Save Hillel

306 responses so far ↓

• 1 Truth // May 28, 2008 at 5:55 am

  The board and administration are incapable of honesty. They had a plan to clean house and minimize Judaic studies right from the start. It was the unpublished part of the blueprint. This has become abundantly clear. It is an exact replay of what the Head of School accomplished at his last position. We heard it all from the Hyman Brand parents and alumni last year on this site.

  Parents begged and pleaded for honesty and open and public dialogue. It didn’t happen last year and it won’t happen now. The leadership is not interested in any conversations. What makes you think anyone in a position of power cares about anyone posting here? They are having a good laugh at all us poor pathetic souls who need to vent our frustrations via the internet because our voices have been stifled.

  As long as there is a parent body that supports the new regime, we will never hear any honest words from the leadership. The only way to see change at this point is for all parents to withdraw their children and let the school collapse. But that won’t happen because the new parent body knows nothing about what this school once was, and neither do they care. They want what they want and the board is delivering that to them.

  Hillel will not, in the near future, return to what it was. That is the sad truth and the only truth you will see on this site.

• 2 Angry Parent // May 28, 2008 at 8:31 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 aleph

  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

• 3 Realistic Person // May 28, 2008 at 11:37 am

  Angry Parent,

  If you take your kids out for a year only, you will end up with very angry kids. Let’s not make them pawns in this. If you want jewish education, there are several good schools in the tri-county area.

  Can you put up a new school over night as you say? If you have the time and lots of money – go for it!! I wish you the best.

• 4 Angry Parent // May 28, 2008 at 2:55 pm

  When I say let us withdraw our kids, I mean for the upcoming year as a threat to bring about open dialog. If this does not happen, my kids will go to either Pine Crest or another good school. As a matter of fact, earlier today seven other parents including myself visited certain schools after having meeting among ourselves. That is a total of 22 kids out of Hillel, mind you! I do believe that other parents will do the same from this point on. They must, otherwise they will complain as much as they want after realizing that they children were the ultimate victims. You can recall faulty cars but you can’t recall a child that received a poor education. Remember that Education is probabilistic!

• 5 Anonymous // May 28, 2008 at 4:21 pm

  You know Angry Parent, there are far more of you out there than people realize.

  Many have already enrolled their kids elsewhere for next year.

  Heck, even the Schecks have done it–it’s been said that one Scheck is enrolled at Krop…

  The question to Angry Parent is this: Are there enough parents out there talking, mobilizing, and ready to make something like this happen?

• 6 Angry Parent // May 28, 2008 at 11:31 pm

  Anonymous, the whole point to raise awareness. We hope this blog encourage other parents like myself to talk, mobilize, and take further actions. If there are no students there can’t be a school! They’ll be out of business.
  The intent is not to drive them out business but to drive the goyim administration out of the school. If they rather close the school down instead of giving up, they would have made clear that Jewish Education means nothing to even their traitor rabbi druin! That is so sad.

• 7 Realistic Person // May 29, 2008 at 8:31 am

  Angry Parent,

  There are parents who are supporting the school. Though, I do believe most of them have children in the younger grades. So, they can afford to have the HS fall apart because by the time they need it, it would be “rebuilt” as the school they want.

  My suggestion (and suggestion only) is stop thinking about Hillel. Your kids come first. Put them in a school that meets their needs and move on. Become happy and stop being angry.

• 8 Observer // Jun 2, 2008 at 4:55 pm

  I was just at a Shabbat Dinner this past weekend.

  Ironically, there were a lot of Hillel Alumni there. All of us had graduaded between the years ’99 and 02. (And all of us had various levels of observance.)

  The sad thing is… should we live in florida, none of us would even consider sending our children to Hillel as it stands now.

  If Hillel isn’t for us, then who exactly is it for?

• 9 OBSERVER // Jun 3, 2008 at 8:38 am

  I was surprised to hear that moneys collected for teacher presnets (end of the year and go away thanks presents) are been collected by some people of the school stuff which I mknow they are putting some of the cash in there pockets.

  I know peronally of one incident when a school stuff memeber went to purchase something in the school name. made a dicition her self , commited to pay 50% more per item , did not check other supllier prices (normally you should get 3 quotes and then make a decition)

  the school ….Paid.

  then we get the “need to save money message”

  Suit yourself first

  see how and who is makeing money and expences decition

  try to do some purchasings using a comeety.

• 10 ANONYMOUS // Jun 6, 2008 at 1:55 pm

  Arrogance, or is it Ignorance, begets Arrogance. While Rome(Hillel) burned, the administrators were walking around, singing and humming. Bonilla in particular is very thrilled to see his faculty leave. Parents are pulling kids out of every division now and losing their deposits. They know that sometimes you have to cut your losses. Bon voyage to the veterans who are leaving and best of luck. You are the lucky ones.

• 11 Angry Parent // Jun 6, 2008 at 5:37 pm

  Chutzpah, chutzpah! the whole administration is a heap of shame. Let their flesh be eaten by worms and be tormented day and night for what they have done to the students, parents, teachers, and our community and general. They hide their mediocrity behind the Blueprint for Excellence which is, in fact, a blueprint to dishonor the Jewish people and Judaism altogether. They infiltrated our community, aided by just a few should-not-be Jews, to destroy us from within. Let the Leviathan enslave their souls. Let their blood serve as fuel to burn their conscience as they endure nightmares after nightmares. Baruch HaShem, my kids are gone!

• 12 Anonymous // Jun 6, 2008 at 8:15 pm

  Amen!!!

  They have ruined one of the formerly largest Jewish day schools in N. America and they feel no remorse.

  Chaval!

• 13 Sockeye // Jun 7, 2008 at 10:15 am

  To think I actually considered applying in March – for a teaching job – so I could go back -no way would I do so now! I would rather go back to public school and teach in Dillard than teach in a Hillel gone sour! (I said once that I left public so I could stop teaching remedial classes(I am looking at private schools!))

• 14 Only You Can Prevent Narcissism // Jun 7, 2008 at 6:16 pm

  How many years is it going to take you people to understand that these sociopaths who run Hillels are not going to change?? The corporate culture is sicko. They lust for power, money, and networking with the so-called “players.” If you want to raise children with values and discipline and Yiddishkeit — run, don’t walk away from this place. Its in a run -down disgusting trashy neighborhood on top of it.

• 15 Anonymous // Jun 8, 2008 at 10:50 am

  It’s true. I ran into a friend of mine who went Jewish schools growing up herself. She now has small kids at Hillel. I told her that her kids would not be getting the same kind of quality Jewish education we got and she said, “I know. But I don’t really care about that.” So there you have it.

  The parent body is now primarily a group of Jews who don’t care about being Jewish. They just don’t want their kids rubbing elbows with public school kids.

  Of course, there are still a few ignorant parents out there. Nothing that anyone can do at this point in the game. In five years, things may change.

• 16 Admin // Jun 9, 2008 at 11:06 pm

  An excerpt from Rafa Russ’ Annual Meeting remarks…
  Dear Friends,
  This evening we installed the 2008-2009 Board of Governors, and I am honored to pass the
  charge to my good friend Gil Bonwitt as Chairman, to new officers and to our new Board.
  It has been a lot of very hard work, although exceedingly rewarding. But I stand here
  before you mainly with a deep sense of gratitude to G-d for giving me the opportunity to
  serve this precious institution. I am indebted to Hillel for all the learning and personal
  growth it allowed me to accumulate during these years, as well as for giving me new friends and relationships I
  will treasure for the rest of my life. I thank G-d for the opportunity to serve Him in this most important cause of
  Jewish education.
  I have learned so much from my fellow Board members and Hillel parents. I respect each one of you and
  profoundly value your priceless contributions to our Hillel. I also recognize those volunteers who are not Board
  members but who make a difference everyday. In and out of the classroom, parents demonstrate a shared
  commitment to Hillel, and I am confident you are inspiring more to join us. You are the source of vitality from
  where the present and future of our school emanate. I also extend my gratitude to our Head of School,
  Dr. Adam Holden and his professional team. We have worked together hand in hand for the betterment of the
  school, and I truly admire Adam’s commitment to Hillel’s mission.
  Lastly, I share my satisfaction in seeing that we have re-established the dignity, respect and standing of the
  school. We have again ONE institution, ONE school, ONE mission. This is largely the legacy I hope we leave for
  those coming after us: unity, humble servant leadership and hard work.
  Unity is when everyone puts the institution first, as opposed to individual interests that create false kingdoms or
  silos. This can be achieved only when we all perform from a position of service; it doesn’t matter how much we
  do, we still can do more…rather than look for what the institution can do for us. And this will be sustained only
  if we continue to work toward excellence. This is the formula – the same one used by G-d with the Jewish
  people when we left Mitzraim: the hard work of free empowered people, the humility of service to G-d and the
  Jewish people, and the sense of unity speaking with one heart and one voice. Toda Raba and Yashar Koach.

• 17 Hillel '06 // Jun 11, 2008 at 12:04 am

  “Lastly, I share my satisfaction in seeing that we have re-established the dignity, respect and standing of the
  school. We have again ONE institution, ONE school, ONE mission.”

  ONE school, with enrollment and teacher-student ratios plummeting like no other Jewish school in South Florida. You have not reestablished the standing of the school, Mr. Russ. You have not even stopped the bleeding.

• 18 Realistic Person // Jun 11, 2008 at 8:06 am

  I think I’m going to be ill.

• 19 Truth // Jun 11, 2008 at 8:48 am

  Good job Mr. Russ –

  What a piece of total garbage!

  The one and only thing you have accomplished is to force families out of Jewish education because you have destroyed the one school that was a true COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL for EVERYONE.

  Take a close look at the families who left last year and are leaving this year. These are the families who were truly committed to a Jewish education for their children and who NEVER would have left the school had you and your board not destroyed it. Many of these families had been at the school for years, had older siblings graduate from Hillel, and had every intention of continuing their children’s Jewish education at the one school that was accepting of all Jews of all backgrounds.

  As posted here by our own alumni, no one serious about Jewish education would even consider Hillel now. It has become a haven only for those who want a Jewish style, not serious Jewish learning.

  With an obnoxious and noxious administration, Hillel has committed a Chilul Hashem in the manner in which they have treated Jewish educators.

  Mr. Russ – look around carefully. The only reason you think you have ONE SCHOOL is that you have effectively kicked out anyone with an opposing viewpoint. That is NOT unity. You have stifled the voices of those opposed to your plans and have created exactly what you pretend to oppose – your own little kingdom of power.

  Mr. Russ – do we live on the same planet? Do you have any idea at all of the effect your “humble servant leadership” has had on real families and real students?

  I suggest you speak to the students. The word from the middle and high schools is that they hate what has happened to their school.

  I suggest you speak to the families who left and experienced the heartbreak of, for the first time in their lives, enrolling their children in non-Jewish schools.

  Mr. Russ – feel no pride in your victory. For as much as you think you accomplished, you have been a destroyer. A destroyer of teachers who gave their lives to Hillel, a destroyer of families who trusted Hillel, and worst of all, a destroyer of Jewish education for over a thousand Jewish souls.

  What an unbelievable chutzpah you have Mr. Russ – comparing your plan to G-d’s own plan.

  And as for your formula, Mr. Russ, there were no “free empowered people” at Hillel OTHER THAN YOU AND YOUR SUPPORTERS. Those of us who disagreed were threatened, bullied, and eventually forced out.

  How can you sleep at night, Mr. Russ, knowing that you have effectively ruined the lives of so many? You took a thriving school with some problems and destroyed its Jewish soul.

  Mr. Russ, you are in serious need of a wake-up call. You and your good friend Gil Bonwitt have no idea of the damage you have wreaked.

  And that is the sad sad truth you refuse to see.

• 20 ANONYMOUS // Jun 11, 2008 at 9:30 am

  Yes, it is one school now. One Very Bad School.
  It will go down in flames and those who were safe this year will be engulfed in those flames. That is of course the fate of all capos.

• 21 Anti - Suck up // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:00 pm

  Russ’s main qualification for the job is that he is a dupe – a person who unquestioningly or unwittingly serves a cause or another person. The naive parents of the elementary school children may fall for these people — but if your children are in high school — this is your last opportunity to get your children’s education on track and accomplish. The future of American Jewish education is the charter school supplemented with religious classes just like in England. Enough of these premadona blood suckers.

• 22 Anti - BS // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:42 pm

  The powers have had many years to hone their skills — from Baltach’s farcical mass general board meetings with the 20 lunch room workers serving 50 cakes while you thought about who to vote for. To Kovlosky advertising her real estate firm more than helping the school. Avi Markowitz “dean of discipline” whose main ability that he was a friend of Baltach. The place has been a den of narcissism for a long time.

• 23 Hillel '06 // Jun 13, 2008 at 1:12 am

  My friend, this is really not so difficult. Just look at the numbers, as they do not lie.

  Whatever mistakes happened in the past–and yes, there were plenty– it was insufficient to cause a drastic decline in the number of teachers and students at Hillel. The current decline is singularly the work of the current board. If the New Order had not appeared on the scene, it is likely student enrollment and teacher-student ratios would have remained as they were when I graduated.

• 24 Admin // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:29 pm

  Message from the Rabbinic Dean
  Rabbi Michael Druin
  Dear Friends,
  Every Friday night, Jews around the world sing L’cha Dodi, which states: סוף מ ע שה
  במחשבה תחלה – — the last action was the first in thought. This means that a final
  planned action reveals the initial primary thought behind all the preceding actions. This applies to G-d who
  created man last, indicating that man was the initial primary purpose for creation. This applies to us today as
  well, instructing us to measure and see whether we accomplished by the end of the school year that which we
  planned to achieve at the start. Hillel’s mission states that we “seek to create a nurturing, respectful and academically
  inspiring environment, imbued with traditional Torah values and designed for college preparation and
  admission.”
  Indeed, we have achieved many of these goals. Even though all decisions made at Hillel are examined and
  evaluated from a perspective of traditional Torah values, I believe we still can do better. There is clearly more
  respect for the institution, however, just as our college acceptances once again make us proud, we can do
  more to create an “academically inspiring environment.”
  Thank you to our students, parents, Board, faculty and administration for holding each other accountable to
  live up to our mission, which clearly states what we are here to achieve. I look forward to another summer of
  planning and an end of year when we can see whether we achieved our very own סוף מעשה במחשבה תחלה

• 25 Admin // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:35 pm

  2008-2009 Board of Governors
  Gil Bonwitt, President/Chairman David Wolf, Vice Chairman Jorge Woldenberg, Treasurer Rossana Franco, Secretary
  Michelle Amselem Anita Lapco Eva Rub
  Sara Bejar Sherri Lebwohl Rafael Russ
  Uri Benhamron Jeffrey Levinson Rachel Sapoznik
  Helena Broide Rabbi/Dr. Ezra Levy Marty Scheck
  Dr. Judith Dach David Lichter Dana Yemin Schrager
  Michelle Diener Rabbi Avrohom Lipszyc Mike Shalom
  Anita Givner Gary Mars Jill Shockett
  Dr. Jan Hockman Diana Mundlak Hedy Whitebook
  Matt Kuttler Joanne Papir

• 26 ANONYMOUS // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:35 pm

  Ha Ha Ha
  That’s got to be a joke.
  How can a man of faith lie like that?
  He is surely selling his soul.

• 27 Parent // Jun 13, 2008 at 5:09 pm

  From the very words of Rafa Russ and Rabbi Druin, you now have confirmation of the fact that what is going on at Hillel is an inside-job. They’re proud of what they have done to us parents, our children, the teachers, and our community altogether! Now, what is our responsibility as a community? We have been misled from the beginning. Baruch HaShem they made those statements openly. Now, they have no more credibility in our community. An Angry Parent laid out a plan in this forum already. If we really care about our children and our survival as Jews, Then now is the time to wake up, stand up, and take actions! This needs to stop. In every generation arises a Haman threating our very existence. In this generation, we are given the opportunity to do what our ancestor, king Shaul, failed to do. As a result we had Haman and Hitler, the first one paved the way for Purim while the other made the holocaust. Do you all remember? How much longer are we going to sit there grieving our love ones when we could have prevented their lost, had we taken actions? All that is written in the Tanach is for our instruction.

  a.hav.ti et.khem a.mar a.do.nai va.a.mar.tem ba.ma a.hav.ta.nu ha.lo-akh e.sav le.ya.a.kov ne.um-a.do.nai va.o.hav et-ya.a.kov:
  I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say: ‘Wherein hast Thou loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD; yet I loved Jacob;
  ve.et-e.sav sa.ne.ti va.a.sim et-ha.rav she.ma.ma ve.et-na.kha.la.to le.ta.not mid.bar:
  But Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.
  ve.ei.nei.khem tir.ei.na ve.a.tem tom.ru yig.dal a.do.nai me.al lig.vul yis.ra.el:
  And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say: ‘The LORD is great beyond the border of Israel.
  Malakhi 1: 2, 3, 5

• 28 Sockeye // Jun 13, 2008 at 5:11 pm

  He seems to have read Machiavelli…

• 29 Anonymous // Jun 14, 2008 at 9:15 pm

  Amalek indeed.

• 30 Admin // Jun 16, 2008 at 12:28 pm

  The Board has endorsed the recommendation of the Budget & Finance Committee and the administration to right-size our school community of students, faculty and administrators.

  Enrollment will be capped at about 1,000 students, which means a student body 15% smaller than our current one. Faculty will be right-sized by 16-20%, and administration will be rightsized by 22%. Lower School classes will continue to be capped at about 20 students per class, and Grades 6-12 now will be limited to 66 per grade. Enrollment to date is very close to these numbers; as we recently have shared, waitlists already have developed in several grades.

  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.

  As in every fine school, Hillel contracts are extended based upon a variety of criteria including qualifications, ability to enhance school community (i.e. leading enrichment activities) and an overall skill set of professionalism, dedicated work ethic, flexibility, organization, educational philosophy and abilities to reflect, problem-solve and inspire children to reach their full potential.
  We have in fact also recruited new teachers. Yet, these are mainly in the Upper School where parents, Board and administration have identified a significant need for program improvement.

  It is your continued partnership that will ensure the success of what clearly is a turning point for this institution. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to be in touch.

  Dr. Adam Holden, Head of School
  Rabbi Michael Druin, Rabbinic Dean

• 31 Parent // Jun 16, 2008 at 12:33 pm

  Chutzpah! How dare you? Why would we support and institution that is humiliating our community! Are you serious? It’s unfortunate that other parents still fall for your crap! My other sisters’ kids and mine are gone, Baruch HaShem. Enjoy your mess.

• 32 Anonymous // Jun 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm

  I will no longer give any money to Federation or CAJE. There are better places my money can be spent.

  Chaim Botwinick–This is on YOUR head.

  How do you sleep at night knowing that Jewish souls are not being properly educated to be future Jewish leaders?

  That the school’s enrollment is decreasing as we speak….

  SHAME ON YOU!

• 33 Observer // Jun 17, 2008 at 9:45 am

  Scary Rumor: Due to the nature of this pasy year’s teacher massacre, (“we’re not firing, you can keep your old job but we’re going to have to pay you a lot less…”) many ex-teachers are getting little or no severance.

  Scarier Rumor: CAJE completely supports the fact that these ex-teacher are getting little or no severance.

  Will someone please confirm or deny these rumors so that we can put them to bed?

• 34 Realistic Person // Jun 17, 2008 at 4:03 pm

  Observer – Please read the posting from Admin 6/16

• 35 ANONYMOUS // Jun 17, 2008 at 9:14 pm

  TRUE,TRUE,TRUE

• 36 Anonymous // Jun 19, 2008 at 9:11 am

  Clearly CAJE supports this and the watering down of Jewish education.

  CAJE should be renamed to CAJA — Central Agency of Jewish Assimilation.

• 37 Anonymous // Jun 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm

  It’s all about the CASH!
  Can you even imagine what are their salaries & benefits these days?
  “The Scheck’s Secret Society”

• 38 ANONYMOUS // Jun 20, 2008 at 7:54 am

  I recently heard an interesting tidbit. Someone was recruited from out of state to teach drama, computer science and something else. Maybe this person can also do Jewish history, algebra 2 honors, english honors, the learning center and all the judaics that are needed-there shouldn’t be too many of them. Just as predicted, quality is going down the drain. Parents, take your children and run the other way.

• 39 Anonymous // Jun 22, 2008 at 11:36 am

  I heard he was a former teacher at Holden’s old school in Kansas – I did not realize there were such top notch teachers in Kansas

• 40 A Nation of Wimps // Jun 24, 2008 at 10:59 am

  The administration is accused. The parents are accused. Both are out of line. Both have created a school of wimps as have so many of the baby boomer helicopter parents. If you think the administration has a attitude — what do you think you parents have done to them? How are they supposed to react. What we have all done to this generation of children is not healthy according to A Nation of Wimps. We have all overinduldged our children to an unhealth extent. Beyond these improper attitutes has there been improper financial transperacy? Sure as in most organizations. But this is only a small problem compared to the overindulgence we parents have imposed. Someone order 500 copies of this book and hand it out to all “Hillel Parents.” Parents need to back off. Just because we are paying doesn’t give us the right to helicopter parents and micromanage our our children. The results are toxic. Read the book.

• 41 Realistic Person // Jun 24, 2008 at 3:26 pm

  What does all that have to do with taking the Judaism out of a Jewish school?

• 42 A Nation of Wimps // Jun 24, 2008 at 8:20 pm

  Isn’t it obvious that being a decent person as we say derech eretz has a little bit to do with Judaism and Torah. Of course taking so much of the religious course out of Hillel is not good, but I would suggest that even with 90% less Judaic course, if Hillel parents would cease to be toxic helicopter baby boomer parents as is a nationwide phenomenon even at the university level, even a small dose of Torah would create healthy strong virtuous Jewish young adults. Overinduldging children is per psychologist a form of child abuse and destroys the children’s soul. Read the book, I am not making this up. Keeping an an air of fighting and bullying the administration to fight for your children’s “rights” and instilling a fear that your child’s life will be ruined because of a teacher or administrator is abuse of the teacher and administrator. How do you expect them to function if they are subject to continual virtual harassment. This has gone on too long and only the children will suffer. 100% of the day of Torah classes will not be beneficial with the attitudes of parents like this. I understand that alot of hiring companies already know this, and look to hire children from lst generation families who did not overindudge their children. Read the book.

• 43 ANONYMOUS // Jun 27, 2008 at 6:57 pm

  And it came to pass in the land of OZ that a former student (who was not very good) became a middle school social studies teacher (who was not very good). Then, the wizard pumped up his smoke machine so that all was smoke and mirrors and the next year (2008-9) turned this being into an algebra 1 and 2 teacher. And all the people cheered because the wizard said it was a school of excellence and they could not see beyond the smoke machine.

• 44 Anonymous // Jun 27, 2008 at 7:06 pm

  Remember, many of these parents really don’t give a darn whether their children learn algebra or not.

  Many of these parents don’t know how to do algebra themselves and after their kids go to FIU, they will take over the family business.

  They have so much money that educational standards are irrelevant.

  The whole school is one big farce at this point.

  I’m so sorry for the handful of truly qualified teachers still left there and for the few truly excellent students who are being cheated of a real education.

  Man, they must be desperate for teachers.

  So many classes this year just had one substitute teacher after another in several of the subject areas.

  Looks like the situation ain’t getting any better…but we all knew this was coming.

• 45 Multi-Dimensional Problem // Jun 27, 2008 at 8:02 pm

  The Hillel Industrial Complex is a multi-dimensional pathological situation in many respects. Good people are at acting at their worst. Bad people are acting at their best. There is a last of trust. There is a lack of social fabric. There is a lack of honesty and communication. Tales of power, money, lust, and greed. Not very aspect is wholly evil but many are. Some kids and parents can get through the process unscathed, but many may be caught up in the web of negativity. An extremely bright child may end of in the Ivy Leagues, but the tone of the complex seems to point to Daddy’s business and FIU. In my experience, the good souls I meet in the community are Hebrew Academy graduates. The scammers tend to be Hillel graduates. How can one take this gamble with your children’s education and soul? I wouldn’t.

• 46 Fly on the wall // Jun 29, 2008 at 8:58 am

  Hillel has a culture of cheating now at all levels.Students boast that they are hiring other people to take all kinds of tests for them.This includes computer generated tests and even the SAT’s.Fake id’s have always been popular with teens but now they are using them to get others to take their tests.If you can afford it,A’s are easy when someone else takes online courses for you.All of this is out in the open.More than one source has told me this.Hillel graduates grow up and think they can buy whatever they want.That is the HILLEL standard of excellence.I just heard about parents who wanted to take their kids out(lots of them) but were told they were locked into their contract. They will be gone in one year. Most of the good ones will be gone too with them.Why pay for mediocrity wrapped in a veil of deception?

• 47 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm

  Yes. And we’ve been hearing for years from students all around the county who use Hillel as a testing center to take the Sunday SATs that massive amounts of cheating go on during the SAT exam.

  The proctors seem to be inexperienced or don’t care. Many of them type on the computer during the exam– despite the fact that the typing noise distracts students and despite the fact that the proctor is supposed to actually be proctoring.

  Some proctors have called time a minute before time was up on each section. This has also adversely and unfairly affected scores.

  The problems are reported and the school does nothing. Someone should report this to ETS.

  It’s been going on for a good few years now.

  But then again, why bother?

• 48 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2008 at 2:41 pm

  As for parents who were told they were locked into the contract, that’s baloney.

  Many parents broke the contracts anyway.

  They rightly claimed that when they signed the contract they were under the impression that their children would be taught by x, y, z.

  When they asked for the names of specific teachers lined up for specific courses for next year, the school had no good answer.

  They rightly clained that it was the school who broke their contracts to parents.

  They pulled their kids out.

  Don’t be fooled by this claim. They have no recourse. You, too, can pull your kids out.

• 49 Multi-Dimensional Problem // Jun 29, 2008 at 2:45 pm

  I’m sure there are 1000 more things going on like Fly on the Wall sets forth. That’s what goes on in an unhealthy environment, which not only includes Hillel but many places where the overindulgent parents gain control. Hillel just seems to be quite a bit more so, just like alot of things in South Florida Children are overinduldged. Helicopter baby boomer North Dade parents will stop at nothing to get their children every advantage they deserve or don’t deserve, that they need or really don’t need, that is seemingly healthy or in reality poison. H-ll has no fury like a helicopter parent on a rampage. Cheating, lying, debauchery, deception, hurting others is par for the course. At some point, everyone will hit a brick wall — well maybe we are already at that point in many respects. $18,000 net for high school — you have got to be out of your mind. Have 3 kids? Do the math. Entrenched management of the Hillel Industrial Complex did not care. Can’t afford it? There is the door — there is another kid coming on the next plane from Caracas. We don’t need you is the attitude. Hubris at all levels. And you don’t think these attitudes don’t have an effect on the children? It destroy’s many of their souls and they fall into selfish self-centered indulgance and have no fortitude. When Daddy’s business meets a blip in the road, they will not be able to handle it. I simply do not think the Hillel Industrial Complex can become a healthy place. It needs to close. But the question is, where would new people with understanding and good attitudes come from to start anew in the proper way. I don’t think they live in South Florida.

