Hillel Day School

{{Short description|Jewish day school in metro Detroit}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = Hillel Day School | logo = Hillel Day School Logo.png | logo_size = | logo_alt = A stylized letter 'H' made of two vertical bars with the [[Star of David]] in between. | image = Hillel Day School.jpg | alt = The school building's front view, with the main lobby in the center, gym/theater on the right and the pre-K wing on the left. | caption = | motto = ''″Mind and soul. Better together.″'' | address = 32200 Middlebelt Road | city = [[Farmington Hills, Michigan|Farmington Hills]] | state = [[Michigan]] | zipcode = 48334 | country = United States | coordinates = {{Coord|42.5233709|-83.3396228|format=dms|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}  | other_names = Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit, Hillel | type = [[Independent school|Independent]] [[Jewish day school]] | religious_affiliation = [[Jewish]] | denomination = [[Jewish religious movements#Trans- and post-denominational Judaism|Non-denominational]] | established = {{Start date|1958}} | founder = Rabbi Jacob Segal | closed = | school_board = | district = | authority =  | us_nces_school_id = [https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&ID=00641984 00641984]<ref name="nces2019-11-17">{{cite web |title=Search for Private Schools – School Detail for Hillel Day School |url=https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&ID=00641984 |website=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |publisher=[[Institute of Education Sciences]] |access-date=17 November 2019 |ref=nces2019-11-17 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191117174253/https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&ID=00641984 |archive-date=17 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | oversight =  | principal =  | head_of_school = Dr. Darin S. Katz | staff = | faculty = | grades = [[Pre-kindergarten|Pre-K]] – [[Eighth grade|8]] | gender = [[Mixed-sex education|Coed]] | age_range =  | enrollment = 562<ref name="nces2019-11-17"/>  | enrollment_as_of = 2021{{ndash}}2022 | language = | campus_size = 11 acres | campus_type = [[Suburb]]an | colors =  | mascot = [[Hawk]]<br />[[File:The Hawk, Hillel Day School's mascot.png|100px]] | teams =  | team_name = Hillel Hawks | accreditations = [[National Association of Independent Schools|NAIS]] via [[Independent Schools Association of the Central States|ISACS]]<ref name="ref_isacs">{{cite web |title=ISACS: Search for a School |url=http://isacs2.isacs.org/page/472118_Search_for_a_School.asp?school=190 |website=[[National Association of Independent Schools|Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)]] |access-date=30 October 2020 |ref=ref_isacs |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030123336/http://isacs2.isacs.org/page/472118_Search_for_a_School.asp?school=190 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | publication = | newspaper = | yearbook = | affiliation =  | website = {{URL|https://hillelday.org}} | footnotes = | lastupdate = 17 December 2023 }}

'''Hillel Day School''', named after the Jewish religious leader, sage and scholar [[Hillel the Elder|Hillel]], is an [[Independent school|independent]] [[Pre-kindergarten|Pre-K]] – [[Eighth grade|8]] [[Jewish day school]] in [[Farmington Hills, Michigan]], a city in the [[Metro Detroit|Detroit metropolitan area]]. Founded in 1958, it became the first non-[[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jewish]] school in Michigan. It provides both [[secular]] and Judaic studies instruction for students from [[preschool]] through [[eighth grade]].

Hillel initially rented space from various Jewish organizations. In 1970, it settled into its permanent home in Farmington Hills. In 1980s–1990s, portable classrooms were necessary due to overcrowding. Since then, Hillel's campus has undergone significant expansions and renovations. It now features open-space learning areas, a separate pre-school wing, an indoor gym, all-season outdoor athletic facilities, an "innovation hub" with a greenhouse and makerspace, and a café with a kitchen.

In 2005, Hillel controversially closed the teachers' union. In 2008, Hillel ended its affiliation with the Conservative movement and became a non-denominational Jewish day school.

== School history ==

=== Founding and early years ===

The Hillel Day School was established in the fall of 1958, after a long period of planning, by a group of Detroit educators, [[Rabbi]]s and leaders of the community.<ref name="djn1958-05-16">{{cite news |title=Hebrew Day School to Open Here This September; Organizers to Meet May 22 |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1958.05.16.001/8 |access-date=11 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=16 May 1958 |ref=djn1958-05-16 |pages=8 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111202201/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1958.05.16.001/8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="abramson1965">{{cite journal |last1=Abramson |first1=Robert |title=Hillel Day School |journal=Michigan Challenge: Religiously Affiliated Schools |date=December 1965 |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=18–20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DM3hAAAAMAAJ |access-date=17 November 2019 |ref=abramson1965 |publisher=Michigan State Chamber of Commerce |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093459/https://books.google.com/books?id=DM3hAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> The group was spearheaded by Rabbi Jacob Segal, who was consequently recognized as ''the'' founder of the school and its honorary life president.<ref name="cohen2003">{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Irwin J. |title=Echoes of Detroit's Jewish Communities: A History |date=2003 |page=286 |publisher=Boreal Press Inc |isbn=9780967757018 |ref=cohen2003}}</ref><ref name="djn1966-06-10">{{cite news |title=Abe Kasle Elected Hillel President |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1966.06.10.001/30 |access-date=17 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=10 June 1966 |ref=djn1966-06-10 |pages=30 |archive-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116214418/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1966.06.10.001/30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The school began with 29 students in the kindergarten and first grade,<ref name="djn2018-04-26">{{cite news |last1=Gittleman |first1=Stacy |date=26 April 2018 |title=Hillel At 60 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2018/04/26/hillel-at-60/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103210308/https://thejewishnews.com/2018/04/26/hillel-at-60/ |archive-date=3 November 2019 |ref=djn2018-04-26}}</ref> a further grade being added each following year.<ref name="djn1958-05-16"/> By 1960 it grew into a modern elementary day school with 51 students in grades K–3<ref name="djn2018-04-26"/> that offered a blend of Hebraic-religious and general studies, influenced by [[Conservative Judaism]] and [[Zionism]].<ref name="mjh1960-11">{{cite journal |last1=Warsen |first1=Allen A. |date=November 1960 |title=Cultural Progress Report of the Greater Detroit Jewish Community |url=https://www.michjewishhistory.org/assets/docs/Journals/Michigan_Jewish_History_1960_11.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Michigan Jewish History |publisher=Jewish Historical Society of Michigan |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801170920/https://www.michjewishhistory.org/assets/docs/Journals/Michigan_Jewish_History_1960_11.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2019 |ref=mjh1960-11}}</ref> By 1963, enrollment was 115 students in grades K–6.<ref name="djn2018-04-26"/> By 1966, Hillel grew up into a K–9 school and, in 1967, held the commencement exercises for its first graduating ninth grade. The next year's graduates were the first students that completed ten years of education at Hillel, from kindergarten at school's founding in 1958 to ninth grade.<ref name="djn1968-06-14">{{cite news |title=Hillel Graduation Marks Milestone |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1968.06.14.001/34 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=14 June 1968 |ref=djn1968-06-14 |pages=34 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093504/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1968.06.14.001/34 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Growth (1970s{{ndash}}1990s) ===

