Chicagoland Jewish High School (CJHS) in Deerfield, Ill. is changing its name to Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (RZJHS) in honor of a naming gift from the Zell Family Foundation, effective November 19, 2015.

The Zell Family Foundation gift is one of three transformative gifts that will enable the school to fulfill its mission: creating a culture of academic excellence that inspires students to think critically and achieve their full potential, while preparing them to live Judaism as responsible and involved citizens in the modern world.

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Zell Family Foundation, our school is poised to meet the challenges of the future,” said Tony Frank, Head of School. “This will enable us to focus on increasing enrollment and investing in programs that enrich the lives of our students, their families, and the entire Jewish community.”

In February 2015, the school redeemed Series B Bonds in full with a generous gift from the Crown Family specifically for this purpose. The school has also been awarded a significant gift from the Harvey L. Miller Supporting Foundation, to be paid in January.

The Zell Family Foundation gift is in memory of Rochelle Zell, Sam Zell’s mother. The Zell family has been actively involved in the school.

“We are proud to strengthen this vital and essential institution in our community,” said Matthew Zell, one of Rochelle Zell’s grandchildren. “The high quality of education at RZJHS provides students with exceptional college preparation, and promotes the sustainability of Jewish values for new generations. Both of these values were priorities for my grandmother.”

The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago has supported Chicagoland Jewish High School since its inception through annual allocations, and partnered with the school to obtain these new gifts through JUF/Federation’s Centennial Campaign.

“Our partnership with the school exemplifies the commitment of these donors and of JUF/Federation to a strong Jewish future for our entire community,” said JUF/Federation President Steven B. Nasatir. “We invest heavily in Jewish education across the board, including allocations and contributions from JUF’s Annual Campaign, Centennial Campaign, and Day School Guarantee Trust Fund-because it’s the right thing to do. It pays huge dividends for Jewish life.”

CJHS, now RZJHS, opened its doors fourteen years ago with 25 students. Currently almost 400 students have graduated. Enrollment stands at 159 students at the Deerfield campus, where the school moved in 2007.

“Thanks to these gifts, our school is well-positioned to continue to redefine the meaning of educational excellence in a Jewish context,” said Lynn Schrayer, president of RZJHS. “We can now focus our community outreach and fundraising efforts on initiatives that elevate the experience of students and their families.”

A community celebration of these three gifts and a dedication of Rochelle Zell Jewish High School will take place at the school in the Spring of 2016.

Established in 2001, Rochelle Zell Jewish High School is a co-ed, college-preparatory high school. Its mission is to create a culture of academic excellence. RZJHS offers a comprehensive education, which includes exceptional general and Jewish studies programs, supplemented by strong athletic and fine arts programs, and numerous extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities. After graduating, students are well positioned to be successful in all of their endeavors. Today, RZJHS welcomes students from over 20 different communities in the Chicago area, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, South Carolina and abroad.