• 50 Admin // Jun 29, 2008 at 3:35 pm

  From early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel offers a curriculum that is rigorous and deeply rooted in Jewish values, matched with an expansive student life program. Hillel’s administration, faculty and staff share a goal to instill in all students a love of learning, a curiosity about their world, a sense of respect and responsibility toward others and an understanding and appreciation of timeless Jewish values.

  In early childhood, Hillel recognizes and supports the importance of play as the most effective vehicle through which children learn and grow intellectually. From Kindergarten through Grade 5, programs incorporate differentiated instruction to help each student meet his or her potential.

  In Middle School and Upper School, from Grade 6 through
  Grade 12, Hillel offers an active, engaging environment in which students are encouraged and challenged to think independently to become lifelong learners. Hillel prioritizes critical, independent, creative thought and expression in the classroom and has high expectations for students.

  Hillel invites and values the diversity among its students and staff and recognizes all students’ individual learning styles.

  For specific information about Lower School, Middle School or Upper School, click on the links below or to the left. Feel free to contact any of our principals with any questions. We invite you to learn more.

• 51 Parent // Jun 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm

  Oy vey, I am confused! Are you talking about the old Hillel or the Hillel after you? I do believe that you are not describing Hillel’s current state of being. Unless you are delusional. Since you have no shame, I can only tell you to wake up and stop disrespecting our community. Though some should-not-have-been Jews are associated with you, Oops…are using you to wipe their butts, you still are not qualified to speak for or on behalf of respectful Jews. Know your place butt-wipers and professional brown-nosers. These qualities of yours have nothing to do with Jewish values. They have taught you wrong.

• 52 Diane Weber // Jun 29, 2008 at 5:57 pm

  Post 38 “I did not realize there were such top notch teachers in Kansas”
  Insulting. Have you nothing better to do?

• 53 Multi-Dimensional Problem // Jun 29, 2008 at 7:01 pm

  Is that a robot speaking in Admin #49?? Sounds like it. But even the robot in Lost in Space displace more humanity. Or probably its just someone doing a really good job as spokesman for the Hillel Industrial Complex.

• 54 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jun 29, 2008 at 7:12 pm

  More acurately, Admin of the HIC (Hillel Industrial Complex) is simple propoganda and of the “euphoria type” and “big lie.”

  Euphoria
  The use of an event that generates euphoria or happiness, or using an appealing event to boost morale. Euphoria can be created by declaring a holiday, making luxury items available, or mounting a military parade with marching bands and patriotic messages.

  Even Wikipedia knows it — Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large number of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.

  Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist.

• 55 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jun 29, 2008 at 7:24 pm

  Admin is good at these types of propoganda also:
  Glittering generalities
  Glittering generalities are emotionally appealing words applied to a product or idea, but which present no concrete argument or analysis. A famous example is the campaign slogan “Ford has a better idea!”

  Half-truth
  A half-truth is a deceptive statement which may come in several forms and includes some element of truth. The statement might be partly true, the statement may be totally true but only part of the whole truth, or it may utilize some deceptive element, such as improper punctuation, or double meaning, especially if the intent is to deceive, evade blame or misrepresent the truth.

  Virtue words
  These are words in the value system of the target audience which tend to produce a positive image when attached to a person or issue. Peace, happiness, security, wise leadership, freedom, “The Truth”, etc. are virtue words. In countries such as the U.S. religiosity is seen as a virtue, making associations to this quality affectively beneficial.

• 56 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2008 at 7:31 pm

  Diane,

  Welcome back. I’m not post #30, but I know things must be getting heated when you come back on to the scene. Did Mr. Holden give you a shout to come help out?

  Of course there are top notch educators in Kansas, but there are plenty in Miami too.

  The ones in Miami don’t appreciate being fired so your buddy, Adam, can hire all his old cronies from back home.

  The cronyism just reeks of corruption, but since we have a board of directors who believe in nepotism and lifetime terms, what’s a little cronyism gonna make a difference?

  We keep dreaming Adam will click his heels and take Toto back to Kansas with him, but it sure isn’t going to happen for at least another 3 years.

  By then, the Hillel high school will be gone and the board may tire of Adam, although never of his accent, when they realize that while he has just saved the school hundreds of thousands on paper, he has cost them the cream of the crop in terms of students, faculty, and parents. In fact, he probably will cost Hillel the entire high school which is bleeding students by the day.

  The board may spit him out at some point like they’ve done to all the deans and principals who preceded him. And there have been several.

  Ma Nistanah?

  The fact that he’s cuter and has a sexy accent may only take him so far. This is a shallow society after all, but his Machiavellian mind may take him farther. Maybe.

  At some point the board will eventually tire of him and then he can go back to Kansas with Toto and you guys can play together again.

  Maybe not.

  Time will tell.

  “There’s nothing new under the sun” –King Solomon.

• 57 Anonymous // Jun 29, 2008 at 7:43 pm

  Some of our teachers have run in to members of the Kansas Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy community who have told us that slowly but surely enrollment has started to increase for them again with the departure of Adam Holden. Interesting.

• 58 Truth // Jun 30, 2008 at 8:02 am

  After Holden’s departure, they hired a JEWISH head of school.

  You can also see from their web site the future of Hillel – watered down Judaics, athletics as king.

• 59 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2008 at 1:13 pm

  Hillel’s web site is hilarious. They revamped it.

  The first image is kids with tefilin on, I believe.

  What a misleading image — no one is fooled.

• 60 Realistic Person // Jun 30, 2008 at 3:56 pm

  What are you all writing about anymore? Seems like this blog has lost it’s focus and purpose.

• 61 Truth // Jun 30, 2008 at 3:59 pm

  I assume Admin’s post #50 is from the web site or other PR materials.

  I wonder if the parents who believe this garbage have spoken recently to any high school students or parents.

• 62 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2008 at 5:07 pm

  Realistic Person,

  None of us are lost in the conversation. I guess you are not very conversant with what’s been going on. Sorry you’re out of the loop. We can fill ya in if you wish.

• 63 Multi-Dimensional Problem // Jun 30, 2008 at 6:07 pm

  Ditto “Realist Person”, sorry you do not compute.

• 64 Realistic Person // Jun 30, 2008 at 7:27 pm

  Oooppsss, maybe I got lost on the wrong blog. Or maybe you should fill me in but please start with last year.

• 65 Let it be // Jun 30, 2008 at 7:31 pm

  Maybe everyone just needs to get a life and move on. The school sucks. Get over it.

• 66 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:24 pm

  LOL

• 67 Realistic Person // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:45 pm

  I know I’m over it.

• 68 Anonymous // Jun 30, 2008 at 11:14 pm

  I’m with ya

• 69 Let it be // Jul 1, 2008 at 7:48 am

  So now that this blog is down to a handful of posters who are probably all out of the school anyway, why not admit defeat, shut down, and move on. Anyone left at the school by now is either happy with the way things are, or, unfortunately, high school students who don’t see any alternatives and just want to finish up in peace.

  Congratulations to the board and their hired hands on a job well done. In a time when Jewish education is acknowledged to provide the only guarantee of a Jewish future, Hillel has forced families out of Jewish education by destroying a top notch Jewish Day School that served the entire community.

  Of course Holden could care less about Jewish education, he’s just the hired hand. Russ, Bonwitt, etc. are held accountable here. All the Jewish souls now in public school have them to thank.

  Sleep well gentlemen.

• 70 Realistic Person // Jul 1, 2008 at 8:37 am

  Well said – Let it be!

• 71 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:54 am

  Well said Let it be — as they say, “leave evil where you find it”

• 72 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:57 am

  The people who want this environment based on their understanding cannot understand the danger of the HIC at this point. But these comments hopefully can save some families from being duped by the HIC propoganda. All that glitters is not gold.

• 73 Realistic Person // Jul 1, 2008 at 6:24 pm

  None of those people ever read this blog. They are happy, why would they?

• 74 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2008 at 8:30 pm

  You know, for me, I’ve heard from insiders how bananas this blog drives the administrators and the board.

  If for *nothing else*, I enjoy posting here because I am of the belief that when someone gives you hell, you can give them a little hell back.

  Why wait for the karmic retribution to be fulfilled? Life’s too short.

  Call me petty, but I just LOVE the fact that this blog is such a thorn in their side.

  And I will keep posting and exposing every last piece of corruption that I catch wind of and enjoy the fact that they can’t silence me the way silenced so many others.

  Aw shucks…

• 75 Realistic Person // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:47 pm

  Go for it!!

• 76 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 2, 2008 at 12:41 am

  The HIC has not been a victimless endeavor. It has given the Miami Jewish community way too many self-absorbed young adults who lack the virtues to be happy, content, and contributing members of the Jewish community. Hillel should have been and should be a place where our children should be taught virtues to guide them in the difficult Wasteland called South Florida. Mothers lined up in the car pool with their plastic bodies and short skirts in their BMW’s and Mercedes are Hillel’s Woman of Virtue. Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties with undulating Dancers — no problem. South Beach parties – no problem. Don’t like it — there’s the door is the attitute. We have another plane coming from Caracas tomorrow. We don’t need you. Hillel’s typical product is a lacky in Daddy’s business or a real estate agent (now SOL). Where are the community leaders produced by Hillel over the past 20 years? (Besides the crown princes annointed by Daddy). How did we get here? Unfortunately Miami lacks the depth of educated parents as is found in the New York, Chicago, Boston, etc. Jewish communities. An additional negative ingredient, is and has been that the Hillel parent community is too full of (and I hate to categorize) narcisstic Latins who have grown up bullying Indians in South America and who feel a great sense of Entitlement and superiority over us mere mortals This has certainly added to the negative mix. The value system is too much of that of the South Florida Wasteland. As an example, our children were taught that contrived (and of course well publicized) acts of charity were genuine. Sure making sure chickens are given proper manicures is really Tzedekah — just make sure the Jewish Journal makes an article about it and save it for your college application.

• 77 ANONYMOUS // Jul 2, 2008 at 8:07 am

  Word is coming out from an excellent source that the high school may not last long because too many parents are pulling their kids out.It would do everyone a favor(except Dorothy and Toto) if it would fold this year.School of excellence is a myth.Teachers of excellence is a joke.In fact, the whole thing is one Telemundo soap opera. Mrs. Heiblum has just been let go.Let’s face it. They don’t need her.They don’t have that many students.We are approaching the bottom now of the downward spiral.Parents,forget the down payments,save your children. Run.
  s fac

• 78 Realistic Person // Jul 2, 2008 at 8:18 am

  I just hope that the JCC doesn’t sink also.

• 79 Is it over? // Jul 2, 2008 at 10:45 am

  HIC – Though I agree with you on some points, there is not reason to be nasty. I’m sure your angry like most of us are, but getting personal is really not going to change anything.

  Also, there is nothing wrong with being business people. And “educated parents”? What does that mean? College degrees do not make you a good parent or a good person.

  Last I looked there were plenty of BMW’s and other great cars in other cities.

  You mention bullying other people? I think we in the US are great at that too.

• 80 Anonymous // Jul 2, 2008 at 12:01 pm

  HIC is dead-on in their estimation of the situation.

  Also, the high school will fold eventually–it’s only a matter of time.

  The irony is that most parents don’t read the blog but the word has gotten out and is continuing to spread.

  We predicted this last year and tried to warn people of what was to come. Our words fell on deaf ears.

  Anyone on that board listening? The few who are get silenced or thrown off.

  The board is to blame for undoing the second largest Jewish high school in N. America.

  Great work, board!

  Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting the same results and worse.

  Wake up and listen to your detractors before it’s too late.

  The JCC program–I assume you refer to the theater program– will not go anywhere. It’s being run by the sharpest and most virtuous female parents in this area of South Florida.

  The people who have helped make that program happen are the type of parents who should have been running Hillel. If they were, we would not be in the situation we find ourselves in now.

• 81 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:02 pm

  Sure “Is It Over” it is not nice to be “nasty” and “angry”, but let’s be real. What the HIC has done for the past 20 or more years was hurtful to the South Florida Jewish community and real Jewish children who were to be our future leaders. They took the communities’ and parent’s money and delivered a product on the level of the South Florida Wasteland. They have followed the drum beat of every trendy “exciting” idea of the week. That is one of the favorite words of HIC – “exciting” this, “exciting” that. Propogandaish appeals to the emotions. Duh. They have been entrusted with a generation of the Jewish community’s children and turned too many of them into mush, only capable of functiong as Daddy’s little prince. Where are the young capable and confident traditional young couples like Hebrew Academy has produced? Where’s the beef?

  Of course being a business man is not a bad thing, duh. But the Hillel parent businessman like most in South Florida tends to be the type that is, let’s say, doesn’t belong to the Rotary Club and is not the old fashion pillar of our community type. Certainly the “rag merchants” of the lower East Side in the 1920′s imposed more of a stress on education and virtue than our Hillel businessmen. Of course simply having a college degree does not make you a good person or parent. Duh. As to ad hominem criticism, sorry, if these social and power climbing people want to be the King’s courtiers, they are responsible for their actions. Since when in the world can people take bad actions and feel they are not responsible, simply because the pointing out of their behavior is “criticism”. The HIC has hurt alot of children and parents who do not speak up. HIC has sucked the parent’s tuition money without mercy for years. The courtiers of the Royal Court prance around the campus with their clip boards and noses up in the air. Too bad for the bad actors–when it comes to hurting innocent children and the South Florida Jewish Community’s future, its time to get personal.

• 82 Anonymous // Jul 2, 2008 at 5:07 pm

  Amen.

  Judy Dach particularly is always talking about what’s new and exciting.

  For the past 10 years or so, every time you see her, she will tell you how everything is wonderful because is everything is changing for the better.

  I think she is Pollyanna wearing rose-colored glasses. She buys all the bs she is being sold.

  Everything is changing alright and certainly not for the better.

  The school is in a precipitous decline and spiraling to its demise by the minute.

  She can’t see that.

  She subscribes to the fallacy that “newer is better”.

  So does Joanne.

  Well, Holden and Druin are still new. When they are no longer new and there is no longer a high school, she and Joanne will start looking for the next “new” trendy thing on the block and then Holden and company may be gone.

  I have been watching her do this with Joanne for over a decade now.

  I don’t know why these 2 think that they have what it takes to run a school. Ironically, Joanne’s daughter had several “mediocre” teachers this year and I’m sure she’s not going to have too many better ones next year.

  You reap what you sow.

• 83 Parent // Jul 2, 2008 at 6:14 pm

  Why is Holden driving out teachers with Doctorate Degree? What threatens him so much? Does he have a doctorate degree? If yes, from where???

  Check this out!

  “Adam Charles Holden “Ed. D” has a B.A. in Education from Southampton University, Southampton, England; M.A. in Education from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas; and Doctor of Education, California Coast University, Santa Ana, California. His professional educational and leadership programs include Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Stanford University School of Education, Stanford, California, and Mansfield College, Oxford University, Oxford, England.”

  While California Coast University does not offer Doctorate degree, Holden claims to have received his Doctorate degree from that university. Perhaps, he received it from Harvard or Stanford University just like Rabbi Druin! What is next, folks?

  Good luck with that.

  Doctoral Degrees

  I noticed that CCU no longer offers Doctoral Degree programs. Does CCU plan to offer Doctoral degrees in the future?

  The University was awarded Accreditation with the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC.org) in January 2005. At that time, the accrediting agency’s authority did not extend through the doctoral level. Therefore CCU discontinued accepting any new applications in the doctoral degree programs. Students who were previously enrolled in a doctoral degree program were allowed to complete (teach-out) that program.

  Since that time DETC has been approved to offer first professional doctoral degrees, which means CCU is now eligible to apply to DETC for approval of such degrees. CCU is currently in the early stages of developing a doctoral degree program and is communicating with DETC on the policies and procedures to do so. We look forward to being able to once again offer these programs to our students, however, at this time; we are unable to predict how long the development and accreditation process will take. Our tentative goal is to offer a Doctorate of Education degree program by the end of 2008. Interested students should continue to check our web site for updates on our progress. When we have a more definitive timeline we will be sure to post this information on our web site.

  Return to Main Menu

  © Copyright 2006 California Coast University. All rights reserved.

• 84 Delusion // Jul 2, 2008 at 9:03 pm

  “Anonymous” is right on target. “Dr.” Judy and Dental Assistant Joanne (Miami Dade College graduate? and Univ Penn dropout?) seem to act as if drunk with their ego and power. Dr. Dach hum — just like Dr. Phil who is presently self-destructing out there in California (and he is apparently a real psychologist). She a doctor of what? Anthropology — that’s something to go around calling yourself a “doctor”?? That in and of itself is an extremely delusional and egotistical action. Where are the wise philanthopists that are the so called “stake holders” while this garbage is taking place. These two know the right emotional words of propoganda to push – exciting, new, new, new, new. These are classic tools of propoganda. These two seem to be like delusional with assertions of educational knowledge. Certainly a person can learn alot over the years, but they don’t seem to have. The only thing they seemed to have learned is how to suck it up, retain “power”, and be the hatchetmen and poor gasoline on the fire while Rome burns.

• 85 Is it over? // Jul 2, 2008 at 9:20 pm

  The Dr. Holden or Mr. Holden story is old news. That was discussed for weeks last year.

  Same with the backgrounds of the officers.

• 86 Think about it // Jul 2, 2008 at 10:30 pm

  Re Post # 77:

  The high school might fold, but I would not be surprised if it is either part of the plan or at the least anticipated. It is much easier to build from scratch than to deal with the baggage of teachers, students, and parents who remember the old Hillel.

  As for the parent asking why Holden would drive out teachers with doctoral degrees – wake up! It’s out with the old, in with the new. The veteran teachers are too expensive and too connected to the old Hillel. Why would they drive out the incomparable theater and music programs? It’s only because their directors had powerful histories and connections.

  What surprises me is that anyone was surprised by what happened this year. It was obvious what was coming!!

• 87 Admin // Jul 2, 2008 at 11:51 pm

  “While my detractors objected to my methods, it is these very methods that my supporters cite as to why they like me”. “It’s my job as head of school to take the heat for my decisions,” Holden said. “I don’t care if we have egg on our face, and I don’t care what the perception is outside these walls. I care about doing what’s right and following the process.”
  Gil Bonwitt, the board’s Chair says the decisions are purely for the betterment of the school’s level of education. Bonwitt says that the process challenges each teacher: “Are you educationally sound in the way that you do things, and if not are you willing to grow with us and be that person?”
  But Holden insists that budgetary concerns did not come into play in Hillel’s case. “At no time has any teacher’s contract been reviewed in terms of salary,” he said.
  Today, as parents and students watch and wait in the hope that their favorite teachers will be reinstated, the board is prepared to support their Head of School in whatever his final decision may be.
  “The Board’s shared intention with the administration is to strengthen Hillel so we may fulfill our mission,” says Rafa Russ.

• 88 Parent // Jul 2, 2008 at 11:55 pm

  Oy Vey, ma nah? Chutzpah!!!
  I don’t understand. I wish I could slap that chutzpah out of y’all mouths. My community does not deserved and will never deserve to be spoken to with such arrogance and disrespect. You don’t care? Is that right? Then we will see if you really don’t care!

• 89 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2008 at 12:00 am

  Indeed. The grand plan was to get rid of the old guard and many people like Joanne and Judy love Holden for doing this.

  Holden is just their Hatchet Man. It’s not entirely his fault. He, on some level, is just following orders.

  I think they’ve miscalculated though.

  Because as someone above just pointed out,” It is much easier to build from scratch than to deal with the baggage of teachers, students, and parents who remember the old Hillel.”

  The problem is that they have so marred Hillel’s reputation in this process that no good teacher wants to work there. In fact, very teachers want to work there at all. So now they’ve gotten rid of most of the old guard but they have fewer and fewer teachers to replace them with.

  Some kids in the high school had 4 teachers for one subject throughout the course of the year.

  They are having a real problem finding teachers.

  So good luck to them building this newer, better Hillel.

  They don’t have anyone worthy to staff it with.

  One of their new grand ideas is to introduce an IB program.

  Well, the incoming students from elementary are not going to be the caliber of kids capable of IB.

  And the kind of teacher who can teach IB has no interest in Hillel.

  So much for new ideas.

  He who laughs last laughs best.

  Just a shame that my laugh is at the expense of Jewish souls being robbed of a Jewish education or any quality education for that matter.

  Frankly, what they’ve done is nothing short of criminal.

• 90 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2008 at 12:03 am

  Look at this hysterical Parent. Seems we’re ruffling someone’s feathers. Someone struck a raw nerve. Guess the truth hurts.

  Do I hear threats? Bring it on, baby. We’ll see who’s sorry.

• 91 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2008 at 12:26 am

  “Parent // Jun 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm

  “Oy vey, I am confused! Are you talking about the old Hillel or the Hillel after you? I do believe that you are not describing Hillel’s current state of being. Unless you are delusional. Since you have no shame, I can only tell you to wake up and stop disrespecting our community. Though some should-not-have-been Jews are associated with you, Oops…are using you to wipe their butts, you still are not qualified to speak for or on behalf of respectful Jews. Know your place butt-wipers and professional brown-nosers. ”

  What the heck is this parent talking about? Sounds like a wack-job.

  Whoever you are sweetie, I don’t know which community you represent. I’m scared to guess. You don’t wipe your butt with me. I don’t work for Hillel and I don’t bend over for you.

  What kind of parent talks about other human beings this way? Do you view human beings as your cheap, expendable servants? We already knew that. Please don’t live up to the stereotype. It’s so disappointing.

  The way you’re talking is only serving to confirm what HIC and others have been saying.

  If you represent the current parent body, normal parents should really take their kids out and run for the hills.

  All I can say is keep talking please, I enjoy wiping the floor with people like you. And there’s nothing you can do to silence me. Try me.

• 92 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 3, 2008 at 1:02 am

  Amen to you “Anonymous” about “Parent”. I’ve found that usually the most foolish thoughts follow the expression “how dare you (blank)…” or “the chutzpah of you to do (blank)”. I think they call this righteous indignation. Yep.

  Let’s start with the basics folks. See Holden work. Holden get paycheck. Holden don’t want to lose job. Holden don’t want to lose paycheck. Holden want good recomendation for next job. Holden want to build resume. Holden know he hurt self by ruffling the feathers of the people who write check. Understand folks? That is the way the world works. Holden no really care about your children. Holden care about himself. Holden care about paycheck.

  This is basic human nature folks. This is nothing personal about Dr. Holden. Virtually anybody will do this in his place. What do you expect? This is not his life. He isn’t from here. He isn’t Jewish. These are not his children. What do we want from this man? Certainly he is not stupid although he may have a mailorder PhD. He may not be the best, but he certainly is not the worst. What does anyone think goes on in reality in any workplace? People need to keep their jobs — especially in today’s world. They are not standing in line to pay you the $175,000 plus benefits he probably makes. You really think he’s going to take a chance of losing his meal ticket to do the right thing?? Let’s us all dummy up.

  We have met the enemy folks and it is us. We the Jewish Community of the Wasteland of South Florida. Ashamnu. Bagadnu. Every single one of us are like (l’havdil) “Willing Executioners” . We stand by, not willing to speak up and rock the boat, afraid to be a “trouble maker” or unpopular or lose business connections. Certainly virtually all the Hillel Parents are good people — but we are vitually all good people doing nothing when things are wrong. We think we can raise our children by throwing more and more money at them and their tutors and educational testers and buying them every advantage in the marketplace. It is a vicious circle — Parents pressure the Teachers/Administration. Teacher/Administration become self-defensive. The whole vicious circle brings out the worst in us all. Add to this the lack of social fabric due to the vast diversity of the community’s background and transciency. Add to this the lack of financial transparency and dirty tricks (which are not unique to Hillel and certainly found in so many organizations), and you have a toxic cocktail.

  But the world is changing as we speak and what improperly passed for virtuous behavior will be shown for what it really is.

• 93 Think about it // Jul 3, 2008 at 8:10 am

  Anonymous – they’ll find teachers. New teachers looking for a first position or out-of-towners sucked in by the “new” and “exciting” programs who don’t know any better. Then they’ll groom them to be whatever this new Hillel is looking for.

  Admin – Out of curiosity – where were those remarks of Holden and the Board taken from? Of course Holden only cares about following the process – I bet he got a nice fat bonus for what he accomplished this year!

• 94 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2008 at 10:06 am

  Very true. You can’t blame the man for doing what he was hired to do. And he’s not stupid. Quite the contrary. It is the people who put him up to this who are acting despicably.

  You say that they’ll find teachers. They did find some teachers this year. In the high school this year, they had a revolving door of teachers. You must not have heard.

  The high school parents heard…why do you think they’re pulling their kids out?

  One teacher came to school drunk. Others were totally unqualified. And the best history teacher they’ve ever had and may ever have, Aileen Konovitch, walked mid-year. Who could blame her?

  Good teachers are a rare find.

  I know the Parent above believes she wipes her butt with teachers (I’m assuming it’s a female parent…it’s rare I hear men speak in such a catty way) and she’s probably too illiterate to care that the new teachers being hired aren’t qualified, but I’m telling you that the word is out in the world of teachers to stay far, far away from this place.

  I spoke to one teacher who unknowingly took a job last year at Hillel. He/She is not one of the fired ones and yet this person is dying to get out. Dying. They’ve never seen such a mess before.

  So let’s say they can find a few good teachers who don’t know what they’re getting themselves into–those teachers ain’t sticking around more than a year–certainly not if they are good. There are plenty of prep schools and top public schools that are DYING for GOOD teachers.

  Again, I firmly believe these parents miscalculated.

  I may be wrong. Time will tell.

  For now, seems like Hillel can’t stop the bleeding of students.

• 95 Parent // Jul 3, 2008 at 11:34 am

  If we look to our tradition, we see that Judaism is about taking action. Yes, it is important to have intention, which we call in Hebrew kavanah. But all the good intention in the world is worthless without action. And so, when it comes right down to it, Judaism’s God prefers action with bad intention to good intention without action. It’s better to give money to charity grudgingly than to want to give and intend to give, but never get around to actually doing it.

  A parable: There was a student who, day after day, didn’t do his homework. Each day when the teacher asked for it, the student said, “I didn’t do it, but I feel really guilty about it.” The student not only failed the class, he didn’t learn the material.

