Dr. Dan Visits Israel

Many Heilicher parents, alumni parents, alumni, and Heilicher staff visited Israel with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. The staff included Head of School Dr. Dan Ahlstrom, middle school language arts teacher Shannon Ahlstrom, and first-grade teaching assistant Amanda Awend. Dr. Dan reflects on his experience in Israel.

* * *

Shannon and I had a truly life-changing experience in Israel with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.

The trip was filled with a variety of experiences that broadened our perspectives and deepened our understanding of the country and its people. We had the privilege of meeting Holocaust survivors on a kibbutz and hearing their stories firsthand. It was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

We also spent time in a Bedouin village, where we learned about their rich culture and way of life. This experience was eye-opening and gave us a newfound appreciation for the diversity that exists within Israeli society.

Keep reading Dr. Dan’s reflections on the Heilicher Blog.

Torah Thoughts and Pirkei Avot with Doc

Read a brief message about this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Emor. What makes Shavuot different from other holidays?

It is a long-standing Jewish practice to study Pirkei Avot (Chapters/Ethics of the Fathers) each Shabbat afternoon during the Omer, between Pesach and Shavuot. This works out to one chapter each Shabbat. Consider Torah and nature in Avot 3:9.

Lag BaOmer is the 33rd day of the Omer, which falls on Tuesday, May 9. Read about the holiday's three stories.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Monday, May 8 - Gertens Plant and Flower Pickup, 2-4:30 p.m., Sabes JCC
• Wednesday, May 10 - Heilicher Annual Meeting, 7 p.m., Beth El Synagogue
• Thursday, May 18 - Mainstream Boutique Mom’s Night Fundraiser, 6-7:30 p.m., Mainstream Boutique, Golden Valley
• Friday, May 19 - Application Deadline for Mindy and Dan Ribnick Family Tuition Grant for Community Volunteers
• Sunday, May 21 - Family Park Playdate, 2-3:30 p.m., Wolfe Park
• Wednesday, May 24 - Parent Art & Wine Night, 7-9 p.m., Studio Inside Out
• Friday, May 26 - NO SCHOOL: Shavuot
• Monday, May 29 - NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
• Friday, June 2 - Maccabiah (Field Day) 2 P.M. EARLY DISMISSAL
• Tuesday, June 6 - Summer Soiree for Parents, Faculty, and Staff, 7:30-9 p.m., Sabes JCC Outdoor Pool Deck
• Wednesday, June 7 - Grade 8 Graduation, 4-5:30 p.m., Dolly & Edward Fiterman Theatre, Barry Family Campus

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

Key Dates for 2023-2024

Gertens Plant and Flower Pickup

Those who ordered Gertens plants and flowers from the eighth-grade fundraiser may pick up their items on Monday, May 8, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sabes JCC.

Annual Meeting and Reception Honoring Beckie Skelton

Please join us to recognize volunteers and staff milestones and vote on the 2023-2024 Board slate on Wednesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue. Come from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. for a reception honoring Beckie Skelton, our outgoing Institutional Advancement Director.

RSVP for the meeting and the reception. Please review the Board Slate.

What Jewish Overnight Camps Are Your Kids Attending?

Heilicher Admissions would like to send some fun, summer swag to our campers and perhaps go visit them for a day! Please take a moment to fill out a short survey to share where your grades 2-8 child(ren) will be attending Jewish overnight camp this summer by Monday, May 15.

Mindy and Dan Ribnick Family Tuition Grant for Community Volunteers

The Mindy and Dan Ribnick Family Tuition Grant Program for Community Volunteers makes possible grants of 18% of total tuition (chai) for approximately four Heilicher students per school year. Any parent or guardian of a newly enrolled or re-enrolled student(s) for the 2023-2024 school year is invited to submit an application by Friday, May 19. Please reach out to Karen Hoppe with any questions.

