Yeshivah principal’s future in doubt
YESHIVAH College was in turmoil last week when news spread that there was an increasing divide between principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler and the Committee Of Management (COM).
Teachers in the high school cancelled classes last Thursday to write a letter to the COM when word spread that Rabbi Smukler was considering leaving the school.
“We have been unable to teach because of the degree of extreme concern which is being experienced by the staff,” the teachers wrote in the letter. “We are stakeholders in the school with absolute care and concern for our boys. The future direction of Yeshivah is our primary objective.
“We need to hear from the board as to what can be done to ensure that Rabbi Smukler maintains his position as the principal of the school. We request a meeting today with all members of the board to address our concerns and work towards a mutually acceptable outcome.”
The AJN understands the dispute between Rabbi Smukler and the COM is in relation to transparency, accountability and the continuation of some members of the board.
On Thursday teachers, administration staff and students contacted The AJN seeking help to keep Rabbi Smukler at the school.
One teacher said they would be willing to strike if they had to because Rabbi Smukler has the teachers’ full backing. A principal at another Jewish school told The AJN they hoped he stayed and fought because he had “overwhelming support” from the community.
By Friday morning an email from a group of parents was spread to challenge the COM.
The email said that parents have no formal vote, pulling children from the school would hurt the kids and so there is only one option for parents.
“Withhold school fees until a proper accountable governance structure is put into place,” the email said. “We are the parents being held to ransom. If there was a proper governance structure we would not need to resort to this kind of action.”
The situations cooled this week as Rabbi Smukler flew to Israel on a planned trip and the school term ended prior to Pesach on Tuesday.
The school did not respond to questions and Rabbi Smukler said it would be inappropriate for him to partake in a public debate through The AJN.
JOSHUA LEVI
Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler.
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