According to Hillel’s mission statement:
With care and concern for each child, Hillel, a Jewish community day school, seeks to create a nurturing, respectful and academically inspiring environment, imbued with traditional Torah values and designed for college preparation and admission. Talented faculty and dedicated families work together guiding our students to attain their maximum potential, become lifelong learners and thinkers, develop high moral standards, respect diversity, and make meaningful contributions as members of Klal Yisrael and as Americans. By engaging students in vibrant Torah study and meaningful religious and cultural experiences, we strive to deepen their commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel.
Does anyone find it ironic that Hillel’s recent layoffs affect only Judaic studies teachers? Even more incredible is that these teachers captured the essence of the mission statement. They were nurturing. They were respectful. They focused on bringing students closer to traditional Torah values in an academically inspiring environment. And yes, I would go as far as saying that they adequately prepared me for college. Each teacher was talented. Each contributed to the students’ maximum potential, allowing them to become lifelong learners and thinkers. Do I have high moral standards? Yes, thanks to them. Do I respect diversity? For sure, thanks to them. There is no doubt that their education, nurturing, and inspiration has contributed to our contributions as members of Klal Yisrael and as Americans. All of these teachers helped make the classroom a vibrant environment of Torah study. Their teachings have enhanced both religious and cultural understanding. Further, I will not hesitate to add that Rabbi Lefkowitz, Mrs. Heber, and Mrs. Galitzer, especially in a position as Judaic Studies educators, have all deepened our commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel.
These faculty members, therefore, fulfilled their requirements and met the mission statement as it is written on Hillel’s own official web presence. The question remains: why did they get fired?
13 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2007 at 11:30 am
Here! Here! I agree with this statement 110%! After visiting the school during spring break I realized that this was not the environment I left behind. This place has become…..darker. It’s not what it used to be and it breaks my heart.
After the recent “purge” of judaic studies teachers, people are afraid to speak. They do not want to voice their opinions. It’s opressive! Hillel’s “Ciglo de Oro” has come to an end! could it be that they are entering….”The Dark Ages?”
2 admin // Mar 23, 2007 at 11:54 am
They were already on the border of the dark ages when Dr. Zakon and Mr. Mintz were relieved several years ago. These recent actions are only making things darker. It appears that Hillel is simply incapable of understanding that their best interests are to serve their students.
3 Rooster // Mar 23, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Losing Mr. Mintz was not a bad thing the man failed to submit many student applications for college on a reagular baises and thus the reason for his dismissal and not all the teachers were judaic studies either two where math
4 admin // Mar 23, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Interesting. My information had Galitzer, Heber, and Lefkowitz as the affected teachers. Who else was fired?
Mr. Mintz was a big influence on me during my high school career. I can’t say I agree with you about the college application thing, but I know that this has been said too.
5 Yosefa Heber // Mar 23, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Ok…I am NOT here to write “save my mom” I actually never had her so I couldn’t say much about her as a teacher, however, from what I heard she was amazing. The other teachers affected (not the few new ones) but Mrs. Galitzer and Rabbi Lefkowitz had the most incredible impact on my life.
Mrs. Galitzer’s Jewish History class was the most remarkable classes I have ever taken (that includes college). Mrs. Galitzer had an amazing ability to cram thousands of years of Jewish ancestry and important heritage in to a few months making the course the most exciting and difficult classes offered at Hillel. Mrs. Galitzer (for those who have taken the class know) makes her students every year write a paper called the “grandparent report.” This paper forces student, who otherwise may not have, interview and learn about their family history. After the news that Mrs. Galitzer was let go I got a chance to look back on my grandfather report and remember that Mrs. Galitzer gave me the opportunity to learn about and have pride in my family.
I have also had the opportunity to have Mrs. Galitzer for her women’s Tefilah group (prayer) and once again she creates an environment of love for torah and Jewish studies. She taught the women of the class to have self-respect and pride in being a woman of Jewish upbringing. She took us on trip, added lessons to the prayers and (the girls in the class will agree) never once condemned a student for asking a question or not having knowledge in any certain prayer.
