I have been asked to post this, with the following message:
Please see the letter being sent by Dr. Andron…..Posting for the community at large! IT IS A DEVASTATING LOSS FOR OUR SCHOOL AND LEAVES A TREMENDOUS VOID — IT IS A TREMENDOUS GAIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
Dear Thespians, Alumni, and Beloved Parents (past and present),
It is with sadness (and as you’ll soon see excitement) that I compose this letter to tell all of you that Lillian and I are leaving Hillel. Don’t worry! There will be an easy way to continue doing theatre with us in a new and expanded way. Before I describe what lies before us, let me muse for a minute about the past… a post mortem like we do at the end of one show so we can move on to the next.
Just look at what we’ve done together! All of us! I am so proud of every actor, techie, parent volunteer and participant for the last twenty years. Fifty shows that touched every genre possible: Shylock, Les Misérables, Joseph/Dreamcoat, John Lennon and Me, Flowers for Algernon, Noises Off, Ballyhoo, Gamma Rays… and the list goes on and on. Just the tech alone: for Les Misérables: 75 set changes, 300 light cues; for Joseph, an uncountable series of costume changes; For Beauty and the Beast, even more changes… and more complicated, too. There’s no end to the great theatre that all of us created.
And we worked like a family to do it. Lillian and I have kvelled as we have seen high school students mentoring the elementary and middle school kids, or to see those same high school students being mentored by alumni and adult volunteers and performers. That inter-generational camaraderie – students, alumni, parents and faculty working together as a collaborative family to produce a work of art – has been a unique feature of our program and a personal source of joy for me.
Did it hurt your academics? Hey, almost every Silver Knight Honorable Mention to date (and our first winner, this year) was a Thespian. Almost every year, we had at least one Thespian speak at graduation as valedictorian, salutatorian, or class president. We produced the Number One Techie in the country as determined by the International Thespian Society. HCT has always had a large percentage of the “top ten” kids in academics, proving once again how right-brain stimulation enhances left-brain accomplishment, producing a more balanced human being.
Did it affect your personal growth as people and as Jews? No doubt! So many of you showed such amazing growth in absorbing HCT key lessons such as noblesse oblige, pro-active thinking on your feet, esprit de corps, self-esteem, true confidence from within and Torah centeredness. For twenty years, we have shared our lives with so many hundreds of young Jewish students and tried to ignite creative, spiritual sparks. I’m proud of our Judaic successes; so many of you were brought closer to your Yiddishkeit through this program. The classes in Jewish meditation and kavana were often a highlight of your days and mine.
We are equally proud of some of the fabulous theatre art that inspired dozens of budding careers in acting, directing, producing, the writing of plays and films, movie making, and technical theatre that all began on the Hillel stage.
But the nature of all things is “change” and for a variety of reasons, we both feel that now is the time. So with great excitement let me tell you that Lillian and I are accepting the positions as Artistic Director and Managing Director of J-CAT: The Jewish Cultural Arts Center (just a working title… maybe we should have a naming contest… hmm) located just 100 yards away from Hillel at the MAR-JCC!
So here’s the plan (still developing) of what’s going to happen:
We will be creating a mini-Black Box Theatre that will challenge actors and tech alike in new ways. (@120 seats).
We will be doing the same pre-announced four shows this year (although the musical may change because of the change in venue). Yes, competition may be tougher because students from other schools will be auditioning… but your training and experience and preparation should stand you in good stead.
The cast of The Good Doctor remains the same! Its opening night will be even more special because it will help kick off the fund-raising drive for the new Cultural Arts Center that is going to be built in the next few years. And we hope there will be extra performances. We will have after-school classes available with Lillian in acting for both Middle and High School.
We will be Re-introducing and overseeing the Summer Stock Camp program starting
next year. Some of you younger ones may want to be in it… some older ones may
want to be counselors (open to actors and tech).
What about the Thespian trips? We will be conducting theatre trips to New York or London (for teens, for adults, for families). Modeled after our famed Hillel Thespian trips, these include our seeing shows, having workshops, having talkbacks with actors, directors and designers… and sight-seeing when there are a few minutes left over.
