Save Hillel

246 responses so far ↓

• 1 teacher // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:38 am

  Mr. Kastan-now there’s a fine educator. Won’t this interfere with the other business he runs from the teacher’s lounge. I guess the need for a Jew was greater than the need for an educator. It seems that the educational credentials of our “dean” were omitted. If only the parents knew the bill of goods they were being sold.

• 2 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:09 am

  Good thing they left the fraud, Mr. Adam Holden’s, credentials out of the picture.

  A public school or university would have canned him long ago.

  Good thing to know that this board is governed by a toothless crew of cronies and pathetically weak individuals whose incompetence, arrogance, and innumerable shortcomings illustrate how they are in way over their heads and are unable to take appropriate action.

• 3 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:17 am

  Basically a lot of FLUFF and MEDIOCRITY(with a couple exceptions) running the so-called school of EXCELLENCE….no surprise there…they’ve run and are continuing to run most of the truly excellent out. For the few excellent veterans who remain and are practically an anomaly at this point, we wish you luck in navigating through the turbulent seas with this crew at the helm along with the ”toothless crew of cronies” (as was so aptly put) “protecting” you from them.

• 4 Aaron // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:29 am

  Some of these new administrators do not have the credentials to be a teacher- let alone an administrator?

  A lot of this line-up actually scares me.

• 5 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:08 pm

  So basically the high School doesn’t have a Judaic principal , just a “principal of student life”.

  Is Rabbi Druin supposed to be in charge of the Judaic curriculum?

  He has no experience in education, curriculum or teacher development. HE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

  And with all due respect to Mrs. Rosenberg-Gottlieb , I don’t believe she is well-versed or comfortable teaching Torah or Talmud in-depth in Hebrew the way Rabbi Feinerman (who we’ve lost), Rabbi Ackerman or Rabbi Kaplan are. From what I’ve been told her Hebrew is deficient, and therefore, her ability to teach Judaic texts from primary sources is greatly hindered because she is not comfortable with the language.

  Is she the one in charge of the Judaic curriculum?

  It’s a scary, scary day for Judaics at Hillel. Say Goodbye.

• 6 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:09 pm

  “Good thing to know that this board is governed by a toothless crew of cronies and pathetically weak individuals whose incompetence, arrogance, and innumerable shortcomings illustrate how they are in way over their heads and are unable to take appropriate action.”

  A scary day indeed Aaron.

• 7 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:29 pm

  Love reading the Blueprint of Bull@&$* updates.

  They must think we’re all a bunch of uneducated idiots.

• 8 Akiva Cohen // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:32 pm

  As a guy who knew Yossi Kastan way back when – don’t knock him.

• 9 Hillel Teacher's Association "Wanna-Be" Member // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:34 pm

  Credentials, as we have seen, real or phony don’t mean a whole lot. They are only as good as the people that they represent. In some cases they are the true mark of the person, in others they are just a facade. The current administration seems to be more concerned with the facade; the way things look rather than they way they actually are. An environment of good sales pitches, PR and hype seems to prevail creating a smoke and mirrors effect. Maybe this is all that they are capable of doing. But, keep in mind what a great American once said,” You can’t fool all of the people all of the time..” The ones who have experienced all that has been written here…cannot be fooled.

• 10 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:45 pm

  “As a guy who knew Yossi Kastan way back when – don’t knock him.”

  No one has knocked Yossi Kostan here. HE is NOT the problem. He is enthusiastic, compassionate, knowledgeable, and gasp, religious too. He has quite a lot of potential.

  “But, keep in mind what a great American once said,’You can’t fool all of the people all of the time..’

  Many of the parents are fooled but more and more of them are opening their eyes. Some are downright teed off and complaining now. Rightfully so.

• 11 sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:50 pm

  “Many of the parents are fooled but more and more of them are opening their eyes. Some are downright teed off and complaining now.”

  Are more really opening their eyes? Are they complaining, and to whom? Do you have proof/confirmation? I hope the answer is yes.

• 12 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 1:57 pm

  Actually not enough parents to matter.

  “* From Harvard University to Yeshiva University, every division’s administrative team is comprised of educational experts with esteemed credentials and experience.”

  Sure!!!

• 13 sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 2:33 pm

  From the update: “ To ensure Jewish values and Judaic studies are infused throughout Hillel’s curriculum”

  The assumption IS a Jewish day school WILL BE/IS infused with Judaism. By definition that IS a Jewish day school. Certainly should not be a point that needs to be explained or justified in light of administrative appointments.

  From the update: “From Harvard University to Yeshiva University, every division’s administrative team is comprised of educational experts with ESTEEMED CREDENTIALS and experience.”
  What about Holden’s ESTEEMED CREDENTIALS??
  What about Druin’s ESTEEMED credentials??

  A challenge to the Board: List these, too.

  Seems there is much money going toward administrative salaries…. an additional administrator in each division.

  Meanwhile, the high school still does not have quality teacher consistency in its core secular subjects, including consistency in AP courses.

  From the updadate: “Laura Ingoldsby will apply to Hillel her successful teaching career in diverse classroom settings, ranging from inner-city to established independent schools. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington and Lee University and a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University.
  Ms. Ingoldsby completed her graduate degree from Harvard while simultaneously completing a
  400-hour principal internship at the Boston College High School. She also has special education experience from her roles as resident group leader and assistant director of the Atlantic Coast Special Education Services.”
  Did the board once again fail to do its research? Here are the reasons I am very troubled:
  1. A google search of “Boston College High School” brings up a Jesuit boys’ school! Board, you need to clarify now!
  2. A google search of “Atlantic Coast Special Education Services” brings up nothing except a couple of pages of photos. But, searching this term on yahoo, brings up the following site:
  http://www.atlanticcoast.org/information2.html

  An excerpt from their home page :
  Atlantic Coast Special Educational Services
  Participants & Staff Join Us From All Parts of the USA & the World!
  This is where social and independent living skills HEAT UP!
  Type: Residential full year & summer/fall group home
  Supervised community living with personal care services
  Structured living and recreational programs
  Educational aspects focused on Social and Inter-dependent Living Skills
  Population Served: Adults (minimum age is 18 years)
  Capacity: 24 guest & 16 staff

  Owner: Tom Ingoldsby
  Address:1412 Laburnum Street, McLean, VA 22101
  br> Telephone:1-703-533-1019
  3. “successful teaching career in diverse classroom settings, ranging from inner-city to established independent schools” Which independent schools? To the board: A person with experience in inner city schools and special needs populations is the most qualified person for OUR students and our environment???????? Swayed by “Harvard.” Indeed.

• 14 sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 3:03 pm

  Forgot to include–note the name of the owner of
  “Atlantic Coast Special Education Services”

• 15 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 4:12 pm

  “In addition, Hillel’s newly created Student Life division will be led by some of Hillel’s strongest, most admired educators who have served us well for many years. Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb will head this department. From classroom lessons to extracurricular activities, her team will create an atmosphere that will infuse every facet of our children’s education with Torah ideals. This division has been established to ensure uncompromising attention to the cultivation of Jewish values in every aspect of Hillel, from Lower School through Upper School and beyond.”

  This is a fancy was to tell someone they’ve been demoted. Create a new title and division to graze them out.

  It is questionable if Sara were to do a check of the credentials mentioned here whether Sara would be very impressed …probably not.

  Sara raises the question that several have raised: Why in the world does a Jewish Day School need to create a division to INFUSE Jewish values????

  A strong Judaic curriculum has Jewish values built into it automatically. It does not require a division or a distinct entity to take care of this.

  How is that they refer to Mrs. Frumma Rosenberg – Gottleib–who is allegedly not fluent enough in Hebrew to comfortably teach primary texts of Torah and Talmud in their original, primary language (we all know meaning gets lost in translation)–as one our “STRONGEST” Judaic educators????

  This is laughable and we are not easily fooled.

  Rabbi Feinerman, yes. Rabbi Ackerman, yes.

  C’mon. Give us a break.

  With weak leaders in charge of Judaics, good luck producing students who are capable of sitting and learning in a yeshiva for their year in Israel or for those perhaps fewer and fewer who wish to continue on at YU with such a meager, watered down Judaic curriculum and with such weak leadership at the helm.

  (It has already been mentioned that the Assistant Head has no curriculum, teacher development experience or even a bachelors degree! We won’t rehash the Dean’s fraudulent Ed.D either)

  Here’s what the leaders THEMSELVES of Schools of Excellence like Ramaz are able to do as are the students who graduate (many of whom are not even religious but still well-educated in Judaics nonetheless) –

  schools of EXCELLENCE are able to make sure their students have these EXIT SKILLS by the time they leave:

  “Depending on the grade and level, focus will be on different skill sets, all geared to creating varied opportunities depending on background and motivation. These range from acquiring an appreciation of the relevance of Talmud study to contemporary society, to developing independence in Talmud study (making a leigning) by the time they graduate. In advanced sections, that much more attention is paid to pronunciation, punctuation, intonation, vocabulary, identifying the structure of a sugya, the systemic study of Rashi, and the development and literacy in the classic commentaries (Rishonim) and how and when they are employed.”

  http://www.ramaz.org/school_upper/fsj_talmud.cfm

  Does this board really believe they are adhering TO BEST PRACTICES in terms of instituting such weak leadership???

  This bloated organization–with all of its embellishing of credentials, establishing of wasteful bureacratic departments, and bestowing of glorified titles–will accomplish nothing but mediocrity as far as Judaics is concerned.

  For the few students who actually do want to learn in Israel for the year or go on to YU or Stern, they will find that their peers from other Jewish day schools (including Solomon Schecter) far surpass their skill set.

  Individual veteran teachers may be able to give them this skill set IN SPITE OF the fact that INADEQUATE administrators are in charge.

  The fact remains that whether kids are religious or not, their parents are being MISLED into paying big bucks and are being told that their kids are getting a strong Judaic eductaion, when in truth, they are NOT.

  Parents are buying in to false advertising (false advertising is extremely unethical) and paying a lot of money to make sure their children acquire a SUBSTANTIVE Judaic and Talmudic education (and gain certain advanced, interpretive EXIT SKILLS) ON PAR with JEWISH SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE (whether Modern Orth. or Conservative) across the nation.

  Parents who spend close to 20 grand a year: Expect mediocre returns on your educational investment at Hillel next year.

• 16 Another Teacher // Jun 28, 2007 at 4:18 pm

  There’s nothing wrong with Yossi Kastan but he is extremely inexeperienced. As a seasoned teacher, I prefer to work for a seasoned principal and not someone who is so green. How Yossi got promoted to Assistant Principal so quickly while a seasoned educator like Rabbi Kaplan is hung out to dry is simply beyond comprehension–defies logic.

• 17 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 4:27 pm

  ” Most of next year’s administrative leaders have been promoted from within the Hillel family, and some new ones have joined us.”

  How misleading is this?

  Look at how many of the administrators will only be IN THEIR SECOND YEAR AT HILLEL (at most)…

  Help me out if I miss some!

  1.Adam Holden
  2. Michael Druin
  3. Tym Bonnilla
  4. Laura Ingoldsby
  5. Mr. Peirce
  6. Valerie Lustgarten
  7. Yossi Kastan

  Rabbi Sachs, Meisels, Rosenberg-Gottleib, Mr. H (that’s 4)

  7 out of 11 administrators are practically brand new to Hillel…who are they kidding?

  SHAMEFUL PROPAGANDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  How any teacher could want to work for such a pack of unethical propagandists defies logic.

• 18 Juno // Jun 28, 2007 at 7:23 pm

  sigh…

• 19 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 7:50 pm

  sigh is right Juno

  these people can use help in the wisdom dept. from some ancients

  If I had a dollar for every time now I’ve heard them use terminology I’ve introduced on this blog (like “Best Practices” ) taken out of context and redefined to suit their purposes in their propaganda comminuques, I’d be really affluent by now.

  Between myself, anonymous lower case, and a few brilliant alumni, there hasn’t been a single original worthwhile idea generated by these fools.

  They’re like parrots mimicking what we say but utterly distorting and perverting the meaning of the terminology to suit their purposes. If it weren’t so tragic it would be comical.

  Where should we lead these asses by the nose next? The cliche is certainly true: You can lead a horse to water…………………………..

  This is truly living through George Orwell’s worst nightmare.

  “Doublethink” rules the day:

  “His mind slid away into the labyrinthine world of doublethink. To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully-constructed lies, to hold simultaneously two opinions which cancelled out, knowing them to be contradictory and believing in both of them; to use logic against logic, to repudiate morality while laying claim to it, to believe that democracy was impossible and that the Party was the guardian of democracy; to forget whatever it was necessary to forget, then to draw it back at the moment when it was needed, and then promptly to forget it again: and above all, to apply the same process to the process itself. That was the ultimate subtlety: consciously to induce unconsciousness, and then, once again, to become unconscious of the act of hypnosis you had just performed. Even to understand the word ‘doublethink’ involved using doublethink”

• 20 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 7:51 pm

  Re Another Teacher’s post # 16:

  Something is very weird. How did such as young person get an Assistant Principal position?

  Also, note how the Judaic Studies coordinator in each division has been replaced by a Jewish Life Assistant Principal. Can we then expect rigorous Judaic studies to be replaced by “feel good” Jewish life activities?

  One more thing – the letter that came in the mail from Holden states that “Within this structure, each division has administrative leaders who share responsibilities for General Studies and Judaic Studies, and report to both of us, Head of School and Associate Head of School – Judaic.”

  So, let me get this straight. Non-Jewish administrators are sharing responsibility for Judaic studies.

  ARE THEY KIDDING???!!!

  The elementary will likely fare well with Rabbi Saks and Mr. M. But what of the middle and high schools?

  I don’t recognize this school anymore……..

• 21 Juno // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:01 pm

  It really feels awful.

  I adore Rabbi Saks, he is so good with the kids and so inspired and teaches so insightfully and explains incredibly well. I am glad he’s where he is, the elementary will really do well by him!

• 22 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:09 pm

  Excellent questions you pose #20.

  Something is indeed rotten in the state of Denmark.

  The only administrator in grades 7-12 that I have ANY faith in is MR. H.

  Again, sadly there will be more authentic Judaic learning going on at the B.G. Charter School :

  -A seasoned Orthodox Head of School ensuring authenticl learning of Hebrew Language, Jewish History, and true infusion of Jewish culture.

  -Federally funded to hire the best teachers.

  -And in the afternoon, a rented space where the BEST JUDAIC teachers can teach kids how to leign, interpret Talmud etc. etc.

  -Funded by CAJE.

  The best of both worlds.

  Hillel can’t compete.

  Hillel doesn’t look like a Jewish day school anymore.

  It’s a sad day when a charter school looks more Jewish than a Jewish Community school.

  Utterly and sadly unrecognizable.

  Forget the fact that 6 of the administrators listed are utterly recognizable as well (50%) of them are the unitiated as far as Hillel is concerned.

  Yossi Kastan is a welcome addition but there are people far more seasoned for Assistant principal roles.

  At this point, they are looking for malleable YES MEN apparently.

  Soon the school the alumni knew will cease to exist.

  And yes, what the heck is A STUDENT LIFE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

  STUDENT LIFE??????

  JEWISH LIFE should be a given.

  Our kids needs to learn rigorous skills!!

  Textual interpretation for one.

  LAW SCHOOLS DROOL OVER KIDS WHO HAVE TALMUDIC INTERPRETIVE SKILLS

  SO MUCH FOR EXCELLENCE!!!

• 23 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:13 pm

  Rabbi Sachs is an excellent addition as well….
  I’m not so sure about several others.

  Oh wait…PREDICTION:

  the next communique will talk about the wonderful Talmudic interpretive skills these administrators will be ensuring our kids get…SCARY!!!!!!!!!!

  What other words can I put in their mouths?

• 24 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:24 pm

  Atlantic Coast Special Educational Services
  Participants & Staff Join Us From All Parts of the USA & the World!
  This is where social and independent living skills HEAT UP

  Population Served: Adults (minimum age is 18 years)
  Capacity: 24 guest & 16 staff

  Owner: Tom Ingoldsby

  “Did the board once again fail to do its research?”

• 25 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:26 pm

  post 24..can you please spell out the problem for those of us who are not connecting the dots so quickly.thanks.

• 26 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:30 pm

  poster #20:

  All of this vague terminology and all of these nebulous titles are the instruments that dictators weild to cloak their evil intentions.

  More from Orwell about this:

  “In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible.

  Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness.

  The great enemy of clear language is insincerity.

  When there is a gap between one’s real and one’s declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish spurting out ink.

  In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics’.

  All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred, and schizophrenia.

  When the general atmosphere is bad, language must suffer.

  I have not here been considering the literary use of language, but merely language as an instrument for expressing and not for concealing or preventing thought.

  Stuart Chase and others have come near to claiming that all abstract words are meaningless, and have used this as a pretext for advocating a kind of political quietism.

  Since you don’t know what Fascism is, how can you struggle against Fascism?”