  If we stand before God during the High Holidays and say, “I’ve done nothing to change my life, but I feel really guilty about the bad things I’ve done,” we fail too. Not only do our sins remain. We also learn nothing about becoming better people, and improving the world with our presence in it.

  Because we are not alone in this world. We are members of a variety of communities—our family circle, our neighborhoods, our congregation, the Jewish people, the United States, and the world—and we have responsibilities to all these communities. When we work to make ourselves better, we are engaging in tikkun olam, repairing the world. So by taking no action to atone for our sins, we hurt not only ourselves, but our communities, even if we feel guilty.
  Guilt by itself is not moral progress. It’s not that guilt doesn’t have an important role to play in our lives. But feeling guilty by itself fixes nothing. To be useful, guilt must spur us into action, to correct whatever it is we feel guilty about.

• 96 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 3, 2008 at 1:03 pm

  “Parent” — okay, nice platitudes, but you speak in circles. Enough poetry. We are all asking for action.

  Bottom line, HIC is not changing today, tomorrow, or the next day. Parents need to make decisions in their children’s best interest. Perhaps some kids can scweak by for another year or so. But the HIC will not produce good or the very best for most children.

  Get another Jewish charter school set up in Miami just like the one in Broward and the one being set up in Brooklyn and the Greek charter school in Tampa. There is not enough money in the Jewish world to sustain a HIC. You can have all the religious studies you want after school. You’d be suprised that without the negativity of HIC, alot more kids will run to learn Torah.

  Just keep the HIC “Players” out of the new Dade Jewish Charter School.

• 97 Is it over? // Jul 3, 2008 at 1:57 pm

  OK – I feel guilty and I will work to get rid of the current officers, board and administration.

  Now I will be useful!

• 98 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2008 at 3:10 pm

  Good luck to you–and I mean that sincerely!!

• 99 Is it over? // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:17 pm

  I was joking. I am very over Hillel. Couldn’t care less anymore. Hillel who??

• 100 Think about it // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:19 pm

  I suspect “Is it over” was being sarcastic.

  They just renewed Holden’s contract – what makes anyone think they can make a difference now? The coffin has been nailed shut and buried. The Hillel of old is dead.

• 101 Anonymous // Jul 3, 2008 at 4:34 pm

  True

• 102 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 3, 2008 at 5:14 pm

  All true. Best just to walk away and leave the evil where you find it. HIC ain’t changing. But it is an obvious case study of the masses being asses and sinking to the values of the South Florida Wasteland, but I wouldn’t recommend anyone at all wasting their time trying to “change it”. They will make a monkey out of you and twist your mind. Only thing I suggest — is run don’t walk away from this place.

• 103 ANONYMOUS // Jul 4, 2008 at 8:07 am

  The teachers who were let go or left on their own are the lucky ones. Its the teachers who stayed who will suffer. Watch out for Mr. Clipboard and Dr. Brownnose.

• 104 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 4, 2008 at 4:28 pm

  The lack of sensibility is even evident in Ms. Clipboard’s dress with usually an inappropriate amount of cleavage shown for the learing animals.

  True the teacher who stay may not have a good time, but they are adults and can survive and chose to work there. Sucks for them if they aren’t smart enough to figure it out and get a job in a healthy environment. What is sad is the innocent children who are put into this misguided environment.

• 105 admin // Jul 4, 2008 at 4:39 pm

  Hillel Industrial Complex, can you please make your email address consistent every single time you post so that I don’t have to manually approve your comments? I don’t care if it’s not your actual email address. Thanks.

  ~the admin (of this site, not of Hillel)

• 106 Public School Teacher // Jul 4, 2008 at 6:53 pm

  I must admit, I haven’t looked at this site in almost a year. I am surprised and dismayed by the vitriol, on both sides. I believe the biggest problem facing Hillel now is its lack of child-centeredness. The administration (and, yes, it IS incredibly narcissistic) has worked hard to make itself “look good” – the spin is so fast and furious it makes me dizzy. Right-sizing? Please. But the negativity on the part of parents is a bit confusing, too. Yes, losing the Androns, Mrs. Tuchinsky, Mrs. Konovich, et. al. was very telling but they’ve moved on. So why are your children still there? Why are other teachers still working there? I believe that everyone makes choices. The faculty is NOT the hired help. They are professionals who deserve our support and respect. It pains me to see them walking around the campus in total terror, like deer in head lights. The TEAM is not a collaboration (as education should be) but a sporting competition – if you can’t play the game the way I coach, get off my team. In case you haven’t noticed, there is a critical teacher shortage in America – get a job elsewhere. I really have no patience for teachers who tell me they have no choices. This is NOT putting children first. The choice is stay and be miserable, or go elsewhere and try to make a difference. Teachers should put children first, parents should put children first (do you want your child taught by a person who is terrorized by an administration that just wants you to help them look good to parents?) – that’s why excellent people left of their own accord. They put the children first by not compromising their standards of excellence. Not everything that’s “new” is better. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” But that doesn’t work when you put yourself, and not the children, first, when you have to make yourself look like the person responsible for all the good things in the school. But that only works for a limited time. Eventually, all schools (and institutions, businesses, governments, etc.) must show results. You can’t fool all the people all the time. So stop whining, already, trust that the truth will eventually come out, and do what’s right for your kids, however hard that decision may be. I valued a certain kind of Jewish education and that’s why my children went to Hillel. But I also refused to abdicate my responsibility in the process. I did what I had to do at great financial hardship to make sure they got what they needed (and I’m not talking about material possessions “A Nation of Wimps”). And then I moved on. Boruch h’shem, they are shomer shabbat, kosher, learn torah on a regular basis, and are raising beautiful families of their own. I am grateful to Hillel for the education they received – but their core values came from me.

• 107 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 5, 2008 at 11:44 am

  Well put Public School Teacher. But maybe someone should have some vitriol, when “powers that be” misuse the South Florida Jewish Communities school as their own board game and in the process hurt children.

  Where were and are the questions about the big shots on “Steering” regarding the fact these people brought us Rabbi Finklestein who apparently has many accusers of inappropriate contact with children over the years from when he worked in New York? He apparently destroyed many Jewish children’s souls. Just do a google search. How was he brought here? Where was the big shots when he was brought? Didn’t they find out what was an open secret? Did the possible fact that Baltach was sorta a really strange dude, to put in mildly, have anything to do with it — ie. blackmail from his financial dirty tricks? Did anything happen when Finklestein was here? Why did the community and children have to suffer all those years of having a Dean which such a possible character. Having 3 strange dudes running Hillel, with Baltach with the rumours of a Avi Markowitz boyfriend, couped with the dirty financial tricks blackmail, allowed the HIC to spiral down. All 3 left in strange circumstances with possible hush money. How did these wonderful people with their names on the building let this happen? I would suggest that this had alot to do with how HIC got to where it is today.

• 108 Anonymous // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:52 pm

  HIC–these people you mention are indeed of dubious moral character and I won’t re-hash all that you just said which is pretty much common knowledge today. From an academic standpoint, a big problem began when that particular Dean allowed Yeshiva High School of Boca to recruit the best and brightest Hillel kids right under everyone’s noses. At the time, there were people trying to stem this process and the Dean did nothing to help. Many teachers and parents sought to open up a yeshiva track to entice and keep those kids–some of our best–and the Dean dropped the ball. It could easily have been done. At that time, we had the staff who could do it and we had parents who wanted it. That was a big part of when we started to go downhill.

  Ultimately, however, I would posit that we ran into our biggest problems when a middle school principal was appointed high school principal without having the credentials for that position.

  At the end of the day, who brought us all these people?

  How many board members were critical in the decision making process and have even more power today?

  I can think of at least 2 ladies. Their names begin with J.

• 109 Think about it // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:34 pm

  The irony is that it’s the students who always call it correctly. The students told us that particular middle school principal was a disaster as a high school principal. They knew that their best teachers were leaving because of it.

  Instead of fixing all of this with a strong Jewish leader, the board decided to put their faith in a non-Jew who cares nothing about Jewish education. So instead of trying to fix the problems of a basically strong COMMUNITY school, they pushed out every successful program and the core Jewish education. Now all that’s left is a school where no one wants to teach that only serves a small portion of the South Florida Jewish community.

  Every other school, Jewish and not, has benefited from the loss of what were the best of Hillel’s students.

• 110 Response to HIC // Jul 6, 2008 at 5:48 am

  It is very easy to point fingers at others and blame others. I am assuming you are not of the Jewish Faith or of limited knowledge. I am new to your site and know George Finkelstein, my question to you is , do you really feel it is appropriate to spread Lashon Harah about others (gossip). Continue hiding behind your “HIC”
  You must know a lot about education and must be a successful individual.
  You must be a successful son/daughter.
  You must be a successful mother/father.

  It is easy to point fingers at others, maybe you should look at yourself.

  With Continue Success,

  Steve.

• 111 Is it over? // Jul 6, 2008 at 11:40 am

  What does all this have to do with “Saving Hillel”? The past – whether good or bad is over. Better to use our time in coming up with a plan on how to pick up the pieces when the current regime moves on, like they are trying to do in KC.

  Or just to move on and forget Hillel.

• 112 Is it Over // Jul 6, 2008 at 12:02 pm

  I agree,
  Why do many of you bring up the past. It has no affect on the present. To bring up past administrators, who are all successful in their new locations. Get over it HIC and the rest of you. Just like Kansas did, move on. You have a bored, you have Adam Holden, make it work.

• 113 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 6, 2008 at 12:58 pm

  As to Response to HIC — lashon hara is one thing. But duh, when there are possible and apparent facts that children suffered due to a adult abusive conduct, is it proper not to speak up? Not to speak up is evil and cowardice. But it is a common pattern. To speak up when no one will is not lashon hara. To not speak up is cowardice and makes you a “willing executioner.” Look what happened with the Catholic priests and abused children. To put a man into a position where children could be hurt or potentially to be hurt is EVIL. For adults not to speak up so as not to rock the boat or be labled a trouble maker is cowardice and evil. Apparently this was an open secret in New York for many years. Supposedly wrestling with boys — that is sexual touching. Then the people with their names on the wall bring him here without a concern??? And then you wonder why the place falls apart??? The whole place became a den of intrigue with possibly alot of truth behind it. Add to this all the dirty financial tricks and lack of financial controls and adults falling all over each other to get their names on the golf tournement or poker game or tennis match. Kovlosky put it best when she called the Hillel board members at each meeting the “players” — yeh the players of the Hillel Parent Boardgame. The players main concern was and is too often to get their business on the Hillel marque. Where is the humbleness? Where is the dedication without the narcisstic payback?

  The past is not over until it is brought to light and those who acted EVIL are brought to light and taken away from any position of power or influence and the Evil Corporate Culture is set aside. What is happening now is not a fresh start, it is the continuance of the power of those who acted EVIL and their present actions are to a large degree skewed to keep a cover up of their prior irresponsible and evil actions that acted to the detriment of a whole generation of innocent Jewish children.

  There seems to be a cause of the downward spiral and dumb decisions. It is that the primary concern was not the Jewish children and their eduction — it was the board game of HIC. How does a lady go from lesson planner to MS Principal to HS Principal in 2 years??? How does it happen that a temporary measure to bring in a non-Jewish head of school becomes permanent? How does a activities coordinator become a Dean of Discipline in one year? When people put themselves into a position of potential blackmail, they will do things to protect themselves and not care about the consequences to others including the children. It also suits the people with their name on the wall and their retention of power, ego, social standing and most importantly the ability to keep the lid on their prior conduct.

• 114 Is it over? // Jul 6, 2008 at 1:35 pm

  What does all that have to do with Saving Hillel? Start another blog and write it there.

• 115 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 6, 2008 at 2:21 pm

  If you can’t understand what it has to do with “Saving Hillel” then you are part of the problem and severely lack an understanding. Or is it you are one of the bad actors who doesn’t want his or her improper conduct reviewed.

  Could you explain what “Saving Hillel” means anyways? Its not as simple as saving a tree or a whale. Seems to me it is understanding where we are, how and why we got here, what are the values of the community and school, what values are proper for a Jewish community school located in one of the most materialist and valueless areas of the United States. Saving Hillel would also involve financial accounting and transparency. All this is probably too much to ask for a school in the heart of the South Florida Wasteland, a mere stone’s throw from Aventura Mall. Apparently it is the nature of narcisstic ventures not to change until they hit rock bottom.

• 116 Think about it // Jul 6, 2008 at 2:31 pm

  No matter what went on behind the scenes, the strength of Hillel was always in its dedicated and talented faculty.

  Administrators came and went, the business office was awash in who knows what kind of behavior.

  The important thing was that Jewish children were receiving a top notch Jewish education and a strong secular education as well.

  Children flourished in outstanding extracurricular activities and there was positive energy and school spirit.

  Long, long ago, children wished there would be a Hillel college so they woudl never have to leave.

  The miscalculation of the current leadership is that the school could stand up to a complete eradication of its strength and history.

  Without top notch faculty, real Jewish studies, terrific secular academics, outstanding arts programs, what is left?

  Only a memory of a true community school that once, despite problems (which, incidentally, could probably be found at most institutions), produced the type of adults like Post # 106′s grown children.

• 117 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 6, 2008 at 2:53 pm

  Hey “Think About It” — it did and does matter what “went on behind the scenes”. Are you out of touch with reality. You ever hear of cause and effect? Business office awash in “who knows what kind of behavior” — you want to play “hear no evil, see no evil”. Things apparently did go on in the business office which ad a DIRECT EFFECT outside of the business office by way of almost blackmail. Dirty financial tricks let to leverage to force poor educational and personnel choices with the secret cabal always making decisions to cover their tracks and to continuously confuse the community from an understanding.

  Who said Jewish children were receiving “top notch Jewish education” and a “strong secular education”? Where are these children/young adults/young community leaders? I’d like to meet them –and not in South Beach or at their Daddy’s business. I’m sure there are some that we can be proud of despite the HIC. Quite an apologist for the HIC you are.

• 118 Think about it // Jul 6, 2008 at 3:23 pm

  HIC – must you insult every Hillel graduate just because dirty dealings were happening behind their backs?

  You seem to be angry at far more than just Hillel.

• 119 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 6, 2008 at 3:48 pm

  “Think About It” — you are not thinking about it. Sure, I insulted all Hillel graduates. Not. Is that the only way you know how to debate an issue with a responsive lie and putting false words in someone’s mouth?

  Angry at more than just Hillel? Well, first of all just because a person writes something that may be the truth doesn’t not mean they are angry. They simply do not like evil, corrupt, and lying behavior. A person can point out corruption without being angry. That’s a nice technique to try to quiet someone — call them “angry” — no one wants to be accused of being angry or rocking the boat. Gee if they think I’m angry, I may lose business connections or not get invited to the Turberry Bar Mitzva party. Gee put me in exile from the South Florida Brownosers — I wouldn’t want that.

• 120 Think about it // Jul 6, 2008 at 4:06 pm

  So what do you want?

• 121 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 6, 2008 at 4:25 pm

  For you to “Think about it”.

• 122 Anonymous // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:35 pm

  HIC — I’m with you all the way.

  I was on the inside for years and you keep hitting the nail on the head.

  Who is this moron who thinks you are not Jewish…OMG…what an idiot..

  The people who are most indignant are the people who invested the most and are horrified to see what’s going on.

  People can’t walk away so easily when they know that Jewish souls are at stake. Some of us have this annoying thing called a CONSCIENCE…

  Accountability and transparency are essential.

  Silence is not golden in this situation.

  “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil in is for good men to do [or say] nothing.” –Edmund Burke

• 123 Anonymous // Jul 6, 2008 at 10:37 pm

  When is Lehrman gonna open up a high school already?

• 124 Is it over? // Jul 7, 2008 at 11:21 am

  Everyone seems to be walking or running away. And so they should.

• 125 Anonymous // Jul 7, 2008 at 6:28 pm

  Just like that board member so eloquently wrote here last year: nah, nah, nah…hey hey hey Goodbye!

• 126 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 8, 2008 at 8:09 pm

  I also like the price of a Hebrew Charter School. If its good enough for the Greeks in South Dade and Tampa, its good enough for us. Practically $0. And you get the added bonus of oversight of the county school board — so there won’t be any Shul-type politics.

  On 5/28/08 Chancellor Joel Klein was about to receive a New York City Hebrew language charter school. Mega philantropist Michael Steinhardt is behind it. This is in addition to the nation’s first Hebrew language charter school Ben Gamla school that opened in Hollywood last year. Reportedly a group also submitted an application for Englewood NJ to the NJ Department of Education. Apparently the Steinhardt group if developing a great time and effort on curriculum development.

  Maybe that way us non-multi-millionaire Jews can afford to send our children. Spending $17,000 or whatever it is per year per child is not sustainable anymore — if it ever was. How does anyone think a regular person can pay Hillel for 12 years and then have money to pay for college and graduate school? Insane.

  If there are any concerns about religious studies, for a small fraction of what Hillel costs, you can have all the after school Torah classes you want.

• 127 Teacher // Jul 10, 2008 at 2:29 pm

  Es weint eine Mutter, Im anderen Land. Auch sie hält ihr Kindchen, ganz fest an der Hand. Sein Vater bekämpft uns, und hält das für Pflicht. Schlaf ein Hillel, Das sind unsere Feinde,Verstehst du das nicht.

  Auch du wirst bald groß sein, Und liebst deinen Mann. Auch drüben sind Menschen,
  denk immer daran. Auch drüben gibt’s Tränen, genauso wie hier. Schlaf ein Hillel sag nie es ist Schicksal, mach’s besser als wir.

• 128 Anonymous // Jul 10, 2008 at 6:13 pm

  I cannot imagine after what was written above that you still have kids in Hillel, but just in case instead of talking just take your kids out and forget about it! Do not start writing things that you do not even know are true since this is Leshon harah!

• 129 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2008 at 9:30 am

  Translation please? And how do you know it’s lashon hara — whatever it is…

  The stuff that happens over there is pretty insane. Anyone can tell you.

• 130 Teacher // Jul 11, 2008 at 12:23 pm

  Paraphrased Translation

  It’s not worth worrying anymore, we should even bother spreading the word (raising consciousness). (The school) It(is) an empty table by the sea, Farewell Hillel since Heaven has trembled I gotta go.

  The plan has been designed and set in motion (Machine gun ringing and doll mobilized: metaphor). You can say whatever you about me, I wouldn’t even argue or discuss it but farewell Hillel the Heaven is loose (out of chains, angry, upset) I am going to seek or look for peace (L’Shalom).

• 131 Teacher // Jul 11, 2008 at 12:53 pm

  I write #127 to metaphorically represent those (parents and teachers) who stay at Hillel pretending they are incapable of taking action. Hence the second paragraph word-4-word Translation:

  Also you will be large soon (grow more and more mediocre) and love your man (Holden+board+administrators+supporters), but they are humans also over there always remember.
  There are tears also over there exactly the same(Those who stay also are grieved) as here (as we mourn as well) Sleep Hillel Never say that fate (your inaction, laziness, callousness) is better than us.

• 132 Teacher // Jul 11, 2008 at 1:52 pm

  The bells of the crown are being stolen by bandits. I must follow the sound. There’s no need for anger, no need for blame. There’s nothing to prove, every thing’s still the same: The jacks and queens have forsaken the courtyard, two gypsies now file past the guards in the space where the deuce and the ace once ran wild.

  Farewell Hillel, The sky is erupting I will see you in a while. I must live fast, for I must go where it’s quiet.

• 133 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 11, 2008 at 5:31 pm

  “Teacher” is brilliant and right on point. Darn, how come I didn’t have an English teacher like you?

• 134 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2008 at 5:40 pm

  Why do you assume that’s an English teacher? I don’t think so, but great poetry.

• 135 sockeye // Jul 12, 2008 at 8:30 am

  Terrific poetry # 132 – it is exactly -

• 136 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 12, 2008 at 11:14 pm

  Anonymous you’re correct, my bad.

• 137 Teacher // Jul 12, 2008 at 11:55 pm

  I don’t teach English, unfortunately. Hillel does not need competent teachers, or I would say teachers with backbones.

• 138 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 13, 2008 at 10:17 am

  HIC: You can fool some of the people all of the time — these are the people we are looking for.

• 139 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 13, 2008 at 10:36 am

  Can someone ask HIC how a parent is supposed to pay for a Hillel student’s college and graduate school after paying $17,000 a year for 12-14 years?

  I know that the pk-3 and pk-4 are so critical to our children’s sucesses in life. Heaven knows how prior generations of children got by with merely a neighbor park or playground. And boy, those extra class trips to Orlando or wherever are also critical.

  I know HIC kept telling us parents that the 5-10% annual tuition increases were worth it because HIC was to to keep the library open an extra 3 hours a week and other “exciting new” things. And don’t forget all those out of town seminars for our administrators to go and learn these “exciting new” things. Instant Harvard on the resume for a 2 week seminar.

  But maybe HIC doesn’t care so much about its graduates’ college – FIU isn’t that expensive and the kid can live at home. And besides, his throne awaits him at Daddy’s business or as a “financial consultant” as one of the Wasteland’s boiler rooms.

  Maybe its just me, but I liked it better when they called teachers “teachers” and not “educators.”

• 140 Anonymous // Jul 13, 2008 at 11:25 am

  The problem you mention is a nationwide one. It costs a lot of money to run a school, unfortunately. I have friends who live in the wealthiest parts of NY, and parents there who are paying the same exorbitant tuition can no longer afford these astronomical rates. It’s a very big problem. More and more Jewish children will be heading to public schools and not getting a proper Jewish education or sense of Jewish identity.

  Where is the Federation? They are simply not fundraising and subsidizing enough. Where are the private fundraisers?

  This problem is not only Hillel’s, but one that has serious consequences for American Jewry in upcoming generations. Who will be the kids to join AIPAC and press Congress to support Israel in the future? Less and less without financing of Jewish education.

• 141 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 13, 2008 at 5:12 pm

  My thoughts exactly Anonymous. I know they have been trying in Chicago to get people across the community to donate about 5% of their estates for Jewish education. But where has the discussion been in Miami all these years?? Why was there never any sense of even trying to cut back so that the tuition wouldn’t go up. In fact, I know its a problem even at the university level where college tuitions have increased at a rate higher than inflation or the cost of living. An editorial in the NYT about a year ago called this the “Educational Industrial Complex.” The point being the the prices would just keep going up without restraint. But it seems as though the backlack evidenced by the Hebrew Charter School movement may intentensify with the current economic downtown. We can’t keep borrowing our way into prosperity.

• 142 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 13, 2008 at 5:23 pm

  John Gatto apparently coined the term the Educational Industrial Complex. Seems like the type practiced in Hillel is even more dangerous.

  But with the educational-industrial complex, we are dealing with an entirely different animal, one that eats children alive, destroys minds, destroys families, undermines our culture, provides neither protection from our enemies nor academic learning for our kids. It’s an expensive monster that Gatto knows all too well and wants us to know as thoroughly as he does. I kept notes while reading the book, here are a few sample quotes to whet your appetite:

  “School is the first impression children get of organized society. Like most first impressions it is the lasting one. Life is dull and stupid, only Coke provides relief. And other products, too, of course.”

  “Growth and mastery come only to those who vigorously self-direct. Initiating, creating, doing, reflecting, freely associating, enjoying privacy—these are precisely what the structures of schooling are set up to prevent, on one pretext or another.”

  “The strongest meshes of the school net are invisible. Constant bidding for a stranger’s attention creates a chemistry producing the common characteristics of modern schoolchildren: whining, dishonesty, malice, treachery, cruelty. Unceasing competition for official favor in the dramatic fish bowl of a classroom delivers cowardly children, little people sunk in chronic boredom, little people with no apparent purpose for being alive.”

  “Much of the weird behavior kids display is a function of the aperiodic reinforcement schedule. And the endless confinement and inactivity slowly drives children out of their minds. Trapped children, like trapped rats, need close management. Any rat psychologist will tell you that.”

  “The cries of true believers are all around the history of schooling, thick as gulls at a garbage dump.”

  “The very clear connection between all the zories of the emerging American hive-world are a sign of some organized intelligence at work, with some organized end in mind.”

  What should make you suspicious about School is its relentless compulsion:

  “The net effect of holding children in confinement for twelve years without honor paid to the spirit is a compelling demonstration that the State considers the Western spiritual tradition dangerous.”

  “Who besides a degraded rabble would voluntarily present itself to be graded and classified like meat? No wonder school is compulsory.”

  “The crime of mass forced schooling is this: it amputates the full argument and replaces it with engineered consensus.”

• 143 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 9:45 am

  My Friend, you must have read the Underground history of education in America by John Taylor Gato. You also need to read Deschooling society by Ivan Illich, who was a Jew by the way, and many more. Unfortunately, the public education system in America was inspired by and designed according to nazi methods of mass-control. This is sad to say but the objective of American schools is to:
  –Transform your kids into consumers, since you create constant needs in them. As soon as those needs are met, other needs are created. Think about the nature and functions of commercials in our society. They become very unstable but predictable individuals. This is, at least, one way among others that they use to manipulate the market. I say one way.
  – Destroy the intellect since critical thinking is discouraged through multiple-choice questions, true or false, and meaningless* “projects”.
  –Create emotional dependent individuals, since
  reward and punishment is the basis of the system. Kids are encourage to distrust themselves by always expecting a teacher to tell them whether they are on right track or if they have the right answer. Simply put, students always need teachers’ approval thereby believing that nothing good can come out of them. It’s good only if the teacher says so!(That’s why they are trying to discredit Wikipedia because they cannot control what is being exposed!)
  By always saying ‘Good job’ for mediocre work, they are turning kids into praise -junky and low self-esteem individuals. That is why we have to worry more about the students emotions that their learning! We must not hurt their feelings. What does that mean, really? In short, this means not invite the students to reflect on themselves since that will make them feel guilty . It also mean not to encourage the student to engage in Tikum Olam since they would have to change the system and make the world a better place. Do you see now why Hillel is going through that situation? It’s not an accident, it’s calculated unfortunately by our very ‘own people’ or at least that is what they wanted. Therefore they have to hire those Gyspsies to do the dirty work. Let me hold off for a moment, expecting a good discussion here!

• 144 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 9:59 am

  The Seven-Lesson Schoolteacher
  by John Taylor Gatto
  1991 New York State Teacher of the Year

  Call me Mr. Gatto, please. Twenty-six years ago, having nothing better to do at the time, I tried my hand at schoolteaching. The license I hold certifies that I am an instructor of English language and English literature, but that isn’t what I do at all. I don’t teach English, I teach school — and I win awards doing it.

