Hillel was not Adam Holden’s first target. Not long ago, the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy of Greater Kansas City fell victim to the same tactics that Holden is currently practicing at Hillel. Whether Hillel was desperate or not when they hired him becomes a serious question, or perhaps the hiring committee, whose actions are questionable at best, had an agenda they wanted Holden to carry out. I won’t speculate too much, but Holden’s practices are hardly new.
According to a parent at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Holden was hired based on his good looks and charisma. The women at the school fell in love with his British accent. He was good looking and athletic. Women faculty and staff had crushes on him. He was a great salesman and sold himself: he made a great impression on Greater Kansas City when he was appointed headmaster in 2002. Interestingly enough, Holden’s appointment had nothing to do with his knowledge of Judaism, a fact that seems to hold true to this day. From the Jewish Daily Forward:
…the British-born Holden is a devout Catholic … [who had] a “superficial understanding at best” of Judaism.
“‘The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Judaism’ was my close companion for a long time,” Holden said, “and remains so.”
The parent’s story continues:
In his first year at Hyman Brand, Holden did not talk to one faculty member. He wouldn’t say hello to any teacher when they passed him by in the hallway. At the end of the year, he said the board gave him a mandate to “clean house.” At the end of the first year, he fired half of the staff, and some others quit in sympathy over those whose contracts were not renewed.
The same thing happened in the second and third years. “Every single Rabbi” that was on staff was fired. Out of an original faculty of sixty-five before Holden’s arrival, there were “ten or under” left after he cleaned up.
The school in Kansas City shifted its vision. Several years ago, it was an academic institution with a high emphasis on Judaic studies values, perhaps with a 50/50 mixture of general studies and Judaic studies classes. Now, however, Judaic studies courses are rumored to be 50 minutes a day. Today, the “Hebrew language” course an elective at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. [The parent’s story ends here.] Funny — this seems to be the same rumored happenings in Hillel in the coming years.
This might be Holden’s first year at Hillel, but if his “cycle” is anything like that in Kansas City , Mrs. Galitzer, Mrs. Heber, and Rabbi Lefkowitz are not Holden’s first victims. There will be more.
Update: In a follow-up response from the very opinionated parent, Holden was said to not have spoken to the faculty who he was going to fire. (This was expressed as an opinion.)
66 responses so far ↓
1 ... // Mar 24, 2007 at 11:56 pm
soo yeah i’ve heard this before..i worry.
2 Danielle Tamir // Mar 26, 2007 at 1:23 am
This is very, very scary. I do hope the ones who hired him read this and SERIOUSLY reconsider their decision. This man can bring nothing good to Hillel. Get him out of there before he does any more damage. As it is the children are angry and even afraid of their own school…which is horrible. I’M afraid FOR the school. It is in danger of falling apart…
3 a student // Mar 26, 2007 at 8:23 am
Who ever wrote this is very cruel. I understand that you do not agree with what he did as do I. But use some derech eretz! You should not bring his wife or kids into this story. Dr. Holden is a human. I agree that its sad that he fired the best teachers but who ever wrote this is harassing him.
4 admin // Mar 26, 2007 at 10:47 am
To “a student”: I am not sure what copy you are responding to but any statements referencing Holden’s personal affairs were removed over 12 hours ago.
I have no desire to pass personal judgment on Dr. Holden and found that while this simply was a repetition of the “rumor” that surrounds his departure from his old school, like you, it does not belong on this site. We are here to Save Hillel, not to impart judgment on administrators behind the decisions.
Please be advised that the content you are referring to is long gone, and I appreciate your feedback.
5 Concerned Studental // Mar 26, 2007 at 11:31 am
personally i think that whom ever “the student” is is not really a student i really think that it is a sure fault. I LOVE TeacherZ
6 admin // Mar 26, 2007 at 11:37 am
You may be right, Concerned Student, but after evaluating the content of the original post, whatever was said previously did not belong here and does not further the cause.
7 michael // Mar 28, 2007 at 7:40 pm
i am a current parent at the hyman brand hebrew academy in kansas city.
dr. holden was hired to help the school attain academic excellence within a professional framework.
during his tenure, we have instituted the neta hebrew program, the international bac. program, comprehensive teacher reviews and many other tremendous achievments.
he had and has had many faculty, students and parents that were strong supporters.
did he have detractors?
sure. there were parents that wanted only a jewish head of school.
your information is erroneous.
i cannot comment on the job he is doing for hillel.
but i cant tell you he exhibited some real strengths at the hbha.
8 admin // Mar 28, 2007 at 8:18 pm
To michael: This parent whose story was reported simply statedit as he/she experienced it firsthand at the school. I understand that Holden has strengths and I wouldn’t doubt that.
I think we’d both agree that the story above comes from one of the “detractors” that you refer to.
