2019 Running Aces Break Records; Make history

By Yaakov Rosenberg-

After 5 strong races, the running aces were ready for more. Their practices got harder, their track runs got faster, and their core workouts got longer. 

ICJA Removes Controversial Vaping Signs After One Day; Pledges to Take New Measures

By Dahlia Matanky-

Ida Crown removed new signs that the FDA sent out to schools nationwide after just one day. 

These signs were intended to combat vaping and warn students against the dangers of vapes, yet both students and faculty complained about the vulgarity of these posters. 

Student Feature: ICJA Welcomes New Freshman Boarders To our School

By Aryeh Karan-

Over the years at Ida Crown, the number of boarding students in our school has been steadily on the rise. Boarding students provide many benefits to our school. They add more diversity to our student population, while also allowing Chicago students to widen their circle of friends. But being a boarding student can also be challenging for the students. 

Wanting to Want: A Leap of Faith

By Jacob Felix-

One rainy Shabbos morning in Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph, the Lev HaTorah bochurim were given a rather strange message. "You're all invited to Seudah Shlishit after mincha this afternoon,"  Rav Mo announced after shacharit, "but only come if you want to want."

As Tensions Flare in Israel, ICJA Students Ramp Up Advocacy

By Jacob Miller and Simone Miller-

With a few days remaining before Congress recesses for the winter holidays, ICJA students have increased their lobbying efforts. The lobbying comes at a time when Israel faces threats from terrorist organizations based in Gaza.

Four Questions With a Department Chair

By Max Miller-

This week, we interviewed Ms. Sennett, the head of the history department and ICJA’s Israel Advocacy Club, one of the largest clubs in the school.

New Boys’ Soccer Team Coming to ICJA

By Ari Baral-

ICJA plans on offering soccer for male students starting next fall.

Until now, soccer was only offered to girls at Ida Crown. After numerous emails back and forth between Noah Brody, Noam Braun, and Rabbi Matanky, with additional efforts by Chuck Moscovitch, the new director of athletics Coach Peter was put in touch with Noah Brody, to offer solutions with scheduling and coaching. After Noah Brody and Moshe Lodkin went around signing people up for soccer, the administration finally greenlighted a boys’ soccer team.

Ida Crown Freshmen Attend Fridayton

By Gideon Miller-

On Friday, November 15th, the Ida Crown freshman class went on their Freshmen Fridayton.  Every year, Ida Crown organizes a Fridayton for their freshman class, in which they schedule Friday and Shabbat activities.

Erika’s Lighthouse Club Comes to ICJA; Josh Pogonitz Shares His Mental Health Journey

By Ilan Blumenthal-

ICJA established a new mental health club called Erika’s Lighthouse this year. Run by Gadi Kalman, Max Miller, Sarah Zelden, Tali Rosenzweig, and Hannah Carl, the club runs in conjunction with the national Erika's Lighthouse organization. 

ICJA Already Provides Students with the Resources CTU Demanded During Their Strike

By Melinda Burgin-

On October 31, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) ended their strike, receiving many of their demands, such as higher pay for teachers, at least one certified psychologist and nurse per school, and an increase in spending on the training of such officials. They also agreed to provide more English as a second language teachers and more funding towards athletic equipment. 

Coalition vs. Common Applications: A Collegiate Battle

By Max Miller-

After a flurry of standardized tests, expensive tutors, resume building, blue forms, Naviance, and a million and a half other things, it’s finally time to apply to college. Congratulations! But as deadlines in November and January creep up on you, how do you actually apply? Do you use the Common Application? The Coalition? Here I’ll review the pros and cons of each.

Running Aces Return for Another Strong Season

By Yaakov Rosenberg-

The Running Aces have started their short, two-month 2019 season strong.

After last year’s conference sweep by the Aces, the team lost many important runners, including Yonah Steinberg, Tzippy David, and Tova Oliff. In order to repeat as champions, the running Aces needed to run hard over the summer and get back in shape. 

The Testaments is a Riveting Novel, but Fails to Match The Handmaid’s Tale’s Gravitas

By Jacob Miller-

 

Praise be! After 34 years of waiting, Margaret Atwood has delivered The Testaments, a sequel to her seminal novel The Handmaid’s Tale. But woe! How closely does American life today resemble the Republic of Gilead? The Handmaid’s Tale reflected our scariest fears as it described life in Gilead, a theocracy with some characteristics uncannily like American society. The Testaments explores more of Gilead—how the republic was founded, who enforces the authoritarian regime, and the daily life of the Gilead elite—while following a majestically-crafted plotline.

ICJA Students Expand the Student to Student Initiative in Chicago

By Isaac Shiner-

  

ICJA students introduced kosher food, Jewish background, and Jewish traditions to other Chicago high school students through the Student to Student initiative. 

Soccer Field Update

By Bayli Alter-

After an extensive renovation, Dean Rabbi Leonard Matanky is optimistic that Ida Crown’s soccer field will be ready for use soon.

SAR Academy Assistant Principal Arrested on Charges of Child Pornography

By Bayli Alter-

On Friday September 13, Rabbi Jonathan Skolnick of Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR) was arrested on charges that include child enticement and possessing child pornography. 

Student Spotlight: Mia Herman, Active Keshet Volunteer

By Dahlia Matanky-

Junior Mia Herman loves helping people with special needs. 

Mia spends most of her free time volunteering with Keshet, an organization that has spent the past 36 years providing consulting, programming, and integration for children and adults with special needs. Mia first heard about Keshet in third grade, and by age twelve, her interest in helping others had transformed into a passion. 

New Mechanechet program Implemented at ICJA

By Dahlia Matanky-

The Mechanechet program consists of two mechanchot, Mrs. Jenny Hagage and Mrs. Lynn Kraft. Inspired by Academy Alumni Sara Weiss ‘18, the program aims to provide Academy girls with Judaic teachers that they can look to for Jewish advice and religious confidence. 

Mathletes

By Simone Miller-

Ida Crown’s mathletes team kicked off the year in their first meet on Thursday, September 26.

4 Questions With Mrs. Gottlieb

By Max Miller-

This week, we interviewed Mrs. Gottlieb, who has taken over for Mr. Newman as the chair of the science department.