Dear Bernard Zell Families,

Welcome to the 2026–27 school year!

My name is Diane Welbel, and it is an honor to serve as your PTC President this year. As my husband, Jonathan, and I begin our ninth year at Bernard Zell with our three children—Julia (7th grade), Haley (5th grade), and Seth (2nd grade)—I am reminded of how Bernard Zell has become our community. It is a place where we learn, celebrate, support one another, and bring our Jewish values to life.

That is why this year's theme is "Better Together."

There is real joy in showing up. When we volunteer for lunch duty, help with carline, deliver challah, celebrate holidays, or welcome new families, we build community. The more we participate, the more connected we feel to our teachers, our school, and the families helping shape our children.

Our Jewish tradition teaches us that values like kehillah (community), chesed (kindness), hakarat hatov (gratitude), and tikkun olam (repairing the world) are principles we should live alongside our children. By giving our time, we model what it means to be part of something larger than ourselves.

The PTC has three main goals:

• Support our school: Providing extra hands for lunch duty, carline, challah delivery, holiday celebrations, and school events.

• Strengthen our community: Creating programming, traditions, and volunteer opportunities that bring families together.

• Support our faculty and staff: Showing appreciation year-round and administering the Be Innovative Grant (BIG), which awards more than $15,000 annually for innovative educator projects.

Here are a few ways to get involved:

• First Day of School Parent Coffee: Join us after drop-off to reconnect and welcome new families.

• Volunteer: Every contribution matters, whether you have one hour a year or want to take on a larger role. We are currently only releasing lunchroom and carline volunteer spots for the first half of the year. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to help, you may sign up for two lunchroom spots before September 1. Additional spots will become available after that date. New this year: Parents can also volunteer during Middle School lunch. 

• Order weekly challah: Enjoy it at home while supporting PTC fundraising.

• Visit the Spirit Store: Show your school pride, especially for Friday Shabbat.

• Join your grade-level WhatsApp community: Stay connected with other parents.

• Explore PTC committees: Find a volunteer opportunity that is meaningful to you.

Whether this is your family's first year or eleventh, I encourage you to find one new way to step in, volunteer, or introduce yourself to someone new. The magic of community grows through the care, connection, and presence we share with one another.

Jonathan and I are grateful to raise our family here, and I look forward to everything we will achieve together this year. Please reach out anytime at ptc@bernardzell.org.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful school year.

Warmly,

Diane Welbel, PTC President, 2026–27