In 1970 Hillel moved to its current home in Farmington Hills. The school rapidly grew: the total enrollment went from 270 in 1970<ref name="djn1960-05-13">{{cite news |title=Hillel Day School Changes Location for New Term |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1960.05.13.001/13 |access-date=11 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=13 May 1960 |ref=djn1960-05-13 |pages=13 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111211019/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1960.05.13.001/13 |url-status=live }}</ref> to 533 in 1989<ref name="djn1990-10-05">{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Susan |title=Headmaster with a Heart |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1990.10.05.001/100 |access-date=13 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=5 October 1990 |ref=djn1990-10-05 |pages=100–102 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128044000/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1990.10.05.001/100 |url-status=live }}</ref> to 636 in 1992 (at those enrollment level, the school had to use portable classrooms)<ref name="djn2018-04-26"/> and to 712 in 1997.<ref name="djn1997-09-12">{{cite news |last1=Wiener |first1=Julie |title=Steady Growth |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1997.09.12.001/37 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=12 September 1997 |ref=djn1997-09-12 |pages=37 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093504/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1997.09.12.001/37 |url-status=live }}</ref> The school's growth was partially due to the inflow of Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union: in 1979, Hillel had 20,<ref name="djn1979-10-05">{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Barbara |title=Russian Immigrants: Overcoming Language and Culture-Shock |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1979.10.05.001/64 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=5 October 1979 |ref=djn1979-10-05 |pages=64 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093503/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1979.10.05.001/64 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 1992, 49<ref name="djn1992-08-21">{{cite news |last1=Applebaum |first1=Elizabeth |title=Back To School Means Changes At Day Schools |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1992.08.21.001/34 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=21 August 1992 |ref=djn1992-08-21 |pages=34 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093504/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1992.08.21.001/34 |url-status=live }}</ref> Russian students.

Hillel was recognized at the time as "a crown jewel of Conservative Judaism in Detroit" because it offered Jewish education "in a form more palatable to some for whom the [[Yeshiva Beth Yehudah|Beth Yehuda]] seemed too oldworld".<ref name="bolkosky1991">{{cite book |last1=Bolkosky |first1=Sidney M. |title=Harmony & Dissonance: Voices of Jewish Identity in Detroit, 1914-1967 |date=1991 |page=404 |publisher=Wayne State University Press |isbn=9780814319338 |ref=bolkosky1991 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/harmonydissonanc0000bolk }}</ref> However, it was only in 1979 that Hillel formally affiliated with the [[Schechter Day School Network]] of schools that identify with Conservative Judaism.<ref name="djn2018-04-26"/>

Hillel went on as a K–9 school for 22 years from 1968 until 1988. Sometime around 1980 the ninth grade became the entry point for local public high schools, and enrollment to Hillel's ninth grade dropped. In 1988, Hillel Day School held graduation exercises for its last graduating ninth grade class.<ref name="djn1988-05-13">{{cite news |last1=Hitsky |first1=Alan |title=Hillel Cancels Ninth Grade For 1988-89 School Year |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1988.05.13.001/5 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=13 May 1988 |ref=djn1988-05-13 |pages=5 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920021941/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1988.05.13.001/5 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then, Hillel continued as a K–8 school.

