By Yisroel
I am writing today about something we must discuss as a community. I write this with a sincere heart, with no ill will or malice. We have a real problem, and it seems that people are just not finding themselves fully engaged or taking it serious enough to evoke any real change.
The problem before us today is what to do with Beis Rivkah.
Beis Rivkah is, or maybe more accurately now, was one of the prides and joys of Crown Heights. A famed rite of passage for Chabad daughters. This school was also a pride and joy of the Rebbe.
It’s not my intention here to malign the institution. But we must demand effective and actual change. The system is broken, and we are silently all thinking the same thing. We know that most schools can not run alone on tuition, and we know that not everyone in our community can manage to pay full tuition which makes the problem even worse. If we can go forward on the premise that everyone is doing what they can to pay whatever they can, we can not alone blame the financial crisis’s that Beis Rivkah continues to find itself in on parents who don’t pay enough. Every institution has robust methods of raising additional funds, through internal programs such as auctions, dinners, events, or simply by approaching members of the community who can help through generous charitable contributions direct to the school.
We have a situation where there is only one institution in Crown Heights that is repeatedly threatening to close their doors and cancel precious school days. What is the problem here? I don’t claim to know the financial situation of every other school in Crown Heights, but I can tell you Beis Rivkah is the only one that has continued to tell it’s parents, we may not be able to open our doors. Something is wrong. Friends, fellow neighbors, fellow parents, why are we continuing to allow this? Why do we brush it off with a chuckle and not demand real change. We shouldn’t have to abandon the school and choose another, many of us are proud to send our daughters to the school named after Rebbetzin Rivkah, a long and glorious tradition of incredible women, community leaders, shluchos, friends have all graduated from this esteemed institution.
I say this again, I’m not here to accuse, malign, or speak ill of anyone in power running the school. I’m not up on the latest gossip or Loshon Hara, and I don’t want to be. I’m simply asking, maybe it’s time to let someone else be in charge. This is just not working out. I’m embarrassed when my daughter tells me that her friends openly discuss issues like teachers not being paid, or their school “closing down”, these are not issues our children should be discussing or being a part of. It’s removes respect for the school, the system and their teachers. To go to class every day and know the person they must respect and learn from is not able to provide for their own families due to the schools inability to raise funds, or pay teachers is simply tragic and robs them of a basic childhood learning experience.
Administrators of Beis Rivkah, I beg you, please consider stepping aside. This is just not working. Even you must admit that you are stuck in a rut. When your only course of action to keep the doors open is to send out crisis invoking S.O.S.(Save Our School) emails or letters and voicemals, it’s just not working out. You signed your most recent letter “We hope and pray the situation will be resolved!”, but maybe hoping and praying is not enough! We don’t fault you, we don’t accuse you, we are simply asking that you consider that maybe you just need fresh faces to propose fresh methods of making it work.
Parents, we must not sit back and just expect that this is the norm. This is not the norm. No other school routinely relies on this method to fix financial hardships. Closing the doors, hoping for a last minute financial savoir to keep our daughters school open is not a fundraising method that works.
Don’t let this continue, call the school, demand an update, demand change. Administrators, please take this consideration to heart. We thank you, you have tried your best, and we know everything has been with your best intention, you did what you can. That just might not be enough anymore. A school has to start when it starts. Teachers must be paid. Our daughters need to be in their classrooms, being inspired and learning from their teachers, not whispering behind their backs that they might not have a job, or that their school will be closed. This is beneath our children, it’s beneath the school, it’s beneath our community.
We need something new. Please.
Time to make some sort of gathering …. outside beth rivkah and demand answers in a calm and respectful matter we make a rally we gather parents …… this is rediculous …. only when parents get together and i mean all parents get together and make and demand a change ……… organize a rally and make our voices heard !!!!!!!!
Number 70 you wrote most sensibly and smartly.
thank you and let the school “ceo and board” take the lead and do the right thing.
