Heilicher Color Run Fundraiser

On Friday, June 2, after a fun day at Maccabi Games, we invite all Heilicher families to watch a noncompetitive, friendly race around the field. As students run, walk, or even dance through the field, they will be showered in safe, eco-friendly, powdered chalk, giving each Heilicher student 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.

Our Goals:

• 100% student participation!
• $36,000 — Double Chai! If each student raises $250, we’ll easily reach our goal.

We have teamed up with 99 Pledges to make this event fun and profitable with mobile-friendly technology. You should have received an email from 99 Pledges with information to register your child. Although this is an online fundraising platform, 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 make sure to 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 record a short video of why they love Heilicher that you can send 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 at the Sabes JCC outdoor pool! (broken down into three different groups/shifts)

Thank you to the generous Color Run sponsors: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Open Door Financial, and American Drapery Systems.

Torah Thoughts and Pirkei Avot with Doc

Read a brief message about this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim. We all have the privilege and responsibility of k’dushah, sanctity.

It is a long-standing Jewish practice to study Pirkei Avot (Chapters/Ethics of the Fathers) each Shabbat afternoon between Pesach and Shavuot. This works out to one chapter each Shabbat. Consider Rabbi Shimon’s instructions about prayer and evil in Avot 2:18.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Sunday, April 30 - Community Yom Ha-atzmaut Celebration with Heilicher Choir Performance, 5-8 p.m., Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
• 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

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

Key Dates for 2023-2024

Community Yom Ha-atzmaut Celebration

The Minnesota JCC invites community members to celebrate Yom Ha-atzmaut on Sunday, April 30, 5-8 p.m., at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. Enjoy Israeli music, performances — including one by the Heilicher choir, activities for adults and kids, rides, and more.

The event is free, but preregistration is required. Learn more and register on the JCC website.

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.

Ahead of the meeting, please review the Board Slate. RSVP for the meeting and the reception by Monday, May 1.

School's Out: Last Day of School

Heilicher will offer School’s Out from noon to 4 p.m. on the last day of school, Thursday, June 8. 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. Registration will be open on Jumbula from Monday, May 1, to Thursday, June 1.

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.

Farewell to Student Services Coordinator Courtney Shaw

Tomorrow is Student Services Coordinator Courtney Shaw’s last day at Heilicher. The Heilicher community is grateful for Courtney’s commitment to our students and families. Her calm manner, deep knowledge, and work to support students and staff will be missed. We wish Courtney all the best in her future endeavors!

Reminder: Vending Machines Prohibited During School

Please provide a snack for your students every day. Use of vending machines is prohibited during school hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Any items purchased from vending machines during that time will be confiscated until the end of the school day.

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 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 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.