• 27 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:38 pm

  ARe you saying Mr. Tom Ingoldsby only worked with 24 special Ed adults??

  that’s real experience, let me tell ya!

• 28 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:49 pm

  Ms. Ingoldsby, the new assistant principal of the high school, ” also has special education experience from her roles as resident group leader and assistant director of the Atlantic Coast Special Education Services.”

  Tom Ingoldsby, most likely a family member, owns the facility where Ms. Ingoldsby was an assistant director

• 29 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:58 pm

  Laura Ingoldsby

  http://www.campatlantic.org/staff.htm

• 30 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:02 pm

  I just don’t get it. Although she seems very accomplished, is this the right fit for Hillel?

  Where are our Jewish leaders and role models?

  Why not Rabbi Kaplan as Assistant Principal?

  Oh – right – he didn’t go to Harvard.

• 31 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:04 pm

  Laura Ingoldsby – another athlete and coach.

  Clearly Holden values athletics above Judaic studies.

• 32 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:04 pm

  “Ms. Laura Ingoldsby will apply to Hillel her successful teaching career in diverse classroom settings, ranging from inner-city to established independent schools. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington and Lee University and a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University.”

  Who cares who she is?

  Why would any of these administrators want to come work where they are clearly unwanted.

  They won’t last. The others didn’t last and they won’t either. Hillel will chew them up and spit them out like they do to everyone else. Good.

• 33 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:06 pm

  Anon – you are forgetting that she was hand-picked by the newest Hillel dictator. She will not be treated as the others were. The Board will blindly support all of Holden’s choices.

• 34 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:13 pm

  You are so right! How did I forget?

• 35 sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:51 pm

  The 400 hours that are mentioned could include nights…it is a residential facility. So, we may be talking about only 5 weeks! And by the looks of the photos, it appears the owner is her father.

  She has inner-city teaching experience. My experience has shown that people who we hire who have inner city experience are in for a rude awakening when they come to Hillel. They are not accustomed to our academic standards, our kids, our culture, etc.

  Has anyone found out anything about the Boston College High School that is mentioned in her Blueprint to Excellent Update bio? I repeat, my google search yielded a well-respected boys’ Jesuit school!

• 36 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:05 pm

  To summarize:

  Leading our Jewish high school:

  1) A non-Jewish ex-marine
  2) A non-Jewish middle school teacher and coach with experience in a family-owned special education facility for adults
  3) A non-Jewish head of school with dubious academic credentials
  4) A Jewish assistant head of school with virtually no academic credentials
  5) A Jewish assistant principal whose job it is to “infuse” Judaism into a Jewish school

  Nice.

• 37 Ivory // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:09 pm

  sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 9:51 pm

  I am popping in…my experience did have inner city but also suburban and I had very good motivated kids in both places, just not enough of them.

• 38 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:11 pm

  It should be noted that this is another marketing ploy obviously prepared and scripted by the well paid Marketing firm.

  G-d knows what they are thinking????!!!???

  Honestly, start at the elementary school and work your way up – - the elementary school principal lacks experience as well as appropriate credentials. They will now ruin one of the strongest well run units left in our school.

  The haphazard management and decision making style of this administrative leadership and the lack of professional oversight being exercised (or shall we say NOT exercised) by the board makes them grossly negligent. It is quite obvious that background checks, academic and professional verification and validation has not been undertaken.

  The whole situation is absolutely sickening.

  …..yet worse than that – it is unbelievable to think that parents are sitting by and allowing this to happen because they are afraid to take a stand and offend their board member friends. It is unconsciounable that these people care more about their friends than their children. This is something that personnally, I will never understand.

  Stand up ladies and gentlemen – - let your voices be heard. Let the board know that you are NOT happy. Let them know that you are demanding answers.

  We must all continue to do ALL we can to SAVE HILLEL – - we are charted on a course for self destruction – - THANK YOU MR. RUSS, MR. BONWITT, MR. WOLDENBERG AND MRS. DACH.

• 39 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:16 pm

  Speaking of dach, is there any credibility to the rumor I hear that she has been kicked off many school boards (Miamominides and once at Hillel before Dennis left) in the past?

• 40 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:18 pm

  correct!

• 41 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:20 pm

  correct to what? Is there any information you are able to enlighten us with?

• 42 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:20 pm

  It is important to know why this occurred once before and why it is not happening now. History is repeating itself but this time it’s not being stopped.

• 43 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:21 pm

  ….however, we must remember, it is not one person that makes a difference or decision – -they have undertaken the motto

  United we stand, divided we fall. This was the motto at the election when they begged their consituents to not split the vote. How childish – - so what did it mean?

  It meant that they were not willing to work with or listen to others who did not share their thoughts, opinions, or visions.

  It is a horrible lesson to teach their children and a poor way to live and lead.

  I was always taught to live and lead by example – - …and to make a difference. There must be others who share such values.

  If so, stand up and be heard.

  Do all you can to SAVE HILLEL!

• 44 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:24 pm

  It is my understanding she was involved with the old Temple Beth Shalom (I think it was in Hollywood) and that temple suffered financial problems. The Day School broke off and became Maimonides. In any event, she was part of the group that brought about the school’s demise.

  Read # 43 and that is why it is not happening now. They are a small tight knit group – - they are only interested in those who will support and bow to their leadership and their leader.

  It is actually sad to see such educated individuals caught up in a daze unable to see the forest from the trees.

• 45 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:26 pm

  “Boston College High School, animated by Jesuit principles, takes a holistic view of education, to include nurturing the spiritual, physical, intellectual, and artistic gifts each student brings to campus. The rigorous curriculum, community service and campus ministry programs as well as co-curricular and athletic offerings focus on educating young men of competence, conscience, and compassion. BC High accomplishes this development by creating a sense of community and demonstrating personal care and concern for individuals. In so doing, the school graduates leaders who are committed to serving God and others through a profound sense of justice rooted in faith; leaders who are “men for others.”

  Was Judaism “infused” there as well?

• 46 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:34 pm

  Do you have any information about how she had been reelected to the board after dennis? apparently she was on hillel’s executive committee long ago. Isnt there a number of terms a person can serve at hillel? Is she an exception to the rule?

  I think the tight knitness is more that shes incredible loyal to them and them to her. after all, this is her life. weird when her kids arnet even at the school anymore.

  do we really want our school to be run by someone who has no future at hillel?

• 47 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:40 pm

  “unbelievable to think that parents are sitting by and allowing this to happen because they are afraid to take a stand and offend their board member friends. It is unconsciounable that these people care more about their friends than their children. This is something that personnally, I will never understand.”

  The masses are asses or rather SHEEP easily led to the slaughter…many parents do not have contact with enough people to learn the truth. Every time I speak to a parent they are shocked. Those parents that I had a chance to personally speak to changed their votes. However, it seems most of us have very little access to parents.

  “Speaking of dach, is there any credibility to the rumor I hear that she has been kicked off many school boards (Miamominides and once at Hillel before Dennis left) in the past?”

  “It is my understanding she was involved with the old Temple Beth Shalom (I think it was in Hollywood) and that temple suffered financial problems. The Day School broke off and became Maimonides. In any event, she was part of the group that brought about the school’s demise.”

  She was. That school threw her out the door!!!

• 48 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:43 pm

  michael Newman hinted on another thread that some of the board members have served too many terms.

  they keep rewriting the by-laws to suit their purposes. they are so corrupt.

  the bylaws were pasted some where on this blog so we could access them once they disappeared.

  we should try to look into that.

  it’s long overdue that dach and papir go

  they have indeed ushered in the demise of thsi school

• 49 sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:45 pm

  You know what is ironic about all of this? We most likely will have a good year because the Hillel teachers who are still around will continue to do what they have always done— teach well, act professionally—no matter what is going around them. And the new-to-our -school teachers will most likely fare as well as other new groups of teachers have: some will shine and others will not. It is NOT what administration does. It IS what teachers do. But this administration and this board will take credit for the positive and put blame on others for the negative. Just once it would be nice to hear a sincere thank-you. Just once it would be nice to hear a “we made a mistake.”

• 50 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:45 pm

  We need to be an equal opportunity school

  WE’ve got Jesuits and Catholics now
  but where are the Muslims

  they’ve got to be feeling left out…let’s invite the local Imam to be in charge of Student life?

  Whaddya say?

• 51 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:49 pm

  correction: the local Imam can be one of the administrators within a division who “shares responsibilities for General Studies and Judaic Studies”

• 52 Ivory // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:49 pm

  It depends on what the curriculum has in it. The Jesuits are notable for scholarship although the Carmelites are better at the teaching of, well, the Bible.
  It is usually fair to say that Catholic Parochial and Jewish Parochial are about even in scholarship. But what is put first in the curriculum? Christology focuses on the New Testament. Judaic Studies looks at all things Jewish. You can get “Torah” studies at a Catholic Parochial school but it is often called ‘The Old Testament’, the Apocrypha is sometimes there as well. The time is not as intensely spent on study of the O.T. because the N.T. has everyone’s attention. And, sadly, very sadly, Hebrew is not taught very much. Latin is however (usually the Vulgate and not Classic) taught and sometimes Greek (usually Classic). And, the Languages are only taught in the Language Dept. as electives, not generally through the Religious Department so certain nuances are just not pulled together.
  But that is not true at every school, just generally.
  It is also true, (speaking from that perspective) that most Christians do not know their Bible very well at all. It is this illiteracy that helps to keep people’s blinders on, especially since English is the handiest way to read the Bible as most of us can’t do Greek at all and have a hard time even considering Latin.
  The irony is not lost on anyone with a historical sense: the Romans killed all the early Christians they could get to and demolished the elements of connectedness with Judaism. So the largest proportion of church records are in Latin… and almost no one reads them anymore…
  Sigh…

• 53 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:56 pm

  “We most likely will have a good year because the Hillel teachers who are still around will continue to do what they have always done— teach well, act professionally—no matter what is going around them.”

  Well then those teacher are stronger than many others. I applaud you and admire your dedication.

  i’ve spoken to so many teachers who say they’re only doing this for the students. the important thing here is that these students grow and become leaders of their communities and success stories. I would find it very difficult to be contributing to the growth of a child in an extrmeely stressful environment–so teachers, thank you for doing what you do.

• 54 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 10:56 pm

  Of course, this was all allowed to happen when this announcement was postponed until after the election. I imagine there would have been many many more votes for the alternate slate had this list come out earlier. We all knew that these people had been hired before the election. At least one of the new administrators was on campus months ago introducing himself to the kids as their new administrator for next year.

  Another devious move by the Board to hide the truth of their real intentions.

• 55 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:01 pm

  The real irony lies in the “Communication” section of the Blueprint, and the completely opposite reaction of the Board when confronted with the teacher firings.

• 56 Mr. Pink // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:03 pm

  To summarize for the marketing firm who is busy with their homework assignment cleaning up this mess made by the board members .

  The board members are meanwhile too busy to deal with the crisis they created because they have better things to do right now like traveling, boating, and hobnobbing with their socialite friends and cliquey friends while they allow our school to self-destruct and implode .

  “This bloated organization–with all of its embellishing of credentials, establishing of wasteful bureacratic departments, and bestowing of glorified titles–will accomplish nothing but mediocrity”

  “Good thing to know that this board is governed by a toothless crew of cronies and pathetically weak individuals whose incompetence, arrogance, and innumerable shortcomings illustrate how they are in way over their heads and are unable to take appropriate action”

  Many of them have sat on the board for more than 10 years. What are the term limits?

  What about nepotism? You have 3 Papirs on the board (joanne, her brother? David Wolf, her relatives Fiske) You have 2 Schecks on the board–Bonwitt and Marty

  Shouldn’t there be some kind of rule about this? Clearly, board members are not going to oust other board members who should be if they are FAMILY MEMBERS. SOUNDS LIKE A HUGE CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

  SO CORRUPT.

  “The haphazard management and decision making style of this administrative leadership and the lack of professional oversight being exercised (or shall we say NOT exercised) by the board makes them grossly negligent”

  “The whole situation is absolutely sickening.”

• 57 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:20 pm

  Christian textual scholarship is quite rigorous –without question. I have great respect for Christian scholars and if I wanted my child to learn how to look at Biblical text through a Christian lens (eg. man fell from grace after the original sin and needed the son of God to die to atone for mankind’s sins) then I would certainly send my child to to Epiphany in Coral Gables. A top school

  http://www.epiphanycatholicschool.com/ecs3/home.htm

  These are the administrators at that school:

  Administration
  Sister Margaret
  Sister Carmel
  Mrs. Castellanos

  Funny, I don’t see any Rabbis listed here. Why not????????????

  These are some of the values the school is infuses:

  For Adolescents in Middle and High School, Monday p.m.
  - R.C.I.A. – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
  - Bible Sharing
  - Baptismal Preparations
  - Liturgy of the Word for Children

  That’s wonderful. Do I want a Christian leading my Jewish school? No I don’t. Do I care if there are a few Christian principals. Maybe not. But this has gone far overboard already. (Teachers are NOT the issue. Christian literature teachers are great!!)

  Do you think I would personally like to spend 20 thousand dollars a year so that the local person of the Christian, or perhaps next year, Muslim faith –gets to “SHARE” in the infusion of Jewish values and culture in an administrative role?????????

  That thought does not comfort me a great deal.

  Let’s appoint the local imam next year while we’re at it as Head of school…

  Next thing I know my child will come home to tell me that we are so cruel the way we treat those poor Palestinians…and that this is America and that everyone is equal and why can’t we all just get along? And why can’t I marry a non Jew for goodness sake? We’re all children of the Lord for heaven’s sake aren’t we?

  this is a topsy turvy world…what seemed far fetched moments ago can become reality tomorrow…who knows where this reductio ad absurdum will lead us next?

• 58 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:22 pm

  How are we supposed to know about things like term limits and nepotism when the bylaws are changed at their whim and then hidden from the school members?

  How is it possible to break up a sneaky and underhanded team like this that hides information from the school community and lies about the things they cannot hide? And further – refuses to allow anyone in who does not agree with them?

• 59 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:25 pm

  The only way to do this is for parents to start campaigning and do mailing NOW.

  Do you know any parents willing to because I think they wore down those wonderful parents who ran for the new slate.

  Those brave parents stepped up, named themselves, but had no time to really educate people. Had they been given appropriate time, they would have won. Had Isaac and Jessica campaigned as well, chances are even more people would have learned the truth.

• 60 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:26 pm

  The only thing we can do is to start working on changing the Board next year. We got 1/3 of the vote in a few short weeks – we can get to the rest given a whole school year.

• 61 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:28 pm

  Go build your parent base now and you will be able to oust some of them

  Judy and Joanne are NOT up for re-election next year

  They are sitting on the board for far too long…it’s got to be illegal

  Even FDR had to quit after serving FOUR TERMS!!!

• 62 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:30 pm

  And who will be evaluating the teachers this coming year?

  The “principal intern” from the Jesuit school with 400 hours ( equal to 10 weeks of internship) and maybe 5 years of teaching/swimming experience?

  Or will it be the administrator without the college degree?

  Or will it be the Head of School with the fraudulent terminating degree?

  Best practices?

  Best practices?

• 63 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:30 pm

  We need to take out a full page ad in the Florida Jewish News or better yet the Miami Herald

  you’ll see how fast these people will be forced to step down once the entire South Florida knows the truth

• 64 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:30 pm

  to post #57:

  “who knows where this reductio ad absurdum will lead us next?”

  Unfortunately, the good folks at Hyman Brand gave us that glimpse into the future and our Board chose to ignore it.

• 65 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:31 pm

  make sure you kiss up to as many of these new fools as you can if you don’t wanna be canned next april cuz there ain’t no one to stop them from doing whatever they please

• 66 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:32 pm

  to post 64 Yes. How did Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy get rid of the dictator???????

• 67 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:32 pm

  Get rid of Dach and Papir and the rest will be gone too.

• 68 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:33 pm

  Since administrators are sharing the responsibility for Judaic and General studies, I imagine Mr. Bonilla and Ms. Ingoldsby might be evaluating our Rabbis’ instruction. What a comforting thought.

• 69 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:36 pm

  Yes and comforting to know that Rabbi Michael Druin who doesn’t hold a degree will be evaluating our teachers far more credentialed than he

• 70 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:36 pm

  To post #66:

  I don’t know how they got rid of Holden. I don’t believe he will last at Hillel past his 3-year contract either. Our job is to try and limit the damage he will cause.

• 71 sara // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:37 pm

  Can anyone provide answers:

  1. Do we know for certain that Druin has no degrees? How do we know?

  2. A point is being missed here. It is not just that we think this school is a Jesuit school . It is an all boys’ school. Can a female be part of this type of school? I cannot find another school with this name.

