Chanukah 5785

Chanukah is a beloved Jewish holiday with a complicated history. Because it makes relatively few ritual demands, it remains a widely observed Jewish holiday. Its proximity to Christmas has influenced its perception and celebration in modern times. While many Chanukah customs seem designed for children (spinning a dreidel, Chanukah gelt, etc.), its central themes are serious and sophisticated. 

The Chanukah story weaves together three important events and four important ideas:

1. The central plot element of the Chanukah story is the revolt of the Jews against the Greeks in 167 B.C.E. to assert their right to practice the mitzvot (commandments) required by the Torah.
2. A lesser-known subplot is the civil war between the Jews over the issue of assimilation: How much Greek culture can you adopt before losing your Jewish distinctiveness? It is worth noting the first fatality of the Maccabean revolt was a Jew killed by a Jew because of this issue.
3. The best-known feature of the Chanukah story is the miracle of one cruse of oil lasting eight days. Most people are surprised to learn this story does not appear at all in the Book of Maccabees and only shows up hundreds of years later in the Talmud when the rabbis ask, “What is Chanukah?” (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 21b). In the rabbinic mind, though, the true miracle is the defeat of the many (the Greeks) by the few (the Jews), achieved only with God’s help. Either way, like Purim and Pesach, the third element of the Chanukah story emphasizes God’s intervention, miraculously, in history.
4. The story of the oil highlights a fourth idea: the importance of dedicating or sanctification of sacred space. Sanctity doesn’t just happen; it requires preparation and intention.

This year Chanukah falls entirely during Heilicher’s December break, so the school won’t have a chance to perform some of the rituals. We invite you to join Heilicher’s Zoom Candle Lighting:

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024 (lighting the fifth candle in the evening)

Time: 6 p.m. Central Time (Zoom in from wherever you are!)

Zoom Link: Heilicher Chanukah Zoom Candle Lighting

Chag Urim Sameach! (Happy Festival of Lights!)

Chanukah Resources

To help you celebrate Chanukah, here are some resources for candle lighting, songs, and discussion.

Chanukah Candle Lighting Information Sheet — This packet explains how to set up your Chanukah menorah and light the candles. It includes the blessings and a few Chanukah stories.

Discussion Questions — This document offers eight discussion questions for each night of Chanukah. The questions focus on dedication, just as relevant today as it was in the time of the Maccabees.

Chanukah Songs — This presentation has the blessings and 30+ Chanukah songs in Hebrew and English, with English transliteration for the Hebrew. Each song has a recording you can listen to and learn from.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3 - NO SCHOOL: Winter Break, PD Day
• Sunday, December 29 - Heilicher’s Communal Chanukah Candle Lighting, 6 p.m., Zoom
• Wednesday, January 8 - 5-6 Blue Basketball Home Game, 4:15 p.m., Gym
• Wednesday, January 8 - 5-6 Orange Basketball Home Game, 5:15 p.m., Gym
• Wednesday, January 15 - 5-6 Orange Basketball Home Game, 4:15 p.m., Gym
• Wednesday, January 15 - 5-6 Blue Basketball Home Game, 5:15 p.m., Gym
• Wednesday, January 15 - High School Information Night, 6-7:30 p.m., Auditorium
• Thursday, January 16 - 7-8 Girls Basketball Home Game, 4:30 p.m., Gym
• Monday, January 20 - NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Tuesday, January 21 - Grade 3 Curriculum Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Grade 3 Classroom
• Thursday, January 23 - 7-8 Girls Basketball Home Game, 4:30 p.m., Gym
• Friday, January 24 - Annual Fund Campaign Kickoff Breakfast, Time TBD, Auditorium

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2024-2025

Torah Thoughts With Doc

Read a brief message about this week’s Torah portion, Vayeishev, and what it takes to be a tzadik (righteous person).

Morning Drop-Off Time Change

Beginning Monday, January 6 (when we return from the December break), morning drop-off will be 7:55-8:10 a.m. This change will help ensure students are in their classrooms and ready for the day when classroom instruction begins at 8:15 a.m.

Early Spring After-School Activities

Registration for early spring after-school activities will open 9 a.m. on Monday, January 6, right when we get back from break. Check out the offerings on the School’s Out website.

