The fluctuating weather can't stop students from having fun outside! Our youngest students enjoyed tetherball on Wednesday. |
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Purim 5782
Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrating the redemption of the Jews from Haman’s plot to destroy them in Persia, circa 357 BCE. This year, Purim begins Wednesday night, March 16/14 Adar. It is preceded by Taanit Ester, the Fast of Esther, commemorating the fast Queen Esther asked the Jewish people to observe as she prepared herself to approach the king and reverse Haman’s decree.
Purim is a beloved holiday for many reasons. It preserves yet another instance of the familiar redemption narrative (once an evil man wanted to destroy the Jewish people but did not succeed), but without significant dietary restrictions (Pesach). It is also only one day rather than seven or eight (Pesach and Chanukah). This makes it an easier holiday to prepare for: its four central mitzvot (commanded rituals; hearing Megillat Ester (Scroll of Esther), participating in a holiday feast, sending mishloach manot (portions/treats),” and giving gifts to the poor) can be achieved in a variety of ways easily. The emphasis on role reversals, the hidden versus the revealed (as expressed in the costumes and food ways), the Purim spiel/parody, and the permission to be raucous in synagogue give Purim a carnival-like ambience. What’s not to like?
But Purim addresses a serious question relevant to today’s world: what is the best way for a Jewish community in the Diaspora to safeguard its future? Esther becomes the leader of a Jewish Diaspora community whose survival requires practical political engagement. Megillat Ester can be read as a political tract, arguing the importance of staying as close as possible to the center of power. It offers a case study in crisis management, providing a Jewish lens on leadership. Coupled with God’s “invisibility” in the Megillah, Purim provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of faith, courage, action, and principle in Jewish life today.
Doc
Director of Jewish Living and Learning
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Purim Week: Costume Themes and Purim Day Activities
Mishenichnas adar marbim b’simcha (Our joy increases when Adar begins!)
Purim at Heilicher began on Rosh Chodesh Adar II (The New Month of Adar) with Funny Hat Day. Spirit Week (March 14-18) continues the fun, with a different dress-up challenge each day:
Monday, March 14: (Book/Cartoon/Movie/Celebrity) Character Dress Up
Tuesday, March 15: Pajama Day
Wednesday, March 16: (Sports/Other) Team Jerseys
Thursday, March 17: Any Costume — It's Purim!
Friday, March 18: Class Colors:
K-1: Red | 2-3: Orange | 4-5: Yellow | 6: Green | 7: Blue | 8: Purple
Faculty and Staff: Rainbow
PLEASE NOTE: Heilicher does not permit any form of weapon or full-face mask to be incorporated into any costume.
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On Purim Day, Heilicher students will engage in each of the four mitzvot of Purim.
Megillah: The day begins with a “Movable Megillah” reading. Eighth-grade students will read excerpts from Megillat Ester to three grade-level clusters in the auditorium, Beit Knesset, and lunch room. Sixth-grade students will augment the reading with vignettes between sections.
S’udat Purim (Purim Feast): The school will augment lunch with kosher certified hamentaschen, and guest clergy will Zoom in with stories and jokes during lunchtime.
Mishloach Manot (goody bag exchange): Each grade will participate in an internal mishloach manot program. PLEASE NOTE: the school is aware of students’ individual dietary needs/restrictions and will provide for them. If you have questions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Matanot La-Evyonim (gifts to the poor): A school-wide drive will allow each student to contribute matanot la-evyonim by bringing in either kosher for Passover food items or money for Ukrainian Jewish relief. (More information on donating below.)
Finally, the day will close with the seventh-grade students regaling the school with a Zoom broadcast of a Purim spiel.
Please be on the lookout for more information during the coming week.
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Torah Thoughts from Doc
Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Vayikra. Each of us can come together for common good.
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Mark Your Calendars!
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Thursday, March 17 - Purim (see above for more about the entire week of March 14)
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Friday, March 18 - Friday Dismissal returns to 3:15 p.m. for the remainder of the school year
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Friday, March 18 - Kicks for Kids Parent Volunteer Meeting, 8:20 a.m., in person, location TBD
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Thursday, March 24 - NO SCHOOL, Parent-Teacher Conferences
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Friday, March 25 - NO SCHOOL
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Tuesday, March 29 - Connection and Conversation: A Heilicher Parent Town Hall, 7 p.m., Manny Fingerhut Auditorium (streaming option will be available)
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Thursday, March 31 - Information Evening for Prospective Parents, 7-8:30 p.m., in person at Heilicher
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Thursday, April 7 (7 p.m.), and Sunday, April 10 (2 p.m.) - Heilicher Grades 7-8 Play, "Beauty and the Beast," Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre
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Friday, April 15 - Friday, April 22 - NO SCHOOL, Passover Break
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Sunday, May 1 - Heilicher Kicks for Kids on the Soccer Field
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Sunday, May 1-Thursday, May 5 - Grade 8 DC Trip
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Get Involved: Heilicher Kicks for Kids!
You are invited to come to an in-person "kickstart" meeting on Friday, March 18, at 8:20 a.m. (following drop-off) to find out how you can get involved with the Heilicher K-7 Kicks for Kids Fundraiser.
Heilicher Kicks for Kids is a fun opportunity for you and your kids to raise money to “sponsor” them in our all-school kickball tournament, while building community and supporting the school we love! The tournament will be held on Sunday, May 1, on the soccer field. We will have a lot to celebrate, as this will be our first time together as a whole-school community since March 2020!
K-7 student(s) must be registered with Get Movin'© by Monday, March 14.
On Wednesday your child(ren) brought home information on how to register with Get Movin’©, and you also received an email with more details about the fundraiser and kickball tournament. Dollars raised will be used to support scholarships and programming for our entire Heilicher community.