=== Teachers' union closure (2005) === In 2005, Hillel Day School closed its teachers’ union<ref name="djn2005-08-25">{{cite news |last1=Hitsky |first1=Alan |title=Hillel Impasse |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2005.08.25.001/27 |access-date=13 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=25 August 2005 |ref=djn2005-08-25 |pages=27 |archive-date=13 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113032205/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2005.08.25.001/27 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="frw2005-09-02">{{cite news |last1=Siegel |first1=Jennifer |date=2 September 2005 |title=School Boots Teachers' Union, Fueling A Debate Among Conservative Rabbis. |work=[[The Forward]] |url=http://old.forward.com/articles/2678/school-boots-teacherse-union-fueling-a-debate-a/ |url-status=dead |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103204802/http://old.forward.com/articles/2678/school-boots-teacherse-union-fueling-a-debate-a/ |archive-date=3 November 2019 |ref=frw2005-09-02}}</ref><ref name="mer2005-12-15">{{cite news |date=15 December 2005 |title=MEA Forgoes Appeal in Brother Rice Case |work=Michigan Education Report |publisher=[[Mackinac Center for Public Policy]] |issue=2005–03 |url=https://www.mackinac.org/7481 |url-status=live |access-date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017013539/https://www.mackinac.org/7481 |archive-date=17 October 2016 |ref=mer2005-12-15}}</ref><ref name="je2014-04-09">{{cite news |last1=Gottlieb |first1=Amishai |date=9 April 2014 |title=Teachers' Union Files Charges Against Perelman School Board |work=[[The Jewish Exponent]] |url=https://www.jewishexponent.com/2014/04/09/teachers-union-files-charges-against-perelman-school-board/ |url-status=dead |access-date=12 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112000817/https://www.jewishexponent.com/2014/04/09/teachers-union-files-charges-against-perelman-school-board/ |archive-date=12 November 2019 |ref=je2014-04-09}}</ref><ref name="toi2014-11-08">{{cite news |last1=Wiener |first1=Julie |date=8 November 2014 |title=Conservative Day Schools a Hornet's Nest of Labor Disputes |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-day-schools-a-hornets-nest-of-labor-disputes/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715150458/http://www.timesofisrael.com/conservative-day-schools-a-hornets-nest-of-labor-disputes/ |archive-date=15 July 2017 |ref=toi2014-11-08}}</ref> after a [[Michigan Court of Appeals]] ruling prevented union organizers at a [[Roman Catholic]] [[Brother Rice High School (Michigan)|Brother Rice High School]] from joining the [[Michigan Education Association]].<ref name="mer2005-12-15"/> Both schools (and many more religious schools across the country) used the same precedent to de-unionize their teachers: the [[National Labor Relations Board]] v. [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago|Catholic Bishop of Chicago]] case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979. In that case, the court ruled that the lay teachers at religious schools are exempt from the federal collective bargaining agreement.<ref name="je2014-04-09"/>

At the time, Hillel Day School belonged to [[Schechter Day School Network]] of [[Jewish day school]]s that identify with [[Conservative Judaism]]. Many conservative rabbis criticized Hillel for ending recognition of its teachers’ union for collective bargaining. Among them was Rabbi David Nelson, religious leader of the Conservative synagogue Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, Michigan, who said if "you understand Jewish law, you have to have sensitivity toward the working person".<ref name="frw2005-09-02"/> Rabbi [[Jill Jacobs (rabbi)|Jill Jacobs]] defended the rights of workers to unionize and authored conservative movement's top lawmaking body 2008 [[Responsa#In Judaism|teshuvah]], or religious legal ruling, dealing with unionization and other related employment issues.<ref name="frw2005-09-02"/><ref name="toi2014-11-08"/>

=== 2000s and beyond ===

In 2000s Hillel's enrollment tapered, from more than 760 in 2001<ref name="djn2001-09-07">{{cite news |last1=Lieberman |first1=Diana |title=Down To The Wire. Hillel Day School teacher contract still debated |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2001.09.07.001/17 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=7 September 2001 |ref=djn2001-09-07 |pages=17 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093503/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2001.09.07.001/17 |url-status=live }}</ref> to 596 in 2005.<ref name="djn2005-09-22">{{cite news |last1=Liebman Dorfman |first1=Shelli |title=Kids For Katrina |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2005.09.22.001/25 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=22 September 2005 |ref=djn2005-09-22 |pages=25 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093504/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2005.09.22.001/25 |url-status=live }}</ref> The school reacted to this with some major changes. In 2008, Hillel broke off the Schechter network and reestablished itself as a community (or, [[non-denominational]]) [[RAVSAK]] [[Jewish day school]]<ref name="fwd2012-01-23">{{cite news |last1=Zeveloff |first1=Naomi |title=What Does Schechter Decline Mean? |url=https://forward.com/news/149983/what-does-schechter-decline-mean/ |access-date=13 November 2019 |work=[[The Forward]] |date=23 January 2012 |ref=fwd2012-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002101527/https://forward.com/news/149983/what-does-schechter-decline-mean/ |archive-date=2019-10-02 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="djn2018-04-26"/> to better attract [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] and [[Jewish secularism|non-religious]] Jewish families. In 2009, Hillel changed its governance from the original "[[Board of directors#Membership organizations|membership model]]", in which parent members elected the board, to a directorship model (self-perpetuating board), in which current board members select their own replacements.<ref name="djn2013-06-23">{{cite news |last1=Headapohl |first1=Jackie |date=26 June 2013 |title=Parents React To FJA Policies With Action |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2013/06/26/parents-react-to-fja-policies-with-action/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203212153/https://thejewishnews.com/2013/06/26/parents-react-to-fja-policies-with-action/ |archive-date=3 February 2019 |ref=djn2013-06-23}}</ref> Then, in 2010, Hillel launched its [[Preschool|Early Childhood Center]], opening the doors to 69 pre-K students.<ref name="op2019-08-29">{{cite news |last1=Runkle |first1=Anne |date=29 August 2019 |title=Hillel Day School opens expanded Early Childhood Center |work=[[The Oakland Press]] |publisher=[[MediaNews Group]] |url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/local/hillel-day-school-opens-expanded-early-childhood-center/article_33b10214-c991-11e9-ab29-a751911c1345.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828175807/https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/local/hillel-day-school-opens-expanded-early-childhood-center/article_33b10214-c991-11e9-ab29-a751911c1345.html |archive-date=28 August 2019 |ref=op2019-08-29}}</ref>

