Hey Gang!
As Passover approaches… (or as some like to call it Peasach) we should all use our time to reflect…
You all know that for quite some time, due to legal threats, this website, for all intents and purposes, went down. However, it had seemed that the danger had passed and some semblance of sanity had returned to Hillel.
We were wrong. For this website to have any meaning… for this project to be purposeful we MUST BE CONSTRUCTIVE.
People need to know that we’re back: Tell your friends. Tell your friend’s friends. We need parents, students, teachers, administrators and alumni posting (and reading) again. We MUST dialog. Knowledge is power. Let us re-build a community.
But once we start posting again, there is a second, harder step- SOLUTIONS.
This website is called SAVE HILLEL and is thus dedicated to SAVING Hillel. It is predicated on the theory that Hillel can be saved. (If you are of the opinion that it can not, then this website is probably not for you.)
So let’s save Hillel.
Any suggestions?
118 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Apr 18, 2008 at 6:11 pm
“It is predicated on the theory that Hillel can be saved.”
What dream world do you live in?
2 Anonymous // Apr 18, 2008 at 6:15 pm
The solution is to replace the board. That isn’t happening. Ever.
3 Anonymous // Apr 18, 2008 at 6:16 pm
The word on the street is that Dr. Janet Mitrani has resigned from the board.
4 Longtime Anonymous // Apr 18, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Save what? It’s not Hillel anymore. Sometimes you just have to move on.
5 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2008 at 3:39 pm
It is certainly a crying shame that year after year the school continues to morph into a different dynamic. Once known as the top notch Community day school in the South Florida area, it has become the joke of the neighborhood. It had a preschool that was second to none, and elementary school with a top notch principal (Diane Wander/Jane Johnson) - to a disfunctional lower school with no direction - they just slashed the writing program (known cross-county and perhaps state-wide for its merits and accomplishments), it had a waivering middle school (somewhat improved -with new faculty issues as well) and a high school that graduated cream of the crop students who entered great schools of higher education only to be transformed into a stommping ground for new inept faculty that were unable to secure other positions - it has become a revolving door for teachers and leaves the students on their own - - such a bargain at $18,000+ per year. The high school is in grave shape with no immediate hope in sight.
There is horrible scripted communication from the school. The very root of Jewish community - - has been silenced. No longer does the school inform the community of deaths of faculty member family members, births, weddings, etc. No longer do they inform of community parent life cycle events so that the community can do their mitzvot of visiting the ill and bereaved or sending cards acknowledging these events, and expressing mazel tov to those who have had simchas. Synagogues regularly provide such communications to their members informing them of such events - - why shouldn’t a community day school?
There is a lot to save - - our veteran teachers are at stake. It is these teachers that embody the true heart of the school. Their ability to work on behalf of the children and continue to provide them with a formidable Jewish and Security education. They are to be saluted for their accomplishments in the face of adversity.
To the administration - - - Shame on You for continuing to hire low quality teachers and for continuing to silence community communication. What type of communications regime are you running? The Blue Print to excellence - continually touted refers to increased and better communication……….
6 Very Concerned // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Anonymous above makes several good points including the fact that we HAD “a high school that graduated cream of the crop students who entered great schools of higher education.” Please do not lose sight of the fact that in addition to losing wonderful teachers in every division, the school has lost or let go outstanding, very well-connected, respected college counselors EVERY year for the past SIX years. (Mintz, Enis, Cohen, Post, Norman, Roberts, and now Levisman — that’s SEVEN in SIX years!) Who do you think helps our best and brightest get into those great colleges?
7 Truth // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:47 pm
The school is truly a joke.
There is nothing left to save.
And CAJE and the Federations are just as much to blame as are the horribly misguided board and their inept administrators.
To those who remember the school when it was OUR community school, I say go find other options. They are out there.
Let the newcomers enjoy their tackle football, slashed programs, and watered down Judaic studies. The rest of us will revel in our memories of a dedicated faculty, true Jewish education partnered with high level math, reading, writing, science, and social studies, enriched with the finest drama, music, and arts programs around.
Rest in peace Hillel.
8 Longtime Anonymous // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I think what needs to be faced is that the school is not the same. The veteran teachers need to take their excellent work to where it would be appreciated.
9 sandy gold // Apr 22, 2008 at 6:38 pm
What a shame what has happend to Hillel.This school has lost its best Teachers. They will never find another Teacher like Debbie Haber.. Good luck to all of you who are still with this school.
10 sandy gold // Apr 22, 2008 at 6:42 pm
What a shame what has happend to Hillel. Poor kids who are still there. Get out now before it get worse. Dr. Holden and his staff are destroying this school which was great many years ago. Don’t give Dr.Holden or Rabbi Druen another contract. Hillel needs to move on..
11 Anonymous // Apr 22, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Most of the veterans are gone.
12 Longtime Anonymous // Apr 23, 2008 at 10:05 am
Hillel can’t move on. It doesn’t exist anymore. The veteran teachers need to see that and move on. The good ones will. The others are just trying to hang on to a sinking ship. It’s their choice. We are lucky that in the tri-county area there are choices.
13 also concerned // Apr 23, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Don’t waste your time with this place. Sociopaths are a formidible opponet. Do not assume that they have a conscience like normal people. The sociopaths that hold the power and their mini-me-sociopaths will not allow the place to be run as it should. If you value your sanity and the well being of your children, run and don’t walk away from this place. There are plenty of other excellent Jewish schools, including the charter school. This saga will not be over until the place hits a brick walls.
14 Anonymous // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:23 pm
It’s done.
15 Anonymous // Apr 30, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Holden has silenced all criticism.
Jennifer Olemberg and Jill Shocket, the advocates for teachers have been kicked off the board by the Adam Holden.
What gives Adam Holden the right to be an absolute dictator?
He has also silenced Dr. Janet Mitrani.
Go to the Hillel website and check the names of the board members who are now listed.
16 Anonymous // Apr 30, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Holden has silenced all criticism.
Jennifer Olemberg and Jill Shocket, the advocates for teachers have been kicked off the board by the Adam Holden.
What gives Adam Holden the right to be an absolute dictator?
He has also silenced Dr. Janet Mitrani.
Go to the Hillel website and check the names of the board members who are now listed.
Hillel now only requires students to take one Judaic course.
Why doesn’t the school change their name to Aventura Prep? Clearly, this is no longer a Jewish school.
How is this board allowing this?????????????
17 Anonymous // Apr 30, 2008 at 11:49 pm
How does Rabbi Druin sleep at night knowing he’s short-changing students of a Jewish education and a Jewish identity?
Is this the Chabad way? Is this how we M’Karev the future leaders of the next generation?
For close to 20 grand a year, you would think that this school could provide a little more Jewish education.
18 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 6:17 am
No wonder the school is losing so many students.
19 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 12:40 pm
—”For complete control of the masses a dictatorship is not necessary, although it does expedite the process. The collective molding begins early in life, sustained and refined throughout one’s formal education; a universal curriculum of manipulation can transform and achieve a complete paradigm shift for a whole generation”.
—“Hegemony is the aftermath of the Hegelian Dialectic, the outcome of the “ends justify the means” maxim. The people have not submitted to this power, “They consent to it - though it is clearly not in their own best interest”.
“Humanism in all its manifestations (secular, religious, ethical, cultural, philosophical, etc.) seeks to idolize man and the natural world in place of G-d”.
—“Visit any school in America or the West in general and you will find teaching concepts like outcome-based education; holistic education; transpersonal education; conflict resolution; integrated curriculum; constructivist learning; general systems theory; personal mastery; mental models; child centered classroom; total quality management; school to work; consensus circles; peer mediation; focus groups; values clarification; situational ethics; sensitivity training. Since Humanism is intertwined so completely at the core of Communism, it is no surprise that this humanistic “groupthink education” serves the purpose of paralyzing individual thinking. The Group, the State and eventually a One World Government must be superior to the individual at all costs - group-subservience and group-consensus is vital”.
20 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 1:02 pm
א יֹשֵׁב, בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן; בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי, יִתְלוֹנָן.
ב אֹמַר–לַיהוָה, מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי; אֱלֹהַי, אֶבְטַח-בּוֹ.
ג כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ, מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ; מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת.
ד בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ, יָסֶךְ לָךְ–וְתַחַת-כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה; צִנָּה וְסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּוֹ.
ה לֹא-תִירָא, מִפַּחַד לָיְלָה; מֵחֵץ, יָעוּף יוֹמָם.