I appreciate your insights.
9 anonymous // Mar 29, 2007 at 12:03 am
We already have the NETA program, we also have other excellent programs. All I know is that we are a Jewish school and deserve a Jewish leader, one with an exceptional record!
We need to do things the Jewish way, not the Catholic way. We have heart and we care about each other. The cold lack of community being exhibited by this intimidating individual is unacceptable. To think the board is allowing such behaviour and the lack of dignity and respect towards our faculty is also unacceptable!
Attention should be given to such things!!!!
10 Janine // Mar 29, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I can not believe what im reading. This is disgusting. The glory of Hillel is the extreme mixture of judaism and general studies. Holden needs to be taken out and soon. Is there anything that can actually be done? How can we get him out of here NOW! i dont know about everyone else, but im not ready to see my high school go up in flames because of one man.
kansas lady– thank you for informing us! this is extremely important information!
11 dave // Mar 30, 2007 at 12:26 am
Hillel - please, for your own sake, check with sources before believing the slander being posted about Dr. Holden or any community leaders. Do not accept lies and slander. The ridiculousness of that letter is obvious in so many ways… “his first year (as Head of School) he did not talk to one faculty member” should discount the validity of the entire diatribe. I could with 100% certainty refute most of the letter but believe the author does so him or herself….. its obvious your school is a treasure to you and by allowing anyone to make comments not based in fact you only harm your school, it’s funders, the community. and most importantly - your students.
12 admin // Mar 30, 2007 at 12:39 am
Dave: This is a story as stated from a parent in your community. I understand that you disagree. I am sure there are plenty of Kansas City parents who do agree with the aforementioned story, however. At this point, it is a matter of dispute. You have your own opinion and this parent has an opinion too. If you want to contribute a story lauding Holden’s accomplishments, I would be obligated to post it in the interest of presenting stories from all sides. I have stated this as an objective to this website.
Also, without any clear answers, there will be a lot of speculation. You are, therefore, correct. Many comments are probably being made that are not based on fact. Speculation is an unfortunate consequence of a silent executive board. I understand that you believe this site harms the school, but many of the contributors here would say that it was the board that was responsible for harming the school. If the board members could explain themselves clearly, it may very well be well-received and would clarify a lot of these open-ended and very biased questions. In the absence of clarification, many things stated may be incorrect. I could tell you this — there are many people who have similar sentiments as you. But that does not mean the people sharing their stories should not have a voice. This site allows these parents, students, and alumni to unite to support their teachers and to attempt to make sense of these incidents.
13 Kansas City // Apr 2, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Dr. Holden was previously at my school in Kansas City. He did the same thing at our school by firing teachers. The students and some parents were furious. Our best math teacher, fired, our gym teacher, fired, and many other fine teachers in our school. This is an amazing website to speak out against the person who
is doing this. Thank you for all you are doing!
Signed,
Annomous Studen From The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
14 Concerned Citizen // Apr 8, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I have heard that he’s had his office at Hillel sound-proofed…interesting.
15 Adam Holden Head of School Must Go // Jul 22, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Kansas Parent: How unfortunate that you were right.
16 Isaac Gortenburg // Jul 24, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I am a graduate from the HBHA and feel thoroughly embarrassed for the parents and students involved in this website. As Jews we know what it is like to be hated, persecuted against, and used as a scapegoat, now while all these things may not apply do what you are doing to Dr. Holden some of them certainly do.
Now i did not read every little word in this website but i certainly have an understanding for what youre trying to accomplish here, and that is ruin a mans life who has only tried his best to better the education of the schools he was at. I hate school and i have always hated school, you can ask anyone that has known me, teachers, parents and students alike, but i can fully say without a doubt that because of Adam Holden the HBHA has become a better academic school. Not taking into account that this website has no facts on a lot of the things ive read nor do they have any insight into why Holden did what he did or whether it was his sole decision or not (believe it or not more than one person runs a school) everyone involved in this website should be ashamed that, We, representatives of the Jewish people have taken it into our own hands to destroy the life and credibility of another human being.
17 Isaac Gortenburg // Jul 24, 2007 at 8:00 pm
AND WHY WONT ANYONE USE THEIR REAL NAMES?!?!?!? IF YOU HAVE A STORY OR A COMPLAINT WHY DO YOU LET US VALIDATE IT!!
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY CONCERNS RELATING TO DR. HOLDEN!
18 Good Wolf // Jul 24, 2007 at 9:43 pm
My dear Isaac: Mr. Holden (the “doctorate” is documented as coming from a diploma mill) has a record of firing teachers, office staff and support personnel without justification. And, if he couldn’t fire you he’d force the issue. A total (from what I have read on this site and have been told by others) of 33 of our staff have been given the heave-ho. Our school had alost 1100 kids from pre-k to 12 so 33 teahers and support people is a whole lot of people.