  Teaching means different things in different places, but seven lessons are universally taught from Harlem to Hollywood Hills. They constitute a national curriculum you pay for in more ways than you can imagine, so you might as well know what it is. You are at liberty, of course, to regard these lessons any way you like, but believe me when I say I intend no irony in this presentation. These are the things I teach, these are the things you pay me to teach. Make of them what you will.

  On this page… (hide)

  * 1. CONFUSION
  * 2. CLASS POSITION
  * 3. INDIFFERENCE
  * 4. EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY
  * 5. INTELLECTUAL DEPENDENCY
  * 6. PROVISIONAL SELF-ESTEEM
  * 7. ONE CAN’T HIDE

  1. CONFUSION

  A lady named Kathy wrote this to me from Dubois, Indiana the other day:

  “What big ideas are important to little kids? Well, the biggest idea I think they need is that what they are learning isn’t idiosyncratic — that there is some system to it all and it’s not just raining down on them as they helplessly absorb. That’s the task, to understand, to make coherent.”

  Kathy has it wrong. The first lesson I teach is confusion. Everything I teach is out of context. I teach the un-relating of everything. I teach disconnections. I teach too much: the orbiting of planets, the law of large numbers, slavery, adjectives, architectural drawing, dance, gymnasium, choral singing, assemblies, surprise guests, fire drills, computer languages, parents’ nights, staff-development days, pull-out programs, guidance with strangers my students may never see again, standardized tests, age-segregation unlike anything seen in the outside world….What do any of these things have to do with each other?

  Photo by Angel D

  Even in the best schools a close examination of curriculum and its sequences turns up a lack of coherence, full of internal contradictions. Fortunately the children have no words to define the panic and anger they feel at constant violations of natural order and sequence fobbed off on them as quality in education. The logic of the school-mind is that it is better to leave school with a tool kit of superficial jargon derived from economics, sociology, natural science and so on than to leave with one genuine enthusiasm. But quality in education entails learning about something in depth. Confusion is thrust upon kids by too many strange adults, each working alone with only the thinnest relationship with each other, pretending for the most part, to an expertise they do not possess.

  Meaning, not disconnected facts, is what sane human beings seek, and education is a set of codes for processing raw facts into meaning. Behind the patchwork quilt of school sequences and the school obsession with facts and theories, the age-old human search lies well concealed. This is harder to see in elementary school where the hierarchy of school experience seems to make better sense because the good-natured simple relationship of “let’s do this” and “let’s do that” is just assumed to mean something and the clientele has not yet consciously discerned how little substance is behind the play and pretense.

  Think of the great natural sequences like learning to walk and learning to talk; following the progression of light from sunrise to sunset; witnessing the ancient procedures of a farmer, a smithy, or a shoemaker; watching your mother prepare a Thanksgiving feast — all of the parts are in perfect harmony with each other, each action justifies itself and illuminates the past and the future.

  School sequences aren’t like that, not inside a single class and not among the total menu of daily classes. School sequences are crazy. There is no particular reason for any of them, nothing that bears close scrutiny. Few teachers would dare to teach the tools whereby dogmas of a school or a teacher could be criticized since everything must be accepted. School subjects are learned, if they can be learned, like children learn the catechism or memorize the Thirty-nine Articles of Anglicanism.

  I teach the un-relating of everything, an infinite fragmentation the opposite of cohesion; what I do is more related to television programming than to making a scheme of order. In a world where home is only a ghost, because both parents work, or because too many moves or too many job changes or too much ambition, or because something else has left everybody too confused to maintain a family relation, I teach you how to accept confusion as your destiny. That’s the first lesson I teach.
  2. CLASS POSITION

  Photo by Dave Gilbert

  The second lesson I teach is class position. I teach that students must stay in the class where they belong. I don’t know who decides my kids belong there but that’s not my business. The children are numbered so that if any get away they can be returned to the right class. Over the years the variety of ways children are numbered by schools has increased dramatically, until it is hard to see the human beings plainly under the weight of numbers they carry. Numbering children is a big and very profitable undertaking, though what the strategy is designed to accomplish is elusive. I don’t even know why parents would, without a fight, allow it to be done to their kids.

  In any case, again, that’s not my business. My job is to make them like it, being locked in together with children who bear numbers like their own. Or at the least to endure it like good sports. If I do my job well, the kids can’t even imagine themselves somewhere else, because I’ve shown them how to envy and fear the better classes and how to have contempt for the dumb classes. Under this efficient discipline the class mostly polices itself into good marching order. That’s the real lesson of any rigged competition like school. You come to know your place.

  In spite of the overall class blueprint, which assumes that ninety-nine percent of the kids are in their class to stay, I nevertheless make a public effort to exhort children to higher levels of test success, hinting at eventual transfer from the lower class as a reward. I frequently insinuate that the day will come when an employer will hire them on the basis of test scores and grades, even though my own experience is that employers are rightly indifferent to such things. I never lie outright, but I’ve come to see that truth and schoolteaching are, at bottom, incompatible just as Socrates said they were thousands of years ago. The lesson of numbered classes is that everyone has a proper place in the pyramid and that there is no way out of your class except by number magic. Failing that, you must stay where you are put.
  3. INDIFFERENCE

  The third lesson I teach kids is indifference. I teach children not to care about anything too much, even though they want to make it appear that they do. How I do this is very subtle. I do it by demanding that they become totally involved in my lessons, jumping up and down in their seats with anticipation, competing vigorously with each other for my favor. It’s heartwarming when they do that; it impresses everyone, even me. When I’m at my best I plan lessons very carefully in order to produce this show of enthusiasm. But when the bell rings I insist that they stop whatever it is that we’ve been working on and proceed quickly to the next work station. They must turn on and off like a light switch. Nothing important is ever finished in my class, nor in any other class I know of.

  Students never have a complete experience except on the installment plan.

  Indeed, the lesson of the bells is that no work is worth finishing, so why care too deeply about anything? Years of bells will condition all but the strongest to a world that can no longer offer important work to do. Bells are the secret logic of schooltime; their logic is inexorable. Bells destroy the past and future, converting every interval into a sameness, as the abstraction of a map renders every living mountain and river the same, even though they are not. Bells inoculate each undertaking with indifference.’
  4. EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY

  Photo by YWAM Townsville

  The fourth lesson I teach is emotional dependency. By stars and red checks, smiles and frowns, prizes, honors and disgraces I teach kids to surrender their will to the predestined chain of command. Rights may be granted or withheld by any authority without appeal, because rights do not exist inside a school — not even the right of free speech, as the Supreme Court has ruled — unless school authorities say they do. As a schoolteacher, I intervene in many personal decisions, issuing a pass for those I deem legitimate, or initiating a disciplinary confrontation for behavior that threatens my control. Individuality is constantly trying to assert itself among children and teenagers, so my judgments come thick and fast. Individuality is a contradiction of class theory, a curse to all systems of classification.

  Here are some common ways it shows up: children sneak away for a private moment in the toilet on the pretext of moving their bowels, or they steal a private instant in the hallway on the grounds they need water. I know they don’t, but I allow them to deceive me because this conditions them to depend on my favors. Sometimes free will appears right in front of me in children angry, depressed or happy about things outside my ken; rights in such matters cannot be recognized by schoolteachers, only privileges that can be withdrawn, hostages to good behavior.
  5. INTELLECTUAL DEPENDENCY

  The fifth lesson I teach is intellectual dependency. Good people wait for a teacher to tell them what to do. It is the most important lesson, that we must wait for other people, better trained than ourselves, to make the meanings of our lives. The expert makes all the important choices; only I, the teacher, can determine what you must study, or rather, only the people who pay me can make those decisions which I then enforce. If I’m told that evolution is a fact instead of a theory, I transmit that as ordered, punishing deviants who resist what I have been told to tell them to think. This power to control what children will think lets me separate successful students from failures very easily.

  Successful children do the thinking I appoint them with a minimum of resistance and a decent show of enthusiasm. Of the millions of things of value to study, I decide what few we have time for, or actually it is decided by my faceless employers. The choices are theirs, why should I argue? Curiosity has no important place in my work, only conformity.

  Bad kids fight this, of course, even though they lack the concepts to know what they are fighting, struggling to make decisions for themselves about what they will learn and when they will learn it. How can we allow that and survive as schoolteachers? Fortunately there are procedures to break the will of those who resist; it is more difficult, naturally, if the kid has respectable parents who come to his aid, but that happens less and less in spite of the bad reputation of schools. No middle-class parents I have ever met actually believe that their kid’s school is one of the bad ones. Not one single parent in twenty-six years of teaching. That’s amazing and probably the best testimony to what happens to families when mother and father have been well-schooled themselves, learning the seven lessons.

  Good people wait for an expert to tell them what to do. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that our entire economy depends upon this lesson being learned. Think of what would fall apart if kids weren’t trained to be dependent: the social-service businesses could hardly survive; they would vanish, I think, into the recent historical limbo out of which they arose. Counselors and therapists would look on in horror as the supply of psychic invalids vanished. Commercial entertainment of all sorts, including television, would wither as people learned again how to make their own fun. Restaurants, prepared-food and a whole host of other assorted food services would be drastically down-sized if people returned to making their own meals rather than depending on strangers to plant, pick, chop, and cook for them. Much of modern law, medicine, and engineering would go too, the clothing business and schoolteaching as well, unless a guaranteed supply of helpless people continued to pour out of our schools each year.

  Don’t be too quick to vote for radical school reform if you want to continue getting a paycheck. We’ve built a way of life that depends on people doing what they are told because they don’t know how to tell themselves what to do. It’s one of the biggest lessons I teach.
  6. PROVISIONAL SELF-ESTEEM

  The sixth lesson I teach is provisional self-esteem. If you’ve ever tried to wrestle a kid into line whose parents have convinced him to believe they’ll love him in spite of anything, you know how impossible it is to make self-confident spirits conform. Our world wouldn’t survive a flood of confident people very long, so I teach that your self-respect should depend on expert opinion. My kids are constantly evaluated and judged.

  A monthly report, impressive in its provision, is sent into students’ homes to signal approval or to mark exactly, down to a single percentage point, how dissatisfied with their children parents should be. The ecology of “good” schooling depends upon perpetuating dissatisfaction just as much as the commercial economy depends on the same fertilizer. Although some people might be surprised how little time or reflection goes into making up these mathematical records, the cumulative weight of the objective-seeming documents establishes a profile that compels children to arrive at certain decisions about themselves and their futures based on the casual judgment of strangers. Self-evaluation, the staple of every major philosophical system that ever appeared on the planet, is never considered a factor. The lesson of report cards, grades, and tests is that children should not trust themselves or their parents but should instead rely on the evaluation of certified officials. People need to be told what they are worth.
  7. ONE CAN’T HIDE

  The seventh lesson I teach is that one can’t hide. I teach children they are always watched, that each is under constant surveillance by myself and my colleagues. There are no private spaces for children, there is no private time. Class change lasts three hundred seconds to keep promiscuous fraternization at low levels. Students are encouraged to tattle on each other or even to tattle on their own parents. Of course, I encourage parents to file their own child’s waywardness too. A family trained to snitch on itself isn’t likely to conceal any dangerous secrets.

  I assign a type of extended schooling called “homework,” so that the effect of surveillance, if not that surveillance itself, travels into private households, where students might otherwise use free time to learn something unauthorized from a father or mother, by exploration, or by apprenticing to some wise person in the neighborhood. Disloyalty to the idea of schooling is a Devil always ready to find work for idle hands.

  The meaning of constant surveillance and denial of privacy is that no one can be trusted, that privacy is not legitimate. Surveillance is an ancient imperative, espoused by certain influential thinkers, a central prescription set down in The Republic, in The City of God, in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, in New Atlantis, in Leviathan, and in a host of other places. All these childless men who wrote these books discovered the same thing: children must be closely watched if you want to keep a society under tight central control. Children will follow a private drummer if you can’t get them into a uniformed marching band.

  II

  It is the great triumph of compulsory government monopoly mass-schooling that among even the best of my fellow teachers, and among the best of my students’ parents, only a small number can imagine a different way to do things. “The kids have to know how to read and write, don’t they?” “They have to know how to add and subtract, don’t they?” “They have to learn to follow orders if they ever expect to keep a job.”

  Only a few lifetimes ago things were very different in the United States. Originality and variety were common currency; our freedom from regimentation made us the miracle of the world; social-class boundaries were relatively easy to cross; our citizenry was marvelously confident, inventive, and able to do much for themselves independently, and to think for themselves. We were something special, we Americans, all by ourselves, without government sticking its nose into our lives, without institutions and social agencies telling us how to think and feel. We were something special, as individuals, as Americans.

  But we’ve had a society essentially under central control in the United States since just before the Civil War, and such a society requires compulsory schooling, government monopoly schooling, to maintain itself. Before this development schooling wasn’t very important anywhere. We had it, but not too much of it, and only as much as an individual wanted. People learned to read, write, and do arithmetic just fine anyway; there are some studies that suggest literacy at the time of the American Revolution, at least for non-slaves on the Eastern seaboard, was close to total. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense sold 600,000 copies to a population of 3,000,000, twenty percent of whom were slaves, and fifty percent indentured servants.

  Were the colonists geniuses? No, the truth is that reading, writing, and arithmetic only take about one hundred hours to transmit as long as the audience is eager and willing to learn. The trick is to wait until someone asks and then move fast while the mood is on. Millions of people teach themselves these things, it really isn’t very hard. Pick up a fifth-grade math or rhetoric textbook from 1850 and you’ll see that the texts were pitched then on what would today be considered college level. The continuing cry for “basic skills” practice is a smoke screen behind which schools preempt the time of children for twelve years and teach them the seven lessons I’ve just described to you.

  The society that has become increasingly under central control since just before the Civil War shows itself in the lives we lead, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the green highway signs we drive by from coast to coast, all of which are the products of this control. So, too, I think, are the epidemics of drugs, suicide, divorce, violence, cruelty, and the hardening of class into caste in the United States products of the dehumanization of our lives, the lessening of individual, family, and community importance, a diminishment that proceeds from central control. The character of large compulsory institutions is inevitable; they want more and more until there isn’t any more to give. School takes our children away from any possibility of an active role in community life — in fact it destroys communities by relegating the training of children to the hands of certified experts — and by doing so it ensures our children cannot grow up fully human. Aristotle taught that without a fully active role in community life one could not hope to become a healthy human being. Surely he was right. Look around you the next time you are near a school or an old people’s reservation if you wish a demonstration.

  School as it was built is an essential support system for a vision of social engineering that condemns most people to be subordinate stones in a pyramid that narrows as it ascends to a terminal of control. School is an artifice which makes such a pyramidical social order seem inevitable, although such a premise is a fundamental betrayal of the American Revolution. From colonial days through the period of the Republic we had no schools to speak of — read Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography for an example of a man who had no time to waste in school — and yet the promise of Democracy was beginning to be realized. We turned our backs on this promise by bringing to life the ancient pharaonic dream of Egypt: compulsory subordination for all. That was the secret Plato reluctantly transmitted in The Republic when Glaucon and Adeimantus exhorted from Socrates the plan for total state control of human life, a plan necessary to maintain a society where some people take more than their share. “I will show you,” says Socrates, “how to bring about such a feverish city, but you will not like what I am going to say.” And so the blueprint of the seven-lesson school was first sketched.

  The current debate about whether we should have a national curriculum is phony. We already have a national curriculum locked up in the seven lessons I have just outlined. Such a curriculum produces physical, moral, and intellectual paralysis, and no curriculum of content will be sufficient to reverse its hideous effects. What is currently under discussion in our national school hysteria about failing academic performance misses the point. Schools teach exactly what they are intended to teach and they do it well: how to be a good Egyptian and remain in your place in the pyramid.

  III

  None of this is inevitable. None of it is impossible to overthrow. We do have choices in how we bring up young people; there is no one right way. If we broke through the power of the pyramidical illusion we would see that. There is no life-and-death international competition threatening our national existence, difficult as that idea is even to think about, let alone believe, in the face of a continual media barrage of myth to the contrary. In every important material respect our nation is self-sufficient, including in energy. I realize that idea runs counter to the most fashionable thinking of political economists, but the “profound transformation” of our economy these people talk about is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Global economics does not speak to the public need for meaningful work, affordable housing, fulfilling education, adequate medical care, a clean environment, honest and accountable government, social and cultural renewal, or simple justice. All global ambitions are based on a definition of productivity and the good life so alienated from common human reality I am convinced it is wrong and that most people would agree with me if they could perceive an alternative. We might be able to see that if we regained a hold on a philosophy that locates meaning where meaning is genuinely to be found — in families, in friends, in the passage of seasons, in nature, in simple ceremonies and rituals, in curiosity, generosity, compassion, and service to others, in a decent independence and privacy, in all the free and inexpensive things out of which real families, real friends and real communities are built — then we would be so self-sufficient we would not even need the material “sufficiency” which our global “experts” are so insistent we be concerned about.

  How did these awful places, these “schools”, come about? Well, casual schooling has always been with us in a variety of forms, a mildly useful adjunct to growing up. But “modern schooling” as we know it is a by-product of the two “Red Scares” of 1848 and 1919, when powerful interests feared a revolution among our own industrial poor. Partly, too, total schooling came about because old-line American families were appauled by the native cultures of Celtic, Slavic, and Latin immigrants of the 1840s and felt repugnance towards the Catholic religion they brought with them. Certainly a third contributing factor in creating a jail for children called school must have been the consternation with which these same “Americans” regarded the movement of African-Americans through the society in the wake of the Civil War.

  Look again at the seven lessons of schoolteaching:

  * confusion
  * class position
  * indifference
  * emotional and intellectual dependency
  * conditional self-esteem
  * surveillance

  All of these things are prime training for permanent underclasses, people deprived forever of finding the center of their own special genius. And over time this training has shaken loose from its own original logic: to regulate the poor. For since the 1920s the growth of the school bureaucracy, and the less visible growth of a horde of industries that profit from schooling exactly as it is, has enlarged this institution’s original grasp to the point that it now seizes the sons and daughters of the middle classes as well.

  Is it any wonder Socrates was outraged at the accusation that he took money to teach? Even then, philosophers saw clearly the inevitable direction the professionalization of teaching would take, preempting the teaching function, which belongs to everyone in a healthy community.

  With lessons like the ones I teach day after day it should be little wonder we have a real national crisis, the nature of which is very different from that proclaimed by the national media. Young people are indifferent to the adult world and to the future, indifferent to almost everything except the diversion of toys and violence. Rich or poor, schoolchildren who face the twenty-first century cannot concentrate on anything for very long; they have a poor sense of time past and time to come. They are mistrustful of intimacy like the children of divorce they really are (for we have divorced them from significant parental attention); they hate solitude, are cruel, materialistic, dependent, passive, violent, timid in the face of the unexpected, addicted to distraction.

  All the peripheral tendencies of childhood are nourished and magnified to a grotesque extent by schooling, which, through its hidden curriculum, prevents effective personality development. Indeed, without exploiting the fearfulness, selfishness, and inexperience of children, our schools could not survive at all, nor could I as a certified schoolteacher. No common school that actually dared to teach the use of critical thinking tools — like the dialectic, the heuristic, or other devices that free minds should employ — would last very long before being torn to pieces. School has become the replacement for church in our secular society, and like church it requires that its teachings must be taken on faith.

  It is time that we squarely face the fact that institutional schoolteaching is destructive to children. Nobody survives the seven-lesson curriculum completely unscathed, not even the instructors. The method is deeply and profoundly anti-educational. No tinkering will fix it. In one of the great ironies of human affairs, the massive rethinking the schools require would cost so much less than we are spending now that powerful interests cannot afford to let it happen. You must understand that first and foremost the business I am in is a jobs project and an agency for letting contracts. We cannot afford to save money by reducing the scope of our operation or by diversifying the product we offer, even to help children grow up right. That is the iron law of institutional schooling — it is a business, subject neither to normal accounting procedures nor to the rational scalpel of competition.

  Some form of free-market system in public schooling is the likeliest place to look for answers, a free market where family schools and small entrepreneurial schools and religious schools and crafts schools and farm schools exist in profusion to compete with government education. I’m trying to describe a free market in schooling just exactly like the one the country had until the Civil War, one in which students volunteer for the kind of education that suits them, even if that means self-education; it didn’t hurt Benjamin Franklin that I can see. These options exist now in miniature, wonderful survivals of a strong and vigorous past, but they are available only to the resourceful, the courageous, the lucky, or the rich. The near impossibility of one of these better roads opening for the shattered families of the poor or for the bewildered host camped on the fringes of the urban middle class suggests that the disaster of seven-lesson schools is going to grow unless we do something bold and decisive with the mess of government monopoly schooling.

  After an adult lifetime spent teaching school, I believe the method of mass-schooling is its only real content. Don’t be fooled into thinking that good curriculum or good equipment or good teachers are the critical determinants of your son’s or daughter’s education. All the pathologies we’ve considered come about in large measure because the lessons of school prevent children from keeping important appointments with themselves and with their families to learn lessons in self-motivation, perseverance, self-reliance, courage, dignity, and love — and lessons in service to others, too, which are among the key lessons of home and community life.

  Thirty years ago [in the early 60s] these things could still be learned in the time left after school. But television has eaten up most of that time, and a combination of television and the stresses peculiar to two-income or single-parent families have swallowed up most of what used to be family time as well. Our kids have no time left to grow up fully human and only thin-soil wastelands to do it in.

  A future is rushing down upon our culture which will insist all of us learn the wisdom of non-material experience; a future which will demand as the price of survival that we follow a path of natural life economical in material cost. These lessons cannot be learned in schools as they are. School is a twelve-year jail sentence where bad habits are the only curriculum truly learned. I teach school and win awards doing it. I should know.

• 145 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:03 am

  Aren’t they listening to our phone conversations, reading our emails, screening us at airports..? They taught us to accept that on the basis of protecting national security. Don’t be afraid to say this, unless you believe what is happening in schools in just an accident. This is just food for thought.

• 146 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:13 am

  The administration is paying any attention to this blog I need you answer this simple question: Since you called yourselves “educators”, what is education?
  I would like to have a truthful discussion with you about so that parents can see for themselves what their children are getting from whom. I know you all are scared of me, but at least be honest with the parent. I know it’s a hard thing to ask of you since Deceit is the policy. If you claim to be serving the Jewish community, for once be honest with us.

• 147 Parent // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:22 am

  Teacher,
  We know they will not reply to you. If they do, however, we would love the see what they would have the nerves to say. The Blueprint for Excellence doesn’t tell us anything at all about what our kids are learning that is so “exciting and new”.

• 148 Another teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:44 am

  Parents who do not want institutionalized education for their children are free to school them at home and avoid the devastation described by Mr. Gatto.

  I don’t buy it. Good teachers lead students to construct meaning through discovery, inquiry, and critical thinking. They model responsible, respectful behavior as they are, sometimes, the only adult in a child’s life doing so.

  The trouble with Mr. Gatto and many on this blog is that all they do is complain. Come up with an alternative and let’s talk about it. A return to the days of Benjamin Franklin is certainly not the answer.

• 149 sockeye // Jul 14, 2008 at 11:08 am

  Phonics was new and shiny once (like ethanol), then whole language came in and comprehension went splat but before either one was a Socratic methods where you read a paragraph and discussed (who, what when, where and why plus how the language was used and why and allusion and etc) and worked with grammar and writing was really a process of choosing how to say something and say it “writely”. Then, because Socratic Method fell into disgrace (its toooo hard!) the rest is history, on the ash-heaps of the “new math” also proven not to work.
  Take a look at the original intention of New York State’s “Regents” – Nelson Rockefeller (late) former governor of NY and Gerald Ford’s VP – decided that every child deserved the opporunity for an Education that could carry on into Ivy League and that no child should be left behind in anyway. Obviously Regents worked for the motivated. The unmotivated are always left behind.
  Blueprints for Excellence are it seems a rehash and no one even looks at Nelson Rockefellar’s ideas outside of a fe motivated teachers – but they (the ideas) work very well when applied correctly.

• 150 Great Education // Jul 14, 2008 at 11:16 am

  Is the world coming to an end? Sure seems like it from reading this blog.

  Without any thought of anything doing with Hillel, it’s easy to complain on a blog. Much harder to be in charge and make things happen. Just ask anyone who has been President of the US.

  I’m sure John Gatto is a brilliant educator. But he is a product of the same system he is complaining about. It seems to have worked for him and everyone writing on this blog.

  Last but not least – what does this have to do with “Saving Hillel”?

• 151 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:19 pm

  An alternative to the system or to Hillel?

  An alternative to the system is provided by the Shema. You should know that, since you are a fellow Jewish educator I assume. I mean no disrespect at all my friend.
  Every parent’s duty :הנממ רוסי-אל ןיקזי-יכ םג וכרד יפ-לע רענל ךנח

  Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

  My question here is that since so many of us are so materialistic, are we willing to fulfill this great Mitzvah?
  If no, that is the reason why this ‘Hillel’ exist, to train up our children in directions prohibited by Hashem. Any teacher brave enough to oppose to that can no longer be part of this Hillel. Do I make myself understood here?

• 152 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 1:16 pm

  Another Teacher,

  I totally agree with this statement: “I don’t buy it. Good teachers lead students to construct meaning through discovery, inquiry, and critical thinking. They model responsible, respectful behavior as they are, sometimes, the only adult in a child’s life doing so.”
  But what does it mean to be a good teacher at Hillel? For the sake of the stakeholders here (parents and students), are you a good teacher by this ‘Hillel’ standards?
  Those of us who come out just fine, though we can still be better, do so only according to Hashem’s plan as stated in Yirmiyahu 29:11
  יא כִּי אָנֹכִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת-הַמַּחֲשָׁבֹת, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי חֹשֵׁב עֲלֵיכֶם–נְאֻם-יְהוָה: מַחְשְׁבוֹת שָׁלוֹם וְלֹא לְרָעָה, לָתֵת לָכֶם אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה.

  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

  Not because the system worked for us. It works and will work for their purpose.
  Hashem allowed us to go through it, just as we went to Mitzraim to be witness, perpetrators, and wictims of utmost idolatries, for us denounce it today since our children are victimized by it but seem to appreciate it because they make them think that it works for them just fine.
  I hope you understand my point. Should we condone a system that is not working according to Hashem’s dictate? If yes, then we’re making our own golden calf over and over again in this day and age, understood in its kabbalistic interpretation.

• 153 Great Education // Jul 14, 2008 at 5:05 pm

  Please save the sermons for synagogue.