ו מִדֶּבֶר, בָּאֹפֶל יַהֲלֹךְ; מִקֶּטֶב, יָשׁוּד צָהֳרָיִם.
ז יִפֹּל מִצִּדְּךָ, אֶלֶף–וּרְבָבָה מִימִינֶךָ: אֵלֶיךָ, לֹא יִגָּשׁ.
ח רַק, בְּעֵינֶיךָ תַבִּיט; וְשִׁלֻּמַת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶה.
ט כִּי-אַתָּה יְהוָה מַחְסִי; עֶלְיוֹן, שַׂמְתָּ מְעוֹנֶךָ.
י לֹא-תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה; וְנֶגַע, לֹא-יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ.
יא כִּי מַלְאָכָיו, יְצַוֶּה-לָּךְ; לִשְׁמָרְךָ, בְּכָל-דְּרָכֶיךָ.
יב עַל-כַּפַּיִם יִשָּׂאוּנְךָ: פֶּן-תִּגֹּף בָּאֶבֶן רַגְלֶךָ.
יג עַל-שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן, תִּדְרֹךְ; תִּרְמֹס כְּפִיר וְתַנִּין.
יד כִּי בִי חָשַׁק, וַאֲפַלְּטֵהוּ; אֲשַׂגְּבֵהוּ, כִּי-יָדַע שְׁמִי.
טו יִקְרָאֵנִי, וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ–עִמּוֹ-אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה; אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ, וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ.
טז אֹרֶךְ יָמִים, אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ; וְאַרְאֵהוּ, בִּישׁוּעָתִי.
21 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 1:05 pm
“For complete control of the masses a dictatorship is not necessary, although it does expedite the process. The collective molding begins early in life, sustained and refined throughout one’s formal education; a universal curriculum of manipulation can transform and achieve a complete paradigm shift for a whole generation”.
“Hegemony is the aftermath of the Hegelian Dialectic, the outcome of the “ends justify the means” maxim. The people have not submitted to this power, “They consent to it - though it is clearly not in their own best interest”.
“Humanism in all its manifestations (secular, religious, ethical, cultural, philosophical, etc.) seeks to idolize man and the natural world in place of G-d”.
“Visit any school in America or the West in general and you will find teaching concepts like outcome-based education; holistic education; transpersonal education; conflict resolution; integrated curriculum; constructivist learning; general systems theory; personal mastery; mental models; child centered classroom; total quality management; school to work; consensus circles; peer mediation; focus groups; values clarification; situational ethics; sensitivity training. Since Humanism is intertwined so completely at the core of Communism, it is no surprise that this humanistic “groupthink education” serves the purpose of paralyzing individual thinking. The Group, the State and eventually a One World Government must be superior to the individual at all costs - group-subservience and group-consensus is vital”.
22 Longtime Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm
What is all this stuff? Is this still the save hillel blog?
23 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Yeah. It looks like our gifted members are presenting the philosophical underpinnings of totalitarian rule that Holden has implemented and that they are reciting Tehilim for the dying…
am I wrong?
24 Parent // May 1, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Out of curiousity, where on the Hillel website are the new Board members listed? I still see the list for 2007/2008!
25 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Yes, indeed!
When we accept that we can’t think for ourselves and that someone else can do it for us, we send our own children to the slaughter house. Is that the price we must pay? Yes, I understand. Is it better to do t’shuva or to go down with the pride of our ignorance? When we hate Hashem, He visits our sin (idolatry) down on to our fourth generation. Oh Hashem, where do we put our hope? Our only hope is in You!
שְׁמַע | יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ | אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְיָ | אֶחָֽד:
בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְיָ | אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-לְבָֽבְךָ, וּבְכָל-נַפְשְׁךָ, וּבְכָל-מְאֹדֶֽךָ. וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, אֲשֶׁר | אָֽנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם, עַל-לְבָבֶֽךָ: וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ, וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ, וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ, וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ. וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת | עַל-יָדֶךָ, וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין | עֵינֶֽיךָ, וּכְתַבְתָּם | עַל מְזֻזֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ:
וְהָיָה אִם-שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל-מִצְוֹתַי, אֲשֶׁר | אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה | אֶתְכֶם הַיּוֹם, לְאַהֲבָה אֶת יְיָ | אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם, וּלְעָבְדוֹ בְּכָל-לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁכֶם. וְנָֽתַתִּי מְטַֽר-אַרְצְכֶם בְּעִתּוֹ, יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ, וְאָֽסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶךָ וְתִירֽשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ. וְנָֽתַתִּי | עֵשֶׂב | בְּשָֽׂדְךָ לִבְהֶמְתֶּךָ, וְאָֽכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָֽעְתָּ. הִשָּֽׁמְרוּ לָכֶם פֶּן-יִפְתֶּה לְבַבְכֶם, וְסַרְתֶּם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם | אֱלֹהִים | אֲחֵרִים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם. וְחָרָה | אַף-יְיָ בָּכֶם, וְעָצַר | אֶת-הַשָּׁמַיִם וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה מָטָר, וְהָאֲדָמָה לֹא תִתֵּן אֶת-יְבוּלָהּ וַאֲבַדְתֶּם | מְהֵרָה מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ הַטֹּבָה | אֲשֶׁר | יְיָ נֹתֵן לָכֶם: וְשַׂמְתֶּם | אֶת דְּבָרַי | אֵלֶּה עַל-לְבַבְכֶם וְעַל-נַפְשְׁכֶם וּקְשַׁרְתֶּם | אֹתָם לְאוֹת | עַל-יֶדְכֶם, וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין | עֵינֵיכֶם: וְלִמַּדְתֶּם | אֹתָם | אֶת-בְּנֵיכֶם, לְדַבֵּר בָּם, בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ, וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ, וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ: וּכְתַבְתָּם | עַל-מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ: לְמַעַן | יִרְבּוּ | יְמֵיכֶם וִימֵי בְנֵיכֶם עַל הָֽאֲדָמָה | אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע | יְיָ לַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם לָתֵת לָהֶם, כִּימֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם | עַל-הָאָֽרֶץ:
וַיֹּאמֶר | יְיָ | אֶל-מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽר: דַּבֵּר | אֶל-בְּנֵי | יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָֽמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם: וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל-כַּנְפֵי בִגְדֵיהֶם לְדֹֽרֹתָם, וְנָֽתְנוּ | עַל-צִיצִת הַכָּנָף פְּתִיל תְּכֵֽלֶת. וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְצִיצִת, וּרְאִיתֶם | אֹתוֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם | אֶת-כָּל-מִצְוֹת | יְיָ, וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶם | אֹתָם, וְלֹא תָתוּרוּ | אַֽחֲרֵי לְבַבְכֶם וְאַֽחֲרֵי | עֵינֵיכֶם, אֲשֶׁר-אַתֶּם זֹנִים | אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם: לְמַעַן תִּזְכְּרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם | אֶת-כָּל-מִצְוֹתָי, וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִים לֵאלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם: אֲנִי יְיְ | אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי | אֶתְכֶם | מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים, אֲנִי | יְיָ | אֱלֹהֵיכֶם: אֱמֶת
26 Truth // May 1, 2008 at 11:02 pm
While the educational foundation of the school whithers and dies, the school has one heck of a marketing department.
Check out the school web site.
Honored by PEJE …for what?….a marketing award for a brochure…. about what? the NEW LOGO.
“Hillel is proud to be recognized by PEJE,” said Hillel Head of School Dr. Adam Holden. “This honor acknowledges our school’s commitment to excellence. Award-winning initiatives truly represent the fine educational program that is Hillel.”
The spinmeisters in all their glory.
Marketing = education.
When was the last time anyone heard anything about actual EDUCATION going on at the school?
27 Anonymous // May 1, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Are you being Delphied?
What is the Delphi Technique?
he Delphi Technique was originally conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them together face to face.
The goal of the Delphi technique is to lead a targeted group of people to a predetermined outcome, while giving the illusion of taking public input and under the pretext of being accountable to the public. For the Delphi to work, it is critical that the targeted group be kept away from knowledgeable people who could lead them away from the Delphier’s predetermined outcome.
Anyone knowledgeable enough, or brave enough, to speak out in opposition will not be welcomed. The Delphi technique is often successful in bluffing people into submission. Don’t let them succeed. Call their bluff. Never, ever compromise when it comes to “right and wrong.” With the right attitude you shouldn’t care what people think, as long as you are standing up for what is right. Accept persecution gratefully.