“this gave me a brain wave how about every single student put on uniform and stand out school gates until they open the doors ….give it a day or 2 and I assure u the strike will be over!” I read this in another article and it is simply brilliant! 🙂 We need to show them that the students are willing and excited to learn because right now they are sitting at home wasting time or simply not learning as they should be! This is just one example of a “strike” on the students part! A student organization like this… Read more »
ALL of you parents were perfectly aware of the teachers being behind in pay, but as long as they continued to work bearing the responsibly for your daughters during that time YOU all were OK with it.. NOW that they’re unavailable to attend to YOUR family needs, you all NOW become the concerned and caring parents their daughters missing” chinuch.”. How many of you tipped them generously for Chanukah , YomTovim and graduation?? Knowing their circumstances?? . How many of you offered to fund raise along with her classmates parents for your daughters class to pay her teacher? How many… Read more »
Sorry to bust your bubble, but the problem IS the inability to pay the teachers. The fact that that’s a problem is because THERE IS NO MONEY!!! We are facing major issues, and Golus is brought up??? Maybe try and help instead of sitting back and commenting that, OY, we are in Golus! Save that for the back to school Shiur! What do you mean by the issue is Golus anyway!!!!!!????////
This is gullous. We need Moshiach. That’s the only cure to our problems. Instead of hashing on the injustice,how about DOING all you can to bring Moshiach! The problem Is not the inability to pay the teachers. Gullous is the problem.
Agreed! YOUR children are YOUR responsibly! 3 days out of school and everyone is up in arms! What am I to do? I actually might have to spend TIME with them and attend to their educational, emotional and spiritual needs… Gee I thought that was up to their Morahs and admin!
How judgmental of you. Nobody is saying schools are babysitters. Children belong in school where they get an education. Parents work for a living. I don’t know about you but I live in the real world. If I stay home with my kids and don’t work, I cannot pay rent, buy food and clothes or buy a metrocard to take my beloved kids to a museum. So time for a reality check.
Sorry everyone for your loss of the day babysitting which is the real reason people are upset about not always starting on time..maybe you can actually spend some time with YOUR children. Accepts everyone, all these other schools mentoned are basically full tuition if you can’t pay, then too bad on you they have a waiting list. All of you have a lot to SAY but NO ONE has offered to personally fundraise,NO that’s susposed to be up to the over taxed admins.
Just read all the comments. Someone mentioned that the school is not currently applying for government grants which would be financially helpful. In this day and age, that’s just not possible. I’d like to see a campaign that would fund the salary of a person whose sole responsibility would be to apply for grants.
thank you — sensible, well written, thoughtful, mentchlich. Maybe offer your services to them? (and I mean that not in jest, but in all sincerity).
This is a complete outrage. What has our community come to?? I have 6 daughters in br and having them home is causing major hsolom bayis issues. We need help, but more importantly change and respect amongst the ones in our nation. Answer our calls! Talk to us about tuition! Because the longer this miscommunication and Lack of dedication goes on for it increases the anger, tension, and lack of hope. Hope that tomorrow our community will rise and continue to shine the light of our ansestors.
If the school is viewed as a service to the community then there is no accountability possible and no motivation for them to do a proper job. After all, they’re doing you a favor by being open. If, However, the school is viewed just like any other business, then if they stop serving you, you find a new place to shop. The days of Crown Heights being a poor, underserved and under funded community are over. No longer are our best and brightest leaving town to go try to save jews. There are no more shlichus spots left. Now they… Read more »
How many Yiddishe Neshamas has Bais Rivkah Saved?
1,000 thats for sure.
How many Broken Hearts has Bais RIvka Saved?
BAIS RIVKA IS THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT DOES NOT REJECT ANY STUDENT
THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT TAKES IN GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT.
BR HAS THE MOST DEVOTED PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS .
What you wrote is laughable. 7,000 a student without any fundraising would NOT cover costs, Even if everyone paid. Ask anyone who has run any type of institution , camp, school etc. Running an institution costs allot of money.
GO BAIS RIVKA!!!! WE HAVE VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% agree with #70
well written and true!
we do NOT need to throw out administration – that’s not the issue!
The only school so unprepared to open the new school year—after so many years, BRS must look at other mosdos, come up with ways to fund raise the needed funds…..Time to change the people running this precious mosad who are unable to do it properly. There is no reason for this mosad to struggle and fail as they are. It is a shande, that needs capable administrators to take over! I started learning in BR in 1950, and by now it should be THE school that Rabbi Itchke Goldin A”H poured so much kochos to sustain. It is mis- management… Read more »
You need at least one non working parent at home, and that parents needs to have lots of resources. Nowadays in most families most parents need to work – ironically, in order to pay tuition as well as rent. Not to mention single parents who have to take their children to work or pay sitters in addition to the initial tuition costs which they’ve already begun to pay.
Parents work, have young babies and household responsibilities. They cant just spend all day homeschooling their kids. Thats why an education system is set up in this world. Its called School!! Where children belong to be!!!! We dont live in a shtetel from the 1800s anymore. Shame on Bais Rivkah for not opening school on time!! It is affecting so many children and parents in a very negative way.