Obviously, Mr. Holden is cleaning house but he and his supporters are not being nice about it!
19 anonymous // Jul 24, 2007 at 9:55 pm
The whole issue and manner in which this man and the worshipping board is conducting itself is nothing short of disgraceful.
Holden will come and go as this is merely a stepping stone in his career. However, these board members will forever be embedded in the history and the community for allowing these actions and destroy the most well respected Jewish School of Excellence in South Florida.
Unfortunately, their consciences live with them. They will have to live with the destruction they have allowed. They will have to live within this society. How can individuals like this be respected when they don’t respect themselves. They don’t think for themselves or act for themselves. Those who do not do for themselves obviously cannot do for others. For this reason they sit shtim on all issues - dumbfounded by the crisis and silent on the destruction. They obviously did not learn from our Jewish History.
We must all stand together and do all we can to overcome this tyranny and SAVE HILLEL - - for our CHILDREN, our TEACHERS, and our COMMUNITY!!!
20 anonymous from KC // Jul 25, 2007 at 1:43 am
Reading the Hillel travails is like re-living what happened in Kansas City. Your school is much larger, which pains me even more.
Take with a grain of salt some of the comments from KC parents and board members. Many of Holden’s staunchest supporters personally benefited from supporting him. Some received more power and fame; that satisfied them greatly. Others were privy to Holden’s daily or hourly gossip. This sucked them in and made them feel really important. It was like a cult. As with real cults, some members never ever realize it was a cult.
Here are some examples of how people benefited:
1) More scholarship money flowed to supporters. Those brave enough to voice objections found their financial aid slashed. At a school were over 60% of families receive financial aid, this is significant.
2) Students with soccer prowess received preferential treatment in terms of financial aid and college scholarship help. Consider that at least one such student should have been expelled for his classroom demeanor YEARS AGO… Yet his mother lied and pandered, doing whatever it took for him to graduate from a Jewish school.
3) Speaking of classroom demeanor, children of generous supporters and board members, like the Gortenberg family, may have benefited from more lenient punishment for altercations with faculty than students with less-loaded parents.
As to why Holden had his detractors, could it have been:
1) Holden was abusive in his treatment of at least one student, administrators, countless teachers, and even some parents,
2) “Academic excellence” didn’t exist there. Many families exited and found excellence in the public school system. Some of the students who thrive at HBHA have special needs; their parents are absolutely convinced they would drown in public school.
3) Many of the good teachers who cared about the students and created a positive, nurturing environment were fired. They were replaced by Holden-lovers. It became a “good-ol’ boy network.”
4) Despite trumped up cv’s by Harvard Leadership and Education courses, Holden and his crony Tym Bonilla are incompetent as administrators. Watch out: they’re the dynamic duo. A better spy doesn’t exist than Bonilla. And Holden thrives on setting up spy networks. Watch what you say, and where you say it….
5) As to Blue Ribbon status and other awards, consider that HBHA sits in an affluent area with bright kids. There are many Blue Ribbon schools around. But, can HBHA still claim Blue Ribbon status given the brain drain in many of the classes, whose departing students’ scores helped achieve this accolade? Nowhere was it mentioned how many kids in those classes left to go to public and other private schools. In some of the classes, over half of the kids can be found at local public schools.
Your only hope, I’m afraid, to SAVE HILLEL is to apply pressure on Holden, question his every move, and ultimately run him away. Maybe he’ll find another school to ruin. Or, maybe you can catch him in the ACT. Lawyers get to work…
21 anonymous // Jul 25, 2007 at 7:42 am
G-d bless you for your insight and willingness to provide such information.
Many of us are on to this individual and have continued to say the exact same things you have so graciously enlightened us about.
Unfortunately, the cult-like environment has taken hold. It is very hard to break and for those so intimately involved - they are blinded - - much like the era of David Koresh.
Most unfortunate is the fact that these very wealthly board members have succomb to such activities. They are so far in, they would not know how to get out.
With that said, it is the very reason we continue to maintain this website. It is an important vehicle to continue to rally the support from the outside. So far, one third of the parent body expressed their disatisfaction with the current regime. Granted, it was not enough at the time, there is no reason that this number will not continue to grow with the grass roots effort that has begun.
We know that he does not the best interest of our school at heart. Judaism does not live in his heart. It is impossible for him to understand our priorities or what it means to be Jewish. No only doesn’t he know, but he really doesn’t care. This is just a stepping stone - -he is using us to boost himself up to his next endeavour.
There are many of us strong individuals who have completely analyzed the situation who work to effectuate change. As we sit and watch the enrollment diminish, our BRIGHTEST AND BEST TEACHERS LEAVE OR ARE DISMISSED, it takes every ounce of thought to try and comprehend the stupidity and complacency of the once prominent board members - to the valleys in which they have fallen in the eyes of the community.