• 72 anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:40 pm

  1. yes

  2.yes

• 73 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:56 pm

  sara: the point is NOT all boy school , all girls jesuits, what not

  the point is: group think, woodenheadedness, callousness, disrespect, arrogance, denial, backpedaling, fraud, outright lying, propaganda, doublethink and newspeak, cronyism, nepotism, dictatorship, corruption, intimidation, rewriting history, rewriting bylaws, changing bylaws to allow a non Jewish dean and non Shomer Shabbos principal, the watering down of judaics and secularizing of the school, the secrecy, the shutting out other voices, the insulating oneself, the hiding the financial books even from board members, the terrorizing of teachers, the lying to the parents, , pure unadulterated EVIL.

  we’ve got a lot more than the 7 deadly sins here to repent for come atonement day

  THEY HAVE A LOT OF MECHILA TO START ASKING FOR.

  SINS THAT ARE “BEN ADAM L CHAVERO ” (person to person rather than person to G-d) CAN ONLY BE FORGIVEN BY THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE HARMED AND NOT BY G-D.

  Yom Kippur should be a real b%$#* for some of these people and what about Karma…what comes around goes around…maybe not this year…but just wait!

• 74 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:03 am

  Post 63 says “We need to take out a full page ad in the Florida Jewish News or better yet the Miami Herald

  you’ll see how fast these people will be forced to step down once the entire South Florida knows the truth.”

  This should now be added to our list of what to do if things once again reach a head..as they did last April. I have been told that everyone concerned with SAVING HILLEL has tried to avoid doing “things” that would really hurt Hillel, but perhaps you are right. I certainly would contribute to the cost of such an ad.

  So, here it is–things we can do that we hope we do not have to do:

  1. an ad in newspaper
  2. a phone call to SACS
  3. a legal angle that some say can still be addressed…it appears the “wrong” item was the focus when this item was previously dicussed here–that there is, in fact, a legal route that can be persued.

• 75 anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:05 am

  “Lying on Your Resume
  What Are the Career Consequences?
  by Kim Isaacs
  Monster Resume Expert

  Related Articles
  An Unethical Boss

  When a woman we’ll call Mary was offered a high-level student-services position at a prestigious college, she was thrilled to accept. But two years later, Mary was fired despite strong performance reviews and a reputation as a rising star at the college. The reason? She lied on her resume — and got caught.

  An HR initiative requiring employees to furnish college transcripts revealed Mary lied about having a master’s degree. It wasn’t lack of a degree that cost Mary her job; it was her dishonesty. Unemployed and with a blown reference to boot, Mary demonstrates what can happen when you lie on your resume.

  Companies are growing increasingly savvy in ferreting out resume cheaters through more comprehensive background checks conducted both pre- and post-hire. Why the latter? Subpar job performance can prompt a follow-up investigation into an employee’s past. If dishonesty is discovered, it is often grounds for termination and possibly legal action.

  Yet Mary is hardly alone in falsifying information on a resume. Steven D. Levitt, coauthor of Freakonomics and a renowned economics professor at the University of Chicago, cites research suggesting that more than 50 percent of people lie on their resumes.

  Given such repercussions as Mary’s fate, you might wonder why anyone would attempt to get away with lying on a resume in the first place. Levitt refers to a W.C. Fields quote in his explanation: “Anything worth winning is worth cheating for.”

  Power — and Misery — Foster Temptation

  In a kind of twist on the Peter Principle, which suggests that within corporate hierarchies, employees tend to be promoted until they reach their ultimate levels of incompetence, Levitt postulates that “the higher up in the organization a person rises, the more likely it is that he or she will cheat.”

  His observation is certainly borne out by news headlines about executives resigning in the face of resume dishonesty. Common resume lies include falsifying academic credentials, padding dates to mask employment gaps, exaggerating job titles, embellishing job responsibilities and achievements, claiming sole responsibility for team efforts and even making up fictitious employers.

  Levitt also found a correlation between mood and the temptation to cheat. The desperation felt when weeks of unemployment stretch into months, or the low morale experienced by someone employed but truly miserable in a job, appear to increase the incentive to lie.

  The Big Consequences of Little Lies

  “The best lies will be those that mirror reality,” Levitt says. “My hunch is that the reputed 50 percent of resume cheaters are mostly making little cheats here and there, for instance, to cover up times when they were out of the labor force for six months.”

  Perhaps viewing these mistruths as harmless white lies or marketing spin, people who lie on a resume may end up doing more damage –to themselves and others — than they realize.

  “When someone else cheats, it hurts the honest people,” Levitt says. Honest job seekers can be edged out of competition by individuals who give themselves an unfair advantage by fabricating or exaggerating credentials.

  And what about the damage cheaters do to themselves? “Even if you are never caught, you will have to live in constant fear that someday you will be caught and punished and with the guilt of knowing what you did was wrong,” Levitt warns.

  Honest Strategies for Getting Ahead

  No matter what the reason or justification for lying, if your resume isn’t entirely truthful, know this: You don’t have to resort to lying to win a job. There are ethical resume strategies you can use to address issues like job-hopping, time off from the workforce, minimal work experience, lack of or incomplete college degrees , being fired and having a criminal record.

  Levitt’s research findings and the stories of job seekers who got caught lying on their resumes are cautionary tales to anyone in the workforce:

  You jeopardize your future when you lie about your past. “

• 76 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:17 am

  and you jeopardize Hillel……

  Super article!

• 77 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:29 am

  “When someone else cheats, it hurts the honest people,” Levitt says. Honest job seekers can be edged out of competition by individuals who give themselves an unfair advantage by fabricating or exaggerating credentials”

  This is the entire issue. Who was edged out?

• 78 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:36 am

  People who were on the search committee can tell you that. . .

• 79 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:40 am

  I’ve heard the kids say that Joseph Lieberman’s son was a candidate for head of school. Anyone know if this is true?

• 80 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:41 am

  ask them please

• 81 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:41 am

  find out please

• 82 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:44 am

  Just found this in Wikipedia:

  “Matt Lieberman graduated from Yale University in 1989, and from Yale Law School in 1994. He is the Head of School of Greenfield Hebrew Academy in Atlanta, GA.”

  So it is very possible.

• 83 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:46 am

  YES!!!!

  and he STILL WANTS THE POSITION!!

  I know this for a FACT

• 84 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:47 am

  is there anyone who sees where I’m going with this?

• 85 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:49 am

  Confirmed on the GHA web site

  http://www.ghacademy.org/page/contactus.html

• 86 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:49 am

  amendment to my #83 I’m pretty sure we are talking about the same person…I will know for certain by tomorrow. need to make one call but pretty sure!

• 87 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:50 am

  Are you sure he still wants the position?

  If this is true, we need more information and a plan.

• 88 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:50 am

  I’m pretty sure this person still wants the position. This could get very interesting folks

• 89 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:51 am

  I have a plan …let’s see if you follow ..do the words “spokes in the wheel” ring a bell?

• 90 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 1:02 am

  How can we get more information on how the decision to hire Holden was made? We need to let parents know that there were viable JEWISH candidates and that we were lied to once again!

• 91 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 8:35 am

  To my knowledge, some teachers were on the search committee. There should be a list of committee members ……somewhere

• 92 anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 9:15 am

  you were definitely lied to and there is legal recourse provided parents want to pursue it

• 93 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 9:57 am

  I don’t know about the Matt Lieberman person but I believe there was another super qualified Jewish candidate Manni/Manny something or other from a Jewish school in Ohio, I believe, who still wanted the position even this year.

  Let’s get the names of the other qualified Jewish contenders. There were definitely some fabulous ones.

• 94 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:12 am

  I don’t understand where you are going with this– a need to know who the other candidates were stating that it appears 2 Jewish ones are still interested in the position, and saying there is legal recourse. But whatever it is, go for it!

  The Blueprint to Excellence Update to which we are responding clearly states that there is shortage of Jewish academic leaders. Did they just bury themselves with their own words–which are now in print???

  From the update: “The structure presents a solid solution to achieve a Board goal to advance the school during a nationwide shortage of Jewish educational leaders, simultaneously maintaining a parallel track to develop future Jewish educational leaders for Hillel and other Jewish schools nationally.”

• 95 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:16 am

  Understand this ..only parents or applicants can take legal recourse and I don’t think they are willing to. It’s not that legal recourse doesn’t exist. The problem is that no one has the balls to pursue it so let’s not get too excited by this pipe dream. State Attorney will pursue it though if anyone should grow a pair overnight.

• 96 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:29 am

  What legal leg do we have to stand on?

• 97 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:29 am

  Post #2:

  An insightful and accurate summary. Those of us who have been around for many years know full well what we have lost and the destruction being caused by clueless new, mostly young ” leaders” who care nothing for Hillel’s past.

  Specifically, all this nonsense about integrating Judaic and General curriculum is nothing more than a gimmick designed to deflect attention away from the larger problems of disrespected teachers and a deceitful leadership. Also to try and show how “Jewish” our school will be under their leadership.

  The truth, as those of use who have been around for a while know, is that Hillel’s teachers have always worked together to infuse both the curriculum and all activities with Jewish life. To deny or belittle that, as Russ did in his letter to the editor, is an insult to our teachers who accomplished this, not because of any directives, but simply because of their devotion to Jewish education.

  Now we will have non-Jewish administrators who will share responsibility for Judaic studies. Will we also have non-Jewish teachers who will be forced to incorporate Jewish studies into their secular curriculum? In math? Language Arts? How? More importantly, why? They are trying to fix something is is not broken. I repeat that there has always been integration where it was appropriate, such as in history or reading lessons. Done by teachers out of concern and respect for our mission. No new department with Assistant Principal salaries was necessary.

  The Board needs to wake up and take responsibility for the problems created by the administration they so blindly support. They need to focus attention on the real problems. They need to stop trying to prove how Jewish they are making our school and just leave in place a rigorous Judaic curriculum.

  In short, they need to model themselves after JEWISH schools of excellence and not look to the non-Jewish world for their ideas on how to run a Jewish school.

  Our graduates were always sought after by top school precisely because of the rigorous dual curriculum. Hillel always knew how to be excellent; the new leadership denies that, belittles past accomplishments that pre-date them, takes credit for accomplishments that are the result of TEACHER’s efforts and then offers the teachers a healthy dose of disrespect.

  Then they spin everything to make it look like they are without blame for any of the problems they have created.

  Maybe they should be running for president.

• 98 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:30 am

  Sorry – this last post was meant for the other thread about the letters to the editor – I’ll post it there

• 99 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:57 am

  There are too many people posting under the same “Anonymous.” One said he/she has a plan and needs to make a phone call. Another (or the same) said there is legal recourse. Another (or the same) nixed that. And another (or dame one) says we need to take out a full page ad. Let’s clarify, please.

  And, if there is nowhere to go with this new idea–whatever this new idea is– then how about placing that ad?? What Jewish Day School Whose Board States there are no Jewish academic leaders passed over at least 2 viable Jewish candidates? What Jewish Day School needs to keep proving it is Jewish?

• 100 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 11:25 am

  “Anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 10:29 am

  What legal leg do we have to stand on?”

  Option 1– IF someone was cheated out of a job because Holden sold himself on the idea that he was more qualified with the doctorate than some other candidate, then that candidate (of which I believe there are some who are superqualified, Jewish, NICE and who still want this position, G-d only knows why…) can start the investigation–you have a victim and a plaintiff in legal terms–it is almost irrelevant whether Holden gets prosecuted or not. He will be under serious investigation.

  (Alumni were concerned that this would bring more bad press to Hillel. I can assure them that it will not . The state attorney’s office will not notify the press but will keep the whole thing under wraps. The state attorney’s office just like our responsible journalist and the people at SACS are not seeking to make a school suffer more than it has to and prefer not to touch this can of worms with a ten foot pole. They do not abuse power like the people who are running this joint do. So if Mr. Bitter Alumni starts berating me again, I will find him and slug him. I’m just trying to help teachers.))

  Option 2–If several parents banded together and wanted to also make a case for the fact that someone has wreaked havoc on a school where their children attend, then we have a state attorney who is willing to start investigating…perhaps prosecute..but definitely investigate. If SEVERAL parents were interested, then I have the name of the investigator at the State Attorney’s office willing to start the investigation right now (which I could hand over to the site admin. to pass along).

  One of these two things need to happen. One way or the other or forget the whole thing and don’t talk about it anymore.

  The power hungry people and their marketers are combing through every word here. Don’t assist them furhter anymore. Either take action or shut up right now for your own protection.

  They take every word on this site and pervert it for their own use. Don’t give them any more ideas. They keep saying Best Practices . They apply it to the wrong concepts. They don’t even know where the word originates from and it’s ridiculous now that we’ve used it how many times we’ve heard it used wrongly come out of their mouths. It’s beyond sickening and evil.

  Also, I will not clarify which Anonymous I am.

  The beauty of this website is that several are posting under this name and this is protecting every single one of us all the more “SARA”.

• 101 sara // Jun 29, 2007 at 2:36 pm

  Of course this web site is protecting everyone’s identity–including mine. I only meant something like Anonymous #1 or Anonymous #2 would help.

  I understand your words of caution re: posting more “ideas” here, but the one about what parents can do through the state attorney is still quite unclear.

  perhaps you can start this rolling by contacting the parents who were part of the 1/3 vote and/or parents who you know are still quite concerned–explain the current situation/facts to them, etc.

  or, if people know the other candidates or how to contact them, perhaps ……….

• 102 Shlomo Bolts // Jun 29, 2007 at 5:34 pm

  I agree with most of what has been said so far. Let me add that I graduated two years ago, and have not spoken more than ten words to any of next year’s high school administrators. I am committed to challenging the Board again next year if it does not improve, and I hope it does.

  That’s all on that front. I have nothing particularly radical to add at this point. However:

  1. “WE’ve got Jesuits and Catholics now
  but where are the Muslims

  they’ve got to be feeling left out…let’s invite the local Imam to be in charge of Student life?”

  2.”correction: the local Imam can be one of the administrators within a division who ‘shares responsibilities for General Studies and Judaic Studies’ ”

  3. “Next thing I know my child will come home to tell me that we are so cruel the way we treat those poor Palestinians”

  Whoever posted these comments, you make me sick. Did anyone even mention Islam? So why did you bring it up. Wait, I think I know. Please keep your bigotry against Moslems off this site.

  Also, you might want to keep in mind that not everyone on this site thinks Palestinians are dirt. You make me sick. I won’t say more because I’d rather not derail this thread. But as much as I am committed to Hillel, I am even more committed to eliminating your brand of poisonous hatred from the Earth. If I and others like me fail, we’ll all have much worse things to worry about than SaveHillel.

  Carry on

• 103 anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 5:55 pm

  Re: Miami -Dade State Attorney’s Office

  Only a board member can file the complaint under 817.567 since he/she is considered the victim as the Board hired him.

• 104 Ivory // Jun 30, 2007 at 10:31 am

  http://standeyo.com/NEWS/07_Pics_of_Day/070626.pic.of.day.html

  Please look at this picture and take it metaphorically as relating to the problem at hand.

• 105 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2007 at 3:42 pm

  I´m glad I make you sick Shlomo. here´s what makes me sick-jews who try so hard to get along with everyone that they´re willing to watch their culture be annihilated before their very eyes in the name of equality or excellence. Radical Muslims or Islamists make me sick. I won´t apologize for that. there are 2 kinds of people in this world-creators and destructors…anyone committed to destroying my heritage or my people makes me beyond sick. any jew who embraces such people makes me even more sick. and if there are administrators committed to secularizing this school, they make me sick too.

• 106 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2007 at 3:44 pm

  103 anonymous // Jun 29, 2007 at 5:55 pm

  ¨Re: Miami -Dade State Attorney’s Office

  Only a board member can file the complaint under 817.567 since he/she is considered the victim as the Board hired him.´´

  Not according to who I spoke to . See post 100.

• 107 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2007 at 9:42 pm

  Anonymous (post #105) is 100% on target. There is a difference between initiating poisonous hatred and defending against it. Shlomo, I pray that you can change things, but the sad reality is that a huge percentage of the world is waiting for their opportunity to once again decimate the world’s Jewish population. There are limits to the extent to which we can embrace these factions and try to make peace. In the meantime, we are only helping their cause if we don’t raise strong, educated Jews. We parents seek that education at Hillel and are infuriated that the current leadership is attempting to weaken the rigorous Judaic learning.

• 108 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2007 at 11:17 pm

  Anonymous #2 here…

  Yes, poster 107, you are quite correct.

  The key to keeping the Jewish people alive and strong is by arming them with a strong Judaic education.

  Research substantiates this claim.

  A strong Judaic education (not this FLUFF we keep hearing about in which a SEPARATE DISTINCT ¨Student Life¨ DIVISION has been created to address “Jewish “values” and Jewish “atmosphere” which should naturally already exist and already be built into a strong curriculum and hence have no need for parents to have to bankroll yet another bloated bureacratic division that we pay yet another administrator to run) is the KEY TO ENSURING Jewish survival in future generations.

  The actions of this board are so insidious because a RIGOROUS Jewish education– along the lines of Jewish education being offered by the premier Jewish schools in the US (schools, mind you, that are not even necessarily Orthodox schools) such as Frisch, YULA, SAR, Heschel S,The Weber School ,American Hebrew Academy of Greensboro,Solomon Schecter, RAMAZ etc. etc. etc.– is being obliterated before our eyes while most of the population stands unaware and in the dark.

