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Head-of-School Search Update (Decision):

April 2, 2012
A Message to the Barrack Community

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Co-chairs of the Search Committee, we are thrilled to announce that the Board has voted unanimously to name Sharon P. Levin as the new Head of School of Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy effective July 1, 2012.

As most of you know, the Board of Directors formed a Head of School Search Committee in August 2011, charged with ensuring that the search would be thorough, transparent and inclusive. The Search Committee was co-chaired by Michele Levin and Michael Rosenzweig and consisted of 13 additional members. Every person on the committee was strategically selected so that all constituent groups would be represented. Members of the Committee included Executive Committee members, Board members, parents, alumni, and the CEO of Federation. In addition to the Co-chairs and the two of us, the committee members were: Lynne Barrack, Stuart Bogom, Matt Hammermesh, Dan Kolansky, Leah Lande, Jackie Needleman, Adena Potok, Belinda Raikin, Ira Schwartz, Ann Weiss, and Robin Zappin. At this time, we thank the Co-chairs and all the members of the committee for their commitment of time and their hard work throughout this process. It has been our pleasure and privilege to work with such an outstanding group of people.

In October, the Committee retained the services of Independent Thinking, a search firm with extensive experience working with independent schools including Jewish day schools. At the outset, Independent Thinking met with faculty, administration, staff, students, parents, Board members and major supporters of the school to assess our priorities and create the Opportunity Statement that would be used to market the position.  Independent Thinking then reviewed all applications and presented the committee with the resumes of 14 candidates who met the criteria outlined in the Opportunity Statement. From the 14 resumes, the committee selected five candidates for more thorough review and in-person interviews. After the initial interview process, the Committee narrowed the search to three highly talented candidates. These finalists were brought to the campus for two-day meetings with faculty, staff, students, parents and Board members. We would like to personally thank all those who contributed in the process by spending time with each of the finalists and providing feedback. Your support and participation were essential to the success of the search and reminded us all how fortunate we are to have so many people dedicated to ensuring Barrack’s successful future.

The Opportunity Statement indicated that we needed the next Head of School to lead the school to a more financially sustainable future by broadening our base, attracting more applicants, carefully managing our resources and maintaining and cultivating relationships with current and new donors. At the same time, we wanted the person to preserve and protect the best aspects of our school’s culture while looking for ways to move the school forward. We were also looking for someone who would inspire faculty and students, work cooperatively with parents, Board members, alumni and the local community to further strengthen our school.

Sharon P. Levin is that person. She exemplifies all the characteristics we are looking for in a Head of School. Sharon is an educational visionary and a skilled manager and leader, who we believe is prepared to handle a wide range of challenges. This is an exciting time for Barrack and we know you will join us in enthusiastically supporting Sharon in her new role.

On behalf of the Board and the entire Barrack community, we thank Sharon for stepping up to the challenge by agreeing to serve as Interim Head of School. She has done an outstanding job and the Search Committee and Board of Directors have great confidence that Sharon will lead Barrack to an even stronger future.

With our best wishes to you all for a Chag Kasher v’Sameach,

Ariele Zandman Klausner ‘76, President of the Board
Cecily Carel, 1st Vice President and President Elect

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Head-of-School Search Update:

March 13, 2012
A Message to the Barrack Faculty, Staff, Parents, Alumni and Board

 The Search Committee has been diligently working on the next steps as outlined in our last communication on January 25, 2012.  Just to review:

• January 13th - Marketing of the Head of School position at JBHA commenced.
• Mid January to Mid February - Independent Thinking (IT) reviewed and interviewed potential candidates.
• Mid February - Search Committee was presented with 14 potentially viable candidate files for review; 5 candidates were selected to be interviewed.
• Late February - Search Committee interviewed 5 candidates.
• Early March - Search Committee met to discuss the 5 candidates and has decided to move forward in the process with 3 of the candidates.

The Search Committee is excited to present 3 excellent candidates to the JBHA community so that Faculty, Staff, Parents and Board members will have an opportunity to meet the candidates and offer feedback to the committee.  At the end of this process the Search Committee will meet to select a candidate to recommend to the Board of Directors for their approval. 

The candidates and their visits are as follows:

Jeff Davis           March 19th and 20th

Scott Bolton        March 21st and 22nd

Sharon Levin      March 26th and 27th

During each visit there will be two open parent meetings, a meeting with Board members, meetings with senior administrators, meetings with upper school and middle school faculty, and an open staff meeting.  A short bio on each candidate can be found at the end of this letter.

Following each candidate visit a survey will be distributed via email to provide the opportunity to offer feedback.  In preparation for this next step we suggest you review the Opportunity Statement (also available on the JBHA homepage under Head-of-School Search) that was used to market the position.

We thank you for your input, patience and understanding throughout this process.

