stories of the week:
they've arrived! nine years of Jewish education celebrated as eighth grade lands in Israel
Their sequence of Judaic studies has led the Class of 2019 to the unforgettable eighth grade Israel trip where their learning literally comes to life as they trace the footsteps of our ancestors, return to the Zion of our prayers, and meet the modern-day heroes who protect and defend the State of Israel. You can read daily blog posts here, and see how they experienced Yom Hashoah in the video below.
ecc rates four stars -again!
Our Early Childhood Center has once again received a 4-star Great Start to Quality rating in Michigan.
"It makes me proud to know that we continue to uphold high standards," Robin Pappas, Director of Early Education, said.
As a preschool striving always to provide an inspiring program that is developmentally appropriate, four ECC educators will travel to Italy next week to explore "Reggio through A Jewish Perspective," along with educators from around the United States and Israel.
The Reggio approach values the child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. "It aligns with our mission at Hillel, and we look forward to bringing back what we learn!" Miss Robin said.
Tuesdays & Tech time: better together
“Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you to think.” So said Steve Jobs. At Hillel, we agree, and tech time for first graders on Tuesdays has become something the students look forward to. “They are learning to code, and it has become an important and exciting time in our classroom,” teacher Lori Rashty said. Through coding, students start to develop many useful skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking and building resilience.
This week, students were introduced to Matatalab, a programmable robot set that introduces early coding concepts. A command tower directs the robot across a map or maze according to how the students arrange coding blocks. In small groups, students collaborated to create algorithms to solve various challenges.
“These weekly tech activities encourage the children to persevere until they solve problems,” Mrs. Rashty said. “While they think they are playing, they are learning skills for lifelong success!”
coming soon to a sukkah near you?
Smooth wood or plastic? Paint, nails, bamboo? These were the questions on the minds of our seventh graders these last several months as they embarked upon their Sukkah Design Project, which culminated this week when they presented proposals for original sukkot to judges comprised of the FNI architects who have been key to Hillel’s transformation. The winners will be announced before the end of the school year.
In brief five minute presentations, students presented the costs and labor associated with constructing their designs, and were judged on their vision, creativity, confidence, and whether or not their prototyped structure could be realistically scaled.
And all sukkot had to be kosher according to Jewish law, whether or not their walls were atypically made to resemble a computer screen, made of silk or ropes.
When asked how the project impacted them, students had various answers, from the technical to the spiritual. “I really learned how to use blueprints, and graphs as part of this process,” Naomi Bernard said.
“I got to see how my sukkah stands out from others, and how I was able to use my creativity, and incorporate many Jewish aspects, to create a vibrant holiday environment,” Andrew Eisenshtadt said.
“The Sukkah project offered students the opportunity to learn about the holiday while creating their own authentic sukkot. We look forward to building the winning Sukkot during the holiday next year,” Rabbi David Fain, Rav Beit Hasefer, said.
let's make a Hillel student a "people's choice" winner!
Seventh grader Jonah Owen is in the running to land the cover of Metro Parent Magazine. Vote for this kind and gracious student here!
more news 4U
Pick up your Israel Walk T-shirt today at dismissal. If you have not pre-ordered a shirt, you can buy one for $7. All sizes will be available. Designed by student Ben Bronstein! See you at the Walk (see flyer below).
Our May menu has all the highlights your kids look forward to. Check it out here.
Volunteers are needed to ensure the success of our upcoming Israel Independence Day Carnival on Yom Ha-atzma'ut, on Thursday May 9. Sign up for a slot here. We can't wait for you to join the fun!
Advancement News
let's celebrate!
Tickets are now available for our Annual Gala on Sunday, June 2! To preview our silent auction items, please visit www.hillelday.org/auction2019
pave the way to Hillel's future!
The deadline to purchase a brick for the initial installation has been extended! All bricks ordered before June 13, 2019, will be placed in time for the Early Childhood Center expansion dedication happening at the end of the summer. These personalized bricks are a wonderful Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Teacher Appreciation gift, while helping to educate even more Jewish children at the same time. You can always purchase a brick, but do so before the June 13 deadline to be in the initial installation. Place your order here!
Dvar Torah: parashat acharei mot
In this week’s Torah portion, we find the first of two verses that have historically been used to justify immense harm and violence done to LGBTQ+ Jews. This week (Acharei Mot) we read a prohibition against homosexual intercourse (Lev 18:22) and next week (Kedoshim) we read about its deadly punishment (Lev 20:13). For countless young Jews who are questioning their sexuality, or wrestling with if or when or how to “come out,” Jewish tradition has proven to be an immense stumbling block, and even a primary source of exclusion. It does not need to be that way.
It does not need to be that way, for we know that in Jewish tradition, perhaps the most primary of any understanding is that we are all created in the image of the Divine (b’tzelem elohim). We know that preeminent Jewish values include recognizing the dignity in each and every person (kavod ha’briyot) and loving-kindness (chesed). And we know, perhaps most of all, that we’re able to break any law to save a life (pikuach nefesh) and that honoring the LGBTQ+ amongst us literally saves lives (thank you to MSU Hillel’s Rabbi Becca Walker for enriching my understanding of how these values relate to this topic).
At Hillel Day School, we are committed to the full inclusion and affirmation of sexuality, gender expression, and gender identity. And we are not alone. There are groups all around the country that aim to serve LGBTQ+ Jews and Jewish youth with resources, retreats, support tools, reading guides and resource banks. (Plus, check out the flyer in the community calendar below to support transgender youth on May 7.)
As a school, we at Hillel understand that Jewish tradition is malleable, and Jewish law is an ever-changing and ever-evolving process meant to root us in our past and guide us into the future. In that light, our administrators, rabbis, and social workers are always here to speak with you and your children, and to serve as a support for your family when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion and affirmation at school. Please reach out at any time and know that each of us is seen as a true image of the Divine, exactly as we are.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Nate DeGroot
