A Tree Grows in Israel: Tu B'Shvat 5783

Tu B’Shvat (the 15th of Shvat) is celebrated this year on February 6, 2023. It is an ancient and minor holiday in the Jewish calendar with a prescient message on the importance of trees. This is echoed in rabbinic literature: “Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai used to say, ‘If you are holding a sapling in your hands and someone announces the messiah's arrival, plant the sapling, and after that go meet the messiah’” (Avot d’rabbi Natan 2:31).

This year, one element of Heilicher’s Tu B’Shvat celebration is called “A Tree Grows in Israel” and involves all the families in the school. Here’s how the project will unfold: each family is being asked to reach out to a friend or family member in Israel (if you don’t have a friend or family member in Israel, Maayan and Naama, the school’s B’not Sherut, will provide a contact in Israel for you).

1. Ask that friend or family member to pick a tree that is meaningful to them. It might be a tree in their backyard they planted, a tree at a park they like to picnic under, a tree they pass on their way to work, or a tree they planted.
2. Ask that friend or family member to take a digital picture of the tree, provide the “story” of the tree (according to a set of questions the school will provide), and send them to you.
3. The school will collect all the pictures and stories and add them to a wall-sized map of Israel, according to where the trees grow. 

This activity will illustrate the trees in Israel Heilicher families are connected to and will celebrate the importance of trees and their stories in our personal lives.

More details to follow; thank you for your help in making this activity possible.

Torah Thoughts from Doc

Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Va-eira. God is many things.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Thursday, January 19 - 7-8 Girls Basketball Home Game, 4:30 p.m., Barry Family Campus Gym
• Monday, January 23 - 5-6 Co-ed Basketball Home Game, 4:30 p.m., Barry Family Campus Gym
• Wednesday, January 25 - 5-6 Co-ed Basketball Away Game, 4:30 p.m., Twin Cities German Immersion School
• Thursday, January 26 - 7-8 Girls Basketball Away Game, 7 p.m., Carondelet Catholic School
• Sunday, January 29 - Tu B'Shvat Sunday Family Fun Day for Kindergarten and First-Grade, 10-11:30 a.m., Heilicher
• Friday, February 3 - NOON EARLY DISMISSAL (NO LUNCH): Teacher Professional Development Day — School's Out Available

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

Last Chance: Midwinter Extracurriculars

There are still openings in some midwinter after-school activities and athletics. Registration for art classes closes Friday, January 20, or when the roster is full. All other classes close one week before the program start date or when the roster is full, whichever comes first. Register and learn more on Jumbula.

For further information on basketball or volleyball, please contact Lee Metzger. If you have questions about other activities, please reach out to Jeremy Savran.

Kindergarten and First Grade: Tu B'Shvat Family Fun

Families with children ages 1-7 are invited to connect with the greater community of young families for a mellow morning of fun on Sunday, January 29, 10-11:30 a.m.

We will have meaningful Tu B'Shvat craft projects, festive refreshments, and, of course, coffee.

This will be a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning with your family and friends. This program is part of a series of community outreach events by the Heilicher admissions team. Email Deborah Getsug or call her at 952.381.3523 to register.

Register for February School's Out

Heilicher will offer School's Out on the afternoon of Friday, February 3, from noon to 4 p.m. Programming includes a performance by a professional yo-yo player! Students must bring a cold dairy or parev lunch from home.

Registration for School's Out is available on Jumbula for $55 until one week before the program start date or when the roster is full, whichever comes first.

From the Parent-Teacher Organization

Heilicher Family Sledding Party

We had such a meaningful time at the tzedakah project event earlier this month, so we’d like to offer another opportunity for families to gather and have some fun! Please join us for an afternoon of sledding (make sure to bring your own sleds), hot cocoa, and treats on Sunday, February 12, from 2 to 4p.m. at Browndale Park, located a few minutes away from Heilicher. RSVP to Michele Kaplan Clinard by Thursday, February 9, so we can finalize food and drinks. Please bring a pair of gloves or hat to donate.

PTO Meeting Thursday, February 16

Come to a Parent-Teacher Organization meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, at Heilicher. Hear from the PTO chairs about upcoming opportunities and school news. Stay for a 7:30 webinar exclusive for Heilicher families to discuss.

Upcoming Parent Education Webinar

Following the PTO meeting on Thursday, February 16, we will host another viewing and discussion at Heilicher from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The webinar will be Raising Our Village: Creating A Culture of Dignity. RSVP to Michele Kaplan Clinard by Thursday, February 9. A link to the webinar will be shared in a future Roar in March for those unable to attend.

Save the Date

Volunteer Opportunities

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

• 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 us 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.