Third graders learned about ceramic pillows from the Chinese Song Dynasty through the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Art Adventure Program. Ask K-4 students what it was like to lay their heads on a hard pillow! |
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Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) 5782
Today is Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). It was established as a national holiday in Israel in 1953, where it is called Yom Hazikaron laShoah v’laG’vurah (Holocaust and Heroism Memorial Day). It is observed by Jewish communities around the world. It is always observed on the 27th of Nisan unless the 27th would be adjacent to Shabbat, in which case it is shifted by a day.
Yom Hashoah is a good example of how the commemoration of a historical event was used to promote a particular perspective supporting the master narrative of the Zionist Movement. Creating a special day of remembrance and mourning was not universally accepted. Many Jews in Israel, particularly ritually observant Jews, advocated against the concept, arguing the Jewish calendar already had an appropriate day: the ninth of Av, the traditional day for mourning national tragedies like the destruction of the Temple and the expulsion from Spain. But the Labor Zionists, the ruling party in Israel at the time, preferred a date that didn’t emphasize the religious history of the Jewish people. This was in keeping with their secular approach to Hebrew and Jewish culture. They selected the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising for a day of mourning. This, too, reflected the attitude in Israel at the time that Zionism was the antidote to the centuries-old attitude of Jewish passivity. It is not accidental that the national day of mourning spotlighted those who fought back. Because the Warsaw Ghetto uprising began on the evening of Passover, the current date (halfway between Passover and Israel’s Memorial Day for its soldiers) was a compromise between the religious and nonreligious factions in Israel. (A day of mourning is incompatible with the celebration of Passover.)
The Labor Zionists certainly wanted to honor the memory of all the Holocaust victims. But they also had an interest in implanting a certain collective memory through the commemorative rituals that told the story in a certain way. It wasn’t until the Eichmann trial in 1961, when survivor testimony was entered as factual evidence in court, that public discourse in Israel about the Holocaust and Holocaust survivors began to change.
Yehi Zichram Baruch. May their memories be a blessing.
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Torah Thoughts and Pirkei Avot with Doc
Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Acharei Mot. To question and challenge is a way to strengthen and preserve.
Pesach is connected to Shavuot by a 49-day period called the Omer (sheaf) that marks the beginning of the barley harvest. Read more about S’firat Ha-omer (Counting the Omer).
There is a tradition to study Mishnah Avot, also known as Pirkei Avot (Chapters/Ethics of the Fathers), during the Shabbat afternoons during the Omer, which works out to one chapter each afternoon. Take a quick look at chapter one and some questions to think about.
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Mark Your Calendars!
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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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Monday, May 2 - Gertens Flower Sale Pickup, 2-4:30 p.m.
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Thursday, May 12 - Grade 8 Field Trip to Guthrie Theater (more information was shared directly with Grade 8 families)
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Monday, May 16 - Grade 5 Big Stone Mini Golf and Sculpture Garden Field Trip (more information will be shared directly with Grade 5 families)
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Thursday, May 19 - Heilicher Annual Benefit, 5:30 p.m., Beth El Synagogue
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Monday, May 23-Wednesday, May 25 - Grades 6-7 Trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
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Friday, May 27 - Maccabi Games and 2 P.M. DISMISSAL
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Kicks for Kids is this Sunday, May 1!
We are currently at $25,233, which is approximately 65% of our fundraising goal of $38,000. Let’s use these last few days as a final push!
On Monday, Minnesota Vikings Kicker (and Jewish day school alumnus) Greg Joseph gave Heilicher students a little extra motivation for the final stretch. WATCH IT HERE!
For details about Sunday's event and volunteer opportunities, please refer to Monday's email.
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Gertens Plant Sale Pickup on May 2
If you ordered plants from the eighth-grade plant sale, remember to pick up your plants at the Sabes JCC between 2 and 4:40 p.m. on Monday, May 2. Pickup will take place from the outside door to the Activity Center (Door 2, just to the left of the main entrance next to the flagpole). Please park and walk up to the outside door where a volunteer will bring your plants to you You do not need to enter the building. If you have a large order, feel free to park at the curb so you won’t have to walk as far. If you are unable to pick up during this time, please make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to pick them up for you.
*Helpful hint: having plastic or a tarp spread out will protect your car from dirt and mud.
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Bake Challot for Teacher Appreciation Week!
Teacher Appreciation Week is next week! After the great success last year, Heilicher families are going to once again bake challot for our teachers and staff. Please email Sharon Feinstein-Rosenblum if you can bake and how many challot. Last year Heilicher families baked over 70 challot! Challot should be delivered to the office on Thursday, May 5.
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Yom Ha'atzmaut at the JCC
Celebrate Israel's 74th birthday with music, games, dancing, food, and fun after school on Thursday, May 5, 4-6:30 p.m. Enjoy interactive displays, get henna, tour the inspiring Landscapes of Home gallery exhibition, join in a community sing-a-long and Israeli folk dancing, etc. — experience some of what makes modern Israel such a special and important place! See the JCC flyer for more information on the fun for all ages. We'll see you at the bouncy house!
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Apply Now: Mindy and Dan Ribnick Family Tuition Grant for Community Volunteers
Due to the generosity of Heilicher alumni parents Mindy and Dan Ribnick, the school will once again offer a tuition grant program for approximately 4-5 Heilicher students whose parents volunteer in the Jewish community. Grants awarded will be for 18% of 2022-23 tuition. This grant program is not financial-need based.
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Join Us! Kabbalat Shabbat and Senior Walk Friday, May 27
*Dismissal will be at 2:00 p.m. on that date
Friday, May 27, is our Maccabi Games (field day), and we invite you to join us for Kabbalat Shabbat at 1 p.m. and a Senior Walk at 1:30 p.m. outside on the field. Our alumni graduating high school seniors will visit and share their Heilicher memories and future plans! Feel free to bring blankets or chairs.
Dismissal on May 27 will be EARLY at 2 p.m., following the Senior Walk.
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Benefit Volunteers
We hope to see you at the May Heilicher Benefit! Please consider volunteering to help the event run smoothly. Volunteer spots are available for before, during, and after the Benefit. Sign up to volunteer.
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Volunteer Opportunities
We are now allowing registered, adult visitors into the building. All adult volunteers must be fully vaccinated and comply with Heilicher's COVID-19 protocols.
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Condolences
Condolences to Heilicher parents Ron and Shira Krebs and their children, Yonit, Dahlia, Avital, and Eytan, on the passing of Ron's mother, Margot Krebs. Hamakom y'nachem etchem — May God comfort you.
Condolences to former faculty member Karen Malka, her husband Ronen, and their children, Talia and Mira, on the passing of Karen's father, Ron Rabinovitz. Hamakom y'nachem etchem — May God comfort you.
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