  (As a side note for a separate thread: At least some of the most evil leaders who ever lived and were out to destroy Jewish education, “the Zionists”, and Jewish culture, etc. laid their agenda out straight on the table for the world to see so that everyone knew where we stood with them. They told us straight to our face. Perhaps we chose not to believe them. Perhaps we choose to ignore that for every one moderate and peaceseeking Moslem you meet (of which there are several in the Ivory Tower World–I´d love to retreat to the lofty idealistic heights of that tower once more now that I´m an adult) , there are several more ready to throw us into the sea – their leaders have gone on national television saying so…they are trying to build nukes to point straight at Israel AS WE SPEAK but that is for another time on another thread Shlomo)

  Ultimately, it is okay to secularize a school provided that you have honestly told parents that this is what you are seeking to do.

  However, to send letters saying that parents should not worry about Judaics because they are now stronger than ever is a blatant lie.

  Be honest. If you are honest, then at least parents can make an honest assessment for themselves. Parents really resent being lied to.

  (They also resent that geographically speaking Hillel is the only Jewish day school close enough to where they live to send their kids to at this moment.)

  Shlomo, it´s okay for Jews to send their kids to schools that are run by people of varying ethnica and religious backgrounds be they Moslem, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist as long as the parents are aware of what they are signing on for and paying lots of money for.

  The problem is that here, in the United States of America, for the last several decades now, parents have sent their children to JEWISH SCHOOLS and have paid several thousand dollars of their hard-earned salaries to do so because these parents are under the assumption that Jewish day schools are run primarily by Jews.

  And until the year 2007, Jews running Jewish day schools has been a given – I don´t know where you find a Jewish day school in the country where 50% of the KEY administrative positions (we are not talking about teachers now) are filled by non-Jews.

  Here´s another blatant lie: that we are facing a ¨nationwide shortage´´ of Jewish leaders.

  In actuality, some very overqualified Jewish leaders applied to Hillel and were turned away.

  (And I´ve yet to see a time in history when a dearth of qualified Jews existed to run anything..banks, media, entertainment, what not…Isn´t this why so many hate us?)

  Parents are furious.

  Many who are not furious simply do not know the truth.

  Whenever someone tells them what is actually going on, they become furious too.

  It´s okay to remake a school in the image of Pinecrest AS LONG AS YOU HONESTLY state that you are doing so.

  That is not what´s happening here , Shlomo.

  We are seeing lots of equivocation. Talking out of 4 sides of the mouth. Words are not being matched by actions. This is called LYING.

  Lying is unethical.

  Unfortunately, many of the parents, students, and alumni at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy have told us what their school looked like by the time Adam Holden was through with it.

  (Go read the thread in the Archives called Stand Up-there are several others too)

  Adam Holden ultimately is not to blame. The board is for giving him the directive to water down the Judaic program while they smile to parents as they claim that the Judaic program at Hillel FOR THE FIRST TIME (with this first time brand new STUDENT LIFE DIVISION-what kind of empty rhetoric is that…) is STRONGER AND MORE EXCELLENT THAN EVER.

  Listening to such lies is enough to make you sick.

  Builders. Destroyers. If you seek to destroy the foundation of Hillel and the fabric of the Judaic curriculum that always served hitherto to be the bedrock of the institution and of the Jewish people, so be it. Just be honest about what your true intentions are.

  Actions speak louder than words.

  It is beyond unfortunate that the few strong Judaic teachers who remain now have a tremendous burden of filling in gaps they should never have had to fill in the first place.

• 109 sara // Jun 30, 2007 at 11:52 pm

  “Parents are furious.

  Many who are not furious simply do not know the truth.

  Whenever someone tells them what is actually going on, they become furious too.”

  IF parents are really furious, why don’t they speak up? We have been told twice in this thread (and often in other threads) that they are angry. Here is how we can do it:

  1. Pursue the legal angle that has been posted here.

  2. But more REALISTIC is that we can go right back to where we started: get A PETITION SIGNED TO HOLD AN OPEN BOARD MEETING. You know that NOW we CAN get the necessary number of signatures.

  Confront the board about:
  (1) the top-heavy non-Jewish administration—about the experience of some of these individuals (e..g, a Jesuit school background/special needs facility)

  (2) truths about other candidates for positions of head of school and principal/assistant principal positions

  (3) Druin’s lack of credentials

  (4) acknowledging truths about past years (e..g., the universities our students were accepted to, the AP courses we offered, the debate team we had, etc.)—confront them about taking credit for what was previously accomplished. . .

  . . . And the list goes on

  Parents, you CAN do this!

• 110 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:17 am

  To the Board – a free heads up. As Ricky Ricardo said to Lucy, “you got a lot of ‘splainen to do!”

  Better get your facts straight because the truth is easy to uncover and 1/3 of the families in the school want answers that we are entitled to.

• 111 Ivory // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:48 am

  “Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:17 am

  To the Board – a free heads up. As Ricky Ricardo said to Lucy, “you got a lot of ’splainen to do!”

  Better get your facts straight because the truth is easy to uncover and 1/3 of the families in the school want answers that we are entitled to.”

  On target!

• 112 Shlomo Bolts // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:58 am

  Alright, I am not going to comment further on anything related to Moslems. As anon 2 said, that is for another time. I do not think a discussion of Islamic fundamentalism has anything to do with fixing Hillel. The only reason I posted as I did is to make it clear, for whoever is reading, that it is not open season on intolerance of Moslems here. My opinion is clear, so I’m done. I will not comment further on this matter, and I hope we all can agree to so we can zero in on saving Hillel.

  What do we want written in the petitions?

• 113 Shlomo Bolts // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:59 am

  Final sentence should say “…agree to disagree so we can zero in…”

• 114 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 9:11 am

  I believe all that needs to be said in the petition is that we want an open meeting.

• 115 sara // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:19 pm

  Do it right…Take your time. Time is on our side. The issues are NOT going away. Some things to do:

  1. We had an online petition. The person behind it—the person who has access to the names of the people who signed it—can begin with those parents

  2. Because we have been told again and again that some parents do not know about this site and/or are not computer savvy, it appears that an ONLINE PETITION IS NOT SUFFICIENT. We need a paper copy.

  A. We need to find out from the LEGAL END IF a petition can be partially electronic and partially paper OR if only one format is acceptable.

  B. We need to find out if the original petition is still viable (it was signed a few months ago)—Can we still use it (minus the names of any parents who no longer have children in the school)?

  4. Find out if any of the parents who ran on new slate still have enough energy and desire left to once again go after some signatures.

  5. The parents who were part of the 1/3 vote NEED to be contacted. See #4 above. Who will do this?

  6. We need a central clearing house—ONE LOCALE to house the questions we want to pose to the Board. Once again, find out if any of the parents who ran on the new slate still have enough energy and desire left to be involved. They did set up a web site AND A CONTACT EMAIL. CAN THAT EMAIL BE USED as our clearing house OR can someone set up a new email for this?

  A. We need to gather FACTS—not suppositions, and have PROOF. We have to make sure we have facts on which to base our questions AND facts for verification of their anticipated “spin.”

  That’s all I can think of now about how to get the petition off the ground. Any other thoughts/ideas about how to do this? Please post here.

  But I do have a final thought about Avi Frier and news coverage. He stated that he will not keep pursuing/writing about the same issues from the same angle. His original article was written from an alumni perspective—what a group of alumni did, etc. NOW he will have a new angle— a PARENT perspective. And if the board does NOT honor the petition for an open meeting, this IS another angle—a most damaging angle–this will be his article.

• 116 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 12:27 pm

  Good ideas Sara – but most important are the FACTS. We have the truth on our side and ultimately it will win out.

• 117 sara // Jul 1, 2007 at 1:03 pm

  Add another name to the list of high school teachers who are not returning: Marcy Roberts, college guidance.

  Yes, some teachers are using the summer to explore other opportunities.

  Get busy on that petition!

• 118 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 1:30 pm

  Marcy Roberts was the person responsible for the Silver Knight applications. With her knowledge and guidance, Hillel had a winner this year and an Honorable Mention in 2006.

  Another loss for Hillel.

• 119 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 3:58 pm

  ´´Parents are furious.

  Many who are not furious simply do not know the truth.

  Whenever someone tells them what is actually going on, they become furious too.”

  IF parents are really furious, why don’t they speak up? We have been told twice in this thread (and often in other threads) that they are angry.¨´

  I repeat: parents are furious but not enough to matter. They are obviously in the minority or this wouldn´t be happening. There needs to be a critical mass.

• 120 sara // Jul 1, 2007 at 5:07 pm

  1/3 seems to = sufficient number, albeit perhaps not the “critical mass” you speak of. The point is we NEED TO START SOMEWHERE. If someone is willing to call the state attorney, which apparently someone did, then it seems someone can get the ball rolling re: calling parents to ask them to sign for a request for an open board meeting.

  When we have enough signatures, we can “advertise” the meeting—just tell people at carpool that there is a meeting—or distribute flyer.

  Plus, we have been told the following in Post 108: “Parents are furious. Many who are not furious simply do not know the truth. WHENEVER SOMEONE TELLS THEM WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON, THEY BECOME FURIOUS TOO.”
  So, this is the way to let them know. We HAVE to let them know.

  Last go-round we had only 3 weeks. Last go-round we did not have public confirmation of the new administration and/or their backgrounds (we “knew” but could not say it as truth).

  Alumni can help, too. Some alumni are friends with current students or are in some way still connected to students in the school. The alumni can call these students’ parents and ask them to sign the petition.

  But what I said in my post #115 still needs to be done.

  To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised that the New Slate accomplished what it did in a three-week period. That is why I now think we can realistically do this petition.

  Hopefully, someone has already begun the process………………….

• 121 Ivory // Jul 1, 2007 at 10:05 pm

  I am going to step up on a soap-box and advocate for those pushed out:

  We did our best
  Followed best practices
  Dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’
  planned out lessons with analysis and synthesis in mind
  Nutured every student and pushed like mad
  to transcend exhaustion and reluctance
  Found things did things dug out information and taught and taught and taught
  Silver Knights are the mathematical proof
  went beyond the basics, went into the maximum
  and still it was not enough
  so we did more
  and it was not enough
  in “church” the sermon was clear, “love your neighbor as yourself”, with stern warnings of consequence…those that mattered were bored
  leaving observations to those with a tendency to devour consuming all
  it was not best practices
  it was a nightmare five minutes at a time
  the teachers turned gray, and lines appeared, and ulcers bloomed
  prayers for “intercession” were raised and still the contracts said do not renew
  What do they want?
  Surely not
  our good
  careers
  to……vanish….
  and for us to be quiet…
  I advocate for noise and lesson plans and good teaching practices!

• 122 David // Jul 2, 2007 at 11:02 am

  “Mr. Kastan-now there’s a fine educator. Won’t this interfere with the other business he runs from the teacher’s lounge. I guess the need for a Jew was greater than the need for an educator.”

  Do you people seriously you wonder why the administration is under lock and key? When teachers on the same team cannot work together and instead make up ridiculous lies and exaggerations, one about the other, why would the administration trust you? How can the kids learn anything if the bickering comes from their role models, Jewish or not? Interesting how you signed your comment teacher. What exactly do you teach? I sure hope it’s nothing related to Judaism. Your ethics and morals seem to be askew.

• 123 Anon // Jul 2, 2007 at 11:27 am

  I respect Yossi a lot. however, I find it interesting how you used a simple comment about Yossi to undermine the purpose of saving Hillel. In light of everything else people have written (and the publicity this has been given), maybe there’s a reason that teachers feel they cannot “work together” (though I don’t think any teacher is unwilling to work with the administrators). They haven’t been given that chance.

  what lies have you really been fed? since when does this site promote ridiculous lies and exaggerations? Please. They are living in fear of their jobs and board members are saying that they should be fired. Is that the kind of work environment you’d want to be in? How about you get a job as a teacher at Hillel for the experience?

  Until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, you cannot possibly believe that their job is simply to badmouth their work environment. Things have obviously hit a breaking point and some people want things to change.

• 124 Good Wolf // Jul 2, 2007 at 1:48 pm

  It is very hard to work in a place where you know you are not wanted.
  It takes a superman effort.

• 125 David // Jul 2, 2007 at 3:00 pm

  If you have the time to explain it, I would love to understand better why the teachers feel they cannot work together. You say the teachers are in fear of losing their jobs. Can you honestly say that the excellent teachers, those that have been at Hillel forever, fear losing their jobs? Aside from one of the teachers that was fired and then re-hired, I think that if we looked at the situation more closely, those who lost their jobs probably deserved it for one reason or another. I think we need to remember that not all popular teachers make good educators. Maybe the administration actually knew what it was doing when it fired those individuals? Maybe instead of posting against their school on a website that has become nothing but lashon hara and rechilut, the teachers should privately speak with the administration and board members. Maybe they should have started that way in the first place instead of letting it snowball to a place where surely nobody can win.

• 126 Hillel Alum // Jul 2, 2007 at 3:26 pm

  You say nobody can win. We’ve made great strides because three of 14 teachers got rehired. Are you saying that Mrs. Galitzer was not a good teacher? Have you ever been in her class? What is your relationship to the school? I’ll tell you mine: I graduated from Hillel several years ago and went onto a very prestigious university.

  Teachers can work together with administrators (and do, though they are dissatisfied right now) WHEN GIVEN RESPECT. When a school administrator who praises teachers during a graduation then gets yelled at by the headmaster for “ruining his speech”, what do you want to make of that? Teachers would LOVE to work with the administration and board IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. They aren’t given any chances nor are they given respect.

  I am glad you think this is a lose-lose situation, David,but you are completely blinded by the lies you’ve been fed. Maybe you should actually speak to the teachers rather than write on this website after having spoken to what appears to be your friends on the current Board. I know what’s happening. I’ve spoken to my teachers. It’s your turn to do that. I’m sure they’d tell you a lot of good stories that would change the way you’ve been rolling.

  I know that many of these teachers who have been at Hillel forever have great fear of losing their jobs. If you doubt that, you’re just kidding yourself.

  Why should teachers go to administrators privately? I’d be fearful for my job if I said I was unhappy with the way I am being treated. Why can’t the board and administrators approach the group of teachers as a whole? They are clearly calling for this kind of nurturing and attention.

• 127 Aaron // Jul 2, 2007 at 6:02 pm

  Of course excellent teachers with years of experience fear losing their jobs.

  In theory, you can train new teachers to be loyal (and eventually excellent).

  You cannot train a disloyal teacher to be loyal.

  And in the New Hillel, all must beholden to Holden.

• 128 Good Wolf // Jul 2, 2007 at 7:22 pm

  David, my dear, have you ever taught?

  I had good to excellent reviews but I did not get a contract, period.
  My lesson plans were always done to the Florida Sunshine State Standards and ACT/SAT stardards.
  My lecture and discussion were always important.
  I never needed to over-reach my students abilities because they hit the ground running in August and never stopped moving.
  The subject was always made interesting and the students worked hard and there was positive proof of learning.
  The students were polite and when invited to argue a point did so with skill and logic and drew on prior knowledge often built (more so as the year went on) on what they learned from me.
  We had a good relationship.
  I had the best experience.

• 129 Jessica Fishbein // Jul 2, 2007 at 8:39 pm

  ¨”Can you honestly say that the excellent teachers, those that have been at Hillel forever, fear losing their jobs?”

  The answer to your question David is an emphatic YES.

• 130 Anonymous // Jul 2, 2007 at 9:32 pm

  Good Wolf – did they give you any idea of why you were not invited to return?

• 131 Another Teacher // Jul 2, 2007 at 9:51 pm

  ´´David // Jul 2, 2007 at 11:02 am

  “Mr. Kastan-now there’s a fine educator. Won’t this interfere with the other business he runs from the teacher’s lounge. I guess the need for a Jew was greater than the need for an educator.”

  ¨Do you people seriously you wonder why the administration is under lock and key? When teachers on the same team cannot work together and instead make up ridiculous lies and exaggerations, one about the other, why would the administration trust you? ¨

  Do YOU sit in the teacher´s lounge? I have no idea if this is true or not but it should definitely be investigated. Teachers who are in the lounge are privy to all sorts of information that others are not.

  ¨Maybe instead of posting against their school on a website…the teachers should privately speak with the administration and board members….Maybe they should have started that way in the first place instead of letting it snowball to a place where surely nobody can win.´´

  You are very naive David. What makes you ASSUME that we didn´t start this way????

  Several of us HAVE spoken to board members (the ones who would listen, that is) and why in the world would we ever speak to the people who would FIRE US NEXT? That would be just sheer stupidity on our parts.

  Why do you assume that such attempts have not been made? Do you think we have nothing better to do than sit on a blog? Give me a break.

  And what about the parents who tried to meet privately with administrators and board members and got nowhere? Why do you think a new slate was formed that got 33 percent of the vote? Are you naive or just new to the site?

