Dear Addlestone Community, 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am writing to share an update on the selection of Addlestone's next Head of School. Choosing the right leader for our school is one of the Board's most important responsibilities, and we are committed to conducting a thoughtful, transparent process. We have begun forming a Search Committee, with the formal search expected to begin in October, when independent school leadership searches typically commence. We look forward to keeping our community informed throughout the process.

I am pleased that Rebecca Engel has agreed to chair the Head of School Search Committee. Rebecca is a native Charlestonian whose family has served the local Jewish community for generations through leadership, philanthropy, and volunteer service. She is an Addlestone alumna, the parent of two current Addlestone students, and serves as Director of Legacy Giving and Impact at the Jewish Endowment Foundation of South Carolina. Her deep connection to the school, together with her experience building relationships across our community, makes her an ideal leader of this important effort.

While the search committee begins to take shape, Addlestone is undertaking a Strategic Sustainability Project led by consultant Barry Kislowicz. This approximately 14-week initiative will help the Board establish a clear strategic direction for the school's future, ensuring that Addlestone remains financially sustainable, academically excellent, and deeply rooted in our community. As that work concludes, the Board will have a clear roadmap for the future, and those priorities will help inform the search for our next Head of School. To ensure these efforts remain closely aligned, a representative from the Strategic Sustainability Project will serve on the Search Committee throughout the process.

For more than 70 years, Addlestone Hebrew Academy has been led by dedicated Heads of School with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and have been both men and women. While each has brought a unique perspective, all have shared a commitment to Jewish education, academic excellence, and the success of our students. Those enduring values will continue to guide this search.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Addlestone Hebrew Academy. 

Sincerely,
Morris Ellison
Board Chair
Addlestone Hebrew Academy