Hillel Thespian Alumni! You’ll be welcomed back to audition for all plays (or for Tech) as will those who have gone to Krop and other schools…. we look forward to seeing you as more than just audience. We will be developing a Professional Repertory Company, a group of actors who will be working on both serious, comic and children’s theatre. And they’ll even be getting paid!
Rehearsal schedules will be somewhat different (easier for some… tougher for others) as will some participation fees (which can be handled, as in the past, by selling ads). All in all, we’ll still be doing excellent theatre as we swap one “empty space” for another.
The end-of-summer Shabbaton (Larry Silverberg’s Teen Actor Master Class, with this world-renowned teacher of Meisner Acting Method) will still take place but will no longer be sponsored by Hillel but by Kodesh. We are expanding its scope initially to include alumni of the last 3 years. Those interested must contact me immediately! Older alumni who are interested should contact me as well. (Those already registered who wrote their checks to Hillel… call me, or have your parents contact me.) This will be an amazing 2-day Shabbat-Sunday experience.
Please feel free to call us with any questions, but please don’t ask us WHY. The only explanation I can give you is better said with this wonderful quote: ‘whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should’.
Both Lillian and I want to thank you all: parents, students, alumni, friends and all the Hillel administrations throughout our history that have created a home for the HCT. You have enriched our lives so much over the last 20 years; we hoped we have touched yours. But this is not an end… it’s just a beginning.
We’ve raised the Hillel Bar as far as we can take it. You all made that happen and nothing will ever change that. Now with this transitional studio-theatre (and the amazing one still in architect’s blueprints… and it is amazing) the greatest age of our theatre work is yet to come. Be a part of the adventure.
We love you all.
Michael and Lillian
41 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 12:16 am
Note to the fundraisers at Hillel -
We’ll all be writing our checks to the JCC now instead of Hillel.
We love you Michael! Best of luck!
2 anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 12:26 am
To the Anonymous donor of the $1million endowment boasted by the board and Dr. Holden at the Annual Parent meeting:
The Theater program at Hillel - - will no longer be! Here’s hoping you withdraw your $1million (which I am sure was provided due to the Andron’s and their brilliance) - -
No students at Hillel will participate in a program without the Androns - - they will go to the JCC.
….as far as their scholastic record - - it will serve as an extra-curricular community activity - - - colleges and Universities will love it!
To the Board of Hillel - SHAME ON YOU!!!!! YOUR continued disregard for the EXCELLENCE THAT HAS ACHIEVED SO MUCH OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS IS ASTOUNDING. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED AND IMPEACHED AS YOU HAVE ALLOWED AND ARE CONTINUING TO CONDONE THE ACTIONS OF THIS HAPHAZARD UNQUALIFIED ADMINISTRATION.
We must Save HILLEL before there is nothing else to save! SPREAD the Word - - -
3 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 12:56 am
Maybe it’s time to admit that we can’t save Hillel. If they would allow the best that Hillel had to offer slip away (or chase it away - Michael is too much of a mentsch to say so), then everyone and everything is up for grabs, subject to the whim of the the dictator and his blind followers.
I suppose the Board believes that the school will be better off without the 1/3 who oppose them. Why don’t we just grant them their wish? There are other excellent schools and the addition of our incredible kids will make those schools even more successful.
Of course, that will likely leave Hillel with no upper school. What will all those new administrators do with all that free time?
4 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 7:23 am
The best of Hillel is just about gone now.
The finest educators, counselors, administrators (with a handful of a few greats still remaining) have moved on to places where they are now appreciated rather than intimidated.
Change is sad, but most be embraced, as Michael Andron has stated here:
¨Please feel free to call us with any questions, but please don’t ask us WHY. The only explanation I can give you is better said with this wonderful quote: ‘whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should’.¨¨
Thank you Adam Holden for the devastation you have wrought on so many levels as the Kansas community warned us you would.
Hillel´s loss is the gain of students attending all competing schools nearby.