28 Anonymous // May 2, 2008 at 8:47 am
Unfortunately, they’ve already won and achieved this aim of bluffing the masses.
However, this blog does serve as a a form of check and balance system.
At least those interested can learn the truth if they care to read.
29 Longtime Anonymous // May 2, 2008 at 9:37 am
Maybe the answer is to just move on. Close the blog. Those that don’t like Hillel should move to better things and be happy. Those who like Hillel as it is today, well, whatever.
No sense in beating a dead horse. Things change - not always for the better. But life goes on.
30 anonymous // May 2, 2008 at 12:04 pm
“The ruling class has the schools and press under its thumb. This enables it to sway the emotions of the masses.”
Albert Einstein
“…there was no point in seeking to convert the intellectuals. For intellectuals would never be converted and would anyway always yield to the stronger, ‘and this will always be the man in the street.’ Arguments must therefore be crude, clear and forcible, and appeal to emotions and instincts, not the intellect. Truth was unimportant and entirely subordinate to tactics and psychology… Hatred and contempt must be directed at particular individuals.”
H. Trevor-Roper (ed), The Goebbels Diaries, p. XX, cited in Regan, Geoffrey. 1987. Great Military Disasters. New York: M. Evans and Company
Public opinion is not generated by the public it is driven into them by marketing and propaganda. One of the main aspects of generating public opinion is the use of experts or specialists to tell the public what to think and give them a false sense of security derived from the belief that there are armies of experts making all of the difficult decisions for them. What if the legions of experts are just white coated propagandists?
“As usual men were deceived by their own inveterate optimism and the words of politicians.”
31 Anonymous // May 2, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Longtime Anonymous,
If you have moved on as you’ve claimed and as your repeatedly advise others to do so, what exactly are you still doing here posting? Maybe you should take your own advice and move on. Be gone.
32 Anonymous // May 2, 2008 at 5:14 pm
The propaganda is out of control.
How can one man throw members off the board? Will someone explain?
Was that election process last year a total sham or what?
33 Longtime Anonymous // May 2, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I’m here to help others realize that there is a whole happy world out there. I found it and others can too. Why just sit and complain about something you have no control over?
Besides, no need to be nasty.
34 Anonymous // May 3, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Very interesting. Can’t seem to be able to find the list of board members ANYWHERE on the new and improved Hillel website.
What are they hiding?
Yo, administrators: get that list up there quickly if it’s not already..or make it easier to find!!!
Where’s Jennifer Olemberg’s name? Where is Jill Shockett’s? Jill won in a landslide vote last year AGAINST the advice of Rafa Russ who told voters to vote ONLY for his side of the slate?
Is she still on? Where ’s the proof?????
The word on the street is that the opposition is being being squelched.
Parents who have dedicated tireless hours of their time for the benefit of teachers and students are being thrown off the board if they don’t toe the party line. The Holden line.
Is this the Stalin era?
If no one has anything to hide, transparency at all levels is called for immediately.
The funniest part of the website is the video called from “Roots to Wings’.
They have a scene of kids davening with Rabbi Elbaz –who they fired last year.
They have Rabbi Druin discussing the importance of Jewish education that is now allegedly going to be further watered down to only one course a year as being mandatory.
They have students expressing how much they love learning Bible and Talmud. Who is offering these classes in the future? Rabbis whose salaries were greatly sliced for the upcoming school year????? Rabbis who were let go?
They have alumni discussing how well-rounded they were to have learned Hebrew and how to think critically (implication from Jewish texts) in the past. Where is the guarantee that this will continue in the future?
This school can masquerade as a Jewish school all it likes , but the facts are that it’s a new day where Judaics do not play much of a role. Those facts continue to filter through to the community amidst all the hype of the media blitz and propaganda.
The school is having a terrible time finding new teachers for the upcoming year.
Any idea why?
35 Anonymous // May 4, 2008 at 1:33 am
The good news is that Shockett is still on the board. The bad news is that Olemberg isn’t. Why not????????????????
36 Marc Mermelstein // May 5, 2008 at 11:23 am
Anonymous, is that first quote about dictatorships Machiavelli or Plato?
Either way I had the opportunity to speak to one of the founders of the institution formerly known as Hillel over Pesach. I discussed many things with him and he lamented many of these tragedies that befell the school and the letting go of many of the teachers. Of course not all teachers are worth saving because the bad ones do need to go, but by and large he was outraged by what happened. But in discussing a solution he was speechless. I presented the idea of starting a new school which would resemble the Hillel of old but he rightly pointed out the climate doesn’t exist for it anymore. For the religious there’s Toras Emes or Yeshiva High School. For the completely secular there’s Krop. For people in the middle there’s Hebrew Academy and a school in Hollywood (I forget the name and exact location). And if you want a pitance of a Jewish education with a prep school environment, there’s Hillel. Alas what can we do when those who were the pillars of the community, who dedicated their time to serve it and build it, have all but lost faith. What evil needs to succeed is for good men to do nothing. If we want to save Hillel let us put our money where our fingers type. What allows this to happen is that the people with the influence (i.e. money) want it or sit back and allow it. We need to fund raise and make our voices heard where Hillel has its ears… in its pockets. Otherwise all we do is take up some bandwidth on this vast wasteland we call the internet. Perhaps there are those who are more ambitious and financially and legally savvy than I who will take up the cause, start a save Hillel foundation, and exert the influence we need to save Hillel. We can come up with a guiding set of principles, a mission statement, for this and through that hope to turn the tide… or maybe become the founders of a new generation and start a new school built upon the ashes of Hillel where, like the phoenix, it will rise and regain it’s forgotten glory, as a place where Jewish children can come and have the phoenomenal secular education Hillel stood for and be endowed with the spirit of Judaism we all received.
As Hillel talks about right-sizing and saving money, and the blame is put out to the Federation and CAJE, how about it look at itself and find where it wastes money. Where Hillel made itself cholov yisroel for one person while the number of Jewish classes dwindled. A pig in a streimel and gartel is still not kosher. If Hillel wants to slim itself down, it should get rid of the fat first before getting rid of the muscle.
37 anonymous // May 5, 2008 at 3:48 pm
You said that you were told: “not all teachers are worth saving because the bad ones do need to go”. Do you mean to say the ones that were let of where not good teachers? Or the ones that they retain are better? Would you name just a few of the bad ones that they let go of and tell me why you believe they are bad? I would greatly appreciate your reply, Marc. Todah
38 Laura Minsky // May 5, 2008 at 5:00 pm
What a shame all the good and honest people are off the board.Now the so called board will do what they want they won’t have the smart people to tell them what to do.Who is in on that board is there to get famous and to get clients off Hillel.The others who they took off didn’t need the clients and to be famous they are famous with out being part of Hillel. Jill Schokett is the most honest person left on the board. We all depend on you Jill.I feel for the Students of Hillel. The School will never be what it was 15 years ago. We need Better Adminstration to run that school. Wake up you all. The School is falling Apart.. The Board is sleeping. Parent’s do something it is your children Jewish Education. You need to say something about your children education it is a shame how Dr. Holden , Rabbi Druen and all the Adminstration have destroyed our school in the last couple of years.. All the good Torah teachers were sent away. NO to many good role models left for your children…
39 ANONYMOUS // May 5, 2008 at 5:32 pm
As far as fat goes-it seems every assistant was given an assistant. The pyramid of power got higher and wider and more expensive. The veteran teachers are being contacted by other schools who are aware of the “right-sizing”. They know quality when they see it. They don’t think they’re choosing from the left overs. Rather, they think they’ve got the best of the batch. Parents, if you’re smart you’ll run, not walk to someplace else.Unless of course this is what you want.
40 Anonymous // May 5, 2008 at 5:34 pm
You said it Marc!
41 Anonymous // May 9, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’m hearing rumors that Jennifer Olemberg was allowed back on the board. What’s the story?
Also, to the administrators who just got fired…karma is a real pain in the neck, isn’t it?
42 ANONYMOUS // May 11, 2008 at 9:58 am
what administrators just got fired?
43 Anonymous // May 11, 2008 at 6:34 pm
word on the street:Rosenberg and Kastan.
44 Truth // May 11, 2008 at 7:32 pm
No wonder - last I checked they are both Jewish. Hillel is no place for Jewish administrators.
45 Truth // May 11, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Where the heck are CAJE and our Miami Federation as every last Jewish educator is kicked out of the second largest Jewish day school in the country?
46 Anonymous // May 11, 2008 at 7:40 pm
We all know who controls those two organizations.