In 2013, Hillel's ECC became the first licensed center in the Farmington or West Bloomfield area to receive a rating under Michigan's "Great Start to Quality" program, which evaluates state preschools.<ref name="patch2013-03-19">{{cite news |last1=Houser |first1=Laura |date=19 March 2013 |title=Hillel Early Childhood Center Earns 4-Star Rating |work=Patch West Bloomfield, MI |publisher=[[Patch Media]] |url=https://patch.com/michigan/westbloomfield/hillel-early-childhood-center-earns-4-star-rating-from-state |url-status=live |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114005232/https://patch.com/michigan/westbloomfield/hillel-early-childhood-center-earns-4-star-rating-from-state |archive-date=14 November 2019 |ref=patch2013-03-19}}</ref> In 2019, the school expanded its ECC facility and started the year with 173 pre-K students.<ref name="op2019-08-29" /> However, while the ECC grew, the school's K–8 population in 2010s was still on the decline: from 550 students in 2010<ref name="djn2011-06-16">{{cite news |last1=Lieberman |first1=Diana |title=Weighing The Options |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2011.06.16.001/10 |access-date=29 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |date=16 June 2011 |ref=djn2011-06-16 |pages=10 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093503/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2011.06.16.001/10 |url-status=live }}</ref> to 441 in 2017.<ref name="nces2019-11-17" />

2014–2017 marked major upgrades to Hillel's physical facilities,<ref name="DetroitNews2014-10-25" /> just in time for a series of 2017–2018 alumni and community events in celebration of its 60-year anniversary.<ref name="c&g2017-12-13">{{cite news |last1=Kolade |first1=Sherri |title=Hillel Day School celebrates 60 years |url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/HillelDaySchoolcelebrates60years |access-date=16 November 2019 |work=Farmington Press |publisher=C&G Newspapers |date=13 December 2017 |ref=c&g2017-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103204801/https://www.candgnews.com/news/HillelDaySchoolcelebrates60years |archive-date=3 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="djn2018-04-26" />

In 2020, Hillel was [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education|impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic]]. In March, the school closed due to a teacher testing positive for COVID-19, one of the state's first 12 cases of the outbreak.<ref name="Detroit Free Press 2020-03-13">{{cite news |last1=Abdel-Baqui |first1=Omar |date=13 March 2020 |title=Teacher at Farmington Hills private school tests positive for coronavirus |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2020/03/13/hillil-day-school-farmington-teacher-coronavirus/5040736002/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313192737/https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2020/03/13/hillil-day-school-farmington-teacher-coronavirus/5040736002/ |archive-date=13 March 2020 |ref=ref-freep-abdel-2020}}</ref> Soon after, another teacher, coach Tony Sanders, died from COVID-19 complications.<ref name="Jewish News 2020-04-14">{{cite news |last1=Colf |first1=Corrie |date=14 April 2020 |title=Hillel Day School Memorializes Beloved Coach and Gym Teacher |work=[[The Jewish News (Detroit)|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2020/04/14/hillel-community-remembers-beloved-coach-and-gym-teacher/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125023844/https://thejewishnews.com/2020/04/14/hillel-community-remembers-beloved-coach-and-gym-teacher/ |archive-date=25 November 2020 |ref=ref-djn-colf-2020}}</ref> The school shifted to remote learning. Before their virtual graduation, the eighth graders had a "trip down Memory Lane" car parade around the school for a nostalgic farewell.<ref name="Jewish News 2020-06-10">{{cite news |date=10 June 2020 |title=Faces & Places: Hillel Day School Takes Graduating Eighth Graders on a Trip Down Memory Lane |work=[[The Jewish News (Detroit)|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2020/06/10/hillel-day-school-takes-graduating-eighth-graders-on-a-trip-down-memory-lane/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902000617/https://thejewishnews.com/2020/06/10/hillel-day-school-takes-graduating-eighth-graders-on-a-trip-down-memory-lane/ |archive-date=2 September 2020 |ref=ref-djn-faces-2020}}</ref> The 2020-2021 academic year began with most students in physical classrooms while eight out of 92 teachers taught remotely.<ref name="Wall Street Journal 2020-09-28">{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Maya |last2=Bauerlein |first2=Valerie |date=28 September 2020 |title=Schools Reopen to In-Person Learning, but Teachers Work From Home |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-reopen-with-virtual-classrooms-as-some-teachers-stay-home-11601292009 |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120113155/https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-reopen-with-virtual-classrooms-as-some-teachers-stay-home-11601292009 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |ref=ref-wsj-goldman-2020}}</ref>

== Facilities history ==

===Early locations=== In the first twelve years, Hillel rented space from various Jewish organisations. The school opened in 1958 with a kindergarten and first grade in the facilities of the [[Hayim Greenberg Center]] at 19161 Schaefer Hwy, Detroit.<ref name="djn1958-05-16" /> Then, in 1960, the school relocated to [[United Hebrew Schools]] at 18977 Schaefer Hwy, Detroit.<ref name="djn1960-05-13" /> In 1962, the school moved to the Jewish Center, later known as Jimmy Prentis Morris Branch of the Jewish Community Center, at 15110 West Ten Mile Rd, Oak Park.<ref name="djn1962-09-14">{{cite news |date=14 September 1962 |title=Hillel Day School Begins 5th Year in New Quarters |pages=21 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1962.09.14.001/21 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111214020/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1962.09.14.001/21 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |ref=djn1962-09-14}}</ref> From 1963, Hillel also held classes at the nearby [[Congregation B’nai Moshe]] at 14390 West Ten Mile, Oak Park.<ref name="djn2018-04-26" /><ref name="B'nai Moshe History">{{cite web |title=Our history |url=https://www.bnaimoshe.org/our-history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531044205/https://www.bnaimoshe.org/our-history.html |archive-date=31 May 2023 |access-date=16 December 2023 |website=Congregation B'nai Moshe |ref=ref-BnaiMoshe}}</ref>

