By COLlive Reporter
In advance of the upcoming school year, Oholei Torah educational institute in Crown Heights has hired three new principals, COLlive has learned.
Following the departure of principal Rabbi Pinchus Rapaport at the end of the last school year, some changes to the staff have been made.
Rabbi Hershel Lustig, who has served as principal of the Elementary school for many years, will now take the position as dean, and will oversee four division principals.
“We are restructuring to better focus on maximizing each of our student’s potential, and help him reach his goals,” Rabbi Lustig told COLlive.com. “With this additional faculty, we also be able to synchronize our approach and will help us communicate better within the community.”
The principals are Rabbi Meir Shimshoni – grades Pre 1A, 1-2, Rabbi Zalman Goldstein (formerly the Mashgiach of grades 4-8) – grades 3-4, Rabbi Shua Lustig – grades 5-6, and Rabbi Sholom Goldstein – grades 7-8.
Rabbi Binyomin Ginsberg, renowned expert mechanech and Dean of Torah Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will be overseeing the new faculty, and will be flying in to New York to consult with teachers and parents during the next school year.
Some parents have raised concerns about the process of how the new principals were chosen, saying their concerns were not always being heard.
Rabbi Sholom Goldstein is the grandson of the longtime Executive Director of Oholei Torah Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld and Rabbi Shua Lustig is the son of Rabbi Hershel Lustig.
Rabbi Lustig dismissed any complaints. “When they will prove themselves, all these questions will disappear,” he said.
i know sholom personally and from yeshiva he’s a great guy a chevreman and good with children
although I’m glad that there is a new principal for the upper classes, I’m afraid that he will just be a glorified mashgiach, without ability to make real decisions.
I’ve lost faith in the Yeshiva’s desire to help my child, who happens to be a good boy and has suffered needlessly.
How does one get to speak to Rabbi Ginsburg?
All the Goldsteins have such talent. All the ones on shlichus and with teaching positions are amazing (I wish Estee Steinmetz taught in my girls school). Much hatzlacha to Rabbi Goldstein.
please check wat u write B4 u write it Rabbi Sholom Goldstein is the best princible there could ever be… dont talk!
It gives me a heartwarming dejavue when I hear the name Rabbi Sholom Goldstein, as a principal of our precious next generation. As your namesake, and your grandfather Rabbi Sholom Goldstein of Detroit, n”e, proudly sheps nachas from Olam Haemes, we bench you that you should follow in his footsteps, as a mechanech/ principal par excellence, with the wisdom and fortitude, sensitivity and compassion, he displayed in his 21 years of being a principal of Detroit and a pioneer in the development of the Detroit community, being a true shliach of the Rebbe (as the REBBE told R. H. in… Read more »
yup its the stage, we dont always count according to the passport especially if someone has a g-d given talent in the field of education.rabbi s. goldstein is definitely a natural, and thats besides his exp. dealing with bochurim in NH,OTM and camp.which other principal in ch has a masters in education?? he’s alot older than he seems.
Hatzlacha rabba and i’m sure all your opponents will come to recognize your talent and determination to succeed.
sholom goldstein was assstent mashgiach in ohelei torah mesivta and shua lustig was a teacher (very good one he is fit for princible
dont worry, rabbi ginsberg is a GREAT person to be the one coordinating it,, i have personal experience with him guiding in very challenging chinuch situations, and even in the situation re. the new principal etc. it will be very good, because of the one overseeing it.
tracht gut!
ur kids will get the positive vibes
Parents who have complaints about particular staff, I’d like to know how your one bad experience with one of the staff or even all of the staff, qualifies you to decide that these people are not experienced enough to be great Mechanchim? Unfortunately, it is not always possible to pacify every individual and in many situations it is the Mechanchim who are the ones who have to stand up for what’s right, this often leads to others getting upset as they differ in their opinions. One last question: Do you believe that it is actually possible to listen to and… Read more »
Before you give your opinion s We have One question to ask you “Do you have a son in Oholei Torah”?It’s nice to be supportive but it’s more important to care for our chidren’s future.
