This was submitted by an anonymous individual:
Hillel has just announced their head of Judaic Studies for the High School. Why has Rabbi Robert Kaplan, who has proven himself as a capable administrator as interim high school principal, been passed over in favor of Rabbi Shlomo Ackerman?
28 responses so far ↓
1 Shlomo Bolts // Jun 7, 2007 at 8:54 pm
No one got a louder applause at graduation than Kaplan. No one.
2 aaaggghhhh! // Jun 7, 2007 at 9:12 pm
that was why
3 anonymous // Jun 7, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Mazel tov to Rabbi Ackerman on his appointment.
Prior to jumping to conclusions, perhaps we should wait until all placements are completed.
….was Rabbi Kaplan passed over, or did not not want the role - - or…..maybe there is something better in the works.
Time will tell.
4 Mindy // Jun 7, 2007 at 10:53 pm
We have a Jewish administrator in the high school. Mazel Tov to him and to us!
5 anonymous // Jun 7, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Rabbi Ackerman had been appointed a while back. All must understand this is not a position in the overall administrtion. This position is similar to a Department Head. However, Rabbi Kaplan does desrve an important position
6 Anon // Jun 7, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Exactly.
Why do I feel that Rabbi Kaplan was shafted becauase he was lauded on this website? does the board/administration want to hurt everyone who we condone?
7 Mindy // Jun 7, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Rabbi Kaplan is not getting an “important position.”
8 Anon // Jun 7, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Board,We all thought Rabbi Kaplan would get a big postion after he did such a great job. Oh well parent’s will see what Hillel does now. You all picked this great board. SO don’t complain.Now it’s up to the Great Adminstrators to see what they give Rabbi Kaplan as far as we know he just has his regular job for next year.I guess he is lucky to have the same job for next year. Rabbi Kaplan you are great we all hope some day you will have an important position at Hillel. The love you have for the kids of your school was seen at our High School Graduation. Weak Up Board Rabbi Kaplan Should have an Adminstrator Postion. Ask Jill She could tell you about Rabbi Kaplan. This is when Jill will have to speak up and we hope the Board will listen to her.
9 anonymous // Jun 7, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Unfortunately, the school has lost its Derech Eretz - - for itself, its teachers, its administrators, its students and its parents.
This was evident last night - - there were no Kippot handed out to the men who were disrespectful enough to enter the Jewish House of Torah without one.
There was little to no comments regarding the teachers.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Whether a parent, student, teacher, board member, alumni, or administrator - - the way to return the ruach and love to our school is to establish RESPECT. Without re-establishing Derech Eretz (which was being done in the elementary school - so I’ve been told) we cannot move forward in a positive constructive manner.
Unless we begin to respect each other as people, parents, teachers, administrators, students, alumni or others - we will continue to have issues.
The time is now - - let’s establish respect for each other’s feelings, thoughts, children, decisions, or lack thereof.
Speak up - - -but do so in a respectful manner. You get more with honey than you do with vinegar. Practice such actions and things will change.
Our actions and involvement will speak louder than our words. Words are meaningless without action. If you want to make a difference - - take action. If you want bring light to an issue - - do so with respect and try and offer a feasible solution.
Working together in a respectful way - we can make a difference. The more involved you get, the better chance you have of being nominated or petitioning for nomination - - the tides will change - - however, you must do these things with respect and good action.
Forge ahead - - the message board of the school has listed the committees and the individuals to contact if you wish to be involved.
Let’s get going to make change.
10 Mindy // Jun 8, 2007 at 12:12 am
To post #9: You are right, and now begin a new rally– a rally to call the parents to the committees.
But, I must repeat what I said in my previous post in another thread: Administrators must also demonstrate respect to the teachers..no more threats, etc. Must ensure a productive–not repressive– environment.
Quite frankly, as surprising as it was to turn around and find a Jewish school with a majority of non-Jewish administrators, a main point is the way in which the head administrators — non-Jewish and Jewish– Holden and Druin —treat the teachers. Some board members, too, re: their treament of parents and alumni.
The teachers have consistently displayed respect. The teachers do not talk back, they sit in meetings and “take” what is “dished out.” Perhaps this is why the problems escalated–non-confront.
11 Another Teacher // Jun 8, 2007 at 7:08 am
The way the Head of School treats Rabbi Kaplan is shameful.
This board better keep Rabbi Kaplan in an important position. He is the only buffer teachers have to protect them from the evil menaces they have appointed as Head of School and Assistant Head.
12 isaac sapoznik // Jun 8, 2007 at 7:45 am
While I love Rabbi Kaplan and believe he well qualified to be head of the school, rabbi ackerman is equally qualified to run the school. Not only is he a strong judaic leader, he has a degree from MIT and a brilliant individual. He was my teacher and a briliant man. Because of him I still remember some of my technical terms and abbreviations that he so conviently put on note cards to study.
