Shimon Waronker: the jewish joe clark?Here's the next in the inspirational genre of films that includes classics like Lean on Me, Stand and Deliver, and Dangerous Minds: the story of Shimon Waronker and the South Bronx junior high school that he has singlehandedly brought back from the throes of urban death.

A Hasid originally from South America, he speaks fluent Spanish, has a background in the military, is a former public school teacher, and is Yeshiva educated. Though it took him a while to get a job after graduating from the New York City Leadership Academy, he has worked wonders since becoming the principal of Junior High School 22, where students once "roamed the hallways with abandon" and attendance was a joke.

Despite critics who claim that Waronker is "more concerned with creating flashy new programs than with ensuring they survive," attendance is now above 93%, and Junior High 22 is no longer on the city’s list of the 12 most dangerous. Better yet, Waronker's students now have course options such as French and Spanish dual language programs and etiquette training. He's added "two guidance counselors, one psychologist, two social workers, three family workers, and one attendance teacher to the school staff."

Students and parents at Junior High 22 have even learned a thing or two about Jewish stereotypes: "One parent, Angie Vazquez, 37, acknowledged that her upbringing had led her to wonder: 'Wow, we’re going to have a Jewish person, what’s going to happen? Are the kids going to have to pay for lunch?'"

Today, as the conservative movement debates gay marriage and gay ordination, (Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever linked to FOX News before!) I want to direct you all to this incredibly interesting blog! The Shaigetz describes itself as “Chassidic life from one on the edge of the gefilte-fish cradle” and it’s a site we can all learn a lot from.

By a blogger within the Chassidic community, but one openminded enough to link to Muslim sites (with the disclaimer, “These are blogs by individuals proud to be Muslim yet critical of the some of the wrongs done in the name of Islam…I don't agree with some of what they say but I have to admire their courage and honesty. Recommended reading!”)

It’s not often we’re given such a clear, honest, direct voice from the far right (religiously and politically) and while you may not agree with many of the sentiments in The Shaigetz, you’d do well to check the site out if you’re trying to understand the range of perspectives in your own religious community.