Chicago Jewish High School: Parents Combat Antisemitism
New Jewish High School Planned for Chicago’s North Shore: What Parents Need to Know
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A new Jewish high school is in the works for Chicago’s North Shore, aiming to provide another option for families seeking a Jewish education for their teens. The project, still in its early stages, has sparked both curiosity and questions among parents and established school leaders. Let’s dive into what we know so far, and what it could mean for the future of Jewish education in the area.
A Growing Landscape of Choice
For years, Rochelle Zell Jewish high School in Deerfield has been the dominant choice for many Jewish students graduating from area day schools. Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie offers another option, with a different focus. Now, this new school promises to add to the mix, offering families more tailored choices.
“It just adds to the mix to be able to have more options,” one Bernard Zell Anshei Beta Rachel parent explained, requesting anonymity to avoid impacting her child’s high school applications.
The motivation behind the new school appears to be a desire to cater to a broader range of students and educational philosophies within the Jewish community. While details are still emerging, the founders envision a school that will complement, rather than compete with, existing institutions.
Reactions from Established Schools
The response from current Jewish high schools has been cautiously optimistic. Lena Kushnir, head of school at solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook, believes the new school’s location makes it less likely to draw students from her community.”I don’t believe that Schechter parents are the primary target for the new school, as it is geographically pretty far from our community,” Kushnir said in an email. “At this time, I have not personally heard any parents discussing the school.”
tony Frank, head of Rochelle zell Jewish High School, echoed a welcoming sentiment, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the broader Jewish community through education.
“What I can say more generally is that I believe a strong Jewish education in all its forms strengthens our Jewish community, and we welcome all efforts to educate its future generations,” Frank wrote in an email. He also noted he hadn’t yet had direct communication with the new school’s founders.
What we certainly know (and What We Don’t) About the New School
Currently, much of the facts surrounding the new school remains under wraps. Key questions remain unanswered:
Leadership: Who will lead the school - the head of school, key faculty, and administrative staff?
Curriculum: What will the academic focus be? Will it lean towards a more traditional or progressive approach? What unique programs will it offer?
Vision: What is the overarching beliefs and mission driving this new venture?
location: While generally planned for the North Shore, a specific location hasn’t been announced.
These are all critical pieces of information parents will need to make informed decisions. The anonymous Bernard Zell parent highlighted this need for transparency. “I think there’s a lot of work to be done to understand who’s going to be head of school, who’s going to be leadership, what’s the curriculum, what’s the plan for me,” she said.
“Trailblazers” or ”Guinea Pigs”?
Understandably, some parents are hesitant about sending their children to a brand-new school. Concerns about growing pains and an unproven track record are natural. Some have expressed worries about their children being “guinea pigs” in an untested environment.
however,the Bernard Zell parent offered a compelling counterpoint. “They’re not guinea pigs,” she said. “They are the trailblazers.”
This perspective highlights the potential benefits of being part of a school’s founding – the opportunity to shape its culture, contribute to its development, and forge a unique educational experience.For students who are eager to be pioneers and embrace innovation,a new school could be an incredibly rewarding choice.
Looking Ahead
The arrival of a new Jewish high school on the North Shore represents a notable development for the community. As the project moves forward, increased transparency and open communication from the founders will be crucial. Parents will be looking for clear answers to their questions and a compelling vision for the school’s future.
Ultimately,