Lots and lots and lots of ipad time
We need trained, experienced teachers – not parents who have no idea how to teach. Large families crammed at home all day, too much pressure for parents.
FYI out of town schools have similar top-down problems.
These girls had very expensive tickets because of labor day weekend and they needed to fly regardless . Now they are far from home wandering the streets of crown heights!
This is a great time to learn of homeschooling your kids which removes the need for tuition. Also a great time for new stable schools to start that specialize in actual/different styles of learning.
My girls are so sad. They deserve better. BH I am lucky to have girls that want to go to school. I made my peace with the teachers who arrive late and talk or text during class, who can’t teach and don’t care if the girls learn, and who should be anywhere but a classroom — because there are many that are the exact opposite. There is always a mix, and I tell the girls to focus on the good. But the bad ones make a huge impact on the respect the girls have for school. And this atrocious action… Read more »
If enough people truely care it will work. If not, nothing else will matter.
This article is not helping anything so much talk to little action ask your kids I think we are losing the respect it will come back to bite you parents for when you lost your children respect it’s hard to get back
If you want a cush, easy career, Jewish children’s chinuch is Not for you!
Call shlomo rechnitz for money and guidance
Not joking
I do not currently have a child in Bais Rivka, but I have observed close hand for some years another large community school. I believe it survives and succeeds because a significant amount of it’s employees are totally committed (blood, sweat and tears), mesiras nefesh to it’s survival. It’s their Schlichus and they are the Rebbe’s Schluchim. It’s for sure not just a 9 to 5 job to them!
Re
Ur right. 70 is most sensible. But the current administrators Have to be honest, humble and let these new people step in, make changes and take charge
1 temporary idea, till after Tishrei. Parents from each class should get together, pool whatever they pay for 2 months tuition, and hire a teacher who can teach in someone’s dining room. Benefits: Teachers will get a paycheck before Tishrei. Girls will be in class learning. Girls will know that they are valued and their parents and teachers are working together for their benefit. If it works well, BR will know that the parents will form their own school if BR can’t open the doors. Before you throw in “it’s not legal, not approved by Board of Ed etc”, it’s… Read more »
Stop pathetically pointing fingers at rabanum for every issue that goes on everywhere. They are not Gd that can solve financial issues. Their job is halacha. So pathetic how ppl just love pointing the finger at others. Rabanim are not your saviors, and are not responsible for the mismanagement of every org here. Please. Seriously.
The most sensisble comment so far!
Positive, clear, and to the point
boy’s schools pay salaries to men working 6 days a week, and longer hours in higher grades.
again, open books, it doesn’t make sense.
I would venture to say that they have loans and lines of credit that take priority before payroll so payroll its only serviced once the loans are.
i think people should open up new schools
Just send your girls to another school! If BR has no source of tuition/income then the ones in charge will walk away. Even the greediest of administrators have no wish to work for free (ironically).
I don’t know how you get to 14 millions but it seems a bit exaggerated. It’s not true that BR accepts anyone or that any other community school in CH does for that matter. Parents are struggling to register their children every year. Even if most of the parents don’t pay full tuition, there is 30 students in a class, even with minimum payment at one point all teachers should be paid. There is definitely a mismanagement. In regards to going to public schools, it’s a great idea maybe this is what we should be doing. I just don’t know… Read more »
Teachers barely get 15k.
I am with you. I will step up to raise money for the teachers directly
BR needs new ppl to learn from OT ULY in the SAME community and families how they stay afloat
If 25 children paid 7500 they would be collecting over 175k a class.
The teacher barely gets 40k so does it cost more then 110k for administrating the school and occupancy ?
So it does not actually cost 7500 a kid and don’t forget they get grants and programs money.
So why should I pay 7500 because others pay 2000?
Can anyone explain?
Move to Kingston, PA!
Who is writing… BR takes kids that can’t pay. That is NO excuse for such a financial mess.
Where do the parents of these children send their boys .. to OT or uly . Why don’t they have such an utter mess???? BC they fundraise. OT has a large group of people fundraising for them.
Something must be done. Enough is enough.
Oholei torah has full time fund raisers.
They also have an active vaad.
maybe someone should ask Rabbi Rosenfeld how he does it.