===Evolution of present campus=== [[File:German School Historic Site Farmington Hills Michigan.JPG|thumb|right|[[German School (Farmington Hills, Michigan)|German School]] historic building at the entrance to Hillel Day School on Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills. The building, erected {{circa|1870}}, is listed in the [[List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Oakland County|Register of Michigan State Historic Sites]].]] The era of renting came to an end in 1968, when the school [[broke ground]] on an 11-acre site in Farmington Hills.<ref name="dfp1968-12-14">{{cite news |date=14 December 1968 |title=Groundbreaking Launches New School |pages=10 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/98808347/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093500/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/98808347/ |archive-date=1 October 2022 |ref=dfp1968-12-14}}</ref> In 1970, a 20-room new school building was ready and Hillel moved to its permanent home at 32200 Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills,<ref name="djn1970-05-15">{{cite news |date=15 May 1970 |title=Hillel Taking Registration; to Occupy Building in Fall |pages=27 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1970.05.15.001/27 |url-status=live |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093506/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1970.05.15.001/27 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |ref=djn1970-05-15}}</ref> with 270 students. The site included the {{circa|lk=no|1870}} [[German School (Farmington Hills, Michigan)|German School]] historic building (better known as Little Red Schoolhouse) that from 1970 to 1987 was used for the kindergarten class.<ref name="djn-2007-09-13-p87">{{cite news |title=Celebrating 50 Years: History of Hillel Day School |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2007.09.13.001/87 |access-date=19 December 2023 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=13 September 2007 |ref=djn-2007-09-13-p87 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219030333/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2007.09.13.001/87 |archive-date=19 December 2023 |page=87 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="djn-2007-09-13-p88">{{cite news |title=Celebrating 50 Years: History of Hillel Day School |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2007.09.13.001/88 |access-date=19 December 2023 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=13 September 2007 |ref=djn-2007-09-13-p88 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016123111/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2007.09.13.001/88 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |page=88 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 1979 the school added another four classrooms. Due to increasing enrollment and overcrowding, in 1983 the school had to start using [[portable classrooms]].<ref name="djn1985-06-07">{{cite news |last1=Press |first1=Heidi |date=7 June 1985 |title=Hillel Day School Kicks Off Construction For Additions |pages=8–9 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1985.06.07.001/9 |url-status=live |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921101349/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1985.06.07.001/9 |archive-date=21 September 2020 |ref=djn1985-06-07}}</ref> In 1986, the school added the Davidson Wing with 12 more classrooms and a multi-purpose room for special events.<ref name="djn1986-09-26">{{cite news |date=26 September 1986 |title=Davidson Wing Opens At Hillel Day School |page=22 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1986.09.26.001/22 |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215033505/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1986.09.26.001/22 |archive-date=15 December 2023 |ref=djn1986-09-26}}</ref>

In 1996, an $8 million expansion and renovation added to the school a new [[School media center|media center]], a [[gym]],<ref name="djn1996-11-01">{{cite news |last1=Sklar |first1=Jill Davidson |date=1 November 1996 |title=Dedication |pages=7 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1996.11.01.001/7 |url-status=live |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093500/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1996.11.01.001/7 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |ref=djn1996-11-01}}</ref> and a new school wing housing the 7–8 learning community on the second floor.<ref name="djn2018-04-26" /> In 2006, a $4 million expansion added to the school a bigger gym doubling as a theater with 800 seats capacity, along with a new lobby, offices, and an outside playing field.<ref name="djn2005-10-20">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Keri Guten |date=20 October 2005 |title=It's Official! Hillel students join in groundbreaking for their new gym-theater |pages=31 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2005.10.20.001/31 |url-status=live |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001093502/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2005.10.20.001/31 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |ref=djn2005-10-20}}</ref>

In 2014–2017, the school underwent an extensive renovation, funded by the [[William and Audrey Farber Philanthropic Endowment Fund]].<ref name="DetroitNews2014-08-22">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Candice |date=22 August 2014 |title=$5M gift gives Hillel classes room to learn |work=[[The Detroit News]] |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/education/2014/08/22/5m-gift-gives-hillel-classes-room-to-learn/14477945/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217134657/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/education/2014/08/22/5m-gift-gives-hillel-classes-room-to-learn/14477945/ |archive-date=17 December 2023 |ref=DetroitNews2014-08-22}}</ref><ref name="djn2014-02-23" /> The first phase of the renovation, designed by school architect [[Prakash Nair]], included the "Central Heart" (an open space with a presentation platform and capacity for 300 people), the "Innovation Hub" with an art studio, science lab, a greenhouse, an audio-video studio and a [[makerspace]], and the café and kitchen in place of the old small gym.<ref name="DetroitNews2014-10-25">{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Shawn D. |date=26 October 2014 |title=Architect's vision sparks Hillel school transformation |work=[[The Detroit News]] |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/education/2014/10/25/architect-hillel-school-vision-transformation/17911861/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010210109/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/education/2014/10/25/architect-hillel-school-vision-transformation/17911861/ |archive-date=10 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="journal2014-03-24">{{cite news |last1=Namahoe |first1=Kanoe |date=24 March 2014 |title=Jewish School Aims to Build 'This Century School' |work=The Journal |url=https://thejournal.com/articles/2014/03/24/jewish-school-aims-to-build-this-century-school.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115031640/https://thejournal.com/articles/2014/03/24/jewish-school-aims-to-build-this-century-school.aspx |archive-date=15 November 2019 |ref=journal2014-03-24}}</ref> In the second phase, existing main hallways lined with lockers and classrooms were demolished to the shell and rebuilt to create three open space learning communities: K–2 David and Nanci Farber learning community, the 3–6 William Davidson learning community, and the 7–8 learning community.<ref name="htl2016-09-06">{{cite news |date=6 September 2016 |title=Hillel School Celebrates Renovations |work=Hometown Life |publisher=[[USA Today Network]] |url=https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/farmington/2016/09/06/farmington-hills-hillel-day-school-renovations/89921332/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401104151/http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/farmington/2016/09/06/farmington-hills-hillel-day-school-renovations/89921332/ |archive-date=1 April 2017 |ref=htl2016-09-06}}</ref><ref name="djn2016-08-26">{{cite news |last1=Headapohl |first1=Jackie |date=26 August 2016 |title=21st-Century Learning: Hillel Day School completes update of its facilities |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2016/08/26/21st-century-learning-hillel-day-school-completes-update-facilities/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103210306/https://thejewishnews.com/2016/08/26/21st-century-learning-hillel-day-school-completes-update-facilities/ |archive-date=3 November 2019 |ref=djn2016-08-26}}</ref>

