As a former Hillel graduate, a current Hillel parent, and someone who has given tirelessly to the school, I am deeply saddened by the entire process and the attitude of the board. Additionally, it should be noted that board representation is merely based upon ability to financial support the school through philanthropy with no balance of power between those who have financial means and those who work hard to pay the high tuition to provide an outstanding Jewish and Secular education to their children.
It would stand to reason that Hillel has been around more than 35 years. Our founding fathers must be rolling in their graves. Thousands of students have graduated and gone on to attend Ivy League and other well respected Colleges and Universities in the United States and around the world. People who send their children to the Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day school do so because they believe in the quality education bestowed upon the students. The children who go to Hillel are happy to go to school.
For those individual who do not approve of the amount of Judaic and Hebraic studies, they are clearly in the wrong place. They should stop trying to change a proven commodity and take their unhappiness and children to a school that better meets their needs. There is much competition and many other choices in the area. They should stop trying to change what is and focus on what is best for their children and go someplace that meets their need. For those who want a Pinecrest education, go to Pinecrest, go to Ransom, Posnak, University School, Miami Country Day - - -don’t stay at Hillel - - - we don’t need your anti-religious and Jewish sentiment.
Hillel was established to be a traditional community based Jewish day school built on Orthodox Jewish values with emphasis on an outstanding Secular education. Our teachers have always been considered an integral part of that structure and family and give of themselves each and everyday to our children. Clearly, this is a labor of love, especially considering the salaries paid. The teachers are not being treated with dignity or respect. They are being verbally threatened by the current administration not to share their dissatisfaction with the parent body in an effort to create Secrecy. Secrecy is different from privacy in that Secrecy is an action with the intention to hide a wrong doing. Privacy on the other hand is something that is personal.
Our warm, loving teachers are working in fear of losing their jobs. They have banded together to support each other. Is this the environment that fosters good teaching and learning for our teachers and students? I DON’T THINK SO. These individuals should be treated with the utmost respect and admiration!
It is at this time the board better wake up before it is too late. Wake up before we lose the very foundation on which this institution was built.
I encourage other parents, teachers, and students to partake in this website. Speak loudly so your voices may be heard. If you sit by and do not take action then don’t complain about the results afterwards.
For the sake of our children and the teachers who give of themselves each and everyday, I am expressing my complete dissatisfaction with the current board and their lack of intestinal fortitude to buck the current administration and question these very unwarranted actions related to the non-renewal of the high school teachers’ contracts.
Let us not forget that there are other divisions affected by this leadership. The board should truly examine the reasons the outstanding principal of the elementary school resigned. Further examination should be implemented to determine the true lack of expertise in curriculum and elementary school governance of the newly appointed replacement principal for the elementary school for next year. She is highly credentialed by education but possesses no expertise within an elementary school environment. Why aren’t these things questioned? Is it the board’s intention to sit idly by and watch the dismantling of an entire school?
I leave that decision to you all. I look to all individuals who have the time to read this site to make the time and undertake the effort to make their voices heard.
The school has had serious issues in cultivating philanthropy - - this current issue is certain to exacerbate this issue.
I implore and challenge everyone to take action - - - for the sake of our children, our teachers, our school and ourselves.
A very concerned and upset Hillel supporter!!!!!!
23 responses so far ↓
1 Jessica Fishbein // Mar 28, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Well said
2 anonymous // Mar 28, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Kudos!!!!! It’s about time someone put it on the line!!!
3 Concerned118 // Mar 28, 2007 at 11:58 pm
The bylaws state that “special meetings of the members (that would be parents and certain donors) may be called by the chair, and must be called by the Chair on written request of not less than fifty (50) Members . . .” If I read that correctly, once more that 50 parents submit a written request for a meeting, the Board Chair must call one. I think a petition for a “member meeting” with at least fifty signatures delivered to Rafeal Russ should suffice. Of course, the more signatures the better.
Concerned118
4 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:02 am
Finally!!!!! Someone is exposing the culture of fear and secrecy that need to be eradicated.
Why should grown adults have to walk in fear and be deprived of their first amendment right to free speech?