47 also concerned // May 11, 2008 at 9:43 pm
The type of people who control Hillel are the same types who control the federation. And the people who work at the federation and caje will do nothing except suck up to keep their jobs.
48 Truth // May 11, 2008 at 10:19 pm
The folks from Kansas City described in detail last year on this site exactly what would happen.
The dismantling of the school was held up a bit last year because the board and their “savior” didn’t know enough about the history of our Jewish community as they went up against beloved staff members.
Their plans were delayed but ultimately realized this year.
Holden was specifically recruited to carry out this plan of the board.
No surprises here.
49 Anonymous // May 11, 2008 at 11:14 pm
No surprises at all. I just think it’s interesting that it seems like the administrators believe they are untouchable. I say this to every last one of them: What goes around comes back around.
Administrators at Hillel are usually out even faster than the teachers are. Let them all be humbled. None of them are indisposable. Not even Holden. It’s a revolving door of deans and principals for the past decade. The rest will get chewed up and spit out sooner than you might think. Watch.
Karma…there is no escaping the law of the universe
50 Another Anonymous // May 11, 2008 at 11:33 pm
This school is the laughing stock of the Jewish community. A “Jewish” Day School run by non-Jews. And more and more non-Jewish (and inexperienced) teachers.
Marc, Hillel can no longer be saved, but your second option is possible–” maybe become the founders of a new generation and start a new school built upon the ashes of Hillel where, like the phoenix, it will rise and regain it’s forgotten glory, as a place where Jewish children can come and have the phoenomenal secular education Hillel stood for and be endowed with the spirit of Judaism we all received.”
51 Marc Mermelstein // May 12, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I don’t know the list of the teachers who had gotten fired but my intent was just to say that no school ever has perfect teachers and some teachers teach past their prime and they shouldn’t be kept on just for their appeal, history, or tenure.
52 Anonymous // May 12, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Very true, Marc
53 Anonymous // May 13, 2008 at 6:57 am
Hille is a sad pathetic, abusive, hurtful place for teachers to work. Waking up every morning to come here is so difficult.
54 The Anonymous 1 // May 13, 2008 at 8:33 am
It’s really a shame what has happened. For the students, parents and teachers who care and cared. I thought the Federation and CAJE were created to help the community. But as usual it all comes down to money and power. It really all their fault. Not Holden or Durin. Even not the Board. The Federation and CAJE could have put a stop to it. But it’s money and power.
Maybe the next head of the Federation will be Holden??
55 Truth // May 13, 2008 at 10:17 pm
From a Hyman Brand parent’s story on this site, exactly one year ago (anyone still believe that all that has transpired was not a deliberate plan?):
In his first year at Hyman Brand, Holden did not talk to one faculty member. He wouldn’t say hello to any teacher when they passed him by in the hallway. At the end of the year, he said the board gave him a mandate to “clean house.” At the end of the first year, he fired half of the staff, and some others quit in sympathy over those whose contracts were not renewed.
The same thing happened in the second and third years. “Every single Rabbi” that was on staff was fired. Out of an original faculty of sixty-five before Holden’s arrival, there were “ten or under” left after he cleaned up.
The school in Kansas City shifted its vision. Several years ago, it was an academic institution with a high emphasis on Judaic studies values, perhaps with a 50/50 mixture of general studies and Judaic studies classes. Now, however, Judaic studies courses are rumored to be 50 minutes a day. Today, the “Hebrew language” course an elective at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. [The parent’s story ends here.] Funny — this seems to be the same rumored happenings in Hillel in the coming years.
This might be Holden’s first year at Hillel, but if his “cycle” is anything like that in Kansas City , Mrs. Galitzer, Mrs. Heber, and Rabbi Lefkowitz are not Holden’s first victims. There will be more.
56 Anonymous // May 13, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Holden is very manipulative. He can convince the board of anything. And the ones who disagree, he throws off the board:
He basically pushed Dr. Mitrani to quit by giving her daughter a disgustingly unfair and impossible time over absolutely nothing
Then he kicked Jennifer Olemberg off.
Both of these ladies are in favor of teachers.
I wouldn’t excuse the other board members who allow this. Most of them are all related in one way or another. The nepotism is out of control.
And why have some board members been on that board for fifteen years…
We don’t allow the President of the US more than 8.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
They’ve destroyed the school.
Last year, they were bragging enrollment was up.
This year, they are bleeding students…that’s how many they lose by the day….and all they can say is that they’re “right-sizing”.
Clearly, the Holden formula doesn’t work.
They will never open their eyes to see that.
Therein lies the definition of cult of personality.
They will all answer to G-d for this one day–esp. for decimating Judaics and eliminating the people who gave Jewish children a love for Yiddish Keit. Watch.
57 Seth Goldberger // May 14, 2008 at 3:39 pm
It is an absolute disgrace what they have done to a school that may not have been perfect but at least had Jewish faith and ideals at heart. I may have not been the best student when I attended the high school. However, that is not a knock on the teachers that are consistently being shown the door at this present time. The teachers that have been there since I started going there in ninth grade are what made the school as great as it was for the students. The campus was nice but there are plenty of “country club” schools in South Florida. I learned a lot from the teachers in Hillel. Some of the things I learned from them were not even taught in the classroom. I am constantly being told almost on a weekly basis that staples on the Hillel faculty such as Mrs. Heber, Mrs. Galitzer and numerous others are being shown the door. Everytime I hear of these things, I get angry. At the same time, the real people that are suffering are the students.
I have constantly heard from people from Holden’s previous post through others currently enrolled at Hillel such phrases as “Ha Ha…now he’s your problem. He will do exactly what he did here which was destroy our school.”
At times, I wonder, what can we do to fix this problem or has it become so bad that it is no longer fixable? I know of some people on this so-called board and wonder not only what are they thinking but how are they still sitting there? Hillel is certainly not a cost effective choice for parents. Where is that tuition money going if they can’t afford to keep teachers who have been there for as long as I can remember? If they were upgrading the staff, it’s a tough pill to swallow but they are downgrading across the board. Unfortunately, it feels like punishment for giving Holden so much absolute power. Is there nothing we can do?
I understand that I am certainly not offering a solution at this time. However, I wish that I could for the sake of the students. All I can say is that I am all ears to solutions as bleak as this situation appears to be at this time. Things will not change on their own. The way I see it, the parents who have their kids currently enrolled in Hillel need to take a stand against this regime. If not, I fear that all that Hillel has stood for will be gone forever. If they take a stand together, they can accomplish what needs to be done. If this regime doesn’t give them the respect they deserve for paying their salaries, I suggest pulling the kids from the school. After all, the reason they sent their kids to Hillel in the first place is almost history. They’re better off spending their money on an administration that understands the difference between a Jewish School with outstanding secular education and a regular private school trying to cut corners to line their own pockets.
58 admin // May 14, 2008 at 6:26 pm
(FYI, Seth is from the class of ‘96.)
59 Truth // May 14, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Seth -
“The way I see it, the parents who have their kids currently enrolled in Hillel need to take a stand against this regime.”……..we tried
“If not, I fear that all that Hillel has stood for will be gone forever.”….it’s already gone
” …I suggest pulling the kids from the school.”….many did last year and will this year too
60 Anonymous // May 14, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Thank you for those words of truth, Seth.
The future generations of Jewish students are most certainly being deprived of the true Jewish Hillel experience that so many of former alumni express gratitude for experiencing.
And we all know that some of the most valuable teachable moments in Jewish education are not text-book moments.
How do you explain that to goyim?
How dare they offer Deborah Heber a permanent substitute position at half the salary as a way of pushing her out the door without severance?
The loss of her alone is an indescribable loss to Jewish youth.
The students are the ones who lose in the end.
Shame on them!
61 Truth // May 14, 2008 at 11:01 pm
The loss is only for those who remain at this new entity……gems like Ms. Heber will continue to touch the lives of Jewish youth, just not at Hillel. The fools who run this place have no idea what they have lost. Their arrogance and chutzpah are beyond belief.
62 Anonymous // May 14, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Indeed Truth!
63 Ivory // May 14, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Anonymous // May 14, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Not everyone who is not Jewish or even aware of Jewish roots dimly or slightly or even with a bemused expression of oh, that’s why my grandparents were severely allergic to shrimp and would never have it in the house…not to mention the 7 armed menorah in the basement in a box marked “toss” hidden behind a collection of Roy Croft candle holders and a wrought iron dragon in the basement; finds what has happened at Hillel even slightly tolerable. Unfortunately Hillel is a HUGE problem, sort of like the 800 pound Egg in the corner that no-one is talking to but everyone is noticing.