High School Information Night for Middle Schoolers

Middle school students and parents are invited for an informative High School Information Night on Wednesday, January 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Manny Fingerhut Auditorium. Middle school students and their families can hear firsthand from Heilicher alumni and their parents about various local high school experiences. This is a unique opportunity to ask questions, gain insights, and learn about Heilicher alumni’s experiences at various local high schools. Whether you’re curious about academics, extracurriculars, or the transition to high school, our panelists will provide perspectives to help guide your high school decisions. Come schmooze with other middle school families from 6 to 6:30. The panel will begin at 6:30.

Service Project Donations

Looking ahead to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Heilicher is collecting items for a service project. Please donate what you can of the following before or after winter break:

• Used crayons — broken is OK!
• Gently used sheets and/or towels

Annual Fund Campaign Kickoff Breakfast

Please join us for a light and inspiring breakfast as we kick off Heilicher’s Annual Fund campaign Friday, January 24, after drop-off in the Manny Fingerhut Auditorium. Enjoy a bagel breakfast, community connection, and a meaningful discussion led by Development Director Kiel Majewski. Kiel will provide an update on the state of Heilicher’s fundraising program and the future of philanthropy for Jewish education. Let’s start the day with great food, great conversation, and a shared commitment to sustaining academic excellence and Jewish values at Heilicher!

Hot Lunch Punch Cards

Heilicher now offers Hot Lunch Punch Cards! This will allow students who are not enrolled in the hot lunch program to order hot lunch on a day-to-day basis, including Fridays — this will take the place of the Friday Pizza Hot Lunch form. This is a great opportunity for your child to try our hot lunch options without committing to the full program.

You can purchase 10-lunch punch cards for $80 each. The form can be found on the Heilicher Communication Center, which can be accessed online or in the new Heilicher app.* The card will be kept at the Heilicher Welcome Desk for your child to use any day. You will be notified when your child is down to their last lunch.

*The Heilicher app is available for Apple and Android. Watch our app introduction video to learn more.

Yom Dor l’Dor Pictures

Thank you so much to all of the family members and special guests who joined us for Yom Dor l’Dor (Generations Day), our Grandparents/Special Persons Day at Heilicher. Our students enjoyed sharing their classes and day-to-days with their loved ones.

Below, please find links to galleries of photos from Yom Dor l’Dor:

Kindergarten | First Grade | Second Grade | Third Grade | Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade | Sixth Grade | Seventh Grade | Eighth Grade

Thank you so much for being part of our Heilicher community.

Order Gesher Challah

Gesher Challah — regular and raisin — is available every week! Any unsold challot will be available for purchase at the welcome desk through the end of the day on Friday.

Please place your order by 5 p.m. on Tuesday of the week you would like your challah. Proceeds will be shared between Heilicher and JCC Inclusion to support programming.

*We need volunteers to help braid challot Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. Please sign up.

All-School T’filah and Kabbalat Shabbat

You are always welcome to join us for both All-School T’filah (Mondays, 9:45-10:15 a.m.) and Kabbalat Shabbat (Fridays, 2:05-2:35 p.m.) in the Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre.

Kabbalat Shabbat Presenters:

This week, December 22, the sixth-grade class will host.

After winter break, January 10, the fourth-grade class will give a presentation.

Volunteer Opportunities

Heilicher is proud to have an active community of parents and grandparents. Please consider getting involved with one of our many volunteer opportunities:

• All-School Lunch: We are looking for volunteers to help set up and clean up before and after All-School Lunch on Wednesdays. During lunch, volunteers may help bring milk and other items to tables. Helpers get to enjoy the community atmosphere of All-School Lunch. This is open to parents, grandparents, or others you may know looking to volunteer.
• All-School T’filah/All-School Kabbalat Shabbat: Help set up for All-School T’filah on Mondays from 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. and/or help set up for All-School Kabbalat Shabbat on Fridays from 1:45 to 2 p.m.
• Art Room: Ms. Orkin is looking for volunteers to assist in art class for Grades K-3. Volunteering in the art room can be fun, inspiring, and interactive.
• Challah Braiding: Join Chef Liz and other parents in the kitchen to braid challot for the Gesher Challah program. Challah braiding is 1-2 p.m. on Wednesdays.
• PTO Volunteer Opportunities: Check out our other opportunities through the Parent Teacher Organization.
• Welcome Desk: We are looking for friendly faces to staff the Heilicher welcome desk. Please sign up for as many slots as you can. This is open to parents, grandparents, or others you may know looking to volunteer. The position entails welcoming guests and helping them sign in, helping gather students who may be leaving early, and helping with little projects.