Hillel Yeshiva HS offers real-world business prep
By Jason Cohen
The Hillel Yeshiva of Deal started the
It is a business elective class taught by Dr. Gene Simko, who is an associate professor of management at
Rabbi Howard Bald of Hillel said juniors and seniors that take the class learn what it is like to be a business major in college.
"It really is an introductory college business course," Bald said.
Bald said that the first year enrollment was low when only 12 people took the class; however, in its second year it increased to 21 people and it has been increasing since.
"The class originally started by myself and Dr. Simko speaking to all of the sophomore classes and once people began to take the class, word of mouth helped spread the word to take the class," Bald said.
Additionally, each year each class spends 10 sessions studying Jewish business law, the he said.
"I have a very positive feeling and want to see it grow," Bald said.
Bald said that in the past, the
"Overall, the community likes it a lot, it's a great class, and anyone that takes the course realizes high school education can be practical and really prepares them for the future," the rabbi said.
Simko said the program started out with just one class of seniors, but then changed to juniors when the school saw how well the class was received.
"Juniors that take the class are taught marketing, accounting, finance, micro- and macroeconomic theory, production, and organizational theory," Simko said. "While I teach seniors how to apply the skills in business decision making, leadership, case analysis, written and oral communication skills, marketing planning, and accounting."
Ultimately, he teaches them the whole nine yards about business, Simko said.
The juniors and the seniors compete in the "executive game," as part of the program, Simko said.
"In the game, each student owns a business and competes with the other students to see whose business does the best," Simko said.
Simko said each student prior to taking the class is screened.
"Myself, along with Rabbi Bald, interview each student and ask them about their GPA, grades, how serious they are abut the class, if anyone in their family is involved in business, and ultimately how serious they are about pursuing business in college," Simko said.
Simko said he teaches a great group of kids, and the
"It's really great to teach the students and allow them to see what's really going on in the business world," Simko said.
Eventually, the business academy hopes in the future to solicit local businesses to match with each student and allow the student to work with them and gain even more valuable experience in the real business world.
"The community, the school, the students, the faculty, all really like the program and really see the program has started to pay off as the students enter college," Simko said.