• 154 Teacher // Jul 14, 2008 at 7:30 pm

  So when you talk about Jewish education what are you referring to? I am sorry if you feel that was a sermon but that is Derech Hashem. Don’t hang the Malakh just receive the word.
  Exactly, now is the time when people don’t want to anything to do with Torah. Isn’t Torah the Blueprint of our daily life?
  If we don’t want to live up to the Torah in every single detail, what makes us who we are? Not the festivals or the rituals for others also enact rituals effectively and yet aren’t accepted by YHWH. It’s time to be true to your G-d.
  Probably, you don’t want to Save Hillel for the sake of Torah but you want to do for the cover it provides you with. I am not surprised by your post at all. You just blew your cover. I doubt that you are a Jew or Jewish. If you are, you owe an explanation on this board.

• 155 Parent // Jul 14, 2008 at 7:53 pm

  Great Education,

  Your comment to Teacher is uncalled for. He is right on target with post #152. Too often we confine Torah to synagogues but it meant to be in our hearts if it ought to be effective in our daily lives. This exactly what King David was trying to say in Tehilim aleph (Psalm 1). What does the Shema say? What do you read therein?
  You are therefore wrong in addressing Teacher as you did. I know who he is and I know that he did a terrific job at Hillel, specifically in his department. You may not know the individual. That teacher taught my daughter and that’s how I learned to appreciate that’s teacher’s contribution to Hillel.
  Please, accept my sincere apology Teacher.

• 156 Anonymous // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:31 pm

  This conversation has taken an interesting turn… We’re on a different tangent here, but what the heck…

  May I suggest:

  Bringing Schools Out of the 20th Century
  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1568480,00.html

  A Nation at Risk
  http://www.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/risk.html

  2 Million Minutes
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZnSG6gg1vs

  Zeitgeist..skip to part 2/3 The Stupefying of America
  http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/main.htm

• 157 Hillel Industrial Comples // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:51 pm

  We can debate until the cows come how the various educationally philososphies, but the point is for me, that the destriments pointed about seem to be at their worse at the HIC situated in the Wasteland of North Dade, near the high temple of Aventura mall. The eduational philosphies have some validity, but are idealized. The proof of in the pudding is HIC and its corporate culture of decipts and lack of social fabric. Soak the parents for more supposed necessities of the children — like 3 extra library hours and more astroturf for the playground. Bottom line, where are the wonderful HIC grauduats from the past 20 years?

• 158 admin // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:59 pm

  Hillel Industrial Complex, I’m going to ask you again nicely. Can you please read this comment again and apply it in your commenting? I don’t care if you use asdfasdf@whatever.com as long as you use it consistently. Thank you.

• 159 Anonymous // Jul 14, 2008 at 11:11 pm

  To all the parents here who are so quick to think they know which teachers (past or present ones) are writing here–don’t make assumptions unless you’ve been told point blank. First, often your assumptions are wrong. Second, you put people in jeopardy with such assumptions. Remember, Big Brother is Reading and Big Brother ain’t dumb.

• 160 Jeremiah // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:41 pm

  And some of us are active in the teaching profession elsewhere….

• 161 Anonymous // Jul 15, 2008 at 1:51 pm

  Many of us are

• 162 Jeremiah // Jul 15, 2008 at 9:45 pm

  Sometimes through no fault of our own we’ve encountered “right” sizing twice in a row and are no looking with raised eyebrow at the propsects…

• 163 Admin // Jul 16, 2008 at 10:54 am

  Current Job Opportunities

  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 go to our website click employment to download a substitute application, print it out and mail or fax to us.

  Human Resources
  19000 NE 25th Avenue
  North Miami Beach, FL 33180
  Fax:

• 164 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 16, 2008 at 5:21 pm

  Certainly there have been issues and debates about the methods of proper education since the time of Adam and Eve. But that is a nationwide problem and is not particular to Hillel.

  The problem at Hillel as I see it, is that the general problems have been made worse by the narcissistic, deceptive, egotistical behavior of the Hillel Industrial Complex. Kids worshiping at Aventura Mall and South Beach. Administration of dubious personal behavior.

  I don’t think it is fixable. I would join a different community. But that being said, knowlege of the true situation should be available to parents who are not in the know so they can make an informed choice.

• 165 Anonymous // Jul 16, 2008 at 9:13 pm

  I just ran into a very influential parent who was not in the know. It’s amazing how many parents are actually still in the dark. Unbelievable.

• 166 Parent // Jul 17, 2008 at 10:29 am

  Well Anonymous,
  It’s amazing how many parents are still oblivious of the facts at Hillel. The administration is doing a great job covering up the truth with their marketing department and their blaming teachers’ qualifications tactics, among others. Though we put up this blog, we still haven’t raised consciousness since just a few parents actually read the blog. We need additional, more direct methods to reach them. It’s a sad truth that at this point Hillel can’t be helped. It’s also sad to see how materialistic some of us have become. Though they celebrate Sukkot they still don’t understand its meaning. This reminds me of the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It’s a must-see!

• 167 Admin // Jul 18, 2008 at 12:37 pm

  Science Teacher, 7/16/08

  Description: One of the largest traditional Jewish Day Schools in the Southeastern US, Hillel has been in business for over 35 years. Serving the Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties jewish communities, Hillel is well known for its small class sizes, academic excellence, and dedicated faculty and staff.

  We are seeking a dynamic teacher teacher for our Middle School Science program. Ability to inspire your students while managing your classroom is required. Florida certification or ability to obtain Florida certification required. We offer an excellent compensation package comprised of a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

  Duration: full-time
  Salary Range: Not Posted
  Benefits: sick leave, medical, vision, dental, retirement plans, leave early on Shabbat, kosher food option available, relocation option available, Life Insurance
  Other Benefits:
  Preferred Experience: 2 Years Experience
  Preferred Degree: Bachelors
  Job posted on: 2008-07-16
  Job is posted for: 90 days

  Job Location: Hillel Community Day School
  19000 NE 25th Ave.
  N. Miami Beach, Florida 33180

  Copyright © JewishJobs.com Services – The Clearinghouse for Jewish Communal Jobs. All Rights Reserved.

• 168 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 18, 2008 at 8:38 pm

  I didn’t write this, but it seems applicable to HIC.

  So if there is a hakoras hatov (recognition of good) how come there is no hakoras haraa (recognition of bad and I don’t mean the excrement or some sun god). I think this is stupid. It is by far more important to recognize and detect your enemies or people who are out to get you. Every animal knows that you better smell the predator from a mile or you will be eaten in no time. But alas the culture downplays any reflection on the past. We are instructed to move forward, not to dwell on it, etc. I think this is dishonest self-servingly stupid. As nation, a culture or an individual you don’t have a more important task but to remember the evil. And no it is not some mythological Amolek, these are the people who have done damage yesterday, decade ago, century ago. We know their names and we should bust them as often as possible. Never be tired to dwell on the past, don’t move forward without settling the old scores.

• 169 Anonymous // Jul 18, 2008 at 9:27 pm

  Amen.

• 170 Jeremiah // Jul 18, 2008 at 11:06 pm

  Turn the other cheek does not mean ‘be a door mat’, it means stand up and fight and punch really hard.

• 171 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 20, 2008 at 9:12 am

  The Wider Context – The truth is, its not only HIC in South Florida Jewish Wasteland.

  Where is the hue and cry about the 3 nice Jewish boys from Miami Beach in their 20′s that made the national news a few weeks ago about $300 million alleged fraud for fake/defective weapon sales to the US army? Ephraim Diveroli. Published at 07/07/2008 by Canadian Business Magazine

  Fla. man pleads not guilty to defrauding Pentagon under contract to provide ammunition

  A 22-year-old Miami Beach entrepreneur is scheduled to enter a plea to charges of defrauding the U.S. government by allegedly falsifying the origins and age of ammunition intended for Afghanistan.

  Efraim Diveroli’s company had a contract to supply the U.S. military with ammunition for forces in Afghanistan. He has been charged along with three others with providing prohibited Chinese-made ammunition and saying it came from Albania.

  The media reports his myspace describes himself as a “nice guy”. And he’d like to meet your daughter:

  Who I’d like to meet:
  a sweet pretty girl with a good attitude and love for life , a woman that will stand by her man because she knows he would do the same for her no matter the circumstance

  Endangered the lives of our troops. Nephew of self-promoter “America’s Rabbi” Shmueli Boteach!? Another is son of orthodox Rabbi!? They are looking for life in prison.

  What kind of life are we living here? What are our values? Just how the heck can our community produce kids in their 20′s in this kind of trouble.

  Have we no shame? Have we no conscience? Just what kind of Jewish community are we? What kind of of influence do you think this “village” will have on your children??

• 172 Sockeye // Jul 20, 2008 at 9:28 am

  I hadn’t seen the article.

• 173 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 20, 2008 at 10:33 am

  The fact the most people are unaware of what is going on in our South Florida Jewish Community is the problem. The powers that be “hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.”

  How would you like this kid going out with your daughter? I would think there are plenty more where this one came from. How kind of influence would he be on your son as a friend?

  How many lives have to be destroyed until we hear evil, see evil, and speak about evil?

• 174 Teacher // Jul 20, 2008 at 11:33 am

  The New York Times
  Printer Friendly

  March 27, 2008
  Supplier Under Scrutiny on Arms for Afghans
  By C. J. CHIVERS

  This article was reported by C. J. Chivers, Eric Schmitt and Nicholas Wood and written by Mr. Chivers.

  Since 2006, when the insurgency in Afghanistan sharply intensified, the Afghan government has been dependent on American logistics and military support in the war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

  But to arm the Afghan forces that it hopes will lead this fight, the American military has relied since early last year on a fledgling company led by a 22-year-old man whose vice president was a licensed masseur.

  With the award last January of a federal contract worth as much as nearly $300 million, the company, AEY Inc., which operates out of an unmarked office in Miami Beach, became the main supplier of munitions to Afghanistan’s army and police forces.

  Since then, the company has provided ammunition that is more than 40 years old and in decomposing packaging, according to an examination of the munitions by The New York Times and interviews with American and Afghan officials. Much of the ammunition comes from the aging stockpiles of the old Communist bloc, including stockpiles that the State Department and NATO have determined to be unreliable and obsolete, and have spent millions of dollars to have destroyed.

  In purchasing munitions, the contractor has also worked with middlemen and a shell company on a federal list of entities suspected of illegal arms trafficking.

  Moreover, tens of millions of the rifle and machine-gun cartridges were manufactured in China, making their procurement a possible violation of American law. The company’s president, Efraim E. Diveroli, was also secretly recorded in a conversation that suggested corruption in his company’s purchase of more than 100 million aging rounds in Albania, according to audio files of the conversation.

  This week, after repeated inquiries about AEY’s performance by The Times, the Army suspended the company from any future federal contracting, citing shipments of Chinese ammunition and claiming that Mr. Diveroli misled the Army by saying the munitions were Hungarian.

  Mr. Diveroli, reached by telephone, said he was unaware of the action. The Army planned to notify his company by certified mail on Thursday, according to internal correspondence provided by a military official.

  But problems with the ammunition were evident last fall in places like Nawa, Afghanistan, an outpost near the Pakistani border, where an Afghan lieutenant colonel surveyed the rifle cartridges on his police station’s dirty floor. Soon after arriving there, the cardboard boxes had split open and their contents spilled out, revealing ammunition manufactured in China in 1966.

  “This is what they give us for the fighting,” said the colonel, Amanuddin, who like many Afghans has only one name. “It makes us worried, because too much of it is junk.” Ammunition as it ages over decades often becomes less powerful, reliable and accurate.

  AEY is one of many previously unknown defense companies to have thrived since 2003, when the Pentagon began dispensing billions of dollars to train and equip indigenous forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its rise from obscurity once seemed to make it a successful example of the Bush administration’s promotion of private contractors as integral elements of war-fighting strategy.

  But an examination of AEY’s background, through interviews in several countries, reviews of confidential government documents and the examination of some of the ammunition, suggests that Army contracting officials, under pressure to arm Afghan troops, allowed an immature company to enter the murky world of international arms dealing on the Pentagon’s behalf — and did so with minimal vetting and through a vaguely written contract with few restrictions.

  In addition to this week’s suspension, AEY is under investigation by the Department of Defense’s inspector general and by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prompted by complaints about the quality and origins of ammunition it provided, and allegations of corruption.

  Mr. Diveroli, in a brief telephone interview late last year, denied any wrongdoing. “I know that my company does everything 100 percent on the up and up, and that’s all I’m concerned about,” he said.

  He also suggested that his activities should be shielded from public view. “AEY is working on a moderately classified Department of Defense project,” he said. “I really don’t want to talk about the details.”

  He referred questions to a lawyer, Hy Shapiro, who offered a single statement by e-mail. “While AEY continues to work very hard to fulfill its obligations under its contract with the U.S. Army, its representatives are not prepared at this time to sit and discuss the details,” he wrote.

  As part of the suspension, neither Mr. Diveroli nor his company can bid on any further federal work until the Army’s allegations are resolved. But he will be allowed to provide ammunition already on order under the Afghan contract, according to internal military correspondence.

  In January, American officers in Kabul, concerned about munitions from AEY, had contacted the Army’s Rock Island Arsenal, in Illinois, and raised the possibility of terminating the contract. And officials at the Army Sustainment Command, the contracting authority at the arsenal, after meeting with AEY in late February, said they were tightening the packaging standards for munitions shipped to the war.

  And yet after that meeting, AEY sent another shipment of nearly one million cartridges to Afghanistan that the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan regarded as substandard. Lt. Col. David G. Johnson, the command spokesman, said that while there were no reports of ammunition misfiring, some of it was in such poor condition that the military had decided not to issue it. “Our honest answer is that the ammunition is of a quality that is less than desirable; the munitions do not appear to meet the standards that many of us are used to,” Colonel Johnson said. “We are not pleased with the way it was delivered.”

  Several officials said the problems would have been avoided if the Army had written contracts and examined bidders more carefully.

  Public records show that AEY’s contracts since 2004 have potentially been worth more than a third of a billion dollars. Mr. Diveroli set the value higher: he claimed to do $200 million in business each year.

  Several military officers and government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the investigations, questioned how Mr. Diveroli, and a small group of men principally in their 20s and without extensive military or procurement experiences, landed so much vital government work.

  “A lot of us are asking the question,” said a senior State Department official. “How did this guy get all this business?”

  An Ambitious Company

  The intensity of the Afghan insurgency alarmed the Pentagon in 2006, and the American unit that trains and equips Afghan forces placed a huge munitions order through an Army logistics command.

  The order sought 52 types of ammunition: rifle, pistol and machine-gun cartridges, hand grenades, rockets, shotgun slugs, mortar rounds, tank ammunition and more. In all, it covered hundreds of millions of rounds. Afghan forces primarily use weapons developed in the Soviet Union. This meant that most munitions on the list could be bought only overseas.

  AEY was one of 10 companies to bid by the September 2006 deadline.

  Michael Diveroli, Efraim’s father, had incorporated the company in 1999, when Efraim was 13. For several years, a period when the company appeared to have limited activity, Michael Diveroli, who now operates a police supply company down the street from AEY’s office, was listed as the company’s sole executive.

  In 2004, AEY listed Efraim Diveroli, then 18, as an officer with a 1 percent ownership stake.

  The younger Diveroli’s munitions experience appeared to be limited to a short-lived job in Los Angeles for Botach Tactical, a military and police supply company owned by his uncle, Bar-Kochba Botach.

  Mr. Diveroli cut off an interview when asked about Botach Tactical. Mr. Botach, reached by telephone, said that both Michael and Efraim Diveroli had briefly worked for him, but that after seeing the rush of federal contracts available after the wars began, they had struck out on their own.

  “They just left me and took my customer base with them,” he said. “They basically said: ‘Why should we work for Botach? Let’s do it on our own.’ ”

  As Efraim Diveroli arrived in Miami Beach, AEY was transforming itself by aggressively seeking security-related contracts.

  It won a $126,000 award for ammunition for the Special Forces; AEY also provided ammunition or equipment in 2004 to the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Transportation Security Administration and the State Department.

  By 2005, when Mr. Diveroli became AEY’s president at age 19, the company was bidding across a spectrum of government agencies and providing paramilitary equipment — weapons, helmets, ballistic vests, bomb suits, batteries and chargers for X-ray machines — for American aid to Pakistan, Bolivia and elsewhere.

  It was also providing supplies to the American military in Iraq, where its business included a $5.7 million contract for rifles for Iraqi forces.

  Two federal officials involved in contracting in Baghdad said AEY quickly developed a bad reputation. “They weren’t reliable, or if they did come through, they did after many excuses,” said one of them, who asked that his name be withheld because he was not authorized to speak with reporters.

  By this time, pressures were emerging in Efraim Diveroli’s life. In November 2005, a young woman sought an order of protection from him in the domestic violence division of Dade County Circuit Court.

  The woman eventually did not appear in court, and her allegations were never ruled on. But in court papers, the woman said that after her relationship with Mr. Diveroli ended, he stalked her and left threatening messages.

  Once, according to the file, his behavior included “shoving her to the ground and refusing to allow her to leave during a verbal dispute.” Other times, she reported, Mr. Diveroli arrived at her home unannounced and intoxicated “going about the exterior, banging on windows and doors.”

  The woman worried that she could not ignore him, court records said, because his behavior frightened her.

  Mr. Diveroli sought court delays on national security grounds. “I am the President and only official employee of my business,” he wrote to the judge on Dec. 8, 2005. “My business is currently of great importance to the country as I am licensed Defense Contractor to the United States Government in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and I am doing my very best to provide our troops with all their equipment needs on pending critical contracts.”

  As AEY’s bid for its largest government contract was being considered, Mr. Diveroli’s personal difficulties continued. On Nov. 26, 2006, the Miami Beach police were called to his condominium during an argument between him and another girlfriend. According to the police report, he had thrown her “clothes out in the hallway and told her to get out.”

  A witness told the police Mr. Diveroli had dragged her back into the apartment. The police found the woman crying; she said she had not been dragged. Mr. Diveroli was not charged.

  On Dec. 21, 2006, the police were called back to the condominium. Mr. Diveroli and AEY’s vice president, David M. Packouz, had just been in a fight with the valet parking attendant.

  The fight began, the police said, after the attendant refused to give Mr. Diveroli his keys and Mr. Diveroli entered the garage to get them himself. A witness said Mr. Diveroli and Mr. Packouz both beat the man; police photographs showed bruises and scrapes on his face and back.

  When the police searched Mr. Diveroli, they found he had a forged driver’s license that added four years to his age and made him appear old enough to buy alcohol as a minor. His birthday had been the day before.

  “I don’t even need that any more,” he told the police, the report said. “I’m 21 years old.”

  Mr. Diveroli was charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor, and felony possession of a stolen or forged document.

  The second charge placed his business in jeopardy. Mr. Diveroli had a federal firearms license, which was required for his work. With a felony conviction, the license would be nullified.

  (Mr. Packouz was charged with battery and the charge was later dropped; he declined to be interviewed. To avoid a conviction on his record, Mr. Diveroli entered a six-month diversion program for first offenders in May 2007 that spared him from standing trial.)

  A relative paid Mr. Diveroli’s $1,000 bail as his bid for the Afghan contract was in its final review.

  To be accepted, the company had to be, in Army parlance, “a responsible contractor,” which required an examination of its financial soundness, transport capabilities, past performance and compliance with the law and government contracting regulations.

  The week after a relative paid his bail, the Banc of America Investment Services in Miami provided Mr. Diveroli a letter certifying that his company had cash on hand to begin buying munitions on a large scale. It said AEY had $5,469,668.95 in an account.

  AEY was awarded the contract in January 2007. Asked why it chose AEY, the Army Sustainment Command answered in writing: “AEY’s proposal represented the best value to the government.”

  Eastern Bloc Arsenals

  Both the Army and AEY have treated the sources of the ammunition the company purchases as confidential matters, declining to say how and where the company obtained it, the prices paid or the quantities delivered.

  But records provided by an official concerned about the company’s performance, a whistle-blower in the Balkans and an arms-trafficking researcher in Europe, as well as interviews with several people who work in state arsenals in Europe, show that AEY shopped from stocks in the old Eastern bloc, including Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Romania and Slovakia.

  These stockpiles range from temperature-controlled bunkers to unheated warehouses packed with exposed, decaying ammunition. Some arsenals contain ammunition regarded in munitions circles as high quality. Others are scrap heaps of abandoned Soviet arms.

  The Army’s contract did little to distinguish between the two.

  When the United States or NATO buys munitions for themselves, the process is regulated by quality-assurance standards that cover manufacturing, packaging, storage, testing and transport.

  The standards exist in part because munitions are perishable. As they age, propellants and explosives degrade, and casings are susceptible to weathering. Environmental conditions — humidity, vibration, temperature shifts — accelerate decay, making munitions less reliable.

  NATO rules require ammunition to be tested methodically over its life; samples are fired through braced weapons, and muzzle velocities and accuracy are recorded.

  For rifle cartridges, testing begins at age 10 years, according to Peter Courtney-Green, chief of the Ammunition Support Office of NATO’s Maintenance and Supply Agency.

  The Soviet Union, which designed the ammunition that AEY bought, developed similar tests, which are still in use. But when the Army wrote its Afghan contract, it did not enforce either NATO or Russian standards. It told bidders only that the munitions must be “serviceable and issuable to all units without qualification.”

  What this meant was not defined. An official at the Army Sustainment Command said that because the ammunition was for foreign weapons, and considered “nonstandard,” it only had to fit in weapons it was intended for.

  “There is no specific testing request, and there is no age limit,” said Michael Hutchison, the command’s deputy director for acquisition. “As the ammunition is not standard to the U.S. inventory, the Army doesn’t possess packaging or quality standards for that ammo.”

  When purchasing such munitions, Mr. Hutchison said, the Army Sustainment Command relies on standards from the “customer” — meaning the Army units in Afghanistan. And the customer, he said, did not set age or testing requirements.

  With the vague standards in hand, AEY canvassed the field. One stop was Albania, a fortress state during Soviet times now trying to join NATO. Albania has huge stocks of armaments, much if it provided by China in the 1960s and 1970s.

  The quality of these stockpiles vary widely, said William D. G. Hunt, a retired British ammunition technical officer who assessed the entire stock for Albania’s Ministry of Defense from 1998 to 2002. He said a military planning to use the munitions had reason to worry: at least 90 percent of the stockpile was more than 40 years old.

  “If there was any procurement made for combat purposes from that stockpile, I would be very dubious about it,” he said. “I am not suggesting that all the ammunition would fail. But its performance would tail off rather dramatically. It is substandard, for sure.”

  Problems with Albania’s decaying munitions were apparent earlier this month, when a depot outside Tirana, Albania’s capital, erupted in a chain of explosions, killing at least 22 people, injuring at least 300 others and destroying hundreds of homes.

  Before the Army’s contractors began shopping from such depots, the West’s assessment of Albanian munitions was evident in programs it sponsored to destroy them. Through 2007, the United States had contributed $2 million to destroy excess small-caliber weapons and 2,000 tons of ammunition in Albania, according to the State Department.

  A NATO program that ended last year involved 16 Western nations contributing about $10 million to destroy 8,700 tons of obsolete ammunition. The United States contributed $500,000. Among the items destroyed were 104 million 7.62 millimeter cartridges — exactly the ammunition AEY sought from the Albanian state arms export agency.

  Albania offered to sell tens of millions of cartridges manufactured as long ago as 1950. For tests, a 25-year-old AEY representative was given 1,000 cartridges to fire, according to Ylli Pinari, the director of the arms export agency at the time of the sale.

  No ballistic performance was recorded, he said. The rounds were fired by hand.

  On that basis, AEY bought more than 100 million cartridges for the Pentagon’s order. The cartridges, according to packing lists, dated to the 1960s.

  The company also hired a local businessman, Kosta Trebicka, to remove the ammunition from its wooden crates and hermetically sealed metal boxes — the standard military packaging that protects munitions from moisture and dirt, and helps ensure its reliability and ease of transport in the field.

  Mr. Trebicka, in interviews, said Mr. Diveroli wanted to discard the crates and metal boxes to reduce the weight and cost of air shipments and maximize profits. Several American officials said they suspected that the packaging was removed because it bore Chinese markings and the ammunition’s age.

  The Czech Connection

  As the cartridges in Albania were being prepared for shipment to Afghanistan, Mr. Diveroli began seeking ammunition from the Czech Republic to fill an order for Iraq’s Interior Ministry.

  In May 2007, according to two American officials, the Czech government contacted the American Embassy in Prague with a concern: AEY was buying nine million cartridges through Petr Bernatik, a Czech citizen who had been accused by Czech officials of illegal arms trafficking.

  The accusations included shipments of rocket-propelled grenades in violation of an international embargo to Congo, and illegal shipments of firearms to Slovakia.

  Mr. Bernatik had publicly denied both accusations. But they were deemed credible enough in Washington that he was listed on the Defense Trade Controls watch list, according to one of the American officials.

  This list, maintained by the State Department, is used to prevent American dealers from engaging suspicious traders in their business, in part to prevent legal arms companies from enriching or legitimizing black-market networks.

  AEY has never been implicated in black-market sales. But the Czech government, which had discretion over the sale, asked the American Embassy if it wanted Mr. Bernatik involved in AEY’s deals, according to the two American officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to share the contents of diplomatic discussions.

  The United States did not try to block the transaction, one of the American officials said, in part because equipping Iraq was in the United States’ interest, and also because Mr. Bernatik had been accused, not convicted.

  On May 7, 2007, the Czech government issued an export license. Mr. Bernatik, in a telephone interview, said he arranged seven flights to Iraq for AEY last year. “We have a normal business collaboration,” he said.

  A Mysterious Middleman

  The international arms business operates partly in the light and partly in shadows, and is littered with short-lived shell companies, middlemen and official corruption. Governments have tried to regulate it more closely for years, with limited success.

  As Mr. Diveroli began to fill the Army’s huge orders, he was entering a shadowy world, and in his brief interview he suggested that he was aware that corruption could intrude on his dealings in Albania. “What goes on in the Albanian Ministry of Defense?” he said. “Who’s clean? Who’s dirty? Don’t want to know about it.”

  The way AEY’s business was structured, Mr. Diveroli, at least officially, did not deal directly with Albanian officials. Instead, a middleman company registered in Cyprus, Evdin Ltd., bought the ammunition and sold it to his company.

  The local packager involved in the deal, Mr. Trebicka, said that he suspected that Evdin’s purpose was to divert money to Albanian officials.

  The purchases, Mr. Trebicka said, were a flip: Albania sold ammunition to Evdin for $22 per 1,000 rounds, he said, and Evdin sold it to AEY for much more. The difference, he said he suspected, was shared with Albanian officials, including Mr. Pinari, then the head of the arms export agency, and the defense minister at the time, Fatmir Mediu.