Rabbi Stock and Rabbi Minkowitz you have been there for us year in year out. You are the ones that make Bais Rivkah registration a better experience than any other in crown heights. New board, new powers that be- learn to work together with those administrators. They have been doing it for so long and you can learn from their secret sauce recipe. The new approach to side step out comfort in the school of meeting and speaking to rabbi stock or rabbi minkowitz is daunting and gives a not pleasant message to us as parents. What goes around comes… Read more »
It is understandable for a school to have a “financial crisis” every so often, however, year after year is NOT acceptable. Action MUST be taken to prevent things like this from happening again and again. In any school there is a clear budget amount of how much tuition they need from each student to run the school properly. Any amounts that don’t come from tuition (which is expected in such a community) must come from other sources, such as fundrasing events. It is such an embarrassment for our community to have a time where school cannot open for an unknow… Read more »
Point: parents need to pay tuition fact.
Parent can’t afford, that board will write up plan
Pay $, pay part service, (subbing, plumbing, painting, repairing, fundraising, grant writing etc (phone calls, pushka distribution and pick up, etc. the chesed for years of agreeing to bare minimum tuition is back firing and hurting the koala.
But the school should be mentchlich and post an eta to opening day..so parents/working parents can plan accordingly. The stress of the unknown is physically making me sick.
Besuros tovos real soon!!
One of my daughters’ teachers in high school was as you described. My daughter who had this teacher about seven years ago is still traumatized if she hears this teacher’s name, There were other teachers and principals however who were very good.
this would never happen in a boys yeshiva. Somehow the machers pony up for ot – guess they don’t value their girls education as much as their boys – same families in both schools
So sad the Rebbes school can not open . Paying teachers is not a priority. Buying country homes, traveling making lavish simchas, living to the nine that is priority. The teachers should not go back , they will throw them a bone and the same thing happens again , no pay checks . Message is simple teachers are not respected they are not important. Throw out the old and in with the new. We are bh blessed with many young successful parents who are quite capable of sitting in a new board . Young parents are not interested in this… Read more »
I don’t live in CH. nonetheless here is my thoughts. I don’t think there is any other educational (Chabad) School with over 2000+ students. Payroll is at $14 million a year. That equals the need to fundraise over 1 million every three weeks!!! To anyone who has ever raised any money – they would take off their hat to anyone who would attempt such an incredible feat! Solution: every parent and community member must roll up their sleeves and get involved. Call in and ask how can you volunteer and make a difference. The rich people in our community don’t… Read more »
Let’s spell out a simple, not perfect, but effective plan: -Parents contribute to a fund that goes directly to teachers. In ADDITION to tuition. Yes, whatever you can afford! Before you even think of giving to another organization give to this fund at least double what you would give to any organization. And the fund must go directly to teachers.Open book, with a few parents managing it on a volunteer basis. Part 2- Parents get on the phone and fundraise for the fund from freinds and family a few times a year. No shame in this, it is a big… Read more »
To the Rabbonim who were very concerned about us using an eiruv they considered invalid and issued statements, made speeches and did everything they could to save us from chillul Shabbos: The school which is responsible for educating the majority of girls in this community is dysfunctional to the point that despite being in business for over 70 years it still can’t open its doors at the beginning of the school year. Is this so much less concerning? Girls are aimlessly loitering the streets. Why do you sit silently as your community faces such humiliation? Can anyone take you seriously… Read more »
I work for a girls school in crown heights and have never missed a paycheck. Every teacher is paid on time every month. Something is very wrong. Why do parents and unpaid staff put up with this. Fire the administration and hire people who actually know how to run a school
Break up the school like they did with Lubavitch Yeshivah each place has to fundraise for themselves that’s what got them out of the money problems that they had years ago
72 – We can’t just defend, the original article was clear, it wasn’t about blaming and attacking, and then people coming in to defend the attacks. It’s about clear reality. Our daughters are not in school. How do we end this insanity!
TELL US. Please! What can parents do? How do we help fix this mess? Every other Lubavitch child in the world is sitting in a class learning and our kids are home doing nothing.
I am a Bais Rivka teacher. One of those teachers that have not been paid for five months. Unlike what one of the other writers posted, I have not quit, not as he/she said because I won’t get back pay, but because it is a very special zechus and source of brocha for me to work in Bais Rivka. I have been offered higher paying jobs over the years,, and chose to remain teaching in this very special mosad. And yes, I do NEED those five months of pay. We are living off loans. I have only the highest amount… Read more »
The whole high school jumping for joy!
