Friday, February 27, 2015

8 Adar 5775

Dear Ramaz Alumni,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rabbi Eric Grossman as Head of School of Ramaz, effective this coming school year (2015-2016).

A passionate and experienced leader, rabbi, teacher, and scholar, Eric Grossman comes to us from Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where he was Head of School for the past seven years. His thoughtful and organized management approach, inspiring teaching style, and dynamic speaking skills have earned him the respect of faculty, students, parents, and the larger community. Rabbi Grossman's appointment represents Ramaz's commitment to its core values, including menschlichkeit, commitment to Torah, love of Israel, and academic excellence.

Rabbi Grossman presents Ramaz with an extraordinary opportunity. Possessing a uniquely outstanding faculty, an upgraded and cohesive administration, and a fantastic student body, Ramaz is poised to advance to the next level from both a curricular and spiritual point of view. Rabbi Grossman's mandate will be to continue to grow and improve our school. Among his goals will be to help cultivate an environment of innovation that will enhance both our children's education and experience, and enable our faculty to flourish.

"I have long admired and respected the mission of Ramaz and look forward to fostering the traditions of this remarkable institution while pursuing new opportunities for academic, professional, and emotional growth for students, teachers, and administrators," said Eric Grossman. "My life as an educational leader is characterized by a passionate and unwavering commitment to a prescribed set of educational, organizational, and religious values that are consistent with the Ramaz mission, and I am eager to partner with all constituents, including professional and lay leadership, in achieving the goals of the school."

As Head of School at Frankel Jewish Academy (FJA), Rabbi Grossman supervised the Judaic and general studies staff and curricula; was responsible for all financial and operational matters; and oversaw recruitment, marketing, and fundraising efforts. Prior to becoming Head of School at FJA, Rabbi Grossman was head of the Bible department, where he designed and implemented an innovative Bible curriculum, recruited and trained faculty, and taught Tanakh for all high school grade levels. Rabbi Grossman studied at Yeshivat HaMivtar in Efrat, Israel, and received his rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Daniel Channan in Jerusalem. He earned is Bachelor of Arts, with distinction, from York University in Toronto, Canada. Rabbi Grossman has authored numerous publications on educational leadership and pedagogy, as well as on Torah, Judaism, and Orthodoxy, including "Creating a Culture of Change," which appeared in the Lookstein-Bar Ilan Journal of Jewish Educational Leadership, and "The Torah of Relevance," which was published in HaYidion, the Journal of RAVSAK.

He is a recipient of the Claus Nobel Educator of Distinction award and the Hebrew University Bible Prize.

"Rabbi Eric Grossman's ability to effectively manage multiple departments; forge connections with students, parents, and faculty; and create curricula that inspire both students and teachers will help Ramaz continue to thrive and stand for academic excellence and the values of human dignity and mutual respect," said Jacob Doft, Chairman of the Ramaz Board. "Eric deeply supports our mission of graduating mensches who identify with fellow Jews, the State of Israel, and American ideals. On behalf of our community, I am so pleased to welcome him to Ramaz."
 

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Eric and his wife Karynne are the proud parents of Ezra, age 11, and Max, age 9, who will be attending Ramaz next year. 
 

About the Search Process 

Rabbi Grossman's appointment is the culmination of an intense and thorough search process that began several months ago. The search committee, comprising members of the Board, administration, Faculty Council, Parents Council, and Rabbis of KJ, gathered input and suggestions from as many constituencies as possible to develop characteristics that our community believes would make a successful Head of School. These meetings, organized by our consultants at the YU School Partnership (YUSP), provided the framework and launch point of our search.

During our process, we posted materials describing the opportunity, accepted applications submitted through YUSP, and proactively marketed the position to candidates targeted for their excellence and potential. We met with candidates in small groups and/or as a committee to assess their capabilities and fit.

We then presented to the Trustees for evaluation the candidates who best exemplify the model of what we were looking for. These candidates not only were evaluated by Trustees, but they also performed a day's worth of exercises with both professionals and lay people to determine the likely success of a potential working relationship.

Serious candidates were also evaluated on their commitment to our hashkafa and Ramaz's passionate support of Modern Orthodoxy. Rabbi Lookstein was particularly moved by Rabbi Grossman's clear identification with this foundational principle of Ramaz.

At the conclusion of this rigorous and inclusive process, Rabbi Grossman stood out as being the best fit for Ramaz. His significant academic credentials, passion for Ramaz's mission, earnest manner, dedicated management style, and very impressive people skills make Rabbi Eric Grossman the logical choice of both the search committee and the Trustees.  
  

Gratitude to Paul Shaviv

On behalf of the community, I want to express our deep appreciation for Mr. Shaviv's service, dedication, and leadership. Mr. Shaviv initiated and implemented many much-needed, far-reaching changes using a "whole school vision" that increased the effectiveness and quality of Ramaz's management and high quality education we provide our children. He assembled a very talented professional leadership team, which will no doubt help in the transition of our new Head of School. We are grateful to Mr. Shaviv for his advice, insight, and commitment to Ramaz.

Please join me in thanking Paul Shaviv for his leadership and welcoming Rabbi Grossman and his family to our community. 

Finally, I want to extend my thanks to you, the Ramaz community, for providing valuable input in helping us define our priorities. We look forward to your continued involvement and partnership as our school transitions into this exciting time.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom, 

Jacob W. Doft '87

Chairman of the Board