  (Mr. Mediu resigned last week after the ammunition depot explosions; Mr. Pinari was arrested.) The Albanian government has been infuriated by Mr. Trebicka’s allegations. Sali Berisha, the prime minister, Mr. Mediu and Mr. Pinari all denied involvement in kickbacks. But Mr. Trebicka said that after he raised his concerns about Evdin with the Defense Ministry, his company was forced from the repackaging contract.

  On June 11, 2007, Mr. Trebicka and Mr. Diveroli commiserated by phone about problems with doing business in Albania. Mr. Trebicka surreptitiously recorded the conversation, and later gave the audio files to American investigators.

  The conversation, he said, showed that the American company was aware of corruption in its dealings in Albania and that Heinrich Thomet, a Swiss arms dealer, was behind Evdin.

  In the recordings, which Mr. Trebicka shared with The Times, Mr. Diveroli suggests that Mr. Thomet, called “Henri,” was acting as the middleman.

  “Pinari needs a guy like Henri in the middle to take care of him and his buddies, which is none of my business,” Mr. Diveroli said. “I don’t want to know about that business. I want to know about legitimate businesses.”

  Mr. Diveroli recommended that Mr. Trebicka try to reclaim his contract by sending “one of his girls” to have sex with Mr. Pinari. He suggested that money might help, too.

  “Let’s get him happy; maybe he gives you one more chance,” he said. “If he gets $20,000 from you … ”

  At the end, Mr. Diveroli appeared to lament his business with Albania. “It went up higher to the prime minister and his son,” he said. “I can’t fight this mafia. It got too big. The animals just got too out of control.”

  In e-mail exchanges, Mr. Thomet denied an official role in Evdin. His involvement in the Albania deal, he said, had been in introducing Mr. Diveroli to potential partners and officials. Bogdan Choopryna, Evdin’s general manager, also said Mr. Diveroli’s allegations were not true. “We listen to the words of Mr. Diveroli, and then I am responsible for what he is saying?” he said. In addition to being an official with Evdin, Mr. Choopryna, 27, markets products for a Swiss company run by Mr. Thomet.

  The dispute about Evdin’s role and who owns it remains publicly unresolved. Evdin had incorporated on Sept. 26, 2006 — the week after Mr. Diveroli bid on the Afghan contract, according to Cyprus’s registrar. The company listed its office in Larnaca, Cyprus, and its general director as Pambos Fellas.

  A visit by a reporter to the address found an accounting business above a nightclub. Evdin had no office or staff there. And Mr. Fellas, who was inside, said that he was not Evdin’s general director, but “a nominee director” whose sole role was to register the company.

  He had registered hundreds of such companies for a fee, he said, and knew nothing of Evdin’s business.

  Some signs point back to Switzerland. Mr. Pinari initially told two reporters that he worked with Evdin via Mr. Thomet. (After a reporter told Mr. Thomet this, Mr. Pinari changed his story, referring the reporter to Mr. Fellas and Evdin’s office in Cyprus.) Mr. Diveroli also said the Cyprus company was run by a “Swiss individual.”

  Mr. Thomet has been accused in the past by private groups, including Amnesty International, of arranging illegal arms transfers under a shifting portfolio of corporate names. His activities have also caused concern in Washington, where, like Mr. Bernatik, he and Evdin are on the Defense Trade Controls watch list, an American official said.

  Mr. Thomet said past claims that he had engaged in illegal arms trading were caused by “false statements by former competitors.”

  Hugh Griffiths, operations manager of the Arms Transfer Profile Initiative, a private organization that researches illicit arms transfers, described Mr. Thomet as a broker with contacts in former Eastern bloc countries with stockpiles and arms factories. His proximity to AEY’s purchases, Mr. Griffiths said, raised questions about whether the Pentagon was adequately vetting the business done in its name.

  “Put very simply, many of the people involved in smuggling arms to Africa are also exactly the same as those involved in Pentagon-supported deals, like AEY’s shipments to Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said.

  Under the suspension ordered Wednesday, the Army planned to continue accepting ammunition it had already ordered from AEY. As of March 21, it had ordered $155 million of munitions, according to the Army Sustainment Command.

  In Afghanistan, American munitions officers are examining all of the small-arms ammunition AEY has shipped. The final shipment, which arrived in wooden crates, included loose and corroded cartridges, according to three officers. At Rock Island Arsenal, the contracting authority said it was cooperating with investigators, who have also visited Albania and Afghanistan.

  And in Miami Beach, even before the suspension, AEY had lost staff members. Michael Diveroli, the company’s founder, told a reporter that he no longer had any relationship with the company. Mr. Packouz, who was AEY’s vice president, and Levi Meyer, 25, who was briefly listed as general manager, had left the company, too.

  Mr. Meyer offered a statement: “I’m not involved in that mess anymore.”

  C. J Chivers reported from Nawa, Afghanistan, Russia and Ukraine; Eric Schmitt from Washington and Miami Beach; and Nicholas Wood from Tirana, Albania. Reporting was contributed by Alain Delaquérière and Margot Williams from New York, James Glanz from Baghdad, and Stefanos Evripidou from Cyprus.

  Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

• 175 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 20, 2008 at 12:34 pm

  This is “Our town”.

  See the evil.

  These are your children’s peers.

• 176 Teacher // Jul 20, 2008 at 1:13 pm

  This is the future we create for our children when we, as parents, condone and put them in environments where moral values don’t matter. It’s sad to say but I’m afraid there are many more situations like this. Some were and are covered by parental influence and connections but when you stick your fingers in Uncle Sam’s pie this is what you get!
  Where do we go from here?

• 177 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 20, 2008 at 1:45 pm

  Amen Teacher. This Diveroli and his buddies are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

  What to do? What did Noah do? What did G-d tell Abraham to do about Sodom and Gamorah?

  Leave.

  You think you can change Sodom and Gamorah? Not.

  “Now, about this time the Sodomites, overwhelmingly proud of their numbers and the extent of their wealth, showed themselves insolent to men and impious to the divinity, insomuch that they no more remembered the benefits that they had received from him …and avoided any contact with others. Indignant at this conduct, God accordingly resolved to chastise them for their arrogance, and not only to uproot their city, but to blast their land so completely that it should yield neither plant nor fruit whatsoever from that time forward.

  —Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 1:194-195

  Now this was the sin of Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

  —Ezekiel 16:49-50

  The shoe seems to fit.

• 178 Teacher // Jul 20, 2008 at 2:47 pm

  Why is this happening to our children?

  Exactly HIC, but those parents don’t take heed to Tanakh. They don’t even know what’s in there! Unfortunately, their life’s story. They don’t have to agree. They routinely recite the Shema but they don’t understand what is in there. Or better yet, they know what it implies but choose not to enact and implement the teachings, therefore, like Sodom and Gomorah, G-d allows them to destroy themselves and their children; this down to the fourth generation only if they do teshuva!

  II Kings 13:2 “And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.”

  II Kings 13:3 “And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days.”

• 179 Sockeye // Jul 20, 2008 at 6:22 pm

  You can memorize anything but unless you break down the passage and are explicit in the discussion on connotation, denotation, syntax, annotation, allusion, comparison, contrast, cause, effect, and consequences and make it personal to the student in knowledge/comprehension/application/analysis/and synthesis you will not get a competent response.
  Testing by multiple choice really doesn’t work well either because it is memorized for the test.
  “Sunday school” fluff doesn’t work.

• 180 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 20, 2008 at 8:14 pm

  Okay Sockey — can you understand this — there are too many amoral people in this town including in the Jewish community who are having a horrible influence on our children and the results are even apparent on NBC news coast to coast.

• 181 Anonymous // Jul 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm

  In all fairness, there are crooks everywhere…and I believe this kid is a Hebrew Academy graduate not a Hillel one…

  I don’t think you can point the finger at the schools either for this.

  His family actually happens to be a very nice family too, believe it or not.

  You’ve got rotten apples in every bunch.

  I knew tons of Jewish college students in NYC who got busted for credit card fraud and selling Ecstasy internationally. I don’t think you can’t fault the entire Jewish community of any city for a handful of Jewish crooks.

  I think to do so is actually quite anti-Semitic.

• 182 Sockeye // Jul 20, 2008 at 11:10 pm

  HIC – amorality is not exclusive to any religious group. It happens despite best efforts to avoid it.
  South Florida is not a utopia.
  If anything we resemble a dark room filled with lost people wandering around trying to figure out what that object in the middle is: dystopia, utopia, anarchy, republicanism, socialist or democratic paradise or a really bad science fiction movie of the week. We poke at life. We poke at the chances we get and take.
  Not every kid knows how to take the high road nor certainly does every adult know that either.
  Catholics would point out the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, or pride – and excommunicate the unrepentent (because so many people are unchurched today that does not happen very often anymore).
  South Florida is filled with temptations but by right teaching the kids will be better prepared to face life and make the right choices more often than not.
  3 things make a person strong: 1. strong religious education; 2. tight family; 3. a social net work where the right choices are supported and encouraged.

• 183 Teacher // Jul 21, 2008 at 10:56 am

  When fathers get used to letting their children do whatever pleases them,
  When sons are no longer bound to keep their words,
  When teachers tremble in front of their students and prefer to flatter them (Not hurting their feelings), instead of disciplining them,
  When finally the young despise laws because they no longer recognize them or the authority of anything or anybody above them,
  Then this is, in all beauty and youth, the beginning of tyranny.

  Plato, 429 à -347.

• 184 Jeremiah // Jul 21, 2008 at 1:35 pm

  Agreed. Plato is profound.

  Tyranny gives birth to facism. Tyranny gave birth the the sequence of events that led to 1914, 1938…

  Tyrannies can exist in little ways, or tremendous ways.

  Did you know that Florida is ‘a right to work state’? If your employer thinks you shouldn’t be working, you won’t be. I am aware of a teacher who worked for a charter school a number of years ago…who went to her uncle’s funeral in Orlando, taking four leave days (it was approved)(she had gone into work the day after her uncle had passed as no sub was available, then took her days), came back to work at said school, found her classroom lock changed and found that she had been fired in absentia for (1)having a dirty classroom on a day she was not there, (2) having three days of papers ungraded in desk basket, (3) taking more than one day to attend a funeral, (4) not having filed lesson plans on time (she was in Orlando at the funeral). The experience rocked her world. She was told she would never work again. Afterwards she could find no school to hire her in South Florida, not even public. She went into another profession, but suspects that there may be a blacklist although there is not proof of that.

  Tyrannies can be awfully hard on people.

• 185 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 22, 2008 at 8:16 am

  Sockey you are very insightful and profound.

  “If anything we resemble a dark room filled with lost people wandering around trying to figure out what that object in the middle is: dystopia, utopia, anarchy, republicanism, socialist or democratic paradise or a really bad science fiction movie of the week. We poke at life. We poke at the chances we get and take.”

  I think though that many of people who think it is utopia or we mere mortals thinks are living a utopian life (living behind their guardgates, plastic bodies, and noses in the air) soon enough realize it is really dystopia.

  But in the meanwhile the tone and the agenda in which our children live and are nurtured goes unchanged. No one hears the bell tolling.

• 186 Hillel Industrial Complex // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:18 pm

  Jeremiah, right to work state issues and union issues can be debated until the cows come home. The more immediate problem for the children is drug use, narcissism, lack of respect, lack of good behavior to model, extreme materialism, etc.

• 187 Sockeye // Jul 22, 2008 at 2:31 pm

  “But in the meanwhile the tone and the agenda in which our children live and are nurtured goes unchanged. No one hears the bell tolling.”

  Some of us do, HIC.

• 188 Angry Parent // Jul 29, 2008 at 4:22 pm

  EDUCATION

  Company: THE SAMUEL SCHECK HILLEL

  7/27/08

  Description
  Substitute Teachers Hillel Community Day School in the NMB area is seeking candidates for substitute teacher positions in all divisions and subjects. Long term sub openings in MS science and elem music. Must have at least two yrs. of college. Teaching exp. a plus. Email resumes to [Click Here to Email Your Resumé] for immed. review.
  Web-Id MH5381827

  Source – Miami Herald

  Requirements
  Please refer to the Job Description to view the requirements for this job

  PS: Now check this out, Hillel has been running Ads for a Middle School science teacher none can be found. The need is now so dire that they are willing to hire ‘ subs’ with ‘some’ college credit. This is what a school of Excellence is!

• 189 Paul Gorelick // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:14 pm

  When you get rid of Adam Holden and his cronies, sanity will return.

  The truth shall set you free. Mr. Holden can’t fight the truth.

  The Kansas City Jewish community and HBHA community is a great community. I am part of that vibrant community. What I speak of our facts, not libel or slander. Adam’s actions are immoral and unethical!

  My daughter, Naomi, was part of HBHA’s largest kindegarten class of 43. By the time she left, the fourth grade had only 12 students and they had to team up with the fifth grade class of 10 students. They made excuses, but the bottom line is that they had to group the two together. Furthermore, HBHA was a growing, albeit small by your standards, Jewsish day school. Depending on the counts, enrollment was at least at 375 and growing. By the time Adam finally left, enrollment was decling around 200.

  Adam Holden almost took away my daughter. HBHA manufactured and perpetuated an outright lie. Let’s just say I am now whole again with a settlement.

  I understand I in no way shape or form are the sole reason for the past happenings at HBHA. Here is a least of things that happened under Mr. Holden’s regime.

  Pam Lehman, the counselor, was let go, after my incident. Laura Hewitt, the elementary school principal was demoted. I have an actual affidavit finally saying it was a lie.

  Previous to HBHA, Adam was associated with a Catholic high school , I believe, called Saint Thomas Aquinas. My good friend, a Catholic, actively associated with that high school, Mike Maddock, can tell you Adam did NOT have a good record at that institution.

  The student council had no contact with Adam. As active as a parent I could be, I spoke with the then President of Student Council, Stacey. Sorry I don’t remember her last time. She was fristrated as student council president that she hardly eve spoke with Adam. Up until April of her senior year as President of the student council, she had only spoken with Adam twice.

  The controller, Nola Kroner, is still there. However during Adam’s regime, finances were atrocious. This may be Nola’s repsonsibilty, but Adam was aware of the inaccuracies.Payments were inaccurate. Recivables were terribly inaccurate. The administration knew as such. Families affected were the Haneys. the Ginsbergs, the Cook’s and myself, just to name a few.

  I believe it is already well known that Adam rarely visited with the teachers. The best teachers were let go, because they were not”part of the team.”

  to be continued…

• 190 Paul Gorelick // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:45 pm

  Sorry about some of the typing, but the content is what is important.

  One of Naomi’s kindegarten teachers, who taught science and math was a gem, but she was let go. Naomi’s second grade teacher, Suzy Katz, was great, but unprofessional behavior by Laura Hewitt, made Suzy go.

  Adam maintained a gag order on the faculty. One of Naomi’s first grade teachers, Civia White, on at least two occasions told me she had a gag order not to talk about HBHA.

  Adam instituted a gag order required for enrollment. It cited we were all one big family, dissension was either discouraged or even not allowed and could result in seperation from the HBHA family

  A prior HBHA family, who was Chairman of the school and had won civic awards left HBHA left. Among other things this prominent family was threatend. Doesn’t that speak negative volumes of Adam, when a prominent HBHA family left.

  Another prominent HBHA family who donated lots and lots and lots of money left during Adam’s regime.

  Although it is/was a Jewish Day School, Adam fueled an antagonistic environmnet where the Jewish aspect was severly diminished. On numerous occasions stories can be told where Adam sat by and let faculty bad mouth the Jewish aspect.

  Adam knew and the whole community knew of affairs going on, yet nothing was done. One of the founding members grandchild was enrolled at HBHA. The child’s parents were going through a divorce. The mother was “extremely friendly” with one of the male teachers.

  Even among prominent wealthy Jewish HBHA families, Adam almost never went to life cycle events, I.E. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

  I inderstand some of you may say forgive and forget. That is true. However, even a snake needs to be taken down.

• 191 Paul Gorelick // Jul 29, 2008 at 9:00 pm

  One more note…

  Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Shalom and founding member of HBHA, Rabbi Margolies, wrote in the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle that he was not happy with Adam’s regime.

  At the time, I personally spoke with Rabbi Margolies and we had a nice conversation albeit a sad one regarding the sad stae of HBHA.

  It is with sadness that Adam has destroyed another gem.

• 192 Challenge // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:47 pm

  I challenge Mr. Bonwitt to address this to the Hillel family….including those who left in disgust over the current mess.

• 193 Paul Gorelick // Jul 30, 2008 at 7:22 pm

  One family left specifically due to the antagonistic attitude toward Jewish studies. The student was not supported in his Jewsih studies. After leaving HBHA, the student went on to win the National Bible contest. No thanks to Adam. Wouldn’t it have been nice to have a national Bible contest winner?

• 194 Paul Gorelick // Jul 30, 2008 at 7:24 pm

  It is well known although hard to prove, but still well known, HBHA families with student athletes, specifically soccer, were given higher amounts of financial aid towards fees and tuition.

• 195 ANONYMOUS // Jul 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm

  What is with this guy and soccer? At hillel soccer rules above all else too.

• 196 Paul Gorelick // Jul 31, 2008 at 2:49 am

  Adam was a soccer player in Great Britain.

  Beware the IB program (International Bacclureate – ???spelling)
  IB overall is a very good program. Once again HBHA is putting in the IB prgoram. It comes at great financial cost and upkeep. While it can be integrated within a Jewish day school, its goals and objectives take away from the Jewish Day School concept. That is why IB in the USA is typically in a public school format. Before, you even begin to attack these comments, I know what I am talking about. I have a very close friend, Susan Mandelbaum, who is an IB teacher, and also a state standards assessment teacher. I am a proponent of IB, but not at an unstable institution. IB takes extra committment and trained teachers. It does not work with substitute or part time teachers. Students and teachers interact together and integrate each and every subject at higher levels. It is definitely a team effort for all involved. IB typically does require extra effort and work to be successful for student and teacher.

• 197 Challenge // Jul 31, 2008 at 9:41 am

  We’ve known all along that the Board’s goal is to change Hillel from a top Jewish Day School to a Jewish-style prep school. They’ve succeeded in destroying the Jewish Day School part, but are a long way off from any form of academic excellence. I hope middle school parents are running fast from having a permanent sub (translation – a revolving door of subs because no one will last under those circumstances) teaching their children science.

• 198 Besht // Jul 31, 2008 at 10:29 am

  It’s sad to say but in reality the administration at Hillel knows nothing about education. Therefore, they can’t even understand what the IB program is, and much less implement it. It’s a disgrace to have such people running a Jewish school. They don’t even know the what the aleph in education means, spelled in English. What are they teaching the talmudim whose best interest they claim to be protecting?
  Remember that we are our worst enemy!

  Besht…

• 199 Anonymous // Aug 1, 2008 at 7:54 pm

  The situation is horrific in this school.

  They just fired Mr. Hershey and sent out a letter to parents saying that he helped kids cheat on the SAT while he proctored the and that people shouldn’t use him as a math tutor in the future.

  Is this even true or it a massive smear campaign??

  I can tell you that when I posted earlier that rampant cheating has been taking place during the SATs taken at Hillel, I was not referring to Mr. Hershey whatsoever.

  The cheating has been going on for a minimum of five years–long before he arrived on the scene.

  It’s hard for me to believe that what they’re saying about him is true.

  Regardless, I hear he’s an amazing tutor.

• 200 Paul Gorelick // Aug 1, 2008 at 11:44 pm

  That brings up a similar story although not about cheating at HBHA. Teachers at HBHA were not allowed or extremely discouraged from having second incomes, even including tutoring. Adam similarly at HBHA sent out letters saying what families could and could not do. As far your mentioned letter, Mr. Hershey certainly has grounds for a lawsuita gainst the aminsitration and school unless of course it can be documented that he did help students cheat

  On a side note, perhaps people in Florida, although not in Kansas city, actually know who “anonymous” really is. Why must “anonymous” or other people blogging anonymously be anonymous unless of course what they purport to be true is false. The information from Kansas city people is true. I can assure you results would be more likely to be forthcoming with real people stepping up instead of this well meaning anonymous people. I can also assure you am in no way shape or form a friend of Adam or the current administration.

• 201 Teacher // Aug 3, 2008 at 11:10 am

  Mr. Gorelick,

  It does not really matter who says what on this blog. What is important, however, is the reliability of the information. Remember, we can always say who we are. While we may not be affected, others close to us in may get hurt in the process. We are not seeking recognition or fame. We just want to expose the truth for what it is, that’s all!
  Remember, it was forbidden for the door of one tent to face another. Do you know why?
  I can guarantee you if be necessary to disclose our identities for legal purposes, as instructed in the Torah, we will! Right now, we are trying to minimize the casualties. Do you understand this? When Mordechai revealed the plot against Ashverosh he did not seek recognition for himself but his claim was true! right? Without that we may not have had Purim. Baruch HaShem!
  Remember, every corrupted institution needs a scapegoat. At Hillel, those scapegoats are the teachers! They are blamed even for the malpractices of the administration!

• 202 Paul Gorelick // Aug 3, 2008 at 3:49 pm

  Teacher,

  I basically agree with the intent of your comments. However, this blog has been going on for over 2 years. I would think at some level something more substantial would have transpired. Please believe me when I tell you I am NOT a fan of Adam Holden or his suck up spy Tym Bonilla.

  And if for one nano-second you are trying to imply my family, friends, relatives, or myself are seeking fame and fortune, G-d forbid anyone should have to go through the trials and tribulations we experienced. If anything, my name gives validity to the hard facts of the situation. Among other things, a lie was established and perpetuateed by Adam and his cronies. The lie was and can be shown to be utterly false.

  I understand and many HBHA familes understand your pain. It has been said before on this blog, the time has come to rise up and cut the head off the snake/monster/Adam. Otherwise, a serious reflection needs to be considered that perhaps in due time Adam and his cronies will be responsible for their own demise.

  If you wish for me to not use my name, by all means suggest another one.

  Like it or not, I might add, in any fruitful conflict resolution, progress is not made until real people can stand behind their words. Yes, the snake probably will bite some innocent people. That only shows the true colors of the snake.

  One shouldn’t be defeated just because Adam has been given a new contract. Contracts can be broken and are broken by either party especially for deceit, fraud, and inappropriate professional behavior. Also, many educational contracts should or do have clauses regarding immoral and unethical behavior.

  I would love for Hashem to do what we consider is right concerning Adam. . Depending on the way you look at things. We ourselves can confront the evil inclination or we can assist Hashem.

  Let this blog stand for progress. Do not let this blog turn into a forever ongoing bitch session.

• 203 Anonymous // Aug 3, 2008 at 5:17 pm

  I must remain anonymous for some very important reasons. I’m very well known throughout the community. I can’t go into more detail than that.

• 204 Anonymous // Aug 5, 2008 at 11:22 pm

  Michael Druin, Adam Holden, Judy Dach, Joanne Papir, Gil Bonwitt, Rafa Russ, and Chaim Botwinick are all collectively responsible for the demise of the second largest Jewish day school in N. America.

• 205 Anonymous seeker // Aug 6, 2008 at 3:17 pm

  What the heck do you mean by that?

• 206 Hillel Industrial Complex // Aug 8, 2008 at 10:55 am

  My experience at the epicenter of the South Florida Jewish Wasteland has inspired me to start my own blog. “Jewish American Narcissist”. http://www.jannotjap.blogspot.com.

  The first post.

  The JAP is really the JAN. The Jewish American Prince or Princess is really the Jewish American Narcissist. Let’s get real folks. The information is now all available on the world wide web.

  We Jews have been giving ourselves too much credit. We have not created a unique Jewish American creature. We have created ordinary narcissists and we have been darn good at it.
  The JAP is really the JAN. This is good news for the Jews. The modern wisdom can explain the nature of a narcissist, how he or she is created and be dealt with, and how to protect yourself from the narcissist. Most important for the Jewish future, modern wisdom also teaches how to prevent the creation of a narcissist-in our case, the Jewish American Narcissist.

  One hint as to the teenager JAN — you must take action at least by age 15. Even better before the narcissistic high rite of the Bar or Bat Mitzah. Instead of the Bar or Bat Mitzah orgy, order a couple of Challahs and a few dozen Kicheleh. Forget the party and then proceed to tell the budding JAN to get a job, pick up his clothes, and take out the garbage everyday. Give him or her a proverbial “kick in the ass.” Tough love. No more Mr. Nice Guy. If not, you will suffer the consequences at age 18 when he or she spits in your face claiming he or she is an adult. You will have zero power over your JAN. In fact you will be at his or her total mercy. You will be stuck paying $60,000 a year for his or her college and be at his or her mercy to obtain good grades so as not to ruin your dream of his or her wonderful future. His motto will be “give me more, give me more…” Otherwise, he will threaten you with the JAN’s version of Armageddon, “I hate you.”

  For now remember, “only you can prevent narcissism.”

• 207 Hillel Industrial Complex // Aug 8, 2008 at 11:06 am

  “Anonymous” – this is old news. The wizards behind the curtain are power hungry predators. These are the Schecks and Family, Inc. Pulling the strings with Baltach and some now deceased accountants from day one. Also playing at Beth Torah for many years.

  Then there are the “want to be predators” controlled by the real predators. These are the Judy Dachs (excuse me, “Doctor Dach”) and Joanne Papirs. J & J, Inc. Self-proclaimed experts on education.

  Then there are the powerless lackies. These are Rafa Russ (Hable Ingles?) and Chaim Botwinick (“Where else can I get a paycheck like this to be a Czar of Jewish Education?”)

  Give it up folks, you think you can beat the Mob?

  Get a dozen Jewish Charter Schools set up in Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach and let’s be through with these thugs.

• 208 Anonymous // Aug 11, 2008 at 9:46 pm

  Hillel Industrial complex–

  I am glad you are starting your own blog. Do you plan to write about these JANs in particular or just the phenomenon in general? If you are going to write about Hillel/ S.Florida: Do you know how to tag the names of these individuals on blogspot so that their names will come up in google searches and everyone will know who they are and what they’ve done? That would be amazing.

• 209 ANONYMOUS // Aug 13, 2008 at 2:55 pm

  its a D school. When all the new uncertified teachers get through with it this year the high school will be lucky to be a f school

• 210 Hillel Industrial Complex // Aug 14, 2008 at 7:56 pm

  $17,000 – $19,4000/yr. tuition — have these people lost touch with reality?? and don’t forget all the tutors and psychological testing you are going to need. “Community Days School” — the community of uber rich? This is way more than most colleges cost. 13 years of this will be $234,000 plus lost interest per child. This will probably set you back close to $900,000 for 3 children !! This is shear insanity. Unless you want to get down on your knees and beg the King for alms for the poor. Screw these bastards.

