Save Hillel

138 responses so far ↓

• 1 anonymous // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:23 pm

  Again, it is irrelevant who is making the points on this site. The points are factual. No parent in his or her right mind is going to identify themselves as a dissenter while they still have children in the school.

  The bonds of trust and integrity are shattered and cannot be repaired by board members asking individuals to identify themselves to them in order to address the issues.

  The issues have been brought to the forefront on this website. Issues are issues regardless of who the individuals are who raise the issue. Whether a faculty or staff member, parent, parent alum, an alum, or a parent of an alum, or even a community member - - the issues are the issues and they need to be addressed.

  Though your candid nature is appreciated, as a professional you know that an issue is an issue regardless of its origination - - it must be addressed. All corporations operate in this matter as rumors cause more damage than the facts themselves sometimes. Most organizations try to address the issues prior to them compounding and becoming irreversible.

  This is what the school needs to do now. Address the issues that have been brought forth. Respond - provide an open forum or start a blog themselves. People should not have to identify themselves to ask questions. Even Federal laws do allow for anonymous disclosure - - ask the FBI - - ask Crimestoppers, the police department, CIA, and other governmental agencies. Anonymous information is always welcomed and encouraged.

  Just because the source of an issue is anonymous, does not mean it is unfounded, untrue, or does not hold any weight!

  Others are encouraged to contribute.

  Good Shabbos!

• 2 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:32 pm

  The point of the letter and what the teacher at hillel for 7 years is trying to say, is that now that we have direct lines of communication opened, we can call the board members and talk to them in person. This may help solve some of the information disputes on this website. There are members willing to talk but they want to talk to actual people.

  I think it is a valid request. If they opened up lines of communicaion, then lets use them. Lets get their explanation on ideas and give them our ideas.

  Many of the problems have been created by lack of communication. This is another way the board is responding to the needed changes in the school.

  I think we should respond to them in the same manner and give them a call. If anyone finds out good information also, they should post it after talking to board members. This website can be a vehicle for good information also to go accross about Hillel thus keeping everyone more informed about situations.

• 3 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:33 pm

  One more thing

  All the issues should 100% be addressed. However, we should now take it up with the board now that they have given us a means to do so.

• 4 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:43 pm

  Finally,

  If we do no utilize those lines of communication, then we are making the very same mistake that the board has been doing for the last few years with the lack of communication.

  Shabbat Shalom

• 5 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 27, 2007 at 7:58 pm

  The board members are not retaliatory by nature. I personally know several of them.

  They are not the administrators.

  They can only act on information that they are given. If we let administrators do all the talking, then it will be only the administrators who set the agenda and no one else.

  Perhaps in the last couple of years many felt too scared to reach out to them for various reasons.

  They are holding out an olive branch now.

  I believe you are totally safe talking to the board members privately. I believe that if you were to ask them not to reveal your names to the administration that they would honor your confidentiality. They have honored such requests made by me in the past and have effected several changes I brought to their attention over the years.

  I believe Isaac is correct in everything he has said.

• 6 Bridge Building 101 // Apr 27, 2007 at 11:43 pm

  Perhaps it’s time for the posters to let bygones be bygones and turn a new page.

  To facilitate this goal it would be greatly helpful if people could know who it is that they will encounter at the other end of telephone line when they call extension 126.

  Calling an anonymous person is a daunting proposition. Names of real board members who care and are open would help.

  While there are indeed board members who have been working dedicatedly in peaceful and non-adversarial ways to improve the environment for all parties concerned, you can appreciate why people would be more than a bit reluctant to call in at this stage of the game.

  If all people can expect to hear when they call in is that they are “Wrong Wrong Wrong” about information that many individuals have taken great pains to investigate and research, fruitful communication will be shut down.

  If all people can expect to encounter are those board members (who have not posted on this site) who have expressed to parents that the posters here don’t know what they’re talking about and are simply young alumni or are simply mean-spirited people bent on destroying the school (and they really believe this because they have not taken the time to talk to enough teachers and parents), fruitful communication will be shut down.

  The greatest impediment to opening channels for fruitful communication is the fact that 2 people connected to the board (i.e. Givner and Lichter)–much to the dismay of some other board members–attempted to shut down the only channel of communication available (i.e. this blog) for most people to feel comfortable speaking freely on (i.e. by threatening the website adminisrator, one of their own alumni, with legal action). By sending these threatening Cease and Desist letters, they sent a loud message (to parents and teachers alike) that they are not interested in hearing what anyone has to say, and that furthermore, if you talk, they will punish you, or at the very least, try to scare the living daylights out of you.

  It is obviously not fair to lump all of the board members along with the ones mentioned above.
  It is true: Trust has been shattered on all sides.

  If trust is to be restored, people need to know who is who. Who can they open up to? Who will be receptive? Clearly some won’t, but many will.

  If those board members who are open to hearing from people could actually name themselves, some might come forward to them.

  Maybe these board members are also afraid. So maybe the board needs to agree that they will not punish anyone, including a member of their own board, who names himself or herself and reaches out to teachers and parents at this point in time.

  I can appreciate that board members may be concerned that if they do reach out they may open themselves up to personal attack–especially after all of the raw emotion that’s been expressed in the past few weeks– and especially since some of them have been called out by name on this site.

  They really should not be fearful, however: Most of the anonymous posters here are quite fearful themselves and are not likely to be hostile in a face to face encounter with anyone. They just want to be heard. They, too, like the board, are nice people who have their hearts in the right place.

  The level of anger that is being vented here is mainly happening because people feel that they are not being heard. The silence on the part of the board is deafening: It does not serve to diffuse people’s level of anxiety and mistrust; on the contrary, the silence merely heightens the feeling of exasperation, frustration, desperation, and hopelessness people are feeling. In psychology, it’s a well known fact that anger is merely a cover for sadness. In business, it’s a well-known fact that if you just let an angry customer vent and make him feel like he’s being heard you can probably restore his trust in you, your product, your service, your company, etc. and you will succeed in making him feel that you care about catering to his needs. So, if you let people get what’s off their chests and simply show them that you understand what they are saying and that you are attempting to accommodate some of their requests, they will calm down considerably.

  How can we further open these channels to lessen the fear that board members, parents, and teachers alike are all feeling? How can we bring everyone together in some way to communicate with one another?

  Could board members take some time to meet in small group or individual settings with parents and teachers so that everyone can get heard and no one will feel attacked?

  Meeting in this “fireside chat” type of way would go a long way to help mend the ever-growing rift that was created in the past month, or more accurately, the past decade.

  When everyone can stop hiding and start talking to one another without fear of being told that they are evil because their decisions had unforeseen consequences, without fear that people will overlook the ways they have poured their hearts and souls into the school (board members, parents, and teachers alike), without fear that what they say will be repeated to other school officials, without fear that their children will become vulnerable to being singled out and admonished by angry administrators, without fear of being fired next April, without fear of facing legal action for simply telling the truth or for merely providing others with a forum in which to express their opinions, then, and only then, will we be on the road to rebuilding the school and creating an amicable, flourishing environment. Let’s make it happen.

• 7 Anonymous Parent // Apr 28, 2007 at 9:03 pm

  Regarding the fear of parents in identifying themselves -

  there is a paragraph in this year’s contract that states that the school can expel a student or withdraw an offer of re-enrollment or nullify an executed contract if, “in the judgment of the Head of School”, the conduct of anyone associated with that student is not in keeping with the school’s accepted standards or principals.

• 8 Anonymous Parent // Apr 28, 2007 at 9:09 pm

  Personally, I wish the Head of School would stop writing in the Kol Hillel. His observations on Yom Haatzmaut, Yom Hazikaron, etc. just prove that he hasn’t a clue and should not be leading a Jewish school.

• 9 anonymous // Apr 28, 2007 at 9:11 pm

  BridgeBuilding 101:

  I agree wholeheartedly with your statement, particularly your final paragraph.

  Do you think a congregant of Young Israel of Hollywood could approach Rabbi Davis to moderate such a “fireside chat”? Rabbi Davis is a compassionate and fair man. Some Board members, teachers, and parents come from his now divided community.

  Perhaps several Rabbi s from the Aventura or Bal Harbor area could also be invited (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Kaballah etc.).

  Hillel is a Jewish COMMUNITY Day School, first and foremost. Our school community now needs guidance from the Rabbis in our various communities to heal.

• 10 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 28, 2007 at 9:46 pm

  You are right. I agree with you. However, why don’t you use the number to the board and raise your concern with a board member like they have given us the means to do so?

  I am not saying to stop the posting on the website. I am saying to IN ADDITION to also call the board and ask them their view on it.

• 11 mindy // Apr 28, 2007 at 10:53 pm

  RE: Post #7: That is the “gag order” we heard Isaac and Hillel Teacher for 7 Years, where does that leave the parents?

  RE: Posts #6 and #9: Eloquent and indeed food for thought.

  RE: Post 6: “When everyone can stop hiding and start talking to one another without fear . . .”
  This, I think, is what parents, teachers, and yes, even alumni, want.

• 12 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 28, 2007 at 11:01 pm

  “The few in the minority who acknowledge the truth are having difficulty making headway. They need help.”

  This is the bottomline. Try to help those who are trying to help you. Pick up the phone and make the call.

• 13 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 28, 2007 at 11:02 pm

  Correct. Let’s call the board and tell them what we want and how we feel. This goes for everyone, including parents.

  About #7- that has nothing to do with parents identifying themselves. They CANNOT expel a student for their parents typing on a website. I am not saying they should identify themselves on the website. However, that parent is 100% able to call the board and question them WITHOUT fear of retalitiation. That is the checks and balances between the board and the headmaster.

• 14 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 28, 2007 at 11:16 pm

  Exactly right. No one will retaliate if you call in and I’m sure your call will be kept confidential. The board members are eager to hear from real people. Do not be afraid. If they’ve established this extension it is because they truly desire to hear but not in a way where they fear being attacked. Most of them were not even aware of the problems we are all so well aware of until the firings occurred. If you bring matters to their attention and they know who you are, I’m confident they will seek to redress them.

• 15 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:11 am

  Some thoughts: It is obvious now that some Board members do care– are making an attempt to reach out. But even they cannot openly do what they want— this speaks volumes!

  Also, these few caring Board members already know what they are asking to be told via phone calls– all is on this website.

  And finally, is there not another way?

• 16 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:59 am

  You are right, all is on the website. However, they are giving us a means on how to contact them. The more support they feel, the more chance they can try to do with our input. Bottom line, if they give us a means to contact them directly, we whould use it.

• 17 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 10:00 am

  “Some thoughts: It is obvious now that some Board members do care– are making an attempt to reach out. But even they cannot openly do what they want— this speaks volumes!”

  Right. So pick up the phone and support them!!!

• 18 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 10:31 am

  “as a professional you know that an issue is an issue regardless of its origination - - it must be addressed.

  All of the issues stated on this site are in need of redress regardless of who stated them.

  The problem is that human nature is to not believe what is being stated without knowing who the speaker is — the ethos of the speaker goes a long way in convincing someone or not (well documented by research).

  George Bush may have some valid arguments to make, but he no longer has any ethos with the majority of Americans. The same words spoken out of his mouth that will be dismissed, may be listened to if they come out of the mouth of someone people respect. That is human nature. You are right–It is indeed a logical fallacy to dismiss the idea just because we don’t like or don’t know who said it, but that’s what humans do, and that’s what humans are doing right now.

  [Argumentum ad hominem (literally, “argument toward the man.” ) Attacking or praising the people who make an argument, rather than discussing the argument itself. This practice is fallacious because the personal character of an individual is logically irrelevant to the truth or falseness of the argument itself. Although it is fallacious, it is indeed quite effective.]

  We do not live in an Ivory Tower where ideas– in and of themselves– are valued, analyzed, and validated or dismissed sheerly because of their merit . We live in a world where we have to persuade real people.

  Therefore, every single avenue available must be explored. I don’t say that others should stop seeking other ways to rectify these issues. I just say, please try to exhaust every single possible means available to you. This specific door is open now. Start knocking.

• 19 worried // Apr 29, 2007 at 10:47 am

  True: the board members are nice people and will probably not retaliate against people who complain. But if we are calling an extension within the school office, clearly the phone is being answered by a Hillel employee, someone who answers to the Administration!

  If the board wants to foster our trust, they need to make themselves directly accessible. Until they do, who in their right mind would make the call, not really knowing who is listening at the other end?

• 20 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 11:25 am

  It appears some Board members want to reach out; it appears some parents want to reach out. Easier said than done.

  Hillel Teacher for 7 Years says, ” Therefore, every single avenue available must be explored. .. please try to exhaust every single possible means available to you.”

  Some means have already been suggested– fireside chats, Rabbinical input, direct accessibility.

  Perhaps we should now be brainstorming other possible means.

  Perhaps the concerned Board members can initiate the phone calls, beginning with calls to the parents who have signed the petition.

• 21 Hillel mom who is not a board member // Apr 29, 2007 at 11:31 am

  Hillel Teacher for 7 years –

  You sound like a wonderful, caring, wise individual. Maybe sometime we will find out who you are. I certainly hope my children have been or will be fortunate enough to have you for one of their teachers!

  A few parents who have been particularly visible and vocal during the past few months have been invited to special meetings with members of the board, Adam Holden and Rabbi Druin. Questions were asked all around the table. As far as I know, no parents or children suffered as a result.

• 22 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 11:39 am

  I understand Worried’s reservations. Extension 126 is the HS Secretary, Dee O’Neill’s extension. She is a very kind person. Perhaps you can leave a phone number and say that you are a concerned parent or teacher who would like to speak to a board member but that you are not comfortable leaving your name until the board member calls you back directly. Then when your call is returned perhaps you can set up an appointment to meet face to face–maybe even off campus if that is more comfortable. Maybe someone trustworthy like Rabbi Kaplan could help set up these appointments with individual board members. There has to be a way to make this work.

• 23 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 11:41 am

  Hillel Mom Who is Not a Board Member:

  Thank you. Isaac is working on making that happen, I hope.

• 24 Anonymous Parent // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:03 pm

  To Hillel mom who is not a board member:

  Why are the meetings limited to “a few parents who have been particularly visible and vocal”?

  It sounds like secret societies once again.

  Why not let all parents in on this?

  Once again we are in the dark.

  Was anyone posting here invited? Would you let us know what happened?

• 25 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:07 pm

  “Perhaps the concerned Board members can initiate the phone calls, beginning with calls to the parents who have signed the petition.”

  I think this is an excellent idea. However, the names on the petition are not visible so the Board does not know who to call. The parents who have cared enough to sign the petition should indeed be the first ones to be addressed.

• 26 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:17 pm

  Please stop making excuses. Please don’t be one of the people that when we finally make progress you attempt take us back.

  We finally got the teachers jobs back and people were not happy because they were kept in the dark. Now they have opened up a line of communication and now it is not good enough because an employee of hillel is answering it.

  The so called secret society is just more propaganda from you. If you want to know what happened, those parents that have been working hours a day WHILE working have ASSERTED themselves in this entire process. They didn’t have to, no one asked them to, the administration didn’t call them. They took their own initiative to work hard for this school instead of simply complaining on a site. If you don’t want to be left in the dark then pick up the phone and get involved because complaining on a site will never get you involved. The site is only ONE means as to make issues visible. It is only the first step. Nothing would even get done if it wasn’t for the next people who truly care to work hours for the school. O Ya and by the way, they are Hillel parents.

  Instead of makign more obsticles, try working with them as they have recently began to try working with us. None of this will get solved in a day, week, month, summer, year, or even 2 years. However, IT IS moving in a positive direction and once everyone stops being so pessimistic, people will realize that a lot more will get done if we all work together. That is why they make that line so we can call. Let’s call.

• 27 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:38 pm

  Isaac: their fears are valid. You need to respect that too.

• 28 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:39 pm

  But you are right. Let’s create a way they can call without having to feel afraid.

• 29 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:43 pm

  Isaac, is clear you care very very much. Please, though, just explain what you mean when you say it is “not good enough because an employee of hillel is answering it. “

• 30 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:47 pm

  Because someone said, “But if we are calling an extension within the school office, clearly the phone is being answered by a Hillel employee, someone who answers to the Administration!” comment # 19.

• 31 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:49 pm

  Isaac: These people have a right to remain anonymous until they reach a board member. They do not want administrators to know they are calling. That is completely valid.

• 32 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:49 pm

  and they continue with, “If the board wants to foster our trust, they need to make themselves directly accessible. Until they do, who in their right mind would make the call, not really knowing who is listening at the other end?”

  This is false because you don’t raise your concerns with the person answering the phone. you ask for a specific board member or the president and they will put you through to them or a voicemail if they are not there and they will get back to you.

  It is not fair to the board members to release personal numbers because they have jobs and families also. Let’s not forget that they are ALL volunteers.

• 33 worried // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:51 pm

  Isaac:

  I think the source of people’s fear is that Holden has an established M.O. of retaliation and of limiting communication.

  Get in touch with Avi Marcovitz. Remember him? Hillel’s former dean of students? He worked for Holden in Kansas City too. Ask him what happened to school employees who were discovered to have accepted a Shabbat meal invitation from a school parent who was believed to be a dissenter. I’ll tell you this: it wasn’t pretty.

  We simply cannot jump at EVERY opportunity just because it *looks* like an open line of communication. They have not yet done enough to earn back our trust. Communication is needed but not with fear of retribution.

• 34 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 12:53 pm

  Issac:

  Dee is Mr. Holden’s secretary…enough said.

• 35 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:01 pm

  Dee sits outside Mr. Holden’s open door…

• 36 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:03 pm

  You are not raising your concerns with Dee. You don’t even have to tell her who you are. You are simply asking to get in touch with a board member. If they are not their then you leave a message on the voicemail.

  I do remember Avi. However I don’t know what happened over at the other school so I will not comment. All I can say is the Holden won’t know who is calling because you don’t have to give Dee or him your name.

  They are trying to work with us, we should at least try to work with them. Whoever that is only posting on the website without working with the board is getting very little done. I know that the people who are working with the board are accomplishing a tremendous amount of progress.

  NOTHING is going to be perfect right now. We are years away from perfection. However this is the way it is now until it doesn’t work. Right now this is the way it is and we need to use it and stop making more excuses for ourselves.

• 37 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:05 pm

  I know where she sits you don’t have to tell me. Everyone makes it out that Holden has nothing better to do than to see which parents are calling to complain.

  I know that he has much more to do and that he is very busy. He is not standing over Dee trying to see who is calling.

• 38 Anonymous Parent // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:14 pm

  Isaac -

  Your passion is commendable and I respect you for it.

  However, even you must admit that your perspective is skewed having grown up in the inner circle.

  Do you have any idea what it is like to struggle with tuition payments year after year and be consistently kept in the dark about major changes that affect the quality of the education you are seeking for your children?

  The board has opened up a venue of communication that they are comfortable with. I personally have taken advantage of this.

  But now to hear that “special meetings” are taking place to which only certain individuals have been invited reeks of the return of secrecy.

  I have trouble believing that all voices are being given equal weight in this process. Once again, it seems that the inner circle and their friends are calling the shots.

  If you find out that the situation is not as I described it, please let us know. I will be the first to apologize (anonymously, of course).

• 39 Hillel mom who is not a board member // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:25 pm

  The point was to disseminate the positive changes that are happening at the school, espcially those that were announced last week in that late Friday publication. That’s all — just to try to get a positive current working. Not a secret society or anything like that.

• 40 Hillel mom who is not a board member // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:28 pm

  By the way, can the board see the signatures on the online petition? Would they even know who to specifically address?

• 41 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:37 pm

  First, please don’t attack my situation of “growing up in the inner circle.” That is not fair because I don’t know who you are and it is irrelevant. Just because I post my name on the website give your no right to tell me my position. It is an unfair fight because I cannot fight back.

  Second, the situation is not as how you described it. I don’t know where you are quoting special meeting from but I can tell you that the board meeting are open to the public.

  There is no inner circle and friends calling all the shots. Those are simply the people who have ASSERTED themselved into the situation. We chose to post on this website and they chose to work behind the scences. Different avenues= same agenda. This secret meeting that you claim is just false. Yes, maybe there are meeting between certain people but they are not secret. If you were working 5 hours a day even on weekends, and on vacation through the phone all day then you would be involved in these meetings because you are involved in the situation. However, you chose to post on this site and not get physically involved. Therefore you will not be invited to the meetings. How can you even be invited if they don’t even know who you are?

  Lastly, you are right, I do not know how it feels to pay tuition year after year. I know it is a huge burden. However, I want to see changes in this school just as much as you do. I plan on sending my kids there one day also. You should also see that I have no money invested in the school only my heart. That is why the reasons for being involved shouldn’t matter. I am just as frustrated with the school also. However, I see progress. More progress will happen if we all get involved. Posting on this website is not getting involved. It is just brining issues to the front which we need IN ADDITION to getting involved.

  The first way we can get involved is by using this phone line. You do not have to leave your name. You can leave a voicemail and they will call you back. The board does not want you to think that there is a secret society because there is not. They are giving you a way to get involved and have your voice heard.

• 42 Shlomo Bolts // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:40 pm

  In the past, I know that I have been among the most vocal in advocating against using the so-called “open lines of communication.” However, at this point I’ll have to agree with Isaac, the Hillel Parent of Seven Years, and others who have called for communications with the board.

  What I was worried about before was that instead of a public forum, administrators and board members would sweep things under the rug using divide-and-conquer. However, because of this website, these problems are well known. There is far less danger of the general Hillel body being pacified with nice-sounding statements instead of demanding structural change.
  So I think it is time to start calling in. Let board members know the extent and the latency of our dissatisfactions, and discuss remedies for the future. Please–use your real names. Everyone is well aware that if you are censured for your dissent, you can report this to SaveHillel, and be an interviewee in a Miami Herald article next week.

  I’d say more, but I have four papers due by 5PM tomorrow.

• 43 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:43 pm

  If anything, maybe your view is skewed because you have money invested. I am totally not invested in this school at all. Therefore my motives are pure. I am not saying that your motives are not, but if your going to say my view is skewed, if anything your view is skewed.

• 44 Hillel Parent of 15 years // Apr 29, 2007 at 1:47 pm

  When the whole controversy erupted, parents were encouraged to email their concerns to Rafael Russ, Chairman of the Board of Governors. He had agreed to disseminate all parents’ emails to the board. That never happened. Our emails were not passed on to the board. Somehow, however, Adam Holden was very well versed in their contents.

  As long as the communication goes through the school, administrators have absolute control over what the board hears and they certainly have no interest in sharing anything negative about themselves. That is why I personally find it hard to blame the board, many of whose members I respect highly. They truly believe that we are merely a handful of vindictive parents and mean spirited alumni blogging for entertainment because that is what the administration tells them. Any attempt we have made to speak out has been filtered or discredited. I love Dee, but she is still Adam Holden’s secretary and may not be the best possible choice for this task.

  I am reading all of these suggestions for cloak and dagger machinations to hide everyone’s identities until we know we are speaking to a board member. That is how little trust the parents have in the school at this point. I entrusted this institution to help me raise my children for more than fifteen years and now I must speak in whispers; worry about who is listening; or who might see me talking to a teacher or administrator. It is Orwellian and heartbreaking.

  At this point, only a face to face discussion with the board will be credible and restore some semblance of constructive and normal communications. It must be a well publicized meeting open to all (not a select few) who have concerns they wish to voice without repercussion (hence no administrators present). Anything less is a waste of parents’ time and disrespectful to the constituency the board serves.

• 45 Anonymous Parent // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:20 pm

  Isaac,

  You are correct that you do not know anything about me. And you missed the part where I said I did take advantage of this most recent line of communication. If the meeting was not secret, why did I not know about it after I did ASSERT (to use your word) myself into the situation?

  The passion of youth is commendable but the reality of experience holds more truth. You know nothing about the sacrifices parents make to ensure a Jewish education for their children.
  You are right about one thing - I have the sweat of my brow invested in guaranteeing my children a Jewish education. Do you really think that a college student has the right to tell a parent how to react to changes that negatively impact the value of that for which we pay so dearly? Please remember that you only know as much as you have experienced in life. I respect you for your passion and pure motives - I ask that you respect me for my real life experience.

  Anyway, this is off the point. This is not about you or me. I am trying my best to work to save this school from being hijacked from its Jewish mission.

  As for the board meetings being open to the public, have you noticed that all information on board meetings have been removed from the Family section of the Hillel web site? When exactly are these open meetings taking place?

• 46 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:20 pm

  You are right. We do need a face to face. However, we can use the phone line to ask for that. Why don’t you call the number, you don’t have to say your name and request in yourself from the board members? Until people ask for it then this is the means they have given us. If we want more then lets ask for more.

  Again, it goes back to action instead of just words.

• 47 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:27 pm

  Isaac and Shlomo: With all due respect, you are much younger and do not work at Hillel nor have children at Hillel, and therefore, have no understanding of what these people are saying, nor can you understand that the fear is quite valid.

  I would never leave my name either. I am sure adminstrators will be looking.

  It is also clear that initially some people have been invited into the process while others have not.

  If the board did not wish at this time, however, to invite more people into the process, and if they truly wished to remain “a secret society”, they would not be extending this offer at this time.

  This is how people can assert themselves and start to get involved without fear of retaliation.

  When you call the number or the voicemail, explain that you are not comfortable leaving your name until you are on the phone with a live board member and that you would like to set up an appointment face to face–perhaps off campus–where administrators will not see you walking up to board members.

  Parents who have signed the petition are encouraged to try to do this as well. The board members can’t contact you because they don’t know who you are but you are clearly the parents who care most of all and deserve to be acknowledged as such.

  The board is extending an offer. Find a way to make it work. Maybe call Rabbi Kaplan and ask him to set it up. He surely will not betray your confidence.

• 48 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:27 pm

  I may be a youth however your rhetoric isn’t going to stop me from saying what I have to say. As far as I know, you have done nothing for the school. I don’t know your name and for all I know you are a student at the school. If you have something personal with me, then call me we can talk about it- 305-525-0919. I am not an administrator so you don’t have to be scared to talk to me. You will see that I am not as young minded as you may think. Please call I would love to talk and I can more clearly explain myself on the phone.

  I don’t know anything about where or when those bord meeting are. However, when I move back to Miami in 2 weeks I will be attending and will let you know when they are.

  If you call the number then you can ask. Again, you don’t have to say your name. Also, this IS NOT a perfect system. However it is the system in place now until a new better one is implemented.

• 49 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:28 pm

  Good idea Isaac. I trust Isaac. He will not betray your confidence. Call him or do what I’ve suggested in comment #47

• 50 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:31 pm

  “As far as I know, you have done nothing for the school. I don’t know your name and for all I know you are a student at the school”

  Not a fair assumption. Let’s all try to work together to make this work.

• 51 Anonymous Parent // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:36 pm

  Isaac - Not to belabor the point, but you just proved what I began with:

  How is it that you know when the board meetings will take place but I don’t? Please do not be so naive as to negate the importance of connections……

• 52 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:38 pm

  Anonymous Parent: You are correct.

  Isaac is naive only because he is young but his heart is in the right place.

• 53 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:42 pm

  “I don’t know anything about where or when those bord meeting are. ” That is what I said in #48.

  I don’t know. I told you that I don’t know. However, it is not a secret meeting and if I want to know I could call and find out. No one calls me and says, “Isaac there is a board meeting tonight.” If I want to find out I would have to call and ask. That what I was reffering to when I said when I know you will know. I just don’t know right now.

  Please, if you have something personal with me, then call me. I am 100% sure that we can have a good conversation about it.

• 54 Anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:53 pm

  Most people who have called to ask how they can join a board meeting have not been informed. The meetings are closed off to most parents. Children of the board might be welcome, but parents are not unless they are given special invitation.

• 55 worried // Apr 29, 2007 at 2:54 pm

  Isaac, I don’t think anyone here has anything personal with you. And I also don’t think it’s intended as a sleight against your age when they say you don’t understand what it’s like to be in the position of being a parent or teacher. You’re not a parent, and you’re not a teacher. Until you are one or both of those, you can’t possibly know what it’s like regardless of your age.

  We have a lot to lose here and need to make sure it is handled properly. Stop making it seem like our worries are for naught, because as you said yourself, you are not as much of an insider as your last name might imply. You have no idea what happened to people who spoke out in Kansas City, and while your gut might lead you to believe otherwise here, you nonetheless have no idea what might happen to us if we provide our names (or even just our phone numbers) to Holden’s secretary.

• 56 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:02 pm

  You are 100% right. I am not an insider, I am not a parent I am not anything. I am an alumni who went to the school for 17 years since kiddie cottage and graduated in 2003. I go to the University of Florida where most alumni couldn’t even care less about this school. I do. I care a lot. I don’t know what happened in KC.

  You don’t have to give your names to Dee. If you think complaining and not taking action is going to solve it properly then keep on doing that. I will do what I have to do to get things done. You can do what you have to do to get things done.

  It is evident that I am seen as young and naive. Therfore me responding to any more of these posts is just pointless. If you want to talk to me (which I don’t know why anyone would because I am naive) then call me-3055250919.

• 57 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:03 pm

  Your wrong. Board meeting are open to the public. There is no special preference for children of the board.

  Please don’t address me any more. I am young and naive and you should spend your time talking about how you are going to help the school and not about Isaac Sapoznik.

• 58 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:10 pm

  The meetings are not open to the public. Isaac, I hope you are not taking these comments personally. Everyone here can see how much you love the school and that you are trying to do something. They just want you to acknowledge that their fears are valid.That’s all. Let’s continue to work together and see what we can all do.

• 59 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:18 pm

  Of course there fears are valid. I never said they are not. However, I am trying to explain that they don’t have to give any name to Dee. That they can call board members and tell them what they think. Thats it.

• 60 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:21 pm

  Isaac….Please do not let anger or hurt overtake you. You are passionate about this situation. No one is deyning this. You are trying to help. No one is denying this. But, please see that some people are still quite frightened. The apprehension is real.

  Also, can someone clarify, please…Who can attend Board meetings? How does one find out about scheduled meetings?

• 61 Parent // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:42 pm

  The Hillel Teachers are stakeholders too. The Board should meet with the teachers to hear their concerns about the school they hold so dear.The Board should also have an open meeting for the parents.These meetings should be held immediately.Open Communications with all stakeholders is the step we need to take toward making Hillel a better place four our children.

• 62 Stand up and be counted // Apr 29, 2007 at 3:53 pm

  Sara:
  Here’s your answer to who can attend meetings. I’m not sure how we find out when they are:

  3. Open Meetings
  Meetings of the Board of Governors shall be open to all Members of the SCHOOL, provided, however, that the Board may meet in executive session and may exclude non-Board Members for any of the following purposes: (i)To discuss specific personnel matters; (ii)to receive legal advice or to discuss pending or potential litigation; (iii)to discuss individual salaries of the Head of the School, any faculty member or other employee of the SCHOOL, (iv)to discuss disciplinary matters; (v)to discuss the evaluation of the Head of the School, any faculty member or any other employee of the SCHOOL; or, (vi)to discuss any other matter that a majority of the Board determines to be confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only members of the Board of Governors may speak and be recognized at such meetings.

• 63 famousamoscookies // Apr 29, 2007 at 4:28 pm

  3 out of the fourteen teachers got their contracts renewed…but what about the rest?

  I happen to know that 3 out of 14 isn’t so good!

• 64 Anonymous Parent // Apr 29, 2007 at 4:47 pm

  Isaac -

  Real life is messy and people get hurt - as you just did - and I am sorry for that. I just wanted to point out that things are not always what they seem, and it is difficult to know who to trust, especially when you’ve been burned before. Imagine parents trying to protect their children in an atmosphere like this.

• 65 HBHA teacher wrote in on "Are Qualified Administrators..." // Apr 29, 2007 at 5:15 pm

  “HBHA Teacher // Apr 12, 2007 at 6:43 pm

  Shalom to all of you. I wanted to share with the Anon Parent (who as stated didn’t bother using a real name either) that during the reign of Dr. Holden, fear was the name of the game. It was common knowledge that he had spies, and that teachers were called into his office if they were overheard voicing dissent, and even threatened with their jobs. We also had to fill out confidentaility clauses that were “non binding” but ominous enough. I have no doubt that people using their names here will be dealt with in the Facist state that Dr. Holden runs. The School above all doesn’t mean the students, but the institution - as long as the wrapping was pretty,and there were photo ops, what happened to the students didn’t matter. We lived in fear that we would lose our jobs over nothing, and the “yes men” were the ones who got promoted.
  To all that post here, continue to do so, and stay annonymous for your sake and the sake of your children. Its just safer that way - trust me I know!”

• 66 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 5:19 pm

  You are right. I don’t know what it is like to have kids and be financially invested in the school. It is hard in an atmosphere like this.

  Sometimes we let our emotions get the better of us and that may cloud all of our judgements.

  From my point of view, I saw the board giving us a way (maybe not the perfect way) to contact them and we were still not happy. I saw 3 teachers get their jobs back and we were still not happy. I saw Rabbi Kaplan get promoted and we were still not happy. You are 100% we shouldn’t be happy yet. There is still 10000000 things that need to be done. Howver, it will not get done in one day or even a year.

  Maybe I am naive. I don’t have kids to look out for and therefore maybe I can’t understand how it is. What I do know is that I love this school and will work until the day I die to better this school.

  About the phone number. Here is how it works:

  If someone calls they get in touch with Dee. Then they ask Dee to connect you to the president or a board member (you don’t have to tell her your name). You then either get someone, talk to Pam Burd or leave a voicemail. You don’t have to tell Holden’s assistant who you are.

  This is by far not a perfect system. I agree with your fears and understand your apprehensions. If this is not sufficiant, please call me then and I will try to talk to you about it and you can help ME better understand the situation.
  Isaac- 305-525-0919.

• 67 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:07 pm

  Caller ID Issac….

• 68 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:08 pm

  Isaac: Unless some change has been made that no one knows about….Rabbi Kaplan’s appointment is temporary…A new principal and assistant principal had already been hired for school year 2007-2008.

• 69 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:09 pm

  You can also call from another number. If you call me maybe you can help me better understand the situation. Apperantly I don’t know the full force of the situation and would like to be informed.

  305-525-0919.

• 70 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:15 pm

  Sara- I don’t know the specifics of the situation and I haven’t heard anything to tell you the truth because I am in the middle of finals.

  However, we should voice our opinion to the board. I know I have. I am also sure that there are other means in getting in touch with the board and not only that number.

  Even if what you are saying is true, it is still a step forward in the response of the board. Like I said and I will say it agian, there is a long road ahead of us. It will take a long road to solve everything that needs to be solved. Not overnight.

  This website can only do soooo much. Yes, we see these issues that need to be fixed. What are we going to do to fix it? Do you really think that if we post on this website things will get done? Or do you think that if we post on this website AND contanct the board and tell them how we feel things will get done?

  I beleive this website is the first step. However, it is not the only step.

• 71 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:21 pm

  Isaac: What about parents writing their concerns instead of phoning them in? Each parent could write his /her own letter, OR there could be a letter that a number of parents sign. The letter(s) could be sent to you–you could forward to the concerned Board members.

• 72 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:21 pm

  Issac:

  Are you personally happy with a non-Jewish Head of School, with an unaccredited (and thereby in the State of Florida, unethical and illegal ) terminating degree, leading a Sacs accredited Jewish day school?

  Is this the leadership you and your fellow students experienced over your 17 years in Hillel?

  Because of this lack of a true education, the school experienced non-US Department of Education, unconventional observations which resulted in the firings of 14 qualified and accredited teachers.

  Why would people need to call the Board if they clearly are allowing this unprecedented situation to continue?

  Twelve teachers are still without their jobs, and the Head of School is still in violation of FloridaLaw and thereby SACS accreditation standards…

• 73 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:26 pm

  I am absoloutly not happy about it. Like I said before, I am on all your side. I think things need to be done. I just think that we need to work with the board to get this done and not the media like some have suggested.

  I agree with the severity of the situation. However this website is not the only way it is going to be solved. It is the first step. We need to make more steps and all of us become active in voicing our opinions to the board. They need to see how serious we are.

• 74 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:28 pm

  I would be happy to forward anything to a board member. However, the problem with that is that people aren’t going to want to put their names on a peice of paper. They are scared. I obviously wouldn’t show the names to anyone except the board member. However, people are scared and wouldn’t want to do that.

  I think it is a pretty good idea. I also think phone calls are a good idea to because you can get a direct response from the board member.

• 75 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:33 pm

  Issac:

  Forward comment #72 to any board members you choose, along with Florida Statute 817.567, and let us know what they think.

  Without a Head of School with true academic credentials, the problems will be almost impossible to fix. When any relationship begins with a lie, the relationship just can”t work.

• 76 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:35 pm

  I will do that for you. However it will be much more effective if someone other than me says something.

  It will be easier if I can tell them who is asking me to do this. If you want to call me for a converasation about it that would be great.

  305-525-0919

• 77 Anonymous Teacher // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:37 pm

  At this point in time, in order to clarify and substantiate many of the claims on the “blog”, it is essential that teachers meet with board members. If the environment is non-threatening the comments will probably serve as real “eye-openers”. However, in light of the emotional atmosphere of the last several months, I think that it would be a grand gesture if board members would offer the invitation, for the meeting, via e-mail or teacher mailboxes. It would be a signicant showing on the part of board members that teacher’s concerns deserve a forum.

• 78 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:39 pm

  To anonymous underlined: Even in past years, there have been some new-to-Hillel teachers who have not been asked to return. This is not atypical.

  To all reading this site: Still remaining, and more important, is how to connect now with the Board…Please read my post #71

• 79 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:42 pm

  Thank you Isaac.. Do it for your alma mater. Do it for the students in Hillel now, who need a Jewish Head of School with a true knowledge base to lead them.

  If you want to help those 11 teachers get their jobs back, allow them to be evalutated by truly knowledgable evaluators who have expertise in the appropriate subject areas as the US Department of Education demands.

  Have the Board members you know re-read Hillel’s SACS presentation from last year which was an outstanding document which pledged that ethics and character mattered as much as academics.

  If you do this Isaac, you will truly have your school back.

• 80 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:43 pm

  The best way to connect to the board is to have every board member list their cell phone number so everyone can call them.

  This is obviously not fair to them becasue they are volunteers and have jobs of their own. The way they have done it for now is opening up an extension where you don’t have to give your name and you can call from any phone you like and ask for a board member. No one has to know why you are calling. You don’t have to tell anyone except a board member why you are calling. So if they are not there you can wait for a call back and no one except the board member will know why you are calling.

  If anyone has another way I would like to hear it.

• 81 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:48 pm

  I will do that for you. Unfortunately, you have one small problem in your thinking which I think many people do. While that will help the school, it will not give me my school back the way it was.

  People think that if we fix one problem or a few problems then everything is ok. If we make a commitment to work continuously with the school and prepare ourselves for a long road then things might start changing.

  It will not happen over night and we should not expect it be fixed over night.

  I

• 82 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:48 pm

  Isaac cannot solve all of the school’s problems and it’s unfair to ask him to answer all of these questions.

  He agrees with us!

  He’s aware of the issues and is trying to help.

  So hear him out. He now understands your legitimate fear. He wants you to understand that this site alone will not be enough to start righting the wrongs that we are all so aware of.

  Either you’re going to have to name yourself in a letter or speak directly to a board member. There is no way around this fact anymore.

  He can help connect you to a board member and keep your identity a secret as he has kept mine a secret for several weeks. You can trust him and call him directly.

  He has generously placed his phone number on the world wide web and has offered for you to contact him even though he is in the middle of final exams.

  His generosity with his time is beyond commendable and I think we should let him study in peace right now.

  OR you call the school and press *69 so no one will know who you are:

  “If someone calls they get in touch with Dee. Then they ask Dee to connect you to the president or a board member (you don’t have to tell her your name). You then either get someone, talk to Pam Burd or leave a voicemail. You don’t have to tell Holden’s assistant who you are.”

  I have known Pam Burd forever. She is the most trustworthy person out there. She “gets it” and always has. I recommend you go straight to her and bypass Dee altogether.

  Let’s let Isaac study now so he can graduate and get home to help us. Good luck Isaac!

• 83 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 6:53 pm

  Sara:

  It is highly atypical for 15 teachers and a High School principal to be fired and/ or pushed out at once. If proper evaluations were conducted by people with appropriate expertise in the respective subject areas, this situtation would never have happened.

  Last year, many of the same teachers and several administrators, who wrote this incredible document were non- renewed.

  What has transpired since the SACS self-study only a year ago defies logic and words…

• 84 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 7:04 pm

  To anonymous underlined: Yes, you are correct. Please note that I said new-to- Hillel teachers. I was not referring to long-standing Hillel teachers who have more than proven their expertise and professionalism.

  To Isaac: I am suggesting another way. See my post #71.

  To Isaac: Also , please clarify: Is not this first olive branch from the Board directed to parents? I do not recall reading anything about their hearing from teachers.

  To all: When you respond here, it would be helpful to state to which post you are responding.

• 85 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 7:05 pm

  Isaac:

  Once you have a Jewish, truly qualified Head of School, your school may not be exactly as it was when you were there, but the students now enrolled will at least have the chance to experience the yiddishkeit and honesty that you were privileged to receive. Rabbi Kaplan is a good man and is a good place to start new leadership.

• 86 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 7:09 pm

  You guys, Isaac is in complete agreement about Rabbi Kaplan and the other issues too.

  Stop preaching to the choir and start talking to the board.

• 87 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 7:11 pm

  Thank you “Hillel Teacher for 7 years.” You truly understand what I am trying to say. I wish people would call me especially anonymous because we can have a conversation and anonymous can help me better understand the situation.

  I want to help but I need people to help me help the school.

  Sara- I don’t think there is anything specifically stated for the teachers. There should be. Hopefully something specially for the teachers comes soon. I beleive that they can go to the board members without fear. They know who they can go to.

• 88 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 7:15 pm

  Isaac: Thank your for your dedication to the school and your public service. You have nothing to gain from the selfless help you have offered. I hope people start calling you anonymously or start calling Pam Burd who is the most trustworthy person I know so they can get in touch with the people who can truly help.

  JUST DO IT ALREADY PEOPLE!

• 89 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 29, 2007 at 8:16 pm

  If you call Isaac directly he will safely get you in touch with the right people.

• 90 anonymous // Apr 29, 2007 at 8:38 pm

  A couple of clarifications.

  The recent meetings of the board have been closed meetings. Individuals (non-board members) who showed up at the school were turned away at the gates and not permitted in. Certainly this is not OPEN communication or OPEN meetings.

  As far as the school in Kansas…. there have been several individuals, teachers, and students that have been posting to this site. Not one of the comments have been positive. Most have been alarming at best. They have written on multiple occasions in an attempt to help us from making the same mistakes that were made at their school. I encourage our board to read these unsolicited comments.

  As far as our alumni, G-d Bless them for their concern and interest. G-d Bless them for caring and the financial support and marketing they do for our school. They truly understand the school and how it has changed. They have benefited from the excellent education and have gone on to study at prestigious universities and many of them have graduated and are pursuing their professional careers. If we treat them well and the school straightens itself out, perhaps they will send their children to the school.

  To those fellow interested parties: Parents, Faculty, Staff, and other community members - -it is completely understandable to remain anonymous. No one wants and retribution or retaliation against their children or themselves for speaking up and speaking out against the administration and board.

  Remember, if anonymous comments, tips, and the like are okay for our government to act upon, they certainly should be okay for the school. It is purely an excuse and the board taking the easy way out to dismiss these remarks saying that they are unfounded because there is no name associated with them. The ONLY reason they want a name is to OSTRACIZE or make an example of the individual. There is NO other valid reason for ignoring the remarks and observations made by individuals posting to this site.

  Obviously, someone taking their time to read and post cares about the school and its current fragile situation and environment. That is reason enough for the board to respond and act - - if it really values its parent body and community.

  This is my thought process and obviously the thought process of others anonymously posting to this site.

• 91 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 29, 2007 at 9:48 pm

  Anonymous- I would like you to call me. I am not a board member and I will not give your name to a board member. It is evident that you have issues and concerns. We all do.

  The board is not looking for names to ostracize people. That is a complete falsehood. I can better explain myself if you give me a call. I have been responding to you. I understand the need for privacy on a website because you never know who is reading.

  However, you can trust me. I would just like to talk to you about certain issues and you can help me better understand certain situations.

  My number is 305-525-0919. I will be waiting.

• 92 Avi Frier // Apr 29, 2007 at 10:15 pm

  I am working on a story for this coming week’s paper. The main subject of the story will deal with the Hillel alumni who are taking an activist role in improving their alma-mater.

  As part of this story, I will be calling into question some of the primary issues that have been discussed on this site. I have asked the board to meet with me and expect to be able to speak with them sometime between now and Monday night. I will also be speaking with the administration.

  Anyone who is willing to speak with me to help with this story would be greatly appreciated. If you ask me to, I will completely protect your anonymity. I will, however, need to know who you are, and how you figure into the situation (i.e. alumnus, teacher, board member, parent, etc.) so I can understand where you’re coming from, and what your agenda might be (if any).

  Please call me at 954-987-2720 ext 18. You can also email me from this page:
  http://floridajewishnews.com/contact/Avi_Frier/

  Please contact me. Like I said (and as I showed in my earlier story), your anonymity will be 100% safe if you wish it to be.

  Thanks,
  Avi Frier
  The Florida Jewish News

• 93 Avi Frier // Apr 29, 2007 at 11:16 pm

  Just to emphasize:

  I MUST be able to contact you and know who you are or I cannot consider your input for the article. If you use the email form and I cannot contact you back, I need to delete your email.

  If anonymity is your concern, I’ve said I’ll protect it. If you have a reason not to trust me, feel free to voice it right here and I’ll respond here. But I repeat, I can NOT consider your input unless I know who you are.

• 94 sara // Apr 29, 2007 at 11:45 pm

  Thank-you, Mr. Frier!

• 95 just do it // Apr 30, 2007 at 2:42 pm

  Dear Board Members, Please call an Emergency Meeting to open the lines of communication with the Entire Hillel Community.

• 96 anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 3:08 pm

  We have tried to no avail. They do not heed our calling.

• 97 sara // Apr 30, 2007 at 4:54 pm

  From previous posts it is clear the Board is divided—hence, we cannot expect a meeting to be called which is open to all…

  Isaac, can you tell us if you have received any phone calls– in other words, is this strategy working?

• 98 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:01 pm

  No one has called me. I guess people would like to post on a website and not take any action. I can’t force people to call me. It’s is very easy to complain but rarely to people actually take action.

  Remember, this website is only the first step to brining issues to light. What is our next move?

• 99 sara // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:10 pm

  Isaac, thanks for letting us know. You ask about our next move. Perhaps the concerned Board members can hold their own open meeting…invite concerned teachers and parents (and even alumni)…hold this meeting at someone’s house.

• 100 Shlomo Bolts // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:11 pm

  That’s not a next move on our part. That is something that we want the board to do. Personally, I agree with you, these meetings have to happen. But if wishes were horses…

• 101 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:11 pm

  What difference would that make? If they are scared to call me for fear of retaliation, why would they ever show their face in such a meeting?

  They wouldn’t and therefore it is irrelevant.

• 102 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:12 pm

  It is just an excuse for people to just complain and not take action. If they wanted to take action they would call me.

  Easy to complain, most people don’t take action.

• 103 We want an open meeting // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:27 pm

  Just call a General Meeting, to inform the parents and teachers what Hillel Future Holds. Isaac you are great but you need to understand People don’t want to speak on the phone they want to hear it from the board in person. Isaac try to arrange the meeting this week or next week. Parents and Teachers would be very happy to go to an open meeting. This would help parents and teachers know whats happening in the school. Isaac you seem to have power. Keep up the great work. Let us know if you could arrange an open meeting .

• 104 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 30, 2007 at 5:40 pm

  I have zero power whatsoever. The board will probabaly not hold an open meeting. I will not go to a board member and ask for a meeting unless I know who is supporting me. I am sorry, I don’t work with anonymity. If you want me to help you then you need to call me and have a conversation.

  Do you really think the board is going to respond to complaining anonymous people on a website? The answer is no. However, they will respond if you pick up the phone and call yourself.

  I have no power. If you want to talk about this further then call me. They won’t listen to one person. They will listen to a group of people.

  No one has any idea what I would even tell them on the phone. The only way to find out is to call me.
  305-525-0919

• 105 Hillel parents want to hear good news // Apr 30, 2007 at 6:01 pm

  When does the Board let the Hillel Family know who will be what in the different departments? Please Board Members we want to hear from you since we are not having an open meeting so soon.Parents want to hear some good news.

• 106 Mindy // Apr 30, 2007 at 6:23 pm

  Maybe we need to go back to a former plan. That is, a letter to the Hillel community. A past post indicated that the letter-writing campaign was in process. Can anyone shed any light on this plan..its status, etc?

  Based on other recent posts, it seems that SACS or other parties may do what we have been uable to do.

• 107 Anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 6:48 pm

  A past post stated the letter campaign was called off due to the fact that the addresses were taken off the Hillel website by unauthorized users.

• 108 anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 6:56 pm

  Isaac so now we go from interested parties posting to a website to people who are complaining. That does not appear to be the sound minded professional who has been actively participating in these posts.

• 109 Isaac Sapoznik // Apr 30, 2007 at 7:00 pm

  “Do you really think the board is going to respond to complaining anonymous people on a website?”

  I said those words in reference to how the board is probably looking at the people posting on the website.

• 110 Hillel Teacher for 7 Years // Apr 30, 2007 at 7:09 pm

  anonymous–

  you’re not listening to the words of the sound minded professional

  Call Isaac now. Just Isaac. Period.

• 111 Mindy // Apr 30, 2007 at 9:14 pm

  OK. How’s this? A post here states that parents who attempted to go to a Board meeting were turned away. Try again. Parents who are posting here and/or reading the posts: Go to the next meeting. And this time, let Avi Frier know. . .

• 112 anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 9:26 pm

  There are no meetings scheduled other that the parent meeting the night before the last official day of school - June 7. Unless a special meeting is called - that will be the only open meeting.

• 113 Supportive parent // Apr 30, 2007 at 9:29 pm

  I heard that there is a board meeting this Thursday at 8 a.m. It is for the purpose of announcing the new heads of the different divisions. Is this accurate information?

• 114 Mindy // Apr 30, 2007 at 10:08 pm

  So, Parents, for the June 7 meeting: Can you organize so that a number of you show up? Can you notify Avi Frier?

  Has anyone called SACS?

• 115 anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 10:26 pm

  Get the word out!

• 116 anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 10:39 pm

  The Code of Ethics
  State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006, FAC

  THE PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
  OF THE EDUCATION PROFESSION IN FLORIDA

  (5) Obligation to the profession of education requires that the individual:

  (a) Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.

  (g) Shall not misrepresent one’s own professional qualifications.

  (h) Shall not submit fraudulent information on any document in connection with professional activities.

  (i ) Shall not make any fraudulent statement or fail to disclose a material fact in one’s own or another’s application for a professional position.

  (l) Shall not assist entry into or continuance in the profession of any person known to be unqualified in accordance with these Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida and other applicable Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.

  (n) Shall report to appropriate authorities any known allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section 231.28(1), Florida Statutes.

  (o) Shall seek no reprisal against any individual who has reported any allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section 231

  “By virtue of their leadership capacity, teachers are traditionally held to a high moral standard in a community.”

  We clearly need a meeting very soon…

• 117 anonymous // Apr 30, 2007 at 10:45 pm

  Isaac:

  Please forward this Code of Ethics to the Board.

  Thank you

• 118 Mindy // Apr 30, 2007 at 11:02 pm

  And send to them the “Essential Questions” post— number 49 on Site Announcement (I think) and send them Duke study on grade 6 and middle school and all the other information that underlined anonymous has painstakingly researched.

  Brief summary:
  http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2007/02/sixth_grade.html

• 119 Mindy // Apr 30, 2007 at 11:14 pm

  And to the Board members who tried to reach out– Thank-you!

• 120 Is Thursday the big day? // May 1, 2007 at 5:56 am

  Board Members are you telling us This Thursday who is who in all the different divisions? Will we know What will Rabbi Kaplan job be in the school? The Hillel Community is waiting to hear from you. We all hope it will be good news. Do the different divisons people know already what they will be doing? It’s May now. School is almost over. We need to finish the school year with good news.

• 121 anonymous // May 1, 2007 at 6:52 am

  (1) The following disciplinary rule shall constitute the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida.

  (2) Violation of any of these principles shall subject the individual to revocation or suspension of the individual educators certificate, or the other penalties as provided by law.

• 122 anonymous // May 1, 2007 at 7:40 am

  Board Members:

  Please read the complete Florida Code of Educational Ethics before you make your final decisions as you are directing a school in the State of Florida.

  Thank you

• 123 Ex-Exec Board Member // May 1, 2007 at 9:26 am

  EX-EXEC BOARD MEMBER RINGS IN

  Been reading and thinking about your Blog. I am impressed with the dedication and love you alums have for our School—so I am going to help you fix the problem—but you need to be patient with me because I’m older and slower and not as educated as all of you alums—and I write bad sentences w/o punctuation. I got my own problem— it’s what I call the “Time Paradox”—too much time on my hands– but at the same time realizing that time is finite and running out on me—but that’s my problem—let me address yours.

  Been involved with the School longer that many of you have years. While the current Board seems to ignore the past–thereby not learning from the history —I think you guys may be smarter. The past often repeats— later I will show you how.

  As far as I can tell from your writings the problems is this—You have got a Headmaster with questionable credentials in tandem with a Judaic leader with negligible credentials. The Headmaster is not a ‘member of the Tribe’, but the guy with negligible credentials is a member of the Tribe.

  OY!

  Then, the non-Tribal Headmaster fired 3 superior teachers of the Tribe, based on recommendations from the Tribal member with negligible credentials—-follow me?

  OY Vey!

  No way that the non-Tribal headmaster, being new to school, and ‘out of the Tribe’ could have anticipated the reaction in the Community or the repercussions of the action—-and the Judaic Tribal member, also new to school, with the negligible credentials, may not have had the ‘where with all’ to handle this type of combustable situation or judge the other 3 teachers properly.

  So you guys have vilified these 2 new leaders on your blog—-—for weeks—OK, I understand—but enough!!

  I say it’s time to leave them alone—it’s not all their fault that they were thrust into this situation—and they are human with families—show some Tribal compassion—If your motive was to expose their frailties—Mission Accomplished!!!—Move on and start making some real changes.

  So what do you do next? You look to the people responsible for putting the School in this tenuous situation –The Board—or what I call our ‘Robo-Board’—looking for accountability and action—So far, all I have seen heard or read is that Robo-Board wants to shut you down—sent you a silly Legal letter trying to intimidate you—Can you imagine?—our own people, who have always prided themselves on free speech and debate trying to squash your rights to express your own opinions. Yeah, I know you made a couple of mistakes with the parent list and all—but you corrected the mistakes.

  Speaking of the Board—back in the day—you should have seen our Board meetings. Back then it seemed that Marshall placed half the School on the board. We would meet in the dining room and a full dinner was served. You see Marshall was smart—he knew if you fed everyone a good kosher meal, eventually, they would go home happy. So the meetings were always the same—100 Tribal members yelling at Irv, Arthur and Marshall. Finally, Michael Scheck would get up and speak much like the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof—“I say…I say…Everybody sit down and calm down”—then on cue—That big Kitchen Lady would come out with a tray of fresh baked chocolate cookies and the meeting would end. We had no idea what was decided, but we went home happy. Frankly, I would come late to indulge in the food and cookies; the wife would come for the real meeting.

  By the way, I think that Big kitchen lady with the chocolate chip cookies was fired a couple of years ago—I will get to that later.

  I told you to have patience with me—the wife tells me that I am beginning to forget things—I don’t think that is the case—but where was I? Who am I writing to?

  Oh, our Robo-Board—I call them that because they seem like a bunch of Robots—I hear they are unanimous in all of their actions and support every decision made by the Administration 100%—right or wrong—Like sending you that silly Legal letter to intimidate you.

  It was only a few years ago that another group of individuals were unhappy with the Board Members—just like you guys—so they found a way to get themselves on the Board—They were smart like you guys and read the By-Laws-the same By-Laws as now–they realized if they have parents sign election petitions they could get themselves on the Board and replace other board members—they had parlor meetings and served chocolate chip cookies—they camped out at the front gates and put petitions in front of car poolers.

  I know this, because I signed one of the petitions—I was visiting the School, and the lady with the petitions ambushed my car. She was so persuasive that I had little choice and signed– and she had quite a nice smile….get it? They weren’t afraid of repercussions—it was fair and square and pursuant to our by-laws. And by the way, I do remember the name on the petition that I signed—because the name had quite a symmetry to it and I had never had hear it before—it was Rafa Russ!—yep, the current President.

  And there was no election– a few of the existing Board member candidates on the recommended election slate then folded their tents and stepped aside– because no one wanted an election.

  So find some parents or alums that want to step-up and join the Board and run for office. That’s how you get every ones attention and that’s how you get action. If you can’t do that, then maybe it’s time to fold-up your own tents and stop crying foul on the Blog.

  Now let me get to the point I wanted to make in the first place. My point is that we need to find that big kitchen lady with the cookies and bring her back. So if you guys do find your way on the Board, that’s how you can return the favor. With the big kitchen lady brought in at the right time, I think you could get along very well with robo-Board. And if that happens, I could even persuade a couple of my old shuffleboard buddies to come back and attend a couple of meetings. Of course we will be a little late, maybe very late—but on time for the Big Kitchen Lady with the cookies.

• 124 anonymous // May 1, 2007 at 9:31 am

  Even members of not for profit boards can be held accountable for inappropriate actions.

• 125 anonymous // May 1, 2007 at 9:44 am

  We can take all of the support we can muster. It is kind of you to offer to assist. The fact that you were on the board with the likes of Arthur, Irv, Marshall, and Michael, means you understand the school and the wonderful school that it was. You lived the warm, nurturing, friendly, and welcoming environment we once had. A place where the teachers were happy, staff was happy, yes, of course there were bumps in the road, but not the demolition that is currently eroding our foundation.

  It would be awesome to return our school to the family it once had.

  ….and as far as the big kitchen lady - - the food was waaaaay better then. Now everyday is a new experiment. …..but that is another story in and of itself.

  Please assist in any way that you can to change our administration to that of a JEWISH administration. We have gone astray…….and need to find the way back.

• 126 I agree with the past board member // May 1, 2007 at 11:28 am

  Board Members, Time to listen to old time board member he is right. Thank so much for sharing your comments please keep writing. We need to bring back Jewish Professional Educators. We want only Jewish Professional Educators not Educators from another Tribe. We want our Head of School to Be A Jewish Professional Educator who comes to us highly known from the Jewish World. We also need a New Rabbi Head of School who could work with our Teachers and Parents. Look around if you ask for help from the Hillel Community you will find the best of the best Jewish Administration. Put in Ad in all Jewish Papers I mean all Jewish Papers all over the USA and Israel. I am sure you will get interesting people calling you. A Jewish person could help you with this and put in all the papers.Let us all know what response you get.We want it to be a better school with all Jewish Professional Educators.

• 127 another mom // May 1, 2007 at 11:33 am

  Dear Ex-exec board member:

  You are a treasure!

  If only we could return to those days! We parents have stood by helplessly watching the nosedive of the past several years.

  Please help us in any way that you can to secure a real Jewish education for our children!

• 128 anonymous // May 1, 2007 at 11:48 am

  Please - we need your help ASAP

• 129 Avi Frier // May 1, 2007 at 12:59 pm

  Ex-Exec Board Member:

  Would you please get in touch with me? I promise to protect your anonymity if you wish, but I would love to speak with you.

  Avi Frier
  The Florida Jewish News
  954-987-2720 ext 18

• 130 Thursday is the day they're announcing // May 1, 2007 at 2:03 pm

  the non-Jewish line up for next year

• 131 We need everybody to speak up now! // May 1, 2007 at 2:30 pm

  Board Members is this true Thursday you are announcing the non- jewish line for next year. I hope you have Some Jewish Professional Educators that you will announce. Don’t let our school down.We want to see some changes now. We have two more days. We need all of you out there to speak up or call or do something to