Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School

We are so proud of our graduating Class of 2026 who not only exemplified academic excellence, but also have embraced the values of compassion, community, and a deep commitment to their Jewish identities. These graduates are joining 79 years of engaged Bernard Zell alumni who strive to make the world a better place. We know their future is bright! Just remember, Bernard Zell will always be home. 💙🎓🧡🦅

We are incredibly proud of our newest alumni class! As they take this next step, we are confident they will continue to grow not only as scholars, but as compassionate, thoughtful, and engaged Jewish leaders. We wish the entire Class of 2026 a meaningful beginning to their high school journeys. We know your future is BRIGHT! 💙🎓🧡🦅

Happy last day of school from all of us at Bernard Zell! Have a wonderful summer! We’re already counting down the days until we see your smiling faces in the fall! 💙🧡😎☀️🦅

A high tide raises all ships. Over the last three years, our admissions teams at Akiba-Schechter, Bernard Zell, and Chicago Jewish Day School have traded competition for collaboration. Our philosophy is simple: “Find the Jewish day school in Chicago that’s right for you.” We know that when a family chooses a Jewish education, at any of our schools, our entire community grows stronger.

With the incredible support of and a Engage Grant, we’ve strived to make exploring Jewish education welcoming, accessible, and stress-free for families.

Check out this story about how our unique partnership is bringing more families to the table than any one school could have alone! Click the link below to read the full story!

https://prizmah.org/hayidion/cusp/how-three-chicago-schools-traded-competition-community

The countdown begins for the Class of 2026! Our 8th graders are preparing to celebrate their journey and years of learning at Bernard Zell. Mazel tov to the Class of 2026! We wish you the best in your next chapter and look forward to all you will accomplish. 🎓🦅💙🧡

This spring, a select group of 6th and 7th graders participated in a Civics Cohort! They spent an afternoon together learning about the difference between questions of persuasion and questions of understanding, and discussed how to have open-minded and open-hearted dialogue with others. Students also learned about various aspects of civics and spent time engaging in a dialogue about “Being Yourself vs. Fitting In,” practicing being active listeners and asking questions of genuine understanding to thoughtfully engage with their peers.

After the in-school workshop, the Civics Cohort participated in Middle School Civic Spirit Day, hosted and organized by spirit, an organization dedicated to providing quality learning experiences to students in faith-based schools. They spent an incredible day at the U.S. District Courthouse where students met with lawyers and judges, attended a naturalization hearing, participated in a mock trial, and engaged with students from other schools about civics-related topics!

We are so proud of these students for representing Bernard Zell and Leading the Way!

Shavuot is almost here, and we’ve been celebrating the holiday of Bikkurim (first fruits) and Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) all across our school community! Our youngest learners sang and danced with Torahs, made flower crowns, and had a beautiful, festive Bikkurim celebration! Our Lower & Middle School students engaged in our own version of Tikkun Leil Shavuot (the traditional all-night study party). They worked together to “reveal” verses of Torah through solving puzzles and digging into Torah interpretation. It wouldn’t be Shavuot without a delicious ice cream treat, because learning Torah is always sweet. Wishing our entire community Chag Shavuot Sameach, a wonderful and joyful holiday! 🍦🌸🧩

Soon the Class of 2026 will formally complete their Bernard Zell education and officially become our newest alumni class. We know their future is bright, and will continue to cheer them on as they grow! These outstanding young people will head off to begin their high school careers at the following institutions throughout the Chicagoland area: Beacon Academy, Jones College Prep, Lane Tech College Prep, Latin School of Chicago, Lincoln Park High School, Northside College Prep, Francis W. Parker School, Walter Payton College Prep, Whitney M. Young Magnet School, Wolcott College Prep 🎓🦅💙🧡

We were thrilled to see so many families at Friday’s Community Shabbat, hosted by our Annual Campaign Leadership. We sang, danced, and welcomed Shabbat together. We are close to reaching our Annual Campaign Goal. If you haven’t made a gift yet or would like to make an additional gift, please click the below to donate by June 30. 💙🧡🦅

https://www.bernardzell.org/giving/donate

We loved welcoming the grandparents and special friends of our students to campus on Friday! From classroom visits to the Arts & Humanities Festival, to an all-school concert, it was a day full of ruach (spirit), connection, creativity, and community. Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day is truly one of our most cherished traditions at Bernard Zell. 💙🧡

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