Student Clubs

AIPIAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)

Ms. Susan Sennett, advisor

As a sister school participating in advocating for the American-Israeli relationship.  The Academy participates in the AIPAC Schusterman High School Summit and the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC.  A selected group of juniors and seniors go to the conferences each year.  Involvement in AIPAC is connected to participating in the Israel Advocacy Club.

Charlotte’s Web Literary Magazine

Mrs. Marsha Arons, advisor

Charlotte’s Web, Ida Crown’s acclaimed literary magazine, displays students’ writing and artistic talents. The club welcomes literary and art submissions from all students and then edits these submissions to later be compiled into a magazine.

Debate Club

Ms. Susan Sennet, advisor

Erika’s Lighthouse

Mrs. Olivia Friedman / Doc Phil advisors

ICJA’s Erika’s Lighthouse Mental Health Awareness Club, exists to promote a school culture that is positive, inclusive and empathetic on issues surrounding mental health. We accomplish this through providing access to accurate information, crafting meaningful school programs and partnering with the broader Chicago Jewish and mental health communities.

Feminism Club

Mrs. Marsha Arons, advisor

Covering topics ranging from the wage gap to women in the workplace, the Feminism Club meets every other week in the fishbowl. This club is open to both girls and boys and educates students about key issues facing women today.

HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere)

Ms. Susan Sennett, advisor

HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Club’s mission is to do acts of chesed and tzedakah throughout our community and beyond.  The students make brownies and sell them to raise money to buy winter apparel for the homeless.  They also volunteer once a month to make bagged lunches to deliver to the Lincoln Park community shelter.

Hugo’s Heroes – Chicago Aces

Mrs. Chavee Gottlieb, advisor

Hugo’s Heroes is a world-wide movement to certify students in CPR and First Aid, as well as to train teens to act as student first responders. Team members develop protocols to proactively keep people safe at school and manage patient needs in the event of a crisis until help can arrive. Once certified, students will meet on a monthly basis for continuing education courses, to practice their skills and learn from various healthcare professionals in the community. Ida Crown’s chapter of Hugo’s Heroes- Chicago Aces is the first team in the Midwest and is acting as a model for other schools in the area.

ICGC (Ida Crown Girls Club)

Mrs. Alise Gold and Mrs. Lynn Kraft, advisors

Ida Crown Girls Club board- girls on the board help plan the ICGC events while also working on leadership skill building. The goal of ICGC is to enhance the culture and spirituality of the female community in Ida Crown, combining fun, Torah, and chesed.

Interact Club

Interact is the high school chapter of Rotary International and one of Ida Crown’s biggest clubs. We organize and participate in food drives, book drives, and fundraisers. The proceeds go to Jewish and non- Jewish organizations in the Chicago Land area.

Israel Advocacy Club

Ms. Susan Sennett, advisor

One of Ida Crown’s most popular clubs, Israel Advocacy meets every other Thursday during breakfast to discuss issues regarding Israel’s political affairs and current events. The club educates students on the Middle East and bills being passed in Congress and prepares students to lobby their representatives.

Jewish Philosophy

Students get together on Tuesday morning during breakfast to learn hilchot lashon hara and enjoy donuts for breakfast.

JOH (Just One Hour)

Every Tuesday, Ida Crown students can be seen rushing to the fishbowl to get donuts and learn about lashon hara at the JOH club. Short for Just One Hour, students learn the halachot of lashon hara by reading passages from the Chofetz Chaim’s Daily Companion, while enjoying Dunkin Donuts. This inspiring club encourages students to focus on at least one hour every day of not speaking lashon hora.

JUMP (Jewish Unity Mentoring Program)

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

JUMP (Jewish Unity Mentoring Program) is the NCSY National Leadership Program that trains and empowers high school students from all over the United States to become leaders. Participants are given the tools and training to make positive changes in their schools and communities, while broadening their understanding of local and global issues facing the Jewish people today.

Keshet Peer Buddies

Keshet Peer Buddies gives students the opportunity to spend time with Keshet students. You will be able to form meaningful connections through activities, lunches, and more!

Mathletes

Mrs. Stephanie Pederson, advisor

Calling all math whizzes! The mathletes team is a club that attends math competitions every few weeks. The competitions have students complete math problems for fun and are either hosted by Ida Crown or by other schools.

Middleton Mentors

Mr. Phil Zbaraz, advisor

A program created to offer educational support to students/teachers at Middleton School, the grade school directly across from the Academy Campus.  A special opportunity to serve the Skokie Community. Mentors (pre-Covid) actually entered the classrooms and provided the necessary supports to students which the classroom teachers determine.

