Save our Director of Education, Michelle Schwartz

I know Michelle Schwartz about 18 years. She is very professional , knowledge director and an amazing person. It is a big loss for religious school.

I am incensed by recent decisions and the way this Board is operating. In over 40 years at Sinai, I have never seen staff being so cruelly mistreated. The Board has been elected by us and entrusted to preserve the well being of the Temple. I can't imagine what the Board is thinking, but they should be asked to justify their recent actions to the congregation. I WILL be at the annual meeting.

Michelle has been a strong asset for a long time. Other staff members who have left recently have also been very strong assets and advocates for the organization that Temple Sinai used to be. This is just another example of how there has been a complete breakdown in the manner in which a board and executive leadership should function. It is a huge disservice to the organization and its congregants.

I cannot believe what is going on at our temple. I am ashamed to say I am a member.

After reading the board president's letter announcing Michelle's departure, from what I know of the situation, I was a bit surprised the president added deception to her and the board's clueless personnel decisions.

As a 40+ year member, I am sickened by how this (and other recent events) has been handled. This IS NOT the Temple Sinai we all knew and loved. This is NOT our culture or how we treat people. It is unacceptable!

Michelle has been a tremendous asset to our synagogue for all the time we have been members. I am very disappointed with this decision.

We are shocked and very concerned that this action was taken. Not happy at all!

Please do not fire Michelle. She has been an awesome Bar Mitzvah tutor for our grandson, and she's a tremendous asset to the Temple family.

I am very disappointed with this decision.

Michelle was my religious school teacher and now I am a current congregant. She is one of the few faces at Temple Sinai who is constantly warm and welcoming and makes me feel proud to be a member. We look forward to sending our daughter to religious school under her direction.

I am appalled that Michelle was terminated! I believe that this was an effort to clean house. If the Board would have taken an active part (not just the Executive Committee) in talking to the staff, many of the issues that arose could have been avoided. I don't believe that Michelle was given a chance to change any of the items supposedly brought against her. This is wrong!

Please retain Michelle.

This is shocking. Michelle is amazing at her job. The contributions she has made to Temple Sinai to educate our children, motivate and inspire so many individuals says everything about who she is and what she stands for.

Michelle has been instrumental going above and beyond encouraging my boys to remain involved in the community, find their own spirituality, and has always been forthcoming in opening her door to listen to both myself and them. I have only her to thank as she has always been so encouraging to my children to find their own spirituality within themselves. She is a gift to our community, always goes the extra mile, and her attitude is always positive. I am in utter disbelief that such action or discussion is taking place. It is surreal, unbelievable and I have no concept and can't wrap my head around where this is coming from.

I have been a part of the Temple Sinai community in many capacities, both personally and professionally. Michelle is a strong, driven, and passionate woman. She cares deeply about Jewish education and the empowering our children as the future leaders of our people. Michelle is such an asset to our community.

Why are we fixing something that isn't broken??

Please do not release Michelle Schwartz. She has been a huge part of my life both personally and professionally.

I have been a part of the Temple Sinai community from consecration, through confirmation, to teaching at the religious school. Throughout it all, Michelle has been my common link and the reason I keep returning. Her empathy for and dedication to the families at Sinai is unwavering, and to unceremoniously relieve her of her position neither reflects her work nor the community we should strive to be.

I am physically ill with this news. Michelle has done nothing but build our religious school and support our kids. Without her there, I don't know if my daughter will choose to continue until confirmation. Up until now, it's never been a question. It seems suspect to me that she was rushed out the door so quickly. I can't believe with all the support she has from the congregation, that Temple Sinai wouldn't take that into account. I am incredibly disappointed in our board right now. This is so wrong and they know it.