• 211 Great Education // Aug 14, 2008 at 11:59 pm

  Send your kids to public school. Not to defend Hillel in any way, private jewish schools all over the country are very expensive. And tuition doesn’t come close to covering the cost. You want to lower costs – win the lottery and give your winnings to the jewish school of your choice. We Jews want the best schools but we don’t want to pay for them.

  Again, I’m not talking about Hillel.

• 212 Hillel Industrial Complex // Aug 15, 2008 at 1:55 pm

  Screw the Jewish School Industrial Complex.

  It has given us more school than we need or can afford. Bear in mind this is a community school. The community cannot afford these prices. The price of Hillel has gone up faster than the CPI or wages for the sole reason that some people are willing to pay full price. This has given the administration the ability to waste money. The uber rich can pay and the lower income or teacher’s kids get heavy discounts. Who gets screwed — the middle class.

  Besides, I have seen what goes on – every person has an assistant and that assistant has an assistant. Not too many want to break a sweat.

  Too many teachers for whatever reason want a full pay and on top of it a heavily discounted tuition for their children. If they want top dollar pay, why the heavy discount?? Why does the fact that you are given a job at the school give you the right to have a heavy discount worth in some cases tens of thousands of dollars?

  And if this is the necessary price, screw the bastards. Let’s get 20 Hebrew Charter Schools set up.

• 213 ANONYMOUS // Aug 15, 2008 at 2:17 pm

  You can staff some excellent schools with the teachers who left from all subjects. Others just want a opportunity and they would run out to

• 214 Great Education // Aug 17, 2008 at 1:08 am

  Sure you can but they won’t work for nothing, nor should they. Private school education always comes at a price.

• 215 ANONYMOUS // Sep 3, 2008 at 7:38 am

  The reports are starting to come in about the new staff.kids and parents see poor teachers and programs put together without alot of thought.People in the community are laughing about the school of xcellence.kids are sorry they didnt leave.parents are sorry they didnt make them leave. Old teachers are miserable and sorry they didnt leave.

• 216 Besht // Sep 29, 2008 at 1:45 pm

  Now Hillel’s religious leaders are fed up with the administration. The Upper School principal is losing it causing parents, teachers, and staffs to be pissed off. The situation is now at its climax. What are you going to do? Are you willing to step in.

• 217 Jeremiah // Sep 30, 2008 at 10:28 pm

  I wish I could help – but I am not even in the school….

• 218 Anonymous // Oct 3, 2008 at 7:38 pm

  We all tried to sound the warning bells. No one was listening.

  The Board renewed Holden for 3 years.

  The Board members don’t care that they’ve run the place into the ground. Just like true politicians.

• 219 ANONYMOUS // Oct 8, 2008 at 3:29 pm

  We all knew what was going to happen and now the parents are getting exactly what they deserve

• 220 ANONYMOUS // Oct 10, 2008 at 7:49 am

  Hey tYm hope all your overeblown salary and your wifes is in the stock market now
  oh yeah dont worry you’ll be able to sleep late this weekend

• 221 Hillel You Lied // Oct 27, 2008 at 8:40 pm

  The Hillel Establishment:

  Lied to us when they told us our children were “gifted”

  Lied to us when they told us our children were learning disabled.

  Lied to us when they told us they must raise tuition every year in order to improve the school for our children.

  Lied to us when they told us that it was better to have our children play on artificial turf than grass.

  Lied to us when they told us that it was a healthy Jewish environment.

  Lied to us that we need to get our children “tested”.

  Lied to us when they told us we must get our children tutoring.

  Lied to us when they told us that the board of directors and administration were honest in business,

  Lied to us when they told us they were giving our children a first rate Jewish and secular education,

  Lied to us when they told us that our financial sacrifices were worth it,

  They fool us once, shame on them.

  Fool us twice, shame on us.

• 222 Great Education // Oct 29, 2008 at 9:09 am

  Old news

• 223 but we have great football // Oct 29, 2008 at 6:23 pm

  check out the web site – over 300 photos of our glorious team!

• 224 Ivory // Nov 3, 2008 at 10:14 pm

  Seriously.
  So what is happening now?

• 225 Great Education // Nov 4, 2008 at 11:11 am

  The tackle football team is doing well.

• 226 Ivory // Nov 4, 2008 at 9:03 pm

  Really?
  What about the scholars?

  Explain this to me: why, when going through a late relative’s things…would a non-Jewish person find a menorah, buried in a box, in the basement? Oh, and there is no one left alive to ask, why….(it folds flat and has 7 stems).

  The Ivory Tower

• 227 The Gig/Scam is Up Hillel // Nov 11, 2008 at 12:25 pm

  Once again the media reports that in NYC the average Jewish school is around $20,000 or so a year and the Catholic school is $5,000.

  How do the goyim know how to do this done at a price the COMMUNITY can afford?? Not everyone has a suitcase full of money brought from South America.

  The Hillel Establishment in union with the $300,000/yr “executive” directors of Federation were not about the rock the boat. All the bigshot “administrators” were entitled to it all and screw the parents — give them a slice of cake and raise the tuition 10% a year for more crap the kids didn’t really need.

  Where are the parents going to get the money now. NYC private school report 15% non-enrollment already.

  Where is the money that the great minds of Hillel saved for a rainy day?

• 228 Lynn // Nov 15, 2008 at 3:41 pm

  Hillel is ALL about politics and playing games to protect the inflated salaries of many “higher ups” who really don’t want to work. Adam Holden is a dictator, who LOVES to hear himself speak, and doesn’t even have the ability or skill to LISTEN to anyone, let alone teachers who, if they try to have a voice, will be dealt with. Students who lie and manipulate to get their way (the school is known for giving out As, and any teacher who tries to establish strict grading standards gets more headache than it’s worth. But YOU – parents, students have created this system and allowed it go on. What a bunch of WHINY entitled, know-it-all students and parents! Why don’t the parents just home-school their kids. You all don’t want REAL teachers. A teacher at the school who wants to survive must not speak up… they must not have criticisms, opinions or any original thoughts. Well if they do, they have to pretend they are sponges to Adam Holden’s bogus rhetoric. Teachers, in order to survive, must entertain the fact that to this community who certainly can’t tolerate or appreciate non-Jews on their campus, NOTHING will EVER be good enough. No teacher can ever meet the “standards” (which DO NOT EXIST on paper, or ethically speaking) of parents, teachers, and administrators.

  What an unorganized, pathetic facade of drama club Hillel truly is! Teachers beware – go elsewhere! Less pay in a public school is worth your sanity and dignity.

• 229 Reality Check // Dec 15, 2008 at 2:34 pm

  Hum…maybe those calling for financial transparency at Hillel all these years had a point…duh….witness Bernard Madoff…hope Hillel didn’t invest with this guy or someone of like ilk.

  Apparently the uber-rich aren’t any smarter than us mere mortal. Who would have thunk?

• 230 Where's the Conversation? // Dec 21, 2008 at 1:38 pm

  Where’s the conversation of the major role the Hillel family played in the ending narcisstic entitlement culture? Haughty administration and principal’s without credentials. Did they think we were stupid? Yes they did. No one dare questioned the wizard behind the curtain. No one dared to be kicked out of the Hillel Hebraica.

  A “community school” with country club tuition that went up every year? Putting us nice Hillel parents in a position that we have spent every penny of non-existant equity in our homes and have no money to pay for our kids’ college? Not only Bernie had a “block box”, so did the financial wizards of Hillel. I wouldn’t be so quick to sign a contract for next year at Hillel — it may not be there in September.

• 231 holden moving on????? // Dec 24, 2008 at 3:55 pm

  Associate Head of School

  Description: Hillel Community Day School is one of the largest independent traditional Jewish Day Schools in the country. Located on 10 acres in northeastern Miami, Hillel has just over 1000 students from diverse backgrounds in grades PK – 12.

  The school seeks an experienced Educator/Administrator beginning in July 2009 to represent the school within the Jewish community in areas such as marketing, fundraising, communications, and employee relations. Proven successful school leadership experience is a must as this position will succeed the Head of School. Candidates should be effective team-workers, have outstanding interpersonal skills, and a commitment to excellence in Jewish Education.

  For this senior executive position, we offer an impressive compensation package. For further consideration, send resumes/C.V.s’ and your educational philosophy statement to

  Ana Baker

  Hillel Community Day School

  19000 NE 25th Ave.

  North Miami Beach, FL 33180

  Fax: 305-933-2032

  Email: baker@hillel-nmb.net

  Duration: full-time
  contract
  Salary Range: Not Posted
  Benefits: paid vacation, sick leave, medical, vision, dental, retirement plans, leave early on Shabbat, kosher food option available, relocation option available, Life Insurance
  Other Benefits:
  Preferred Experience: 5 Years Experience
  Preferred Degree: Doctorate
  Job posted on: 2008-12-22
  Job viewed: 204 times
  Job is posted for: 90 days

  Job Location: Hillel Community Day School
  19000 NE 25th Ave.
  N. Miami Beach, Florida 33180

  Map
  Application Instructions: For this senior executive position, we offer an impressive compensation package. For further consideration, send resumes/C.V.s’ and your educational philosophy statement to

  Ana Baker

  Hillel Community Day School

  19000 NE 25th Ave.

  North Miami Beach, FL 33180

  Fax: 305-933-2032

  Email: baker@hillel-nmb.net

• 232 Holden hater // Jan 15, 2009 at 5:50 pm

  My momma always told me that if you can’t say anything nice about a low life piece of poopy scum bag then you shouldnt say anything at all.

  So if they are advertising does that mean that the aforementioned life form is moving on?

• 233 Where's the Conversation? // Jan 15, 2009 at 11:22 pm

  Tahl Raz who wrote the following about Bernard Madoff …. it resonates as to the Hillel Establishment Too:

  What seems from afar an incestuous miasma of machers, millionaires, billionaires and Jewish philanthropic “leaders” is really a very clear picture of the contemporary power structure of the pay-to-play Jewish establishment, where someone like the inspiring Ruth Messinger is a side-show annoyance without keys to the back room and Bernie Madoff is a marionette controlling the bureaucratic puppets who run many of our communal organizations.

  The myth of wealth’s virtuosity, and the concomitant values it engendered, has had a disproportionate influence over our community. Partly, it’s because we’ve disproportionately benefited from that myth and those values.

  One problem is how we’ve come to define success. Our children can choose between a banker, lawyer or doctor as their role model. No surprise, then, that their bar mitzvahs are spiritually meaningless affairs whose primary effect is to introduce the children to an aggressively competitive class structure in which, approximating the popular ‘80s bumper sticker regarding toys and death: “He whose party is the most extravagant wins.”

  Madoff’s brilliance is how well he understood this class structure and its evolution into adulthood; how he drew such emphatic lines between Us and Them, admitting the chosen to a circle of privilege, a “secret society” in the words of one of Madoff’s victims; such admittance conferred on both gentile and the Jewish Mcmanor-born instant status. They were “winners.”

  In a vacuum created by institutional decay, poor leadership, and powerless, uninspiring clergy, our Jewish “winners” (bankers et al) stepped in, often honorably, to fill the void. Even our outreach programs began to stress exclusivity, reaching out to only the most successful and influential among us.

  And so ours has become a pay-to-play community where those with the most money have the most influence over the organizations, synagogues, charities, and country clubs that make up our communal infrastructure.

  In effect, the myth itself became the central organizing conceit of this period – that ambition, financial wherewithal, and social status were the agents of communal progress.

  Better to be a macher than a mensch these days.

  We made goo-goo eyes over the megabucks high-financiers, with their turbo-capitalism and hyper-consumption, and now we’re paying the price.

  As we have made our bed, so we must lie in it. It’s time to get up and change the sheets.

• 234 holden moving on????? // Jan 17, 2009 at 8:24 pm

  If you needed any proof that the power players read this blog, here it is:

  The same day that the job posting was put on the blog, the wording of the job posting suddenly changed:

  “The school seeks an experienced Educator/Administrator beginning in July 2009 to represent the school within the Jewish community in areas such as marketing, fundraising, communications, and employee relations. In accordance with our strategic plan, proven successful school leadership experience is a must as this position will eventually succeed the Head of School. Candidates should be effective team-workers, have outstanding interpersonal skills, and a commitment to excellence in Jewish Education.”

  “In accordance with our strategic plan” was added as well as the word “eventually” before “succeed the head of school”.

  Two notes of interest:

  1) Why the doubling up of Head of School? What will Holden do now that someone else will do his job? The school fired all the veteran teachers because their salaries were too high. So now Holden gets to have his salary while a head-0f-school-in-training does his job? Yes, he will “EVENTUALLY” move on. In the meantime he coasts on easy street eating up your tuition dollars.

  2) This job posting appeared on JewishJobs.com. Are the power players beginning to realize that a Jewish school should be run by Jews?

• 235 Anonymous // Jan 23, 2009 at 12:23 am

  Very interesting…..is there more?

• 236 Ivory // Feb 7, 2009 at 7:42 pm

  well?

• 237 holden moving on????? // Feb 7, 2009 at 8:22 pm

  Who knows?

  Parents at the school should be fuming.

  Word on the street is that tuition is going up quite a bit. Is this to pay for the new Holden wanna be?

  This blog seems to be pretty much dead. Apparently those still left at the school are happy with the way things are.

• 238 ANONYMOUS // Feb 9, 2009 at 4:07 pm

  Except that the high school is bleeding students for next year. Many of the other private schools are benefitting greatly from this debacle. Numbers of applicants from this place have never been so high.

• 239 holden moving on????? // Feb 10, 2009 at 6:20 am

  Doesn’t matter – they’ll spin it to their advantage.

• 240 Understand Yet? // Mar 2, 2009 at 1:33 pm

  Anybody yet understand that the Hillel “Elite” has unnecessarily irresponsibily increased the burden of Jewish Education ?

• 241 holden moving on????? // Mar 3, 2009 at 7:29 am

  they’ve done a lot worse than just that

  *forced Jewish kids into public school
  *treated respected and dedicated educators like garbage
  *killed off amazing programs
  *took a school that produced scholars and turned it into a school that produces tackle football players

  anyone want to add to the list?

• 242 dumbed down school // Mar 15, 2009 at 12:11 pm

  word on the street –

  kids want to go to hillel hs because there is less homework and you don’t have to work so hard

• 243 Andrea // Mar 23, 2009 at 6:20 pm

  The idea that there is less homework and you don’t have to work so hard is not a NEW “word on the street”…. that’s what people have been saying about Hillel for YEARS, long before Holden and Bonilla. You all really should look at the fact that the school doesn’t appreciate non-Jewish teachers, and most of them are run out of there within a year or so…UNLESS the suck up and kiss up to the powers that be.

  The biggest issue? Most people – students, parents, administration, and the multitude of do-nothing office people (finance, public relations) don’t have a clue let alone respect the job a teacher does. Instead, they want academic teachers to be involved with secular (Tefila duty, speakers, assemblies) matters that only take away from the time a teacher NEEDS to grade, plan, and TEACH.

  From an educator’s perspective, being told to work a 9 hour day including Tefila duty, lunch duty, and endless extra hours “tutoring” students who can’t show up to class and then being expected to plan and grade on our own time (at night and on weekends) for less the $50,000 a year is DISGUSTING.

  TEACHERS don’t want to be at Hillel because we are taken advantage of and completely disrespected with lip service and NO REAL acknowledgment that we work our butts off despite the drama, constant complaining, and utter lack of effective communication and organization. Problems don’t get put on the table to be solved at Hillel. They simple persecute those who have the nerve to speak up and say hey, this isn’t working, can you help us out?

  And the fact the administration highlights a teacher’s name on the sign-in sheet if he signs in at 7:46 instead of 7:45 is PATHETIC! Who knew watch synchronization was the MOST important part of a teacher’s job!?

  I already have a job lined up for next year. Screw Hillel….they screwed me over enough all year long.

• 244 Anonymous // Mar 26, 2009 at 4:04 pm

  The problem is that the whiny spoiled kids and their manipulative lying parents run the school. The administration never says no to the parents or kids, and everyone knows it. They undermine teachers and empower the students to do whatever they can to get out of doing work and taking tests. It is WELL KNOWN and well documented that 100s of teachers have been run out of Hillel by lying manipulative hateful students and parents. The administration plays games to appease the parents and students at the expense of good teachers, and the small amount of good, honest students who attend Hillel. Jewish values? Oh please. About 10% of the families and students have REAL Jewish values. The rest are rich foreigners who pay for their students to get As and Bs. It’s the most unethical JOKE of a “school”…

  The high school will probably close down in the near future. Enrollment numbers aren’t looking good for next school year because everyone knows Hillel is a scam. Good teachers aren’t needed or wanted there. The adolescents running the asylum will make sure of that.

• 245 Attitude Adjustment // Mar 26, 2009 at 8:09 pm

  seems like everyone needs an attitude adjustment — you’ll be lucky to work “9 hours” for even less than $50,000 !! anyone part of the hillel lie feeds on each other and deserve each other. the teachers manipulated the system also but not all teaching so hard, so they can scam $60/hr tutoring.

• 246 Hillel Who // Mar 26, 2009 at 8:58 pm

  Hillel still exists??? I thought it closed down already.

• 247 anonymous // Mar 27, 2009 at 4:29 pm

  To #245: If sad hearts and dampened spirits can close a school…you are right, it is closed.

• 248 dumbed down school // Mar 29, 2009 at 1:20 am

  Some gems from the first ever Hillel Annual BULL**** Report:

  From the head of school:

  ” I would particularly like to recognize the founders of the school and past leadership who have brought us to where we are today. How proud you should bethat as a direct result of your vision and commitment to Jewish education, Hillel is a thriving and nationally recognized school.”

  You should be apologizing. The school they built is now a joke.

  “Hillel prioritizes critical, independent and creative thought and expression in the classroom and has high expectations
  for its students”

  tell that to all the high school students who are getting out because of the dumbed down classes

  “Hillel is truly becoming a center of Jewish learning”

  no comment necessary

• 249 Hillel Who // Mar 29, 2009 at 1:45 am

  Who cares anymore? I would hope you have something better to do than to read their PR.

  Move on!

• 250 Anonymous // Mar 29, 2009 at 5:08 pm

  It’s sad because right now there are a lot of teachers who care about and genuinely like their students. If they could just be left alone by administration, well, then the classes wouldn’t be “dumbed down”…. It’s difficult for a teacher to enforce any type of standard when all a parent has to do is say “boo” to Bonilla and he bends over backward to help the student – and screw the teacher. They are all there to protect the institution and lure whomever they have left to attend Hillel next year. If you only knew the number of teachers Bonilla has hassled since he started working there, just because he doesn’t understand what a good teacher needs in order to do his job…

  A kid wants to turn work in a month late, a teacher has no choice but to accept it otherwise the student will fail. And we can’t have that for $20k per year! But if the student doesn’t earn an “A” , then it is the teacher’s fault. If the student does well, that is because he is an independent learner. If a student succeeds on an AP exam, it’s to no credit to his teacher. If he fails, then you can be sure he’ll blame the teacher. Do you see the Catch-22 here?

  Students think they know it all in high school. It’s called adolescence. When administrators don’t support teachers in disciplining students to respect their teachers – both to their face and behind their backs – then you have no hope for any type of a reputable institution.

  The school of the future, a school where I’d want to send my students is run by teachers, for the students and teachers, with a very thin layer of administration that functions through specific duties (discipline, grades, extra -curricular activities, lunch duty) not structured through hierarchy and overpaid, power hungry, clueless individuals. A school centered around a principal as the one and only, the final decision maker is so very out-dated and clearly the issue in so many schools across this nation.

  Read Machiavelli’s “The Morals of the Prince”… It is a classic study of leadership and an argument that leaders must do anything to hold onto power.

• 251 anonymous // Mar 29, 2009 at 6:39 pm

  The administrative team ranges in personalities from arrogant and irresponsible to downright “ditzy”. Not a good combination for creating and maintaining that school of excellence. Educational jargon is spewed all over the place falling on the ears of tired overworked teachers and uniformed ears of parents. Until certain parties move on to bigger and better pastures, the picture looks very dim.

• 252 Hillel Who // Mar 29, 2009 at 10:20 pm

  The school is excellent in name alone. Or in its PR dept. After two ro three years of all this, the children who are there, are there because their parents want them to be. The teachers are there either because they choose to be or with the current economy can’t find anything else.

  The school is not the same school. It’s a new school with an old name.

• 253 Anonymous // Apr 1, 2009 at 6:53 pm

  Arrogant, irresponsible and downright pretty much sums it up! You are so accurate. I feel sorry for the families who feel trapped by the current incompetent unorganized administrators because they don’t know where else to send their children. The true layers of insanity of Hillel are astounding to any insiders. It’s not about education and certainly not about educators. The school is about $$$$$ and PR…and students who pay their way to As and Bs.

  The Jewish faith has no influence on the ethics and conduct of those who attend and run the place. That’s the most disgraceful part of this phony school of excellence.

  Most teachers who are there currently hate it – the moral has never been lower. The ones who have real credentials and experience will have no problem moving on – I’ve heard some of them already have new jobs for next year. The only ones who will stay are popping Prozac with Bonilla and buddy-buddy with the students in a very unnatural, un teacherlike way.

• 254 Anonymous // Apr 3, 2009 at 9:16 am

  What teacher would want to stay at school where students are so vindictive, they run and lie about other students who are supposedly “cheating” because a student is earning a higher grade and he/she is jealous? And forget about Lois Perleman and her guidance dept her who encourage students to trash talk their teachers? No wonder Bonilla is popping Prozac. Hillel is a school of excellence in two areas only: complaints and lies! A student doesn’t get his way, what is he encouraged to do? Go complain, and lie about students and teachers when you don’t get your way.

  Pathetic excuse for a “school”… it’s a phony diploma mill.

• 255 ivory // Apr 4, 2009 at 11:19 am

  ‘Tis a pity.
  three years its been, ask you? those that left did carry the treasures – what I carried?
  hope, students’ joy, and knowing
  ‘Tis a pity.
  burden me not
  the things I carried gave me faith
  what did the others carry?
  the same hope, students’ joy and
  knowing
  ‘Tis a pity
  also I learned that ashes are poor
  substitute for reason
  it rained the day I left, poured swathes of liquid air, as if the black clouds were crying
  ‘Tis a pity – be aware
  we are all but dreaming the future’s face
  things did change and have changed and will change again
  past-present-future is not a three diamond ring that is hollow success
  ancestry of experience is truth
  ‘Tis a pity
  hope, students’ joy, and knowing
  at least I benefitted them when

  truth is not a solid glass beaded kippot left in a box – next to a menorah
  for a grandchild to find -

  then have questions no one can answer
  because everyone who knows is dead
  and the records are dust
  there is no heritage
  afterwards

  ‘Tis a pity.
  three years, ask you? those that left did carry the treasures – what I carried?
  my students’ hearts and minds over the finish line
  ‘Tis a pity.
  burden me not
  the things I carried gave me faith

  strength

  And I am better for it.

• 256 tired // Apr 4, 2009 at 12:06 pm

  Beautifully said, Ivory. Here’s the thing. I’m not even Jewish, but I decided to try teaching at Hillel because I have grown up with Jewish friends, and I thought the faith would be a beautiful new aspect to my teaching career; something that could only make a school better than public schools, where they could use a lot more faith. But now I see that the school is a slap in a the face to the legitimate Jewish people everywhere. Those who are truly faithful are mocked by the majority of losers who attend Hillel and use it as yet another excuse to not do homework, not go to class… it’s very sad. I’ve always seen religious faith as a personal, not public or shared experience. Perhaps I have good reason to want to keep my faith to myself – I wouldn’t want others to degrade it like they have done at Hillel.

  Yes, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. But what I have witnessed at Hillel since I’ve been there is astounding – they wouldn’t get away with treating teachers like this in public schools, that’s for sure. If the only teachers who want to stay stay because of the economy and not being able to find another job, what do you have? Oh you have an ex-Marine (Bonilla) and his little army of morons marching along jumping when he says jump, wearing that Prozac smile.

  And anyone who tries to sell this B.S. that any teacher should be able to teach any grade, any subject because we have a “skills based” teaching style is really nuts and so insulting to teachers everywhere. “Content area knowledge” is not an education jargon based term like “skills based learning” and “differentiated instruction”… Real schools WANT teachers who are refined and experienced in their particular subject matters.

  Another observation:
  I haven’t been around Israeli Jewish people much in my life. But it’s interesting that Israeli men can be loud, abrasive, and down right rude, yelling at everyone – and that’s accepted because it’s their “culture”… but a pregnant woman gets called in and written up by Bonilla and one of his goons and is told that she needs to “get in a better mood”…. never mind she had been experiencing severe mourning sickness for week.

  In addition to its chauvinistic, archaic attitudes, Hillel violates the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in its treatment toward teachers and students. The school should be shut down. Hopefully, if rumors are true, the high school will be shut down.

• 257 sick and tired // Apr 4, 2009 at 1:25 pm

  The school is run by hypocrites with no morals, who don’t really care about education!! And those who attend are following as they see demonstrated…run a tattle-tale… lie…do whatever you can to earn the highest grade. Cheat. Lie. That’s the school of excellence. Anyone hear about all the cheating? And the school doesn’t do a thing – they just tell the teachers to act like policeman. There are things they could do to curb teaching but they choose not to do so… they’d rather blame it on the teachers.

• 258 dumbed down school // Apr 4, 2009 at 9:01 pm

  Dear tired,

  Thank you for your honest post. Please be assured that the Hillel of old was a place where you would have been proud to teach. Although in any institution you will find some whose behavior is not stellar, the school was overwhelmingly strong academically and infused with true Jewish values. Thank you for realizing that the Hillel of today is not an expression of true Judaism. I sincerely hope you find a position for next year where your content area knowledge is acknowledged and appreciated.

  Dear Board of Directors,

  Are you happy yet?

• 259 Hillel Who // Apr 4, 2009 at 9:03 pm

  They were happy before too. They got what they wanted and didn’t care how they got it.

• 260 ivory // Apr 5, 2009 at 2:07 pm

  Dear Sick & Tired – I loved teaching at Hillel when I was there – I was part of a community of caring and loving colleagues who supported each other. I hated leaving. But, circumstances have taught me that I will always be okay as the mess made was admin’s problem.
  I also am not one of the brethern – but I felt like I was part of the family!

• 261 Paul Gorelick // Apr 5, 2009 at 2:20 pm

  I refer you back to HBHA.

  We all give people the benefit of the doubt, but why didn’t you heed our warning? Why did you renew his contract. He should have been let go. In that regard, there is a certain amount of responsibility or shall I say, lack of responsibilty on your part.

  HBHA before Holden and team, success.

  HBHA during Holden and team, downward spiral.

  HBHA before leaving Holden and team, failure.