Also, it seems extremely unfair that only a select handful of the rich get to make critical decisions that affect the the lives of so many and that directly impact the future of American Jewry.
5 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:05 am
The post above was not up when I was writing a minute ago.
Get it going!!!!
Let’s get that petition circulating quickly.
A public hearing is long overdue.
6 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:06 am
Concerned118,
How can we find you to start signing that petition?
7 anonymous // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:53 am
You have found me - - - just copy and paste the comment to a word document and then have the website administrator post it for electronic signature.
In the alternative, print it out and start passing it for signature. I am around and I will sign it.
I will not reveal my identity on line in an effort to protect my children! I know this you will understand. There is no need for them to have any consequences related to this.
Thanks for your support. I am happy so many are reading - - -please pass it on!!!!
8 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:56 am
Baruch Hashem!
9 anonymous // Mar 29, 2007 at 1:02 am
Email those people who truly care and support the Hillel we all know and love.
Remember it takes a village, a warm, nurturing caring village.
The more who can help - - the better
10 anonymous // Mar 29, 2007 at 1:14 am
anyone reading this is encouraged to spend some time and go through each page and the archives. Continue to post and be heard.
11 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:11 am
ATTENTION BRAVE PARENTS WHEREVER YOU ARE:
We need you to band together now on www.petitiononline.com and get this petition going already!
Alumni can’t start this ball rolling…only parents can call the public hearing.
I beseech you for the sake of your children’s future and the future of klall yisrael to get up the gumption and just do it already.
www.petitiononline.com
JUST DO IT!
12 Concerned Parent // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:15 am
Bravo!!!! Thank you for this.
I am so relieved to have found this site.
I refuse to have my childs Jewish education watered down.
I am off to the archives.
13 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:27 am
Start with the post “Rehired?!’ in the archives if you wish to get a picture of how this entire mess started.
14 Concerned Parent // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:30 am
Thank you.
Where can I find the Petition, on the link above? It is taking me to the main page.
15 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:33 am
We need someone to start the petition because Alumni are not the ones able to call the public hearing.
If you are too afraid to start it yourself, get 10 parents right now and put all your names as inititators so that you will not be singled out.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!
16 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 10:35 am
PARENTS: OUR CHILDREN ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO STAND UP FOR THEM NOW.
YOU ARE THE ONLY SHOT THEY’VE GOT.
17 Hillel Parent // Mar 29, 2007 at 11:08 am
The petition is up and ready to go! http://www.petitiononline.com/SSHCDS07/petition.html
Your support is welcomed!!!
18 Hillel Petition for Meeting of the Board // Mar 29, 2007 at 11:12 am
[…] sign the Petition that will enable for a meeting to be held with the board as per the Hillel bylaws: The bylaws state that “special meetings of the members (that would be parents and certain […]
19 Isaac Sapoznik // Mar 29, 2007 at 11:25 am
I don’t think it is the board that makes teaching hiring/firing decisions. That is up to the administration.
Yes, the board hired the administration. However, the topic we are trying to get accomplished is helping the teachers. Let’s try to get an answer from the administrators and if they have no good reasons then let’s look to the board to have them removed.
Going to the board will not help the teacher situation.
20 joshua // Mar 29, 2007 at 1:01 pm
The board is ultimately responsible for the hiring of the administration. Since this was an egregious act, it would stand to reason they should be further involved and accountable.
If we cannot refer and ask the board to comment and have a meeting and request the administration to address the parent/alumni body, then who can we refer to and hold accountable?
21 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 1:10 pm
The board needs to fire the administration.
22 Concerned Citizen // Mar 29, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I believe there are a few board members who want to do this and ironically, they too, are afraid for some reason.
Isaac, how can we support them?
23 Wealthow Anon the Bard // Apr 2, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I find the whole dismissal of teachers (as one of the fourteen) disquieting.
We were hired to give good solid academic lessons, direction, and to motivate the students to swim in the currents of Western Civilization with the morals and ethics that a Jewish Education wraps around the whole learning process.
Sigh…
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