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Ida Crown Jewish Academy, a Modern Orthodox co-educational Jewish college-preparatory high school that has served Chicago’s Jewish community for nearly 75 years, will dedicate its new, state-of-the-art facility in Skokie at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, Dec. 13. The public is invited to attend.

The new school building, at 8233 Central Park Ave., occupies the former site of the Rand McNally corporate headquarters. It opens for the first day following winter break on Jan. 4, 2016.

In addition to more classrooms, the new building has the latest science and technology facilities; expanded cultural arts, library, sports and extracurricular activities spaces; student and faculty lounges; and a central worship space to accommodate all students.

The building also will house the headquarters of the Associated Talmud Torahs, the governing body for Orthodox Jewish schools in the Chicago area, and the Keshet high school, a program for students with developmental delays.

Lead gifts for the project were provided by the Crown and Goodman Family and Rabbi Morris Esformes, through the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Centennial Campaign, which facilitated the project. The Centennial Campaign is intended to ensure a vibrant Jewish community for the next 100 years.

“This dream would not be a reality without the support and vision of the Crown and Goodman Family, Rabbi and Mrs. Morris Esformes, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the strong support of Ida Crown donors. Many thanks to all those involved in this tremendous effort,” said Rabbi Dr. Leonard Matanky, dean of ICJA.

“The quality education that ICJA has provided throughout its 73-year history has been first-rate. To ensure that it has the capacity to maintain these high standards, the new facility will have the latest academic teaching tools. It will be able to keep pace with the Chicago area’s finest high schools, a must in our competitive world,” said Lester Crown.

“Our Jewish Federation has partnered with Ida Crown every step of the way,” said Dr. Steven Nasatir, president of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation. “ICJA is the flagship institution of Modern Orthodoxy in Chicago, and it is essential that it flourishes to ensure not only the future of the Modern Orthodox community, but the vibrancy of Jewish life throughout our area.”

“We are excited that generations of Ida Crown students will have the opportunity to grow and thrive in this state-of-the art facility,” said David Strulowitz, who co-chaired the project’s capital campaign with Jacques Gliksberg.

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