I am very sad about Hillel…it was a good place…
64 Admin // May 15, 2008 at 11:04 am
Employment
Thank you for your interest in employment with Hillel. We welcome your interest in joining one the nation’s second largest Jewish community day school.
At Hillel, our educators do more than teach. They stimulate, motivate and instill in our students more than just the knowledge required to pass tests. They inspire a desire to excel, creating a learning environment where students have a strong sense of who they are…from where they come…and where they are going.
* Each and every member of our faculty and staff is gifted and dedicated. Extraordinary teachers and staff attain extraordinary results.
* We carefully seek out the finest teachers and staff available. And in return, we offer:
* a dynamic environment that values contributions and diversity
* small class sizes that allow for maximum influence
* a competitive salary that recognizes skills and experiences
* a comprehensive benefits package that provides for work/life balance
* professional development to keep our staff members on the cutting edge of their field
* a close-knit, supportive community
* top market location
With almost 40 years of educating children, Hillel’s faculty and staff are the roots of our success. We are continuously seeking extraordinary individuals to join our community who are committed to their field and believe in the school’s mission and goals.
65 Marc Mermelstein // May 15, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Seth,
I believe the feeling you are describing is apathy. The parents are either oblivious (intentionally so) or are too lazy or uncaring to do anything. Much like how a person will fall into a routine at a job and become depressed by it but the thought of looking for a new one is too daunting or scary or too much work to do so they stay where they are and complain. Aside from which if all the parents pulled their kids from Hillel, where would they go? What other school is acceptable to them? If they are frum, they’ve probably already put the kids into YES or YHS. If they care not for Judaism, they’ve filled Krop’s ranks long ago. I believe the ones who stay do so either because they truly don’t care or it’s apathy. Maybe it’s because they get scholarships to Hillel they wouldn’t get elsewhere. (And before I go further, as always I’m talking generally so that I don’t get attacked by induhviduals that don’t fit into this description.)
At any rate, let’s say hypothetically the parents did pull their kids out. At 66 people per grade for 12 grades, that’s almost 800 kids to place in schools. That’s pretty tough, I would imagine.
Practical concerns aside, I do honestly believe that those who remain and do nothing are the same types of people who wouldn’t have noticed trains pulling to large walled places in the early 40s and lovely odors emanating from next door. Not that I really mean to equate what’s going on at Hillel to the Holocaust, but anytime that the future of Jewish children is threatened by those who don’t care for it at all, I am deeply saddened. It’s one thing that’s always been at Hillel that kids were conservative, reform, or non-practicing yet still deep down (I believe) cared enough to stay at Hillel which tells you something there. Now what does Hillel have to offer? When we were there it was already referred to as Camp Hillel. Didn’t we just sit back and watch it go futher downhill?
66 Seth Goldberger // May 15, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Marc,
I understand that there are a number of parents who have the “who cares attitude” regarding what is going on. People in all walks of life tend to get comfortable in a situation and cringe at the thought of what it would take to change a particular situation. In addition, I realize it would be extremely difficult to place 800 kids in other schools. Although the problem in Hillel goes from elementary through high school, most of the teachers that I am referring to were in the high school.
I could be wrong in the following assessment. What if a little less than half of the parents who have children enrolled in grades 9-12 threatened to pull their kids from the school? If this didn’t get the attention from the current administration, pull them. I realize it’s a lot to ask and certainly easier said than done. However, wouldn’t the school have to bend at least to a point where they brought back the teachers that have made Hillel what is was? Where would they get more students to fill up the classrooms at that point? As I said before so as not to sound redundant, Hillel is not the cheapest option for education by any means. I’d like to believe the parents who sent their kids to the high school did so because of the teachers that were already in place.
You hit upon one very important thing in your post. Whether or not the students were orthodox, conservative, reform, or non-practicing, they all cared enought to stay at Hillel. There was such a strong sense of community. Some students who may not have been religious turned religious after hanging out with fellow students in the same situation. I remember anytime our basketball team was scheduled to play Hebrew Academy that there was an actual rivalry. No matter what, if you attended Hillel you wanted to beat Academy. Regardless of whether or not it was referred to as “Camp Hillel,” look at where its graduates have gone for college and beyond. The placement was unbelievable. I fear the way the high school is heading, the students do not stand much of a chance when they get to college.
Hillel is a HUGE problem as someone recently posted. Sometimes to tackle a HUGE problem, you need to break it up into pieces. Once broken down, take the biggest part of the problem and attack it with everything you’ve got. Start with the high school. If that can be fixed and these staples of the Hillel faculty are brought back with open arms, it should/would/could have a trickle down effect on the rest of the school. If the problem is viewed as one large entity, it will never be fixed.
67 ANONYMOUS // May 15, 2008 at 8:44 pm
The staples of the hillel faculty no longer want to come back. Just ask them.
68 Marc Mermelstein // May 15, 2008 at 10:22 pm
You’re very right, but I think rather than addressing the faculty, I think first the threat to the school and the demands of the parents doesn’t need to be directed at keeping or returning the teachers but rather reorienting the school to a proper derech. Only then does having excellent teachers make sense. Otherwise you’re piloting a derelict vessel full of fine silver and gold where the only thing it will do is sink with it’s precious cargo.
69 Seth Goldberger // May 16, 2008 at 1:57 pm
How do you go about reorienting the school when the administration is the problem? What are the steps you would take to explain to these people that they are doing everything wrong when they think they are only doing right? I strongly believe that these teachers I am referring to are above excellent. The students will always have a chance if the teachers who really care about them are around. Regimes come and go. There is a reason this teachers have been teaching at Hillel for so long. They are outstanding! I could be wrong in my view but nevertheless, I believe these teachers are the key to Hillel’s past success.
70 Anonymous // May 16, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Here! Here!
71 Anonymous Also // May 16, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Just leave this socipathic school people. You can’t win against power drunk sociopaths. Leave the frickin Shecks with their name up on an empty building top worship their own image. Let them have all the power they want over their empty building.
72 Marc Mermelstein // May 16, 2008 at 6:02 pm
By going after the money to the school. Force the school to buy out Holden’s last year of his contract and start rebuilding right away. Get those who care who donate to use their power and overrule him. Other than that, I don’t know.
73 Truth // May 16, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Marc, Seth,
What you don’t realize is that the people in power want this change. They specifically recruited - begged -Holden to come and make this change (this is straight from the mouth of a top Board member). The parents left in the school now by and large support it. It is a new community out there who want Jewish-lite. They are not interested in having their children inspired by top notch Jewish educators - in fact, they fear it, lest their children become too religious. They want fun holiday programs with a sprinkling of Hebrew. They worship non-Jews as “G-d’s gift to Jewish education” because they can be evil and rotten and chutzpadik and treat educators who made a school great like they are dirt. They want a school with programs like tackle football. They don’t want Yeshiva and they don’t want public school.
Schools must serve the demographics. There are few families left who love what Hillel used to be. I think we are at a stage where we have to accept the truth, ugly and sad as it is.
74 Anonymous // May 16, 2008 at 7:34 pm
One of the Scheck children is allegedly enrolled in Krop for next year. What does that tell you?
75 Ivory // May 17, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Marc, Seth, Anon and Truth -
Hillel was a great school. It was founded on the principle that the only good education was a real education. When I left with last year’s crop of dismissed staff and teachers, I left feeling completely empty and spent time asking what did I do wrong? It took a while to get to the heart of the matter - it wasn’t what I did or did not do - and my reviews before the insanity - before Chaye Kohl was marginalized - were very very good - it was the agenda that the new Admin wandered in with. More secular, more humanist, more left wing - exactly why I left public and charter. Everyone who has been pushed out without so much as a by your leave - knows this. Serving demographics is the excuse when the recruitment has to look further. Hillel was not designed to be a (that I know of) a Yeshiva - but misinterpertation of the idea to serve the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform congregents by dumping the heart of Hillel is disturbing and distasteful. The heart has been the Rabbis working in conjunction with the Secular studies people to create a dynamic that pushes the education parameters beyond expectations.
I could have settled in Hillel (if last year was not destroyed) for the next twenty years.
76 Anonymous Also // May 18, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hillel has become the best darn “Jewish Day School in South America” — let ‘em have it and move on. You have to know when to hold and when to fold.
77 ANONYMOUS // May 18, 2008 at 11:14 am
WE just don’t care anymore. It will go down hill and eventually disappear as a JEWISH school. Of course it will have one hell of a lacrosse team and WE all know that’s the important thing. It will also have great coaches who might be able to teach instead of great teachers who might be able to coach. Sayonara to quality and to the Jewish community.