I have a great idea. Why doesn’t BR do what Satmar did to their girls school in Monroe? They had thousands of parents apply their children to public school in the district. The city apologized and said they don’t have room to accommodate and place so many thousands of students, so they turned the Satmar girls school into a legal “public school”. They now receive funding from the government for their school. maybe BR can have their parents do the same thing and end this tragedy!
I’m also an advocate for change. But the most common mistake (whether it is in organizations, business, countries, etc.) that people make when they are trying to make a positive change is that they grow a disdain for everyone else who was working up until then. They just want to throw everyone out. Then suddenly, a few months pass and they’re in for a ‘rude awakening’. This is not happening, and that’s not happening, etc. Yes, it was all held together with rubber bands and glue, but someone was still holding it together on some level. It is populist and… Read more »
For example, school is late by 3 days, $25 per day, $75per girl. Amount of girls (2000) multiple by $60, product $150,000. This amount we should substract from B.Rivkah school
I know what we can do- substract the amount of money if each missing learning day from the tuition
Criticism were due & praises were due ! I agree with this article ! But i’d like 2 give beis rivkah credit they take in every girl regardless of financial situation ! Most of the smaller schools & yeshivas that r financially secure R extremely picky who they let in ! If it was not 4 beis rivkah & oholei torah most of us would not have were 2 send R kids !
the problem is that our schools are creating graduates who cannot then go out and get the kinds of jobs they need in order to pay their own children’s tuition.
They send a non-update
Parents should be allowed to fundraise in a 51 -49% partnership with Beis Rivka and the 51% going towards their girls tuition
For all those screaming “administration” needs change. These are ppl that hold this school together in every single way. Replacing one, you would need to put 5 ppl in their place. Benjy sincerely cares and helps many girls and families of Beis Rivkah, and actually saves lives. He gives from his own pocket and barely sleeps at night knowing that someone is in dire need. I don’t think you can find someone as compassionate and caring for the community and Beis Rivkah that keeps so much going. Enough blaming administration! The issue is Money, fundraising! Not the way Beis Rivkah… Read more »
JUST SAYING
as they say:
that unfortunately, things have been mismanaged. Truth be told, that there are people whose girls have gone through the BR system, who were not treated right or fairly. So what does anyone expect. I for one, was very dissatisfied with how my daughters were treated. There were some great teachers but my girls had some teachers who did not act professionally. With negative memories on the part of both my husband, myself and my family, we just have no feeling to give a donation to help out.
Since this is under the umbrella of “education” in Lubavitch Chabad, is there any reason that would prevent those in educational leadership positions couldn’t get involved? What are the matters in which those leaders might have a leadership role?
I am not a graduate of BR, but my daughters are & I have Hakores Hatov to the amazing principals & teachers who devoted themselves to make sure my girls turned out to be the Shluchos they are – every one of them. I bentch you all that you see the same nachas from your children and grandchildren that I see from my daughters. BUT – and it’s a big BUT – BR is run like a mismanaged private business, where the bosses rake in all the profits and the workers never see a decent salary. Except here, they don’t… Read more »
there are 6 girls schools in crown heights:
1. beis rivka.
2. bnos menachem.
3. beis chaya mushka.
4. oholei yosef yitzchok.
5. ateres chayah.
6. lamplighters.
Each class should be responsible to pay their teacher. Take the number of girls in each class and divide this number by the total annual salary of teacher(s)and pay over the school year directly to the teacher(s) Each student / family is responsible for their share each month. Families that can pay full-tuition can help support and offset girls in class who cannot. If you like, You can add an “Administration” fee for the Principal and other head staff and school maintenance fee when you know how much this is divided by the number of students there are. This is… Read more »
well said benji is such a special and honest man he only does good for beis rivka and without benji school would have much more issues and this might be worse then it is also benji never takes money he only gives!!!!!!
School is opening on Thursday
Running a school such as this in a poor community where everyone assumes that someone else will foot the bill for the their children’s education is the real sissy here. A private school can’t run without money. More than 50% of the student body needs scholarships. I was once involved in running a small school. Teachers were not getting paid until every parent pulled their weight and contributed more money and donated their time and services. Stop bad mouthing hard working, devoted members of our community who are working with very little to create a gigantic school with so many… Read more »
“If we can go forward on the premise that everyone is doing what they can to pay whatever they can, we can not alone blame the financial crisis’s that Beis Rivkah continues to find itself in on parents who don’t pay enough. ”
People aren’t! Many if not most people in this community claims poverty, even the ones who aren’t. Living off the government, not reporting income, and saying you can’t pay tuition.. People need to do their part.
