Alumni
We are proud of the 500+ young people who have graduated from our school.
From college, graduate schools, the business world, non-profit organizations and the IDF to our very own RZJHS board members and faculty, CJHS and RZJHS alumni continue to tackle the new challenges they face as independent young adults. We are proud of our alumni and keep in frequent contact with them and their families. They visit the school often to see former teachers, speak to current classes and to give their younger siblings rides home. If you would like to read more about how our alumni are affecting positive change in our communities, scroll down to get to know these incredible individuals.
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Alumni: Keep in touch with us here and subscribe to the weekly E-news. If you would like to be more involved in alumni events, please contact our Development office at 847.324.3720.
This article appeared in the 2019 "Tiger Talk," our annual school newsletter.

This article appeared in the 2019 "Tiger Talk," our annual school newsletter.

And so it is with mutual glee that the two now work together—Mr. Goodman as Coach Dello’s assistant coach for the Rochelle Zell boys varsity basketball team. “Jeremy was a very good athlete who played extremely hard every time he was on the court or the soccer field,” says Coach Dello. “I don’t recall ever seeing Jeremy not give 100%. I look forward to watching him pass his knowledge and passion on to our players, and I am thrilled he can be a positive role model for our school, community, and basketball program.”

Zach Erlichman, Class of 2013
This article originally appeared in the 2018 school newsletter.
"I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in May 2017 with a major in biology. Since then, I have started medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine. The path was definitely difficult at times, but many of my experiences at RZJHS made me much more prepared for the workload and the level of independent management that comes with it. I learned that basic classes are very important, but fostering relationships with faculty/students and being involved in a multitude of discussions you find yourself passionate about creates a more impactful learning experience. I hope to one day be a surgeon and help patients be educated and active advocates for themselves in discussions. RZJHS taught me the path to a conclusion was just as important as the final decision."
"Teachers at RZJHS helped me find meaning to every word I wrote or said in a discussion. Going back over my work, I made sure that I was precise, concise, and clear. We also looked at the many nuances in writing and the ability to look at experiences from multiple lenses. Not only did this apply to my written work but in seeing patients, these critical thinking skills were essential."
"Understanding perspective has made all the difference in some patient cases I have had so far. I had one patient who did not speak English and had just immigrated after the disaster in Haiti. I had to use a translator for the entire time and understanding the slight differences in words made a huge difference to diagnosis. In addition, considering the multitude of factors contributing to this patient’s health, we were able to identify other important factors such as lack of health insurance and adequate food security as playing large, somewhat indirect roles. In some patients, being open to opinion can make all the difference."
"In the Talmud, we learned that even an opinion ultimately deemed “wrong” was still included and necessary in the discussion in order to make the most meaning for the end result. A doctor should never be an additional source of scrutiny and judgment, so the openness I learned at RZJHS laid the foundation for providing this type of care."
Congratulations to Rabbi Rachel Braun Rubenstein (CJHS '09), named one of Hudson Valley's "20 to Watch in 2020." As the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, she has distinguished herself as an effective advocate for the Jewish community and partnered with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office in combating anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. District Attorney David Hoovler praised her for the important work she has done with his office, and also for the energy and determination he says she has brought to many tasks and that make her an influential figure in the region. “She’s young, energetic, willing to go anywhere, and do anything to get her point across,” Hoovler said. “Most importantly she is one of the few leaders of any organizations I’ve met that is willing to listen and willing to step out of her comfort zone to effectuate change.” READ MORE>>
This article originally appeared in the 2018 school newsletter.
"I attended Washington University in St. Louis, focusing on International Studies and Political Science. I spent my time in college traveling, including one summer on an exchange program in the former republic of Georgia, one summer studying art and religion in Paris, and a semester studying in Morocco. I learned Arabic with dreams of becoming a political advisor on the Middle East, but while studying in Morocco, I took some time to really think about what I wanted out of my future career. I found myself most fulfilled when I had the opportunity to really talk with people about their passions, their beliefs, and their struggles. I thought back to who I had always turned to in my own life, and the rabbis of RZJHS were at the top of the list. So, when I came home I nixed my plans of Law School and applied to Rabbinical School instead!"
"I began my rabbinic studies at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles. I fell in love in LA with a rabbinical student who found a job in the small town of Middletown, New York, leading me to my next chapter at the Jewish Theological Seminary! I transferred to JTS in the Fall of 2015, spending a semester studying in Jerusalem before returning to New York to finish my studies. In the Summer of 2016 I married that rabbinical student, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein in a small outdoor ceremony in Glenview."
In May 2018, I was ordained from The Rabbinical School at JTS, with a Masters of Jewish Education from the Davidson School. I am now working as the Director of Jewish Education and Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, NY, finding ways to engage our Jewish population in Jewish life, learning, and community.
I am forever grateful to RZJHS for laying for me a foundation of skills, from Hebrew to Talmud, that would set me up for a successful and fulfilling career in the rabbinate. But more than anything, my rabbis, teachers, and mentors at RZJHS set me on the path toward becoming a rabbi, modeling everyday what it means to create an intentional learning community. I hope to spend my rabbinate trying to give to others what RZJHS gave to me.
This article originally appeared in the 2018 school newsletter."Ever since I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to be a Food Scientist. I graduated from Michigan State University in May of 2014 with my Bachelor’s degree in Food Science with a Food Technology concentration and a Jewish Studies Specialization. With my degree, I was able to get a job in the food industry for product development. For the past three years I’ve worked for Pepsico on Gatorade research and development as a product developer. I’ve recently accepted a new job with Kraft Heinz, working on Lunchables, P3 and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. I’m thankful for the teachers, friends and family who helped me make my dream a reality. It is very rewarding to see consumers at the grocery store purchasing products I’ve worked on and taking them home to their families."
"I fell in love with running after participating in cross country my senior year at CJHS. I’ve actively been running the past four years completing five marathons, 15 half marathons and many more 10Ks and 5Ks. This summer I decided to continue to challenge myself and train for my first triathlon. When I’m not working or training, I’m planning my wedding with my fiancé and family. We’re getting married in September of 2019 and we couldn’t be more excited!"
Update: Mazal Tov to Leah Cardona Venus and Scott Venus who were married in September!

that is not only an icon in the Chicago community but recognized nationwide as a top tier high school." - Jason Wiznitzer, '06, Board Member