Throwback Pictures


We’re approaching a major milestone: 25 years of legacy, learning, and leadership. From our beginnings as CJHS to the RZJHS we know today, it’s been an incredible journey. To kick off the celebration, we’re diving into the archives and sharing throwback photos from the past two and a half decades. Get ready to relive the memories, reconnect with the past, and celebrate how far we’ve come.	Here’s to the very first graduates of CJHS — Class of 2004, the five pioneer students who set the tone and launched a legacy that continues to grow stronger each year. From bold beginnings to lifelong bonds, this group lit the path for all future Tigers. As we kick off celebrating 25 years of our school, let’s honor their courage and commitment.	From ARK to coffee club, DEAP to drama, and IFYC to all the Va’ads, Tigers have always found their place to shine outside the classroom. The activities fair is all about discovering passions, trying something new, and joining the incredible range of student life that has made both CJ and RZ so vibrant.

Throwing it back to where it all began — Founding Board President Larry Adler and first Head of School Roz Stein, the visionaries behind CJHS. In the late ’90s, they came together with one bold idea: to create a Jewish high school for Chicago’s teens that blended strong academics with deep Jewish values. Their vision became our foundation.	The very first day of CJHS was September 10, 2001! Excitement all around, schedules in hand, and a Tiger community ready to grow together. From that first bell, our students weren’t just walking into school—they were stepping into something bigger. Now, years later, the spirit is still the same: curious minds, proud Jewish identity, and friendships that last a lifetime.	Here are some of the Tigers who made the big move from our Morton Grove campus to our forever home in Deerfield — signing the beam that would become part of the Caplan Gym! Have you noticed the beam before? What about the dedication plaque at the skybox?

In a powerful display of commitment and community, our pioneers carried our Torahs by hand from the Morton Grove campus to our new home in Deerfield. Step by step, they brought more than scrolls—they carried our mission, our values, and our future. That day wasn’t just a move, it was a milestone. And every step forward since has been built on their dedication.	Sukkot at RZJHS has always been a time of joy and celebration! From the days of our Sukkah Hop to today’s Sunny Sukkah Stop—bringing the fun straight to school with games, treats, and ruach—our community knows how to celebrate together.	Throwback to Holla for Challah—our beloved student-led tradition that brought, and still continues to bring, warmth (and the smell of fresh-baked challah) to campus every Friday. From creative braids to bold toppings, students have taken the lead in making Shabbat a little sweeter, one loaf at a time. Here’s to the joy, flour-covered hands, and the community built around the table.

Throwback to two of our biggest champions, Larry & Angie Adler! From the very beginning, the Adlers have been true visionaries for RZJHS, helping bring our school to life and cheering us on every step of the way. Larry, our honorary “CJ/RZ Saba,” is a familiar face at many Friday tefillot, proudly standing with our students. Angie matches his warmth with endless support and heart — together, they’ve become honorary grandparents to every RZ student, past and present. Their love and dedication are stitched into the fabric of our community, reminding us of what it means to build not just a school, but a family.	Here's to our incredible Parent Organization (P.O.) volunteers! From Holla for Challah to birthday surprises to making our teachers feel extra loved — our P.O. does it all with heart, spirit, and Tiger pride. We truly couldn’t do it without them — thank you, P.O. , for everything you do to make RZ so special! Want to get involved? Join the P.O., volunteer at an event, or cheer on our community — there’s always room for more Tiger pride!	From 2001 to 2025, every yearbook tells a piece of our story of friendships, milestones, and the unforgettable moments. Mark your calendars for October 11, 2026, when we’ll come together to celebrate 25 years and flip through these memories in person. You won’t want to miss it.

Throwing it back to 2005, when the Panim trip to Washington, D.C. was the big junior adventure—a four-day journey exploring Jewish values through politics, leadership, and service. Those trips sparked deep conversations and lasting memories. Today, juniors choose where they go and what they want to learn about. This year, they headed to New York City to continue that spirit of discovery and connection.	Throwing it back to pep rallies, pie games, tug of war battles, and the ultimate fight for grade bragging rights. The energy, the spirit, the laughter—it all leads up to the Homecoming dance that keeps the celebration going long after the final bell. Spirit Week may come and go, but the excitement and school spirit never fade.	From morning tefillah and bagels with old friends and favorite teachers to cheering on our Tigers at the Pack the Place basketball games—some traditions just never fade. What started years ago as a way to reconnect and celebrate our community continues to bring generations together year after year.

The Egg Drop is a CJHS/RZJHS classic where creativity meets gravity, and students design their best contraptions to keep their egg from cracking. Cheers, suspense, and plenty of dramatic drops as the class finds out who built the ultimate safe structure for their egg. A tradition going strong since the beginning of CJHS and still a favorite every year.	Throwback to our 2022 Chanukah lunch and the festive moments that made it so special. Each year, we are so grateful to our incredible Parent Organization for bringing this meaningful tradition to life with a complimentary lunch that everyone looks forward to. From crispy latkes to sweet sufganiyot, the room is always filled with warmth, laughter, and the spirit of Chanukah. A reminder of the joy that comes from celebrating together as a community.	Throwback to lighting the Chanukah candles together as a school community. Whenever the holiday falls on a school day, we pause to gather, reflect, and fill our space with light, song, and shared gratitude. These moments remind us that tradition is strongest when celebrated side by side.

The Senior Israel Experience is the ultimate culmination of our RZJHS seniors’ learning, connection, and community. Three unforgettable weeks of exploring, hiking, beach days, and bonding turn classmates into family. CJHS/RZJHS seniors made and will continue to make Israel memories that last a lifetime.	Throwback to class at CJHS in 2003, the early years in Morton Grove. We made it work, learned a lot, and built something real. A lot has changed since then, but the heart of our school hasn’t.	TBT to CJHS Dance in 2005, founded by Hannah B (CJHS ‘07) and Sofi P (CJHS ‘07), a student-driven vision that turned into reality. RZJHS Dance is back, thanks to our incredible students and staff who revived the spirit and the energy.

TBT to 2019 with the editors behind The Stripe, a student-run newspaper fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a love for storytelling. The Stripe covers sports, current events, and the moments shaping our school.