HMJDS’s Binus Leaving School After Next Year

Yoni Binus, the head of school at Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School, announced the upcoming 2021-22 school year will be his last at the school in a statement released Monday afternoon. Next year, his eighth at the St. Louis Park school, is the last year of his current contract.

“I plan to apply what I have learned over my 20 years in education in new environments or in new fields altogether. Making this decision now allows the school ample time for a smooth transition and affords me time to begin my career exploration in more depth,” Binus said in the statement, which was mailed to parents and Jewish agency leaders and clergy members. “This position has been an experience of a lifetime, and my decision is not an easy one.”

A transition plan has been set up for the upcoming school year. Board President Wendy Lovell-Smith announced that Binus will spend his year as the school’s executive director, where he will support “the leadership team with business operations, helping the Board plan for leadership succession, and continuing several strategic and long-term processes.”

It is deeply gratifying to see that Heilicher is currently thriving,” Binus said. “I am proud to support Heilicher’s staff and Board leadership as they thoughtfully begin a comprehensive Head of School search for the benefit of current and future generations of Heilicher students.”

Associate Head of School Maia Polling will step into the role of interim head of school while the board of trustees undergoes a search for Binus’ permanent replacement.

“This is an exciting time for Heilicher. We are well-positioned to identify our new head of school and, during this transitional period, thanks to steady leadership, continue to provide to our students the exceptional General and Judaic Studies we have always offered,” Lovell-Smith’s statement said. “Thank you again to Yoni for his many years of service to the school. We will have time to pay tribute and say a proper farewell to him over the coming year.”