Many in the community - CAJE included (perhaps not the leadership cronies) but many of the others who knew the composition of HILLEL are questioning WHAT is being allowed to happen to the school.
This school did not need an autocratic dictatorial Non-Jewish head of school to actively destroy it from its roots up!
To the board - - save face while you can. The Community is watching!
WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO SAVE HILLEL! We must protect our Beloved Teachers - those who have given of themselves to teach our children. We have always graduated top notch graduates.
We must SAVE HILLEL - - it is our RESPONSIBILITY! Truth and justice will prevail.
22 Aviva // Jul 25, 2007 at 8:25 am
If it is true that many in the community are beginning to question what is going on….. they have to speak loudly!!!!! Eventually the board will not be able to ignore what is going on. It is one thing when only “Hillel knows.” Quite another when the outside knows begins to question.
23 Aaron // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:01 am
I tried to contact Mr. Isaac Gortenburg.
His response was as follows:
“I would love to have this conversation with u but I have a hard time believing ur are unemotional…I can tell u that the website is very un jewish like…and it is making a bad rep for jews not only of miami but everywhere.”
Quite an unemotional response. He did not respond to any other e-mail I sent him.
Isaac, I would very much like to have a conversation with you. I want to hear YOUR story. If you don’t want to post, please e-mail me. However, don’t hide. Don’t complain that people on this site post anonymously when you refuse to share any actual facts.
I am open to a calm rational discussion with you either via e-mail or on this site.
My door is open. Is yours?
24 Anon // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:09 am
I doubt he will come back.
But I was wondering-there seems to have been a surge of activity from kansas residents. What prompted that?
25 anonymous // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:10 am
Agreed - - the individual did not respond. I believe the poster from KC who called his number (so to speak) knocked the hot air out of him!
You see - Everyone is watching! One never knows!
26 Anon // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:16 am
I guess he didn’t realize what he was getting into.
27 Anon // Jul 25, 2007 at 9:27 am
“Now i did not read every little word in this website but i certainly have an understanding for what youre trying to accomplish here, and that is ruin a mans life who has only tried his best to better the education of the schools he was at.”
How did he better your education, Mr. Gortenburg? Your grammar skills are still lacking.
You misunderstand the purpose of this website. It’s not only about Holden. This post is actually from March. Welcome to July. A lot has happened since.
28 Anonymous from KC // Jul 25, 2007 at 11:59 am
Response to Michael and Isaac:
Claiming that “Holden’s detractors only wanted a Jewish head of school” is not accurate and complete. What a cop out to say people didn’t give Holden a chance and were against him because of his religion. That’s an old technique to deflect attention from the real issues and focus on the person.
You give Judaism a bad name by saying Jews hate non-Jews because of religion. We are all created in the image of G-d. Did your HBHA dollars teach you that?
It is true that some community stakeholders and clergy were initially skeptical. They weren’t against Holden the man, only they questioned how someone without a Jewish education could run a Jewish school. Even those individuals gave him a chance to prove himself.
Holden was endorsed by HBHA’s search committee , board, and warmly welcomed into the school community. Some of those board members became, in your words, “detractors.”
Why? Listen to their answers. Listen the facts. Focus!
Are people afraid to attach their names because they were burned or personally threatened? Were teachers afraid to speak because their professional reputations had already been tainted? Could it be that as long as there are Holden supporters in KC people prefer to be quiet?
In Judaism, people are judged by actions not words and certainly not by what’s in the heart. That would be another religion.
By the way, assessing the strength of academic programs should be in the hands of those who don’t “hate school” and who don’t find reading “every little word” important. Every good school meets the needs of every student — that goes for special needs kids, gifted kids, and EVERYONE in between.
This is not about ruining a person’s life. Let Holden live a long and successful life. Maybe, just maybe, he shouldn’t call himself a head of a Jewish school. And that’s for his own good.
There is a crisis in Jewish education in America. We’d better start trying to find Jewish educators who have the stomach and passion for this difficult work. Try dealing with this “stiff necked” people. It isn’t easy. We should put our money where our mouth is and fund students through school who have the potential to return to our cities and lead our schools.
Meanwhile, congratulations to all those involved in the new hires at HBHA . May the 2007-8 school year be a most successful year for students, parents, and all the new administrators!
29 anonymous // Jul 25, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Again, thank you for your insight. Congratulations on your search and aquiring a new Jewish Head of School to lead your school to the future.
Best of luck. Sounds like you are well on your way in recovering from the destruction.
30 Aaron // Jul 25, 2007 at 4:29 pm
The following is from our dear friend Isaac Gortenburg:
Aaron,
unfortunately because i have a job i cannot spend all day returning your emails
i believe you misunderstood the point of what im saying, i am not trying to tell you that what Dr. Holden did was correct and just, i am merely trying to relay the point that as representatives of a jewish community EVERYONE should be concious of Lashon Horah.