78 Another Anonymous // May 18, 2008 at 12:16 pm
It will most definitely have lascrosse — the cross………………..
79 The Anonymous 1 // May 18, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Don’t forget tackle football.
80 Truth // May 18, 2008 at 12:47 pm
And CAJE and Federation continue to stand proudly by and heap praises on the second largest Jewish Day school in the country that has kicked out almost every Jewish educator and administrator and every family that was genuinely interested in a quality Jewish education.
81 The Anonymous 1 // May 18, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I might stop supporting both organizations over this.
82 Anonymous // May 18, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I think I might stop supporting Federation as well. We attend an annual campaign each year where wonderful speakers like Colin Powell and Alan Dershowitz are brought in. Alan Dershowitz states to the room of donors that Jewish education is where more money should be allocated. What does Federation/ CAJE actually do with our donations? They look the other way as Judaics are decimated in the second largest Jewish day school in North America. They stand silent in the face of the destruction of Jewish education. Shame on them!!!!!!!!!!!!
83 Admin // May 19, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Employment (We are Bright-Sizing)
Substitute Teaching
Hillel has ongoing needs for qualified substitute teachers and assistants.
Substitute teachers help maintain our students’ academic progress by facilitating the classroom during a teacher’s absence. Substitute assistants generally provide Lower School teachers with clerical and classroom support.
The ideal candidates for substitute teachers and assistants are warm, caring individuals who possess a positive attitude, an abundance of patience, excellent communication skills and the ability to supervise a group of children. Additionally, those interested in substitute teaching must have at least two years of college education.
Being a substitute teacher allows you to gain valuable experience in the classroom, yet retain scheduling flexibility. If you feel this is the right position for you, please click below on our substitute application, print it out and mail or fax to:
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North Miami Beach, FL 33180
84 Anonymous Also // May 19, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Who gives a hoot about where the Sheck kids are going or doing–just because people supposedly have some money doesn’t make them legitatimate leaders or exemples for anyone.
85 Anonymous // May 19, 2008 at 7:32 pm
The point is that even they seem to be jumping ship.
86 Anonymous Also // May 21, 2008 at 5:17 pm
You’re correct, the only point it that for too long the Hillel community has been manipulated by the Shecks and their ilk for their own ego. They apparently never read the Rambam who as we all know wrote that the highest form of charity is that given anonymously — and I would add without abuse of their position of giving. They and their ilk are nothing to be looked to as an example.
87 Anonymous // May 24, 2008 at 9:05 pm
That Hillel high school graduation was a real pitiful spectacle.
Thankfully, Holden didn’t speak.
While it’s nice that Beverly Silverman, an elementary teacher came and spoke, this decision struck the kids and parents both as being so out of touch. Where were the high school teachers? Why wasn’t one of them asked to speak?
How come the school could not find a single high school teacher to speak on behalf of the kids??
The parents are wondering.
How sad that there were not enough high school teachers left to walk down the aisle with the kids that the middle school teachers were COMMANDED to show up to the graduation and put on caps and gowns and march down with the high school teachers TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE that the school has enough teachers when it no longer does.
THIS FIRST IN THE HISTORY OF HILLEL.
Why were there dairy desserts served the night of the Senior dinner after the kids ate a meat dinner?
Now that the goyim are in charge, the school no longer cares about Kashrut???????????? What the heck is going on in this crazy place?
How embarrassing that Hillel no longer gets kids into schools like Harvard, Yale, and MIT like it used to.
And why on earth did the school schedule the graduation THE NIGHT BEFORE the AP English exam?
Most of the kids went to the graduation and went out afterwards. So many of them are complaining that they think they bombed the AP exam.
Why would the school set these kids up to fail their exam?
Is their anyone competent at the helm running the ship anymore?
I don’t think so.
And they call this place a school of “excellence”?
Who are they kidding?
Less and less people by the day.
88 Sockeye // May 25, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Graduation with AP the next day!
Dairy with meat???????????
I had thought, no cancel that, I had considered that maybe it would have worked out properly. Jeeze, ignorance is not bliss.
“How sad that there were not enough high school teachers left to walk down the aisle with the kids that the middle school teachers were COMMANDED to show up to the graduation and put on caps and gowns and march down with the high school teachers TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE that the school has enough teachers when it no longer does.” This is very bad when a school does this.
Sigh…
Not all “goyim”(doesn’t that mean foreigner?) are ignorant about the rules. Some of us know enough to find the idea of meat and dairy at the same meal mortifying. Some of us try to actually follow the rules on our own while attending church (avoiding the limiting “New Testament” only driven ones and the more radical Bereans or Pentecostals) and walking an invisible line between. Christians are generally very supportive of Judism. There is more awareness now I think of how we should be living than fifty years ago….but milk with dairy??? Jeeze!
Anyone with half a brain knows that it is the rule and the rule is the rule.
89 alum from the 90s // May 25, 2008 at 2:19 pm
after looking at hillel’s demise from a somewhat unbiased perspective, i had a change of heart and now i see what’s going on.
i am a hillel alum. i attended hillel for over a decade from the 80s till the 90s. it was a fine jewish school—for those who actually valued a judaic studies education.
i remember a specific chumash class, and i won’t give names as the teacher (i think) is still at hillel. it was in a trailer and the desks were situated in such a way that the teacher’s desk was at the far end of the trailer and there were about 10 rows of 4 desks. only the students in the first 3 rows were serious about learning. the other 7 rows were filled with students who didn’t care. they would have had no problem copying notes off the more studious students (myself and my peers) while fooling around in school, throwing paper airplanes, being rude to the teachers, and all in all, not taking a JEWISH education seriously. one of the students (a hillel high’s secular teacher’s daughter herself) stole the mobile number off the rabbi’s phone and would use it to prank call him during our class. these were kids who didn’t take hillel seriously, and while hillel’s judaic studies program was top notch (as judged by those who cared), most didn’t care to think about judaism since the colleges they were going to weren’t judaic-focused and they figured their jewish learning was going to end after 12th grade.
these students are like today’s parents. they don’t give a damn about judaic studies. the parents were probably pretty awful students in their own jewish studies classes (if they even attended judaic studies classes or have any semblance of jewish identity in their lives besides having their kids attend a school called “hillel”). it’s a sad reality but it makes sense. as these parents become more aware of their kids and what their kids’ interests lie, they realize that judaism isn’t one of those things. call it assimilation if you will.
you can’t totally fault holden for this. when you look at it from this perspective from someone who was actually there for 10+ years, you need to fault the board for their lack of jewish faith. they are the ones who really should send their kids to miami country day or pine crest, but instead, they decided to trample over the beautiful school that was once hillel.
in our jewish studies classes, we learned about the schism of bait hillel and bait shamai, and maybe it’s about time the jewish part of hillel actually starts its own bait sefer shamai for those who actually value a judaic studies education. i don’t think you’re going to find it at HILLEL.
90 Anonymous // May 25, 2008 at 3:38 pm
To Sockeye:
You are right. Not all goyim are this disrespectful. Hillel has employed several non-Jews respectful of the religious values parents are paying to instill in their children…but not this group of goyim running the school. They could care less. They are obliterating Judaics and Jewish culture as we speak.
91 Anonymous // May 25, 2008 at 3:44 pm
To Alum from the 90’s:
You are correct. Many of the kids don’t care about Kashrut because their parents don’t care.
This is not Holden’s fault.
HOWEVER, Hillel is still selling itself to parents as a school that keeps kosher.
This is FALSE ADVERTISING. This is FRAUD.
If Kashrut laws will no longer be observed, it is the school’s obligation to make this known to parents who do observe those dietary laws and send their children to the school. To do otherwise, is immoral and unethical.
Furthermore, I am confident that many of those kids who sat in the back of your class and didn’t care about Judaics may very well have had a change of heart later in life. Teachers will tell you that it is not unusual for students to return years later and thank those very teachers who they gave a hard time to.
Many are grateful to have been given a Jewish education, even if they didn’t appreciate getting one at the time.
Kids don’t usually appreciate school at all until much later in life. It’s the nature of the beast.
Does this mean that kids shouldn’t go to school or be exposed to learning they may not value until they become adults? Heck no.
I think we all agree about this.
92 Anonymous // May 25, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I blame Judy Dach and Joanne Papir first and foremost. Their decisions have run this school into the ground.
Their puppets on the board do their bidding and believe every word they say.