  ¨If you have the time to explain it, I would love to understand better why the teachers feel they cannot work together. ´´

  Teachers can and do work together beautifully.

  No one knocked working together WITH Yossi, they knocked working FOR him as their boss and with good reason!!!

  Here´s what the cohesive team who works together agree upon:

  1. Everyone wants to work for a principal who has been an educator for several years-usually a requirement to be a principal. No one understands how someone like Yossi Kostan, a nice guy with no experience in comparison to the majority the other overqualified seasoned contenders got chosen for such a position–nothing personal to Yossi but something about this appointment just does not compute or add up for most of us.

  2 .The vast majority of teachers are in agreement that they want to work for Rabbi Kaplan. No one got more applause at graduation from the students either. Rabbi Kaplan has been wonderful as interim principal. This is almost universally agreed upon.

  3. Teachers are bullied, harassed, threatened

  4 . If the finest educators like Debbie Galitzer etc. can be fired , then no one is safe

  5. The teachers have been supporting all the long time veterans who were fired or left from day 1

  6 The teachers are all terrrorized by the same 2 individuals

  Have you been reading?

  The teachers work together beautifully and are all in agreement. You are clearly not familiar with the working environment at Hillel. All of the teachers clearly agree that the administrators and board are the problem, NOT the teachers nor the students.

  These points have been explained a number of times. Perhaps read the archives and learn more before offering an opinion on issues that you are unfortunately ignorant about. Do your homework and get back to us.

  ¨I think that if we looked at the situation more closely, those who lost their jobs probably deserved it for one reason or another´¨

  In your right mind, you will never convince the majority of the current student body or the majority of the alumni that Debbie Galitzer, Debbie Heber, Rabbi Lefkowitz, should have been fired. Letter after letter on their behalf appear from students who name themselves on this blog. If these teachers are ¨popular¨ that is because students have LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM THEM. Go read the letters to understand what students have learned.

  ¨”Can you honestly say that the excellent teachers, those that have been at Hillel forever, fear losing their jobs?”

  Well it´s already been explained several times that the methods of evaluation were arbitrary and that people were fired for arbitrary reasons, reasons of personal vendetta, secularization of the school and/ or for reasons of reducing the budget so everyone is walking on eggshells because no one knows who is next. There´s no rhyme or reason here at all. HENCE, THIS BLOG.

  Go to the ARchives to the thread called ¨ Exposure´´ for a better understanding of the arbitrary, unethical evaluation process that led to the firings. These issues have already been discussed at great length and most people here don´t need the rehash.

• 132 Anon // Jul 2, 2007 at 10:04 pm

  hillel teacher- i think the problem with David is that he is being misinformed just as “a former teacher” alluded to earlier-http://www.savehillel.com/2007/06/are-we-losing-more-teachers/#comment-3497

  for reference, the teacher said: “I was speaking to a parent of elementary students and we were discussing Hillel. She asked if I were going to return to Hillel next year, and when I told her no, that I wanted to take some time off, she began to spin me a huge web of tales. She told me that it was good that someone like Holden came to the high school to “clean up the mess” that it had become. There were teachers there who did not complete plan books, left campus all of the time and who were not teaching their subject. She continued by saying that the students were allowed to do whatever they wanted because the teachers were not doing their jobs. All of this information she had heard from board members — NEVER ONCE had she asked a high school teacher about what was really going on in the high school. As I tried to refute the accusations she had made, she had a blank, distant look on her face — she did not care. As far as she was concerned, Holden was the answer to Hillel.”

  if there are more people like this parent and David, then we have a bigger problem on our hands than we thought… and hillel clearly needs saving in a very bad way.

  not all change is for the better.

  if Holden is the answer to hillel, i leave the following questions-
  1. how do you explain his track record of firing teachers at other Jewish schools?
  2. why did he take prolonged absences at school? what happened to a headmaster actually running the school?
  3. why are teachers afraid of him? (that might be answered in #1)
  4. why does he yell at administrators who actually praise teachers?
  5. why doesnt he aim to work with the teachers? are all teachers supposed to individually approach holden and work to become his best friend, or should Holden throw a meeting and extend his reach to them? What are your expectations of a leader of the school? what do you expect of your superiors? A person in a leadership position at a school should earn the respect of parents, teachers, students, and alumni. Holden has not earned it, nor has he even really made an attempt to.

• 133 Good Wolf // Jul 2, 2007 at 10:06 pm

  I was not told. Like the rest I tried to negoitiate my way back and had the door shut.

  But, I had listened to the old maxim, when one door is closed, another better door opens…that’s what I have.

• 134 Anonymous // Jul 2, 2007 at 10:35 pm

  Good Wolf’s story is proof to “David” that no teacher is safe. Can you imagine being fired unexpectedly when all indications were that you were doing a fine job, and not even being told why?

• 135 Anonymous // Jul 2, 2007 at 10:37 pm

  Let’s add this issue to the list for our petitioned open meeting when school begins again. “Best Practices” means feedback to teachers, not firing with no explanation offered.

• 136 Annonomys // Jul 2, 2007 at 10:52 pm

  It is hard to understands how Yossi Kastan gets a middle school appointment when he quit as a middle school teacher 2 months into the school year

• 137 sara // Jul 2, 2007 at 11:12 pm

  Is someone working on the petition? Be sure to see my my posts # 109 and #115.

• 138 admin // Jul 3, 2007 at 9:44 am

  To David (or now, as you call yourself, Sam):

  You made a request that I not publish your email. However, remember, my mission is to save the teachers’ lives too.

  You and I have different goals, but at the end of the day, Hillel is a school and the most important part of Hillel is its teachers.

  I personally know that the teachers derive benefit from knowing that this website remains up to fight for them.

  Thanks, however, for your input.

• 139 Hillel Alum // Jul 3, 2007 at 10:25 am

  David- it is people like you who are the reason teachers are afraid. You say they are bitter and bickering and imply that they are awful human beings. Get with the program. Your attacks on them prove why they need to feel this way.

  If they are treated as if they are unwanted, of course they will be upset. You’re certainly not giving them the nurturance they need.

  Maybe, just maybe, if people at Hillel (and you yourself) showed teachers that you appreciate them, and you do so out of your heart rather than from marketing recommendations, you might see that the teachers will have nothing to complain about.

  Stop trying to stop the teachers from justifiably being unhappy with their jobs. Listen to the complaints and address them.

• 140 Aaron // Jul 3, 2007 at 10:34 am

  Let’s pretend that I’ve just been appointed Head Master of Hillel… (Let’s just pretend, cause it’s never gonna happen…)

  So here I am, Aaron the Head Master. Certain teachers would be upset. Why? I don’t have the proper credentials… Even worse, certain teachers would be offended having to answer to me. (I was not the greatest or easiest student.)

  I would find it near impossible to lead some of these teachers- some of whom are find well respected teachers. Why? For one thing, some of them may remember me when I was about four feet tall. Others would constantly try to compare my leadership style with that of my father. But most importantly, most of these veterans would feel that they’ve earned their place at Hillel. They would not feel that they owe their jobs to me.

  How could I run a school filled with employees who remember when things were different (and possibly better)? How can I run a school filled with employees who feel that Hillel owes them? How can I run a school filled with employees who think they could (and probably could) run the place better than me? How can I run the school filled with teachers who aren’t loyal to me, and to alone?

  i could try to gain their trust and respect. I could try. I might be able to. But that would take an awful lot of work and time. any teacher who remembers me would know i wasn’t a huge fan of doing an awful lot of work. i would always do what’s easier. and you know, it would be so much easier to fire everyone and start over. Or at least fire the people who remember me when I was at Hillel. Or at least fire the teachers who remember when things were different.

  Then i could replace those teachers with people who owe their jobs to me. They would be MY people who would respect me and be loyal to me. My word would be law and all would follow.

  And Hillel would be a Kingdom unto me!

  There’s a lesson here: I think Holden does have his reasons to do what he’s been doing. Yes, they’re a little bit Machiavellian in practice… and yes, there are other ways to go about it. And yes, you might destroy people’s lives. Yes, there are other (and better ways) to gain respect. But why earn when you can buy?

• 141 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2007 at 11:40 am

  Aaron –

  Holden and his Board have gone yet a step further. They have attempted to erase the past and brainwash the newer parents into believing that they are the heroes in cleaning up the “mess” that was Hillel.

  In their false version of history, all past accomplishments never happened, and anything currently successful at the school is due to their Blueprint.

  The worst part is that the clueless and cliquey new parents are buying into this lie. It is the reason they won the election.

• 142 former parent // Jul 3, 2007 at 12:40 pm

  I am one of those parents that was active back in the ‘good old days’ and they were not ideal. It never is. But you are spending too much time in the past and although we learn from the past this blog community needs to focus on positive steps to achieve your goals. Blogs can be the foundation for change or a place to vent; the latter rarely leads to the former.
  The election, irrespective of who said what, gave the Board and the Administration a clear mandate (70% is a mandate) to proceed with their plans. What do you hope to achieve in the near future? Supporting your teachers is a respectful goal but what does that mean and how do you intend to convert this lofty ideal into concrete actions.
  I respect everyone involved for their passion and dedication to the school. Too few institutions can get a quorum to a meeting and here you have 500 parents who voted and an impressive number of people who post here.
  From a ex-parent who cares for this school, I implore you to focus on your objectives; have a meeting (use a free online conferencing service to talk anonymously if you so choose), create a mission statement, be productive and provide valuable services for the school, the teachers – whatever it is you decide., make it happen.
  Please take this advice in the manner it was intended. Good luck.

• 143 admin // Jul 3, 2007 at 12:51 pm

  former parent: We respectfully see eye to eye. I agree — and have said many times — that this should be a forum for positive change. However, I understand where teachers are coming from because I know that the teachers are not given the respect they deserve. I think that giving them this bit of appreciation would be a positive step. Wouldn’t you? It doesn’t matter to me who is on the Board now — all I want is for the teachers to be able to do their jobs without fear.

  I don’t think my mission statement has been much different from the time I started this site. My goal is to “save Hillel’s teachers” and I believe I’ve made that pretty clear as I continually post on this website.

  I’m quite disappointed that a person from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation wrote in and claims that I singlehandedly am ruining lives. This website was created to save lives — the lives of my teachers. This website was launched when teachers were fired. This website exists to fight for the teachers. I personally will continue to leave this site up to do so.

  There are ways to fix the problems that this web site addresses. Those solutions are out of my hands. This website merely serves as a forum for teachers to discuss what is occurring within the Hillel teacher community. These message should be heeded to and solutions should be reached. That would be a positive step.

  I hope you understand where I am coming from as well. My intentions are pure and I clearly want what’s best for the teachers which will ultimately benefit the students and the entire Hillel community.

• 144 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2007 at 1:19 pm

  former parent –

  Those of us parents who are still at the school and have been for years would like to achieve a return to Hillel being the Jewish school it once was – never perfect, but at least JEWISH, run by Jews, with Judaism naturally infused merely by virtue of its mission, where excellent teachers (and, admittedly, some not so excellent ones) are valued and work together in a positive and nurturing atmosphere, where our children can look to the school leadership for positive JEWISH role models and not a head of school who hasn’t a clue about customs, where our children can joyfully celebrate holidays and mourn together on commemoration days with appropriate messages from their administrators, where Judaic studies expectations are as rigorous as the general studies standards, where messages in the Kol Hillel from the Head of School are appropriate to what is going on Jewishly in the school and in the world, where an administrator welcomes a parent to the school for an event and does not ignore them because they are too busy making sure they are always standing alongside a board member.

  Do you blame us for mourning and looking to the past? Why should our kids be denied what your kids enjoyed?

  While you are correct that venting will not bring about change, we are left disenfranchised by a manipulative board who holds all the power.

  Many of us have tried valiantly to speak to the powers that be, board and administration, nd to become involved. We hit wall after wall after wall.

  Maybe you have a more positive suggestion for us?

• 145 former parent // Jul 3, 2007 at 2:37 pm

  Re #144. I agree with all you wrote except for the comment that the board has all the power. it is the parents that hold the true power in a school. What would I do? Start a PAC that holds open meetings, open to all members of the school. The PAC would have clearly stated goals and rules, derech eretz being paramount. If you are concerned that the school is misrepresenting what is Judaically taught in the school, than create a committee to study what level of Jewish studies are truly being taught in the classes, not what is stated. Have a grievance committee where teachers can privately come and document their grievances, than have the committee check them out. Find out if, in fact, the school is not following CAJE’s teacher guidelines. If that is so, and I dont know anything about this, than you have data that can be taken to the parent body and to CAJE.
  If the board wont allow you to participate find another, respectful and positive, way to effect change.
  If this fails, than start another school. Hillel was founded when a group of parents split from another school. The jewish community will always benefit from choices. Dont say it cant be done. It can. You have 3 choices: complain, act or leave. It unfortunately is that simple.

• 146 Anon // Jul 3, 2007 at 5:12 pm

  here’s the thing: if this website is “ruining lives,” we need to prioritize and focus on not doing that.

  We have unhappy teachers who have been teaching at hillel for decades at the CORE OF THE PROBLEM.

  we have board members who have other day jobs. their livelihoods are not at stake.

  we also have new (and i emphasize NEW) administrators.

  still, no lives shoul be ruined, but can’t we focus on the CORE OF THE PROBLEM? teachers!

• 147 Anon // Jul 3, 2007 at 5:34 pm

  I think that David has an important point. There’s no reason to use this website as a negative outlet.

  Avi Frier’s article was fair and balanced, which was the moral thing for him to do.

  I think that if people REALLY want to see change, they need to take matters into their own hands and get a journalist who is unfamiliar with all of these issues involved. That person should not be Jewish.

  I fear that the journalists who have so-far highlighted these problems have had to draw the line-because their involvement in the Jewish community (and the people they write about) has gotten in the way. We are a small community where everyone knows everyone else. If these journalists/bloggers took an extreme opinionated stand in any direction, they’ll never hear the end of it. Their families and livelihoods would be threatened for a great deal of time. They aren’t working in armies like those who they want to stand against/for.

  For people to see change and to bring attention to change–IF IT IS REALLY NEEDED (and that is for you to decide)–YOU need to bring someone into the community to investigate the issues. And that person cannot fear negative backlash.

  It’s ironic that while many of these posts are all about needing Jewish leaders that now we really need someone in this role who CANNOT be Jewish.

• 148 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2007 at 9:04 pm

  ¨I’m quite disappointed that a person from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation wrote in and claims that I singlehandedly am ruining lives.¨

  Where is David´s post that we are ruining people´s lives? I missed that one. Why hasn´t it been posted? And whose lives have been ruined?

  Cause and effect. Karma. Administrators and the board ruin people´s lives and expect to get off the hook scott free??? The law of the universe doesn´t work that way. Some people feel the repercussions sooner than others do but in the end, every dog has his day.

  This website has only sped up the process of karmic retribution and that´s a good thing.

  Former parent makes several important points.

  Right now the parents have given the school a clear mandate to continue what they´re doing. The reasons are irrelevant. People can vent about the problems for the next year, but unless they´re willing to take action everyone might as well save his breath.

  Former parent´s suggestions are quite good ones.

  In terms of getting a non Jewish reporter to cover the story, the reporters from big stations who´ve expressed interest were turned away. That is a huge mistake.

  The people at SACS even claimed that reporters should be notified.

  If you want true accountability, get those reporters back.

  There´s a huge story here and a lot of corruption that needs exposure.

• 149 admin // Jul 3, 2007 at 9:09 pm

  Anonymous: David, who emailed in as Sam, asked that I not publish that email. I respected his wishes and didn’t publish it. However, since this is the only venue where I can communicate with David/Sam, I addressed it here as he did not provide me with a valid email address.

• 150 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2007 at 9:14 pm

  I believe it´s time to allow the local Miami press to cover this story. The press plays an important role in maintaining checks and balances in our society. It´s time for those checks and balances to be put into gear.

• 151 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2007 at 9:25 pm

  ¨¨Maybe instead of posting against their school on a website…Maybe they should have started that way in the first place instead of letting it snowball to a place where surely nobody can win.´´

  Attention David:

  Now that I know you are from Federation or perhaps CAJE, I am quite interested in hearing how we can come to a point of resolution that is indeed a win-win for everyone and doesn´t continue to escalate and snowball as it inevitably will.

  David, help us out here. Do you have some positive solutions to offer?

• 152 Shlomo Bolts // Jul 3, 2007 at 10:33 pm

  David, I am a very committed student who graduated from Hillel just two years ago. I judge teachers based on how much I learn, not on the grades I get. In the past four years, virtually all of the best Hillel teachers I’ve encountered have either been forced out, or have left. (With a few exceptions, including the teachers who have been fired, and then rehired.) Four years ago, the mission statement was announced. Funny coincidence, no?

• 153 sara // Jul 3, 2007 at 11:22 pm

  Whose lives are being ruined? I would think it is people who think they have a place of employment– and then are told they do not.

  I was not aware that SACS suggested reporters be brought in. Can anyone shed more light on this?