Thank you for your support of Heilicher!
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Matanot La-Evyonim: Gifts for Those in Need
Heilicher invites students to fulfill the mitzvah (mandate) of giving to those in need with donations for Ukraine as well as our community. Students can bring donations at any time through Purim, Thursday, March 17.
Heilicher has options for giving:
- Bring food that is kosher for Passover, which will help local Jewish people eat during Passover. Food can be dropped off at the tables outside the main office.
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Bring tzedakah (charitable giving) money to be given out to those in need on Purim Day.
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Contribute to the Minneapolis Jewish Federation fund to support Jewish communities in Ukraine. Learn more and donate directly to the Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund, or bring money to our tzedakah boxes at school to be donated to the fund.
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Friday Dismissal Time Change
With the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, Friday dismissal will return to 3:15 p.m. beginning March 18.
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Sign Up for Spring Conferences - Thursday, March 24
Heilicher Spring Conferences will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 24, from 8-11 a.m., 12-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Note that there are no conferences from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. or 4-5 p.m. to allow teachers to have a lunch and dinner break.
If you have a student in grades K-5, please make sure to sign up for a 20-minute block with your child's General Studies Teacher and 10-minute blocks with their Hebrew, Jewish Studies, and Specialist Teachers. Note: Susan Vlodaver teaches many students across all K-5 grade levels, which means limited availability, so please sign up for one time slot per family.
If you have a student in grades 6-8, you should sign up for a 10-minute block of time with each of your child's teachers.
Reminder: if you are signing up for conferences with more than one teacher or signing up for conferences for multiple children, be sure to look for the “Register for multiple conferences” button to help coordinate your times.
IMPORTANT:
Grades K-2 Conferences are PARENTS ONLY.
Grades 3-8 Conferences should involve both parents and children.
Note that there will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, March 24, or Friday, March 25.
Questions? Contact Mel Newman in the Heilicher Office.
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Register for March 24-25 School's Out Programming
Mid-Winter Break at Heilicher was so much fun! Your student is not going to want to miss this next round of School's Out programming happening March 24-25. All programs will take place at the Barry Family Campus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration at myschoolaccount.com closes one week prior to the programming date — next Thursday and Friday!
School's Out Calendar:
Thursday, March 24: Spring Time Fun and Games
Friday, March 25: Board Games and Perler Beads Galore!
*All 2021-2022 programming information is subject to change.
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Connection and Conversation: A Heilicher Parent Town Hall
We invite all Heilicher parents to join us in the Manny Fingerhut Auditorium for a special Heilicher Parent Town Hall on Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. A streaming option will also be available.
The event will be led by Heilicher Board President Robyn Schein and Heilicher Acting Head of School Maia Poling. If you have a question you want addressed at the Town Hall, please submit your question using this form.
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Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr
Tickets Now Available Online
Join us for "Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr," performed by Heilicher seventh and eighth graders, on Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 10, at 2 p.m. in the Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre on the Barry Family Campus.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for students and are available to be purchased online. Please note that prices will increase to $12 for adults and $10 for students on April 1.
Shows have been known to sell out, so get your tickets early. If available, additional tickets will be sold at the door.
Important: all attendees must wear a mask and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination (including a booster) or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event.
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Grade 8 Gertens Plant and Flower Sale
Spring is just around the corner! The eighth-grade class is selling Gertens plants and flowers now through 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, to raise money for their spring trip to Washington, DC. All orders are online this year!
To place an order, go to gertensfundraising.com and enter Store ID code 415 to get to the Heilicher 8th Grade Class page.
If you are not ordering from a specific eighth-grade student, please enter the word "Heilicher" into the "Seller's Name" field on the order form.
Orders will only be accepted through 10 p.m. on April 7. Pick-up will be on Monday, May 2, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sabes JCC.
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After-School Volunteer Opportunity:
Girls on the Run Assistant Coach
Heilicher needs one more volunteer assistant coach to be able to run our Girls on the Run: Heart and Sole (6-8) season this spring! Practices will be Tuesdays/Thursdays from 3:50 to 5:20 p.m., April 5-June 7. Assistant coaches must commit to one practice per week, and adults of all gender identities are encouraged to participate.This is a fun and rewarding opportunity with minimal time commitment. Contact Evelyn Sadlowski with any questions. For more information visit the GOTR website.
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Lunch Volunteers Needed
We are now allowing registered, adult visitors into the building. All adult volunteers must be fully vaccinated and must wear a mask at all times. Proof of vaccination must be displayed upon arrival.
We have a particular need for volunteers for lunch duty. We request that volunteers commit to helping for the same day of the week/time of day for one month. Sign up for March 2022 lunch duty, and contact Ali Berdass with any questions.
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Heilicher Head of School (HOS) Search Update
Thank you for participating in last month’s listening sessions and for your responses to the HOS survey. Your voices and perspectives were instrumental in giving our search consultant, Jane Armstrong, an accurate picture of Heilicher as both a school and community. She took the gathered information into account when writing the Opportunity Statement that is being used to recruit candidates for the Head of School role. The Statement is also posted on Heilicher’s Head of School webpage — please share this document with your networks to help us find the best candidate to lead our school!
The Search Committee is currently sourcing candidates, and will provide additional updates as the process progresses.
As always, please feel free to reach out to the HOS Search Committee Co-Chairs at HOSsearch@hmjds.org with any feedback or questions.
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Spirit Shop Open Through March 22
Show off your Heilicher pride with items from our online spirit wear shop. Check out our shirts, hats, water bottles, and more! Place your order by Tuesday, March 22.
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Mazel Tov
Mazel tov to Heilicher parent Mike Joslin and his son, Heilicher student Giuseppe, on the birth of Mike's child, Zenebi.
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