Hecht to Assume Reins of Floundering MTA

Move Seen as a Stabilizing Influence

As MTA continues to recover from a tumultuous past four months, the University appointed Rabbi Dr. Michael Hecht to the post of Acting Dean at Yeshiva University High Schools, effective July 1. The move came as a pleasant surprise to many faculty members, students, and parents who have awaited indications that MTA's situation would stabilize. Hecht, current associate dean of Yeshiva College and TMSTA Rebbe, has been hailed by many as a polymath whose vision can spell success for the floundering institution.

Hecht was approached by President Norman Lamm two weeks before Passover and asked to assume the post. Hecht recounts that his initial response to the President was a clear and immediate "no." After all, his numerous responsibilities at the time had already left him overworked, as students who have tried to set up an appointment with the dean, professor, and Rebbe outside of class have noticed over the years.

Hecht did, however, promise Lamm that he owed it to the institution to sleep on the offer. He recalls a long night of thought and discussion that ultimately led him to realize that "the school meant a lot to [him]." According to Hecht, taking the job was a true expression of consistency; he recalls having turned down many prestigious jobs in the past in order to remain a Rebbe at the high school. Accordingly, to Hecht, this was another step toward maintaining that commitment.

The way he saw it, MTA needed someone with history and vision. Rabbi Lamm and the newly formed board seemed to agree. Hecht began his teaching career as Talmud teacher at MTA back in 1963, a time that he remembers vividly. Back then, according to the Dean, the University's two crowning jewels were RIETS, a result of its affiliation with the Rav, and its high school MTA. "It's safe to say," explained Hecht, "that MTA no longer plays that role."

With that historical perspective in mind, Dean Hecht targets restoring the high school to its proper place in the Jewish community - to its former "glory" - as his ultimate goal. He points out that in order to accomplish that, the school must first recognize the causes of its gradual fall.

Adverse demographic changes, proliferation of local schools that target a similar student body to that of MTA are two primary contributors. But, Hecht is the first to acknowledge that "benign institutional neglect" over the last couple of decades played a major role. Hecht believes the first two contributors to the institution's gradual fall from prominence, demographics and rising competition, can be addressed. He thinks that adverse demographic trends have already played their course, and any additional changes including exploding populations of various Jewish communities can only help.

In perhaps the only positive result of the past half year's debacle, Hecht points out that he and a number of YU administrators studied in depth MTA's place in the Jewish community, and more precisely within the YU community. According to Hecht, they came to the "realization of the vital role MTA plays in the community and particularly Yeshiva, as the most important feeder school [of quality students] to the YU College." The studies cited disproportionate numbers of MTA students in the top percentiles of YU performers in both the yeshiva and the College, and as YU academic scholarship recipients.

For Hecht, such figures suggest that there is what to salvage and build upon. Such a building must, however, remain focused: "We don't want to out-Ramaz Ramaz - theirs is a different constituency than we plan to target for MTA."

MTA has what Hecht sees as the "strongest Talmud program" among centrist Yeshiva high schools - a function of its unparalleled staff of Rebbeim. Additionally, the YU Roshei Yeshiva share a strong interest in improving the Torah atmosphere at MTA, something that is apparent to one YC student in the "enormous support that the Roshei Yeshiva offer during the weeks of uncertainty as to MTA's future."

Lastly, Hecht points to his intention to more clearly define the strong secular studies opportunities available to MTA students through the high school's connection with the College. The ability to take "first rate classes" is unique, a comment specifically designed to exclude what he deemed "phony joint programs" that exist between other yeshivas and community colleges.

Most important to Hecht, and perhaps to the parents, faculty, and student body, is the fact that the perception of MTA's advantages over other area yeshiva high schools is "shared by Rabbi Lamm, the Board, and Dr. Socol."

When asked to outline tangible changes he wished to pursue, Hecht pointed to more selective admission criteria as being his first objective: "You don't have to be Reb Chaim or Einstein to get in . . . but you will need the appropriate commitment, desire, and menshclechkeit." He admits that this might mean downsizing, something that he is ready to do, if necessary. "I'm not worried about the numbers," he stressed.

Reaction to the appointment ranged from sheer excitement to muffled optimism. "He's the right man for the job," one MTA alumnus stressed. "Ever since they announced that the institution was in trouble, I didn't think that MTA would be able to rescue itself from the jaws of defeat. This might be their only hope."

In truth, numbers for the incoming class echo the alumnus' enthusiasm. Sources within Yeshiva tell The Commentator that freshman enrollment almost doubled within days of the Hecht appointment. "He adds stability to an institution that desperately needed it," explained one currently active MTA parent.

On the subject of stability, Hecht agrees. He points out that although he was careful to only accept a job as Acting Dean, and only agreed on a limited one year deal, he promised to stay on "as long as it takes" to turn the institution back into the power that it once was, provided that the University continues to show the same commitment to his ideas that it has already begun to display.

If Dr. Lamm's current enthusiasm can serve as a measuring stick of his commitment to Hecht's ideas, the situation looks promising. Having deemed Hecht "an accomplished scholar of both Talmud and the law, an outstanding teacher, and able administrator," Lamm is sure that "parents, students, faculty, and administrators can rest assured that the highest academic standards will be maintained in both Jewish and general studies."

Lamm, in conjunction with the Board, is currently searching for a permanent principal for MTA. The Search Committee has what he deems "a superb candidate" in mind.

While many see the recent appointment as an end to an ugly period for MTA, Hecht deems it a beginning. Things will change for both MTA and YU. Hecht will relinquish his position as Associate Dean at the College and admits that his perennial class in law at YC is in jeopardy. He will, however, remain MTA Rebbe, Yeshiva Pre-Law Advisor, and Chairman of the Scholarship Selection Committee.

Regarding other staff changes at MTA, Hecht denied the rumors that have circulated in the past month. Long-time members of the MTA faculty are scheduled to remain as integral players in a group that promises to help Hecht and MTA administrators realize their vision.