1. parents need to start paying
2. teachers need to get paid
how are you sure that the administration takes all the money when you dont even know if there was money to take from. when will people understand that 3/4 of the school dont pay full tuition instead of paying 8 thousand people pay 1 thousand. so clearly theres not really money that the administration can steal from:( STOP blaming the administration and start thinking of your self’s (to who ever doesnt pay full tuition!!!!!!!!!!)
All I know is that for the past 25 years, Shemtov has been pouring at least 2.5 million into the school each year (totaling more than 60 million) — that he raises from one of his baleibatim. He uses this hard raised money entirely for the benefit of the residents of crown heights.
Almost all the girls in Beis Rivkah have brothers who go mosdos in Crown Heights – Same parents paying tuition.
How and why does this disparity exist?
As a parent who sends her daughter to bais rivkah Question 1: What the ** happened to the money that’s the charity raised last year that money was able to be paid for the teachers Question 2: why can’t the school fix the tuition situation during the year like during March & April time not when we have to enroll our kids in august time thats when where they will have money issues fot the school Common sense if they know they will have an issue with money Bring someone that’s know financing and see what’s & where the money… Read more »
Wonderfully written. I am a graduate of Bais Rivka. My children went to Bais Rivkah and now my grandchildren. It is a wonderful school. It is a bit top heavy on the administrative front. But – my good idea: Get together with the other parents of your children’s classes. Someone lend your basement, your living room, or your dining room. Have the parents pay the months tuition, and you can then pay the teacher directly. Bring your lunch in a bag and start school by yourselves. The office staff can stay home. You will manage just fine without them. When… Read more »
Bottom line. Does anyone know what is happening? Is the school done? Should we cancel our contracts and registration checks and find a school that is open? Parents need to know.
We need young energetic parents to get involved. The older generation should step aside. Tx for all their work and efforts but we need to move on. A total makeover! New board,administrators, etc
York might be right.
However, & more important is that Laima & Benji OPEN UP THE BOOKS!!!
They are ready to,step down TODAY.
All they want is a multi million dollar retirement package.
WHAT CHUTZPA!!!!!
like the CEO on Wall St. Puts the company in the joke & gets a million dollar pension plan……
You want them to learn or you need the babysitting service
Let them get their holy tushes off their high horses and hire a new staff of fundraisers. Ppl who have the knack and the drive.
And they do have enuf money to pay teachers. They just use it for other things. Other things that should be covered by fundraising (NOT OFF THE STUDENT BODY) and hard work applying for grants etc.
I’m sure if the person’s name was revealed he or she would not be a popular parent at BR … who would want that?
The tone is respectful, and it’s not about agenda.
The ikkur is clear.
For us to all sit by quietly while this goes on is not a solution.
Our daughters should be in school learning.
Far more effective when remaining clear and respectful.
Well done.
Good luck with affecting change for the better.
Every single school suffers from lack of funds. A school is not a candy shop with low margins and high mark up. It’s a thankless tireless mostly for the good of the community type of business. Lamplighters and Bnos Menachem don’t have to share anything. They work very hard at raising funds and bringing in additional sources of funding aside from tuition. To throw off blame from Beis Rivkah by saying others should “give them” their own hard earned fund raising is exactly the type of thinking that allows for Beis Rivkah to always be in this mess. I’ve seen… Read more »
BS”D #14 your thought is logical except I believe for one omission. The other places and even the boys schools in CH are all on equal footing, they do not have the loss of parents who can pay full tuition and thus help subsidize the less payers. BR does not have this asset bc of the 1 (or possibly 2) other girls schools in CH who only accept full payers who are thus taken from BR who is left with the ones who cannot afford it- and BR still takes them. In other places,each school has its share of full… Read more »
Thank you number 6 for your smart ideas maybe you should get a job and pay your child’s tuition in instead of sitting on your computer writing comments
It would go a lot further if you would include your name.
Please start school already so my kids can learn.
