Purim is a beloved holiday for many reasons. It preserves yet another instance of the familiar redemption narrative: once an evil man (in fifth century Persia) wanted to destroy the Jewish people but did not succeed. However it is not a chag (holiday) with restrictions on behavior, and it is only one day rather than seven or eight. This makes it an easier holiday to prepare for, and its central rituals (hearing the Megillah (“scroll,” Book of Esther), participating in a holiday feast, sending “portions/treats,” and gifts to the poor) can be achieved, easily, in a variety of ways. 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? While the book of Esther can be read as another instance of God’s mighty hand redeeming the Jewish people, it also can be read as a political polemic, arguing the importance of staying as close as possible to the center of power. Jewish survival demands practical political engagement. In this reading, Esther becomes the paradigmatic leader of a Jewish diaspora community. Her behavior can be analyzed as a leadership text, providing a Jewish lens on leadership. Coupled with God’s “invisibility” in the Megillah — God is not explicitly named or mentioned (one of only two books in the Tanach (Jewish Bible) with that distinction) — Purim provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of faith, courage, and principle in Jewish life today.

Read a one-page version of the story of Purim.

Torah Thoughts from Doc

Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat T'tzavveh. The mishkan (Tabernacle) symbolizes the Jewish people.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Tuesday, March 7 - Purim — Parents Invited (more info below), 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Heilicher
• Friday, March 10 - Heilicher Shares Shabbat
• Wednesday, March 15 - Information Evening, 7 p.m., Heilicher
• Thursday, March 16 - Scholastic Book Fair, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Lieberman Library
• Thursday, March 16 - NOON EARLY DISMISSAL: Spring Conferences, 12:30-7:30 p.m., Heilicher
• Friday, March 17 - NO SCHOOL: Spring Conferences, 8-11 a.m., Heilicher
• Friday, March 17 - Scholastic Book Fair, 8 a.m.-noon, Lieberman Library

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

NEW! Key Dates for 2023-2024

Due Tomorrow: Re-enrollment and Tuition 2023-2024

As a reminder, current K-7 students will be automatically re-enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year. Please read the tuition set by our Heilicher Board of Trustees in its entirety and select a tuition deposit option by Friday, March 3, 2023. 

Financial aid applications are also due by Friday, March 3, 2023. To apply for financial assistance, fill out the online TADS application (toward the bottom of the page). See additional information about the financial aid application process and deadlines.

If you have questions, please contact Deborah Getsug about enrollment and Karen Hoppe regarding financial aid or tuition. Refer to the re-enrollment email sent last week for more information.

Purim Festivities

The school’s celebrations are designed to simulate/enact the four mitzvot (commandments) of Purim. These include hearing the Megillah (scroll), partaking in a Purim feast, exchanging “goodies,” and giving to the poor. Students and faculty will also come in costume, but that’s a custom, not a commandment.

Tzedakah Coin Collection

Heilicher will be collecting money for tzedakah through Tuesday, March 7 (Purim). Each day has a designated coin for collection: dimes on Friday, quarters on Monday, and half-dollars or more on Purim day (of course, the school will accept any coin or bill on any day!). Fun incentives are posted outside the Heilicher office.

Spirit Week

Purim celebrations began yesterday and will build to a climax on Purim. There will be a special challenge/theme/activity for each of the days leading up to Purim, including dress-up days:

• Friday, March 3: Team or College Jerseys
• Monday, March 6: Class Colors

K-1 Red | 2-3 Orange | 4-5 Yellow | 6 Green | 7 Blue | 8 Purple | Teachers: Rainbow

• Tuesday, March 7: Purim Costumes

Join the Fun!

Parents are invited to join the Heilicher Purim festivities on Tuesday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

• 11:05 a.m. — Purim Parade: Parents will line the hallway/lobby as students head to the Fiterman Theatre in costume.
• 11:15 a.m. — Megillah reading in the Fiterman Theatre, led by all middle school students.
• Noon — All-School Lunch*/Purim Seudah (festive meal) in the Manny Fingerhut Auditorium: Join us for songs and ruach! Students will sit in their assigned seats, and tables with refreshments and hamentashen with be set up for parents. Parents may bring a dairy/parve (no meat) lunch.

*All-School Lunch will be on Tuesday, March 7, instead of on Wednesday.