Michele Levin (mslmom3@gmail.com)
Michael Rosenzweig (Rosenzweig.michael@gmail.com)

 Co-Chairs, Search Committee

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Jeff Davis
Jeff is currently the Upper School Principal (grades 6-12) at San Diego Jewish Academy, a position he has held since 1999. Prior to his work at SDJA, Jeff was the Principal at Coronado High School. During his five years at Coronado he essentially transformed the school, restructuring the vision, curriculum and physical plant. At the same time he established two “schools within a school” – Coronado School for the Arts and Oxford Academy. In 1999 he moved to San Diego Jewish Academy where he was hired to “build” the high school as Upper School Principal. As he said, in many ways it has been a life-changing experience for him both professionally and personally. He started with 8 students in the upper school (grades 6-12). They now have an enrollment of 280. In addition to having two B.A. degrees from California State University, Chico, Jeff has an M.S. in School Management and Administration and an Ed.D. in Institutional Management from Pepperdine University. Jeff and his wife Mardelle will be visiting Barrack on Monday and Tuesday, March 19 and 20.

Scott Bolton
Scott is currently Head of School at Reuben Gittleman Hebrew Day School in New City, NY, a position he has held since 2006. In addition to both middle and upper school teaching experience, Scott also served as Head of School at Solomon Schechter School of Raritan Valley and as a Marketing and Communications Specialist for the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from American University and a Master of Arts from the University of Judaism. He received Rabbinic Ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University. Scott and his wife Amy are the parents of four children who next year will be in grades 7, 6, 3 and Pre-School. Scott and Amy will be visiting Barrack on Wednesday and Thursday, March 21 and 22.

Sharon Levin
Sharon is currently the Interim Head of School and Academic Dean at Barrack. Prior to Barrack, Sharon taught at both the middle and upper school levels in a number of public schools, including New York City, Prince George’s County (MD) and Fairfax County (VA). Sharon started at Barrack in 1986 and for the 21 years prior to this year she was Department Chair of Humanities. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College and a Master of Education from the University of Maryland. In addition to her work at Barrack, Sharon has been active in a number of community organizations, including serving as a board member of Jewish Outreach Partnership, Hillel of Greater Philadelphia and Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Since 1988 she has also served in various leadership capacities with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, most notably Campaign Chair and President of Women’s Philanthropy. Sharon and her husband Jonathan are the proud parents of two Akiba alumni. Sharon will be meeting with various constituent groups at Barrack on Monday and Tuesday, March 26 and 27.

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Head-of-School Search Update

January 23, 2012:
A message to the Barrack Faculty, Staff, Parents, Alumni and Board

We are happy to report that the Head-of-School search committee unanimously approved the Opportunity Statement (link below), drafted by Independent Thinking, based on their research and interviews conducted back in November. Marketing of the Head-of-School position at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy began on January 13th. We want to thank our committee for their valuable input in the process of crafting the statement. The timing of the committee's approval enabled Bill Lyons from Independent Thinking (IT) (the search firm) to post the position prior to the Day School Conference in Atlanta, last week, and actually speak to potential candidates at the conference.

Next steps are as follows:

• IT will advertise the position in appropriate publications, Internet sites, and other resources
• IT will use its network of school professionals and others to find additional interested and qualified candidates.
• IT will process all candidate materials and applications, pre-screen all candidates and conduct interviews either in person or by telephone.
• IT will present all potentially viable candidates to the Search Committee. Candidate profiles include interview write-ups in addition to other candidate materials.
  

We are very excited about the level of interest in the position IT has seen thus far. We look forward to reviewing a well-qualified group of candidates. If you personally know of anyone interested and qualified for the position, please share the Opportunity Statement with him or her. You may also contact Independent Thinking and give candidate suggestions for them to reach out to.

Opportunity Statement

Michele Levin
Michael Rosenzweig
Co-Chairs, Search Committee

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Head-of-School Search Update

December 2, 2011:
A message to the Barrack Community

Thank you to everyone who attended one of the parent meetings facilitated by our search firm, Independent Thinking.  The sessions were productive and all feedback greatly appreciated.  Below is a compilation of the comments that were made. If you were unable to attend the meetings and have something you'd like to add, please send your thoughts to our search consultants at Independent Thinking, it@independent-thinking.com"

The next step in the process is the creation of an Opportunity Statement, drafted by IT and approved by the Search Committee.  Once this document is approved we will share it with the Barrack community and it will be used to market the Head of School position. 

The Search Committee welcomes your questions, thoughts and suggestions.  Please feel free to contact any of the members.  

Lynne Barrack                                 Michele Levin (Co-Chair)
Stuart Bogom                                  Jackie Needleman
Cecily Carel                                    Adena Potok
Matt Hamermesh                             Belinda Raikin
Ariele Klausner                               Michael Rosenzweig (Co-Chair)
Dan Kolansky                                 Ira Schwartz
Leah Lande                                     Ann Weiss
Robin Zappin

Shabbat Shalom,

Michele Levin (mslmom3@gmail.com)
Michael Rosenzweig (Rosenzweig.michael@gmail.com)

Co-Chairs, Search Committee

 

 

 

 

Jack Barrack Hebrew Academy - Open Parent Meetings

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 15 & 16, 2011

Following are comments made by individual parents. They do not necessarily represent a consensus of the group.

