This email was sent to the Hillel family, but if you didn’t get it, check it out:
Dear Hillel Faculty and Staff,
Now that we are in the final quarter of the school year, Hillel is looking toward preparation for next year in earnest. With the upcoming transition in high school administration and faculty, it is crucial for the success of Hillel to effectively plan the 2007-2008 school year as early as possible. We have made the decision, therefore, to establish a high school transition committee comprised of the leadership that will be with us next year to oversee the building of schedules, hiring of faculty, and development of curriculum and programs. It is with this in mind that we recently implemented some changes in the high school to advance our transition.
Head of School Dr. Adam Holden, Associate Head of School-Judaic Rabbi Michael Druin, High School Assistant Principal Nick Hinrichsen, and High School Judaic Studies Coordinator and Hillel veteran Rabbi Robert Kaplan will lead the high school through the close of this year. Following extensive discussions with members of the Board of Governors’ Executive Committee and the Head and Associate Heads of School, Chaye Kohl has taken a leave of absence from day-to-day school operations for the coming weeks. This transition took effect immediately following the Pesach break.
Hillel is grateful to Ms. Kohl for the significant contribution she made to the school in her tenure as High School Principal; it represents an extraordinary commitment to Jewish education. Her dedication to the school enabled Hillel to make an everlasting difference in students’ lives. We recognize and thank Ms. Kohl for the many accomplishments achieved under her leadership.
Updating you of our teacher evaluation process and contracts, we are pleased to inform you that we are now finalizing all faculty contracts for next year. Ongoing dialog exists between the school’s administration and several teachers - even those previously not offered contracts for next year. All teacher contract negotiations are being reviewed carefully and caringly and have led to very positive conversations. We are confident that the end result will allow us to retain and recruit outstanding faculty for the school and our students.
We also thank Rabbi Kaplan for his partnership with Dr. Holden and fellow members of the faculty. Rabbi Kaplan brings knowledge and experience that will seamlessly integrate the high school with the school-wide Jewish and Student Life Division announced in January. We are excited about the evolution this department is taking as current Middle School Principal Frumma Rosenberg prepares a program that ensures Judaism and Jewish values are instilled in our students through curriculum and extracurricular activities.
As a final note, we have completed our national search and look forward to introducing our new High School Principal and other educational administrators in the coming weeks. We continue to uphold our commitment to provide you with information about Hillel as it develops in this time of growth and transition. We also thank you; it is the high priority you give to Jewish education that empowers Hillel to achieve excellence.
Sincerely,
Rafael Russ, Chairman
Dr. Adam Holden, Head of School
Rabbi Michael Druin, Associate Head of School-Judaic
29 responses so far ↓
1 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 12, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I am ecstatic about the promotion of Rabbi Kaplan. He is one of the last links we have from the old hillel with Dr. Levy and Rabbi Kaplan to the new one.
I think he can be the one to effectively lead this school in the right direction that we all want the school to go.
2 Anonymous // Apr 12, 2007 at 5:42 pm
To those who may be interested….
I find it quite disturbing that most of the parents with whom I have spoken did not receive the letter.
This is a bunch of lip service to calm the storm being felt at the school. just as the letter sent out subsequent to the non-renewals.
For those who are familiar with Rafa Russ…..he did not write this letter - perhaps one of his colleagues as his command of the English language is mediocre - - at best! I am not commenting on his intelligence, experience or function related to his role. I am merely pointing out that HE did not write the letter.
It was apparently written by Dr. Holden - sent under the cover of the board - a common practice in many organizations.
Have you received the other communications from the school - - perhaps the Roots to Wings invitation? - - this appears to be the event replacing the annual dinner - - however, it is only for the privileged as it costs a minimum of $150 per person to attend the event - - - which happens to be the venue for Dr. Holden to deliver the State of the School address, the successes of the current year and the plans for the future year.
I find it astonishing that this information is only offered to those who can or desire to pay such amounts to attend.
I further believe that all parents/members are entitled to this information in an open and public venue. ….and even if the school has plans to provide this information once again, it should be provided to the parent body as a whole first and prior to the private event. This is a discriminatory practice that should not and can not be tolerated.
I appeal to all members/parents to stand up and speak up for your rights to this information. This is a school to which we pay tuition and we are entitled to the information — …..and it should not just be for the privileged few.