I now refuse to have this conversation with you because of the attack on me you posted on the website.
Did it ever occur to you that i might be busy, working, or even sleeping.
I apologize I have not been more timely with my response but i do have a company here in Kansas City i need to run.
I was looking forward to this opportunity to enlighten someone who might have a level head but sadly you are not this person.
please do not take offence to this letter as i am not trying to start a fight.
I am a concerned JEW who believes that what this website is doing against the basic foundations of judaism.
Put yourself in Adam Holdens shoes for just one day, and get online and read a website about yourself where people are slandering your name.
I am not familiair with the happenings at Miami Hillel but i can assure you, as a person who has known Adam for some time now, his intentions are not to destroy Judaism.
Isaac
—————————————-
And now my response:
Isaac ,
If you do not want to spend all day answering e-mails, then perhaps you should not have put your e-mail address up on a public website and dared people to e-mail you.
I did not attack you on this site. When you did not respond to my request for a calm discussion in a timely manner, I simply made the request again in public.
I understand you spend your time running a company. I spend my time producing shows.
As per how would I feel if I read bad things about me on a website… criticism is part of the job. As an actor I’ve received bad reviews in print and online. As a producer I’ve had shows I’ve produced receive bad press. As they say, if you can’t take the heat…
You asked if I understand where Holden is coming from. I’m afraid that I do, and that scares me. Unless you tell me otherwise, I’m forced to believe that Holden has Holden’s interests at heart, not Hillel’s.
I hope to hear from you soon, Mr. Gortenburg.
Best,
Aaron
31 Anonymous from KC // Jul 26, 2007 at 12:33 am
Good question: Why are people from KC talking? To set the record straight once and for all.
Hearing incomplete information, half-truths, simplifications, and lies is disgusting. This isn’t new. Read the letters to the editor in support of Holden in back editions of the KC Jewish Chronicle.
Holden chilled our first amendment rights. His frigid influence continues to chill those living on the coasts, Israel, and even in KC. Yes, people are afraid to talk. Start asking why.
You will learn that Holden is an expert in manipulating facts. He’s even better at controlling minds. He brainwashed everyone into thinking asking questions was wrong because he knew what was best for the school. After all, he was the brilliant one, and we the idiots.
We know the Jewish tradition demands asking questions. That’s what was so wrong with Holden’s approach. Questions are healthy, and so are open conversations like this.
Funny, everyone — Holden detractors and supporters — cares about the welfare of HBHA, its students, parents, and teachers. HBHA contributes to making Kansas City a great community to live in.
A question for the supporters? Were detractors attacked and slandered? Did you listen to this? Did you realize it was the worst kind of lashon harah? Did you hear from Holden himself and his propagandists that detractors wanted to destroy the school? Did you ever stop Holden when he was marginalizing people in your community?
Let truth come to light. Let there be a full and impartial inquiry. You have to read every word and dig beneath the surface to see the truth.
Finally, HBHA and its board members need to personally apologize to those who were wronged. Will that ever occur? Maybe when the mashiach comes… We Jews are a very optimistic bunch.
32 Josef Loeffler // Jul 26, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I hope that there is clarity in this discourse and it seems as though most comments are reasonable, and are based in good intentions. I’ve logged on to this website a few times because I am a Hyman Brand Alum, merely out of curiosity. It would seem as though the mission of this website was to use everyone’s energy (which seems to be immense) to help educate the fine students of Hillel, but in reading these comments, I’m having trouble seeing what the purpose is in defaming Dr. Holden when plenty of effort could be put into the development of quality programming. I’m not saying I support the concept of a goy running a Jewish day school, and it doesn’t seem like Jewish schools need any help in become secularized, but a myriad of defamatory statements doesn’t seem to be finding a liberated perspective as much as it is preaching to the choir in a community’s legitimate desperation to uphold the Talmudic requirement to educate children.
To focus, if the purpose of this website is to defame Dr. Holden, simply change the mission statement, but if this site would like to prove a regimented focus perhaps defined forums have now proved themselves to be necessary based on the intense amount of readership (something to which I would love to help participate in). By all means, if the readership frankly feels that the firing of Dr. Holden will remedy all of the institutionalized problems experienced by Hillel, then perhaps a redefinition is in order. I’ve not been nor met anyone from that area, so who am I to say. However, savehillel.com could be reinvigorated as a tool for educators to reference with community support as to dynamic programs which could be implemented into the schools (something which would prove to be yet another reason why Jewish thought is so progressive.
33 anonymous // Jul 26, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Please note - it is not a matter of defaming an individual. It is a matter of the actions of this individual single handedly destroying a school which took over 35 years to build.