I am really happy that we have strong judaic rabbi in an admnistrative posiyion in the school. He is more than well qualified.
13 isaac sapoznik // Jun 8, 2007 at 7:59 am
I think its either MIT or Harvard or bothM I can’t remember the exact school off the top of my headM I just know it was very imprerssive.
14 Hurt student // Jun 8, 2007 at 9:48 am
It wasn’t either it was Brown and I have Personnal reason to say he is not a man of moral charecter that postion needs based on my experiance but to post here would be Loshon Hara. I won’t be holding my breath for him to be good but I am willing to give him a chance in case hes changed.
15 Anonymous // Jun 8, 2007 at 10:20 am
Hurt Student-In all my years, I have never heard a more outrageous statement. You should go to Rabbi K directly and resolve the matter. If you are a bitter student who may not have gotten into honor society for some reason then I have no doubt in my mind there was a good reason even if you do not agree with the decision made by a committee of teachers.
16 Anonymous // Jun 8, 2007 at 10:31 am
Hurt student are you referring to ackerman or kaplan
17 Anonymous // Jun 8, 2007 at 11:08 am
I misunderstood you Hurt Student in post 15. I thought you were referring to Rabbi Kaplan who I have never heard a single complaint about in all the years he’s been at Hillel.
18 Shlomo Bolts // Jun 8, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Anonymous, you are too quick to jump to ad hominem attacks. What on Earth was that “honors society” comment doing there?!
19 Anon // Jun 8, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Anonymous thought that Hurt Student was speaking negatively of Kaplan apparently.
20 Anon // Jun 8, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Who is it Rabbi Ackerman or Rabbi Kaplan. We never heard anything bad about Rabbi Kaplan? Let’s us know. Please lets talk nice from now on.Please respect all. We hope that the board will respect teachers students and parents and that the adminstration will respect all also. Shabbat Shalom to all of you.
21 Anon // Jun 8, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Here’s the progression of discussion:
1. Somebody asked why Kaplan was not promoted and Ackerman was.
2. Isaac said that Ackerman is qualified because he went to MIT.
3. Hurt student said that Ackerman actually went to Brown and does not agree with Ackerman’s assignment.
4. Anonymous incorrectly assumed that Hurt Student was talking ill of Kaplan and suggested that Hurt Student speak to Rabbi Kaplan (who is an approachable guy) to resolve the matter.
5. Anonymous then realized that he/she was incorrect for assuming that Hurt Student was speaking about Kaplan.
Hope that is clear.
22 Anonymous // Jun 8, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Ackerman . I hope there is something significant in the works for Rabbi Kaplan.
23 Anonymous // Jun 8, 2007 at 2:13 pm
“Forge ahead - - the message board of the school has listed the committees and the individuals to contact if you wish to be involved.
Let’s get going to make change.”
anonymous lower case,
As far as i’m concerned you should be in charge - I hope you can make some major changes or that you have been empowered to do so now that the people have spoken.
Diana Kahn got 128 votes. That means 128 FAMILIES in the community are dissatisfied with the direction the school has taken. 98 for Denise and something like 100 families for Fanny.
That’s a significant number of parents out there telling their friends and prospective parents that they are unhappy with this school.
I am glad to hear that there are committees for parents to get on so that more voices can be heard and included in this COMMUNITY school.
(I DON’T SEE THIS INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE THOUGH. WHERE IS IT?)
If this election opened the doors for more parents to get involved, then that is an excellent thing. THIS IS A SMALL VICTORY
Parents must go to bat for their teachers now.
24 Mindy // Jun 8, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Today’s Kol Hillel contains list of all committees and contact numbers. Parents, join a committee!
25 Good Wolf // Jun 8, 2007 at 9:40 pm
It is summer…this may not be easy.
26 Good Wolf // Jun 11, 2007 at 9:34 am
Rabbi Ackerman is a brilliant man, a joy to converse with, work with and is a good mentor to those teachers and students who need that!
Kudos on your appointment!
Mazel Tov !
27 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Wow! It’s to bad you all have to feel like this about sending your request to help the board. Those board members don’t want you bottom line. Who ever thinks they could help sit down and wait. They won’t let you go on unless you are part of there little group. But keep calling Helen Brodie she is just a parent who wants a title. When Helen kids get to High School then she will ask for your help. The Hillel Family wishes Mrs. Bev Buncher good luck at her new job. You where great in our school. We all will miss you after so many years. Mrs. Johnson We wish you lots of good luck. You where great in our school we are sorry to see you leave. Have a great summer. We hope for a better year.
28 Hurt student // Jun 15, 2007 at 9:53 am
Ackerman sorry I was away from my computer for almost a week
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