Berk announces departure from Community Day School

By ALAN SMASON

Community Day School head of school Bob Berk surprised his faculty, board of directors, students and parents with a letter announcing his intent to step down from his position when his current contract ends in June. Berk, under whose leadership the recent name change from New Orleans Jewish Day School and branding to Community Day School was implemented, indicated he had reluctantly made this decision because of his desire to work in the public sector.

Community Day School head of school Bob Berk, who announced his resignation in June. (Photo by Alan Smason)

Speaking with the CCJN, Berk reiterated that his primary reason for moving to New Orleans was the appointment of his wife, Rabbi Alexis Berk, to the pulpit at Touro Synagogue in 2008, not for him to become the head of school at a Jewish day school. “I really wanted to work in the public school system,” he recalled. “But then the Jewish day school called. They took a risk on me and I took a risk on them. It turned out it was terrific.”

But after four years, Berk said, he felt a piece of him was pushing within him to move away from the specific Jewish education field and seek work in the public education field for which he was trained.

Berk’s letter indicated his strong attachment to the school. “This was a very difficult decision to make,” he wrote. ” I love the students.  I respect and admire each of our teachers – I will miss their professionalism, their joy for teaching and the school that we have created together.  I will also miss the leadership team that I work with every day.”

Coming on the heel of the resignation of Rabbi Uri Topolosky from Congregation Beth Israel (see CCJN story here), Berk’s decision means two large vacancies in the Jewish community will need to be filled at the beginning of the summer.

“I think that any time a head of school leaves, there are great opportunities for the next person to come in and put their mark on the next edition of the school,” Berk stated.

This past week Dashka Roth, the president of Community Day School, sent out a letter in which she reluctantly accepted Berk’s decision. She also announced the appointment of former day school president Hugo Kahn to the chairmanship of a search committee for a new head of school. Both Roth and Kahn met with parents on Friday morning to survey from them any questions about the transition and to gather feedback from them about the process. Echoing Berk’s feelings, Roth wrote in her letter “Sometimes, what seems to be a sad change, turns into an unexpected opportunity.”

Berk indicated he wants to work closely with the faculty, board, students and parents in the coming months as a selection for his replacement is made. “I’m not done,” he contended. “I’m not interested in the legacy. My priority has to be that the school transitions well into a new head of school.”

Berk said he will meet with teachers in the coming weeks to get their input as well.

Berk countered speculation he may have accepted a position somewhere else.
“I don’t’ have a job. I don’t have a lead on a job,” he answered. “All I have is this desire to work in the public sector. I just have this feeling that I really would like to work in that sector.”