OUR COMMUNITY
H
illel Day School has begun an
“Open Space, Open Minds” ath-
letic capital campaign to help fund
the expansion and enhancement of Hillel’s
outdoor athletic facilities.
Currently, Hillel lacks a quality
field that students can use year-round
and after inclement weather, said
Amy Schlussel, Hillel’s Director of
Advancement-Admission & Giving. The
current field is also uneven, and Hillel
students need a safe playing surface for
athletes of all ages.
The project includes replacing the current
grass with synthetic turf and enlarging the
size of the current field to accommodate 11
versus 11 soccer play. The all-season field
will be 107 yards long and 72 yards wide,
large enough to accommodate Hillel’s sports
teams, yet flexible enough to host youth
sports teams. These upgrades will improve
safety, extend usage, enhance competitive-
ness and engage community use.
The field will be multi-use, which means
it can accommodate soccer, lacrosse, foot-
ball and field hockey, just to name a few.
The field will be funded by the Sue and
Alan Jay Kaufman family.
Another major feature of the campaign
will be the addition of two multi-purpose
courts. These courts will provide the oppor-
tunity for students to play basketball, vol-
leyball, pickleball, floor hockey, four-square
and other gross-motor sports. These multi-
purpose courts will be funded by Lori and
Maurice Pogoda.
“That will be fenced in so that it also
allows our youngest learners to be out
in the front playing without fear of the
ball or kids going into the parking lot,”
Schlussel said.
A major feature of the campaign is the
installation of a new track. Currently, Hillel
does not have a standard running track.
Once completed, Hillel will have a two-lane
track surrounding the athletic field.
The Little Red Schoolhouse, a historical
landmark, is synonymous with Hillel Day
School, once housing kindergarten. After
a recent flood, the schoolhouse has sat
dormant. Included in the athletic cam-
paign is the plan to convert the Little Red
Schoolhouse into a hub for athletic sup-
port and activity. The kitchen and bath-
rooms will be updated to allow for stu-
dent-led concessions and spirit wear sales
and to also serve as a renovated meeting
place for students, parents and staff.
A goal has been set to raise $3 million by
Sept. 1. All donations will be matched by
the Kaufman family. The campaign went
public June 1 and has already raised $2
million.
Schlussel believes the project is a
game-changer and something that’s been on
the minds of school leaders for a while.
“Since 2014, we’ve renovated every inch
of the school on the inside to make it a tool
for 21st-century learning with our vision
to be innovative and creative; the outside
should be the same,
” Schlussel said.
“With the pandemic, we’ve seen how
important it is for kids to be outside and
active and the benefit it has for mental
health,
” she added. “Our tagline is ‘Mind
and soul. Better together’ and this is why
the athletic campaign is ‘Open Space, Open
Minds.
’ We want the kids to be outside
much more and have usable space.
”
Hillel is inviting the community to make
a meaningful gift at any of the giving levels,
with numerous naming opportunities and
all donors recognized on an outdoor donor
installation. To give, visit www.hillelday.org/
giving/open-space-open-minds-athletic-
capital-campaign or contact Amy Schlussel
at (248) 539-1484.
‘Open Space, Open Minds’’
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
Hillel Day School starts capital campaign for outdoor athletic facilities.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Renderings of the
track, Kaufman Family Athletic Field and
Pogoda Family Multi-Purpose Courts.
COURTESY OF HILLEL
28 | JUNE 23 • 2022