The latest addition to the school building happened in 2019, when the school expanded its Early Childhood Center wing.<ref name="op2019-08-29" /> In 2022, a $3 million upgrade of the outdoor athletic facilities added an all-season synthetic field, running track, and two multi-purpose athletic courts. As part of this renovation, the historic Little Red Schoolhouse was repurposed into a hub for athletic support.<ref name="djn2022-06-20">{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Danny |date=20 June 2022 |title=Hillel Day School Starts Capital Campaign for Outdoor Athletic Facilities |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2022/06/20/hillel-day-school-starts-capital-campaign-for-outdoor-athletic-facilities/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620235913/https://thejewishnews.com/2022/06/20/hillel-day-school-starts-capital-campaign-for-outdoor-athletic-facilities/ |archive-date=20 June 2022 |ref=djn2022-06-20}}</ref>

== Admissions and cost of attendance == Hillel welcomes Jewish children from all affiliations. Its religious policies aim to make all children, irrespective of their observance at home, feel comfortable and involved in school activities. Hillel requests families to respect classmates' levels of observance when arranging celebrations like birthdays and [[B'nai Mitzvah]] parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Admissions: Common Questions |url=https://www.hillelday.org/admission/common-questions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610044546/https://www.hillelday.org/admission/common-questions |archive-date=10 June 2023 |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=Hillel Day School}}</ref>

Hillel mandates full student vaccination for admission and continuous enrollment. In 2015, amidst Michigan's high vaccination waiver rates, Hillel announced it would no longer accept religious or philosophical waivers from parents who reject vaccination. Hillel based this decision on the Jewish law principle of [[pikuach nefesh]], prioritizing human life above other religious rules. Headmaster Freedman stated, "As a religious school, we can determine whether refusal of the vaccine has any religious merit, and we decided it does not."<ref name="djn2015-02-05">{{cite news |last1=Headapohl |first1=Jackie |title=Rules Revised |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2015/02/05/rules-revised/ |access-date=15 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |date=5 February 2015 |ref=djn2015-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014011/https://thejewishnews.com/2015/02/05/rules-revised/ |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2004, Hillel started offering "lateral entry" for sixth graders without prior Jewish education. Before that, students were urged to join by second grade due to the school's intense focus on Judaic studies.<ref name="djn2004-01-16">{{cite news |last1=Lieberman |first1=Diana |title=Middle School Alternative |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2004.01.16.001/17 |access-date=11 November 2019 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=16 January 2004 |ref=djn2004-01-16 |pages=17 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111233400/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2004.01.16.001/17 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tuition for the 2014–2015 academic year ranged from $11,280 for kindergarten to $17,975 for grades 1–8. In 2013–2014, 54 percent of the school's 564 students received financial aid.<ref name="djn2014-02-23">{{cite news |last1=Headapohl |first1=Jackie |date=23 February 2014 |title=Dreaming Big. Local Philanthropy Will Help Hillel Gain 21st-Century Edge |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2014/02/23/dreaming-big/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603060702/https://thejewishnews.com/2014/02/23/dreaming-big/ |archive-date=3 June 2019 |ref=djn2014-02-23}}</ref> For the 2020{{ndash}}2021 school year, Hillel administered more than $3.2 million in financial aid, among 54 percent of the student body.<ref name="Hillel-Affording 2022-01-30">{{cite web |title=Affording Hillel |url=https://www.hillelday.org/admission/affording-hillel |publisher=Hillel Day School |access-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130005232/https://www.hillelday.org/admission/affording-hillel |archive-date=30 January 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, the school offered a 30% discount on tuition for children of eligible Jewish communal professionals.<ref>{{Citation |title=Jewish Community Workers to Receive 30% Tuition Break at Hillel Day School |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=2024-12-30 |url=https://www.thejewishnews.com/news/jewish-community-workers-to-receive-30-tuition-break-at-hillel-day-school/article_0f72fd22-c6c4-11ef-bbd4-a789851105bc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106184332/https://www.thejewishnews.com/news/jewish-community-workers-to-receive-30-tuition-break-at-hillel-day-school/article_0f72fd22-c6c4-11ef-bbd4-a789851105bc.html |archive-date=2025-01-06 |url-status=live |publisher=[[The Detroit Jewish News]]}}</ref>

== Curriculum and students' life == From its founding, the school teaches Jewish and secular subjects in a dual curriculum.<ref name="djn1958-05-16" /> The [[Jewish education|Jewish curriculum]] includes [[modern Hebrew]], [[Jewish history]], [[Jewish prayers]] and [[Jewish holidays|holidays]], the [[Tanakh]], and [[Rabbinic literature]]. The [[Secular education|secular curriculum]] follows the [[Michigan Department of Education]] academic standards.