  But I am aware that Channel 10 had been interested in the story—perhaps they will now want to do a story on the Jewish Day School that has so many non-Jewish administrators, the Jewish Day School that threatens its alumni, etc. Interesting if they interviewed some parents……

  Are you saying that someone from CAJE or Federation wrote a messasge here? I would think these organizations would be quite concerned about the image of this school– an image we have heard is not very good–here in South Florida and outside of Florida. Let’s see how all of our non-Jewish principals fare at the CAJE day school principal meetings. Look at what Hillel is sending to represent Hillel.

  One thing we DO know: This site, thankfully, is still bringing in visitors (remember the numbers Avi Frier had). This site is still keeping alive the issues that need to be kept alive. Even during summer break. This site is a reminder to the Board that people ARE watching. This site did not go away after the the 3 teachers were given contracts. This site did not go away after the election. Thanks, Administrator!

• 154 Anonymous // Jul 4, 2007 at 2:21 pm

  Sara,

  David is from Federation.

  I am ECSTATIC that people from Federation are reading this blog.

  I hope they will step in and help in a positive way.

  We need the help of true leaders now.

  I would think Federation would be extremely concerned about the way teachers are being treated, the watering down of Judaics, and the number of non-Jewish administrators who are in key positions.

  Whose lives we are ruining, I cannot imagine.

  Pat Wentz who is the head honcho at SACS said that reporters SHOULD be notified.

  SACS is not going after Adam Holden because he satisfies the requirement of having the legitimate masters degree in the right field.

  Since he satisfies this masters degree requirement, SACS will not pursue him for the bogus doctorate even though it is unethical to put this on his resume –no doubt he beat out more legitimate contenders for the position because that ¨ doctorate´´ gave him an edge over the competition.

  Don´t forget SACS is a money making agency and also prefers not to touch such a hot button if it can avoid doing so.

  The state attorney´s office will, however, investigate Adam Holden–a very specific individual at the State Attorney´s office is willing to do so –provided we can satisfy the requirements of option 1 or option 2 mentioned in post #100 on this thread.

  Channel 10 should be brought back.

  Federation has the power to step in a help mediate a win-win resolution to this conflict.

  I wish they would do so so that people will not have to go the route of alerting more press or the State Attorney´s office.

  Federation- David- Sam -whoever you really are , HILLEL NEEDS YOU NOW. PLEASE STEP UP!

• 155 Here's an idea... // Jul 4, 2007 at 2:38 pm

  If post #100 is correct, then I’ll bet even Avi Frier would write about this! Didn’t he say that he wouldn’t write about Holden’s degree because the statute was found unconstituional, so no one could prosecute, so the story would just be airing dirty laundry? Send Frier the contact info of the person at the State’s Attorney’s office who says he would prosecute and then see if he has the guts to write about Holden’s fraud!

• 156 anonymous // Jul 4, 2007 at 6:55 pm

  David has a vested interest in keeping the dirty laundry at Hillel out of the media. He has a family member in the administration. I’m pretty sure about this. He doesn’t want someone to make public noise. As far as the entire administration at the school is concerned-everything is super-duper and we should all just shut up. I’ve heard that more teachers will be resigning very soon. Don’t be surprised for more announcements. Marcy Roberts isn’t stupid and neither is the rest of the faculty. Teachers have told me that Aaron is right and everyone will be let go-even the veterans. The veterans are the biggest threat because they know the way things are supposed to be and they are not “beholden” to anyone.

• 157 Anon // Jul 4, 2007 at 6:59 pm

  I would not be surprised if veterans are let go considering how it went down in Kansas city.

  if he doesnt want someone to make public noise, he just provoked a bunch of us.

• 158 Anonymous // Jul 4, 2007 at 8:46 pm

  “156 anonymous // Jul 4, 2007 at 6:55 pm

  David has a vested interest in keeping the dirty laundry at Hillel out of the media. He has a family member in the administration. I’m pretty sure about this. He doesn’t want someone to make public noise. As far as the entire administration at the school is concerned-everything is super-duper and we should all just shut up. I’ve heard that more teachers will be resigning very soon. Don’t be surprised for more announcements. Marcy Roberts isn’t stupid and neither is the rest of the faculty. Teachers have told me that Aaron is right and everyone will be let go-even the veterans. The veterans are the biggest threat because they know the way things are supposed to be and they are not “beholden” to anyone.”

  This is the most frightening post I have read on this site to date.

  Who at Federation has a family member who is in administration?

  Someone PLEASE fill us in here.

  The NEPOTISM gets more frightening by the moment

  The level of corruption is beyond disturbing.

  please call these people out for the sake of all of us

  The site admin. is well aware of the name of the person at the State Attorney´s office ready to move forward provided either option 1 or 2 in post 100 are met.

  Someone just needs to privately say the word and it´s done.

  This investigator at the state attorney´s office will NOT alert media. He, too, is a good samaritan interested in what´s best for everyone.

• 159 Good Wolf // Jul 4, 2007 at 10:41 pm

  This is American, folks! We are a Federal Republic with a democratically inspired political structure; it says so right on our label. Florida, however, is not politically structured in the laws on work, we are claimed to be a right to work state but in reality the power on who gets to work is skewed in the other direction, favoring the corporations completely. We are not a strong union state.
  That is where the problem issues from.

• 160 admin // Jul 4, 2007 at 11:24 pm

  “The site admin. is well aware of the name of the person at the State Attorney´s office ready to move forward provided either option 1 or 2 in post 100 are met.”

  I’m not sure what you are talking about. I have no involvement in any investigations and do not have any information about the State Attorney.

  The only information I have provided thus far is that I have been personally attacked by someone who was posting from the office at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, though all I have done is provide a discussion forum for individuals and teachers looking for change at Hillel. For the record, I have never volunteered to participate nor will I volunteer to participate in any investigations into Hillel. If anyone feels that this website does not suffice to meet the needs of the teachers, they are welcome to do whatever they feel is necessary but I will not have any involvement. I am merely allowing individuals to discuss the situation without fear on this website.

  Again, you can do what I want. I am the website administrator. That is the extent of my involvement.

• 161 Anonymous // Jul 5, 2007 at 2:20 am

  Fair enough site admin.

  If someone wants the name of the individual at the State Attorney, I will figure out a way to get it to them. I do not have to give it to you first.

• 162 Anonymous // Jul 5, 2007 at 2:27 am

  After reading that “David” at Federation is related to someone in Admin. at Hillel, it would only make sense that he´s related to Yossi Kastan.

  Yossi is a great guy.

  And I agree with David insofar as teachers really should not be taking pot shots at other teachers.

  It´s really petty and ugly and looks bad for everyone here.

  Teachers need to stand united.

  I do, however, understand why teachers would not want to work for someone with very little teaching exprerience as their boss or principal.

  Most effective principals in the U.S . have several years of teaching behind them and have earned the respect of colleagues before being thrust into such a position. I´m sure that would be considered ´´BEST PRACTICES´´ too.

  Teachers need to stick to the issues when they voice legitimate concerns.

  Whether Yossi runs another business from the lounge or not is immaterial. Most of our teachers have 2 jobs or careers. How do you think they pay their bills…certainly not on teacher´s wages. Let´s keep the pettiness and ugliness off this site.

  If we ruin people´s professional reputations, then we are no less guilty than the likes of Chaye Kohl, Michael Druin, Adam Holden, and the board who allowed professional reputations to be tarnished.

  So I agree with David about that.

  Now David, please help out here. We need you.

• 163 Here's an idea... // Jul 5, 2007 at 6:57 am

  How can you assume Yossi Kastan is related to David? I know Yossi pretty well and I never heard of him having any relatives in florida outside his immediate family. His father’s name is David, but he doesn’t work at federation.

  Send the name of the person at the state’s attorney’s office to Avi Frier. I don’t have his contact info, but I’m sure you can get it off his website- floridajewishnews.com

• 164 anonymous // Jul 5, 2007 at 8:26 am

  Yossi is not releated to David. I am SURE of this.

• 165 sara // Jul 5, 2007 at 8:46 am

  I would like to bring up some points. Saying that the parents voted and made clear their decision to let the board carry on is somewhat misleading. First, even Mr. Russ conceded that had it been a high-school parent vote only, the new slate would have won. Next, “things” have changed since the election. Administrative appointments have been announced—these were not officially known at the time of the election.

  Most importantly, it all comes down to the high school. It is here where the mass letting-go of teachers happened. It is here where some teachers are making the decision to leave. It is here where we are hearing that soon no veteran teacher will be left.

  It is here that we have a Catholic principal and an assistant principal whose experience is in a Jesuit school and a special-needs facility apparently run by a member of her family. And, of course, we have Holden.

  Our high school students are post-bar and bat mitzvah. We have four short years to help cement Jewish identity and derech eretz. Four short years until they will be on university campuses where many of them will most assuredly encounter anti-Semitism. They need strong Jewish role models. Now. During these important years.

  We also need a strong secular curriculum. The Board would like parents to believe that such a curriculum did not exist until “they” took the reins. We know we have more than ample proof to refute their assertion—this includes strong AP teachers—Mrs. Gallop, Mrs. Holcman, Mrs. Gorin, Mr. Leibersfeld leaving when they saw the writing on the wall.

  So, at this time perhaps it is only the high school parents who need to do something: petition an open board meeting, contact the state attorney, or contact the media.

  Which brings me to my next point: Exactly what can the state attorney investigate? Holden’s “degree”? or are there other things?
  And, if as Poster #158 says, this will not hit the media, then will it really help us? If the investigation is quiet, who will even know about it? Will the parents? Will the teachers? In other words, what would we be trying to accomplish?

  Am I missing something here?

• 166 Here's an idea... // Jul 5, 2007 at 11:49 am

  One thing everyone seems to be missing is Yossi Kastan’s job description. It seems to me that “Assistant Principal, Student Life” is just another word for Student Activities Director. No one complained when they started calling Avi Marcovitz “Dean of Students.” Teachers didn’t answer to Avi, and I doubt they’ll be answering to Yossi either.

• 167 anonymous // Jul 5, 2007 at 7:53 pm

  Don’t you get it. They’re making Yossi an assistant principal with NO experience. I repeat , he quit middle school after 2 months and now he’s an assistant principal there. Has everyone lost their minds? What’s the motivation here.?

• 168 Rafi D. // Jul 6, 2007 at 9:51 am

  Look… I think we should all stop picking on Mr. Kastan. He’s going to be a rabbi soon and therefore deserves our respect. He’s going to be an administrator as well and therefore (even more so) we should respect him and defer to his judgment.

  It’s time for the negativity to cease. It won’t and should not be tolerated.

  Any parent who has posted on this site should remove their kids (and their negative attitudes) from our school.

  Any student who has posted on this site, should be expelled.

  Any faculty member who has posted on this site should look for worse elsewhere.

  It is time for the negativity and conflict to come to an end.

• 169 Jeremiah // Jul 6, 2007 at 11:06 am

  Dear Rafi:
  You missed the point.
  We had excellent reviews and were NOT RENEWED.
  It is unethical to lead an employee on with excellent reviews and then dump them. This does not accord with BEST PRACTICES and is unsound legally and is actually not legal at all; as an unemployment attorney with any brain will tell you and will cite the reasons ad naseum verbatum. ( Yes, I have legal advice and am heeding it.)
  There is also a question here of your absolute negativity. You have threatened parents teachers and students. Threats are illegal. This is America! We have complete Freedom of Speech and Action. Heck, one of my ancestors signed the Declaration so don’t you tell me that what my rights are. I know what they are. Your “rights” stop where mine begin. And, regardless , you have no right to threaten. You have no right telling the teachers or parents or students to go elsewhere!
  The purpose of this site is to discuss the unethical termination of 14 teachers (three of who were rehired), the resignations of at least a half dozen others. It is not easy to get a teaching position nor is it easy to be a teacher. For example, during the school year for every hour in class or at work I am working another at home to make sure everything is graded minutely and completely. I spend hours researching and reviewing materials. THIS IS NORMAL for teachers.
  I never had students with behavior issues in my classroom and the only referral I wrote for for a kid who was misbehaving and he was not even my student, but I caught him (he punched another kid).
  I loved Hillel but am not there nor will I ever walk the breezeways again.
  I will have treasures: memories of a beautiful, warm, caring, home; and, memories of students who had brains, goals and dreams.
  I could have spent the next twenty years teaching there happy in my work.

  So knock it off.
  The issue here is ethics ethics and more ethics.

• 170 sara // Jul 6, 2007 at 1:56 pm

  To Rafi:

  Yes, I think you are correct regarding Mr. Kastan.

  But, are you able to justify as easily the appointment of the assistant principal– the woman whose experience is in a Jesuit school and in a special-needs facility apparently run by a member of her family (as I posted elsewhere)? Do you believe that this is the best person for our school? Can you justify this national search result?

  And, yes, the negativity needs to stop–should stop. But you end your post with extremely negative comments directed to parents, students, and teachers. How does this attitude contribute to the cessation of negativity?

• 171 Rafi D. // Jul 6, 2007 at 2:08 pm

  It is clear that Dr. Holden and Rabbi Druin have vetted and approved these new administrators.

  Therefore, we must have trust, faith and respect in the judgment of our school’s leaders.

  (On a side note, I personally believe that a background in special-needs makes an administrator uniquely qualified to deal with some of our more difficult faculty members.)

  These new administrators are our new leaders now. Have faith.

  The negativity must end. We must support our new administration. They will only let us down, if we let them down.

• 172 Here's an idea... // Jul 6, 2007 at 2:14 pm

  So, 2 days ago I made a post suggesting that someone contact Avi Frier with the info about the person in the State’s Attorney’s office who is willing to prosecute this thing. Out of curiosity, I just called Avi at his office and he told me that he hasn’t heard from anyone, but would be interested in pursuing such a story if it was for real. So, is it for real? Or is it just talk? And if it’s for real, why hasn’t anyone (i.e. the person who posted comment #100) called Avi?

• 173 Rafi D. // Jul 6, 2007 at 2:43 pm

  The thought of someone defaming our school to outside sources sickens me. This blog is one thing, for there are only so many lives a blog will ruin. But to go to the media, or to a state official is just offensive.

  I will not argue that Hillel has has many excellent aspects in the past. Frankly, some of those aspects may have been too excellent (at the expense of other aspects of our school).

  Dr. Holden, Rabbi Druin and their newly hired staff have graciously built us a bridge to cross the chasm we now see in front of us. Stray from the path, and we will fall to our deaths. Keep to the straight and narrow, and our school will be a utopia.

• 174 sara // Jul 6, 2007 at 4:54 pm

  RAfi:

  Your answer of “It is clear that Dr. Holden and Rabbi Druin have vetted and approved these new administrators” begs the question.

  And your other answer : “On a side note, I personally believe that a background in special-needs makes an administrator uniquely qualified to deal with some of our more difficult faculty members.)” is more negativity, which you say should stop. As I was reading, I anticipated your saying “difficult students,” only to find out you were referring to teachers!

  And, I would suggest that what you refer to as “the chasm we now see in front of us” exists where no chasm previously existed. Now we do have a chasm.

  You seem to want to be kind, but you either skirt the issue or cloak “cutting” and unkind comments in the ostensible kindness.

  Be honest: Are you even a little bit concerned about the lack of Jewish administrators in a JEWISH DAY SCHOOL? Are you even a little bit concerned about what we have heard from Kansas? Are you even a little bit concerned about our finding quality educators for the number of high school positions that need to be filled? Are you even a little bit concerned that Druin has no educational credentials? Are you even a little bit concerned that teacher evaluations violated SACS standards? Are you even a little bit concerned that some of our alumni have been threatened (also a SACS violation, I believe)

  Are you even a little bit concerned? Be honest.

• 175 Anonymous // Jul 6, 2007 at 5:42 pm

  Rafi -

  You use the language of one who has been brainwashed by a cult:

  “Stray from the path”…….” we will fall to our deaths”…….. “keep to the straight and narrow”……….”utopia”.

  Who told you to post these things on this site?

• 176 Anon // Jul 6, 2007 at 5:45 pm

  RAFI IS DAVID!!!!!!!!!!! ITS A CONSPIRACY

• 177 Anonymous // Jul 6, 2007 at 8:29 pm

  Rafi is obviously David folks.

  He has a point though. If you don´t like it, leave , but not without a fight.

  Sara is right. Because of the board´s ineptitude we have lost most of our best AP teachers. Inexcusable.

  I am now going to email Avi Frier some information regarding the State Attorney investigator that I spoke to. However, I don´t know that he can do much with it. Only parents or other contenders passed up for the position can. Don´t get your hopes up.

  By the way, who is Rafi or David related too???

  anonymous lower case, help us out please.

• 178 Anon // Jul 7, 2007 at 12:21 pm

  Who is Rafi D? He really doesn’t know what’s going on at the Hillel Day School. Just Ignore him.

