Save our Director of Education, Michelle Schwartz

I and the entire Denver Community are so disappointed in everyone, regardless of what "side" you take. First, to those who speak ill of Michelle Schwartz, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director, Staff Members or any other person by publicly posting on this thread, that is the definition of "lashon hara". As a mother with no particular view on whether Michelle was wrongfully terminated or not, to publicly shame people is shameful in itself. How would you feel if this was your child? Or your parent who serves as a Trustee, director or staff member? It seems like this issue has been festering for years...and to let it get this far. As I tell my children (because everyone is acting like one), "I am not mad...I am disappointed."

The unrest that this decision has created in our community is a telling that the problem is not that of the individual terminated but rather the current board members. The board is here to serve this community and not their own egos. In protest of this decision, I would encourage a membership fund boycott and empty seats on the Sabbath. The boards actions should not go unchallenged.

Not only did Michelle organize Rosh Chodesh, she let us keep coming back through tenth grade when originally the group was for sixth through eighth grades! Michelle organized a program that was so good, we just wouldn't leave.

It is incredible to me that the Board would vote to fire Michelle, and I disagree with their decision. I love Michelle. She has always worked so hard for our Temple and Religious School. Growing up at Temple Sinai, Michelle is always there, welcoming and warm. She cares deeply about the students in Religious School. For me, Temple Sinai would not be Temple Sinai without Michelle Schwartz's love and devotion. She goes above and beyond to care for our community, and no one can do Michelle's job like she does. To remove Michelle Schwartz from her position as Director of Education is a terrible mistake on the part of the Board of Trustees, and it is one that must be corrected.

I will add my name to the list of those concerned about the staff turnover. We are fairly new members with young children and what made us to choose Temple Sinai was the warmth and sincerity of the staff that we initially met and would see every day and how they interacted with our children and family. We hoped this would be a place they could grow from preschool to religious school and beyond. We loved that this community seemed built on many long standing relationships and these recent events really give us pause.

Because personnel decisions are, and must be, confidential, there is no way to know the reasons behind the decision to fire Michelle. What I am sure of is that the process used to do so was inappropriate and unethical, and speaks to systemic issues that must be addressed in order to create a supportive and professional work environment for the staff. That is why I am signing this petition.

I'm very concerned about the discord in our temple caused by the conditions that led to the loss of Michelle and other staff members who were so competent, devoted and respected. I was appalled by the description by the 6th grade teacher of the way her staff review was conducted.

I am signing this petition because I believe that the way the board handled this personnel decision is very flawed.

I don't know the underlying facts but my conversations with people have persuaded me that the process was highly problematic which compels a reversal of the decision. P

Michelle tutored my daughter for her Bat Mitzvah 8years ago. I thought she did a great job as director of education. My 5 year old attended kndergarten religious school this past year. Not sure what is going on down there, but it is quite unsettling after all these years of stability, loyalty, and continuity. Even Rabbi Zwerin retiring did not create this much havoc. It does make me question membership.

I am concerned that this decision may lead to the departure of quite a few members of our congregation.

I am shocked and saddened by the news of Michelle Schwartz being fired from her position as our Religious School Director. I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Michelle both personally and professionally for many years. Both of my children were blessed to have learned from Michelle through our Religious School and have since had the opportunity to work with her as adults. I, too, have had the honor and pleasure of working and collaborating with Michelle, both at Temple Sinai and out in the community. Michelle is an extraordinary Jewish educator who has helped to shape my children's Jewish identities as well as the Jewish identities of endless students in our synagogue and around the community. She is a woman of great integrity and character and has worked tirelessly and with such great passion and dedication to ensure that our students and their families not only learn about Judaism, but also feel excited about and connected to Judaism in their everyday lives. She has helped to instill a love of Judaism in our religious school, in our congregation, and throughout the greater Jewish community. Michelle is a valued and integral part of our Religious School and our Temple Sinai family and community. I can't imagine Temple Sinai without this extraordinary Jewish educator, leader, and role model.

Michelle and Brian have been friends and in my family's lives for over 20 years. Michelle tutored my oldest two boys for their bar mitzvah's. I can't think of anyone who cares more about the congregation and community than Michelle Schwartz. My kids have always adored her, she was a big part of their childhood and helped shape their Jewish Identity. I can't imagine any reason that would warrant her being fired. If this is the direction Temple Sinai is heading I would imagine this will cause many people to follow her wherever she lands. I am sure there will be another congregation that would be thrilled to hire her.

Regardless of how much we want Michelle to remain, the relationship. The bigger picture is why the change and secrecy? And why did other members of the front office depart? What's going on?

What the heck is going on with our board??

Michelle has tutored both of our girls and has been an incredibly valuable part of Temple Sinai and to our family. We are very saddened to hear of her termination and feel it is a great loss for Temple Sinai.

Having grown up at Temple Sinai and with two kids who have been in the preschool, I was shocked to hear of this decision. Michelle has been professional, kind, intelligent, and understanding in all of my interactions with her.

The above comments exhibit the 'soul' of Temple Sinai. I am puzzled and saddened by all that is occurring within our blessed congregation. As the founding director of Sinai's preschool ( 41 years old ) of which Michelle Ruby Schwartz was one of our first preschoolers, and as a member of Sinai for over 46 years, I wish our Sinai community a Refuach Schlemach -- a time to heal and find strength. I also suggest that we ALL participate in Torah Study or Mussar classes to reinforce our understanding of what it means to be a Jew and how to live by Jewish principles. There are lessons to be learned as our beloved Temple struggles ( and we're ALL struggling ). May we have the courage and strength of character to learn these lessons.

Michelle coached my grand daughter for her Bat Mitvah and I saw that she is a warm loving teacher. I think it will be a huge loss to the members and future of our educational programs. I worry that Temple Sinai will lose it's warm accepting welcome feeling if we allow these and other losses to continue, What a shame that would be.

Grandchildren and now Greats