The tension between the realities of the future and the comfort of a reliably perceived past are palpable. Put another way, the security of “this is the way we have always done it,” versus the uneasiness of preparing for an … Read More
Creativitiy
What a Standardized Test Can’t Predict is What our Students Need to Learn
The Atlantic, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, World Economic Forum, and Scientific America run stories routinely about what students need to learn and do to be successful in the future. An endless stream of studies, counter-studies, information, … Read More
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
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
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
A.I. is Coming and Why You Should Care
The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. (Malcom Gladwell) That is what is about to happen with A.I. – Artificial Intelligence. We have heard about … Read More
A Way for Our Students to Remember: One Stone at a Time
Welcome to my first “vlog” – video blog, an interview with Mr. Alan Eidelman, Hillel’s 8th grade Holocaust Studies teacher. Watch and listen as he describes a powerful and personal project our eighth graders are creating that demonstrates their understanding … Read More
Our Commitment to Constancy – and Change
Over the past several years much has changed at Hillel. The most visible changes are, of course, our facilities. We have created a learning environment that is truly second to none. But just because Hillel does not look like the … Read More
Hillel, Fantasy, Superheroes and Beth!
At Shabbat services last week, Dr. Mitch Parker, B’nai Israel Synagogue’s spiritual leader, handed out a source sheet about God, with this on it: Recently, on Arrow, a highly-acclaimed, fantasy superhero television show, the following exchange took place: (Earth is … Read More