September 1-4, 2020
15 Elul 2020
September 4, 2020
Dear ICJA Family
Four days a week, our director of Development, Mrs. Deva Zwelling moves her office outside to help supervise the “tents.” But Fridays are my turn to supervise an area that includes three tents and 10+ acres of open space on the ICJA campus. As you might imagine, it is a great way to “get your steps in,” but even a better way to get some nachas. Because despite the need from time to time to remind our students to maintain a little more social distance, watching them outside reminds me of the pre-COVID days, of the joy of seeing ICJA students just “hanging out,” schmoozing, and being so very normal.
I know we will get back to those days, please G-d, soon. But in the meantime, we have these special moments to hang on to, and we have all of the tremendous learning that is going on every day.
For that, and so much more, I thank all of our teachers and staff who make the current situation not only workable but inspiring. Nothing is ever perfect, and there are always areas we can improve upon, but overall so much is happening, and so much is going so well!
Just consider some of the things that happened today, which began with nearly a quarter of our school coming early to attend our optional shacharit minyan. Later I was outside watching from afar as Rabbi Broner’s gemara shiur learned Torah outside and then peeking in on Mrs. Goldstein’s English seminar that meets for lunch every Friday in their special spot – under one of the trees. Inside the building there were more than 200 sections of classes learning, and planning meetings for the upcoming unRetreat, ICGC programs, Israel Advocacy Club. And then to top it all off there were the teachers, such as Rabbi Fliegelman and Rabbi Oren who are arranging opportunities to get together with their students on Shabbat. What an amazing school and an extraordinary group of professionals we have!
Monday is Labor Day, and of course, a day off. Tuesday, we will skip 3rd period, and school will be dismissed at 4:47 pm. (By the way, beginning September 14th and until Yom Kippur, we will recite selichot in school. While all of the periods will meet, 1st period will be longer to allow the students to say selichot with their 1st-period teachers.)
The sign-up for next week’s free period spaces inside the building is now open – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/ICJA_Week_9-8. Please make sure that everyone takes a moment to find a space!
And finally, just a reminder that if a family has a child or parent who develops cold or flu-like symptoms, which precludes students from coming to school, please contact Dr. Green at rgreen@icja.org or me, lmatanky@icja.org. We can help arrange for our students to attend their classes remotely until everyone can return to normal.
Candle lighting today is at 7:00 pm, and if you want, I invite you to watch my pre-Shabbat drasha about finding goodness in this world. Click here to watch – https://youtu.be/91obsRnlsHg .
Stay safe, stay connected, be inspired and have a wonderful Shabbat!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
14 Elul 5780
September 3, 2020
Dear ICJA Family,
With our classes settling into a “normal routine,” we are beginning to focus on many of the co-curricular responsibilities of ICJA.
Rabbi Fliegelman has been working with our 12th-grade students since the spring to help them get ready for their college application deadlines. Next week, he will be meeting again with parents and students of the 11th grade to get them on the road. This 11th grade parent and student meeting, will be on zoom on Thursday, September 10th at 7 pm and is the second time this session will be delivered (the first was in August, and because some families may have been unavailable – he’s doing it again).
Unlike previous years, both universities and Israel programs will not be able to visit ICJA in person but will hold virtual meetings, some during the school day, and some after school. Just yesterday, the Israel programs for women were in touch with us about their plans for an Israel Fair @ ICJA, and the tentative date will be Sunday, November 15th – 10:00 am-1:30 pm. This program will allow our students to hear more in-depth presentations about the schools and meet key personnel. Please save the date, and more information will soon be forthcoming.
I’m also thrilled to announce that in addition to Rabbi Yoni Fox joining Rabbi Meyer Simcha Stromer as our mechanech for boys, Mrs. Alise Gold will be joining Mrs. Lynn Kraft as our mechanechet for the girls. This program, which is supported by the Walder Foundation (the mechanchot) and by Natalie Schleifer and the Jack P. Schleifer Foundation (the mechanchim), is a vital addition to our school as it addresses our students’ religious and social/emotional needs, as well as giving them opportunities for growth and leadership development.
In fact, next Thursday night, September 10th, at 9 pm, there will be a socially distant mishmar for 12th-grade boys, including Rabbi Fox’s famous cholent! See the attached flyer for more info.
