We are off to a sweet new year at Heilicher! Have a meaningful Yom Kippur. |
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Yom Kippur 5782
Yom Kippur is called Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment, and our image of God is influenced by years of exposure to a liturgy describing a stern and unyielding accounting of our deeds. Yet, it is equally fitting to call Yom Kippur Yom Harachamim, the Day of Compassion, because God’s mercy always trumps God’s judgment. This is a central message in the Book of Jonah, the prophetic reading chosen by the rabbis for the mincha (afternoon) service on Yom Kippur.
Jonah is unique among biblical prophets: he is the only one to cause an entire city to repent with just one warning! But repentance may not be the book’s central message. Dr. David Lieber (1925-2008; rabbi, scholar, and editor of the Etz Hayim chumash (Tree of Life printed Torah and commentary)) says the real message is revealed when Jonah responds with dismay when God forgives the Ninevites. Jonah explains this is precisely why he ran away from God’s call to prophecy: “For I know you are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, renouncing punishment” (Jonah 4:2). Why should Jonah risk his personal comfort and safety prophesying to the Ninevites if he knows God will just forgive them in the end?
The book of Jonah offers two messages of compassion and mercy, one explicit and one inferred. The explicit message is to be grateful for God’s compassion, which is the true source of our existence (rather than our repentance). The inferred message is to emulate God’s generosity of spirit by offering more compassion and less judgment to those around us.
G’mar Chatima Tova!/A Good Signing and Sealing
Dr. David Ackerman,
Director of Jewish Living and Learning
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Mark Your Calendars!
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Thursday, September 16 - No School: Yom Kippur
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Monday, September 20 - Early Dismissal: 2 p.m.
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Tuesday, September 21 - No School: Sukkot
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Wednesday, September 22 - No School: Sukkot
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Friday, September 24 - Next deadline for all-inclusive hot lunch program—more info below
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Sunday, September 26 - Grades 2-3 author event with PJ Library—more info below
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Tuesday, September 28 - No School: Sukkot
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Wednesday, September 29 - No School: Sukkot
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POSTPONED: Heilicher Annual Benefit
We have made the difficult decision to postpone the Heilicher Annual Benefit honoring alumni parents and community leaders Stacy Pinck and Brad Birnberg and Jill and Jon Halper. Our hope and intention is to be able to hold the Benefit as an in-person event in the Spring of 2022.
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HaBonim is Hiring
Heilicher's after-school care program has a paid opportunity for those 16+ to build relationships with students in a fun, active, and meaningful way. Check out the job description, and email Evelyn Sadlowski to apply.
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Looking for Room Parents
We are looking for room parents this year. The role of the room parent is to be the liaison between the class and the school. Throughout the year you may be asked send out a few emails, organize teacher gifts, and help find volunteers.
We hope to have one room parent per K-5 class and one room parent per 6-8 grade. Please email Ali Berdass if you are interested and include the class/grade you would like to help in.
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Next Option to Join the All-Inclusive Hot Lunch Program
We are pleased to hear that there are still students who would like to join the all-inclusive lunch program. Students may join starting on Monday, October 4.
If your child would like to sign up, please email Annie Byrne by Friday, September 24. The same date applies to take your child out of the lunch program.
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Grades 6-8 Biking Agreement
Students in grades 6-8 may bike unaccompanied to/from Heilicher with parent permission.
Younger children may not bike to school with siblings or friends in grades 6-8. Bikes should be properly locked on bicycle racks by the front entrance to the Sabes JCC. After locking their bikes, students should walk in through the main Sabes JCC entrance with the other students.
At the end of the day, all bikers will be dismissed together via the north entrance, and will be responsible for walking to the bike rack by themselves and biking home.
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Partnership Program with PJ Library Grades 2&3
Calling all second and third graders! Join PJ Library author Elana Rubinstein for a virtual Sukkot event Sunday, September 26, at 2 p.m.
Elana will share her journey to becoming a children’s author and the role Judaism plays in her creative life, addressing why it’s important for Jewish children to see themselves reflected positively in contemporary literature. She will also share her process of turning an idea into a book.
Register by Sunday, September 19, to receive a free autographed copy of Elana’s newest PJ Library book, "Starlight Soup." You will be sent a Zoom link the week of the event. Contact Carrie Fink at PJ Library with questions.
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Family Directory in Sycamore
Use Sycamore online or through the app to access the school directory, which can be found under "Front Desk" in the left sidebar.
Please do not use the directory list for business promotion. Acceptable uses of the directory include communicating about school and planning get-togethers outside of school.
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Pick-up and Drop-off Procedure Reminders
When pulling away from the curb and at all times in the parking lot, be aware of families and students walking by.
Attention Walkers: Bring your blue identification card with you if you park and walk up to the building for pick up.
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Heilicher Communication Center Reminder
Please use the Heilicher Communication Center to report absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups from HaBonim, Athletics, and After-School Activities. The Communication Center is accessible through the top right corner of our website, and the after-school reporting forms are then available in the left sidebar. Please continue to use the Communication Center for all reporting related to attendance and heath, including COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure.
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Condolences
Condolences to Heilicher Acting Head of School Maia Poling and her husband, Patrick Barry, and their children, Adrian and Otto, on the passing of Maia's father, Clark Poling.
Mazel Tov!
Mazel Tov to Heilicher student Sarah Beugen on her recent Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, September 11, at Temple Israel.
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Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School
STAY CONNECTED
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