I know Rabbi Sholom Goldstein personally and can attest to the fact that he has had a very impressive and positive affect on the talmidim and bochurim that he has dealt with in the past. It is a very smart choice on the side of O.T. to hire him, he will prove to be from the best decisions that they have made, he has Chinuch in his blood and personality! For those that complimented Bnos Menachem’s hiring system and standards, B.M. did the same thing when they hired Sholom Goldstein’s sister Estee Steinmetz also with limited experience but tremendous talent,… Read more »
As a long standing mushpa of Sholom Goldstein i can attest to his integrity. He is a mensch full of emes and chassidishkeit, bubbling over with excitement ready to give over to the next generation.
L.D.C
I have known these boys since they were bochurim, and can vouch for their abilities and sensibilities. I cant wait to send my precious diamonds to OT next year. I have children in both 3rd and 7th grade and think this is a great move in the right direction for the rebuilding of Ohlei Torah. Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Lustig on a good decision! Hatzlacha Raba to both.
I would like to wish Hatzlacha to the new principals and I really hope they succeed. I would just like to point out the following. In the world of education there is a ladder. A teacher who knows how to teach, work with parents, work well with the admin and showes leadership skills after a few years (10) he/she with be promoted to assistant principal. Then after a few years of being assistant principal, and doing a good job will be promoted to principal. Not always does a good teacher make a good principal, but one would think it vital… Read more »
Mazel Tov on a new beginning to Oholei Torah! May it be a year of
Bracha Vehatzlocho Umuflogo to all the principles and especially to Rabbi Shimshoni who is doing an awsome job in his departmrnt and has prepared his students well for the higher grades. Yasher Koach! Perhaps the new principles could get some tips from Rabbi Shimshoni………
are you being sarcastic? im honestly not sure
24
bnos menachem
Let’s learn from bnos menachem….when they started a school and needed a principal they didn’t get motti gurarys daughter ….
Oholei Torah Did learn from them when bnos menachem started of they took Rabbi Sholom Goldssteins Sister as a assistant principal Estee Steinmetz and btw Mrs oster is a gurary
this yungerman has more experiance then anyone can have, Rabbi lustig is a living breathing exampal of a mentch, i learned under him worked under him, and he had a big part in making my shidduch, he always makes point to ask me how i am how is my family etc. if a son is living with such a father the boys are in good hands.
Hatzlacha to the young Rabbi Lustig
the deed has been done put your energy into not why it will not work but rather how it will.
Fewer and fewer capable people are interested in Chinuch. True these are relo true they are young but they want the job. an excellent start. Much hatzlocho to new fresh blood.
I never comment on these websites, but i just have to say that comment #43 is the first sane comment i have read.
If you show your children this much disrespect, how will THEY ever have respect, and how will they ever become mentchen? Isnt is obvious that all you critics are just hurting your own children.
O.T. is lucky to have you!
Telech Mechail el Choyil VeYaarich Yomim al Mamlachto
Y.R. Melb
too many cooks spoil the broth!
For the position and was not even called for an interview. And I know that is capable, has experience in chinuch and is older etc. Just wondering…
sholom i know you will do a great job. yes your yung but knoing you from CT. how you took care of us and how u did such a great job last year in OT am sure the kids will benfit so much. dont worry what the negetive ppl are saying do your job and we will stand by you
There are currently 4 Los Angeles Jewish Schools in the top 20 that will win $500,000 each!!! The only way to keep them in the running for the next two weeks is if we all vote 5 times for each of the schools!!! The L.A. community needs (AND JEWS EVERYWHERE) to band together and show support for the furthering of Jewish education in our city! It will take literally, 2 minutes of your time to VOTE 5 TIMES FOR EACH SCHOOL NOW! Thank you 🙂 http://votecmla.com/ http://votebcm.com/ http://bit.ly/b81T88 http://bit.ly/dxbnSn
Bnos Menachem also has a Gurary working as principal, just because she is married and has a different name you don’t know? But that doesn’t mean that she isn’t capable of doing the job. I feel sorry for all of you negative people out there. Where is your midas chassidus of ‘looking at others with a right eye”? being “dan l’chaf z’chus. the biggest challenge OT has is dealing with negative parents who pass on this negativity to their children. That is where all the problems begin. You can’t keep bashing an institution and then expect your children to be… Read more »
These principals were chosen. Now its our job to help them do their job right. Its one thing to give constructive advice, and quite another to be pessimistic and critical.
As a community, we ought to welcome the fresh blood with optimism and trust, so that school and home can join forces and be mechanech the next generation.
Just think, how can you expect a child to respect hanhala if he hears his parents being skeptical and not respectful?!
Good luck to all our new prinicpals!!!!! Chazak chazak!!