In 2012, University of Michigan's linguistics professor Andries Coetzeea observed Hillel's 7th grade Hebrew class, taught exclusively in Hebrew with only occasional English explanations for Coetzeea. Despite his MA in Biblical Hebrew, the students had a better command of the language.<ref name="patch2012-10-18">{{cite news |last1=Keith |first1=Roz |title=University of Michigan Linquistics vist Hillel Day School |url=https://patch.com/michigan/farmington-mi/an--university-of-michigan-linquistics-vist-hillel-day-school |access-date=14 November 2019 |work=Patch Farmington-Farmington Hills, MI |publisher=[[Patch Media]] |date=18 October 2012 |ref=patch2012-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114003003/https://patch.com/michigan/farmington-mi/an--university-of-michigan-linquistics-vist-hillel-day-school |archive-date=14 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Hillel debuted its first student spring musical,"Fiddler On The Roof", in 1965 and has since maintained a vibrant performing arts department.<ref name="djn-2007-09-13-p86">{{cite news |title=Celebrating 50 Years: History of Hillel Day School |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2007.09.13.001/86 |access-date=19 December 2023 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |date=13 September 2007 |ref=djn-2007-09-13-p86 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219040147/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2007.09.13.001/86 |archive-date=19 December 2023 |page=86 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Hillel students celebrate both American and Jewish holidays. In 2018, instead of closing the school for the federal holiday named after Dr. King, Hillel honored his legacy by organizing diverse events, programs, and inviting speakers in order to educate the younger generation about promoting diversity and stopping prejudice.<ref name="fox2018-01-2018">{{cite news |date=14 January 2018 |title=Celebrating MLK Day with Hillel Day School |work=[[Fox 2 Detroit]] |publisher=[[Fox Television Stations]] |url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/mornings/celebrating-mlk-day-with-hillel-day-school |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108043455/https://www.fox2detroit.com/mornings/celebrating-mlk-day-with-hillel-day-school |archive-date=8 November 2019 |ref=fox2018-01-2018}}</ref> In 2013, Hillel marked a rare occasion as [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] and the first day of [[Hanukkah]] coincided for the first time since 1888. Students celebrated "Thanksgivukkah," creatively merging symbols from both holidays and crafting paper mashups like [[Menorah (Hanukkah)|menorah]]-turkeys and bird-[[dreidel]]s. Saul Rube, Hillel's dean of Judaic studies, said the playful combinations underscore a deeper connection, noting the [[Talmud]]'s description of Hanukkah as a "holiday of thanksgiving."<ref name="nbc2013-11-25">{{cite news |last1=Karoub |first1=Jeff |title=The Thanksgivukkah Dilemma |url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/Thanksgiving-Hanukkah-Overlap-Thanksgivukkah-Spurs-Thanks-Angst--233287631.html |access-date=14 November 2019 |work=[[NBC]] Connecticut |publisher=[[NBCUniversal|NBCUniversal Media, LLC]] |date=25 November 2013 |ref=nbc2013-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103204804/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/Thanksgiving-Hanukkah-Overlap-Thanksgivukkah-Spurs-Thanks-Angst--233287631.html |archive-date=3 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2006, the school added an eighth-grade Israel trip to the curriculum.<ref name="djn2018-04-26" />

The school's mascot is the Hawk. Hillel's athletics start in kindergarten with intramural programs and continue with interscholastic programs, where the Hillel Hawks compete against independent schools in various sports such as basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athletics |url=https://www.hillelday.org/athletics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219045608/https://www.hillelday.org/athletics |archive-date=19 December 2023 |access-date=21 December 2023 |website=Hillel Day School |language=}}</ref>