The students who are thespians are often our brightest students who never fell behind because they were in theater and the extracurriculars made the Ivy Leagues snatch them up.
Several of our valedictorians and salutatorians have been thespians or techies. SEVERAL.
The thespian society represents the pinnacle of Excellence and now the program is gone.
Michael Andron IS the thespian program.
Make no mistake about that.
To many, Michael Andron IS the best of Hillel. The pinnacle of excellence.
Michael Andron is IRREPLACEABLE.
I don´t care who this yahoo Adam Holden hires in his place. That person will never produce the excellence that Michael did and no matter how many lies this board now tells parents, too many parents know the truth on this one. Including the 2 lovely ladies who´ve gone deaf and dumb.
A SCHOOL IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS TEACHERS.
If Adam Holden tried to minimize Michael´s role by claiming this program took away from class time, then this is the millionth lie he told to protect his own power because he envies the truly excellent.
Shame on the board for allowing such an egomaniacal Machiavellian Stalinistic Narcissist, Adam Holden, to run loose, unchecked, through the halls of Hillel wreaking fear, havoc, devastation, and loss at every turn.
Shame on the board for not listening and turning a deaf ear to every plea.
Behind every scream is a cry for HELP.
Cause and Effect.
The women who have sat on the board now and refused to address the problem of teacher morale for over 10 years have cost Hillel and future generations of Hillel students its very best and most excellent educators-the list of top educators who were fed up and also cannot tell you WHY they REALLY left is on the thread ´´This Just in Michael Andron has resigned´´.
Hillel´s LOSS of all of the truly excellent educators is the GAIN of all competing schools nearby. Nice work board!!! Excellent job!!
The law of the universe: ALL LOSSES ARE GAINS NOT RECOGNIZED.
The void is still painful, but the story is still unfolding.
Hillel as we know it has ceased to exist, but something much better may spring up to replace it.
On to ACT 2.
5 DonnyNonny // Jul 11, 2007 at 8:08 am
I wanna play!
But first, the Board deserves a word from my sponsors….
6 ANONYMOUS // Jul 11, 2007 at 8:26 am
I’m an adult who worked with Michael. I hated the rehearsal schedules. I hated being called on the carpet for not being as brilliant as he thought I should be. But, I loved the experience. I loved the people. It was FUN. Most of all, I loved the magnificent productions we performed. The actors and the techs were incredible. We all worked so well together from the 2 line walk on to the stars to the guy pulling wire to the one helping me with my mike to the person providing the costumes. It was memorable. At the end of the day, it was because of Michael and his insistence on excellence. People from the community came to every production. And, I just don’t mean Jews. They looked forward to the next show and made sure they had tickets before they were shut out. We had extra shows sometimes because the demand was there. Teachers and students and alumni and parents bonded. We were a family. Now there’s a divorce and we have to take sides. It will be difficult for some, but we all know which side we have to take. Michael, we’ll see you at the JCC either in front of the curtain or behind it. Thanks for the memories.
7 Aaron // Jul 11, 2007 at 9:01 am
I personally owe a lot to Michael. He set me on the path that eventually lead to my career. But I also owe Michael for last Thursday night. You see, I live and work in New York and last Thursday night i went to see a show at a semi-prestigious theatre being put on by a very prestigious theatre company. I won’t name names, but I was very happy to see that a member of the company was someone who had acted right beside me on the Hillel stage. And she was fantastic. I didn’t ask, but I’m pretty sure she would not have been on the path that lead her there if it were not for Michael.
And as sad as I am that Hillel (the institution) will no longer be able to benefit from Michael & Lillian Andron, Hillel students will still be able to learn from them. The JCC is just next door. And in the future, perhaps after the reign of Dr. Holden (if Hillel is still standing) should Hillel (the institution) ever learn to play nicely with the JCC, then Hillel (the institution) might be able to benefit again from some of the energy of Michael and Lillian.
In the mean time, Michael and Lillian will be able to effect more people. Hillel Alumni in Florida will be able to return to the stage. Children who before did not have the advantage of working in a professional theatrical environment will now be able to. Working with Michael and Lillian can be a life-changing experience and the lessons one can take from them can be applied in any profession.