• 179 Ima // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:04 am

  “Frankly, some of those aspects may have been too excellent (at the expense of other aspects of our school).” Comment 173

  Rafi–what are you referring to?? How can anything be “too excellent” when it comes to education?? Do you prefer mediocrity?

• 180 Aaron // Jul 8, 2007 at 10:52 am

  After reviewing carefully the biographies of Hillel’s new administrator’s, I find myself slightly frightened.

  Has anyone notice that not one person who has been made head of “Jewish life” is a rabbi?

  And if Rabbi Ackerman is to be the new Principle of Judaic Studies in the Upper School, why haven’t they published his bio? Is there something in there he doesn’t want people to see?

  Essentially, it seems as if Holden and company have created a school with non-Jews in all the prominent, curriculum defining positions… and have places Jews as window dressing in charge of Jewish Life.

  Would I be out of place to say that Hillel is not a Jewish Day school any longer? Instead, it feels like a Private School with a Jewish component.

  As for saving Hillel… I am afraid one cannot save what is already gone.

• 181 teacher // Jul 9, 2007 at 8:14 am

  Sounds like Ellis and Co. are back up and posting. We’ve heard refrains of “they should be fired” before. Yes, some kids should be expelled but not because their parents post here. Most of those who should be expelled won’t be because they have the right last name or the right bank account. Just ask any teacher about that. That is, if you can find a teacher left who’s been there for a while.

• 182 Rafi D. // Jul 9, 2007 at 9:19 am

  Dear “teacher”: (I put “teacher” in quotes for I must assume that if you were a teacher, you would not be posting here.)

  Do you honestly expect anyone to believe that certain students who should be expelled are not expelled because of generous gifts given by their parents? Your lack of faith in the integrity of our school frightens me.

  Yes, sometimes it has APPEARED that certain students are given preferential treatment for actions not of their own, but let me assure you: this is not true. Children are a reflection of their parents. The very act of giving a gift (such as seventeen-thousand dollar gift to Hillel) allows others to see into the giver’s heart and know that it is good. The children of gift givers have grown up in an atmosphere of gift giving and therefore they have a certain unique inherent positive quality to them that other children may not necessarily have. It would be unthinkable for a school to want to lose a child with this positive quality (and it therefore makes sense look past certain youthful indiscretions).

  Sara:

  I’d like to address a few of your points. First, Rabbi Druin is a rabbi. Rabbis are teachers. Therefore, Rabbi Druin has the educational experience needed to lead our school (in Judaics).

  Second, as per Kansas, just like in Hillel, certain teachers, parents and students were not grateful for the gifts that Dr. Holden bestowed upon their school. However, Adam Holden has a mandate. At least 2/3 of the voting Hillel members agree that Adam Holden is the greatest thing to happen to Jewish Education. Any school lucky enough to have him is blessed. The voting is over. Just like Gore finally admitted defeat in 2000 (before he became an elitist global warming crank-pot) and supported our President, it is time for this website to step down and support our school.

  One more thing, Sara: Yes, I am concerned. I am concerned that this website defames our school. Every division in our school has a JEWISH Principle or Vice Principle in charge of Jewish Life. Our school has Rabbi Druin. Our school has Rabbi Ackerman. We have a great school with great Jewish leaders in charge of the Judaic nature of the school. Just as I would not ask Dr. Holden to read from the Torah, I would not ask Rabbi Ackerman to teach an AP class. That is not what he is there for. The rabbis are there to lead us morally through times of crisis and to give us ethical guidance on a day to day basis.

  We have a strong Jewish school and we should be proud of it. We should be proud to say that we march under the banner of Hillel with Rabbi Druin and Dr Holden leading the way.

• 183 Anonymous // Jul 9, 2007 at 12:19 pm

  Rafi,

  1) You are seriously misinformed about the children of money givers. Do you automatically assume that people who give money to causes are are all good people? That they raise their children with the right values? Can you concede that some people give because they need the tax deduction or seek the power, prestige, and perks that being a major donor brings? Have you ever been in any classes at Hillel? Spoken to any teachers? Ask any teacher at Hillel where the behavior problems are. Ask any high school student who has had their classes hijacked by privileged students who have grown up with a sense of entitlement. Read Dan Kindlon’s book Too Much of a Good Thing. While this might represent a generalization, you are guilty of generalizing in the opposite direction. Are you willing to overlook the youthful indiscretions of the poor as well as the rich? Are you willing to overlook the youthful indiscretions of wealthy youths even when they hurt others, as some of our notorious past students have done?

  2) Our Board has made it clear through administrative appointments that Hillel now values “student life” above rigorous Judaic studies. We once had a strong Jewish school. We don’t anymore. That is why parents are fighting against these changes.

  3) “Just as I would not ask Dr. Holden to read from the Torah, I would not ask Rabbi Ackerman to teach an AP class. That is not what he is there for.”
  Interesting comment. It seems Dr. Holden disagrees with your statement. He has made it clear that all administrators will share responsibility for BOTH Judaic studies and general studies. That means that Dr. Holden might decide that it is his place to teach our children about Judaism.

  Rafi, if you truly want to help Hillel, inform yourself about what has REALLY been happening and stop spitting back the brainwashing rhetoric that the Board is feeding you. We are not blessed right now. The 2/3 majority were folks like you who believed what the Board told them because they didn’t know the truth.

• 184 Rafi D. // Jul 9, 2007 at 1:29 pm

  The truth is that people are scared of change.

  The truth is that teachers are being held accountable for the first time.

  The truth is that Hillel finally has plan and bath (a blueprint) that it wishes to follow.

  The truth is that Hillel may not be the “right” place for every student and every teacher.

  The truth is that some people don’t want to believe that a 2/3 majority is a mandate.

  The truth is that some people see conspiracies where there are none.

  The truth is that Hillel is in better financial shape than it has ever been.

  The truth is we are more than lucky that Dr. Holden has chosen to impart his gifts to us.

  The truth is that the Hillel of the past is just that- in the past.

  The truth is that all faculty who stand inline with Dr. Holden have nothing to fear.

  The truth is the the High School is a mess, but it has been a mess for a long time and Dr. Holden is cleaning it up.

  The truth is that pain hurts, but we cannot grow without it.

  The truth is Hillel has been without focus for years.

  The truth is it is time for the anti-Hillel negativity this website promotes to finally go away.

  The truth is never what you think.

  The truth is.

• 185 Anonymous // Jul 9, 2007 at 2:12 pm

  “The truth is never what you think.”

  Works both ways Rafi.

  You play the same games as the Board – I notice you did not address even one of my questions or comments. You just continue to spew the cult line.

  You are right that Hillel is not right for every student or teacher. But who will make that determination….you? Dr. Holden?

  Our school has been hijacked and parents are fighting to get it back.

  Maybe it is the 2/3 who are not right for Hillel.

• 186 Hillel Alum // Jul 9, 2007 at 2:29 pm

  “Maybe it is the 2/3 who are not right for Hillel.”

  Hillel as you see it and Hillel as they see it are two very different institutions.

  But even so, as I learned in the multitude of Talmud classes as taught by Rabbi Weinbach, Rabbi Feinerman, and Rabbi Kaplan, majority always rules. The story of the Bat Kol is what leads me to this conclusion. As it is stated, “it is the majority vote and not the ‘heavenly voice’ that determines Halacha.”

• 187 Anonymous // Jul 9, 2007 at 2:51 pm

  Hillel Alum – Herein lies the irony. The Hillel of today will not produce educated Jews such as yourself. That is why parents are fighting to reclaim our Jewish school. The 2/3 don’t even realize what they have lost because they have been told by the Board that the Hillel of the past was a worthless institution that needed rescuing by non-Jews. Thank you for proving them wrong. Don’t you think the Jewish education you had is worth fighting for?

• 188 Hillel Alum // Jul 9, 2007 at 3:04 pm

  Of course I do. But my point is to stop focusing on the “2/3″ bit (which as we all know is not representative of the real Hillel parent body anyway). They won’t rerun the elections until next year so you can begin spreading your message now and focus on the changes that can be made TODAY rather than writing about what was lost. Do something. Don’t just say something.

  Do I agree with Hillel’s direction? Not at all. I believe we should fight for our education to the best of our abilities, but let’s not mull over it forever when change in that sense is not going to be possible.

  You have to realize that if these parents are representative of the “future generation of Hillel”, they don’t want Hillel to be a Jewish school.

  I genuinely feel sorry for them.

• 189 Rafi D. // Jul 9, 2007 at 3:44 pm

  Hillel Alum:

  You have hit the nail on the head.

  The majority has chosen Holden and now it is time for the minority to back down.

  Perhaps it is time for the minority to leave.

  And do those who claim that our New Hillel won’t produce Alumni who can quote the story of a “Bat Kol” (what’s a “Bat Kol” anyway? Does it have to do with baseball?) it will produce Alumni who could tell other stories.

  Their Jewish Identity won’t be your Jewish Identity, but it WILL be a Jewish Identity.

  The New Jewish Identity. The Jewish Identity of the New Hillel. Dr. Holden’s Hillel. Our Hillel.

• 190 former parent // Jul 9, 2007 at 3:58 pm

  Rafi
  I was on the board for years and witnessed first hand much of what was mentioned here. Leave the nasty talk about old boards and new boards aside. The majority of both are honest, hardworking people who volunteer their time and money for the love of the school and both have people who are dishonest with no concept of derech eretz or menshlicheit.
  There was, throughout the years, a debate over the ’50/50′ balance between judaic and secular studies. Those of us, myself included, who fought for the 50/50 balance, believed that a student who graduates from hillel should be as well versed in talmud, torah, and jewish history as in english, math and so forth. As a result, Hillel’s graduates, orthodox, conservative or reform, were given a foundation that serves them to this day. These are my children’s contemporaries and they are a tribute to this philosophy. I wish you could talk to them and listen to the impact that the Rabbis and Judaic teachers had on them.
  This will not be accomplished by a school who seeks to “create an atmosphere that will infuse every facet of our children’s education with Torah ideal” ( a quote taken from the school). Infusion of Torah ideals do not substitute for a knowledge of Torah. The “attention to the cultivation of Jewish values in every aspect of Hillel” will not substitute for learning tI am not familiar with your current student body. Perhaps all the want is a jewish prep school and nothing more. That is your prerogative. Just be honest about it.

• 191 Anon // Jul 9, 2007 at 4:07 pm

  “Any parent who has posted on this site should remove their kids (and their negative attitudes) from our school.

  Any student who has posted on this site, should be expelled.

  Any faculty member who has posted on this site should look for worse elsewhere.”

  All of this is very troubling but it is true. There is no 50/50 balance anymore.

  REMEMBER–Being a board member is a VOLUNTARY TASK.

  Being a teacher is also voluntary, but if you lose that opportunity, themeans of raising your family gets lessened. IT IS MUCH HARDER TO FIND A JOB THAN TO GET A ROLE ON A SCHOOL BOARD. Livelihoods vs. volunteer positions.. what is most important?!

  It seems that the board members will never understand that. YOU DONT HAVE TO BE BOARD MEMBERS. WE DONT WNAT YOU TERRORIZING OUR TEACHERS.

  How about you focus on raisign your kids instead???? Oh wait, some of them don’t live at home with you anymore, so you need to take your bossy attitudes elsewhere.

• 192 Anonymous // Jul 9, 2007 at 4:55 pm

  “The New Jewish Identity. The Jewish Identity of the New Hillel. Dr. Holden’s Hillel. Our Hillel.”

  To the Hillel Board: This is what you have wrought. Cult members seeking worship some new religion that Dr. Holden will define.

  Are you happy now?

  Are your children’s souls safe at the new Hillel?

• 193 Good Wolf // Jul 9, 2007 at 5:06 pm

  Sigh….
  Hillel had such a good balance.

• 194 Rafi D. // Jul 9, 2007 at 5:19 pm

  To Anonymous:

  What are you talking about “souls” for?

  No need to get metaphysical. Hillel is a school and a business. There are no needs for “souls” to enter into the picture.

  And to the Good Wolf:

  Hillel’s has found a new balance. A better balance.

• 195 Mr. Pink // Jul 9, 2007 at 6:07 pm

  Thank you Rafi for joining the debate. I like that we have an articulate member of the other side spewing the party line so eloquently…someone along the lines of the PR department.

  Who could this be? Well, Frumma has a son named Rafi but I doubt this is him. Rafa is a name that sounds very similar to Rafi. The rhetoric we are hearing here sounds very much like Rafa Russ´s PR ¨ volunteer¨¨ who designed all that rhetoric we saw on the flyers during the campaign.

  On the flyers:

  For the first time

  For the first time

  Blah blah blah

  Look at all of the EMPTY RHETORIC AND LIES BEING SPEWED here on the blog….DOUBLE SPEAK OF ORWELLIAN PROPORTIONS

  The fact that they´ve got their marketer responding to this blog means they are running scared. If they weren´t, why bother responding at all? Especially since WE ARE THE MINORITY and have been told to take our business elsewhere.

  HERE IS WHAT THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH CLAIMS:

  Myth: ¨The truth is that teachers are being held accountable for the first time.¨

  Fact: Hillel teachers have been evaluated according to TRUE best practices every year by people who held AUTHENTIC DEGREES– NOT BOGUS DOCTORATES– LIKE ADAM HOLDEN– OR HAVE NO COLLEGE DEGREE– LIKE MICHAEL DRUIN.

  The truth is that this board has lost us all of our best AP teachers: Ted Liebersfeld, Helen Gorin, Gary Feilich, Amy Gallup

  Myth: ¨The truth is that Hillel is in better financial shape than it has ever been.¨

  Fact: Better financial shape relative to the prior mess we were in? Relative to what? If the financial records are straight, then why hadn´t certain board members been allowed to see them? The bylaws state that all board members have equal access to the financial records. If this is a fact, then hold them up to public scrutiny or let´s get the IRS to come in and see if the IRS CONCURS that no funny business is going on here. Many people smell a huge cover up.

  Myth: The truth is we are more than lucky that Dr. Holden has chosen to impart his gifts to us.

  Fact: Adam Holden, along with Michael Druin, with permissionof the board (tacit or overt) have wreaked more havoc on this school environment than anyone to date, and because of this , FOR THE FIRST TIME in Hillel´s history, there was an election held with 500 parents in attendance. A modicum of accountability.¨

  NOW RAFI HAS SPEWED A BIT OF TRUTH BELOW….. HERE , IN HIS OWN WORDS, ´´FOR THE FIRST TIME´´, WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS PUBLISHED THE INTIMDATION TACTICS THAT ARE BEING USED AGAINST OUR TEACHERS DAILY

  TEACHERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE MESSAGE BELOW THROUGH DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND THROUGH NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

  FREE SPEECH NO LONGER EXISTS AT HILLEL. IF YOU EXPRESS ANY DISSENT FROM THE PARTY LINE , YOU NEED TO LEAVE AND HERE IT IS FOLKS , THE OFFICIAL PARTY LINE FOR ALL TO SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE RIGHT HERE ON THIS BLOG.

  THANK YOU RAFI D. FOR CONFIRMING WHAT TEACHERS HAVE SAID FROM DAY 1…(parents we don´t need your business either…go somewhere else) ….IF YOU DISAGREE YOU WILL BE PURGED ACCORDING TO STALINISTIC IDEOLOGY…LOOK AT WHAT THE DICATORS HAVE SAID BELOW:

  The truth is that all faculty who stand inline with Dr. Holden have nothing to fear.

  Any parent who has posted on this site should remove their kids (and their negative attitudes) from our school.

  Any student who has posted on this site, should be expelled.

  Any faculty member who has posted on this site should look for worse elsewhere.”

  RAFI D. HAS MADE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT HILLEL HAS TURNED DICTORSHIP.

  In his own words GET ¨IN LINE¨. OR GET OUT.

  TOE THE PARTY LINE THAT THE DICTATOR SPEWS OR GET OUT.

  Thank you Rafi D.

• 196 Rafi D. // Jul 9, 2007 at 6:21 pm

  Dear Steve Buscemi:

  I believe we see things eye to eye.

  It won’t be long until your hate turns into love and your anger turns into respect. Then we can share a coke and live in harmony.

• 197 Mr. Pink // Jul 9, 2007 at 6:41 pm

  You´re half way there with Quentin, but there´s more to my name then meets the eye. Keep googling.

  You and I, my friend , have a long way to go before we ever see eye to eye.

  And since we all are forced to live in your oligarchy, I´m going to keep squeaking and squeaking away. It´s a gratifying way to deal with your inexplicable insouciance.

  I have more stamina than you can imagine.

  But we can definitely share a coke and a smile.

• 198 Mr. Pink // Jul 9, 2007 at 6:52 pm

  you can call me Dan if you wish, Rafi

  http://ddo.typepad.com/ddo/files/DanLoeb_Bloomberg.pdf

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_S._Loeb

• 199 Rafi D. // Jul 9, 2007 at 7:26 pm

  Pink Dan:

  I wish you could realize that we are on the same page of the same book.

  I have exactly the same amount of stamina that you do.

