Chicagoland Jewish High School Raises $500,000
January 12, 2012 3:44PM
Melissa Spellman of Northbrook, Jennifer Flink of Deerfield, Ken Saffir of Highland Park, Andy Saffir of Highland Park and Lynn Schrayer of Highland Park
BENEFITING: Chicagoland Jewish High School
DATE: Nov. 19, 2011
LOCATION: Chicagoland Jewish High School, Deerfield
ATTENDED: 780
RAISED: $500,000
Article Extras
Updated: January 19, 2012 5:36PM
More than 780 people came together on November 19 at CJHS’ commemorative gala, Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence, to recognize the school’s accomplishments over the last decade. The evening took place on the school’s grounds in a 13,000 square foot tent to accommodate the vast number of attendees.
The CJHS jazz band entertained guests during the cocktail hour, while the choir led the national anthems and havdallah later in the evening. Visitors bid on silent auction items prior to the gourmet dinner and the start of the anniversary program. Later in the evening, event co-chairs Jennifer Flink and Lynn Schrayer recognized CJHS’s founders and other instrumental leaders in the school’s development through a demonstration of illumination. Founding president Larry Adler and his team contributed the first sparks from their complimentary blue LED’s; their lights were joined by founding board members, administrators, pioneer students and faculty as each new group rose and kindled more lights. By the end of the ceremony, everyone in the audience was on their feet with hundreds of lights illuminating the tent walls.
Mirroring the CJHS tradition in which teachers pay tribute to graduating students, alumni spoke beautifully about the faculty and staff members who were being recognized for their ten years of service to CJHS.
The seven members of the staff who were recognized: Dr. Gary Auslander, Social Worker, Rabbi Ruven Barkan, Rabbi-In-Residence, Inez Drazin, director of building and administrative services, Alex Kosarev, Maintenance Engineer, Ann Levinson, science department chairman, Claudia Linda, modern language department chairman and Marla Snyder, fine, performing and literary arts teacher
Founding Head of School Roslyn Stein presented honorees Andy and Ken Saffir with a beautifully inscribed etrog box for their instrumental efforts in building CJHS through their time and generosity since the school’s inception. “Inside each of your ‘boxes’ is the heart that gave so generously. Always behind the scenes, you worked tirelessly to help build the school.In your quiet humble ways, you made the dream a reality. You were the Nachshons of CJHS. You took the first steps.”
The anniversary celebration also featured a special appearance by the Indiana University Hooshir a cappella group. Proceeds from the evening will provide tuition assistance to qualified students who want a high quality Judaic and general studies education.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment