Someone named Adam writes in:
There have been many issues at Hillel these past years and maybe the board thinks that since Hillel straddles the divide between Jewish and secular world that it doesn’t have to worry that another school nearby may fill the niche that parents are looking for. News Flash: At the beginning of next year there will be a public school opening up that will be catering mostly to the same clientele as Hillel (most of the students who will be attending will be Jewish) and the education is free (it is being established by the Charter school act). The school will be run under Rabbi Adam Segal. This year they open their doors for K-3 grade with the intention of going all the way through high school. So to our board: take careful notice — Hillel isn’t without competition anymore. Starting next year people have yet another choice: if they don’t want to pay lots of money to send their kids to a day school that is no longer run by Jews, they will be able to send their kids to a free school being run by a Jewish Principal and Dean.
28 responses so far ↓
1 another veteran teacher // May 10, 2007 at 8:51 pm
WHERE IS THIS SCHOOL-DADE OR BROWARD?
2 anonymous // May 10, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Yes, please tell us more. Inquiring minds want to know.
3 anonymous // May 10, 2007 at 9:20 pm
It is not whether the board knows - the question is - does the board care?
Some may care …but others may continue to push this aside and think that it can’t happen to us - they won’t go - blah, blah, blah
Unfortunately, they better wake up and smell the coffee. It is starting to burn. Once burned, it is unrecoverable.
Please read the post: AS WE MOVE FORWARD http://www.savehillel.com/2007/05/as-we-move-forward/
4 sara // May 10, 2007 at 9:30 pm
That post — as we move forward– should remain at the top of this site— is quite important
5 sara // May 10, 2007 at 9:32 pm
And, yes, you are so right…does the board care? They board members know much– all that has been posted here………..
6 Adam // May 11, 2007 at 9:27 am
The school from my understanding is going to open in Broward but would serve the dade area as well. Other then the fact the are looking to hire teachers and adminstrators there isn’t much else I know but I can find out.
7 Anon // May 11, 2007 at 10:02 am
How come nobody else knows about a project as large as a brand new school???
8 Get Your Facts Straight // May 11, 2007 at 10:48 am
Being that people love to cite and quote legalese on this blog, I think it’s important to get your facts straight before making any such claims of a Jewish charter school.
Charter schools are sanctioned by public school boards and the state. Hence, public funding. Hence, the money can not be used to fund private religious institutions.
If that’s not clear enough, then how about these statutory facts about Charter Schools:
A charter school is statutorily required to:
- be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and operations
Current law specifies that criteria be used to approve a charter based on the following:
- the ways in which the school will achieve a racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or within the racial/ethnic range of other public schools in the same school district (meaning pretty much that it cannot be an all jewish school).
Not to mention, charter schools are bound by districting so the students cannot just come from anywhere. There are many students that have been kicked out of the Aventura charter school because it was discovered that they didnt live in Aventura and just registered under a family member’s address in the area.
If there is a new school opening up, it is definitely not a charter school. If there is no cost to it then there must be someone underwriting the school willing to give a free education to all.
Hillel isnt fearful of losing its students to other competition. I have heard stories of families pulling their kids out and sending them to Sinai, Beth Torah, Aventura Turnberry, and others. I really don’t think the board or administration really has fears of losing it’s student body.
The closest competition Hillel has in terms of education style (meaning an orthodox Jewish Day School) is Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach and i guess Hebrew Academy in Margate (which only goes up to 8th grade, and the high school is Bais Chaya which is a girl’s prep school).
Please indulge us with this new school information. When my child is old enough, hey I may even consider sending them there if there is such an option.
9 Avi Frier // May 11, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Look for a full story about this new charter school in next week’s Florida Jewish News, May 18, 2007 issue.
10 Anonymous // May 11, 2007 at 1:47 pm
excellent!
11 anonymous // May 11, 2007 at 6:08 pm
That is wonderful.
….and to the individual who states there is not much competition….. might I call you attention to the fact that if the school continues on its current path and continues to lose its traditional religious torah values, the competition is quite high and truthfully the academics far surpass those at Hillel. These parents are moving their children to Pinecrest, Ransom, University School, Miami Country Day, American Heritage, Donna Klein, Maimonides, Hebrew Academy, Lehrman, Beth Torah, Aventura Turnberry and Temple Sinai.
So take off the blinders and understand the situation. Until this board recognizes that they are not the only game in town for education - and they recognize that teachers need to be respected, supported, and appreciated daily - not just during teacher appreciation week, they will continue to lose prominent families and individuals who truly care and cared about HILLEL!!!
Make no mistake - there are alternatives. We are not the only game in town.
Not to mention, our alumni are NOT going to support a school that does not recognize its fine teachers.
12 Anonymous // May 11, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Hillel has already lost enrollment for next year as a result of the situation.
This is a fact.
They should take note and try to reverse the trend right now by addressing the issues in an open meeting.
13 anonymous // May 11, 2007 at 6:31 pm
That is what has been requested. Unfortunately, they wish to continue to downplay this site and the true issues that are taking place.
They do not want to meet openly as they do not wish to be questioned. They feel that what they are doing is correct because ADAM said so. Isn’t this the way David Koresh misled his followers?
It is a strange phenomenon at best.
Hopefully the meeting on June 6 will allow for a dialogue - though I am a devout optimist, I rather doubt they will entertain any questions or provide any other information other than the scripted address to the parents and the election.
This is how they operate - in their own vacuum. It certainly will be interesting.
14 Bambi // May 11, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Hmmmm….
15 Get Your Facts Straight // May 12, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I’m sorry, but did I ever say there wasn’t much competition? Please re-read my post.
I said:
“Hillel isnt fearful of losing its students to other competition. I have heard stories of families pulling their kids out and sending them to Sinai, Beth Torah, Aventura Turnberry, and others. I really don’t think the board or administration really has fears of losing it’s student body.”
Of course they have competition. And when I was talking about their nearest competition, I was talking about Orthodox Jewish Day Schools nearby (as I clearly stated). Aventura Turnberry, Beth Torah, Sinai, and the like do not fall under this definition. They are not Orthodox Jewish Day Schools.
Again this is the problem with so many of the posts on this site. People respond without reading. People react without “getting their facts straight”.
I am not saying I disagree with what you are saying. Hillel will absolutely lose students if they continue on the current path. The issue is that it seems they don’t really seem to care much.
16 Anonymous // May 13, 2007 at 11:17 am
They don’t care . That’s why it’s time for them to go.
17 mental health // May 13, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Agree.
18 You are amazing Ex-Exec Board Member // Jun 2, 2007 at 3:16 am
Great School got to the website www.bengamlacharter.com It is going strong, it has lots of students signed up. Now jewish children will get free education. We are finally are going to be able to get excellent free Jewish Education. This will be great for all.
19 GO To THe Chater School Website WWW. bengamlacharter.com // Jun 2, 2007 at 3:21 am
This is the site for the New Jewish Charter School, www.bengamlacharter.com. This school is going strong. Jewish Children will get great free Jewish Education. They have 800 children signed up. The Miami Jewish Community is very lucky to have this now. Finally All Jewish Children will get Great Free Jewish Education.
20 Anonymous // Jun 2, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Ben Gamla Charter School in the Florida Jewish News:
http://floridajewishnews.com/News/South_Florida/Nation%92s_First_Hebrew-English_Charter_School_to_Open_in_Hallandale_200705181122/
21 Anonymous // Jun 2, 2007 at 1:58 pm
THIS BOARD BETTER WAKE UP FAST AND SMELL THE COFFEE!!!
WHY PAY 17 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR FOR A PRIVATE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL WHERE JUDAICS ARE BEING REDUCED, WHERE OUR BEST JEWISH HISTORY TEACHER EVER WAS FIRED (and thankfully reinstated thanks to alumni and student outcry) AND PURIM IS NO LONGER BEING CELEBRATED WITH FANFARE WHEN THE CHARTER SCHOOL AROUND THE CORNER IS BEING HEADED BY AN ORTHODOX JEW AND OFFERING A JUDAICALLY RICH ENVIORNMENT FOR FREE ????????
BOARD MEMBERS: YOU’D BETTER WAKE THE HECK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Ben Gamla Charter School in Hallandale – Head of School: Rabbi Adam Siegal, Orthodox Rabbi and former Executive Director of Yeshiva Elementary school in Miami Beach
Siegel, who in four years at Yeshiva Elementary School boosted enrollment by leaps and bounds, was chosen principal a few months ago after a nation-wide search. Before moving to Florida in 2001, he was an assistant rabbi in Charleston, S.C. and also the state’s top insurance agent. Siegel believes his business experience coupled with his passion for teaching made him a strong candidate.
In addition to traditional secular subjects, Ben Gamla students will be taught Hebrew, Jewish culture or Jewish history for two hours a day. As a public school, Ben Gamla will be prohibited from teaching Torah or prayer, although students would be permitted to organize a minyan on their own.
22 Anonymous // Jun 2, 2007 at 2:08 pm
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE………………?
The Ben Gamla Charter School in Hallandale – Head of School: Rabbi Adam Siegal,
Solomon Schechter of Palm Beach County– Head of School: Rabbi Matt Berkowitz
YHS Boca– Head of School: Rabbi Kenneth Brander
Hebrew Academy of Miami Beach – Head of School: Dr. Roni Raab
Ramaz – Head of School: Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
Yeshiva of Flatbush – Head of School: Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari
The list goes on and on and on …..in every Jewish School across the US …except of course…..
HOW IS IT THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS OF JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA – from Reform to Conservative to Modern Orthodox – even the local public school for heaven’s sake — are able to find qualified, honest, competent, EXCELLENT Jewish leadership and THIS BOARD CANNOT DO SO AND FAILS TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT EVEN SHOULD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
23 good wolf // Jun 2, 2007 at 9:52 pm
There’s a lot to be said. Jewish schools need Jewish leaders but the teachers must be the best of the best regardless.
Judaic studies are Judaic.
Secular studies (like Math & Science & Social Studies & English) might not need Jewish teachers in order to be taught well…what you need are teachers devoted to their students and the best teaching materials.
In any subject
24 Anonymous // Jun 2, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I’m not referring to teachers or General Studies Principals. Only to Head of School position. I’m sure you can appreciate why.
25 good wolf // Jun 2, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Oh, yes…
26 anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 12:20 am
Agreed - - it was a mistake - - now it is time to correct it and move on!
27 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 3:25 pm
The new face of Jewish education?
By LINDA MAURICE
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Talkbacks for this article: 32
Some friends of mine lost their jobs recently. They were not only friends, but a few of them have also been my children’s teachers. Good people, wonderful teachers who helped impart important Jewish and secular values at our Hebrew day school.
As far as I am aware, no one lost their job due to incompetence or other negative reasons. What I have been told is that the school is facing a drop in enrollment, and therefore budgetary concerns are forcing cuts across the board.
I don’t need to ask for an explanation about why my children’s school is facing an enrollment decrease. I know.
For many, the main reason is the yearly, growing cost of a Jewish day school education. Some American Jewish communities have raised money for endowments or reduced tuition programs where families pay reasonable percentages of their income toward Jewish education. Unfortunately this has, of yet, not happened in our area of Florida.
The cost of our son’s kindergarten tuition at the David Posnack Hebrew Day School in August 2000 was around $6,000.
Parents of incoming kindergartners this coming fall will pay nearly double that amount. Add several other children into the picture and many families sadly opt out of such an expensive educational scenario. Sometimes they make an almost equally difficult decision and have to choose which of their children they can afford to send, and which they cannot.
