Rochelle Zell looks back—and ahead

Rochelle Zell Jewish High School’s class of 2006. (Photo courtesy of Rochelle Zell)

For recent Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (RZJHS) graduate Brooke Goldberg, the promise of community became real before classes even began.  

As an incoming freshman, Goldberg arrived at a preseason volleyball practice knowing no one… and left with dinner plans, new friends, and, most importantly, the feeling that she belonged. She went on to play volleyball for all of her four years at RZJHS, ultimately being named co-captain her junior and senior years. She also served as president of Va’ad HaStudentim, RZJHS student council, and participated in several school clubs. 

“Everyone was inclusive, welcoming, and warm, so it was easy to find my spot at Rochelle Zell,” Goldberg said. “It’s the most amazing place because you will find your people without even trying.”  

Founded in 2001 as Chicagoland Jewish High School, RZJHS will celebrate its 25th anniversary this fall. The school became Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in 2015 in honor of a naming gift from the Zell Family Foundation. The gift was made in memory of Rochelle Zell, philanthropist Sam Zell’s mother. 

The milestone reflects both the strength of the school and the commitment of its community. “It has a two-fold meaning for us,” RZJHS Head of School Tony Frank said of the anniversary. “It’s an opportunity to look back, reflect, celebrate, and be proud of our first 25 years. And, at the same time, we’re looking ahead to the next 25 years and beyond.” 

When Frank arrived at the high school 18 years ago, the school had just relocated to its Deerfield campus. Originally housed in Morton Grove’s Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation, the high school’s move to its own building signified a major step in the school’s evolution. “I came on board at a time of transition and one of significant change,” Frank reflected. “The school continued to grow from that point forward.” 

Today, RZJHS has graduated more than 850 students and established itself as a lasting institution in Jewish life and education. Supported by generations of families, donors, faculty, and community partners, the school continues to evolve while staying rooted in its founding mission. Recognized as a consistent presence in Chicago’s Jewish educational and community landscape, students come from over 25 communities throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. 

Its reputation is reflected not only in its community reach, but also its academic record, which includes winning the National High School Model United Nations Top Team Award for 11 consecutive years. 

“Rochelle Zell is an exceptionally special place that provides our students with incredible community, educational excellence and extensive extracurricular activity options,” said Lynn Schrayer, Past President of the RZJHS Board of Directors, Past President of the RZJHS Endowment Board, and parent of three alumni. “Our students are prepared for any college they attend, large or small. They develop close relationships with their teachers at Rochelle Zell and, as a result, do not hesitate to connect with their professors on campus. The critical thinking our students develop at Rochelle Zell carries over to any chosen area of study in college.” 

Goldberg, who is now a freshman at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, looks forward to doing just that. “I want to have the same relationships with my professors that I do with my teachers now,” she said. “I definitely plan to reach out early and go to office hours, because I want them to see me as the student I was at Rochelle Zell.” 

For Frank, that kind of self-assurance is one of the most valuable aspects of an RZJHS education. “Our students develop confidence and a strong sense of self when they go out into the world because they have been in a school that puts relationships, first and foremost, with their teachers and peers,” Frank added. “They have the confidence to navigate spaces beyond high school, and beyond their Jewish selves.” 

To commemorate its 25 years, RZJHS will host a Community Celebration on Oct. 11. To learn more or register to attend, visit tinyurl.com/RZ-Community-Celebration.