Any thoughts?
3 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 5:58 pm
This is an amazing piece of propaganda.
I heard today that most of the teachers took it out of their boxes and threw it into the garbage can immediately. Go check the garbage in the teachers’ lounge.
Here’s what the community thinks:
Rabbi Kaplan and Nick Hinrichsen–YES!!!!!
“Rabbi” Druin and “Dr.” Holden–HECK NO!!!!
Rabbi Kaplan should not be an INTERIM anything: He should be the PERMANENT principal.
It’s time this school is run by the insiders like Mr. H. and Rabbi K. who’ve dedicated years of their lives to this institution and to our children!
The other two were NEVER MEMBERS OF THIS FAMILY AND ARE NO LONGER WELCOME IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 anonymous // Apr 12, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I wonder how Mr. H can fill all the roles - because in a prior communication he was to be transitioning as the Middle School principal.
Interesting!
5 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Mr. H would be great in any capacity. However, he requested high school initially and he’s already proven to be competent there. These fools should have honored his initial request.
The only thing that scares me now is: Who will run the middle school? They too are suffering from a lack of leadership. This is a big problem that’s need resolving!
6 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Mr. H and Rabbi Kaplan should be PERMANENTLY in charge of the High School.
Enough is enough already!!
7 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:21 pm
You guys think that just because you complain change will happen overnight. There is a process and in order for that process to take place things need to get done.
That letter I beleive, is a very positive step in the right direction. THEY PROMOTED RABBI KAPLAN. That is not “propoganda”.
You right, it is not the final solution, but you must admit it is a step in the right direction.
If you think that it was not Raffa Russ, then you claim it was Adam Holden. If in fact this was Adam Holden then I applaud him for taking action and promoting Rabbi Kaplan.
Unfortuantely this is a very diverse school with 3 opinions for every 2 people. Not EVERYONE is going to get EVERYTHING they want. However, I am confident that we are going in the right direction. Rabbi Kaplan needs to get situated before he can start making decisions. Already they said in the letter that they are reviewing the contracts of the teachers in question.
It doesn’t matter whoe wrote the letter, it was signed by Raffa and endorsed by the bored and Headmaster. Instead of “kvetching” about every little detail, lets acknolewdge that preliminary changes have been made even though more changes may need to be done.
8 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:38 pm
I acknowledge the positive.
You have just acknowledged that positive change cannot happen overnight and therefore I posit this question:
HOW MUCH CHANGE CAN RABBI KAPLAN ACCOMPLISH IN A MONTH AND A HALF LEFT OF SCHOOL BEFORE YOU REPLACE HIM WITH SOME OTHER INCOMPETENT ADMINISTRATOR?
9 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:39 pm
We need long term solutions here. Not quick fix bandaids.
Keep Rabbi Kaplan there permanently and get rid of some of the others and I promise you, I will shut up.
I would LOVE for that to happen!
10 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:45 pm
You are right. He would be the ideal long term solution. However this decision was probably made quickly over passover.
Maybe he is the long term solution? However, right now he has the chance of something great and I am confident he will show that he is more than qualified to lead this school to where it needs to be.
Also, I don’t want you to shut up. Feedback is good, but if you want to talk you should at least know that the admistration and board have began to make changes and more changes hopefully will be on the way. Our voices are being heard and we should give credit where credit is due.
11 voice from the past // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:47 pm
I don’t know how much truth there is to this, but I’ve heard this from several sources already… Someone else, please confirm:
Rabbi Finerman will not be back at Hillel next year as he has taken an administrative job at a school in Toronto.
12 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:54 pm
KOL HA KAVOD FOR TAKING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND PLACING A TRUE MENSCH, RABBI KAPLAN IN CHARGE!
13 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Voice from the Past, Sounds like another one bites the dust.
14 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I’d also like to thank those very few parents who are on the board or influential with the board who have been sincerely advocating for the teachers. It is a thankless job –you have generously spent days and nights dealing with this issue–and you do indeed deserve so much credit. Without you few, (and I cannot name you here, but you know who you are and many of us also know who you are but don’t want to call you out for obvious reasons), we’d be going nowhere fast. Any progress that has been made is thanks to you and I hope you realize I’m truly grateful for YOUR efforts but very angry at some others. Do not take my comments personally. One day I will be able to thank you in person.
