Board of Trustees

Past President (July 2009-July 2012), Founding Board Member, Vice Chair of Capital Campaign

B.A. - Brandeis University, M.S. - Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D. - University of Chicago

"Knowing that CJDS educates our children not just to be amazing thinkers with a love of learning and Torah, but also to be compassionate members of our community with a true desire to help others in need. This commitment to help others is inspired by an amazing faculty and is evidenced by the countless mitzvah projects (good deeds) our students and graduates undertake each year."

Strategic Planning Co-Chair

B.A. Government - Cornell University; M.A. International Education Development - Columbia University's Teacher College

"I am inspired by the mission of CJDS, and the degree to which CJDS students, faculty, staff, board members, parents, and supporters partner together to achieve that mission."

B.A. cum laude - Brandeis University; J.D. - Georgetown University Law Center

"CJDS is an important part of our Jewish community and my family. I want to contribute to its continuing excellence, and motivate other Chicago families to commit themselves to Jewish and Zionist education."  

B.S. in Design - University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning

"I am proud to have been a part of the vibrant CJDS community for many years. I am continually inspired by the school’s remarkable growth and evolution, and the impact of its core values on our students. I feel confident that CJDS is preparing our students to become compassionate, knowledgable, and involved leaders in our community and beyond.”

Past President (July 2022 to July 2024)

B.S. Biology - University of Michigan; J.D. - Columbia Law School

"I am passionate about CJDS's mission to develop the next generation of leaders with strong Jewish identities and with deep respect and appreciation of diversity in the Jewish community, the city of Chicago and beyond."

Past President (July 2015 to July 2019)

B.S. - University of Toronto, Ph.D. - University of Michigan, J.D. - Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

"CJDS is more than just a school; it is a place in which diversity is embraced, critical thinking skills are cultivated, Jewish identity and thought evolve, and emotional well-being is nourished. The school is a critical element in the development of our collective present and future."

B.A. - Columbia University, J.D. - Harvard University, School of Law

"Over its first decade and a half of existence, CJDS has established an amazingly strong foundation on which it educates our children and provides them with tools and skills to become the next generation of Jewish leaders. It is our responsibility as parents, members of the community, members of the Board to build upon that foundation and take the school—and through that the children of our community—to higher and higher levels of Jewish and Secular scholarship and leadership."

B.A. - New York University; M.Sc. - London School of Economics; M.B.A. - University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School 

“I am pleased that our family has recently joined the tight-knit CJDS community. I appreciate the values placed by the school, faculty, staff and fellow parents on fostering a Jewish identity in our children that prioritizes a community spirit, a love for Israel and ethical principles.”

B.S. Accounting - Indiana University; licensed Certified Public Accountant

"I believe in the Jewish and General studies mission of CJDS as well as its community values. I am honored to be a part of the CJDS Board of Trustees and help the school achieve continued success."

B.A.- Barnard College

"CJDS is a unique and inspiring institution, dedicated to fostering openness and inclusion, kindness and empathy — built upon a foundation of academic excellence. At its core is the most diverse and committed Jewish community I have ever been a part of. Here, we are building the next generation of great Jewish leaders."

B.A. with honors - The University of Illinois; James Scholar

Michael is the Corporation Counsel for the Village of Skokie and directs a department with five attorneys. Michael is the founder and chair of the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, the largest cultural event in the Chicago Jewish community. 

Founding President (2001-2009), Capital Campaign Chair

B.A. - University of Pennsylvania, M.B.A. - Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

"I am inspired by CJDS's commitment to its mission. From the children and the teachers to the parents and administration, everyone works toward the mission of creating a multi-denominational community where Jewish life is valued and excellence in education is realized."

Treasurer

B.A. Economics - Northwestern University; M.S. Higher Education Administration & Policy - Northwestern University

"From its inception, CJDS has provided an incredibly rich learning experience for our children - emotionally, Jewishly, and academically. I'm honored to stand on the shoulders of the school's founders and help CJDS achieve its inspiring mission."

B.A. - University of Illinois; M.A. - University of Chicago; M.A. - Harvard University

"Our family is deeply committed to Jewish education. We are drawn to CJDS’s mission of Jewish inclusion and diversity built around the highest standards of secular and Jewish education."

B.A. History, University of Michigan; M.B.A. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

"CJDS is an incredible mission-based school that prepares our children for the world through thoughtful and engaging experiential learning in both secular and Jewish studies. I am honored to be a part of this meaningful organization."

B.A.- Barnard College, Columbia University; MBA- Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

"As a parent navigating today's complicated landscape, I want to instill in my children a love for Judaism, a passion for learning, a curiosity about the wider world and the desire to be good citizens. CJDS is the school that accomplishes all of that and more, providing an incredible community and learning environment for our children's growth."

B.A. Public Policy - University of Chicago; J.D. - Northeastern University School of Law

"I'm inspired by the diversity of our student body, as well as our professional and lay leadership, and the steadfast commitment to tolerance and inclusiveness in the classroom, the sanctuary and our local community, as well as in our travels to Israel."

B.A.- University of Michigan; M.A. - Spertus Institute; MBA, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

"There are lots of schools that strive for excellence, but few hit the mark like CJDS. We see it, our kids feel it, and the community knows it!"

Secretary

B.S. - University of Illinois, M.B.A. and Ph.D. - University of Chicago

"I believe that the future of American Jewry rests on the back of Junior Kindergarten through Grade Eight Jewish education."

Past President (July 2022 to July 2024)

B.S. Biology - University of Michigan; J.D. - Columbia Law School

"I am passionate about CJDS's mission to develop the next generation of leaders with strong Jewish identities and with deep respect and appreciation of diversity in the Jewish community, the city of Chicago and beyond."

Past President (July 2019 to July 2022)

B.A. Judaic Studies - Brown University, M.D. - University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine

"By any measure, CJDS graduates excel; that is not enough. As a board, it is our mission to always strive to be better, to settle for nothing less than excellence, and to remain relevant in a rapidly changing environment."

Past President (July 2015 to July 2019)

B.S. - University of Toronto, Ph.D. - University of Michigan, J.D. - Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

"CJDS is more than just a school; it is a place in which diversity is embraced, critical thinking skills are cultivated, Jewish identity and thought evolve, and emotional well-being is nourished. The school is a critical element in the development of our collective present and future."

Past President (July 2012-July 2015), New Campus Project Chair

B.S. - University of Pennsylvania, J.D. - University of Chicago

"It is a privilege to help CJDS as it helps develop the next generation, engaged throughout the entirety of the Jewish community, and fully engaged in broader society as well."

Past President (July 2009-July 2012), Founding Board Member, Vice Chair of Capital Campaign

B.A. - Brandeis University, M.S. - Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D. - University of Chicago

"Knowing that CJDS educates our children not just to be amazing thinkers with a love of learning and Torah, but also to be compassionate members of our community with a true desire to help others in need. This commitment to help others is inspired by an amazing faculty and is evidenced by the countless mitzvah projects (good deeds) our students and graduates undertake each year."

Founding President (2001-2009), Capital Campaign Chair

B.A. - University of Pennsylvania, M.B.A. - Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

"I am inspired by CJDS's commitment to its mission. From the children and the teachers to the parents and administration, everyone works toward the mission of creating a multi-denominational community where Jewish life is valued and excellence in education is realized."