School's Out: Last Day of School

Registration for School's Out on the last day of school is open on Jumbula through Thursday, June 1. School's Out will be offered Thursday, June 8, from noon to 4 p.m. All students will need to bring a dairy or parve (non-meat) lunch from home. Students will enjoy a carnival with games, popsicles, bubbles, and chalk.

Heilicher Maccabi Games and Color Run

Friday, June 2 — Dismissal will be at 2 p.m.

The Heilicher Maccabi Games (field day) and the Heilicher Color Run will be on Friday, June 2. IMPORTANT: School will dismiss early, at 2 p.m., on this date.

Teams were revealed yesterday at All-School Lunch, so be sure to ask your child(ren) if they are on red, yellow, green, or blue. 

There are many opportunities to volunteer to help out with the Maccabi Games. Sign up for a shift!

A special, no-cost lunch will be provided for all students on June 2. The lunch will be an impossible burger, chips, and watermelon. If you wish to have your student opt out of this lunch, please email Annie Byrne by noon on Tuesday, May 23, and plan to send a dairy/parve lunch from home that day.

The Heilicher Color Run will begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by popsicles and songs. Please join us.

Color Run Fundraiser

On Friday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m., we invite Heilicher families to watch a noncompetitive race around the field. Students will be showered in safe, eco-friendly, powdered chalk as they go, giving them each a unique tie-dye look. The Color Run will be a celebration of the students’ efforts to raise money to support Heilicher’s arts and athletics.

You should have received an email from 99 Pledges with information to register your child for online fundraising. We will also accept donations via check (made payable to Heilicher) or cash. These can be turned in to Ali Berdass in the office.

Please share the fundraising web page with friends and family. Your child can be found by searching their first name and last initial. To promote the fundraiser, consider having your child send a short video of why they love Heilicher with the appeal to friends and family, or have them call family members and ask for their support. Getting them involved in telling their story is the best way to encourage people to give!

Our Students Are Excited About the Incentives:

• Any grade that hits 100% participation can pick a special day (e.g., stuffy/pajama day)!
• When we raise $18,000, an ice cream truck will visit the school during recess and lunch!
• When we raise $36,000, we will have a pool party (in shifts) at the Sabes JCC outdoor pool!

From the Parent-Teacher Organization

Shop and Support Heilicher

Join the PTO for a Heilicher moms’ night out on Thursday, May 18, 6-7:30 p.m., at Mainstream Boutique in Golden Valley (679 Winnetka Avenue North). Come for wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to check out all the beautiful styles! Mainstream Boutique will donate 15% of proceeds to Heilicher! 

Can't attend in the evening? Mainstream Boutique will also generously donate 15% of proceeds on items purchased that business day (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) — just mention Heilicher when you check out. 

See Mainstream Boutique's fashions, and contact Beckie Skelton at 612.419.3290 with any questions.

Family Park Playdate

The PTO will host a family park playdate on Sunday, May 21, 2-3:30 p.m. at Wolfe Park. Snacks and water will be provided. RSVP to Michele Kaplan Clinard by Sunday, May 14.

Parent Art & Wine Night

The Heilicher PTO invites you to a night of judgement-free, creative expression at Studio INSIDE OUT (4827 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park), Wednesday, May 24, 7-9 p.m. Connecting us to home and community, friends and family, we’ll make personalized mezuzot, sans kids! Wine and snacks will be provided. Free parking is available on the west side of the building. Space is limited, so RSVP today and no later than May 19. The cost is $36.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up to help at Maccabi Games, All-School Lunch, and/or All-School T'filah.

• Maccabiah: Volunteers are needed to help run games, walk with students, set up, clean up, serve lunch, and more on Friday, June 2.
• All-School Lunch: Help set up and clean up our all-school lunch on Wednesday(s) in the auditorium 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• All-School T'filah: Help set up for all-school t'filah (prayer) Monday(s) in the theater 8:15-9 a.m.

Grade-level volunteer opportunities will be sent out by room parents.