November 30, 2023

First grade is getting ready for Chanukah! They used oil pastel and tempera paint to adorn the Chanukah candle lighting blessing.

Student Reflection: Parashat Vayishlach and the Rally for Israel in D.C.

My name is Talia S., and I am an eighth grader here at Heilicher. This week's parashah (Torah portion) is Vayishlach, which is about Jacob and Esav reuniting. The night before the meeting, Jacob wrestled with an angel who blessed him and changed his name from Jacob to Israel. That moment in this parashah was really the creation of Israel. Now 3,000 years later we find ourselves in a new struggle. Israel is at war, and there is a rise in antisemitism in our country and across the world.

Talia S. traveled with a group of Heilicher and Twin Cities

community members to support Israel in D.C.

In response to this new struggle, two weeks ago I went with my mom and my brother to the rally in D.C. to support Israel and also to call for bringing home the hostages and fight against antisemitism. People came from all over the United States to unite and stand for Israel. Some people might think me going to the rally was just a way for me to miss school, but really it was because of school I was able to be present at the rally, and I really appreciated being at the rally.


Over 200 people from Minneapolis got up really really early at 3 a.m. and got on a chartered plane to Washington, D.C. On the plane Rabbi Davis taught about the idea of עליה הרגליים/aliyah hareglayim, showing up with our feet. It would have been easier to get more sleep and go to school like any normal Tuesday (and I did have to miss basketball practice), but this was a chance for me to show up with my feet. Just like Jacob felt like he had to meet with Esav, I felt that I had to show up to support Israel. Sometimes it can feel easier to just let things stay as they are, not rock the boat and stay home. Jacob knew he had to get up and make amends with his brother. And I knew I had to get up and go to D.C.


Continue reading on the Heilicher Blog.

Mark Your Calendars!


  • Tuesday, December 5 - PTO Parent Happy Hour, 7-9 p.m., Le Doña Cervecería Brewery
  • Wednesday, December 6 - Picture Retake Day
  • Wednesday, December 20 - Holidays Under Glass Choir Performance, noon-1 p.m., IDS Center
  • Saturday, December 23-Sunday, January 7 - NO SCHOOL: Winter Break
  • Monday, January 8 - School Resumes


View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2023-2024

Torah Thoughts From Doc


Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Vayishlach. Brothers Jacob and Esau juxtapose one another.

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PTO Parent Happy Hour


Join the PTO for a little adult fun from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, at Le Doña Cervecería Brewery (241 Fremont Ave. N., Minneapolis 55405).

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Picture Retake Day


Picture retake day is Wednesday, December 6. To order pictures, go to the Lifetouch portal and use the code on the proof sheet your student took home. If you have questions about retakes or if you can't find the code or don't have the proof sheet, please reach out to Annie Byrne.

School's Out with the JCC


Heilicher's School's Out is partnering with the JCC's Snowlami for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, and Presidents' Day on Monday, February 19.


Registration for January 15 will close Tuesday, December 12. After the 12th, please reach out to Andrea Golden to see if there is availability. Register through the JCC website.

Help Middle School Science Collect 2L Plastic Bottles


Ms. McFinkel is collecting empty two-liter plastic bottles (large soda/pop bottles) to make ecocolumns in sixth- and seventh-grade science class. Over the next two weeks, if you have any 2L bottles that you were planning to recycle, please bring them to the main office.


In addition, we're still collecting plastic bottle caps of all colors and sizes for use in classrooms.

Volunteer Opportunities


Condolences


Condolences to Heilicher parents Ali (Heilicher's advancement associate) and Josh Berdass, and their children, Myra, Annie, and Ruthie, on the passing of Josh's grandmother, Margo Berdass. Hamakom y’nachem etchem — May God comfort you.

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