<HTML>While I hesitate to deal with either the religious or philosophical issues
of the Yom Ha'azmaut question, I believe this matter is part of a much
larger picture. What is the principal's role in leadership? What is the
vision and mission of the school? How much diversity is healthy and when
does it impact negatively upon the goals and message that you wish to
impart? What is the significance of the community's position in the
school?
I imagine that if an inspiring literature teacher chose writings that are
religiously questionable, it would have to be dealt with. If you were
convinced that it would be a valuable experience to be in school on Purim
or Chol Hamoed Pesach and your rabbanim felt it would be wrong to come in
to school. A popular music teacher choosing lyrics. An art teacher
advocating church art, etc. etc.
So, without being a "control freak", how much is the organization driven
by the vision of the leader? How, then, does he/she lead the various
constituent groups? How much academic freedom is acceptable and what
demands are made of paid employees? How are policies determined and
communicated?
If modern Zionism is a major goal of the institution, how are teachers
hired that are anti? What are your expectations in terms of upholding
school policy?
If there is to be a Yom Ha'azmaut program and we wish for it to be an
inspiring day, then a parve, one-fits-all, strike-the right-balance type
of celebration sounds quite inadequate. If we wish to reach the minds and
hearts of our students with a look of modern Israel, there should be no
holding back. Poskim who permit the kinds of celebrations we witness
yearly in Jerusalem could be relied on for halachic decisions. Hallel,
Tfillah, music and other pertinent issues have all been dealt with
adequately.</HTML>
