberg contributed to this article.

This fall we were proud to present Academy seniors with the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 25 universities, including: New York University, Rutgers, University of Michigan, Emory University, University of Maryland, Barnard College, Johns Hopkins, Brandeis University, DePaul University, University of Illinois, YU/Stern, Northwestern University and Loyola University.

The number of university representatives who recruited ICJA seniors this year is significantly higher than the previous year, thanks to efforts by our guidance department to offer our

students more opportunities to meet college representatives on site.

In addition, each year guidance director Rabbi Louis Fliegelman visits a dozen colleges to greet alumni and gain firsthand knowledge of schools that interest Academy students.

Once college applications were submitted and college visits were winding down, schools from Israel began to heavily recruit Academy seniors. Each day, representatives from several schools made presentations and met with students. Students not only got a glimpse of programming at many Israel schools, but also had the opportunity to meet many leading Torah scholars. That so many schools send a representative to the Academy testifies to the caliber of our student body and academic program.

To assist seniors in the college and Israel application process, the college and Israel guidance departments regularly meet with students individually to ensure that students are on-task. Special seminars for students and parents further assist seniors in determining where and how to apply to post-high school programs.

Israel Programs and Universities

Recruit Academy Seniors

Recent GRad Plays colleGe BaseBallThroughout high school, Jason Silberman (‘11) dreamed of playing varsity baseball at the college level. As a member of the Aces, Silberman played shortstop, second base, and pitcher, and was one of the best hitters.

During the summer preceding Silberman’s freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis, he set about making his dream a reality. Silberman said, “Serving as captain for two years at Ida Crown gave me the experience and confidence to play at the next level.” Silberman added that Preston Wolin, the newest member of the Aces coaching staff, was encouraging and influential in his decision to try out for the team.

After contacting the WashU Bears head coach Steve Duncan, Jason, with the help of current Aces Ezra Allswang, Ori Schwartz and David Berger, created a video to showcase his talent. Silberman impressed the coaching staff and was invited to join the baseball team’s practices. Shortly thereafter, Silberman began to participate in team activities off the field such as the team picture. Silberman’s dream came true: He became a collegiate baseball player, playing for the WashU Bears.

Once Silberman became involved with the team, he faced major hurdles. Silberman said, “Going into college, I knew that there would be obstacles surrounding my Judaism, as well as staying on top of my work. When I realized that there were practices on Shabbat and other events on Friday nights, I was faced with a tough decision, but in the end, it was more important to keep my Judaism than to play varsity baseball.”

Silberman informed the coach of the issues he faced and his decision not to play. Silberman added that one of the influential elements that led him to his decision was Rabbi Rosen’s speech, given during the Columbus Baseball Invitational, on shleimus (being complete as a Jew). Silberman did just that, prioritizing his Judaism over baseball.

Although Silberman is not playing with the Varsity baseball team, he has joined the club team, which does not travel as far away as the varsity team and is less competitive. Some of the schools Silberman and the club will compete against are St. Louis University and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Although Silberman is not playing varsity baseball, he still feels he is living out his dream. “When I can play baseball at a high level like I’m still doing, while managing my schoolwork and keeping my Judaism, there’s not much more I can ask for,” he said.

This article was written by Daniel Jacoby and reprinted with permission from Crown Prints, ICJA’s student newspaper.

Academy Alumni: Where Are They Now?Alumni

seRvinG valientlyRichard Goldberg (’01), deputy chief of staff for Senator Mark Kirk, addressed the seniors at last year’s ICJA graduation ceremony and then went on to serve 11 weeks in the Navy reserves in Afghanistan. The following excerpt recently appeared in the Washington Jewish Week in an article by Adam Kredo, and is reprinted here with permission from the WJW.

Lieutenant Richard Goldberg was quietly approaching Bagram Airfield’s sole sukkah when two mortars exploded nearby.

It was a routine occurrence and Goldberg continued undeterred. After all, it was Sukkot in Afghanistan and the fresh challah, gefilte fish and beef goulash were getting cold…

Within moments, however, the base’s air raid sirens were wailing, “and the booming voice of God came over the loudspeaker, telling us to seek shelter,” Goldberg, 28, recalled recently from the safety of his downtown Washington, D.C. office.

But as the troops fled for cover, the rabbi intervened. “Where’s everybody going?” he asked in exasperation. “We need to get to a shelter,” they replied. “But this is a shelter,” the rabbi insisted. “It is a shelter

protected by God.” Such is the life of an observant Jew in war-torn Afghanistan, where holiday celebrations

are routinely cut short by enemy fire and Shabbat meals consist of frozen challah and freeze-dried gefilte fish.

