Shalhevet has hired five replacements. There may be a sixth.

Three teachers at Shalhevet have not been rehired for the new year because their classes are being consolidated. Five assistants are not getting rehired. Seven teachers are not getting rehired due to performance issues.

The Bureau of Jewish Education requires accredited Jewish schools to give notice to their teachers by May 15 about their status for the coming year.

Last year, Rabbi Meir Prengler received a late notice. He brought a lawsuit against the school and eventually settled it for about a month's salary (another report said $40,000).

Shalhevet did a much better job this year in giving timely notice to its teachers.

There's a full page ad on page two of this week's Jewish Journal advertising Shalhevet's Early Childhood Center which will offer care to kids down to two years of age. This should be a money-maker for the school.

Last year Shalhevet settled a claim by Rabbi Jawari for $80,000. He claimed that he had been fired from Shalhevet by Jerry Friedman (the founder and former head of the school) as retaliation for his telling the school board some negative things about the operation of the school.

There's still a pending lawsuit against Shalhevet by a former art teacher.

Sculptor Simon Sananas says that over $100,000 worth of his sculptures at Shalhevet were destroyed in addition to the sculptures of many of his students who will not be able to get AP credit for the class.

I'm curious if Shalhevet's new head of school, Rabbi Elchanan Weinbach, will follow in Jerry Friedman's footsteps by hiring friends for multi-year contracts (Rabbi Tzabo, Sam Gomberg). It ticked people off that Jerry would spend money like that.

I hear Rabbi Weinbach was called to task a couple of weeks ago by a member of Shalhevet's school board for making a three-year contract with a rabbi-friend who's coming in from Montreal, Rabbi Feinerman (who's highly qualified and would appear to be a responsible hire in any school). Rabbi Weinbach's wife was going to teach first grade at Shalhevet but will be teaching elsewhere.

"That's Shalhevet's loss," a Shalhevet teacher tells me, "because she's an excellent teacher."

Rabbi Elchanan Weinbach is not taking his scheduled pay raise for this year.

Jeff emails: "Is Ed Eiseman one of the poor performance firings? That would be a huge understatement if so. But he was a principal, not teacher. Also, are the two techies that were let go counted in this tally?"

Answer: All included in the count.

Ask Rabbi Ari
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The Journey
Back to Judaism

Dear Rabbi Ari,

My mother is Jewish yet is non-practicing.   So, I have very little knowledge of the faith and the community.  I would like to get involved and learn about my heritage.  What do you recommend?  What the best way to learn about practiced customs and holidays?

- Looking to Return
Dear Looking to Return,

Your question is one I have received several times.  Sometimes it’s from people like you who by birth are unquestionably Jewish, but did not have the benefit of a Jewish upbringing.  Others are of questionable Jewish status and looking to embrace their Jewishness.  When Jews want to return to Judaism, it can be difficult, and I applaud your courage in asking the question and taking the first step.

Your situation isn’t even that much different from many people who were actively raised Jewishly, but who still reach adulthood feeling under-educated about Judaism lacking the basic skills to participate in Jewish life.  There are two areas of learning to undertake in embracing Judaism – learning the history and background information of Judaism and acquiring the skills to participate in Jewish community.

As you could probably figure out, skills are acquired through practice.  It’s not much different from riding a bike or hitting a baseball.  You have to learn how to do it and practice it until you get comfortable.  The biggest skill to acquire is Hebrew reading.  While understanding Hebrew would be great, if you can read all of the words in the prayer book, you won’t feel self-conscious about participating in services.  Many of the congregations in our community offer beginning Hebrew classes, as does the Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE).  CAJE also runs a Hebrew Reading Marathon in the Fall that is specifically designed for learning to read Hebrew to participate in services.  Some local colleges and universities also offer Hebrew classes.  Wherever you end up deciding to learn Hebrew, just make sure there is a strong focus on reading skills.

Learning about Judaism is also pretty easy for someone who is willing to make a little effort.  Again, many congregations and local organizations offer classes on a variety of topics.  Some are one-time classes, and others are courses that run for semesters or years.  It’s up to you to determine the level of commitment you want to make.  An “Introduction to Judaism” type of class would probably be best for starting out.  The local Reform congregations collaboratively offer a four-part course through the offices of the Union for Reform Judaism – Midwest Council.  All of the organizations and congregations can be found through jewishinstlouis.org in the Community Directory.

Finally, I would recommend becoming a regular at a congregation.  Every Jew needs a spiritual home and community, and it will serve you well to find a congregation where you feel welcomed and comfortable as you learn and practice Judaism.  You’ll also benefit from developing a relationship with a rabbi who can provide guidance on this journey of exploration.