And I picture a Thursday night in the not-so-far-off-future. I’ll go see a show in New York and instead of seeing one of Michael’s “children” on stage, I’ll see a whole crowd.
8 Graduated Senior // Jul 11, 2007 at 9:13 am
I have worked with Michael for 7 years. One year doing summerstock theater and 6 years at the HCT. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I stayed at Hillel because of the HCt and so did my brother. I was accepted into the krop magnet program and was going to audition for New World, but I didn’t because I wanted to work with Michael and Lillian. Now after working with Michael and Lillian, I’m off to pursue acting as a career being accepted into many acting conservatories. My older brother also was going to go to Krop Magnet, but stayed at Hillel to work with Michael and Lillian. Yes, I think this is a tremendous blow to Hillel, and I can’t say I’d be surprised if people start leaving, and I can’t see how this could be good. But, as someone who has been taught by Michael, I am so excited for him! Whether this move came out of frusturation, it doesn’t matter because Michael will have his theater hes been dreaming about since I started the theater program. He will have the cream of the crop actors and performances, with none of the stupid Hillel restrictions that we’ve all had to deal with.
Michael has been working with shackles and pressure on his wrists since Mrs. Buncher took over and I for one can’t wait to see what he can do now that he’s set his creative mind completely free.
To Hillel, this loss is irreplacable, and as a graduated senior or if I was a parent, especially to a thespian or possible future thespian I’d be livid. But, as much anger and frusturation that there is right now toward Hillel, I think we should all be excited to continue to watch Dr. Andron’s shows evolve and grow and be better than ever (even though I won’t be in them).
9 Anon // Jul 11, 2007 at 9:20 am
this is a huge loss for Hillel, but the man behind it, Adam Holden, doesn’t care. Hillel isn’t his baby.
When will the current Hillel board realize that they are accessories to a crime so great that will cause Hillel’s ultimate demise?
Judy Dach did this at another school. She’s doing it again at Hillel. AS many said, history repeats itself.
PUT ON YOUR GLASSES AND SEE!
10 Aaron // Jul 11, 2007 at 9:30 am
We know the “other side” reads this blog. Instead of posting anything negative, I suggest we all post our Michael and Lillian stories so that everyone can see what Hillel has lost.
11 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 9:34 am
Anon - The Board are not accessories to the crime, they caused it! They brought Holden in and only they can get rid of him. The responsibility is theirs only.
It’s time to move forward and not look back. Let’s take our passion for jewish education (and dollars) elsewhere.
12 Anon // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:12 am
Aaron: they should not just read stories to know what they lost, but they should know that we hold them personally accountable for the losses. So let’s share both.. stories of happiness under Michael and Lillian’s leadership, and let’s remember who is responsible for their departure from Hillel. They should continue to feel the heat.
13 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:29 am
Yes. They should continue to feel the heat.
Students whose lives were changed by this man should post their stories for all to read.
The press is reading this site.
CAJE is reading this site.
Lookstein is reading this site.
Kansas is reading this site.
The Board is reading this site.
Let the world know the truth about the devastation that Adam Holden has wrought.
That this site is not loshon hara. It is broadcasting the truth.
There are many parents who kept their children at Hillel specifically because of Michael Andron (and also Marlena Tuchinsky).
This is a tremendous loss for Hillel but I am glad to see that the talented children who attend Krop, Ben Gamla Charter, Hillel and every nearby school will be able to benefit from the brilliance of the Androns.
This is a gain for the community, no doubt.
The competition to join the thespian society will be fiercer than ever. May the best, most excellent students, win.
14 Hillel Alum // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:34 am
Please stop mentioning Marlena Tuchinsky. She was wonderful to me. I don’t want them to get rid of her out of spite.
15 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:40 am
You are right Alum.
I did not realize that mentioning her name would cause her problems.
Not my intention at all!
I LOVE HER TOO!! She was my teacher too!!