I can also say that I have had the chance to be Eleventh and Twelfth grade representative on student council working alongside rabbi lefkowitz. Rabbi’s love for his work and the love he has for each and every student brings a sense of unity and care to Hillel. You knew walking down the halls that if you saw a big smile at the other end it was Rabbi Lefkowitz. Not just a teacher, not just a friend, but also a mentor. The amount he has impacted my life as well as MANY other Hillel alumni is mind blowing.
Letting these few teachers go is telling the kids of Hillel that the school is not about love for torah studies and Judaism or the wholesome environment it once was but an environment where the most knowledgeable and most respected are no longer welcome. My personal opinion is that these teachers are too good for Hillel and the students who already had these teachers were very fortunate and the students that are deprived of this PRIVILEGE are missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
6 Lillie // Mar 25, 2007 at 7:00 am
though, they are not only firing High School, but middle school and elementary teachers. They ar firing Mr. ELbaz!
7 Concerned Citizen // Mar 25, 2007 at 10:19 am
you mean RABBI Elbaz
8 anonymous // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:42 am
Kudos to the original poster on this page. I agree wholehearted with the post — -
Couldn’t have said it better myself!!!
9 Board member/concerned parent // Mar 29, 2007 at 9:04 am
Now that someone discovered my name, I need to respond. Not all Board members kept quiet re: recent teacher (non)rehirings. We contacted the proper administrators and voiced our feelings regarding the tremendous Judaic role models the school did not recognize they played . We even encouraged our high schoolers to respectfully meet with the key administrators, as well. It is not that we are neglecting our duties but we need to give the administrators a chance. This particular decison may not have been correct I am sure they are revisiting the decision. There is one recurring message I hear from all the alumni. The lack of Derech Eretz and decorum that has prevailed all these years(no discipline…). This is something that the “new vision” is trying to correct. There has been a concerted effort, school-wide, to not tolerate this kind of behavior. There have been several suspensions and even expulsions for repeated violators of School Code(s). Also, I cannot fully blame the school for what some commenters state as less judaics(which I disagree with according to my family’s experience. My children seek it out and they get it from their teachers)It is some of the religious families that abandoned the school instead of trying to maintain the orthodox presence.
Perhaps some of these orthodox families should reconsider their decision and require the school to provide the programs they claim no longer exist?
I look forward to continue to strive as a concerned parent to make Hillel a school of excellence that g-d willing will continue to include Mrs. Heber and Rabbi Lefkowitz.
10 admin // Mar 29, 2007 at 9:14 am
Dear Board Member: I’m not sure who you are (the names we posted as far as we know are of the entire board and don’t intend to single out any particular member) but I appreciate that you have said what you said.
I understand the desire to give the administrators a chance, but there is so much turmoil within the administration with so many different heads of schools that it would possibly been advisable to settle down first and act second. Every administrative member, as far as I’m concerned, was not at Hillel when I was, and that really makes these actions very questionable.
I truly hope that you are correct and they are revisiting the decision, but hearing about Hillel passing out its new “vision” pamphlets at school does nothing to alleviate the concerns of anyone and certainly does not address terminating the teachers, especially Mrs. Galitzer, who excelled as an educator.
11 News Coverage: Students React to Teacher Firings // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:56 am
[…] board is in “full support” of this decision, though a recent comment on this site from board member might bring that notion into question. The article continues to […]
12 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 11:06 am
Dear Board Member/ Concerned Parent,
We don’t know who you are but we need you more than ever.
Deep in your heart you know the truth or you wouldn’t be posting to this site.
The children have spoken. Open your ears, take in what they have said, and go to bat for them.
You are the only chance this school has.
We are behind you.
13 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 11:13 am
Board Member: Please also know that I have it on good authority that the Dean has retaliated against current students who have posted to this site. I can’t say more because I risk putting those children in great peril. Is that the kind of administration you wish to give a chance to? A repressive, retaliatory regime? Please re-think this and do the right thing, The community will support you if even if the rest of the board does not.
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