“It’s a place where you’re not certain you’ll get a minyan, if it will be a service that’s comfortable, if you’ll have a nice festive meal and whether or not the longing for home that everybody’s feeling will be amplified,” recalled Goldberg, a Navy reserve intelligence officer who was deployed to Bagram in late August for an 11-week tour of duty.

To his comrades abroad, Goldberg was known as the methodical intelligence planner who coordinated roughly 200 airborne combat missions across enemy lines. But inside the

Beltway, a battleground unto itself, the soldier goes by another title: deputy chief of staff to Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).

“Rich is quickly becoming one of the most influential GOP strategists and long-term thinkers on the Hill when it comes to foreign policy and national security issues,” said Josh Block, an independent political consultant who served for more than a decade as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s spokesperson.

Goldberg’s journey from Capitol Hill to the front lines of Afghanistan began more than a decade ago, at Ida Crown Jewish Academy where, at the urging of his English teacher (Ms. Sherri Goldstein), he volunteered for a congressional campaign.

It was 2000, and Kirk, a Navy officer and political insider, was vying for an open seat in Illinois’ 10th Congressional district, a Northeastern enclave that encompasses Chicago’s northernmost suburbs.

“He’s brilliant,” the senator said in a recent interview, fondly recalling that “young high-schooler from Skokie, Ill., who was very observant and would sometimes walk home (from the office) on Shabbos.”

…Inspired by his boss’ military background, as well as his own grandparents’ military service, Goldberg applied to become a Navy reserve officer and was commissioned in 2006—which really sets

him apart considering that just a fraction of the lawmakers currently serving in Congress have military experience, and among congressional staffers, the number is even lower.

“It’s rare,” explained Kirk. “All of these foreign policy and defense issues can become very esoteric and far away unless you’re in uniform and you’re on the front line. So for Rich, he’s a patriot. He put his life on the line as a reserve officer. He swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution. Obviously, it worried his mother greatly, but it was impressive and I think he came back from that active duty deployment somewhat of a changed man.”

Photo credit: Robert Kusel

Senior Jacob Magid at the AIPAC Summit

Rabbi Louis Fliegelman pictured with Academy alumni at Yeshiva University. From left are: Tzuri Merzel, Pesach Barel and Mordechai Czarka.

Send your alumni news and photos to icjanews@icja.org

I D A C R O W N J E W I S H A C A D E M YPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAME s t a b l i s h e d i n l o v i n g m e m o r y o f I r a K o r m a n a ” h

Thanks to the generosity of friends and family

of beloved former Academy parent Ira Korman ע”ה, Academy faculty are gleaning new insights through two professional development inititatives. Each month, Mrs. Debbie Korman provides staff

with articles related to teaching students with special learning issues.In addition, three teachers, Mrs. Molly Katz, Rabbi Binyomin Segal and Mrs. Miriam Jaffe, are all

participating in an online course from Yeshiva University to better support students with learning issues, including: social, emotional, religious and academic challenges.

We thank the Korman family and also extend our condolences to Debbie and family on the loss of her parents, Judith and Nate Coven ע”ה.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (center) met with the ICJA student delegation of Panim.

7 Academy seniors received prestigious recognition by the National Merit Scholarship program. Pictured from left are: Barry Greengus (commended), Raanan Gluck (semifinalist), Shayna Jacoby (commended), Hannah Otis (semifinalist), Talia Molotsky (commended) and Hannah Dimbert (semifinalist).

More than 50 members of the Society of Patrons (SOP) gathered at the home of Michelle and Brian Levinson for the SOP dessert reception on October 29, 2011. Attendees were privileged to hear from world-renowned speaker, author and educator Rabbi Berel Wein, an Academy alum of 1950.

Introducing Rabbi Wein, Rabbi Leonard Matanky said, “Rabbi Wein has changed our Jewish world through the art of communication, written and oral. There is not a person who hasn’t learned from him.”

Rabbi Wein, who was a member of the Chicago Jewish Academy’s second graduating class, described the state of Jewish education in Chicago at the time of the Academy’s founding: “When my parents took me out of seventh grade to enroll me in the Academy, fine upstanding Orthodox Jews came to my parents and said, ‘How can you send him there? You’re going to make him a cripple.’”

Sixty years later, Rabbi Wein—whose mother smartly replied, “At least he’ll be a religious cripple”—and the Academy have proved the naysayers wrong. Rabbi Wein’s class was the first of three generations of Academy graduating classes to produce outstanding leaders in Jewish communal life, business, politics, academics and more. “The leaders and gedolim of the next generation came out of that class,” said Rabbi Wein.