If the individual causing the destruction is being defamed in this process - perhaps the actions (which speak louder than words) and the manner in which this individual approaches our professionals in a condescending autocratic fashion should be revisited.
Furthermore, improving upon an excellent program or structure is always welcomed so long as the process entails and encompasses buyin of all stakeholders (that would include faculty, staff and parents). None of this has been done at this institution.
Additionally, defamation would imply that information being provided is false in nature. To the contrary, the information related to the actions of the headmaster are factual - therefore not meeting the definition of Defamation.
Therefore, in refute of the opinion presented above, the purpose of this site is to inform, bring awareness, and discuss all issues facing our school in an effort to SAVE HILLEL for our students (children), our Teachers, and our community!
34 Aaron // Jul 26, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Dear Mr. Loeffler,
As a Hyman Brand Alum, I would love to hear your thoughts on Adam Holden.
Best,
Aaron
35 Anonymous // Jul 26, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Why are we discussing Holden so much? It is the school officers and board that brought all this on the school and it’s they we should be discussing.
36 Anon // Jul 26, 2007 at 3:22 pm
i dont get it either. Why the surge in Holden inquiries and concerns lately from Kansas people? We’re WAY beyond that. while it’s very nice that they care, if that’s the only thing they’re seeing on this website, they have no idea what we’re fighting for. SO much has happened since then and Holden is hardly a priority.
Doesnt anyone realize that this is an old post from March? it surely has comments as of lately but there are other issues!!!!
37 Josef Loeffler // Jul 26, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Firstly, wow! That was a very intense argument for calling someone a shmuck. Single Handedly? No reasonable person would suggest nor be able to prove that to be true. I’m merely trying to interject a fresh opinion which might keep the good intentions (which I had alluded to in my previous comment), perpetually moving toward a more effective education. Responding to this in support of continuing to call Dr. Holden a shmuck will only perpetuate a perception that the only interest of this forum is to ridicule Dr. Holden and not find lasting conclusions. To Clarify, I neither support nor oppose Dr. Holden, it just seems that a lot of energy is going to waste which could be used in a lot of better ways, but if you have so much free time, good for you, I wish I were so lucky.
In response to Aaron, Dr. Holden took a school which was continually in a spat of leadership struggles and made it a bureaucratic institution. The plan put in place (by Dr. Holden and the Board of Directors) turned out to be more ideal than real, and something that future plans could look for Successes and Failures.
As a leader he seemed to have the much needed finesse necessary when approaching the Jewish community, and it seemed as though it was his pitfall when he took on the role of administrator and fundraiser (which understandably would be a repeated mistake). Additionally, when he tried to seem novel when learning a few Hebrew words, it seemed less amusing and more patronizing. The real dilemma I perceive is that there is a unique quality to ‘think as a Jew’ and reasonably so, he doesn’t have it. The leader of a Jewish day school has a responsibility to exude yiddishkyte, and he doesn’t have it. As an administrator he put reasonable rules into a school that was governed by a soft set of expectations, which cause a lot of students gripe in what I perceive as no more than growing pains. However, as a leader he didn’t have the diction to interject common Yiddish words and he didn’t have the endearing nature of a chussid. Alone I would perceive him as a threat but if parodied with a strong Jewish leader he could prove to be a useful tool.
38 Mindy // Jul 26, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Well, that seems to be one of the greatest problems…we have no STRONG Jewish leader. Our “top” Jewish admistrator lacks much in the way of leadership. And the majoity of the remaining administrators are NOT JEWISH.
Decisions made by these people do not seem to be in the best interests of our school (e..g., the dismantling of our highly successful drama program, the seemingly cavalier attitude towards parents and toward respected teachers).
With only a few weeks remaining until the start of the school year, we are without teachers in critical areas. Even though these positions will probably be filled, just how many QUALITY people will be filling them….it would seem that quality people would have already secured positions. And, on the whole, the admistrators lack experience.
Yes, we are concerned.
39 Josef Loeffler // Jul 26, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I’m very sorry to hear that, and I hope that everything turns out for the best. As for the ‘Kansas People’ there’s another blog available so we don’t necessarily bother these nice Miami people with our griping… it’s hacademy.wordpress.com
40 Anonymous // Jul 26, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I don’t recall anyone calling Holden the word that was used in post #37. I say again - Holden is only doing what he’s being paid to do. It’s the people who hired him that need our attention.
41 Mindy // Jul 26, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Point made, #40.
42 Anonymous from KC // Jul 29, 2007 at 1:26 am
Heads of school can be criticized as public officials. Board member can be criticized for failing to act as fiduciaries.
Note: Board members who don’t have kids in the school really don’t know what’s going on and lack firsthand relationships with teachers. It’s easy for them to listen to Holden’s manipulation of facts and support him blindly on personnel decisions.