They are too easily manipulated by the likes of Holden.
They have served on the Hillel board for far too many terms.
They have single handedly destroyed the school. It’s not Holden I blame. It is they.
Perhaps in 1o years the school will come back.
The high school is about to disintegrate.
93 Anonymous Person // May 25, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Are we sure about the dairy/meat thing? Maybe it was parve cheese cake? Seems strange since I thought the school went cholov yisroel this year.
Where is CAJE while all this is happening?
94 Anonymous // May 25, 2008 at 10:50 pm
There were Parve desserts and DAIRY cheesecake as well.
The same people who sit on the Hillel board sit on the CAJE board.
It’s been said that Chaim Botwinik is in their pocket.
Don’t expect CAJE to do a darn thing.
95 Anonymous // May 25, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Can we say CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
96 Anonymous Person // May 26, 2008 at 7:28 am
Well, I guess the school changed since there is a new group of families attending looking for different things. Change isn’t bad - it’s too just too bad that it happened the way it did. It should have been handled better. Being honest would have been a start.
97 Anonymous // May 26, 2008 at 9:59 am
There are still families who do not appreciate the change and feel they have been misled. Believe it or not.
98 Sockeye // May 26, 2008 at 4:14 pm
The more things change, the differences stick out.
99 Angry Parent // May 27, 2008 at 12:29 pm
A long time parent at Hillel, I met Mr. A at back to school night. I appreciated him right there as he was addressing us and explaining what he intended to accomplish with students during the year since he is a new teacher. I personally asked him how he would teach a student that lacks prerequisite or has a hard time understanding. He answered: “…I teach the student I have, not the student I wish I had!” He went on to explain that: “I was hired to teach each student according to his/her ability. I would go the extra mile to help each student reach their potential and succeed, if that is what it takes”. I remember these words because my daughter was in his class. Had she and other students not testified of Mr. A’s hard work, I would go back to him and blame him for my child’s failure. But his work paid off for the kids, maybe not for the administration since they are Bright-Sizing, but my daughter developed a sense of appreciation for math and of respect for the man. I called him several time but he has not returned my calls. I will go to the school this week to thank him personally for my daughter.
Are they saying that he is not good enough for Hillel? He is a Jew, like rest of us, with a strong commitment to Judaism and Klal Yisroel. My question is why letting go of such a teacher if Hillel is committed to Excellence? I also heard that the ‘goyim’ made up lots of stories about him; what a חֻצְפָּה (Chutzpah)!
100 Hillel '06 // May 27, 2008 at 6:29 pm
This whole idea of “bright-sizing” is a fallacy. If you “limit enrollment” so that you have a higher teacher-student ratio, it means you are making the school more selective. But if, as is the case here, you have less students attending AND a lower teacher-student ratio, it means the school is in precipitous decline.
Soooo….are we going to do anything, or just sit around and mope? Let’s force elections for the Board. We got Jill Shockett on the Board last time we tried, maybe we’ll also add a few this time also. Does anyone know why two Board members were let go? Did they leave voluntarily or were they forced out? If they’re unhappy, let’s get them on board. We have Kashrut issues, a school that is clearly declining in enrollment, forced marching in graduation (a tacit admission the school is crashing), and the sudden disappearance of two Board members. That’s lots to play with. If we can track down members of the Exodus from Hillel and get some testimonies, that would be even better.
Let’s do it!
101 Anonymous // May 27, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I don’t know a single parent who will run for that board now. Do you?
There are a few good people who are still on the board. Clearly, their words are falling on deaf ears. At this point, they may be too scared to speak at all.
We all know that this school is in precipitous decline. We all would love to do something about it. Many of us have tried. We would all like to see the situation turn around.
The question is: what do you propose people do?
How do you suppose a real change will come about?
And yes, the administration reads every last word on this blog. Every last word.
So do some of the board members.
This blog will continue to document and archive the precipitous decline of a once-amazing school.
Any teacher who is good and who is well-paid has numbered days or years left. It is only a matter of time before Holden takes an axe to such teachers too.
He can hire two inexperienced young teachers for the price of one experienced teacher. He’s all about the fiscal bottom-line. His approach is not working. All it’s doing is driving the good teachers away. Furthermore, prospective good teachers won’t come near Hillel with a ten foot pole. Why would they want to? Who needs the headache?
Who will be teaching the kinderlach next year? Scary thought.
Parents demand to know. They are breaking contracts because the administrators cannot guarantee who the teachers will be for next year.
Shame so many kids are suffering as a result.
How did the board allow Holden to fire Marlena Tuchinksy? Please explain. She is a shining star. She has changed kids’ lives. So many of the teachers fired have changed too many kids’ lives to begin mentioning here.
How many lives has Mr. Holden changed? Several. But none for the better.
And how has the board rewarded Holden? They have just given him a 3 year contract.
What does that tell you all? It tells everyone here that we are dreaming pipe dreams.
Holden is the pied piper and most of the board dances to his tune.
At the end of the day, however, Holden is merely a puppet himself. In about 3-5 years, the board will chew him up and spit him out like they’ve done to all who came before him. Why he thinks he’s immune to this fate is beyond me…Hubris. Pride goeth before the fall.
An act of good faith would be for the board to reinstate Jennifer Olemberg immediately.
Furthermore, the board should never have allowed Holden to alienate Dr. Mitrani. Her daughter just won an honorable mention as Silver Knight nominee–this is the very daughter that Holden tried to squelch.
Holden changes kids’ lives alright. But certainly not for the better.
Holden changes the face of Jewish education alright. But certainly not for the better.
It’s time to put the “Jew” back in Jewish education. Who will do it?
102 Angry Parent // May 28, 2008 at 2:37 am
We cannot talk about reforming the board until we know how we are going to do it. I propose that:
– we all withdraw our kids from the school for the school year 2008-2009. We should not worry about a prospective school because this is not the issue here. We will re-enroll our kids under the new administration. We want to turn Hillel around and this current administration has to go!
–If we are successful, they will be forced to sit with us since their income will be significantly low compared to their expenses, which may drive them to bankruptcy.
–At that point we may consider negotiating with them only if they fire on the spot the Head of school, the current principals (Upper, middle, and lower schools), Druin, and all those that have no commitment to Judaism, Jewish Education, and Klal Yisroel.
–Then we will hold elections for an entirely NEW BOARD!
–After that we can blow the shofar (The Media) to make the entire community know that Hillel needs them to take their responsibility in promoting Jewish Education. We cannot let greedy people trample our heritage simply because they funding the school.
–If they don’t want to listen to us, we have enough resources, if not too much, to put up a new school overnight, can’t we? That’s how much we love our kids and are committed to Jewish Education! We know where to find top notch teachers, don’t worry!
Remember the essence of Jewish Education:
:דחא הוהי וניהלא הוהי לארשי עמש
:ךדאמ-לכבו ךשפנ-לכבו ךבבל-לכב ךיהלא הוהי תא תבהאו
:ךבבל-לע םויה ךוצמ יכנא רשא הלאה םירבדה ויהו
ךמוקבו ךבכשבו ךרדב ךתכלבו ךתיבב ךתבשב םב תרבדו ךינבל םתננשו
:ךיניע ןיב תפטטל ויהו ךדי-לע תואל םתרשקו
:ךירעשבו ךתיב תוזזמ-לע םתבתכו
ךיתבאל עבשנ רשא ץראה-לא ךיהלא הוהי ךאיבי-יכ היהו
-אל רשא תבטו תלדג םירע ךל תתל בקעילו קחציל םהרבאל
:תינב
Devarim 6:5-10( Shema, part1)
:הנממ רוסי-אל ןיקזי-יכ םג וכרד יפ-לע רענל ךנח
Proverbs 22:6
דמע אל םיאטח ךרדבו םיעשר תצעב ךלה אל רשא שיאה-ירשא
:בשי אל םיצל בשומבו
:הלילו םמוי הגהי ותרותבו וצפח הוהי תרותב-םא יכ
והלעו ותעב ןתי וירפ רשא םימ יגלפ-לע לותש ץעכ היהו
:חילצי השעי-רשא לכו לובי אל
:חור ונפדת-רשא ץמכ-םא יכ םיעשרה ןכ-אל
:םיקידצ תדעב םיאטחו טפשמב םיעשר ומקי-אל ןכ-לע
:דבאת םיעשר ךרדו םיקידצ ךרד הוהי עדוי-יכ
Tehilim (א)
הוהי ךמע יכ תחת-לאו ץרעת-לא ץמאו קזח ךיתיוצ אולה
:ךלת רשא לכב ךיהלא
Joshua 1:9
holden, holden
ץראב םורא םיוגב םורא םיהלא יכנא-יכ : ועדו ופרה
103 Realistic Person // May 28, 2008 at 11:49 am
Lots of people tried lots of things last year and nothing happened. I suggest we turn all of our energies into the many good schools that are more aligned with the jewish education we are looking for.