== Heads of school == Hillel Day School is a [[Privately held company|private]], [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit corporation]] administered by a [[headmaster]], who acts under the direction of a [[board of trustees]]. Initially, executive management of the school was carried by one of its founding members in a position of school's president. As the school grew, positions of a supervising teacher, principal, and, finally, headmaster were introduced. * Morris M. Jacobs, president (1958{{snd}}{{circa|lk=no|1959}}) * Naomi Floch, supervising teacher ({{circa|lk=no|1959|1960}}),<ref name="djn1958-06-20">{{cite news |date=20 June 1958 |title=New Hillel Day School to Hold Receptions at Greenberg Center for. Students, Parents |page=12 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1958.06.20.001/12 |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217193208/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1958.06.20.001/12 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |ref=djn1958-06-20}}</ref><ref name="djn1960-02-26">{{cite news |date=26 February 1960 |title=Youngsters from Hillel Day School Have "Neshef" for Great Presidents |pages=6 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1960.02.26.001/6 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111210026/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1960.02.26.001/6 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |ref=djn1960-02-26}}</ref> principal ({{circa|lk=no|1960}}{{snd}}1962)<ref name="djn1960-08-26">{{cite news |date=1960-08-26 |title=Schools Schedule Fall Registration |pages=32 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1960.08.26.001/32 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111211557/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1960.08.26.001/32 |archive-date=2019-11-11 |ref=djn1960-08-26}}</ref><ref name="djn-2004-07-02">{{cite news |last1=Leibman Dorfman |first1=Shelli |date=2 July 2004 |title=Doer Profile: Naomi Floch |page=10 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2004.07.02.001/10 |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729010539/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2004.07.02.001/10 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |ref=djn-2004-07-02}}</ref> * Rabbi Abraham Zentman, principal (1962{{ndash}}1963)<ref name="djn1962-09-14" /> * Rabbi Emanuel Applebaum, headmaster (1963{{ndash}}1965)<ref name="djn1963-07-12">{{cite news |date=12 July 1963 |title=Rabbi Applebaum Named Headmaster of Hillel Day School |pages=13 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1963.07.12.001/13 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111214707/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1963.07.12.001/13 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |ref=djn1963-07-12}}</ref> * Simon Murciano, headmaster (1965{{ndash}}1970)<ref name="djn1965-07-23">{{cite news |date=23 July 1965 |title=Rabbi Simon Murciano, Educator From Morocco, Heads Hillel School |pages=26 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1965.07.23.001/26 |url-status=live |access-date=2019-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111215351/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1965.07.23.001/26 |archive-date=2019-11-11 |ref=djn1965-07-23}}</ref> * Rabbi Joshua Kronenberg, headmaster (1970{{ndash}}1972)<ref name="djn1970-07-31">{{cite news |date=31 July 1970 |title=Rabbi Kronenberg Hillel Headmaster |pages=28 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1970.07.31.001/28 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111220230/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1970.07.31.001/28 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |ref=djn1970-07-31}}</ref> * Rabbi Chaim Rozwaski, headmaster (1972{{ndash}}1975)<ref name="djn1972-08-25">{{cite news |date=25 August 1972 |title=Hillel Day School Picks Headmaster |pages=32 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1972.08.25.001/32 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111231838/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1972.08.25.001/32 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |ref=djn1972-08-25}}</ref> * Rabbi Robert Abramson, headmaster (1975{{ndash}}1988)<ref name="djn1975-10-10">{{cite news |date=10 October 1975 |title=Hillel Day School Appoints Rabbi Abramson as Head |pages=40 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1975.10.10.001/40 |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111232432/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1975.10.10.001/40 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |ref=djn1975-10-10}}</ref> * Dr. Mark Smiley, principal (1988{{ndash}}1990), headmaster (1990{{ndash}}2003)<ref name="djn1990-10-05" /> * Steven "Steve" Freedman, headmaster (2003{{ndash}}2019).<ref name="djn2003-11-14">{{cite news |date=14 November 2003 |title=Fresh Vision |pages=33–34 |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2003.11.14.001/33 |url-status=live |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128044002/https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.2003.11.14.001/33 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |ref=djn2003-11-14}}</ref><ref name="djn2018-11-21">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Keri |date=21 November 2018 |title=Freedman Leaving |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2018/11/21/freedman-leaving/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002204649/https://thejewishnews.com/2018/11/21/freedman-leaving/ |archive-date=2 October 2019 |ref=djn2018-11-21}}</ref> Under Freedman's leadership, Hillel shut down its teachers’ union (2005), instituted the eighth-grade Israel trip (2006), became a non-affiliated community Jewish day school (2008), changed its governance model to a self-perpetuating board (2009), opened and expanded the Early Childhood Center (2010, 2019), and underwent an extensive renovation of its facilities (2014{{ndash}}2017) that among other things included a cafe with a kitchen that allowed Hillel to start a hot lunch program. * Nathan "Naty" Katz, interim headmaster (2019{{ndash}}2020)<ref name="djn2019-08-22">{{cite news |last1=Gittleman |first1=Stacy |date=22 August 2019 |title=Jewish Day Schools Welcome Students Back |work=[[The Detroit Jewish News|The Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2019/08/22/jewish-day-schools-welcome-students-back/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002021210/https://thejewishnews.com/2019/08/22/jewish-day-schools-welcome-students-back/ |archive-date=2 October 2019 |ref=djn2019-08-22}}</ref> * Dr. Darin Katz (2020{{ndash}}present). Prior to coming to Hillel, Katz was the director of the upper school at [[Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy]] in [[Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Jewish News 2019-12-06">{{cite news |last1=Colf |first1=Corrie |date=6 December 2019 |title=Hillel Day School Announces New Head of School |website=[[The Detroit Jewish News]] |url=https://thejewishnews.com/2019/12/06/hillel-day-school-announces-new-head-of-school/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408051553/https://thejewishnews.com/2019/12/06/hillel-day-school-announces-new-head-of-school/ |archive-date=2020-04-08 |ref=JewishNews2019-12-06}}</ref>

== Notable alumni == * [[Mark A. Goldsmith]] (first graduating class of 1967), a judge of the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan]] * [[Robert Schostak]] (class of 1971), a political consultant and former chairman of the [[Michigan Republican Party]] * [[Jeff Sudakin]] (class of 1985), music composer for film and TV * [[Selma Blair]] (class of {{circa|lk=no|1986}}), actress * [[Charles Ornstein]] (class of 1988), [[Pulitzer Prize]]–winning journalist * [[Jaime Ray Newman]] (class of 1992), American actress, producer and singer, [[91st Academy Awards]] winner * [[Samantha Woll]] (class of 1997), president of [[Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue]] in [[Detroit]] * [[Jeremy Moss]] (class of 2000), Democratic politician, [[Michigan Senate]]

== See also == * [[History of the Jewish people in Detroit]]

== References ==  {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://www.hillelday.org/ Hillel Day School's home page] * [https://www.hillelday.org/discover/publications/ Archive of Hillel Day School's publications: Hamakor (weekly newsletter), Divrei (annual brochure), Annual Reports, and Shulman Scholarship Journals] {{Farmington Hills, Michigan}} {{Religion in Detroit}} {{Jewish schools in the United States}}

[[Category:Jewish day schools in Michigan]] [[Category:Schools in Farmington Hills, Michigan]] [[Category:Private K–8 schools in Michigan]] [[Category:Independent School Association of the Central States]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1958]] [[Category:1958 establishments in Michigan]]