By Barbara Applebaum, Assistant Principal Each Monday I walk into Hillel Day School, and, as I walk towards my office, I often greet four to five people by name. I might ask them about their weekend, or if they’re feeling … Read More
A Safe and Supportive Environment Sets the Stage for Learning
By Barbara Applebaum, Assistant Principal Each Monday I walk into Hillel Day School, and, as I walk towards my office, I often greet four to five people by name. I might ask them about their weekend, or if they’re feeling … Read More
Small Greatness
I was deeply moved this past weekend by the final words that were shared between President George H.W. Bush, and his long-time dear friend, former Secretary of State, James Baker III. On the final morning of his life, President Bush … Read More
Utopia or Dystopia?
Hardly a week goes by that I don’t come across an analysis that either warns of how automation and Artificial Intelligence are going to wreak havoc on humanity or how they will solve all of humanity’s problems. Either way, our … Read More
You’ve Got To be Carefully Taught 2.0
I originally wrote this blog in 2015, and feel it is necessary to update and share again within the context of the violence of these last several weeks in Pittsburgh, Tallahassee, Thousand Oaks, and this week in Israel. It is … Read More
The Great Miracle of Hillel
By Amy Sapeika, PTO President My first clue that this family trip was going to be different was the loud cheering when we first told our children that we had booked flights to Israel for Sukkot. My 9-year-old and 7-year-old … Read More
Just Show Up!
This past Shabbat we witnessed the deadliest anti-Semitic attack against our people in American history. Eleven gentle souls entered their Pittsburgh synagogue, greeted one another with Shabbat Shalom, and settled into their regular seats they have sat in for decades … Read More
Uh-Oh Halloween
I couldn’t resist writing one last blog about Halloween as Head of Hillel. While I have never taken a position about whether Jewish children should participate in this American ritual, I have written about the importance of bringing Jewish rituals … Read More
The “Eulogy Virtues”
A current parent who has a sophomore in college shared with me that she and her husband received a Hillel tribute from their college-aged son. The tribute stated: “In honor of my parents for giving me an education beyond compare, … Read More
The Challenge for Parents: Letting Our Children Be Children
Childhood should be a time of awe and wonder; an opportunity to play, explore, create and to learn in a fashion that promotes healthy living and optimism. Then why do so many children suffer from anxiety and depression, and why … Read More
Best of Both Worlds and Our Future
Maddie was a state champion in debate, Seth was an AIPAC intern, and Hannah works for Microsoft while Yoni is at Google. Laurenne recently completed her service in the IDF as a Lone Soldier, Robert was elected 9th grade class … Read More