Mishmar

Rabbi Mayer Simcha Stromer, advisor

Looking for some Torah lishma? Join the ICJA mechanchim for Thursday night mishmar! Learn interesting Torah topics and enjoy Rabbi Fox’s famous cholent!

Model UN Program

Mr. Josh Cooper, advisor

If you enjoy debate and problem solving, Model UN is just the right place for you. Each year, Ida Crown’s Model UN team participates in YUNMUN, Yeshiva University’s National United Nations conference. As a delegate, you will perform extensive research on different issues that you will use to debate with at YUNMUN. The team meets every week to prepare for the conference.

National Honor Society Torah Chapter

Mr. Phil Zbaraz, advisor Click here to find out more.

Recognized for their leadership qualities, service to the school, academic accomplishments and derech eretz, the National Honor Society represents Ida Crown’s finest.

Newspaper

Mrs. Sheri Goldstein, advisor

Anyone who enjoys writing will love Newspaper! The Crown Prints keeps the student body updated on school events and current issues that pertain to high schoolers.

Oh Snap! (Photography Club)

Ms. Kathleen Kelly, advisor

Peer Tutoring

Mr. Phil Zbaraz, advisor

Each year the ICJA Seniors, who are members of the Senior Leader Program and who also qualify for the National Honor Society – Torah Chapter, provide Peer Tutoring.  The process is quite easy to initiate….all a student has to do is obtain a Request Form from the Social Services Department which when completed, will be paired with a Peer Tutor.  If a student has any questions or concerns about the Program, they are encouraged to speak with Mr. Phil Zbaraz (doc Phil), the Director of Student Social Services.

Save

Rabbi Zev Drutman, advisor

A club being reintroduced to Ida Crown, SAVE (Students Against Violating the Environment) will be meeting each month. SAVE will discuss topics relating to the environment, such as climate change and global warming.

School Retreats

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

Senior Leaders

Mr. Phil Zbaraz, advisor

A program of a select group of ICJA Seniors whose primary mission is to offer mentorship, support and friendship to ICJA underclassmen.  One of the more important functions of this Group is to play an integral part of Freshmen Orientation.  Membership in this group is decided by meeting a specific set of criteria guidelines.

Service Points Committee

Mrs. Marlene Wasserstrom, advisor

SHAC

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

Chodesh tov! Every Rosh Chodesh, we get to hear a special dvar Torah after davening, followed by a special treat that reflects a theme from that month.

Student Activities

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

The Student Activities student board meets with the faculty advisors throughout the school year to help plan meaningful programming such as the all-school retreat, chesed programming, shabbatonim and “Fridaytonim,” and holiday programming including Yom Haatzmaut

Student Council

Ms. Susan Sennett, advisor

If you are a leader, Student Council is the perfect club for you. Student Council is a committee of students elected by their peers to lead the school in events and activities. In previous years, Student Council has been known to plan the annual pep rally and create some ICJA swag.

Student to Student

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

Student to Student brings Jews from all different backgrounds together to educate students in public schools. If you are part of student to student, you will present on topics such as Shabbos, Kashrut, and the Holocaust. The club’s main goal is to break down the barriers that surround Judaism.

Tabachim (Cooking Club)

Mrs. Olivia Friedman, advisor

Tabachim is an all girls cooking club with a gourmet twist. Girls can learn some awesome recipes from experienced chefs while having a great time.

Torah Society

Rabbi Shmuel Kurtz, advisor

Yad v’ Shem Generation to Generation Internship

Ms. Susan Sennett, advisor

The internship sponsored through Yad Vashem in Israel involves a select group of sophomores who make connections with survivors here in Chicago.  The purpose is for students and survivors to interact and learn from the each other as people each with unique experiences.

YBLOT (Young Business Leaders of Tomorrow)

If you’re interested in business, YBLOT (Young Business Leaders of Tomorrow) is the club for you. New to Ida Crown, the club will focus on strategies for effective business management and general information regarding business as a career path.

Yearbook

Mrs. Heather Hobbie, Advisor

Each year, the Yearbook team compiles a beautiful book to remember the year. The yearbook includes an insight into student life at Ida Crown as well as memories throughout the year. Yearbook meets every week. Email ads or questions to adsicja@gmail.com.

Yom Ha’Atzmaut

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

Yom HaZikaron Committee

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren, advisor

YU Torah Mitzion Kollel

Rabbi Reuven Brand, advisor