As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of Sam Zell’s passing, we are grateful for his longstanding commitment to Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School. His support left a powerful and enduring legacy, ensuring excellence and access in Jewish education for generations to come.

The son of Bernard and Rochelle Zielonka, Mr. Zell was born in Chicago four months after his parents’ arrival in the U.S. following their escape from Poland during the German invasion in 1939. Mr. Zell became an iconic figure in American life—in entrepreneurship, finance, real estate and philanthropy—and especially here in Chicago. 

Among his passions was Jewish education, including Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, which was named after his father. "When it came time to try to identify what would be an appropriate acknowledgment of my father's life and what he stood for, my mother and I learned about Anshe Emet and what an extraordinary school it was,” he said.  “We chose to endow the school in a manner that guarantees its future. It was an easy decision."   

Andy Lucas, Past Board Chair reflects, "As Board Chair of Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, I had the pleasure of working with Sam Zell to name the school. He was always steadfast in his commitment to Jewish Day Schools. When meeting or talking to Sam as Chair, he was  a very invested participant in BZ—a real partner who always answered my calls and gave good advice. He always referred to Bernard Zell as 'our school.' He was the true definition of a mensch."

This fall, Bernard Zell will honor Sam Zell’s legacy through a Day of Learning in his memory, focusing on Israel and innovation. Please be on the lookout for more information this summer.

We invite you to watch this video from our 75th anniversary, where Mr. Zell shared with us his memories of his father and why our school is named after him. We shared this video with our community one year ago, and even if you watched it then, we encourage you to watch it again, as it is symbolic of the unbelievable impact Mr. Zell and his family had and continue to have on our community.

B’Shalom,

Gary Weisserman, Head of School