There are many Jewish families in south Florida with broken hearts. Our local Jewish community and Federation are failing in what should be their mission to help raise money to support Jewish day school education.
TO GIVE THEM a bit of credit, I know that their failure isn’t completely due to lack of effort. They try, but a lot of the blame falls on the community who just don’t give.
I have debated this problem with knowledgeable friends, who say that the giving mentality has deteriorated with younger Jewish generations. Those that could afford to help, just don’t give like their parents once did. There are of course caring Jewish souls who open their wallets and hearts, but they are obviously in the minority.
Another reason students are being pulled not only out of our day school, but also other local schools, is because of a new public charter school, slated to open in August, which is being touted as “America’s First English-Hebrew Charter School.”
On the Ben Gamla Charter School (BGCS) Web site, the school is described as intending to “provide a strong academic program in a warm and nurturing environment. In addition to the traditional curriculum of language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, BGCS will provide specials classes in physical education, Hebrew language, art and music.” For free.
And guess what? Since opening their enrollment in mid-May, the response has been overwhelming. Eight hundred people have attempted to register their children. For its first year in existence Ben Gamla was supposed to be kindergarten through third grade. Now they are trying to extend through eighth grade. Existing day schools certainly have a right to be nervous.
An American public school education is required to have a distinct separation of church and state. While BGCS is touting itself as a secular entity, teaching Hebrew as well as Jewish history and culture, the school claims it will not include religious studies. In deference to its status as a public school, Torah and prayer will not be taught, but students will supposedly be allowed to form their own minyans.
Continued from page 1 of 2)
DEBATE IS RAGING in our community and over charter schools in general. Among those I have talked to, opinion is divided.
On the pro side, many people think that it is wonderful for some sort of free, Jewish education to be provided. I compare it to the state education system in Israel.
On the con side, people worry that this will set the stage for extremists from all religious spectrums to set up institutions with potential radical elements taught in the guise of a public school entity.
Some say that such things are already are in existence, so why debate? Why shouldn’t Jewish kids get some sort of free Hebrew (whisper “Jewish”) education?
I understand that a meeting recently took place that included heads of local (and competing) day schools, yeshivas, Jewish federation bigwigs and other community leaders. Presumably they debated their own futures in light of this new charter school. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that room.
If Ben Gamla turns out to be successful, then the American Jewish community has no right to complain. On the contrary, concerned American Jews should feel ashamed that they never came up with a viable solution first, offering an affordable educational option to anyone interested.
I, for one, say kol hakavod to the Ben Gamla people. And I will be watching carefully to see if it might be an option for my own children. I am certainly not sure if it is the ideal answer to the problem of Universal Jewish Education. But at least it might be an answer. And for right now, the only answer.
The writer, an American-Israeli citizen, is a former journalist, currently teaches media education and works in public relations. She lives in Hollywood, Florida.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1181228588927
28 anonymous // Jun 15, 2007 at 2:13 pm
“Hillel isnt fearful of losing its students to other competition. I have heard stories of families pulling their kids out and sending them to Sinai, Beth Torah, Aventura Turnberry, and others. I really don’t think the board or administration really has fears of losing it’s student body.
Please indulge us with this new school information. When my child is old enough, hey I may even consider sending them there if there is such an option.”
Attention “Get Your Facts Straight” AND ALL HILLEL TEACHERS:
Word on the Street: The Ben Gamla school is now discussing opening this fall going up to tenth grade!!!
Did you hear that Debbie Galitzer?
The Ben Gamla school believes that teaching Jewish History is without question part of their New “Vision”
The 800 applicants are now up to 900 applicants.
What was it again that person said on the blog the night the election results were tallied? I believe he said:
“Na Na Na Na na na Hey hey hey GOODBYE!”
More groveling . More groveling.
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