Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display
Dr. Alissa C Zuchman, Director Alissa@bjechicago.org, 847-636-7261

About Us

Board of Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago (BJE Chicago)

The Board of Jewish Education
educates and inspires learners of all ages to enrich their lives, their families and the Jewish community from generation to generation.

The Board of Jewish Education has been an integral part of the vibrant Chicago Jewish community for over a century. Across the decades, we have continually evolved to meet the dynamic needs of the Jewish community.

Today, our reach extends far beyond Chicago, serving Jewish learners from all over the nation. Our website is a comprehensive hub, offering a wealth of activities designed to provide deep insights and personalized connections to Jewish wisdom. Whether you are an experienced educator or new to the field, JTeach.org equips you with engaging and interactive lessons.

Our offerings include a wide range of traditional and contemporary topics that extend beyond the classics, delving into the pressing issues facing the Jewish community in the 21st century. Through our Challenge and Response section, Torah and Mitzvot resources, and cutting-edge Professional Development ideas, we aim to ignite and cultivate a positive Jewish experience.

Our success is underpinned by rigorous research and proven practices that support schools, community centers, and households alike.

Board of Directors and Staff

image description

Alissa C. Zuchman, Ph.D.

Director

Alissa Zuchman is a graduate of Solomon Schechter High School and a proud alumna of the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, where she pursued her studies in Bible and Rabbinic Literature. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years, Alissa has excelled as a Director of Life Long Learning and spearheaded one of the only “Family Schools” in the country. Her academic achievements include an M.A in Education from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Theology, Psychology, and Education, specializing in Art Therapy.

Alissa is thrilled to rejoin the Board of Jewish Education as its Director, a role that perfectly aligns with her passion for nurturing creativity and inspiring educators, parents, and students.

On a personal note, Alissa resides in Antioch, IL, with her partner Bob and cherishes her roles as a mother to Mimi, son-in-law Zach, and Yaya to granddaughter Zoe.

image description

Rabbi Eric Zaff

Curriculum Director

Is a veteran educator with over a decade of experience in both formal and informal environments. As a teacher, he strives to bring joy and seriousness of purpose to his students, who have ranged in age from Kindergarten to retired. In his role as a curriculum specialist in the Marshall Jewish Learning Center, he continues the work he has done writing and implementing curricula in a variety of settings. A well-traveled learner, he attended the University of Chicago, where he received a BA in English Language and Literature; Machon Pardes and the Pardes Educators Program in Jerusalem, through which he earned an MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew University; and, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, where he received rabbinic ordination. He is teaching his children to love Torah and the Red Sox.

image description

Dr. Alicia Gejman

Curriculum Specialist

Dr. Gejman is an educator with over 25 years of experience in many areas of Jewish and secular education. She is fluent in Hebrew, Spanish, and English. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education Counseling and Psychology from BarIlan University, Ramat-Gan, (1982), a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem (1990), an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Washington University (1992), and a doctoral degree in “Science in Jewish Studies” at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership (2016). Her areas of expertise include educational consultation, curriculum development, teacher training, mentoring, evaluation, and teaching foreign languages.She lives with her husband in Cambridge, MA, and has two children and three grandchild.

image description

Renee Kaplan

Program Coordinator

Renee Kaplan has been on staff at the BJE in a variety of capacities since September 2014. She recently added the Marshall Center for Innovation in Jewish Education to her portfolio as the Program Coordinator lending her skillset to the various programs and offerings the MCIJE provides. Her career began in education working for several schools as a Financial Aid advisor. She is most proud of her work as the Director of Financial Aid for the Zarem/Golde ORT School in Chicago. Making it possible for new immigrants to learn English, receive skill training and then see them placed in jobs was extremely gratifying. A passion for helping others is fundamental to her character. Renee grew up in Skokie and holds a BA in telecommunications from Indiana University.

image description

Bruce Duhan

Creative Director

“Good design is attention to small things, but good design is no small thing.” Bruce Duhan is Creative Director and Designer at JTeach.org. It is his responsibility to bring our educational ideas to creative life. Bruce joined the team in March of 2018 after a successful career that included and still includes being President/Creative Director of DuhanCreative, his own creative consultancy. He was formerly EVP, Creative Director at Ogilvy Advertising. Prior to this Bruce was EVP, General Manager of the concepting think-tank of BEN Marketing Group, acquired by Ogilvy in 2002. As one of the founding partners of BEN, and Chief Creative Officer, Bruce led a creative team that produced award-winning design for some of the best known clients in the world, Coca-Cola, HBO, Holiday Inn, IBM, DuPont, and others. Bruce is a graduate of Pratt Institute and began his design career with Creative Playthings, designing toys and toy packaging.

image description

Leslye Whittmam

Event Manager