16 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:45 am
http://www.hillel-nmb.org/Hillel_Family/final_SACS_report_06.pdf
Hillel Report to SACS in 2006 used to get the school accreditation.
Read page 41+ about the theatre program
Also notice Debbie Galitzer´s role elsewhere.
so ironic
17 Hillel Alum // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:46 am
Let’s hope that she is not our next target.
If so, and if Marlena Tuchinsky was never in hot water before anyone mentioned her name here, can she be legally protected? Can some lawyers help us out?
If Holden is building his hitlist from this website, we need to ensure that the next victims are protected. Please, legal representation, enlighten us.
18 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:52 am
This blog is not what caused people problems.
The blog was created to broadcast what had already happened and what has been happening.
Adam Holden is a shark. He was making Andron miserable for quite some time now and that had NOTHING to do with this blog.
19 Hillel Alum // Jul 11, 2007 at 10:58 am
Anonymous: There are interesting names on the SACS list, notably former Hillel teachers Mrs. Laskin and Dr. Raab. Are they aware of the current issues at Hillel, and do they have the ability to address them or at least take them into consideration when the SACS evaluation procedure recurs?
SACS Quality Assurance Review Team
Chairperson
Eveleen Lorton, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning
University of Miami School of Education
Review Team
Dr. Glenda Crawford
Assistant to the Director
Gulliver Schools
Jo Ann Laskin
Principal
Sagemont Lower School
Dr. Susan Neimand
Director
Gordon Day School of Beth David
Dr. Yaron Raab
Middle School Principal
Hillel Day School of Boca Raton
ALSO: My point was not to say that the blog was provoking Holden’s actions against Andron, but I would not be surprised if Adam makes this a personal vendetta just because we support other faculty at Hillel. It’s almost like he’s dividing and conquering and only considering the desires of those who look and bow down to his command. So, I think that the concern for the musical director at Hillel is still a valid one.
20 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 11:00 am
The Board should know that is is a KNOWN FACT that MANY students remained in Hillel only because of Michael.
I’m more than sure that they have convinced the idiot parents who slavishly follow them that Michael’s program was horrible and that they can do it better.
21 Anon // Jul 11, 2007 at 11:08 am
Let them try, because they will fail.
22 Danielle Tamir : HCT Alum // Jul 11, 2007 at 11:08 am
I grew up with Michael and Lillian. They damn near raised me. After school I remember running into that cafeteria breathless, praying I wouldn’t be late, eager to do anything and everything they asked of me. I learned from them. I watched them teach others. I drank in their love of the theater like water, and it sustained me through the monotony of high school. I learned about humanity on that stage. I watched its beauty…a beauty I would never have noticed had it not been for them. They made me notice little things. I learned what the nod of the head or the flick of the wrist can convey. I learned about how a look can express more than any well written line. I came to appreciate the minutia of life through their eyes
Through Michael’s teachings of meditation and martial arts I learned how to achieve inner peace. He told stories that inspired me and moved me. There was never a Shabbaton in which I went home having learned nothing. Quite the opposite, I was always left inspired…
I looked to them for guidance. Correction: I look to them for guidance. To this day I know I can call them and ask them to share their wisdom. When I came home from college on Spring break (I will be a Sophomore Theatre major at Northwestern University) I visited Michael for a much needed talk. He gave me a plaque that stood on his book case since I can remember, and told me to look to this for guidance. It was the Desiderata. “Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” That line sustained me through my final months in college. I put it up on my wall so that I could see it every morning.
Lillian is always there to lend a helping hand. She taught me nearly every dialect I used on stage, she suggested monologues for me, and sometimes, we would just talk. Working with Lillian on stage was not only educational, it was thrilling. When we worked on Mother/Daughter Lillian was never condescending. She was always teaching. I respect and look up to her and Lillian, in turn, always treated me with respect. I love her for that.
Though Michael and Lillian will no longer be at Hillel, they will continue to do what they are famous for doing; teaching and inspiring. They don’t need a crummy old “Cafetorium” to do that. Michael and Lillian ARE the theater program. Wherever they go…it will follow. We will follow. We will scribble our names and plays we’ve done in sharpie ink onto new backstage walls, we will break in a new stage, and we will make magic in a new venue. As long as Michael and Lillian are there the show will go on.
