Weinberg assumes principal position at Hillel Academy
Rabbi Sam Weinberg has been named the new principal of Hillel Academy, succeeding Rabbi Avrumi Sacks, who is leaving the school after three years.
Sacks will be available to consult with Weinberg, according to Hillel CEO Daniel Kraut.
“He (Sacks) has certainly been a huge part of the growth in this school,” Kraut said. “We have gone from 162 students to 262 this year; that’s incredible growth … and he created an incredible environment here for the kids. It’s been an amazing run.”
A Pittsburgh native and Hillel Academy alumnus, Weinberg, 30, graduated from Yeshiva University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education and administration. He also received his smicha there.
He previously worked as director of student life at the Ramaz School in New York before returning to Pittsburgh three years ago.
“We brought him in to be our boys high school principal,” Kraut said. “He was boys principal for two years and last year he took over as principal of both boys’ and girls’ high school and middle school.”
In his new function, Weinberg is the principal and educational director of the entire school.
“Now he’s in charge of the entire educational functioning of the school,” Kraut said. “He’s the guy.”
“I’m pretty excited,” Weinberg said. “My number one goal is just continue the upward trajectory we’re already on and enrich the lives of our students — Judaically and secularly.”
He also hopes to “synthesize” the two tracks instead of running them independently of one another.”
Finally, Weinberg wants his students, not only to excel, but to enjoy the school experience.
“I have a core belief that kids should be excited to go to school every day. … They should be as excited to go to school as to go to camp,” Weinberg said.
He is the son of Lee and Liora Weinberg.
(Lee Chottiner can be reached at leec@thejewishchronicle.net.)
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