We want Barrack to be a place where……….

• Jewish life is celebrated
• Academic challenge thrives
• Continue to demonstrate various aspects of Jewish practice – understands differences and supports all
• Doesn’t require observance during school hours but definitely provides an opportunity for observance
• Appreciates pluralism and choice
• Each child’s individualism is supported and nurtured
• Creativity is encouraged
• Love for learning
• Strive for academic excellence
• Ability to think critically and learn to learn
• Learn how to connect with the larger community and connect to groups outside of him/herself (parents could be a great resource in this regard)
• Opportunities for extra-curricular activities
• Citizenship in the global Jewish community
• Creating a vibrant community of passionate Jews
• Dedicated Jewish curriculum
• Support for Israel
• Jewish moral and ethical compass
• Quality relationships with teachers

• Parent community joyfully looks out for each others kids
• Alums will see Barrack as a formative experience and will support it financially and in other ways
• Students have a voice

• Exceptional science program
• Transparency is valued
• Computer science and robotics
• Bullying is addressed head on and in an aggressive manner
• Community service is emphasized
• Kids are engaged in the world around them
• Competitive academically and athletically with other schools
• Kids feel comfortable being themselves
• Great education
• Great Jewish education
• Learn Jewish values and spread them around
• Love of Judaism
• Leadership skills
• Spirited environment
• Develop strong sense of self
• Large student body
• Financial stability
• Better drama facilities
• Kids come first
• Kids feel safe
• Understanding of and a respect for the wide range of Jewish observance
• Well-prepared for college and life
• Opportunities to discover new talents and interests
• Families are engaged in meaningful ways
• Acceptance of different students’ learning styles
• Superior faculty
• Life-long community
• Students feel valued and listened to
• Students feel proud to be at Barrack
• Students like to come here
• Zionistic
• Continue to foster intellectual curiosity and love of learning
• Vigorous extra-curricular program – athletic, music, drama
• Good communication
• Exposed to high level/cutting edge technology
• Head knows every kid’s name (parents too)
• Continuous improvement is always on the table
• Vision is a guiding principle
• Leadership is always planning the next step
• Barrack is the hub of the community
• Faculty metrics and evaluation

Essential characteristics/qualities/experiences needed in the next head of school

• Able to be convincing re: the importance of Jewish day school education – to families, philanthropists, etc.
• Chameleon (in a good way!) – able to see things from different perspectives
• Connect in a personal way with the student body
• Nurture, guidance, discipline
• Passionately understands and believes in pluralism
• Strategic thinker
• Emotional Intelligence is off the charts
• Delegate, collaborate, communicate
• Work with faculty and staff
• Aware of the school’s competition
• Build support and connections in the greater community
• A real Mensch
• Role model
• Good communicator
• Responsive to socio-economic diversity
• Able and willing to reach out to alumni
• A healer
• Ability to help us define who we are
• Re-commit/commit to who we are

• Deep knowledge, love, understanding of adolescents
• Cheerleader – inside and out
• Visionary – bring vision to reality
• Warm

• Brings sense of community – students, families, faculty
• Embodies Jewish values
• Empathy
• Respected by everyone
• Respectful of everyone
• Fund-raiser
• Miracle worker who reconciles the irreconcilable
• Inspires kids
• Spots good talent and hires well
• Good delegator
• Teaching experience in different school environments
• Good communicator
• Knowledge of Jewish traditions
• Works well with diverse groups – especially faculty
• Works well with all staff and community to implement a single vision
• Charismatic
• Transparent
• Disciplinarian – firm when needed
• Someone who really likes being here and who finds joy in being here
• Comfortable with technology
• Embrace pluralistic culture

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Head-of-School Search Update

September 28, 2011:
A Message to the Barrack Community

We are deeply honored to be co-chairing the Head-of-School Search Committee and write to update you on the search process thus far.

First, we are delighted to report that the Search Committee has been constituted and is truly remarkable in its diversity and depth and breadth of experience. The Committee members are:

Lynne Barrack
Stuart Bogom
Cecily Carel
Matt Hamermesh
Ariele Klausner
Dan Kolansky
Leah Lande
Michele Levin (Co-Chair)
Jackie Needleman
Adena Potok
Belinda Raikin
Michael Rosenzweig (Co-Chair)
Ann Weiss
Robin Zappin

Second, the Committee will be holding its first meeting just after Rosh Hashanah and expects to be quite busy throughout the fall.  The search process will include many opportunities for input from members of the community, and we will be reporting to you regularly on our progress.

This is an extremely exciting time for Barrack for so many reasons, including the search for our next leader. We invite you to share your thoughts with us and look forward to a successful search.  Please feel free to email either of us with your suggestions, thoughts and concerns.

We wish you a happy, healthy and sweet New Year--Shanah Tova!

Michele Levin
mslmom3@gmail.com         

Michael Rosenzweig
rosenzweig.michael@gmail.com