[Curtain]
23 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 11:59 am
It has been a joy to watch Danielle and all the thespians, on stage and behind the scenes, grow into the incredible people they are. The thespians have always been the best group of kids at Hillel. They had too much respect for Michael and for themselves to ever put any kind of stain on the program. Ever hear of a student sent home from a thespian trip because of drugs or alcohol? While other teenagers around them were busy engaging in risky, illegal, or unethical activities, these kids were busy working their butts off in the theater and also excelling academically and in every other venue.
The Blueprint needs to now be re-named The Destruction of Excellence Plan.
24 sara // Jul 11, 2007 at 2:10 pm
It has been only one day since this annonuncement was made, and look at the response. Just wait until other students and parents hear…Just wait until school begins….
Some of the consequences:
1. Now the Jewish community will know. So many have tried to keep our dirty linen inside Hillel’s walls. No longer. Our theatre program is well known. Now the Jewish community will know.
2. Even if Holden replaces Michael, our top actors and behind-the-scenes crew will not be in Hillel productions. They will be with Michael in his new home. Any new program we may have will be mediocre at best. The cast, crew, and the DIRECTORS will never be able to match what Michael and Lillian have done.
3. Not everyone is an athlete. Not everyone is an AP student. Not everyone is an actor. Many students found their niche by being part of Michael’s program– in various roles behind the stage. Students new to our school also found this program a perfect vehicle for making friends.
Some families will pull out; prospective students will now cross Hillel off their lists. The Board would like us to believe our numbers are up. The truth is enrollment is down –was down even prior to this announcement. Now the numbers will go down even more.
Hopefully, this latest change in a series of changes since Holden took over will be the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.” The catalyst we need. Hopefully, we will now have enough people to speak up. Hopefully, the Board will now SEE. Hopefully the impact of this change on the community will help forward our SAVE HILLEL cause.
Aaron, are you planning??????
25 sara // Jul 11, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Addendu, to my above post–what I forgot to add about enrollment. I have heard — but it is not confirmed– that Hillel is taking legal action against familes with signed contracts who have pulled out. Most likely these are families who are going to the new Hebrew charter school– and now Michael’s students. The BOARD acutally believes there not consequences of its actions. The numbers speak the truth.
26 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Legal action can go both ways.
27 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Very true since the school is not what we expected when we signed the contract. Well said!
28 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Imagine the media coverage.
“Jewish School sues parents who pulled their kids out in the wake of devastating changes by the Head of School”.
29 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:30 pm
“Parents claim Board to blame for destroying beloved school”
30 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:31 pm
“Lies exposed”
31 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Can Hillel afford the investigation that will come with such media coverage?
For a Board that is used to hiding, I think not.
32 Anonymous H.S. // Jul 11, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Wendy Levine was one of the most efficient, kind, caring, giving, helpful, organized etc. administrative asst. that the High School has ever had. She came in early, stayed late, and even showed up on Sunday before graduation to get done what needed to be done. So what happened? Today was her last day. Her position has been eliminated. God help us all.
33 sara // Jul 11, 2007 at 4:21 pm
IS HOLDEN OUT TO DESTROY THE HIGH SCHOOL????
Marcy Roberts, college advisor, gone (her choice….could not work in the “new Hillel)
Wendy Levine…guidance administrative assistant …much of her job IS taking care of SENIORS, THEIR APPLICATIONS, ETC.
The other teachers who have left — again, their choice
AND MICHAEL ANDRON.
I think we have reached a point…WE CANNOT BE QUIET.
A CONCERNED HIGH SCHOOL PARENT SHOULD START GETTING TOGETHER OTHER HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS AND THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING: DEMAND A MEETING WITH THE BOARD, ETC. BUT DO SOMETHING.
WE MUST CONTACT MEDIA OR SACS OR WHOEVER MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP STOP THIS INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!
