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What does it really mean for students to feel seen, heard, and empowered at school? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we sit down with the JCHS Knesset executive team, Assaf Brajtman '26, Elijah Isaacson '26, Ilan Kalika '26, and Manny Stern '26, to explore how student leadership shapes belonging, voice, and community. From standing on stage at Hakhel to quietly advocating behind the scenes, these leaders share how they take positive risks, model empathy, and create space for every student to speak up. They share stories of positive risk-taking, advocacy, and the small traditions that carry big meaning. Along the way, they reflect on friendship, mentorship, and what it means to lead as “students first.” It’s an honest look at how belonging is built—one voice at a time.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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How do you build a school culture where students feel both deeply cared for and boldly challenged to grow? In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, we sit down with Roni Ben-David, Director of Social Justice and Inclusion at JCHS, to explore how the Jewish value of kavod habriyot—honoring human dignity—shapes classroom culture, student voice, and community life. Roni shares how restorative justice, constructive disagreement, and authentic feedback create pathways for trust, accountability, and belonging. Together, we unpack what it really means to prepare students to live and lead in a diverse, complex world.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.

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What if the most important career skill you’ll ever need isn’t something you can study from a textbook? In this episode, alumn Ethan Finestone '20 reflects on how filmmaking projects, multi-grade athletics, and student government at JCHS shaped his confidence, adaptability, and self-advocacy long before college or the AI industry were on his radar. He shares how the personalized relationships and academic rigor at JCHS gave him an unexpected advantage at a 35,000 student public university like Michigan. Ethan explains about how a small school can prepare students for a world—and a job market—that’s changing faster than anyone can predict.

To find out more about JCHS, visit www.jchsofthebay.org. Follow us on Instagram at @JCHSWolves, and on YouTube at @JCHSOnline.