  HBHA now, rising success.

  This is measured by the primary benchmarks of enrollment and test scores. During Holden, HBHA enrollment went down. During Holden, HBHA standardized test scores stopped being published. Holden is and was a failure. Facts don’t lie.

  And before you bring up his accomplishment as HBHA being a school of excellence. That was only for the elementary school. And that was only based on the success of the previous headmaster Suart Biner. It is kind of like a reliever baseball pitcher gets the save but the starter gets the win. However, Holden slimed his way to get the win.

  Leave the low life scum rich immoral parents aside. This is about the school. Low life scum rich pareants are everywhere Spoiled ungrateful little brats are everywhere. This is about adminsitration!

  Hillel may be destroyed. Perhaps it has the ability to come back but only after the current administration is thrown out. Contracts are always broken. Throw him out.

  We don’t have to bring up old news, but do we need to remind you that Holden has a fake degree. Do we need to remind you of the REAL failures Holden is responsible for.

  Do we need to remind you that before Hillel, before HBHA, Holden was a loser at a Catholic high school in Overland Park. Before that, he was a loser at a high school in Topeka, KS. That is the surprising part. The snake always finds a new home. And I would be more than happy, to provide more information to substantiate the loser comment.

  And the thought occurs, if he is British, and if he was a semi-pro soccer player, how in the heck did he end up in Kansas?

  And yes he is a snake! I have posted my real name. A man only has his name. Everything else is extra. I have maintained my name. Holden and his administration manufactured and perpetuated a lie directed against my family and I. His lie is and was evil. It is and was a lie. Holden and administration almost destroyed the truth. I have a legal afidavit. The lie was retracted. People were fired. People were demoted.

  This is not about Lashon Hora (sp.?). This is about ridding ourselves of what needs to go away. Let him go somewhere else. Perhaps a Catholic eductor. They won’t put up with his crap. And I mean all of his crap, including Bonilla.

  The above has the possibility of being construed as a bit negative. It is not negative. It is the truth. I am not an angry person. I am a happy person. I wish you well. Happy Passover. But as it pertains to Holden and team, shall we say, after one goes to the bathroom to use the toilet, one has to flush the toilet. Hillel needs to flush the toilet.

• 262 Paul Gorelick // Apr 5, 2009 at 2:30 pm

  Oh, one more point, if I may.

  There is much talk about the lying parents and kids at Hillel. Before Holden left, HBHA there were some less than admirable students and parents who just happened to be on the board. One board member even threatened to destroy a past HBHA president’s family. The past president referred to is a mensch. All is not perfect, but the current HBHA administration, albeit with a few Holden leftovers, and board, appear to be of a higher moral fiber and character.

• 263 Paul Gorelick // Apr 5, 2009 at 2:37 pm

  Anonymous, you appear to know the inside scoop. I don’t doubt your sincerity at all. At some level, there is anguish in your words. Perhaps you can’t be too spcific, because you are too close to the fire. Perhaps I could write a letter to the local Jewish community newspaper giving the terrible Hillel details. But I need a few specific details to make it credible. Just a thought.

• 264 Anonymous // Apr 5, 2009 at 6:01 pm

  Thank you, Paul. Yes, I am too close to the fire. All teachers currently teaching at Hillel are. Believe me MANY are not happy; many feel like they are asked to do way too much beyond their classroom and planning time. I am thoroughly anguished because I truly care about my students – even those who are vindictive and manipulative, because that is somewhat how they have been taught to behave, I’m afraid. I forgive them.

  If you do not mind posting your email address, I will get in touch with you personally.

  The bottom line is that there is absolutely zero trust at Hillel, and teachers need to have the trust and support of their administrators in order to be successful. They offer support in PR-lip service email and press pieces only, not in practice. But they do not trust their teachers, because in years past they seemed to have lost complete control of the teachers and students… and they put that negativity on the “new” or remaining teachers who had nothing to do with that atrocity of a school, where teachers just didn’t show up for days, where students skipped class and hung out at the picnic tables, and no one said a word to them…

  You are correct about the low life rich parents and students being everywhere – that’s not really the problem at Hillel – it’s merely a tiny ancillary issue. When I leave Hillel I will keep the small group of amazing students who will positively affect our world (and their amazing parents) close to my heart. I will let all the negativity and stress fall by the wayside, as I have always tried to do, and remember the good. I too am a happy person. I too am not trying to be negative, but honest.

  But that is why I’m in the position I am in now – just hoping to hang on until the end of the school year, when I can part ways with this very volatile, untrustworthy and simply crazy place. By being honest, by wanting to talk about the issues and find a solution, one gets pegged as a “negative nelly”… Smile and pretend everything is great, and you may survive. Stab others in the back, and operate as a Bonilla spy, and you will be teacher of the year at Hillel.

  Administration, parents, students – it’s just one big blur of one nasty aggression after another against teachers who simply wanted to teach, nurture the students, and stand up for what is needed to be a productive, successful teacher….and that really just amounts to being left alone. That’s all a veteran teacher can ask for anymore. But I digress…

  The truth is, I wanted to LOVE Hillel. I wanted to stay there forever. I just wanted to teach my incredibly talented students who are full of potential. And that wasn’t enough? Shame on all of you who look down your noses, with you Fendi bags, and Chanel glasses, treating teachers like servants. Shame on all you un-American traders who raise an Israeli flag above the American flag and take advantage of the United States… but again, I digress.

  All it takes is one jealous student who wants more attention than the teacher is giving; one bitter student who earned a “B” and is an “A” student (at a school where teachers only gave As and Bs); one arrogant parent who thinks her BA degree from 1980 makes her as knowledgeable and capable as any teacher; one nasty “goy” hating Israeli teacher who pretends she’s your friend; one board member who is upset that her daughter earned a “B” on a paper; one principal who has no control over his school, so he reverts to his militaristic background of control by any means necessary without logic or reason or any understanding of the educational process (I’m sure he doesn’t know much about Dewey or Madeline Hunter – neither does Holden for that matter, but they really are one in the same, you are correct)….

  Actually, I’m not even that sure about how awful Bonilla and Holden are – other than I do believe they are more capable of lying and “snakelike” behavior than most want to admit… I really wanted to like them. But I have often worn my heart on my sleeve and been burned for wanting to see only the good in people. I don’t know what to believe about those people, but I know that I haven’t been supported as a disciplinarian in the classroom, let alone as a highly qualified teacher.

  Yes, I would be happy to continue this conversation, Paul. Thank you for your time.

• 265 Tired // Apr 5, 2009 at 6:12 pm

  Dear Dumbed-Down school (#257) – I promise you that I will not let this horrible experience at Hillel ever make me change the high regard I hold for truly faithful people, Jewish and otherwise. I find the Jewish faith to be incredibly beautiful and powerful, but unfortunately, at Hillel, it’s hard to see that faith in operation. Some of the Rabbis – Rabbi Ackerman, Rabbi Druin – are just the most amazing people, who walk above all the crap at Hillel and offer a true portrait of Judaism. I feel for those at Hillel who simply want a school where they can learn and practice their faith honestly, without the politics and junk that are bringing Hillel down.

• 266 Joke of a School // Apr 6, 2009 at 10:06 am

  The problem is that the children who go there and have gone there for years are not happy with the new administration trying to enforce rules and structure where there had been none for years. The students are indeed running the asylum and are not happy with not getting As, having no homework, being able to skip as many days as the want and still get an “A”. So they lie about other students, they lie about teachers, and they act like spoiled little brats who will stop at nothing to get their way and maintain their power. And administration plays the game right along with them. It’s a sick place, and wouldn’t recommend anyone to teach there.

• 267 Liars // Apr 7, 2009 at 8:27 am

  Finally someone is writing about the truth why Hillel is really so awful – that the student body and their nasty parents are a bunch of tattle-tales and liars. These kids have been raised to lie and cheat their way through this school.

• 268 Bonilla hypocrit // Apr 7, 2009 at 3:02 pm

  On Monday before the break Bonilla came into all the classrooms 15 minutes before the end of class to announce, “surprise! You can all leave school 15 minutes early, teachers too!”….And then he hypocritcally spoke something in Hebrew and all the students looked at him as if he was a moron. This just shows how this idiot doesn’t have a clue about education. THIS is their mantra – “we can and will interrupt class as much as possible. ”

  Undermining teachers once again…all that he’s good for…

  WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A HUGE TEACHER TURNOVER HILLEL!!???

  Because Hillel isn’t about education. Bonilla is going to keep his job at all costs. If that means screwing over his teachers, he will. He is trying to be buddies with the students. That’s how he is trying to keep his job.

• 269 anonymous // Apr 8, 2009 at 11:35 am

  It’s too bad and very sad that Bonilla, and several other administrators were set up for failure. Chances are they did not get their jobs based on their merits, but rather how well they appease or please their boss…Holden. So it seems that the natural consequence of poor leadership is bad decision making, based on holding on to jobs rather than holding on to morals.

• 270 Bonilla hypocrit // Apr 9, 2009 at 10:00 pm

  That’s exactly how the school is run. It is only about appeasing your boss. It’s beyond subservient… teachers have it worse because they have to please the boss, the students, the parents. And you can’t please everyone. So teachers are set up to fail. I don’t feel sorry for Bonilla or any of the idiot administrators and dept chairs. They could do more to support teachers and they don’t. They are fakes who never made it in the classroom so they kissed up to become administrators.

• 271 Paul Gorelick // Apr 10, 2009 at 2:34 pm

  To those who have shown initiative and figured out a way to contact me, I am one and the same. On a cynical note, even if you are hiding behind the Holden team, it doesn’t matter. The truth is the truth and Holden and his kind are not worthy. On a higher level, Holden and his kind even including the parents and kids, time is and will catch up with all of their immoral, unethical, lying, disrepsectful actions.

  This is Passover. This is Easter. This is Spring. This is a new season. For those who it applies too, it is quite obvious, YOUR TIME IS UP. Please close the door behind you!

  I still stand behind my previous post. If there is a way for me to write a letter to the local newspaper or local jewish community newspaper, I will. Provide me some good meat fot the sharks to feed upon.

  This aint lashon hora. This is getting rid of the unwanted rats and snakes.

• 272 Paul Gorelick // Apr 10, 2009 at 2:38 pm

  Whether you like the vulgarity or not , the statement is true. Bonilla sucks, Holden swallows.

  Have a great day and an even better weekend.

• 273 anonymous // Apr 15, 2009 at 7:20 am

  You not only have non-Jewish people at the helm of the sinking ship called Hillel, you have non-educators. Anyone at the upper school level who can’t value content area knowledge and superior experience in the said field, anyone who says teachers should be able to teach any and every subject based on a skills based objectives is an IDIOT. Hillel is run by IDIOTS. And don’t let anyone fool you. Holden and Bonilla won’t stand up to parents or students because they just care about their fat paychecks. Teachers are doomed at Hillel. They either follow along silently pretending not to be sickened by one blundering administrative decision after another, losing their very spirit and passion of teaching, or they speak up and get harassed. Until you get real academics who are intellects and not phonies like Holden and Bonilla, you will continue to have a joke of a “school”…. or maybe that’s what everyone wants. Fake parents with their fake kids and fake administrators, handing out As and diplomas because you can pay $20ooo a year to go there.

• 274 anonymous // Apr 17, 2009 at 7:08 pm

  so true…what do we do???

• 275 anonymous // Apr 19, 2009 at 6:05 pm

  Here’s what you do. 1) Have all the sane, objective decent parents (I know there are some – not board members!) get together and investigate Bonilla and Holden. 2) Demand Bonilla and his entire admin crew be eliminated-fired immediately. 3) Get rid of the majority of administrative jobs – HR, PR, finance – and that stupid director of operations Pam Burd. You’d be surprised the amount of money cutting 10 of those do-nothing administrator jobs would provide.

  They have been doing just that to all your beloved teachers since at least 2006 from what I’ve heard? Well lend karma a hand and get rid of the administrative bastards that care about their own salaries first, power second, PR/promiting the institution 3rd…. these NON-EDUCATORS have no place in a real school.

  Bonilla has operated in unenethical manner. All the teachers they’ve let go throughout the school year before their contracts are up – they have sooo much ground for lawsuits! Forget the State of Florida, there are federal labor laws that protects teachers – even at private schools.

  Finally empower your teachers and Rabbis to run the school, and you might save some ethical standards.

  But the parents would have to come out of their lawyer and doctors offices and actually care. They’d have to take a stand. The parents could easily out number the board and administrative goons if they acted together. However, I suspect the majority of the parents really want the facade to continue because this is their gravy train. Where else can they threaten teachers who don’t give their kids As? Where else can they get administrators to change grades because they are “connected”?

  And so Hillel will most likely close it’s doors, if there is any mercy – unless the parents take a stand.

• 276 anonymous // Apr 19, 2009 at 6:09 pm

  And what kind of a school posts teacher and administrative jobs on “Craigslist” anyhow? The most reputable private school job boards have no job postings for Hillel. Tells you what a brilliant HR dept you have there.

• 277 anonymous // Apr 19, 2009 at 7:21 pm

  We need to get organized. Remember we have no union or watchdog agency protect our teachers or monitor curricular goals. So it’s a free ride for big ego administrators. Any thougnts about someone contacting 60 minutes…or some other news agency? Let them do some investigating. I am sure that a trained investigator would find a multitude of ethical and moral violations…perfect fodder for front page news. Maybe even get some of the star players on the Jerry Springer Show.

• 278 anonymous // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:36 pm

  It’s all about playing cover up. That’s why so many teachers have been let go through the years.

  Here are some other suggestions for teachers and parents alike who’d like to look into a lawsuit against the administrators at Hillel:

  PEN (800-224-4004) and ask them for a lawyer referral. The other thing is to try a Broward Labor Law firm. They’re more removed and more likely to help than “insiders” in the Jewish community who may be more likely to help the institution that the parents, students, and teachers who have been wronged.

• 279 anonymous // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:38 pm

  Unfortunately Miami and the Miami Herald have a record of not reporting educational matters truthfully (they side with the school board) – which is part of the reason Miami education is in the horrid state it’s in.

  You may want to try the Miami New Times. They are more grass roots and likely to investigate. But I’m sure the powers that be at Hillel have signed gag orders from teachers they’ve let go – but if they haven’t, well, then all is fair game.

  Unfortunately, if the media cared about education in this country, we wouldn’t be ranked below 3rd world countries in terms of educational preparedness.

• 280 anonym // Apr 20, 2009 at 5:26 pm

  You all must realize that it’s all about playing a game at Hillel. It is to a certain extent at many schools, but Hillel is severe. Admin play the PR game; teachers who last hide in the rooms and lose all passion for teaching and MUST do whatever they are told. They aren’t really teachers – they truly are servants to this rich arrogant community. The religious faithful few aren’t going to speak up because that’s not their style. And in the end, everyone just wants a paycheck.

  The teachers who dare to speak out, who dare to teach and not simply try to be the kids friends – they are doomed. The few “old-timers” – their days are numbered too. Mr. C, Rabbi Ackerman – they aren’t even safe. But they play the game better than most. They have a small army of new teachers, young minions, who have no idea what a real school should be like, so they play the game just fine. That’s what Bonilla and Holden thrive on – control. If they can’t control you, if you have an independent thought – you are a threat to them. They have much to hide from what happened in Kansas City and past jobs – they don’t have spotless records. And the way the students bad-mouth all the teachers and admin – and it’s tolerated! No one tells them not to – and in fact they are empowered by administration to bad mouth teachers.

  Picture this: A teacher acts in a strict way. He isn’t concerned with being friends with the students, or even if they like him or not. He won’t tolerate late work. He sets standards. And he teachers the “best” students who up until this school year had earned nothing but As (because teachers just gave As and Bs there previously)…. some of these students will not let the servant/teacher be in control. They just won’t have it. So you have a classic adult – adolescent power struggle that occurs in many classrooms across the US. The administration either supports the teacher or the students.

  No teacher can teach or last very long if students are given a forum to openly complain about teachers on a regular basis… and lie.

  That is Hillel.

• 281 Paul Gorelick // Apr 21, 2009 at 2:25 am

  Thank you for the posts. Someone mentioned the Herald and New Times. I have been inquiring. It is my intent to write a letter to the most appropriate publications. I will start with his Topeka, KS and his HBHA fiascos. To the extent your community can give me specifics about his fiasco in your community, I will follow-up with a second letter to those publications. If you feel there are even better publications, please let me know. I may be contacted at pandtg@yahoo.com

  To those who posted that the problem is the spoiled rich parents and their even more spoiled little rotten brats, you are correct in the fact that those families are shallow little twits, but the school over the years has earned a reputaion, and like it or not, it is the current administration that is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

  It would give this blog a world of validity, if people could start posting verifiable facts. Believe me, I am fully aware there is a risk, but if you want to be taken seriously, like it or not, it must be done. Perhaps as mentioned in my second follow-up letter, one could send me an email with as much TRUE info as possible without putting yourself at jeopardy. In this regard, unfortunately, the way the universe works even more so on a Jewish level, we ned facts, not opinions.

• 282 another one gone // Apr 23, 2009 at 7:55 am

  The got rid of the AP English teacher. My son loved her. He said she was the most fair teacher, who really cared about the students. He said a few students complained but they weren’t trying to get her fired – they were just complaining like they all do. But then the administration made much bigger deal (and probably exaggerated and lied about everything like they always do) and it was really weird because they asked the students to say bad things about her on purpose. Now they have no real teacher. They go to the library every day and the librarian is teaching them.

  Of course they won’t say what really happened. but we all know they get rid of the good effective teachers. Rumor has it she actually had some back bone and she stuck up for herself and her students.

  I’m pulling my son out of Hillel after this latest fiasco. How many English teachers have they had in the past two years since he’s been in high school? Something is not right here. Something is very very wrong.

• 283 Teacher cuts // Apr 24, 2009 at 11:08 am

  They just made an announcement to staff that they are cutting 20% of the faculty school wide because of low enrollment numbers. They’re down to 1000 total. Let’s see all those useless administrators and office people – PR, finance, director of operations, useless dean of discipline – get their jobs cut. Probably not – it’s probably just more teachers who will get the ax. So go ahead spend $20ooo a year so your kid can be in a classroom as crowded (or more) than public schools to have beginning teachers with little or no experience getting paid low salaries. Oh but they take orders from non-educators Bonilla and Holden, so they’re staying. You’re an idiot if you keep sending your kid to Hillel, Jewish education or not.

  Contracts are coming out next week. Let’s see which of the few old-timers left make the cut. And I can’t imagine what they’re going to ask the teachers who remain to do next year – teach 5 different classes? (In public school it’s illegal to have a teacher instruct more than 2 different classes without their consent, and extra pay.)

  Good-bye Hillel. Your doors are already halfway closed, as they should be. With any luck next year will be the end of the horrible excuse of a school.

• 284 anonymous // Apr 24, 2009 at 5:59 pm

  It is amazing how clueless most parents are to all that is being written here. What about board members…do they read this? How is all this being tolerated? Why are they not investigating the claims of teacher abuse, curricular fraud, sub-standard classrooms, over paid non-educators that do no more than fill the ego of their boss… How come no one cares? The writings here are not idle gossip…it is the honest truth…I know

• 285 Attitude Adjustment // Apr 24, 2009 at 6:30 pm

  I would say it is child abuse to send your child to Hillel — the center of the Jewish narcissism epidemic of Miami. Manipulative fraudulent arrogant “rich” bastards at the top pull the strings of their minion of dupes and those administrators trying to hold onto their paycheck. These arrogant bastards do not care about anyone except themselves and their ego. WHAT PART OF THAT DO YOU GOOD PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND ???? Are you waiting for your children to learn the ways of arrogance and narcissim ? G-d forbid your children will use these horrible techniques on you parents. These arrogant bastards controlling the Hillel Establishment are scum like Bernie Maddof. Sociopathic manipulators.

  PEOPLE ENOUGH BEING ABUSED BY THESE SCUM.

  THE ABOVE HAS BEEN APPARENT FOR MANY YEARS. IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO THE COMMON MAN at this point.

  Even if it were free, I would not sent my children to a dysfunctional social environment. There are consequences to living with selfish scum.

• 286 Attitude Adjustment // Apr 24, 2009 at 6:36 pm

  What makes you people think that the “Board” cares or understands? Most on the board are beholden to the arrogant scum at the top — through business ties or intimidation or star worship. A story of manipulation as old as time.

  Your children need an excellent education. The days of living off the parents and the equity in your house are over. The manipulators are running out of bull crap scams. Your children just might have to work for a living like the first Jews who came from Europe.

  Also, enough for the worship of arrogant Latin manipulators who think they are better than those who came before them. They may have been able to manipulate their way to the top with the dumbells in South America — but Americans are running out of money to buy grey market perfume and diverted goods.

  We have been snookered by the self-proclaimed arrogant Latins who mostly lack an education except that of a gypsy – deception.

• 287 Attitude Adjustment // Apr 24, 2009 at 6:57 pm

  Time for a little sunshine. Maybe a review of the public records of Hillel’s tax return for 2007 will answer alot of everybody’s questions.

  http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments//2008/591/296/2008-591296635-04bc06e6-9.pdf

  Before you sign up for $20,000 a child, see what these people are paid for working 9 months a years less all school vacations–

  $57,437 was spent on “student guidance” but

  Holden makes $200,000, $8,000 in benefits plan, and $48,428 in expense allowance

  Druen makes $150,140, $6006 in benefit plan, and $42,428 in expense allowance.

  Bonilla makes $125,000, $5000 in benefit plan, and $34,770 in expense allowance.

  Baltach was paid $38,800 in 2007 for what? Isn’t he long gone?

• 288 Attitude Adjustment // Apr 24, 2009 at 6:59 pm

  Since there is nothing to hide, put some sunshine on the 2006 tax return also

  http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments//2007/591/296/2007-591296635-0419d47a-9.pdf

  and the 2005 tax return
  http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments//2006/591/296/2006-591296635-03766549-9.pdf

• 289 LPAW // Apr 25, 2009 at 2:08 am

  They all deserve this compensation. They work very hard.

• 290 Tuition dollars at work // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:30 pm

  This is fascinating stuff!

  Dr. Barbieri was making $140,000 and then Holden was brought in at $220,000. Then part of his salary was shifted to expenses this year.

  Bonilla was brought in at a much higher salary than Chaya Kohl was making.

  Apparently the veteran teachers were not worth the money they were earning, but those at the top have done very well for themselves.

  In the meantime, families are fleeing because of the great work of these illustrious leaders.

  Good work, Mr. Bonwitt!!!

• 291 carrot top // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:32 pm

  Why then are teachers not paid more? Teachers also work very hard, often putting in sixty-seventy hour weeks – teaching-planning-grading-hmmm?

• 292 Shocked // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:33 pm

  I think Baltach has some kind of life contract.

• 293 Shocked // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:43 pm

  How about lowering the administration and business office salaries and maybe the tuition costs can come down?

  This way more parents could afford a Jewish education for their children.

• 294 Tuition dollars at work // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:51 pm

  Ooops – I misspoke.

  The veteran teachers were not forced out because they were earning too much.

  They were forced out because they had an unwanted MEMORY of what Hillel was like when it was a real school.

  This reminds me of the book the kids read around 6th grade – The Giver by Lois Lowry. In this book a society was created where everyone had to confirm and all memories of life before this society were erased. The Giver was the only one who held the memories.

  Who is brave enough to be Hillel’s Giver and tell Mr. Bonwitt and his Board what a real school should be like?

• 295 carrot top // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:51 pm

  It would be sensible!

• 296 Tuition dollars at work // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:53 pm

  Dear Shocked –

  Jewish education at Hillel?

• 297 Shocked // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:54 pm

  Forget Bonwitt and the Board. I say just get rid of them and start over again with a clean slate.

• 298 Manipulators at Work // Apr 25, 2009 at 10:52 pm

  Don’t you all know that Bonwitt is Sheck’s son in law and their stooge and their pupet.

  Everybody wants to be paid more and no one is going to say they get paid too much. But to have 3 people doing the work of 1 is an insane waste.

  People are going to have to get used to making less money in this economy cuz everyone is lucky just to have a job. The self-indulgent party is over. You can have all the ivy league graduates you want at $35,000 a year to be teachers.

• 299 LP/AW // Apr 25, 2009 at 11:05 pm

  Why don’t you people give the board and administration a chance to turn things around? It takes time.

• 300 Paul Gorelick // Apr 25, 2009 at 11:32 pm

  The truth shall set you free.

  Ok now, if we have facts does the mainstream still NOT cover it truthfully?

  Or is it just better to go to the alternative media?

• 301 Tuition dollars at work // Apr 25, 2009 at 11:55 pm

  Dear LP/AW,

  Can you honestly point to one good thing that has been accomplished in the past three years?

• 302 Who Cares Anymore // Apr 25, 2009 at 11:59 pm

  I think they turned it around pretty fast. A good school to a school many people don’t want to go to anymore.

  All in about 3 years.

• 303 KCPARENT // Apr 26, 2009 at 6:54 am

  WOW!!! Either Holden and Bonilla are the real deal or they sure are brilliant salemen. Holden made no more than $150,000 in KC and Bonilla made under $100,00o. Bonilla was also never a high school Principal. Maybe they are worth the money. The board is not stupid , they are all professionals themselves. Why then would Bonilla and Holden had jobs? Word around town is Botwick is taking over for Holden.

• 304 Understand Yet? // Apr 26, 2009 at 9:54 am

  The board turn things around? yeh right. the the scum behind the curtain controlling the board’s only purpose is to cover up their dirty deals during the reign of Marshal Baltach. Why do you think he is still being paid $38,000 — hush money — its not for his hair coloring.

  Hillel has by hijacked by the scum behind the curtain for 10-30 years who did so many dirty deals that all they care about know is not letting anything become public. Cash for checks anyone? Fake tax deductions anyone?

• 305 anonymous // Apr 26, 2009 at 5:34 pm

  The board is not stupid. Why is Holden making so much money in such a bad economy? And to reiterate, what wonderful things have happened at Hillel to justify his salary? One poster said that he works so hard and deserves his huge salary. Long tedious meetings, working after hours may just be a cover up for his incompetence. More importantly how does he get the board’s approval to pay PR, finance, and all the other ancillary staff members such generous salaries? It all seems so obvious and yet so strange.

• 306 Understand Yet? // Apr 26, 2009 at 5:47 pm

  Enough self-doubt good people.

  If it doesn’t make sense — there is a reason it doesn’t make sense. Its a scam.

  Just like Madoff didn’t make sense to many and they didn’t speak up.

  These selfish people don’t care about your children and education and Yiddishkeit !!

  They are there covering up there tracks from all the scams and financial tricks in the past and working on their next.