Community Life and Events
A second family. A second home. For students, for families, for alumni, for grandparents and special friends. As our students move through the world, they never lose sight of the lessons that shaped them for a lifetime and we invite you to be a part of their journey at Bernard Zell.
- Community
- Schoolwide
Gary Weisserman, Head of School
Dear Benrard Zell Families,
There is a cadence, a rhythm to the school year. The end of each year is always uptempo, almost swing jazz—followed by an immediate caesura—a pause—on the day school ends. The hallways become strangely silent and the sound becomes bluesy with the energy of graduation and the promise of summer, tempered by sadness as we say goodbye to friends and colleagues. And then, a contemplative melody, as we reflect on a good year.
- Announcements
- Events
Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School
June is Pride Month! What's Jewish about Pride? How can you support LGBTQ Jewish people around you? Celebrate with joy and plenty of rainbows on Sunday, June 25, as the Bernard Zell community marches in Chicago's Pride Parade!
- Community
- Jewish Life
- Schoolwide
Rachel Jury, Head of Jewish Studies and Katie Rich, Director of External Relations
On Thursday, May 25, over 500 students, faculty and community members gathered to welcome Survivor Torah #1089 from the small town of Rychnov in the Czech Republic. This powerful and moving program symbolically took place on Erev Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the Torah's receiving on Mount Sinai.
We spent the morning welcoming, blessing, and celebrating this momentous addition to our community. It is customary when welcoming a Torah into a community to have neighbor Torah Scrolls greet it. We were honored to have community leaders from Anshe Emet Synagogue, Mishkan and Anshe Tikvah join us. Students shared their words of wisdom as they passed the Torah to the 7th graders, who will guard this sacred object next year.
- Athletics
- Student Spotlight
Kyle Sheahan, Director of Athletics & Physical Education
With over 270 guests in attendance, the evening featured speeches from our incredible coaching staff, acknowledgment of each of our 136 student-athletes, a medal ceremony for the Athletics Class of 2023, and the shining moment of the evening—the presentation of the David Stiefel Spirit Awards—given annually to two 8th graders who have demonstrated stellar commitment, dedication, leadership, and spirit throughout their time in the program.
- Academics
- Events
- Schoolwide
Dani Steele, Interim Head of Middle School
Join us in celebrating our outstanding Class of 2023 as they graduate and become the newest members of our alumni community on Thursday, June 6!
- Community
- Events
- Jewish Life
- Schoolwide
Dr. Sarah Fornero, Assistant Head of School
Every lesson, conversation and idea at Bernard Zell begins with our Jewish Values. These same values serve as the foundation of our annual day of giving back—the Bernard Zell Day of Service. Since 2016, in memory of Judd Horowitz, late husband of the former Head of School, Dr. Alyson Horowitz, students at every grade level engage in acts of service to support the broader community. Through kindness and compassion, our students embody the values of:
Community News
BZ Chesed Committee
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about ✡️ Mazel Tovs and Condolences for Summer 2023 (opens in new window/tab)
Gary Weisserman, Head of School
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about 🎉 Middle School Close of School Ceremony and Last Day of School Celebrations
Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School
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about 🌈 Join Bernard Zell for Chicago's 2023 Pride Parade on June 25
Rachel Jury, Head of Jewish Studies and Katie Rich, Director of External Relations
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about The Bernard Zell Community Welcomes the Rychnov Survivor Torah to its New Home
Kyle Sheahan, Director of Athletics & Physical Education
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about 🏐🏀🏃♂️ Congratulations, Middle School Student-Athletes!
Dani Steele, Interim Head of Middle School
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about 🗺 Eighth Grader Ben H. Finishes 9th in International Geography Bee National Finals
Dani Steele, Interim Head of Middle School
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about 🎓 The Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony is Tomorrow, June 8 at 5:00!
Eric Keitel, Director of High School Counseling
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about 🦅 Mazel Tov to the Class of 2019 on Their College Acceptances and Plans after High School
Calendar
Fuel for Finals - Parent of Alumni Event
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Annual Fundraiser Committee Meeting
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5th Grade Shabbaton
all day
5th Grade Shabbaton
all day
Annual Events at Bernard Zell
- State of the School Program
- Day of Giving
- Zell Talks
- Leona Malotsky Hanukkah Music Festival
- Annual Fundraiser
- Spirit Week and Purim
- Passover
- Yom Ha'Atzmaut
- Day of Service
- Special Friends' Day
- Tiyul
- 8th-Grade Graduation