34 Aaron // Jul 11, 2007 at 4:21 pm
nothing surprises me anymore
35 Jessica Fishbein // Jul 11, 2007 at 4:43 pm
¨¨Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 11:59 am
It has been a joy to watch Danielle and all the thespians, on stage and behind the scenes, grow into the incredible people they are. The thespians have always been the best group of kids at Hillel. They had too much respect for Michael and for themselves to ever put any kind of stain on the program. Ever hear of a student sent home from a thespian trip because of drugs or alcohol? While other teenagers around them were busy engaging in risky, illegal, or unethical activities, these kids were busy working their butts off in the theater and also excelling academically and in every other venue.
The Blueprint needs to now be re-named The Destruction of Excellence Plan.¨´
I couldn´t agree more.
36 HCT Alum // Jul 11, 2007 at 4:43 pm
I would like to add to what Danielle and other HCT alums have expressed. My first encounter with Michael and Lillian was as a shy 4th grader at my first audition not knowing what to expect. In the following thirteen years, because of the Androns, I learned a lot about myself, Judaism, (theatre, of course!), and developed close friendships within my HCT experience. Somehow Michael was always able to see my full potential and he pushed and pushed until finally (!) I could see it myself and strive for it. He would not give up until I reached it. In all my years at school, I was never motivated to work as hard as I was within the theatre program. In my classes, there were easy ways to get out of putting in full effort and there was grade inflation in many cases- but with Michael there were no exceptions- if I was going to be involved, I had to give 2000%- all of the time. I learned the beauty and responsibility of Espirit de Corps- working together- with students of all ages- I looked up to the older kids for years. Then, as I grew up, I was able to work with kids in fourth grade. We all grew up together, helping each other, working together and supporting each other. Some of those fourth graders just graduated from Hillel recently and I am so proud of all of them! I learned about Nobles Oblige- “If you are Noble, then you are obliged to be Noble”- I am inspired by that phrase in everything I do- aspiring to do things to the best of my abilities. I also learned about responsibility when I served as the Thespian President (Jr. and Sr.) for two years. I learned about Judaism through all the Thespian Shabbatonim, and I traveled to New York twice and to London on Thespian trips to see theatre across the world.
Michael and Lillian have fostered my passions for theatre, for dance, for Judaism, and for teaching. (They are also the reason I stayed at Hillel for so many years!) I am now a Dance Major at FIU and hope to continue teaching dance and drama in the community after my graduation in May.
Hillel is losing a major asset- to say the least. Fortunately, the entire community will still be able to enjoy Michael and Lillian’s productions. I am very excited for the new theatre plans at the JCC. I look forward to working with Michael and Lillian again and watching them turn their visions into amazing theatre!
37 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Sara, you´re the one who´s going to have to contact the media. No one else is doing it.
38 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 9:43 pm
The only program Coach Holden cares about is the athletic program, which he is placing under the guidance of his new non-Jewish HS Assistant Principal who was a swimmer.
After all, our new JEWISH LIFE DIVISION, the unnecessary and expensive new division that is likely costing others their jobs (we can’t afford Wendy Levine anymore) is on the job making sure that Judaism is INFUSED into all our programs.
AAARRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!
To the Board -
I ask again what I asked months ago - are you blind or just plain stupid?
Can’t you see that JUDAISM WAS NATURALLY INFUSED INTO ALL HILLEL PROGRAMS and that all your rhetoric is garbage????
How many testimonies must be offered before you will see what is right before your eyes????
Instead of fixing problems, YOU HAVE DESTROYED EVERY PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE AT HILLEL!
To hell with your balanced budget. Who really cares?
39 sara // Jul 11, 2007 at 11:11 pm
The SPIN begins….I just got a call that a new Update has been sent out……….
40 Aaron // Jul 12, 2007 at 12:17 am
i would love to get a hold of this new update!
41 Adam Holden Head of School Must Go // Jul 22, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Excellent Question:
Who will be the next EXCELLENT member of the staff to be ousted by Adam Holden?
Losing the Androns is a devastating blow.
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