15 anonymous // Apr 12, 2007 at 8:34 pm
We have lost another good one. This is unbelievable.
….and I take offense - -this is far from kvetching - - it is the people who are bringing things to the forefront of this website who are assisting in effectuating change at this institution. It seems that the middle and elementary schools are being forgotten.
Let me remind you that we are losing a fantastic administrator in Mrs. Johnson - - she was the best thing the elementary school. She did wonderful things. She too is leaving due to administration - - amongst other things.
…….and now - - - please note - - the letter indicates there will be an announcement about a new high school principal very soon - - It does not say that Mr. H is not moving to the middle school.
Change can be good - - but unforutnately I do not see many of the changes thus far to be positive - - except for Rabbi Kaplan. I sincerely hope that their intentions are good because I would hate to see this wonderful person used and taken by this administration - - as they are quite famous for that in pursuing their own agenda.
……only time will tell.
16 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I am also afraid that the school will use a good man like Rabbi Kaplan, chew him up and spit him out like they did to Dr. Levy, Dr. Zakon, and so many others.
17 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 9:19 pm
And yes, the elementary and middle schools are being ignored…
They too face many of the same problems but don’t have alumni to rally behind them.
If not for the high school alumni and this web site, there would be no progress even in the high school.
Anonymous please continue to inform us as to what’s happening in elementary. I am more aware of MS and HS.
The main complaint of MS teachers is that they want Rabbi Druin out.
They are also quite upset with the wrongful firing of Rabbi Elbaz.
That’s the word in the middle school.
18 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Rabbi Elbaz has been teaching younger students and has not been in the school long enough to have alumni in college and grad school who are sending letters in. I have indeed heard from a number of parents that they are very upset about his non-renewal. He, apparently, is actually a rabbi that many students connect with personally and respect a great deal. What a loss!
The students in the middle school and I believe the high school tried to stage protests when the nonrenewals became public knowledge, but as Shlomo indicated in a previous thread, there was a crackdown so now the students are in fear and remaining silent.
I don’t know whose contracts Rabbi Kaplan is re-visiting but let’s hope it includes some of the elementary and middle school teachers too–otherwise, these dismissals also need addressing.
19 Anonymous // Apr 12, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I can only provide information on the elementary school when elementary parents provide the information to me. However, the letter from the school to the parents does not address any of the other areas - - as if they don’t exists or deserve the mention. They still don’t get it - - it is not just about the high school - - it is about the entire Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School - - pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school! Many parents in the other divisions are quite concerned as to the direction and lack of leadership that will be in place next year.
Many are extremely disappointed about Rabbi Elbaz. The children really loved him - - and they are very, very disappointed. It seems like those who are popular and connect with the children are not renewed! The question is WHY - - why was Rabbi Elbaz NOT re-newed? It is a tremendous loss.
As far as Rabbi Druin - - there is no argument. He has NOT done much for the school - - to the contrary - - he is not well liked by the parents or faculty. No matter who I speak with - - they provide the same response - - what does he do? - he has done nothing to help the school just to tarnish its good name. He only speaks to big donors/big machers and really has no interest in knowing the rest. This is not the type of leadership a community day school needs. Lessons should be learned from the days of Rabbi Raab, George Finklestein, Raymond Bloom - - the Derech Eretz, the sense of family and community - -the warmth of a well run Jewish day school instilling traditional Torah values in our children.
Today the school is cold and gloomy - - there is no respect, no sense of community, no feeling of family - - there is a division of those in the know and the rest.
It is a truly a shame — - there is no ruach - - just apathy. After a while it gets old!
Do you know what I mean??
20 Concerned Citizen // Apr 12, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I know too well. The school has lost its soul. I will not allow apathy to destroy this school. It is as insidious as the jealous administrators who fired all the beloved teachers are. I will keep fighting for what’s right until these matters are resolved. BANK ON IT.
21 Concerned Citizen // Apr 13, 2007 at 1:36 am
I am also calling now on the administration to immediately REMOVE THE RIDICULOUS FARCICAL EVALUATIONS FROM ALL TEACHER FILES that teachers were given this year.
Much has already been discussed in previous threads as to how these harassing, illegitmate, unconscionable evaluations were carried out.