If Rabbi Rosenfeld built this fantastic dynasty of chinuch in Oheli Torah isn’t it fitting if his grandson who is potentionally capable, gets the position?
THANK YOU RABBI ROSENFELD FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE!
may hashem reward you with alot of chassidishe nachas as you see the mosad blossom.
This is a great idea. Especially since these people have so much experience since they grew up learning from there parents & grandparents. It doesn’t help to be a teacher for 10 years and know how to deal with children. you have to have it in your blood.
Sholom Goldstein HATZLACHA! you will be fantastic i know it!!
for everyone involved. why the bashing before they even started?
what do you know about the vaad. the vaad is mix of michanchim and business men and seniors from ch who have alot of experience in schooling. OT is the only school to have a vaad where parents can go to with their problems and a vaad where teachers can go with their problems. unlike the other schools in CH that are ran by 1 person and all decisions are final!
rabbi shua lustig is simply the best. He has a real passion for chinuch. a real mentch. and a real caring person.
Last time I heard, people are supposed to prove their capabilities BEFORE acquiring a new job, not after. A 25 year old with barely any experience is now principal? Sounds like a disgusting joke.
I also had to deal with one of these new principles when my son was in 7th grade . Now that he’ll be the principle of 3rd & 4th grades , I’m not sure whom to turn too ! I have another son going into those grades ! All I can say is that us parents have to get together and voice our complaints and let our voices be heard . We want experienced principles ! The chinuch and foundation of our precious diamonds lies in these young inexperienced principles . Who will we turn to when problems arise ?… Read more »
Shua Lustig will be the best principal Oholie Torah has ever had. Smart, sharp and good natured – I am looking forward to the breath of new Koach that he will bring to our children’s education.
how much is the tuition raise for these three new salaries
BRHS tried having prinipals for every grade. results: BIG FLOP. Students found it to be quite confusing and since there were so many people in the administration no one, not even the principals themselves, knew who was to do what and which person was responsible for whichever department. that left people placing jobs on others where no one even knew that they were meant to have that specific job in the first place. at the end of the day, one person does all the work and everyone else becomes figureheads.
i personally know sholom goldstein and have dealt with him quite a bit in the field of chinuch. i can not imagine someone out there that would be more fitting for the job. with lots of chinuch experience, a masters in education, a chush for dealing with children, and alot of positive energy i think i could safely say he is PERFECT for the job. i wish him much hatzlocho, and to all thse with complaints that there has yet to be a position taken by a jew that wasnt opposed by others. even moshe rabeinu had a whole crew… Read more »
To all those opposed to the changes in OT…. just consider a few points. The changes were not done on a whim, but were very well thought out for many months. Experienced and professional mechanchim were brought down to help with the final decisions. Like one comment already pointed out, the position was advertised and anybody had the opportunity to come forth with proper credentials etc. This is not to say that the chosen ones were the only ones that came forward, but from all the potential candidates they actually were the most fit. I personally know Rabbi Lustig, and… Read more »
I know sholom, he is great for the JOB… i repeat.. great..
give him a chance. you will be very happy.
As someone who knows both Rabbi Shua Lustig and Rabbi Sholom Goldstien, very very well – we are very lucky to have them added to the oholei torah staff THEY ARE BORN TO BE PRINCIPALS!!!! oholei torah has done everything in their power to ensure that the schools interest is all that matter not family – anyone that saw the adds in the Kfar Chabad, Beis Moshiach, Collive.com was given a opportunity to run for pricipal, and these people were far superior to any candidate that introduced themselves… let us not fall into REVERSE NEPOTISM!!! Lets Get Behind them… and… Read more »
Why cant the hanhola invite the parents who pay their salaries to discuss these BIG moves that affect our kids’ chinuch — or at least answer questions in person??
Seriously? What is the Mlachus Bais Dovid??
We’ve seen how nepotism hurts mosdos and prevents qualified individuals from finding shlichus!
Mazel Tov Sholom!
Hatzlocho rabbo imuflogo in following in the path of your Zeide (ur namesake), ur parents & ur dear siblings sheyichyu!!
And as the Rebbe wrote regarding ur Zeide & Father “Harei inyonom hu inyon hachinuch”.
Let’s learn from bnos menachem….when they started a school and needed a principal they didn’t get motti gurarys daughter or yossi simpsons….rather they searched and broght in a qualifeid person….and that’s why its the great school it is.