Then, when Board members are told not to listen to parents and community stakeholders, they are not acting appropriately as fiduciaries.
Focus on the facts, not on how things “seem” to alums. Understand how teachers, students, and administrators were treated. Some, like Hitler, were really successful at creating bureaucratic institutions. That should never be the measure.
43 anonymous // Jul 29, 2007 at 1:29 am
Correct, the board has breached their fiduciary duty to us the stakeholders! They must be held accountable.
What to do when NO one will listen. They have been stifled - mezmorized and programmed.
They are negligent in the fulfillment of their duties as our fiduciaries!
44 Anonymous // Jul 29, 2007 at 9:32 am
You are focusing in the wrong place. The fact that a few parents are entirely enamored of the “English” accents rolling around the front office is disappointing because they are so willing to overlook the real issues: How money is being spent; how priorities are established; how decisions are made about who stays, who goes and who is producing or trustworthy–or ethically worthy of being around our children. It starts at the top and trickles down into the whole upper administration.
Anonymous // Jul 23, 2007 at 10:21 am
The IRS apparently received notice years ago about the “contributions” that were being taken as donations on the part of the donors even though we were supposedly receiving back our own tuition money that was paid (with a bonus on top for the transfer of our own funds back to the school–Marshall then took his percentage for “raising” our own money). The IRS did nothing even though the auditors at that time walked off the job when they couldn’t identify where cash paid as tuition was going (not directly into operating accounts).
The COO needs to be pressed for the information. He supposedly is “sympathetic” and “helpful” to this “cause” but the reality is he works both sides of aisle to suit his own needs–particularly since Holden was willing to cover up the fact that the COO has been living with the Data Administrator for almost a year even when she was reporting to the COO (they’ve since had that reporting changed on paper).
163 Anonymous // Jul 23, 2007 at 10:24 am
The people who were engaged in the problem that caused the original coverup years ago are still there, the COO is aware of everything that goes on, knows what is happening but opts to cover for all of them–maybe to save his job which is understandable–but he is not the man he appears to be–press him to turn it over. The stakeholders have a right to all of the data and information. This is a 501(c)(3). Nothing should be off limits to requests for information.
45 Anonymous // Jul 29, 2007 at 9:34 am
Anonymous // Jul 23, 2007 at 11:18 am
Leonard Traub-COO
Ilana Sabbagh-Data Administrator
The current COO was not there when all of this happened; he was well aware of everything when he was hired with the understanding that he would leave it alone. He is aware of any contribution trade-offs that are being made for past obligations to Marshall.
There is nothing to go after Marshall with nor does it pay to look back.
The point is that there appears to be no transparency today. The COO works for the school, not Holden. He only reports to Holden and the Board but entirely does their bidding. He may be helping on the side but it is only to give an appearance of helping. He would never do anything to put him bad stead with Holden or Rafa Russ.
46 Anonymous // Jul 29, 2007 at 9:41 am
Anonymous // Jul 23, 2007 at 12:08 pm
177 is correct. The COO was already there having assume Lori Norris’ position. He almost immediately replaced the woman hired between him and Marshall.
We now have audited financials but the data is provided from the financial office and one would assume it is obtained from the COO and possibly the data administrator or people reporting to the COO.
This is not a smear campaign. You are just looking in the wrong place. Holden, Traub, Druin are all accountable to the Board. The Board is responsible for how the finances are ultimately handled and the Board is ultimately liable if there are any wrong doings. They are accountable to the stakeholders but have proven they do not believe in this accountability.
Has anyone seen the audit? Has anyone asked how much of the school’s real estate was mortgaged to cover the shortfalls two years ago from the operating budget once all of the capital campaign donations were transferred to help cover operating shortfalls? Has anyone looked to see if we mortgaged more than was necessary to cover the school’s loans? What are the loans intended to cover and how much is outstanding? What are the salaries of the administrators and who approves them?
Who does the administrators’ evaluations?
Who is responsible for making sure pledges are paid and booked appropriately?
The reports delivered to the Board would not take into account how or where contributions are made/booked/accounted for. It’s too easy to cover this up.
47 anonymous // Jul 29, 2007 at 8:00 pm
No information had been provided at the parent meeting. After all if the information were provided, the current board may not have been re-elected.
These are part of the deceptive practices being undertaken by the board and the Head of School. Amazing - it is so easy to see the misgivings of others when overlooking their own! Certainly their businesses are not run in this same manner.
48 truth // Aug 15, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Wow - what a bunch of racists - use of the term “goy” is as racist as any of the negative terms for Jews. “… a goy run our school …”. And, that Adam destroyed a school that took 35 years to build. I’ll tell you one thing, I know as a educator, principal, and individual - he is not about destroying, he is about implementing a direction as determined by a Board. Unfortunately, I was corect; when I heard that Adam was taking the position at HB, I said, “they’ll tear him apart because he is Catholic”.
