Second graders used materials from home to create their own model sukkot. |
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Sukkot 5782
We make a big deal over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but in the Biblical and early rabbinic eras, Sukkot (booths or huts; sukkah is the singular) is the major holiday of the month. It is so important the rabbis refer to it simply as hechag, THE holiday, expecting everybody to know which holiday they mean.
The sukkah itself is the holiday’s primary symbol. This temporary structure covered with branches you can see through connotes the fragility of life. This is one reason we read Kohelet, the book of Ecclesiastes, on the intermediate Shabbat of Sukkot. Kohelet reminds us to accept and enjoy every moment of life, both the ups and the downs, because life is fleeting.
The Torah states, “B’sukkot teishvu …, In sukkot you shall dwell for seven days; all citizens of Israel shall dwell in sukkot.” (Lev. 23:42) In the Hebrew, the word b’sukkot is missing the letter “vav,” which allows the word to be pronounced b’sukkAT, in the sukkah of. The rabbis infer from this two things: you don’t have to own a sukkah to fulfill the commandment, and “It is fitting that all of Israel should dwell in a single sukkah.” (Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 27b). They transform the sukkah from a symbol of fragility to an aspiration for unity.
Maybe this is a reason Sukkot is also known as z’man simchateinu, the time of our rejoicing: the possibility that for at least one week a year, we put aside our differences and sit together as a family.
Dr. David Ackerman (Doc)
Director of Jewish Living and Learning
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Mark Your Calendars!
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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
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Tuesday, September 28 - No School: Shmini Atzeret
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Wednesday, September 29 - No School: Simchat Torah
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Tuesday, October 12 - Parent Education Event: A Taste of the Peaceful Parent Project (more info below)
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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 this Friday, September 24. The same date applies to take your child out of the lunch program.
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Parent Education Opportunity: Peaceful Parent Project
Heilicher is excited to partner with Orot educator Rebecca Minkus-Lieberman for a free virtual presentation about mindful parenting on Tuesday, October 12, at 8 p.m.
At the event, Finding Resilience through Compassion: How to Stay Connected through Difficulty, Rebecca will also answer questions and introduce the Peaceful Parent Project, a program Heilicher parents can register to participate in during the months of November and December. Additional information including pricing is linked below.
RSVP for this free presentation, and attend via Zoom.
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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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Register for Band for Grades 4-8
Every student in Grades 4-8 is invited to join band! No prior music experience is required. Encore Ensembles' Mr. Sean Prichard is returning to teach lessons and direct the bands. Fourth graders will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Prichard and learn about the different instruments during music class on September 27.
Returners and newcomers should register by Monday, October 4. Band lessons will begin October 5 for returning students and October 12 and 13 for beginning students. Feel free to contact Mr. Prichard with any questions. Note: This is a fee-for-service program and tuition is paid by parents directly to Encore Ensembles. There are also fees for materials.
Following Minnesota Department of Health guidelines for music activities and performances, students will use playing masks and instrument covers to contain aerosols. Ensembles will also be separated by grade: 4, 5, and 6-8.
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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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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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Mazel Tov!
Mazel Tov to Heilicher teacher Ariel Brudoley and his wife Shira on the birth of their son on Monday, September 20.
Mazel Tov to Heilicher student Sky Leventhal on his upcoming Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 25, at Adath Jeshurun Congregation.
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Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School
STAY CONNECTED
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