They are not accurate and should not be allowed to remain in any teacher’s file.
22 Concerned Citizen // Apr 13, 2007 at 4:13 pm
PARTIAL VICTORY IS OURS
Thanks to this website and your voices–
Rabbi Lefkowitz, Mrs. Heber, and Mrs. Galitzer have been reinstated and their requests were granted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
23 Jonathan Angress // Apr 13, 2007 at 5:36 pm
“Hillel is grateful to Ms. Kohl for the significant contribution she has made to the school…”
This statement is false. Does the torah not say that one should not be decietful? Chayah Kohl has not made any contributions at all whatsoever to the school. She is just another “link” that has caused the school so go downhill. She was the worst principal in the history of the school and she should not be praised at all by any means whatsoever. She has made no contirbutions and has only made regressions. She was the deceit that our society associates our school with. Baruch Hashem she is no longer a part of Hillel.
Rabbi Kaplan, I wish you a heart filled Mazal Tov and Kol Hakavod as the intern principal of the high school. Over the next several weeks, Hillel will re-enter it’s Golden Years of the time of Dr. Levy.
24 Concerned Citizen // Apr 13, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I pray that this occurs and that they keep Rabbi Kaplan on for many years to come.
25 Anonymous // Apr 13, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Jonathan you speak the truth!
However, it should be noted that these are all hires under the guise of Ms. Judy Dach and Ms Joanne Papir - the search committee. Add to these awful hires, Rabbi Druin, and Dr. Holden. They are still there working to undermine what Dr. Levy and others worked so hard to build.
If you go back some years perhaps you may want to inquire to what happen at the previous Jewish school that Ms. Dach was involved in….It no longer exists.
Amazing how history repeats itself. How sad.
26 Concerned Citizen // Apr 14, 2007 at 1:30 am
If “New is Better” then perhaps it’s time for a NEW SELECTION COMMITTEE AS WELL.
27 concerned insider // Apr 14, 2007 at 9:57 am
As a parent for many years at Hillel. I always wondered and questioned why administrative positions were seldom given to qualified faculty members. Instead, countless of hours are spent with search committees scouting the country for qualifications that already exist within our school community.
Rabbi Kaplan is the perfect example. He is an amazing teacher and should have been given the opportunity long ago to lead the High School. From a student’s perspective, which is really never considered at Hillel, promoting someone from within gives students a sense of pride and comfort - the new principal already knows them, knows Hillel and needs no transition to learn about the school community. I must tell you that students were elated to return to school to deservingly see Rabbi Kaplan in his new position. Why? Because he is already well respected and he deserved it.
The school board should rethink the contract for the new high school principal already hired by Dr. Holden or the next school year.
Ironically, it seems the search turned up the most qualified candidate?
Another Kansas principal!
28 Juno // Apr 14, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Career buider is advertising teaching positions…
2007-2008
29 anonymous // Apr 14, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Yes, and the ad asks for so much! For a school of excellence, one would think that we would ask for certain credentials. Please see the very elaborate ad! NOT
TEACHERS HILLEL SCHOOL in NMB seeks experienced teachers for the 07/08 school year in HS science, math, English, librarian, ms social studies, elementary, preschool, and judaic studies.
Any recruitment specialist would tell you to provide a short blurb about the school including the fact that you may be looking for teachers who have experience in a dual curriculum environment. This is a must. As the research has shown, individuals who lack such experience have much difficulty in adjusting to our structure and programs.
Perhaps the ad doesn’t mention this as we are changing our structure.
Don’t you find this strange?
Who Suffers? THE CHILDREN!!
Why are we not renewing our staff who are truly experts at what they do to replace them with lower paid, less experienced staff who, as seen in the elementary school, are set up for failure. It has been mentioned to me on numerous occasions by parents who have children in the elementary school, most of the new teachers who were hired were either demoted, or are not coming back as they could not adjust to the environment. So as I hear, it is not just in the high school. ….and insiders have commented that the wonderful elementary principal also did not care for the headmaster attitude or management style and is also moving on. The insiders also commented that this loss greatly upset the faculty and many parents as she really was making a difference.
Remember, when teachers feel intimidated, unappreciated, demoralized, and experience low morale, the classroom suffers, and so do the children.
THINK ABOUT IT!
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