Adrian Weissman, Aviezer Gellman Hired by MJHS
Thursday, May 04, 2006
ADRIAN WEISSMAN ACCEPTS HEAD OF SCHOOL POSITION AT MEMPHIS JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL
Dean of Jewish Studies Position also Filled by Noted Israeli Educator
Memphis, Tn. (5/4/2006) -- The founders of the Memphis Jewish High School are thrilled to announce the hiring of Adrian Weissman as their Head of School. Weissman brings an unequaled commitment to the school’s mission and vision of excellence. Her experience and past accomplishments are well-recognized, not only in the Jewish community, but in the general community, as well.
Ms. Weissman, who received a master’s degree in Education Administration, also has her State of Tennessee Professional Teachers Certification K-12. In addition, she has received her State of Tennessee Administrators License PreK-12, and is a CEC Professionally Recognized Special Educator.
In her current position as director of the Early Childhood Program at the Memphis Jewish Community Center, Weissman has watched enrollment in the program grow by 30% to full capacity during her nine-year tenure. Weissman is well versed and experienced in monitoring, coordinating, instructing, and implementing educational programs based on compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
Andy Groveman, president of the Memphis Jewish High School, says “Adrian Weissman’s past experience and skill in interacting with students and parents, her passion and her unswerving commitment to seeing that every Jewish child has an opportunity to attend a Jewish high school in Memphis fit perfectly with our school’s goal. She will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of administration, curriculum development, and student recruitment, and also for instilling in our school a culture of support and nurturing for each of our students. She will lead the academic team’s effort to integrate both the Jewish studies and general studies into a cohesive learning experience that will benefit our students, parents and the community alike.”
Weissman said, “Rarely does an educator get the opportunity to be part of the creation of a new school. The Founders have assembled an outstanding teaching staff of prominent educators in our community committed to the vision of excellence. Students at the Memphis Jewish High School will receive an education second to none in a state-of-the-art environment. Each planning meeting is filled with excitement and I am looking forward to the challenges and accomplishments that lie ahead. I have full confidence that this school will be a jewel in the crown of our Jewish community, and I look forward to working with the parents and students in our community.”
The founders of Memphis Jewish High School are equally proud to announce that Aviezer Gellman will be joining the school as its Dean of Jewish Studies. For three years, Gellman was principal of an Israeli high school affiliated with a Hesder Yeshiva. He was responsible for curriculum development and setting educational goals and values in accordance with the principles of the Yeshiva. In addition, he was responsible for the development of special and innovative programs and is considered a gifted, engaging and inspiring master teacher in Jewish studies.
Gellman’s educational background is, indeed, impressive. He learned during his high school years in the famed Makor Chaim High School founded by the world-famous Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. He studied six years at Hesder Yeshiva in Otneil in Israel. His dream was always to be involved in education, both from an administrative and teaching level. He has excellent credentials as he has received his teaching certification and his bachelor’s degree in Education from Herzog College, which is part of Gush Etzion Yeshiva. In addition, he received his master’s degree in Public Administration from Bar Ilan University. From 1994-1996 Gellman was in the parachute division of the Israel Defense Forces as part of a Hesder Unit. He speaks fluent English and has an ability to connect, communicate and share with teenagers and parents alike.
Gellman says, “My enthusiasm for Memphis Jewish High School’s commitment to having the best Jewish studies and general studies programs in the region is something that resonated with me immediately. Jewish studies at MJHS will be on a high level with high academic standards. At the same time, one of my primary goals is that the learning should not be only academic and intellectual, but will foster pride in each student in their Judaism, Torah, and the Jewish people. My commitment to each and every student is that your experiences in the high school years at our school will accompany you throughout your entire life.” Gellman’s classes will not be lectures. They will be interactive, participatory and engaging. According to Gellman, his personal goal is “to meet each student where they are and to instill in them a love for learning, so that when they graduate from Memphis Jewish High School, they will be lifelong learners pursuing knowledge about their Judaism, their people and our beloved State of Israel.” He is looking forward to being able to teach in a co-ed environment where girls and boys will learn from one another, and share values and perspectives about Jewish texts, philosophy and world events. Aviezer and his wife Shlomit have two children.
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