OT will never turn anyone away either. neither will ULY on crown or Ocean PKWY.
that line of Community School is old and worn out.
in a community school office staff and administration dont pull salaries like they do at BR. nor do the office and administration get paid way before teachers.
so go get a new line…
If number 19 is correct–my girls don’t go there, and Hashem provides my tuition check at this point, paycheck to paycheck (like mon!)–then this is the solution we will get when this new board comes on board if they come on board: they will simply clamp down on the tuition and become like the other schools and the parents that can’t afford it (been there…done that, and am a paycheck away from that always…) will be told to buzz off. It’s a simple solution, really, all the cool kids are doing it. It’s okay maybe we can do a hangouts… Read more »
Administration must give din vecheshbon as to how the money is being distributed. Administration even controls board of Ed jobs……
BAIS RIVKA IS THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT DOES NOT REJECT ANY STUDENT
THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT TAKES IN GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT OF OUR OWN MOSDOS (SHAME, SHAME ON THEM)
BR HAS THE MOST DEVOTED PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS THAT YOU WILL EVER MEET. HASHEM
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I won’t give to Bais Rivkah cuz I don’t trust them. Find new administrators first who are willing to take over and then overthrow the existing ones. It’s not a question of money – it’s poor management and yes, the administrators seem to be well off.
I believe the board needs to be competent people. Firstly they need to have liquid cash net worth of 10million and can raise a million by phone. Melbourne Australia has those kind of members and so does satmer and the seryian community. The moment we put in people that perhaps for empire Blvd are considered machars we are in an uphil battle.
Its time we band together and and publicly condemn the people who are responsible and refuse to step aside.
if they refuse, we all know they will not hold up under a very simple audit……
Another year my grandchildren’s uniforms are hanging in the closet ready to go! The school supplies purchased and packed in their new backpacks. The girls waved goodbye to their brothers who started yeshiva. They are wondering when does BETH RIVKA GIRL’S LIVES MATTER! Parents demonstrate & protest to the heavens above. Ad Mosai! Enough is enough! Cleanse from top to bottom!
Sounds good. However every city knows if you have people that can’t make it, send them to New York. Nobody turns them away at BR.
RabbisMinkowitz and Stock are accountable to Rabbi Shem Tov.
There is no board .
One thing Benji and Laima are not suffering financially.
Every school needs a proper independent board to oversee the work of the employees etc..
Demand that they open the books.
this is one way way out of the mess
a similar situation was with uly, chovevie, crown street, 770 and ocean parkway the solution turned out to be effective modeled after shlichus empowering individuals to have thier OWN mosad and being responsible for their OWN budget so for this to work the leadership would relinquish
power for nursery thru prek kindergarten -4 grade 4- 8 grade and high school many companies that had been challenged succeed by breaking up into seprate entities and perhaps can isolate the problem ….
during our years with the school, I located many grants and programs that the administration could have applied for that would have helped with building repairs and by extension cuts heating and other costs but no one was interested in following through and there is only so much individuals or small groups can do on their own to remedy problems if those in charge are not willing. The same goes for problems in programming for students – there was no follow through or real sustained interest. Still the school should be supported because the majority of our children do go… Read more »
your article is just perfect. The administration will not step back though. They need, as you said, have a fundraising team that is capable, as in Oholei Torah, LY and other schools to make chinese auctions and other events. It is all a chillul H”, Chilul Lubavitch and a shamecto the Rebbe.
This article is going to be as effective as the Labor Day parade “Don’t Shoot” signs, and for the same reason: the people it’s directed at simply don’t care about other people or the effect their decisions will have on other people. Administration doesn’t care about the teachers who work for no pay, they don’t care about the students, they don’t seem to care about Beis Rivka at all. Their only concern seems to be having “power”, while richly rewarding themselves for a “job well done”. Every other school in town also has financial issues, yet only one school doesn’t… Read more »
Enough. It’s time to riot!!!
Interesting that that the naive author points out that BR is the “only” moised that can’t open its doors every year. Did this author consider that BR is also the only girls moised in town that accepts every child irrespective of their parent’s ability to pay? Perhaps other schools that bring in much more from parents (like Bnos Menachem and Lamplighters) should share a bit of their tuition incomes with BR to help keep this moised afloat? Let’s see how easy it would be for these moisdes to continue when they feel the strain of the community’s poverty on their… Read more »
can we make a poll of suggestions and have the parents vote for what the next move should be?
Benchmark good practices from similar, identical schools. LEC, the Lubavitch Educational Center in North Miami educates 1000 students daily..Yes, there are scholarships, but I know for a fact that parents pay tuition regularly without exception. Paychecks are dispensed on time. Send a team down there and ask them how the job gets done.
It’s difficult and frustrating, but change is in the air. It will happen soon. Patience and hope will prevail IYH.
