Scholarship Dinner
Over 400 attend scholarship dinner, celebrating 68 years and honoring educator and community leadersAddressing over 400 people, including Ida Crown Jewish Academy faculty, parents and community members at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Rabbi Dr. Leonard Matanky opened his dean’s address by highlighting what distinguishes the Academy from all other institutions in Chicago, and in the nation. “The Academy has been, is and will always be a great school—a school that combines the finest Jewish and general educations, a school that is a model of academic creativity and communal responsibility, a school that nurtures and challenges, a school that so many of us call home.”
He went on to say, “When the Institute for University School Partnership seeks a school that is in the forefront of strategic planning and growth - it’s the Academy they find. And when Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education wants to feature lay leadership who have successfully insured both the financial stability and leadership structure of a day school - it’s to the Academy that they turn. And when AviChai Foundation wants to include Jewish educators in a critical taskforce on the future of Jewish educational leadership - it’s the Academy they invite.”
His message was reiterated by several of the evening’s speakers and honorees at the Feb. 21st Dr. Edward A. Crown Scholarship Dinner, celebrating the Academy’s 68 years of excellence in Jewish and general education. The dinner honored Sheri Goldstein as Educator of the Year, Connie and Alan Kadish with the Board of Governors Award and Bethia Straus and Paul Quintas with The Parents of the Year.
Ms. Sheri Goldstein, ICJA English teacher of 23 years, said as she accepted the Educator of the Year Award that the Academy has become her haven and her home. “Ida Crown is a haven for learning…a fortress against ignorance and apathy.”
Connie and Alan Kadish, who received the Board of Governors Award, cited the Academy’s strategic plan, which includes a new school building for the 21st Century, as indicative of the Academy’s commitment to excellence. The strategic plan is a four-year overall plan for improvement and growth.
Connie & Alan Kadish lived in Chicago for 19 years prior to their recent move to New Jersey. Three of their four children are graduates of ICJA. Alan is the Senior Provost and COO of Touro College. Connie started her ICJA career as a member of the Academy Associates and, at the time of their departure, was the Executive Vice President of the Board of Directors. She participated in Arie Crown Hebrew Day School's PTA, volunteered for Bikur Cholim, the Be'er Miriam chapter of Amit, and was active in the many synagogues of which they were members. Were honored to present them with this year's Board of Governors Award.
Bethia Straus & Paul Quintas are New Yorkers who came to Chicago for two years, 18 years ago. They have four children: Joseph and David are current ICJA students, while Sarah and Rebecca attend Hillel Torah. Paul works at Alcatel-Lucent Technologies, is on the ICJA board and has served on the Long Range Planning and Education committees and was a Society of Patrons chair. Bethia is a board member of Congregation Or Torah, the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel and Amit Women. Both are on the board of the Drisha Institute in New York and Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in Israel and have devoted themselves to the cause of modern Orthodox Jewish education and in particular to the idea of advanced Judaic studies for women. For their efforts on behalf of our community, we were pleased to present them with the Parents of the Year Award.
Sheri Goldstein started teaching at ICJA in 1986, becoming chair of the English department in 2001. During these 22 years, she has taught 1500 students in all of the grade levels, in addition to public speaking, journalism and English seminars. She has also been a member of the National Council of the Teachers of English (NCTE) since 1986. Sheri married her high school sweetheart, Howard, and focuses her pride and devotion on her children and grandson. For her efforts on behalf of our students, we were delighted to honor Sheri with the Educator of the Year Award.
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ICJA Dinner 2010
   
   
   
   
   
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