Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Eliana (Swislow) Wool ‘05
Eliana (Swislow) Wool knew she wanted to be a psychologist for as long as she can remember. Today, she’s living that dream as a licensed clinical psychologist with her own private practice in Northbrook, where she provides therapy to adults and young adults.
“I absolutely love my job. It is incredibly fulfilling and meaningful,” she said. “One part that I cherish the most is the privilege of supporting people through their most vulnerable and defining crossroads, and helping them navigate that transformative process.”
Eliana’s path to psychology was direct and determined. After graduating from Deerfield High School, she attended Syracuse University, completing her BA in Psychology in just two years by taking four years’ worth of credits during that time. She then earned her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Beyond the office, Eliana said she thrives in creative and physical pursuits. “I love indoor rock climbing and am at the climbing gym one to two times a week. I surprised myself in my 30s when I started rock climbing, and through it I’ve discovered a source of strength that I never knew I had. I also love throwing pottery on the wheel in my home studio. Working with clay has always been an important part of my life.”
When asked what accomplishment she is most proud of, Eliana reframed the question to be what she is most grateful for. “Of everything in my life, I am most grateful for the family that I’ve built. For my husband Bryan, who is an incredible partner in life, and for our children Shai and Liel.”
Eliana credits her Schechter experience with laying the groundwork for both her professional career and her Jewish identity.
“The curriculum at Schechter prepared me for my career as a psychologist in many meaningful ways. Its academic approach instilled in me a lifelong love of learning and helped me build a strong sense of capability and confidence as a student."
"Just as important, growing up in a Jewish school and community grounded in Jewish values provided the foundation as a psychologist for my ability to support others and to be present with them in their times of need.”
“Schechter taught me that being Jewish is an action, not a title,” she added. “I grew up with a sense of ‘we,’ of belonging to this incredible religion and community with a vibrant past and present.”
One of Eliana’s defining experiences at Schechter was the arts program — including having Mrs. Redman as an art teacher, and working with Mrs. Rosenson and Dr. Rosenson on the Sager School Musical. “Their classes and the musical was my first opportunity to immerse myself in an artistic community, which provided an important safe space of belonging for me,” she said.
“As teachers, they created an opportunity to nourish my artistic side, which I really cherished then and continue to value now. Music and art hold such important roles in my life, and my Schechter teachers were an important part of that foundation. Getting to be a guest teacher in Mrs. Redman’s class last year (see photo) was so fulfilling, it was amazing to return to her space and share with current students a smidge of what she shared with me back then.”
“I also have to point out that Zahava Berman was working on the Sager School musical when I was a student, and to have her as the director of the Ginsberg ECC now, taking care of my daughter, is an amazing full circle moment. I am grateful these incredible educators are still in my life, and I am looking forward to continuing to interact with Mrs. Redman and to be involved with the Sager School musical this school year.”
Eliana also credits Schechter with helping her develop her leadership skills. “When I was in 8th grade I was president of the Student Council. It was honestly a defining moment of my childhood that taught me about responsibility and helped me learn how to take on a leadership role. I look back and feel proud of ‘8th grade me’ for putting myself out there to run for and serve in that role.”
For Eliana, one of the greatest joys of having her children at Schechter is reconnecting with beloved teachers. “Dr. Kushnir was my third grade teacher, and the teacher I write about when given the prompt ‘Tell me about a teacher who had a big impact on your life.’ To watch my own children interacting with her at school is the most incredible full circle moment.”
“There are many other teachers still at the school that I had when I was younger, including Mrs. Miller, who substitutes for my daughter in the ECC and still remembers my autobiography title; Mrs. Wolf, who hugs me like I’m still in her class; Mrs. Rosenson and G’veret Mazor, who recently retired and had such an impact in my life; Mrs. Redman, who I got to help teach her class this past year; and Mrs. Hakimian, Mrs. Ohcana, and Mr. Allali who were all such extraordinary teachers and who now greet my children with the same excitement that I remember them having in their class when I was a student.”
Eliana said that her feelings about what the Schechter community means to her have grown stronger over time. “As a child, my parents gifted me with a school filled with adults who believed in me and who wanted to help me reach my potential. Today, my gratitude for Schechter has deepened, as I now see the same light shining on my children.”
“The Schechter community means a safe space for my children to grow where they will love their Jewish identity and build confidence and capability within themselves. Schechter is a community of familiar faces who treat my family with knowledge of us and who support Bryan and I as we navigate the journey of raising our children.”
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Eliana turns back to gratitude. “I think one of the greatest gifts my parents, Mark and Binnie Swislow, gave to me as a child was a Schechter education and their focus on raising us in a Jewish home. Their dedication to these areas in my childhood created a fluency in my Jewish identity and a sense of belonging within our community that is of paramount importance in my life. I would tell my younger self that this is one of the gifts I will cherish most in my adulthood, and I would tell my younger self of how grateful I am today that Bryan and I are giving that same gift to our children.”