And then, there’s Student Council! Any student who wants to run as a representative of Student Council for his/her grade should email Ms. Sennett (ssennett@icja.org) from their ICJA email account stating “I (name) would like to be a representative for the (choose freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) class. I understand that if elected, I am committing to attending Student Council meetings and ICJA events. As a school leader, I promise to fulfill my responsibilities and the policies of the ICJA.” The deadline for submission is next Thursday 5:30 pm.
Tomorrow, Friday periods 10, 11, and 12 will meet, and dismissal will be at 3:20 pm.
Stay safe, stay connected, and be inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
13 Elul 5780
September 2, 2020
Dear ICJA Family,
Earlier today, I was asked by a colleague, “So, what’s new today?” And my answer was, “thankfully, nothing.” Which felt so good – because ever since the pandemic struck, so many days have been a struggle, and so many changes have happened, that having just a regular, uneventful day, with classes meeting and learning happening – is a joy.
But then, as I was leaving school, I saw the wrestling team on the sports field and realized that their conditioning program had begun (and that in the coming days, our cross country team will begin their program as well). So, I guess something was new at ICJA today after all!
Attached is the flyer for our upcoming un-Retreat, September 15, 2020. The program will be most of the day, and school will start and end at the usual times. Rabbi Fox and Mrs. Zeffren and the student committee are hard at work to create a great program of learning, fun, a seminar with our Kollel, lunch, and a field trip (actually a stroll down the block to Oakton Street) to play mini-golf. Students will soon be receiving a questionnaire to get their t-shirt sizes for this event. Please respond to the questionnaire as quickly as possible. Students who are learning remotely are also invited to order a t-shirt, and we will make sure to include them in as much of the event as possible.
Tomorrow, Thursday, all periods will meet, and dismissal will be at 5:29 pm. Friday periods 10, 11, and 12 will meet, and dismissal will be at 3:20 pm.
Stay safe, stay connected, and be inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
12 Elul 5780
September 1, 2020
Dear ICJA Family,
I know that everyone faces a daily barrage of emails. Therefore, not everyone has time to read these updates on a regular basis. But today I hope you will. Because with the opening of school we have begun to deal with students and faculty who have symptoms that are “COVID-like.” Fortunately, all have proven to be simple colds or allergies, but I need to review with everyone our policies for students who develop such cold or flu-like symptoms, that G-d forbid, could be COVID related.
1. The first and most important rule: if you have any COVID-like symptoms, STAY HOME. But not just that, siblings must also STAY HOME.
2. Call the school as soon as possible so that we can arrange for you (and your siblings) to attend remotely. It’s also a good idea to reach out directly to your teachers to let them know as well.
3. Please speak with your doctor and follow his/her directions. In addition, our policies are as follows:
a. If your doctor provides an alternative diagnosis (i.e., it’s just the flu), STAY HOME until you are fever-free for 24 hours, and any respiratory issues are improved. Siblings can return immediately. But, you may not return to school without a doctor’s note from your primary care physician.
b. If you were tested for COVID and the results were negative – STAY HOME until you are fever-free for 24 hours and any respiratory issues are improved. However, after the negative test results, siblings can return immediately.
c. If you were tested for COVID and the results were, G-d forbid, positive – immediately contact your local Department of Health for further instructions. Let the school know, and STAY HOME in quarantine, until at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms, and 3 days without fever and improved respiratory symptoms. Siblings must be in quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to you.
d. If you were NOT tested and there is no alternative diagnosis, STAY HOME for at least 10 days from symptom onset and at least 3 days after fever resolution (if present) and improved respiratory symptoms. Siblings must also stay home for the same period of time.
Keeping our community safe is everyone’s responsibility. We need your help to keep everyone safe and healthy. The only way we will succeed is if we remain vigilant, in and out of school and follow the advice of medical and public health professionals.
And now for a lighter topic – “Simulated School Night” – September 14, 2020. This year we will have a virtual program via zoom when parents can “attend” all their child(ren)’s classes and hear from the teachers about course goals and expectations. The program will be from 7:30-9:30 pm, and we will be sending a detailed schedule early next week together with all of the teachers’ zoom room information.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, we skip 8th period, and dismissal will be at 4:47 pm.
Stay safe, stay connected, and be inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.