PTC Volunteer Sign-Up Form 

Find an opportunity that works for you and get involved! No experience necessary. Please submit your form by Friday, May 29. 

NEW THIS YEAR: Want to learn about PTC and how you can get involved? Join members of the PTC Executive Board In-Person after school drop off on May 13 from 8 - 9 a.m. in Makom Kehilah. We're excited to help you find the committee(s) that work best for you and your family. 

Questions? Reach out to Diane Welbel at ptc@bernardzell.org or 847-571-7726.

Select any committee(s) that you are interested in. We will not place you on more than two committees without speaking with you first. You will not be doing this alone, each committee will have BZ staff liaison.

Volunteer opportunities include: 

• Be Innovative Grant (BIG)
• B'nai Mitzvah Date Keeper & Gift Program
• Bernard Zell Bald Eagles
• Challah
• Chesed (Community Support)
• Faculty & Staff Appreciation
• Grade Coordinators
• Jewish Experiences for Families (JEFF)
• PALS
• Parent Education
• PTC Community Engagement
• Yad B'Yad (Hand in Hand)

Support the PTC Be Innovative Grant (BIG) that funds innovative faculty and staff projects and ideas that otherwise wouldn't be funded. Examples of past BIG award winners include the lower school Haggadah, Gaga pit, 3d printer, and more!

Time Commitment: Year-round, work before/during/after school hours. 

• Committee Roles

  • Snack Sales: Sell snacks, drinks, and Bernard Zell swag after school during BIG Bites and/or school events including sporting, operetta and theatrical performances. Your child does not need to be on the team/in play or musical to volunteer as a member of this committee. 

  • Fundraising: Develop creative fundraising opportunities. 

  • Spirit Shop: Oversee school's spirit shop and develop new Bernard Zell merchandise. 

  • School Supply Sales: Manage annual school-wide supply sale that takes place in Spring 2027 and distribution at end of Summer 2027. 

B'nai Mitzvah Programs:

Help to support our B'nai Mitzvahs within schools: 

3rd Grade Date Keeper: 

This is a Remote position. This appointed position will work with all families within the grade and the representatives from local synagogues to ensure a dedicated date/time for each family to celebrate their child’s bar and bat mitzvah. This position will not be in charge of selecting dates but rather helping to keep everyone organized. This is a four year position and will be appointed by the PTC President. Volunteering here will express your interest in being considered for the role. We are looking for parents with children in third grade. 
 

This committee is to engage dads and previously uninvolved parents in the PTC community. Plan 2 events and help to create community building opportunities. Examples of previous events have included Dinners and Poker nights! 

Time Commitment: Planning during non-traditional hours (outside 9 am - 5 pm).

Support the weekly Challah delivery program that raises money for the Be Innovative Grant (BIG). 

Time Commitment: Fridays from 8-8:30 a.m. and any additional one off support needs.

• Co-Chair: Manage orders forms, place orders, promote participation, and coordinate distribution. 

• Committee Member: Help label and distribute challahs to classrooms (typically Fridays, 8-8:30 a.m.). Volunteers can bring child/ren to help with deliveries. Support promotion of challah ordering at the beginning of the year. 

Provide support to community members during times of joy or sadness which includes writing letters and sending meals. 

Time Commitment: One in-person summer meeting, remaining work is remote. 

• Chair: Organize summer, distribute appropriate materials, ensure work completion. 

• Committee: Distribute information on how to support families and send congratulations/condolences/get well cards.

Plan and execute events to recognize and thank our teachers, administrators and staff throughout the year. In addition, this committee coordinates the semi-annual teacher gift card program and the end-of-year gift. 

Time Commitment: multiple meetings throughout the year, both in-person and online, during the school day. 

Co-Chair: Plan and execute all events as outlined above. 

Committee Member: Assist with day of coordination and support co-chair in all appreciation activities.  

This committee will assist the PTC Community Engagement Officers with preparation and execution of school/division/parent/family wide community programs. Examples include Carline/Lunchoom Challenge, families with young eagles' event, Lady Eagles events, and last day of school celebration. 

Time Commitment: The planning for this can be done during whatever hours work for the committee members .

Grade Coordinators are the link between their classroom, parents and the PTC. They are also responsible for helping to create a sense of community within their own grades. 

Time Commitment: Year round

Responsibilities include: 

• Attending the Grade Coordinator Training Session (in-person).

• Disseminating grade specific information to families, and school related information as needed. 

• Serving as a liaison between PTC and classroom parents.

• Managing grade-wide events to build community (e.g., grade dinners, parent night-outs, field trip volunteers).

• Coordinating school involvement opportunities during the year.

• Helping to create a sense of community within the grade. Examples of this could include: Kickball and popsicles at a park before school starts, Volunteer opportunities, Hanukkah party for the grade, etc. 

JEFF supports the Jewish Studies Department by programming Jewish experiences for both adults and students outside of school or assisting with any in-school needs. Examples include parent Challah Baking, Tu B'Shevat Seder, Hanukkah Party, and Mishloach Manot making!

Time Commitment: Both in-person and virtual. Events are typically during or immediately after the school day has ended and typically revolves around any major holidays. 

• Co-Chair: Create Jewish programming opportunities, promote and execute activities. 

• Committee Member: Help execute programs by determining needs, promoting events, and managing logistics. 

PALS Mentor: Your family will welcome an incoming family and provide them support by answering questions, setting up a playdate, and get them ready to begin their Bernard Zell journey. This is an integral role to help families onboard as they join our community.  

Time Commitment: Primarily summer and fall. 

Participate in Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) by organizing family-friendly Mitzvah Projects, including donation drives (coats, books, food) and in-person service projects (senior visits, meal packing). You'll partner with organizations like The Ark, Cradles to Crayons, Chesed Chicago, and local shelters. Family participation is encouraged but optional. 

Time Commitment: In-person or virtual meetings, events during school hours or Sundays. 

• Co-Chair: Create service project opportunities, promote and execute activities. 

• Committee Member: Help execute services projects by determining needs, promoting events, and managing logistics. 
   

Please submit your requests by Friday, May 29. 

We aim to honor all parents' volunteer requests. Due to great interest in some areas, we may ask you to consider an alternate committee but we will not assign you to a committee you did not request without speaking to you first.

Committees will be finalized and assignments will be communicated by early summer.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering and helping to build a better, stronger Bernard Zell! 

Questions? Reach out to Diane Welbel at ptc@bernardzell.org or 847-571-7726.