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Helping Hillel Grow
I
n a necessary move, an independent
consultant was hired last year to evaluate
the state of affairs at Hillel Day School
of Metropolitan Detroit.
And the Conservative day school in Farm-
ington Hills got generally high marks in
William Weary's recently released long-range
plan.
So the 718-student school, buoyed by an
$11-million capital and endowment campaign,
appears on track in the midst of enrollment
growth, facilities needs, rising costs and ever-
shifting educational demands.
We applaud Hillel's top leaders, never eager
to create problems, for their initiative in invit-
ing outside scrutiny. We also applaud them for
opening the school to interviews with a broad
cross-section of stakeholders.
Indeed, we urge other Detroit Jewish insti-
tutions — not just day schools — to under-
take similar long-range planning and tap Hil-
lel's newfound knowledge in this area.
As they consider the recommendations in
the long-range plan, Hillel leaders must do all
they can to involve parents, teachers and the
general Jewish community. That's the quickest
way to build consensus on potential changes.
Two components of the 36-page plan merit
immediate attention.
The first relates to the Detroit Jewish com-
munity's tradition of providing a Jewish educa-
tion to all Jewish children, even those with
special learning needs. As an ideal student pro-
file is shaped, we urge Hillel to seek the collec-
tive wisdom of local Jewish communal agen-
cies, especially the Alliance for Jewish Educa-
tion and the Agency for Jewish Education.
That way, no matter what the profile ultimate-
ly is, all special-needs Jewish children will be
assured of a Jewish education.
The second component is the push for bet-
ter defined and staffed Judaic studies pro-
grams. That's a priority because Jewish educa-
tion is at the core of what Hillel is about —
creating the foundation for Jews in their for-
mative years to understand and appreciate
their cultural and religious heritage.
Now inits 41st year of operation, Hillel
must move beyond the founding generation of
day schools into a new century fraught with
challenge, risk and opportunity. And as it con-
tinues on its journey; Hillel must strive to sus-
tain the momentum built up by the scrutiny
of the long-range plan. fl
The Other Side Of Purim
n
istorically, Purim is a holiday of
merriment and masquerade, com-
memorating the Persian Jews' tri-
umph over the evil Haman.
It's also a time to fulfill one of the tenets of
Halachah — namely, to extend lifelines to
needy Jews close to home before sending
tzedakah dollars elsewhere.
That's the other side of Purim, the Feast of
Lots, which begins at sundown Monday,
March 1.
Collectively, Jewish communal agencies
tend to do a fine job keeping the ravages of
poverty or misfortune from spreading uncon-
trollably. But out of eyeshot for many of us,
pockets of Jews down in their luck mark the
North American landscape.
Gift giving is one of the oldest and most
uplifting of Purim customs — and a tribute to
the spirit of Jewish friendship, charity and
compassion. Inspired by the great Jewish leader
Mordechai, conqueror of Haman, there's the
practice of shalach manot, of sending gifts of
food and drink to friends. But more signifi-
candy, there's the practice of mattanot la-evyon-
im, of distributing alms to the poor.
In distinctive ways each Purim season, Jew-
ish communal agencies — such as Matan
B'Seter, Yad Ezra and Jewish Experiences For
Families — go about the business of fulfilling
the special mitzvah of remembering the poor.
They, through your generosity, help less-fortu-
2/26
1999
30 Detroit Jewish News
IN FOCUS
Dual Purpose
Israeli artists prove that Purim groggers aren't just for making
noise. Produced in the studio of Avia Agayoff, these anodized
aluminum art pieces are festive as well as functional. Shown
are: Haman's Horse, with leather ears and a bridle and a handle
topped with a horse's hoof; a gold and matte silver Lion of
Judah, holding a scepter in his paws, and a colorful clown-face
Jester, with bells dangling from his wand. Tradition calls for
children to twirl groggers in derision at every mention of
Haman's name during the reading of the Megillat Esther.
Groggers courtesy of Tradition! Tradition! in Southfield. .
nate Jews enjoy the holiday season with greater
peace of mind and their self-worth intact.
The story of Purim is exactly that — a story
of repelling the relentless forces of hardship.
Read during the evening before and morning
of Purim, the Megillat Esther relates how
Haman, of the Jew-hating tribe Amalek, drew
lots (purim) to determine when to exterminate
the Jews. Haman's denouncement of the Jew-
ish people sprang forth when Jewish morale
was especially low — The Temple in Jerusalem
had been destroyed, the Jewish nation had
been conquered and the Jewish people had
been exiled for almost 70 years.
Fortunately, Queen Esther and Mordechai,
her brave adviser, prevailed on King Ahasuerus
and rallied fellow Jews — in turn, foiling
Haman's genocidal plot. In the end, Haman
was hanged and Mordechai became vizir.
The Persian Jews, according to legend,
made their triumph over evil a time "for feast-
ing and gladness, and of sending presents to
one another and gifts to the poor."
There's no mention of God in this triumphant
tale of evil ambition and palace intrigue, but
within the intricate storyline lies God's divine
hand. Mordechai's courage brought Persia's Jews
back to the study of Torah and fulfillment of
mitzvot, rekindling their faith in God.
This Purim, let us reaffirm our oneness as a
people through an outstretched hand to any fel-
low Jew shackled by the indignity of despair.
LETTERS
Comparison
Clarified
Your coverage of Hillel Day
School's long-range plan
("Growing, Hillel Looks
Ahead" Feb.19) is in need of
clarification. Nowhere does
the plan mention either
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook
or Detroit Country Day
schools.
If it is the intention of The
Jewish News to compare Hillel
Day School to these other
schools based on our shared
commitment to academic
excellence in general studies,
then we appreciate the com-
pliment. However, we are
equally committed to excel-
lence in Judaic studies. This is
what differentiates us from
these other schools and is a
primary reason that families
consider a Jewish day school
education for their children. —\
The plan mentions differ-
ences between our tuition and
the costs of educating children
elsewhere. This was done to
show that despite the necessity
of employing a faculty double
that needed for a comparably
sized public or private school,
we have managed to success-
fully educate our children for
far less cost. Moreover, we
have done this in an inclusive
environment that provides
financial aid to nearly one
third of our children.
It is not now, nor has it
ever been, our intention to
have tuition structures corn-
parable to either Cranbrook
or Detroit Country Day
schools.
Scott Cranis
Administrative Director
Hillel Day School
of Metropolitan Detroit
Farmington Hills