In the beginning of my journey in “Hatikvah” I heard many parents complain, some parents even contacted me to find out if I was happy with the schooI’s performance. I had my doubts, and some questions…it was a new idea that I was not sure will work, but decided to give the school a fair chance to prove itself to be the right fit for my children. l believe that every parent wants what is absolutely BEST for their child. Just like all parents I want that too, l wanted to know my kids (2 out of 4 already attending Hatikvah) will get top education, personalized attention, and grow to learn more every day. “Hatikvah” turned to be BETTER than the best choice for my kids.

With a principal who cares for every child individually, staff of teachers who will go extra MANY steps for every child, and the rest ofthe team that works hard at the school to provide education, warmth, love and passion it makes the school above and beyond just a regular public school, all doubts are gone, all questions were answered… and I am VERY satisfied with the performance of the school. I want to thank all of you for working so hard in providing for these children. People who hoped this school will NOT make it, I feel sorry for them, because Hatikvah is here to STAY!!!

The ones who believed in you from day one, I am proudly joining their team! Keep growing and succeeding in educating many more students.

Thank you very much.

I am one lucky parent, who is very proud to say my kids are “The children of hope”!

Sincerely,

S.M.Z.

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Hatikvah has been a wonderful experience that has provided my children with a well rounded, advanced education. The teachers are very caring and work at the pace of each of my children. I am amazed with what they have learned so far and only look forward to continued growth!

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In a letter regarding the recent approval of the Hatikvah school charter, Bruce Papkin suggests the motive behind those individuals who initially proposed the school might be either greed or “because they believed that the state should pay for their children to be taught in a non-secular setting”.

Well, as an East Brunswick resident for nearly 20 years, with three children in the blue-ribbon East Brunswick school system and a fourth
currently attending Hatikvah, perhaps I can shed some light on this issue and assure Mr. Papkin that it was for none of those reasons.  First, let me clarify that we are not founding individuals of Hatikvah nor are we Jewish.  Although I agree that the charter debate raises some valid questions, our reasons for choosing Hatikvah were not because we were dissatisfied with the public system or that we were seeking a religious
education that could be provided by a private school.  In fact, one could argue that it was because of the rigor with which the district prepared our older children that when the choice arose for a school with language immersion from kindergarten, we seized the opportunity.

Now in our second year at Hatikvah, I can confidently assure Mr. Papkin and anyone else who may ask, that it was the right choice.  Hatikvah is much more than a public school; it is a learning community.  All are welcomed.   Although the Hebrew language is taught, there is certainly no religious agenda, and no religious education of any type has been taught to our son. He has, however, learned a great deal more about cultural differences and the importance of tolerance than did our other children at this point in their education, and has friends of all religious and non-religious persuasions with whom he has the freedom to discuss religious issues that may be viewed as “politically incorrect” in other classrooms (and yes, I am also an educator).  Those individuals involved with Hatikvah are certainly not in it for the money, or if they are, they clearly choose to work incredibly hard for it.  Compared with the education that our other children received through the public system, we perceive the charter focus as neither better nor worse but rather quite different.  We work more directly with everyone from classroom teachers to the principal, and they in turn are much more involved with us.  For example, our son’s assistant teacher last year is his primary teacher this year, and this continuum has enabled us both to work more closely in addressing his particular learning needs.

So no, Mr. Papkin, perhaps the answer to your questions is that the individuals who chose to found Hatikvah did so for reasons that go beyond the obvious, that is to say there is a difference in having the opportunity to choose one’s education rather than for it to be chosen.  This may or may not be the case for all charter schools, but it is the reason that we choose to support them.

Erin Christensen

East Brunswick

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We are extremely happy that our son is attending Hatikvah! No Regrets at all!

We love that he is learning a lot - and more importantly – at exactly his pace. He has told us that learning is “fun at school” and that he looks forward to going there everyday. At Hatikvah, the quality of education is sterling, and the faculty is open minded and easy to approach. In fact, let me take this opportunity to thank the staff for being so dedicated and on-point.

Best wishes for the future of the school!

Akshata Dhodapkar