• 200 Mr. Pink // Jul 9, 2007 at 7:30 pm

  Rafi, Either you are blowing a lot of hot air or your satire was lost on me. Speak less cryptically my child. Now for that Coke……

• 201 sara // Jul 9, 2007 at 8:31 pm

  “The New Jewish Identity. The Jewish Identity of the New Hillel. Dr. Holden’s Hillel. Our Hillel.”

  This is sick. Reminiscent of Nazi Germany………

• 202 Hillel Teacher's Association "Wanna-Be" Member // Jul 9, 2007 at 11:54 pm

  A response to Rafi and his “truths”:

  The truth is that people are scared of change.
  I don’t know what “people” you are referring to. The teachers at Hillel have had three different principals in just as many years. The nature of education is predicated on change. Change brings opportunity. We all know that!
  The truth is that teachers are being held accountable for the first time.
  This is the farthest from the truth. We have been evaluated (fairly) and held accountable, in the most professional way, every single year.
  The truth is that Hillel finally has plan and bath (a blueprint) that it wishes to follow.
  We have always had a plan. It wasn’t called a “blueprint for excellence”. That’s just rhetoric to impress our paying public.
  The truth is that Hillel may not be the “right” place for every student and every teacher.
  This is possibly the truest of all of your comments. But, keep in mind if it is not the place, it is because of the intimidation and scare tactics that have forced people out…not because of the benign changes that your comments imply.
  The truth is that some people don’t want to believe that a 2/3 majority is a mandate.
  People do believe the 2/3 part. The part they don’t believe is how 2/3 of the voting audience was so easily duped.
  The truth is that some people see conspiracies where there are none.
  I don’t know if the word “conspiracies” fits here. Please keep in mind; the havoc and inconsistencies that have grown rampant at Hillel are changes that are very new to us. Your use of the word “conspiracy” sounds more like “paranoia” on your part.
  The truth is that Hillel is in better financial shape than it has ever been.
  This is the one truth that I hope is really true. If this is so, the teachers did not reap any of the rewards of this newfound wealth (a pitiful raise). I do hope that the classrooms, however, will reap these rewards and get a much-needed facelift.
  The truth is we are more than lucky that Dr. Holden has chosen to impart his gifts to us.
  This is one truth that remains to be seen. I think that your thinking is a bit premature and a bit “Utopian”. So far, his gifts have created total havoc (I don’t want to beat the dead horse anymore).
  The truth is that the Hillel of the past is just that- in the past.
  The past present and future are all intertwined, dependent on each other. You make it sound so isolated. This is not the way history works…. remember it repeats itself.
  The truth is that all faculty who stand inline with Dr. Holden have nothing to fear.
  This is the most frightening comment of all of your “truths”. Conversely, does this mean that if one does not stand in line with Dr. Holden, they do have something to fear? You are painting him as a “megalomaniac-dictator”. Unfortunately history has had its share of those.
  The truth is the High School is a mess, but it has been a mess for a long time and Dr. Holden is cleaning it up.
  I don’t know where you are coming from. This school has had some problems in the past, but what we have now is truly a mess.
  The truth is that pain hurts, but we cannot grow without it.
  Why should change be painful? I don’t know who you are, but you must be a new person on the block. There have always been changes at Hillel, year after year. They have never been painful, just positive and productive. This truth is truly an ignorant one.
  The truth is Hillel has been without focus for years.
  The Hillel that I know has always had a focus. It wasn’t labeled “Blueprint…” or “Best Practice”. Our focus was the children…clear and simple. And by judging some of the eloquent thinking and writing on this site, on the part of our students (or ex-students), I think that we did a pretty good job.
  The truth is it is time for the anti-Hillel negativity this website promotes to finally go away.
  Teachers, as we have recently been made aware, have NO RIGHTS. Without this website, we would never have been able to let at least 1/3 of the parent body know the real truth…not your truth. And, by the way, none of the comments posted here were anti Hillel. We all love Hillel and have sung its praises many times. “Who” we are against, and “why” is obvious. In line with your way of thinking: If you are against George Bush, are you “anti-America”? Foolish truth.
  The truth is never what you think.
  This is a nebulous statement that probably shouldn’t be answered, but I’ll try. Sometimes it is what you think and sometimes it isn’t.
  The truth is.
  As Jack Nicholson said in the movie, “A Few Good Men”, “You can’t handle the truth”. And that is the truth.

• 203 Rafi D. // Jul 10, 2007 at 8:51 am

  Today something glorious will happen.

  Today Hillel will take one more leap forward into its new brighter and bolder future.

  Today brings a big change for Hillel and its students.

  Today Hillel repairs a mistake two decades old.

  Today we can start anew.

  Today we can be excellent and not too excellent.

  Any guesses on what happens today?

• 204 confused // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:10 am

  no what happens today

• 205 teacher // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:24 am

  It sounds like an emporer is going to be crowned. But, I’m sure that’s not the truth. Please share with us what is going to happen so we can all revel in the joy.

• 206 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 10:00 am

  Rafi is either playing with us or else this school has become a really scary place.

• 207 Hillel Teacher's Association "Wanna-Be" Member // Jul 10, 2007 at 12:02 pm

  Even if Rafi is just “playing around” (and it sounds like he is), it still offers us the opportunity to respond to some popularly held misconceptions.

• 208 Mr. Pink // Jul 10, 2007 at 1:02 pm

  Rafi,

  I´m sitting on the edge of my seat here what happens TODAY?????

  Tell us all already. We´ve been hoping to wake up from this nightmare since March.

  Tell us something good for the love of Hillel!!

  Tell us TODAY

  HA YOM HA YOM HA YOM

• 209 Mr. Pink // Jul 10, 2007 at 1:08 pm

  Nu, Rafi, we are waiting for some earth shattering good news. Spill it.

• 210 Blogger // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:01 pm

  Rafi:

  You are clearly one of the members of the executive board, to have such insight. Now you are touting the “Blueprint to Not Too Excellent.” You should be very proud. You should also be so pleased with your level of professinalism — you learned something new — earthshattering to the school — and very quickly and eagerly blogged about it in a public forum. Good for you!

• 211 Rafi D. // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:27 pm

  The winds of change are blowing.

  Prepare for a dramatic step into the future.

  Hillel’s internal political situation is not theatre.

  Under Dr. Holden’s direction, we will explore a New Hillel together.

• 212 Mr. Pink // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:35 pm

  oy vey

• 213 Rafi D. // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:39 pm

  Pinky: I agree.

• 214 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 2:40 pm

  Excellent but not too excellent? Rafi, you can’t be serious. This is not a BLUEPRINT FOR EXCELLENCE – it’s a BLUEPRINT for MEDIOCRITY!!! Is that the kind of school we want Hillel to be? I guess it really does need to be saved.

• 215 Aaron // Jul 10, 2007 at 3:18 pm

  To Mr. Rafi D:

  If I understand you correctly… then we have just lost something very special.

  Your Hillel is not my Hillel.

  I miss my Hillel.

  I realize that now, I have no reason to ever step foot on the Hillel campus again.

  The NAACP just held a mock funeral. I think its time for the Hillel Alumni to hold a real one.

• 216 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 3:33 pm

  Today Michael Andron resigned because he’s tired of fighting with Dr. Holden. (Sorry to spoil the surprise, Rafi, but you weren’t exactly subtle with your “dramatic” and “theatre” references).

  Rafi (who is clearly a mouthpiece for the board), I understand your need to spin this to your benefit, but to call the theatre program – a program that has meant so much to thousands of students – “a mistake two decades old” is a bit ridiculous. So many parents and board members alike widely consider the theater program to be the “crown jewel” of the school.

  A piece of advice; if you think you’re going to find better people to run the program, more power to you. Do it, and prove Michael wrong, but to slander him unnecessarily at this point, when the only thing he did wrong was to queston Dr. Holden, is a bit embarassing. If you’re so happy about this departure, just be gracious about it, because you’re coming across as vindictive.

• 217 sara // Jul 10, 2007 at 3:50 pm

  Well, Aaron, you may have come up with the best solution yet…What a news story..and not just for Avi’s paper. I’m talking Miami Herald. Sun Sentinel. Channel 10. Imagine: “Alumni Hold Funeral for Their Beloved School. ” Pretty catchy headline, huh? or “Alumni Refuse to Ever SteP Foot on Hillel’s Campus Again.”

  And, boy, what will come out during the interviewing and research in covering this story……………….

• 218 Aaron // Jul 10, 2007 at 4:08 pm

  I’m serious: let’s rent some space at the JCC (maybe the gym) and hold a funeral. And we’ll invite the media.

• 219 sara // Jul 10, 2007 at 4:28 pm

  Start networking. Start organizing. Need lots of alumni. Think seriously about when this could be done. Now, in the summer? Or near Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur..need a time when those not living in Florida and those who are in school ( such as Shlomo) can be here. Don’t rush it. Plan this the right way.

  I have some other ideas, too. If and when you have something concrete planned, let me know and then I’ll tell you more. You can send word to site admin., who can forward to me.

• 220 Good Wolf // Jul 10, 2007 at 4:42 pm

  Dr. Andron resigned? As they say in Catholic school, jeeze-mary&joe!
  Well, this is just another indication of South Florida going to hell in a hand-basket.
  We should all move and just leave the Holdenites in South Florida.
  I am almost ready.

  Oh, and Rafi, the school was nice before at this stuff the board and all cooked up. The balance worked well, the teachers were working with each other and for each other and we all kept an eye on the kids and their learning curves and made certain that they got where they needed to go.

• 221 Anon // Jul 10, 2007 at 4:45 pm

  Michael Andron’s theatre program and its successes were too “excellent” for Holden’s new Hillel.

  He’s singlehandedly destroying the school. And why should he feel attached to a school that he just started working for at the beginning of this school year?

  Holden is out to conquer and destroy. Hillel just suffered a considerable loss… but Adam Holden could care less.

• 222 sara // Jul 10, 2007 at 4:50 pm

  Our theater program?!! And the Board allowed this to happen??!! Of course, there were always concerns about time, etc., but in the end, everything always worked out.

  This program has been, as you said, the crowning jewel of our school.. So many students have pursued and are pursuing career-related goals—all because of their involvement in this program.

  So what now? Does Holden have a non-Jewish someone in mind to step in? Par for the course So, now it’s even good-bye to the “Jewish-ness” of some of our productions. And where and how will this new someone find the parental support that has been a major contributor to the success of the program?

  How can anyone call this a twenty-year mistake?

  Wait until word gets out……

  I hope Michael will contact Avi….or Avi will contact him. This program is well known in the community.

  Board, HOW could you let this happen? Board, what is your next Update going to spin about this?

  Aaron, when I previously responded to you, I had not seen the post about Michael. Now that I have read it, I can only say that you have even more reason now to forge ahead.

• 223 Mr. Pink // Jul 10, 2007 at 4:53 pm

  Rafi D. has got the lingo of the board down pat. Scarily so. However, my feeling is that he is speaking tongue and cheek and is not happy about this either. I could be wrong but I sense much sarcasm.

  The loss of Michael Andron is HUGE.
  Who´s next -Marlena Tuchinsky?

  The theater and choir are the crown jewels of Hillel.

  Holden will remake Hillel in an image unrecognizable to any alumni just as the Kansas community told us he would.

  Shame on this board for allowing all of this to occur.

  Why anyone chooses to stay at this point is beyond me.

• 224 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:00 pm

  This is a very sad day in the history of Hillel.

• 225 Hillel Alum // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:02 pm

  I wonder if this has anything to do with Holden holding a grudge against people who write on this site. We know Aaron is deeply involved with theatrics which is partially result of Michael Andron’s keen awareness of Aaron’s talent. Michael helped Aaron become a success, and Aaron thrived under Michael’s leadership. I know many other drama alumni who posted on this site will feel a crushing blow.

  This is an incredible loss for Hillel.

• 226 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:08 pm

  Personally, I think Adam IS posting on this site. What do you think, Rafi D.? You’ve been quiet for some time now…

• 227 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:28 pm

  Is it safe to assume that Lillian is leaving, too?

• 228 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:29 pm

  THE ENVY OF THE GREAT

  Anyone who is truly EXCELLENT is a threat to Holden.

  If he gets rids of all the truly excellent and is left with the mediocre and all of his new lackeys, there will be no one left to contest his power.

  He is a brilliant Machiavellian dictator…up there with Castro and Stalin.

  And the board feels NO remorse??

  Raquel Rubin´s daughter was a star.

  Dale Bergman´s children were too. Michael Andron CHANGED CHAIM´S LIFE!!!!!!!!!

  Certainly Jill Shockett knows what a loss this is.

  And the other parents on the board? Perhaps their children are too mediocre to be part of the EXCELLENT program or perhaps these adults are too mediocre themselves to appreciate the outstanding performances that were indeed the crown jewel of Hillel. These people have no aesthetic sensibilities and they think they are qualified to give our children a taste of culture and Excellence?!

  I wish Michael Andron the best. He will no doubt change lives wherever he goes and bring acclaim to any school he attaches his name to.

  There is much to mourn.

  Mazel Tov Adam Holden! That parent in Kansas was right. You are as slippery as a snake and ten moves ahead of everyone else. You are a truly evil human being. I would say that you are the living embodiment of AMALEK . You may crack open the bottle of champagne now but be prepared to rot in hell where you belong.

• 229 Aaron // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:30 pm

  I have to admit that it is thanks to Michael that I am where I am.

  And I hope that my postings on this site haven’t caused him hard.

  But there are many other alumni (much more successful than I) who are also where they are because of Michael.

  I think that at the end of the day, Holden realized that he would never be able to control Michael and Lillian or break their spirits.

  I think this pretty much more than signals the end. This is the death rattle.

  If we were living in a nursery rhyme…

  ALL THE KING’S HORSES AND ALL THE KING’S MEN
  COULDN’T PUT HILLEL BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

• 230 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:35 pm

  Adam Holden is not posting here nor is any member of the board anymore.

  They are all too busy on vacation while the school is imploding.

  For several of them the school is merely a tax shelter or a way for them to stroke their own egos though they believe their motives are pure.

  They have enough money to bankroll the marketers to clean up their mess in terms of PR.

  Rafi D. is clearly speaking ironically and is not one of them. It is frightening how well he mimicks them. He had me going at first. He could work for them in a heartbeat but no doubt is disgusted too. As he said, he is on the same page of the same book as all of us.

  Tragic.

• 231 Anon // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:40 pm

  SAD SAD SAD

• 232 Rafi D. // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:43 pm

  You like nursery rhymes? So do I.

  Here’s an old one that might be appropriate:

  The Lion and the Unicorn
  Were fighting for the crown;
  The Lion beat the Unicorn
  All about the town.

  Some gave them white bread
  And some gave them brown;
  Some gave them plum cake
  And drummed them out of town!

• 233 Anon // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:46 pm

  what´s it gonna take to get these idiots out of power

• 234 This Just In: Michael Andron has Resigned // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:47 pm

  [...] More here. [...]

• 235 Aaron // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:51 pm

  I can’t even figure out what you’re trying to say.

• 236 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 5:58 pm

  I think it has something to do with cake.

• 237 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 7:32 pm

  Let them eat cake

  Storm the bastille already

• 238 Mr. Pink // Jul 10, 2007 at 8:01 pm

  plum cake sounds like Golden Parachute to me

• 239 anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 8:28 pm

  Who do you think got the golden parachute? Michael, Adam, or both?

• 240 Aaron // Jul 10, 2007 at 8:32 pm

  I haven’t heard about any golden parachutes.

• 241 Good Wolf // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:21 pm

  No, the Bastille has been done!

  Dam the torpedos! All speed ahead!

• 242 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:30 pm

  I think the minority should leave and help make other schools successful. Leave Hillel with Holden. At this point, they deserve each other.

• 243 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:30 pm

  “The Lion and the Unicorn” dates from 1603 when Elizabeth I died childless and name Jame VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, as her heir. He became James I of England. The British coat-of-arms was a shield supported by lions, the Scotish supported by unicorns. In a peace-making effort, a compromise coat-of-arms was made with a lion of one side and a unicorn on the other (not the case at Hillel – no peace-making efforts there). The lion rules by might, the unicorn through harmony. I wonder who’s who. And no, I am not a Brit, just a really smart person who knows a lot of stuff.

• 244 Mr. Pink // Jul 11, 2007 at 6:45 am

  I think Michael got a golden handshake. Good for him!!

  Someone should give Holden a golden parachute.

  Pay him to leave before he ruins the school any further.

  Michael Andron is irreplaceable

  The unicorns are the minority and WE are the unicorns

  The board and Holden and Druin are the gangster thug lions protecting their interests through might or intimidation.

  That´s just my own interpretation of events.

• 245 Good Wolf // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:25 pm

  Wendy Levine in Guidence was told that July 11, 2007 was her last day. She held Guidence together and did all of the necessary follow-up on many school projects, it seems Hillel can’t afford to pay a Administrative Assistance in Guidence…

• 246 Ivory // Jul 12, 2007 at 9:47 pm

  Is there a pattern here?