Time to stop beating a dead horse. Believe it or not, there are parents that are supporting all this and the school seems to have the support of the Federation. For those who were there, about two years ago, at the open annual meeting, there were parents who gave Holden a standing ovation. There were Rabbis who spoke in favor of the changes.
The population of the school has changed, the “management” has changed, and they are taking or have already taken the school in a different direction.
My heart goes out to the 10th and 11th graders, where changing HS at this time would be difficult.
104 Sockeye // May 28, 2008 at 4:28 pm
#101 - Anonymous // May 27, 2008 at 8:32 pm
“At the end of the day, however, Holden is merely a puppet himself. In about 3-5 years, the board will chew him up and spit him out like they’ve done to all who came before him. Why he thinks he’s immune to this fate is beyond me…Hubris. Pride goeth before the fall.”
I think it finishes “and a haughty spirit before a tribulation.”
105 Laura Minsky // May 29, 2008 at 9:51 am
What a shame what’s going on at Hillel. Parent’s get your kids out today. Don’t let them stay under Dr. Holden and all… It is time to leave and Start a new School.. Go anywhere but don’t stay at Hillel. Hillel is not what it was.Hillel is not teaching your kids the Torah Way.. Wake up and take your money and child out. You will see you will be happier..
106 OBSERVER // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:44 am
this is not a jewish school long ago,
when partys are made on shabat with no kosher food, when graduates are parting in hotels when no one care for hebrew studies when the management is non jews (no heart) wht else?\\
I took out my children from hillel and please do so as long you can save them
107 Anti - Suck up // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:07 pm
People its called “entrenched management”. They will not give up their power and money until they destroy the place. They will continue with their expert lackies like Russ, Joan Papir (dental hygentist) and “Dr.” of Anthropoloy. Even most “good” people will not rock the boat if it will put their social standing at risk.
Run, don’t walk to the Hebrew Charter School and supplemental it with religious studies.
If you haven’t noticed, the USA is in a recession. Although the “rich and famous” Hillel Kapos don’t seem to have a concern about making a living, us simple Jews do.
108 Anti - Suck up // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Wake up people. Chaim Botwinick is not going to rock the boat. He gets to sit at 4700 Biscayne and pontificate and make what is probably $150,000 a year. You really think he is going to risk losing his job for your children??? Dummy up people.
109 New to this site......and shocked at what I am reading! // Jun 17, 2008 at 9:48 am
I was just told about this site. I am shocked and appaled at what I am reading. I am a former Hillel student, who attended school there in the 80s.
I went to Hillel from 2nd grade until 7th grade. While attending the school, I recieved the finest jewish education, as well as special attention for a learning disability, and special tutoring! The principal at the time was Dr. Levy (RIP) and he was an amazing man.
I remember one specific incident that occured, that will stay in my mind forever. My parents were newly divorced, and money was tight. We (my brother and I) were “latch key kids” and were home alone for a few hours every day after school. We had just finished learning about how to make your home “Kosher for Passover.” At the time, the rabbis at Hillel taught with so much passion, that my brother and I came home alone after school, and basically threw out every morsel of food in our kitchen! Beacuse when you are on a budjet…not many food groups, are kosher for passover. Not to mention we (as a family did not even keep kosher)
Needless to say, my mother came home and cried! She cried, because she had no extra money to replace the groceries we had just thrown in the garbage, and not to mention down the garbage disposal!
My mother had to explain to us that what we learned at school was not “LAW” at our home. She taught us how to learn, and study judaism, with an open mind. We learned the torah, studied the talmud, learned how to read and write hebrew, and at the same time..come home and follow the “laws” of my home, in which my mother and father instilled.
Needless to say,the next day, Dr. Levy was on the recieving end of my mothers wrath!!! Bless his heart…..he immediately wrote my mom a check, FROM HIS PERSONAL CHECKBOOK to compensate for the food my brother and I had thrown away!
It is a shame that Hillel has become the type of school that has spawned a website such as this. Shame on the admin! Shame on the non kosher kitchen! Shame on the principal for firing good teachers!
I am really shocked at what I am reading….it’s really sad.
110 Truth // Jun 17, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I hope Russ Bonwitt et al are happy with the hatchet job they’ve committed on the entire South Florida Jewish community
111 Honest Person // Jun 17, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Dr. Chaim Botwinick is a fine man. It is not his job to change Hillel. It is your Board and Dr.Holden and Rabbi Druin who have destroyed the Hillel Day School. Doctor Botwinick is not the Hillel President or Dean. Dr.Botwinick is well respected in the Jewish Community of South Florida. He does an excellent job as CEO of SAJE.Put the blame where it should be directly with the Hillel Adminstration and Board Members.
112 Anonymous // Jun 17, 2008 at 8:56 pm
As long as Dr. Botwinik is allocating CAJE monies to this institution and as long as his name is now beginning to appear on letters sent to Hillel parents on Hillel letterhead, he does indeed bear some of the responsibility.
If he doesn’t endorse these decisions, then why are Druin and Holden implying in writing that he does?
Sorry, but you can’t pass the buck that easily.
113 Anonymous // Jun 17, 2008 at 8:57 pm
“We are pleased to share that CAJE President/CEO Dr. Chaim Botwinick has spent a great amount of time with our administration and has approved our thoughtful, just process. Coupled with a comprehensive administrative review, Hillel has right-sized throughout every division.”
Indeed, if Druin and Holden state this in a letter, then Botwinick IS responsible.
Are there no accountable leaders left in South Florida?
114 Realistic Person // Jun 18, 2008 at 9:30 am
Yes there are. Just not connected with Hillel.
115 Face It // Jun 19, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Of course Chaim Botwinick is not responsible for Hillel. What can he do? What can anybody at “Federation” do? Nothing.
Let’s be realistic, why should he sacrifice himself for a losing cause and a hopeful situation. I don’t blame him. Its not really his position to clean up Hillel — even Lookstein couldn’t. We would all lose more by him sacrificing himself for Hillel.
Parents should take the responsibility for their own children and vote with their feet. The power brokers at Hillel do not primarily care about your children.
116 Admin // Jun 20, 2008 at 1:01 am
An excerpt from Dr. Holden’s Annual Meeting remarks…
Dear Friends,
This school year seems to have come and gone in an instant! Like all
schools, we faced some challenges but, upon reflection, we end the year
with strength and with renewed optimism for the future.
This year we honored our promise to be fiscally responsible. We are
projecting a surplus that has been matched only once in the past decade, and then at a time when the
school had 220 more students than today. We now have three years of audited financials guaranteeing a
transparency expected of all fine schools. We maintained a scholarship, professional discount and
financial aid fund of more than $2.5 million. Over the past two years, we have raised Annual Campaign
parental involvement from less than 20% to more than 50%, and we surpassed this year’s goal. We clearly
are becoming strong stewards for those who generously invest in Jewish education.
We also kept our pledge to improve educational standards. This year, SAT–10 test scores increased in
Grades 3, 4 and 5. They are solidified in Middle School, where the median score for both reading and
math is more than one full grade level above natural age. Advanced Placement scores rank Hillel’s Upper
School 20% above the Florida average and 10% above the national average.
And most important of all, our Jewish identity shone brightly every day. We enjoyed remarkable
schoolwide activities that brought together our entire community in celebration. We built international
partnerships and strengthened informal programming. With an integrated Israel 60 program as our
foundation, this year saw us literally live our mission!
117 Angry Parent // Jun 20, 2008 at 1:16 am
Oy Vey! Chutzpah, Chutzpah! did you just say ‘…our Jewish identity shone brightly everyday?’ What is going on at Hillel is the Hallmark of Jewish Education. Is that what you mean?
If the school is so successful academically, why not renewing those teachers’ contract? If you don’t have enough money to pay the teachers you have right now, where are you going to get the money to pay those ‘Top Notch teachers’ you promise to bring in next year? Probably they will feel honored not to teach at Hillel but to participate in the dismantlement of once a respected Jewish Educational Institution. The reality is that you are not expecting parents to ask logical questions, are you? Chaval…
118 Anonymous // Jun 20, 2008 at 8:50 pm
What a bunch of lying rotten scoundrels.
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