Not only have graduates benefited from the Jewish, academic and life preparation they gained at ICJA, but the Chicago Jewish community has thrived because of the institution’s contribution. Describing the mission of one of the Academy’s founding rabbis, Rabbi Wein said, “Rabbi Sacks said this institution is going to save Chicago.”

Rabbi Menachem B. Sacks went door to door begging parents to provide their children with a Jewish education. Seventy years later, ICJA continues to thrive, each year inspiring 300 bnei and bnot Torah to thrive in the modern world.

Rabbi Wein, who is known for transmitting Jewish history to the Jewish community, closed by saying, “In the Jewish world, we remember towns by the institutions they have. Chicago is written into the history of the Jewish people because of the institutions it created.”

Members of the SOP serve as the foundation of our fundraising efforts. Your participation as a member of the SOP enables ICJA to continue providing direct scholarship assistance to families who cannot afford full tuition, fulfilling our mission that no Jewish child should be denied the opportunity to receive a Jewish education. This year more than 50 percent of our students are receiving assistance. Please contact Deva Zwelling, director of development, at 773.973.1450 for more information.

At our annual Open House for prospective students, over 200 middle school students and their parents packed the gym to get a taste of life at ICJA. The prospective students heard about the wide array of courses and levels, the numerous interscholastic sports teams and the variety of great clubs that are offered at the Academy. The room was beautifully decorated and filled with faculty, coaches and students representing every aspect of ICJA.

Admissions programming continued with visits from eighth grade students from each of our feeder schools, individual shadowing days, a Get to Know ICJA evening for prospective parents and winter sports clinics.

In addition to the three main feeder schools—Arie Crown, Hillel Torah, and Solomon Schechter—we also attracts students from Akiba Schechter, local public schools and even from out-of-state schools. We currently have students who are from Arizona and Indiana, and next year, we may add Wisconsin to that list. The diversity of our student body is an important aspect to the class makeup, and we are always looking to attract students who are interested in expanding their Jewish knowledge and growth while pursuing an excellent secular education.

Admissions News

Society of Patrons Reception

The boys’ varsity basketball team made their season’s first appearance in the Cooper Invitational Tournament in Memphis, with a run all the way to the championship game. After winning two opening games, the Final Four game vs. Magen David of Brooklyn turned out to be an epic battle, with the teams trading leads back and forth through the second half. Down by two with 20 seconds to go, the Aces ran a corner inbounds play calling for senior Daniel Macks to take a three-point shot off a double screen. Off-balance, with a defender in his face, Macks launched a high-arcing shot that sailed through the net, cementing his place in Ida Crown history. The Aces won 44-43. In the championship game vs. YULA of Los Angeles, the Aces fought valiantly against a much bigger team. While their offense got going, it wasn’t enough to overcome YULA’s deep roster. The Aces fell by 10, with a final score of 53-43.

Academy Mourns the Loss of Two Leaders

On November 14, one of the Academy’s beloved founders, Ida Rosen ע”ה, passed away at the age of 98.

Per her request, the levaya was held in the school gym, with the entire student body and staff present, along with hundreds from the community.

She was the mother of Moishe (Laurie) Rosen, Lee “Lobby” Rosen and Tzvia (Bruno ע”ה) Bieler. She was the devoted grandmother of 10, the cherished great-grandmother of 32 and great-great-grandmother of 3. Among her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are Academy alumni or students are: Michelle Friedman (‘75), Michael Rosen a”h (‘78), Deni Rosen (‘80), Robin Rosen (‘83), Leslie Rosen (‘86), Aaron Friedman (‘03), Sara Hirsch (‘05), Talia Kirshenbaum (‘06), Kayla Kirshenbaum (‘08), Josh Kirshenbaum (‘09), Jonah Kirshenbaum (‘12), Zack Bernstein (‘12) and Emma Bernstein (‘14).

Following is an excerpt from Rabbi Matanky’s hesped: Why would anyone want his or her funeral here? In a school? In a gym?

For those of us who were privileged to know Ida Rosen, the answer was simple: because as much as any home in which she had lived, this school was her home; this

building was her pride; and this faculty, student body, and all of the faculties and students bodies for the past 70 years, her family.

Because as much as Ida was proud of her family, of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and now great-great grandchildren, she was proud of the Academy—and she

worked for this school tirelessly, with ever-present determination and joy.

And so she was the one who convinced the Crown family to rename this school in memory of their mother, Ida Crown; and more recently when we began to work on a new campus, she was the one who approached the Crown family again to set the stage for generations to come ...

