We welcomed some very special and eagerly anticipated guests to Kabbalat Shabbat last Friday! The 2025-26 shinshinim, Gilad and Yeheli, joined us and shared a bit about themselves. They were accompanied by four other Chicago-area shinshinim. By choosing to postpone their military service, Gilad and Yeheli will spend the year enriching Jewish life and bringing Israel closer to our students.

On Tuesday, Gilad and Yeheli started engaging with students in the classrooms, discovering what makes Chicago Jewish Day School special. Throughout the year, they will participate in classroom activities, lead programs and school-wide events, and spend time with students during recess—filling the halls with their energy, spirit, and love of Israel.