Author Visit for Grades 3-5: Dori Weinstein

Alumni parent and children's author Dori Weinstein will visit grades 3-5 students on Thursday, March 9. She will discuss writing and publishing and share her Jewish children's chapter book series Yaya & Yoyo.

Dori will be selling Yaya & Yoyo books during conferences on Thursday, March 16. You can order ahead with the preorder form.

Sign Up for Conferences — March 16 and 17

Heilicher Spring Conferences will be Thursday, March 16, 12:50-4:10 p.m. and 4:50-7:30 p.m., and Friday, March 17, 8-11 a.m. Note: No conferences on Thursday from 4:10 to 4:50 p.m. to allow teachers to have a meal break.

Sign up for spring conference times by Sunday, March 12. To sign up or change times after March 12, contact the teachers you want to meet with or Mollie Divine.

If you have students in grades K-5, please make sure to sign up for a 20-minute block with your child(ren)'s general studies teacher and 10-minute blocks with their Hebrew and Jewish studies teachers. Those with students in grades 6-8 should sign up for a 10-minute block with each of their child(ren)’s teachers. All middle school teachers and specialists available for drop-in conferences in the Manny Fingerhut Auditorium on both days. 

Reminder: If you are signing up for conferences with more than one teacher or 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 the early dismissal at noon on Thursday, March 16, and NO SCHOOL on Friday, March 17.  

Questions? Contact Mollie Divine.

Scholastic Book Fair — During Conferences

The Scholastic Book Fair is back! Visit the fair in the Lieberman Library at Heilicher during Heilicher Spring Conferences, Thursday, March 16, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and Friday, March 17, 8 a.m.-noon. K-5 students must be accompanied by an adult.



Want to help? See volunteer opportunities at the bottom of the Roar.

March School's Out: Conferences

School's Out is available during conferences, the afternoon of Thursday, March 16, and all day Friday, March 17. Go to Jumbula for more details and to sign up. Registration closes Sunday, March 12.

Thursday's School's Out programming will include an art project, and Snapology will come in to do activities Friday morning.

School's Out will also be offered during Passover Break on April 5, 10, and 11, as well as on April 14, a professional development day. More information to come in the following weeks.

Grade 8 Gertens Plant and Flower Sale

Spring is just around the corner! The eighth-grade class is selling Gertens plants and flowers through April 6 to raise money for their spring trip to Washington, D.C.

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 Thursday, April 6. Pick-up will be on Monday, May 8, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sabes JCC.

Library Update: Overdue Notices

Beginning this month overdue notices will be sent by email to students and parents. Overdue notices will typically be sent the first week of each month. If your student is still reading a book that is overdue, please have them stop by the library with the book, and Ms. Cook will renew it for them. Happy reading!

Policy Reminders

Attendance

An important part of our school community is a strong start to the day. Classroom instruction begins at 8:15 a.m. daily, with important things happening right away. Arriving late can make the rest of that day difficult for a student in both academic and social ways. Students are expected to be in their classrooms and ready to begin at 8:15. If your child arrives at school at 8:15, they will be marked tardy. If you are having difficulty with on-time arrival, please connect with your child's teacher or Andrea Hansen to discuss support options. 

Phones

To maximize student learning and avoid distractions, students are not allowed to use their phones during the school day. Please review the school's phone policy:

Cell phones (and other communication devices, such as wi-fi enabled watches) are not for use during the school day — from arrival at 8 a.m. until end of dismissal — for any purpose. All such devices should be turned off and should be kept in a locker throughout the defined school day. The only exception to this is if a teacher directs students to use the camera, timer, or another feature for classroom purposes.

Violation of this policy will result in confiscation of the device and communication with parents (from the faculty member who confiscated the device), requiring the parent to come into the office or communicate directly with the office to retrieve the phone. Continued policy violation will be responded to by administration.

If communication is required, the student may ask permission to use classroom or office phones. If you need to get a message to your child, please call the school office.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up to help at the Spring Book Fair, 7-8 Play, All-School Lunch and/or All-School T'filah.

• Book Fair: The Scholastic Book Fair is back! Volunteers can help set up on March 13, clean up after the fair, and/or run the book fair March 16-17 (during conferences).
• 7-8 Play: Volunteer slots are available between March 20 and March 26 to sell tickets and concessions and help during tech week and backstage.
• 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.