Heilicher 7th graders continue to work on their tallitot (prayer shawls). Students create handmade, personalized, and meaningful tallitot depicting three middot (values) that they will carry with them throughout their lives.  
6 Tishrei 5781

Dear Heilicher Families, 

Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year)! Last week, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year).  This week we are in the Yamim Noraim or the Ten Days of Repentance, sometimes also called the Days of Awe. These ten days mark the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  It is a period of self-examination when we are encouraged to seek forgiveness for our wrongdoings with sincere and wholehearted repentance. 
 
Sometimes asking for forgiveness (slicha) is easy, "Slicha (as in, sorry for interrupting you), but could I get through here?"  But particularly during the month of Tishrei we talk a lot about asking for forgiveness for the bigger things. Leading up to Yom Kippur, talk with your children about asking for forgiveness. Share what you are sorry for and your promises for the coming year. Ask your child what they are sorry for and talk about what they can do better in the coming year.  

Finally, it is also important to practice the work of forgiveness (m'chila). Forgiveness is often more difficult, but should not be forgotten. How does it feel to forgive someone? Why is granting forgiveness often more difficult than asking for forgiveness? Practice using the following phrases at home, "I'm ready to forgive you," and, "I'm not ready to forgive you YET. Could we try again tomorrow?" 

5780 brought much change and challenge to our Heilicher community. As we enter 5781, I look forward to learning alongside your children and growing with our wonderful community. 

G'mar Tov!  May you be inscribed for a good year.

Julie Ziessman 
Interim Jewish Life and Hebrew Director

Mark your Calendars
Upcoming School Events
 
  • Friday, September 25, Opening Ceremonies via Zoom, 11:00-11:30 a.m. 
  • Sunday, September 27, Erev Yom Kippur 
  • Monday, September 28, Yom Kippur, NO SCHOOL 
  • Tuesday, September 29, Late Start, 9:30 a.m. (Dropoff will be 9-9:30 a.m.)
  • Thursday, October 1, PTO Schmooze and Zoom. 8:00-9:00 p.m.  
  • Monday, October 5-Friday October 9, Distance Learning Week. Schedules will be available on Seesaw (K-2) and Google Classroom (3-8) next Thursday. 
Heilicher Opening Ceremonies TOMORROW!

Join us tomorrow, Friday, September 25, 11:00-11:30 a.m. for our virtual Opening Ceremonies.

Students and faculty who are new to Heilicher will have a special mention, and we'll bless the eighth graders who have just entered their last year at Heilicher. If you're watching from home you may want to have your lunch ready; we'll be making Shabbat blessings as our students head from this ceremony into lunch.

Parents, Grandparents, and Alumni are encouraged to attend!
Announcing the 2021 Heilicher Annual Benefit Honorees

We are thrilled to announce that Stacy Pinck and Brad Birnberg, and Jill and Jon Halper, will be the Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School's 2021 Annual Benefit honorees. Both couples have a strong legacy of leadership at Heilicher and in the broader community, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize them at our gala next calendar year.
 
Board President, Wendy Lovell-Smith, commented, "There are few other families in the Twin Cities Jewish community whose names are synonymous with involvement in such a diversity of Jewish community issues and organizations. We are thrilled that Stacy, Brad, Jill and Jon are partnering with us on the 2021 Annual Benefit, and we look forward to celebrating with our broader community as we emerge from this unprecedented time."

Heilicher is committed to striving for an in-person Annual Benefit in 2021. For that reason, we are looking for a date in October 2021. In the meantime, please join our Heilicher Board and professional leadership in recognizing the honorees and celebrating our incredible school. 
PTO Shmooze and Zoom
Thursday, October 1

The PTO is excited to host our first parent Schmooze and Zoom on
Thursday, October 1, 8-9 p.m
 
This Zoom call will be a purely social opportunity for parents to connect and build community. PTO chair Elly Zweigbaum will facilitate some introductions and we will breakout into smaller groups so parents can get to know each other. While we know this year will be very different, the Heilicher community will remain strong, and we look forward to offering additional virtual programs throughout the year. 

Meeting ID: 874 7987 8657
Passcode: 379565
Shabbat and Chagim (Jewish holidays) Communication Reminders 

The beauty and meaning of Shabbat and the Chagim are an important part of the Heilicher community. Our faculty and staff will not respond to parent emails or calls on Shabbat (Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown) or on the chagim, and ask that you do not communicate with the school on these dates as well. 

In the coming weeks, in addition to Shabbat, emails/calls will
not be responded to on:
  • Yom Kippur (Sunday, 9/27, sundown to Monday, 9/28, sundown)
  • Sukkot (Friday, 10/2, sundown to Sunday, 10/4, sundown)
  • Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (Friday, 10/9, sundown to Sunday, 10/11, sundown)
Virtual Band Lessons for Grades 4-8

Band is starting!  All students in grades 4-8 are welcome to participate in virtual band this year through Eighty Eight Notes School of Music. 

Band will be moving from the classroom to the computer. Students will have a 1:1 online lesson every Wednesday or Thursday, and once a month they will all gather for a virtual recital. Lessons will start October 7. The cost is $59/month.

If interested, please use this Registration Link or contact Sean PrichardWhile there is no firm deadline, please try to register by October 5 so that they can create the lesson schedule for the upcoming Wednesday and Thursday.

Drop Off and Pickup Reminders
  • Please make sure your child is ready to exit the car when pulling up in the drop off line. Please make sure they are unbuckled and all their items are gathered so they can make a quick exit from the car. 
  • During pick up you must stay in your car. We know it is tempting to get out to socialize but this really does slow down the pick up process. 
  • Students should only enter and exit a vehicle from the passenger side. Please do not block crosswalks. 
  • For dismissal, please make sure your vehicle ID cards are placed in the front window with your student's first and last name clearly written.
Condolences 
 
Condolences to Heilicher  parents Cantor Josh Fineblum and Andrea Golden, and their children, Jonah and Gordy, on the passing of Josh's grandmother Selma Cutler. 


Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School
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