Mr. Tony Frank brings a strong background in Jewish education and administration to CJHS. Originally from the Chicago area, Mr. Frank made aliyah with his family when he was 14 years old. After serving in the Israeli army and earning a Bachelors degree from Hebrew University, Mr. Frank returned to the States to begin his career as an educator. He taught at Sager Solomon Schechter Middle School, then spent ten years as a member of the administrative team at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School.

Mr. Frank holds a Masters of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University. He also completed the Senior Educators Program at Hebrew University's Melton Center for Jewish Education in the Diaspora. Mr. Frank has conducted research on Jewish identity development in adolescence as part of a doctoral program in education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Tony Frank
Tel: 847.324.3702
tfrank@cjhs.org

Bruce Scher, Academic Dean, came to CJHS with 30 years of experience in the world of education. Most recently the Director of College Counseling at Barrington High School, he has also been a teacher of AP English, AP Spanish, and Dance. Outside the academic area, Mr. Scher is an experienced choreographer, and has directed a number of musicals and coached competitive speech. He has a true passion for education and for helping students through the college search process.

Mr. Scher's professional associations include the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). He has twice served as president of IACAC. He has also made presentations on college-admission related topics at a number of state and national conferences.

Bruce Scher
Tel: 847.324.3708
bscher@cjhs.org

Dr. Rebecca Schorsch is Director of Jewish Studies at the Chicagoland Jewish High School, where she teaches Rabbinics, Bible and Jewish Thought, and plays an active role in shaping Jewish life at the school as a member of various Religious Life committees. In addition, Dr. Schorsch teaches adult Jewish education, lectures and serves as scholar-in-residence in a range of settings, including Camp Ramah Wisconsin and a variety of synagogues and private study venues. A founding board member of the Chicago Jewish Day School, a multi-denominational Jewish elementary school in the city of Chicago, Dr. Schorsch continues to play an active leadership role in the growth of the school, as a member of the Board and chair of the Ritual Policy Committee. Dr. Schorsch holds degrees from the University of Chicago (PhD, History of Judaism) the Jewish Theological Seminary (MA, Jewish History) and Columbia University (BA, European History). Together with her husband, Dr. Scott Moses, and their three children, Ada, Nathaniel and Livia, they live in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood.

Dr. Rebecca Schorsch
Tel: 847.324.3704
drschorsch@cjhs.org

Rabbi Ruven Barkan has been the Rabbi-in-Residence since the establishment of CJHS in 2001. In addition to teaching and curriculum development in Judaic Studies, Rabbi Barkan established and directs the Va’ad Tefillah, a group of students who coordinate the Tefillah program while developing innovative ways for students to connect with Tefillah. Another initiative introduced to CJHS by Rabbi Barkan is the Multiple Minyan Program, which offers students the ability to shape, lead, and participate in one of six minyanim within a halachik framework that appeal to different religious interests and aesthetic preferences – singing, meditation, discussion, etc. Rabbi Barkan also established and directs the school’s Va’ad Tikkun Olam, a student organization that consists of twelve social action and justice clubs. He is proud to be a member of Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah, a board member of the ARK, and a member of the Jewish Healing Network’s Chemical Dependency Advisory Council.

Rabbi Ruven Barkan
Tel: 847.324.3709
rabbibarkan@cjhs.org

Admissions

Rachel Spiro
Director of Admissions
Tel: 847.324.3706
rspiro@cjhs.org

Development

Stephanie Smerling
Director of Institutional Advancement
Tel: 847.324.3720
ssmerling@cjhs.org

Sheldon Moss
Senior Major Gifts Officer
Tel: 847.324.3722
smoss@cjhs.org

Operations

Inez Altman Drazin
Director of Building and Administrative Services
Tel: 847.324.3713
ialtman@cjhs.org

Steve Weinberg
Director of Finance
Tel: 847.324.3712
sweinberg@cjhs.org