The other morning I was watching the news (a daily mistake) and was overwhelmed by how small I felt. Hurricane Harvey had just ravaged Houston, and Irma was on the footsteps of Florida. There were the social and political issues … Read More
Author Archives: sfreedman
The Verdict – No Homework
We can no longer ignore the data showing that there is little to no correlation between homework and achievement in the elementary grades. Prof. Harris Cooper of Duke University has done extensive research on homework. Cooper compiled 120 studies in … Read More
The Power Within Us
Our words and actions can impact the entire world – really! A kind word or an act of helpfulness in a child’s life or an adult’s life can literally change the trajectory of that person’s path, and we may never … Read More
No Place for Hate!
It is with great sadness that I feel compelled to write this blog at a time when we should be joyfully anticipating the start of another school year. However, our country is going through challenging times that are instilling fear … Read More
Why Jewish Education Cannot Fade Away
By Robert Victor, 8th grade student at Hillel Day School I bet at one point you have been asked, “What are the necessities of life?” Your response most likely sounded like this: “Food, water, and shelter.” Yet you have never … Read More
Na’aseh v’nishma and the Maker Movement
“Na’aseh v’nishma– We will do and we will understand.” That is what the Israelites proclaimed as they were about to receive the Torah from God. We will be commemorating that moment in the creation of the Jewish nation next week … Read More
What Matters Most (Hint, It’s Not an Elite College)
New research shared at a recent meeting of the Conference of Pediatric Academic Societies shows that the percentage of young children and teens hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or actions has nearly doubled in the past decade. The numbers do not … Read More
Only At a Jewish Day School
This time of year I am especially proud to be Head of Hillel Day School. These past two weeks have been very special as we observed Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha-atzma’ut. These three holidays emphasize our Jewish peoplehood … Read More
ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVICE
By Michael Schostak, Hillel graduate (1993), husband of Alexis, and father of current Hillel students, Hayley (K) and Benji (ECC-2). When we retell the Passover story at our Seders this year, we will no doubt talk about Moses and his … Read More
From Public School to Hillel: Why I Made the Switch, and Where it Got Me
By Julie Tigay, first and second grade general studies co-teacher In the summer of 2012, I was an exhausted public school teacher. I had 30 kids in my class, not enough space and the pressure of the Common Core curriculum. … Read More