Melissa and Dr. Harris Perlman
CROWN SERVICE AWARD
Melissa grew up in Highland Park and attended Solomon Schechter Day School. Her father, Mortin Levy (ICJA Class of 1954) knew he wanted Melissa to follow in his footsteps and go to the Academy. Harris grew up in Skokie, attended Hillel Torah and followed his siblings, Ira (’81) and Benay (’84) to Ida Crown. As ICJA was already in important part of their families’ histories, Melissa and Harris Perlman met on the first day of Freshman year in 1984 in Mrs. Wasserstrom’s Honors Algebra class. What began as a close friendship, eventually blossomed into love and they were married in 1995.
After graduation, Melissa headed to Boston University and earned a degree in psychology, while Harris studied at Yeshiva University and earned his degree in Political Science. Both headed to Tufts University for graduate school, where Melissa earned her Masters in Child Study and Harris earned his PhD in Cell, Developmental and Molecular Biology.
For many years, Melissa had a private practice doing educational and psychological assessment and providing remedial services for children with learning and attention issues. Prior to serving on the Ida Crown board for six years, Melissa served as an alumni chair for two years, as well as the recruitment chair for four years. She also has served on the Women’s Philanthropy board for Federation six years and is a volunteer for Sharsheret’s annual Mahjong event, and Pies for Prevention Thanksgiving bake sale.
Harris is currently the Chief of Rheumatology at Northwestern University, where he has worked for the last 17 years. He has published over 178 manuscripts and 6 book chapters and has two patents for treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Harris was awarded the mentor of the year at the Feinberg School of Medicine in 2022. Throughout his career four central tenets guided him; strive for excellence, be transformative, remain translational and always create a culture of collaboration and communication.
Melissa and Harris are the proud parents of four 3rd generation ICJA students, Noah (’18) Mia Perlman Cons (’20), married to Josh Cons, Audrey (’23) and Ella (’25). All have received a wonderful foundation from ICJA, rooted in the importance of education, Chesed, and Torah values.
After graduation, Melissa headed to Boston University and earned a degree in psychology, while Harris studied at Yeshiva University and earned his degree in Political Science. Both headed to Tufts University for graduate school, where Melissa earned her Masters in Child Study and Harris earned his PhD in Cell, Developmental and Molecular Biology.
For many years, Melissa had a private practice doing educational and psychological assessment and providing remedial services for children with learning and attention issues. Prior to serving on the Ida Crown board for six years, Melissa served as an alumni chair for two years, as well as the recruitment chair for four years. She also has served on the Women’s Philanthropy board for Federation six years and is a volunteer for Sharsheret’s annual Mahjong event, and Pies for Prevention Thanksgiving bake sale.
Harris is currently the Chief of Rheumatology at Northwestern University, where he has worked for the last 17 years. He has published over 178 manuscripts and 6 book chapters and has two patents for treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Harris was awarded the mentor of the year at the Feinberg School of Medicine in 2022. Throughout his career four central tenets guided him; strive for excellence, be transformative, remain translational and always create a culture of collaboration and communication.
Melissa and Harris are the proud parents of four 3rd generation ICJA students, Noah (’18) Mia Perlman Cons (’20), married to Josh Cons, Audrey (’23) and Ella (’25). All have received a wonderful foundation from ICJA, rooted in the importance of education, Chesed, and Torah values.