Shame on ot nepotisim
WHAT A COINCEDENCE…..o t serched and put up adds for a principal and the only 2 ppl they were able to find is none other then rabbi lustigs son and rabbi rosenfelds grandson…..its not nepotisim its just that these were the only 2 qualifeid apllicants..
Check it out
so that his heart will not be haughty over his brothers, and so that he will not turn away from the commandment, either to the right or to the left, in order that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, “”””he and his sons, among Israel.”””””
לְמַעַן יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים עַל מַמְלַכְתּוֹ הוּא וּבָנָיו בְּקֶרֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל
what is happening to Rabbi Rappaport, where is he going?
I think that the principals in bais rivkah can not handle the school. We have 1 principal plus an assistant for Hebrew and and 1 principal for sucular studies who have grades 4-8 under thier belt. That is a lot to hanlde. Maybe they should get new principals and divide the work load and put the focus where it needs to be——– on the kids and getting to their student body.
i had 2 deal with some of these people and all i can say is that this is one of the biggest mistakes ever! happy i’m not in that place!!!!
Why didn’t they hire one Experienced principal and one vice and PAY them accordingly instead of 5 principals and one consultant?????????
Rabbi Sholom Goldstein worked in Mesivta O.T. Did anyone bother to see what type of person he is? What did he accomplish?
O.T. has a lot of explaining to do.
If you learned Chitas just this past week, you would know that Torah endorses and encourages a child to follow the job of his father / grandfather (“hu koidem lechol odom”).
The ‘taino’ of ‘nepotism’ is a ‘goyishe’ taino, and does not belong in our machne.
See Devorim 17:20, and Rashi al assar.
Hatzlocho Rabo uMuflogo to Rabbi Goldstein and to Rabbi Lustig, and to Rabbi Shimshoni as well. Be madrich the Rebbe’s children with the best of your kishroinois.
These people don’t need English, Math, and college, they have Yichus
the vaad are not mechanchim they shouldnt have a say in this.
shua lustig was a teacher in oholei torah mesivta last year and sholom goldstien was a mashgiach/dreier
One would think that the appointment of a pricipal for a school the size and stature of OT, would mean hiring one who is MINIMUM in their mid to late 30’s, several years of teaching experience and gone through extensive training for curriculum development and discipline etc. Look like we’re headed to ward a nice “Chassidishe Melava Malka”. Such a job should have been posted, that they are looking for experienced mechanchim with “XYZ” qualifications etc. It should have been “public knowledge” that they were on an international search for the most qualified men for the job. I do not… Read more »
the most important quality needed to work in any field of chinuch is to be a very nice and caring person if your nice and you care you will figure out how to help any child or teen with what they need! do any of these guys have this ?!!!
It’s interesting that they can get a job based on what they say they can do with absolutely no experience at all. I don’t think anyone would hire me based on me telling them that I would ‘prove myself’ in spite of my zero experience. Why are we taking chances with principals when our kids chinuch is dependent on them. Wouldn’t we rather someone who has already proven themself in the past.
A principal who has never been a teacher . How insane . And that is going to make for a better Yeshiva? Where are the parents?
To all those who are upset or being critical of the move, if you recall OT advertised for a while looking for a principal perhaps they could not find a proper candidate, and therefore had to peruse the current plan and remeber they will have guidance from rabbi lustig and the other guy.
Sholom, great to see you follow in the path of your esteemed grandfather and namesake, principal of Bais Yaakov in Detroit.
How about listing the new principals credentials rather than their yichus? Let’s hope they work with the philosophy of “chanoch l’naar al pi darco” recognizing our childrens’ abilities, talents and creating a positive yeshiva environment.
Hatzlocha rabo, yes let’s see them “prove themselves”
Thank you the vaad of ohlei torah for all the great work they do for our school!
this vaad really made our school a place to be proud of and the best chabad boys school that exist today
Do Rabbi Sholom Goldstein and Rabbi Shua Lustig have any experience to work in this Yeshiva? It seems to me that they have only grandfather and father.
in english we call that nepotism. but, let’s hope – nay, PRAY – for the sakes of our sons – that “they will prove themselves” and that “all these questions will disappear.”
what kind of experience do some of these new principals have. it is unfair to the children.
its nice to see this important move and even nicer to see family continue in their parents ways, it shows their parents had a true passion in what they did