On My Mind

I would add that my relative begged me to not write this but I am a firm believer that even organizations that do such great work must also be willing to accept responsibility when they unfortunately unintentionally make a mistake no matter how small or big in this case.

I live in another city (used to live here), have family in Baltimore and have been closely following this issue as it hits my family personally. It’s a real tragedy on so so many levels. The Associated did do so much to help the school at points where the debt had risen uncontrollably. They deserve so much credit. At the same time the leaders of the school are being faulted for closing the school at the 11th hour and placing teachers in jeopardy of not being paid. Phil, honestly, do you believe given what everyone has said about such a huge debt and with the leadership working so closely with the Associated, anyone would have waited to do this in May? It doesn’t add up because there were some verbal expectations on the sale far greater then the “community donor who gave $1 mil” never made public that were pulled away at the 11th hour that would have ensured a fiscally responsible k-5 Rambam could have existed for another year. The leadership did everything possible to avoid such a last minute issue and would have had to make announcements much sooner if the verbal agreements were not reneged on to get the teachers paid. No one would have thought given who the verbal agreement came from that it was not going to materialize thus the immediate closure. Abba Poliakoff resigning when he did now makes more sense too. Do your digging and see who is not willing to speak on this topic. Probably everyone and when you get denials use your instincts to ask why. 

Where are the community’s Rabbinical leaders??
Why has there not been an outcry by the vaad to raise money for the school??
Why are they not speaking out now to help the children and faculty finish out the year??
seems cold

Beautiful words Phil on this really sad occasion. I’m usually a critic of yours, but here you masterfully captured the beauty of this community within our community. I personally would never consider sending my children to Rambam, but I try to see the beauty in all members of our community and the larger Jewish community. Baltimore will miss Rambam, whether we realize it now or not.

As a community I feel it’s important that we have places for Jews of all “flavors.”  We need not agree with everyone’s opinions on issues of Zionism or the embrace of secular academic excellence, and I personally don’t, but we do agree that we are part of a larger Jewish FAMILY, and a family accepts its members with no hesitation.

I’ve heard derision in our community towards the Rambam school perspective. I personally reject the perspective within my own Judaism, but there’s absolutely no place for derisive talk about anyone, let alone your family.

Phil, thank you for highlighting the positive and showing us what we lost. As with every eulogy, it’s always sad that we discover the laudable quality after it’s too late.