When ULY had their financial problems, they split up the school into sections with each branch in charge of its own financial situation. After that many of the problems stopped and the teachers are getting paid. BR should do the same, high school should have its own branch in charge of its own financial needs. The Elementary school as well…
We have to be honest here, parents must pay to their best ability and not try to pay less simply to be cheap, but every single other school has parents that can’t afford to pay full tuition also. Every school, in every city deals with the same thing. There are people who can’t afford to pay a lot or at all everywhere, but this is the only school that is always closing.
kol hakovod to the principals who are defending their teachers and not allowing them to return to school unpaid.
shame on you admin u continue to hold onto your positions despite proving time and time again u are incompetent.
Yes if the administrators can’t do their job properly they should resign. I am sure that they get paid .Not like the teachers who are owed for months. I am amazed at the teachers who are still there without being paid.If every teacher would strike and not come to teach I’m sure something would be done.Kol Hachovod to the devoted teachers.To the parents who have children in the school I think to find a different school.There are more Bh great girls schools in Crown Heights.
In every school there are partnerships bais rivka unfortunately dosent have any You are paying more Tuition for your boys You are contributing more to out of town organizations The wealthy people in our community just laugh at BR Go around simchas torah and watch all the apeals none for BR If every alumni would give just $18 a month we can solve a big part of the problem If the staff would just go to family and friends and ask for donations we would be better off Administrators rosh yeshivos are allways out raising funds for yeshiva And yes… Read more »
The principals should stand strong and not open Bais rivkah doors it is them who have to face their staff day in and day out that they don’t have checks to give them not the people hiding in the 310 crown street. with heavy hearts they have to greet their staff every morning knowing they have not been paid in months keep Those doors closed no matter what until every penny is paid up no other choice sadly the kids become pawns but that’s the price that has to been taken
I pay full tuition and not judging people that don’t but I don’t feel it really makes a difference of course they should not open the school if the teachers are owed so much money why it make no sense how can they be good teachers happy healthy teachers if they are not being paid it is not possible no matter what they say school starts off on such a bad vibe it’s horrible for the kids what can be done and how I am on board times change it is not easy raising kids in this generation we need… Read more »
The new fresh Board tried but they could not become a legal board so they quit.. Please bring them and give them control..
let’s face it , the school is just too large. here’s my solution . Out of towners should consider going back to their hometowns . Take London uk , so many English newly weds staying in NY after they get married while there is a wonderful community with excellent Lubavitch schools ( ok all school have their issues) state aided , basically free of charge , great out of town life style , help with housing, kosher galore and everything else one needs for a frum Chabad life. that’s just london , same in Canada and many more places .… Read more »
The problem in Beis Rivka is that smart local donors don’t trust to donate to this Mossad Reason is obvious , to much money goes in administrators that they always get paid and because teachers are not paid for many months books are closed , nobody has access to really see all the money how is spent . Also Beis Rivka has many real estate that they should sell at real values ( and not accommodation values) and pay their debts The real estate is under name of other non profits , everything is like hidden If I would give… Read more »
The fact that the school doesn’t even have a basic message on their machine when you call shows the lack of respect it has for its parents. That respect goes both ways.
Today school should have started and there isn’t even an update that there will be an update soon.
Change won’t come from inside the school, only from when the parents stand up. But we are just as silent as the school this morning. So what next?
Thank you.
My understanding is that it’s coming from the principals not the administration. The administration is ready to open the doors (without pay of course). The principals want to make sure that (some) payment is paid and they won’t start school until it’s worked out. Someone should post the direct administration’s info – email & numbers and parents should politely say just as you write, ”Don’t let this continue, call the school, demand an update, demand change. Administrators, please take this consideration to heart. We thank you, you have tried your best, and we know everything has been with your best… Read more »
But unfortunately nothing will change.. those in charge have too much ego to step aside.. I was confused as to what happened with last year’s tuition board. This year when I went for a meeting they suddenly have a new board. For what reason? Did last year’s board quit when they realized the money was going to the wrong place? Or did they simply see there are too many higher ups in bais rivkah that controlled them? It’s pretty scary that bais rivkah parents are expecting to hear yearly, and after all vacations that the school needs to remain closed..… Read more »
If the administrators were accountable for their performances, they would have been dismissed years ago. Can you imagine a company CEO who can’t keep the doors open for 20 years regaining his/her job? Staff strikes and closure on a regular basis?? No company would allow its CEO or board to retain their jobs. But this is Crown Heights, and it’s your last name, not performance that matters.