I know if Ida were still able to, she would tell each one of you to do everything you can for the Academy. To our lay leadership she would challenge you to raise those scholarship dollars and build the new building; to our teachers, she would urge you to continue to inspire our students and prepare them for life; and to our students, she would implore you never to forget the opportunities you have been granted and always remember this school.

ICJA’s Dueling Pianos fundraiser, held Saturday night, December 10, and was a tremendous success. Dueling Pianos at Shallots Bistro was a sold-out show, attracting Academy parents and supporters for a night of great food and entertainment. Featuring Mark Weiser and Vince Strong, the program built on audience requests to create a lively show of everything from Rolling Stones to show tunes. The two entertainers combined a tremendous breadth of entertaining

songs with humor to create a vibrant event. Every couple in attendance received an iPod shuffle as a party favor, which were generously donated by Passages Hospice.

Many thanks to our event chairs: Sharon & Seth Gillman, Phyllis & Stu Muller and Sue & David Strulowitz. Also, thanks to our generous sponsors, listed at icja.org.

GuaRdianAnonymousLeslie & Tom Silverstein

BenefactoRSusan & Joseph AmentElizabeth & Mitch DayanBarbara & George HanusHarry & Sadie Lasky FoundationHochberg & Lowenstein FamiliesMichelle & Brian LevinsonPhyllis & Stu Muller

PillaR Vivian & Nathan Bloch

sPonsoR Stuart & Kathleen Barnett Charitable FundDrs. Sherri & Jeffery BressmanTalia & Isaac DayanDrs. Sharon Sholiton & Yosie GoldbergerAnn Dee & Ed HollandSheldon & Pearl Leibowitz FoundationSusan & David StrulowitzRochelle & Dr. Jacob Wilensky

advocate AnonymousRobin & Yossi Azaraf

Yarona & Shlomoh Ben-DavidLana & Nathaniel GreyMonica & Rich MagidSusan & Ronnie MaslianskySandy & Dr. Gary NovetskyMiki & Shmuel Schreiber

PatRon Anonymous (2)Rebecca & Jeremy AmsterDr. Myra Rapoport & Rabbi Michael BalinskyJane & Eddie BestDrs. Edie & Allen ChernoffPatricia & Myron CherryDebbie & Dr. David DobkinSally & Arthur DordekDebra & Dr. Daniel EisensteinAbby & Gary ElkinsRoberta & Dr. Scott FretzinLinda & Larry FriedmanBarbara & Dr. Steven GellerSharon & Seth GillmanCheryl & Dr. Gary HobermanConnie & Dr. Alan KadishDrs. Amy & Guy KaissarDrs. Tammy & Ed KaplanAviva & Nate LichtensteinMargaret & Rabbi Leonard MatankyJudy & Albert MilsteinAlison & Alan MolotskyYetta & Dr. Ted SaltzbergRenee Birnberg & Dr. Joseph SilbermanSusan & Howard SteinLynn & Loren SteinRachel & Michael Stein

(List in formation)

SOCIETYO F P A T R O N Sוכתר שם טוב עולה על גביהן The crown of a good name surpasses them all

D U E L I N G P I A N O S A H U G E S U C C E S S

Above, from left are: Brian Levinson, SOP Reception host, Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Rabbi Berel Wein and Ronnie Masliansky, immediate past pressident. At right is Rabbi Wein at Chicago Jewish Academy in 1950.

IcjA’S Dr. EDwArD A. crOwN SchOLArShIP DINNEr

SUNDAy, MArch 11, 2012SkOkIE hOLIDAy INN

hONOrINGMItch DAyAN, Crown Leadership award

Dr. yOSIE GOLDbErGEr, Board of governor’s awardANN DEE hOLLAND, teaCher of the year award

go to icja.org or call 773.973.1450 to make a reservation or place an ad

please join us

shorter 8.375

With the passing of HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel זצ”ל, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir, we at Ida Crown Jewish Academy joined the Jewish people in mourning a true gadol hador. Learning for the day he passed away was dedicated l’ilui nishmat HaRav Finkel, and a special community program took place for the shloshim.

Rav Finkel—who was an alum of the Academy, from the class of 1960—was the great-grandson of the Alter of Slabodka, for whom he was named. He headed the Mir yeshiva, known as one of the largest institutions of Torah study in history, for the past 20 years. He was known for his brilliance and insight, as well as for his gentle demeanor and his indefatigable commitment to Torah. Yeshiva World News reported,

“When once asked by a student why he never took drugs to calm the Parkinson’s disease he suffers from, he answered that when inquiring about the drugs, his doctor had told him that it would have an effect on his memory. ‘I’d rather be ill my whole life than to forget even one word of the holy Torah.’”