49 moving on // Aug 16, 2008 at 8:43 pm
truth, welcome to 2 years ago. we’re on differnt issues now, not this. most have already faulted the board for their vision.
plus we’re not even talking HB anymore.
50 Great Education // Aug 17, 2008 at 1:11 am
What are the issues being discussed now? Are we even talking about Hillel anymore?
51 Anonymous // Aug 17, 2008 at 10:56 am
There are no issues to discuss anymore. The school tanked thanks to the board’s hiring Adam Holden to implement their stupid decisions. They have lost so much enrollment it’s ridiculous. No one blames Adam anymore. Everyone blames the board. With all due respect to the non-Jews in the building, this is one of the only Jewish day schools in the world to have so many non-Jews at the helm. But that is what the board wants, so there it is. This board does not believe in strong Jewish education. They pay lip service to that idea, but they don’t really believe in it. That’s why so many students have left.
52 Great Education // Aug 17, 2008 at 11:29 am
So maybe this blog isn’t needed anymore.
53 moving on // Aug 17, 2008 at 11:31 am
so maybe you should all move on, get over it, etc.
54 Great Education // Aug 17, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Your right, let’s move on.
55 Juno // Aug 19, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Why should moving on be important before the problem gets fixed?
Each of us is given a set of problems to solve in life that are above expectations, in this case it is a group project. The children are first, their education is important. Hillel has a purpose, or, it did.
Not everyone who taught at Hillel was/is Jewish but everyone who taught at Hillel had/has a passion for making sure the next generation was not ignorant for the lack of education. By cutting off the school in this way two things are happening:
1. Good teachers are seeding other students intellect in other venues.
2. Intelligent choices become more complicated to ‘compute’.
a. on the one hand Hillel was a good place
b. on the other hand it has tanked (apparently).
c. on the one hand, the Board is Blind.
d. on the other hand, Admin is blinded.
e. on the one hand, teachers have been blind-sided (there have been many tears).
f. on the other hand, the high school is blinded.
g. cause/effect has been demonstrated.
h. how to leave it all without going crazy has also been demonstrated.
56 Great Education // Aug 20, 2008 at 9:33 am
It can’t be fixed. There are other good schools. The children can get a good education there.
By the way - not every teacher that taught at Hillel “had a passion” for teaching the children. Let’s be real here. For some it was a job and that’s ok. Every school has that.
57 Juno // Aug 20, 2008 at 8:34 pm
“Passion for teaching is important” at least that’s the way I did it and am still doing it. I did cross-curriculum planning too! See neat article link below -
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710405007&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
58 Great Education // Aug 21, 2008 at 10:06 am
I’m sure you did but not everyone does.
59 Juno // Aug 21, 2008 at 8:11 pm
At least my students’ writing and analysis skills shot up.
60 Hillel '06 // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Hey folks,
If you really want us to move on, ask Holden and his rotten board to set an example.
61 Juno // Sep 4, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Easier said…
62 Ivory // Oct 2, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Time will tell.
63 Lynn // Nov 15, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Until the administration, parents, and students start respecting TEACHERS at Hillel - and stop acting like teachers are at the BOTTOM of the pecking order, Hillel will continue to be the mess that it is… Save Hillel? The board and Adam Holden can spend TONS of $$ on recruiting “new teachers” (some of whom aren’t even CERTIFIED or EXPERIENCED) - flights, hotels, moving expenses - why? Because unintelligent people running a school will only survive if they surround themselves by passive, inexperienced, and unintelligent employees. Intelligent, insightful teachers are not respected or retained at Hillel. I wonder how many teachers will be returning next year? Or should I say, how many EXPERIENCED competent teachers? I really don’t wonder… I know… Teachers are not happy at Hillel. They’re being given so many extra duties that get in the way of teaching, it’s out of control. Who is doing anything about it? Well, I under the iron fist of Adam Holden and the board, it doesn’t really matter.
64 huguyl; // Nov 17, 2008 at 12:26 am
Hillel will never be the same. I understand that Rabbi Druin is called the Token Jew.
He is their puppet. They have plenty of money to spend on the sdministrators. Houses, cars, computers, and who knows what else. I heard they have plasma tvs in all the offices. What a neccessity.
65 huguyl; // Nov 17, 2008 at 12:28 am
How sad that the students will never know what it was really like. They let go all the dedicated teachers and staff.
66 Lynn // Nov 17, 2008 at 8:24 am
Holden has a plasma in his office so he can watch soccer all day long… while teachers have to share OLD TVs on carts that buzz when they’re turned on… teachers even have to bring in their own DVD players bc they have more VCRs than DVD players…
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