Rabbi Steven Burg, managing director of the Orthodox Union, wrote in a newsletter about another incident that demonstrates how he was always connected to his roots in Chicago. A number of years ago, Rav Finkel addressed the NCSY Summer Kollel, asking, “Who here is from Chicago?” A number of participants raised their hands. The Rav then asked, “Who goes to Ida Crown?” Again, a show of hands. Finally, the gadol asked, “Who’s on the basketball team?” As would be expected, a few hands shot up. Rav Finkel then surprised the room with his response, “So was I.”

Speaking to the students upon the Rav’s death, Rabbi Matanky said, “Rav Finkel was always proud of his Chicago connection and gave special attention to our alumni whenever he ran into them. Further,

knowing what he attained is an inspirational opportunity for us to rise to his illustrious example. It is a loss to all of klal yisrael.”

Students were profoundly inspired by what they learned about Rav Finkel זצ”ל. Freshman Adam Gornstein said, “It is amazing to have had such an amazing person graduate from our school.”

Anna Shkolnikov said with tears in her eyes, “He was such a great rav, and it’s a loss to the Jewish people. The death of a tzadik means we should strive to improve ourselves.” Eitan Redlich said, “I am aware of the great loss to klal yisrael, and Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel will be a model for me to learn Torah.”

May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion, and may his passing serve as a much-needed kaparah for us all.

Sydney Novetsky contributed to this article.

Remembering ‘Bubbe Ida’ ע”ה

Academy Mourns HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel זצ”ל, class of 1960

Academy students accompany the deceased down Pratt Blvd., following the funeral, which was held in the ICJA gym.

21 Academy students were recognized by the Illinois State Scholar Program for outstanding academic achievement. The students are among the top 10 percent of the state’s graduating seniors, based on ACT test scores and class rank at the end of junior year. Congrats to (from bottom left): Jacob Weinger, Yoni Grey, Nathaniel Borochov, Barry Greengus, Talia Molotsky, Leora Clair, Arianne Pinchot, Aviva Zimmerman, Hannah Dimbert, Noah Lewis, Daniel Jacoby, Sammy Magid, Ben Auerbach, Jake Goldrich, Raanan Gluck, Spencer Brasch, Ari Lowenstein, Jason Greenspan, Shayna Jacoby, Hannah Otis and Eliana Kahan.

30 Academy seniors—representing more than a third of the class—were inducted into the Torah chapter of National Honors Society. Students

are selected by faculty based on scholarship, leadership and service.

Over winter break, the Aces wrestlers put in excellent performances at two tournaments. An ICJA squad entered the Uplift Tournament and came away with three placewinners: Mack Muller (4th at 195), Noam Feifel (5th/6th at 126), and Brennen Muller (5th/6th at 152). At the same time, another ICJA squad took part in a tournament at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. The team began the day with an early morning drive to the Chabad of Naperville for Shacharit and then proceeded to impress all observers with an 8th place showing out of 11 teams—four of whom were ranked in the state. Moreover, the tournament field was filled with individually-ranked wrestlers. It was the first time the ICJA wrestling team ever participated in such a high-caliber tournament. The Aces rose to the challenge, with four out of nine Academy wrestlers placing. Zack Bernstein took 2nd place at 126, pinning his opponent from Nazarene Academy in the semi-finals. Zach Cohn also made it to the semi-finals at 120, before finishing 4th at that weight. Noah Lewis and Gabe Michael were 6th-place medalists at 106 and 182, respectively.

Aces Athletes Make Their Mark

The varsity Lady Aces finished in 2nd place at SAR’s David Cooper tournament early in the season. The girls defeated Silver Spring 39-25 and SAR 40-33. In the semifinals, the girls beat SAR 42-26 to continue on to the championship game. Playing Boston, the girls lost 29-34, with Courtney Rosenfield scoring 19 points. All Tournament Team Selections were Aliza Grant and Courtney Rosenfield. The tournament leading scorers were Rosenfield with 57 points. and Grant with 33.

This third season of ICJA cross country featured more runners, races as well as personal records than ever before. The Aces hosted a dual meet against Chicagoland Jewish High Schools and then hosted the Chicago Prep Conference meet, with almost 100 runners from six schools. At the conference meet, the team took 2nd in boys’ varsity, 2nd in girls’ varsity, 2nd in the boys’ open and 1st in the girls’ open. Individual medals went to Sammy Magid (boys’ varsity silver), Jacob Magid (boys’ varsity bronze), Shana Shapiro (girls’ varsity gold), Noah Nagar (boys’ open bronze) and Michal Weissberg (girls’ open silver). Most impressively, 27 of the 28 runners set personal records.

Photo credit: Rachack from Wikimedia Commons