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Hamakor- the Source Friday, October 9, 2020/21 Tishrei 5781

shaking it in the sukkah

Jewish high holidays in a pandemic have been more subdued, but our safety standards have nonetheless made it possible for students to celebrate a festive Sukkot and Hoshanah Rabah at school, fulfilling the mitzvah of sitting in a sukkah, shaking the lulav and etrog, and even dancing with the Torah.

Sanitizing their hands before and after handling the arbaat haminim and etrogim, each class visited one of our school’s three sukkot along with Rabbi David Fain, our Rav Beit Hasefer, to engage in learning about the chag.

“Why is it a mitzvah to sit in the sukkah? Other mitzvot have you take an action, like lighting candles, so why is it a mitzvah to just sit?” he asked fourth graders.

“Because God commanded us to,” said student Lillian Rosenstock. “Yes!” Rabbi Fain replied. “And to remind us that God is always all around us, all of the time,” he said, gesturing to the open sides of the sukkah and the schach that gives a view of the heavens.

“Now, who wants to shake the lulav?” he asked. “I do!” students shouted. Observing them, Morah Niva Wilner said, “see how they help one another? This shows they really know what they are doing.”

Torah Parade
Morah Amalia Poris and students
Hakafot
Hoshanot

Flexing their Friendship Muscles

The Jewish value of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests) was on display this week as Hillel parents Julie and Ofer Ohana, whose children Shai (third grade) and Avital (fourth grade) are learning in the flexible model program, invited their classmates to a sukkah hop, complete with tefillot, a story, and shaking the lulav.

“It’s so good for the kids to be together and to feel a sense of normalcy even with masks and at a distance,” said Julie, a Hillel alumna (class of 1993). “It’s about as normal as we can get these days.”

While fourth graders had gathered once before in Morah Hadass Zaid’s backyard for Kabbalat Shabbat, the sukkah visit was the first time the third graders were together since school began. “The kids loved being able to see one another,” Julie said.

As partners, staff and parents of flexible model program students both appreciate the importance of connection to friends and teachers, who stopped by the Ohana sukkah for an air hug. “Hillel is making efforts to be inclusive, with events such as Sundaes in the Sukkah, and within the larger community, our families are creating a mini-community, doing our best to stay in touch,” Julie said.

“It was a pleasure to see the kids enjoy one another’s company,” said Julie, who is the Director of Community Engagement at Frankel Jewish Academy. As a busy working mom, she said, “the added bonus of being outside is that there’s no need to tidy up the house!”

Third graders in the Ohana sukkah

remote learning maintains pace

Our ECC4 classes will return to school on October 12 at the conclusion of their quarantine period following a positive test result for an ECC4 staff member, who has recovered at home.

While off campus, a robust learning program has ensued online. For example, during live morning instruction, students learned about Sukkot, and then searched their homes and backyards to create their own sukkot and lulavim and etrogim. Students used their innate curiosity to come up with creative solutions, and then came together again at the end of the day to share what they had made.

While “nothing takes the place of in-person learning, our ability to pivot seamlessly to remote learning maintains the pace of our activities and keeps our connections,” said Robin Pappas, Director of Early Education.

A common refrain among parents was one of gratitude to teachers for the hard work put in to ensure a seamless transition to learning at home. Some students expressed glee to be able to “use mommy’s computer” for school, and in the words of one astute four-year old, “I have the coolest class.”

We look forward to welcoming back students on Monday!

Barbie enjoys sitting in the sukkah

prayers answered: second grade celebrates siddur party

Parents shared heartfelt messages with their second grade children at this week’s Siddur Party. Rescheduled from last year due to the pandemic, the long awaited rite of passage, in which each student receives a siddur personalized with a missive from their parents, took on added weight and resonance for all involved.

Typically, the Hunegs Family First Grade Siddur Party takes place as a large-scale celebration in the school gymnasium with parents and grandparents in attendance as students recite tefillot they have learned at school. This year, each second grade class held a separate intimate gathering under the tents at the front of the school property; two members of each family, wearing masks, and socially-distanced, were invited to attend. Our flexible model program second graders learning at home held a virtual siddur party on Zoom, as well.

The constraints had the effect of freeing parents to speak plainly about their children, and many held back tears as they shared what they had written. “May the prayers in the siddur lift you, and heal you throughout your life,” parent Lou Goldhaber said to his son Ray.

Moved by the sentiments, Rabbi David Fain, our Rav Beit Hasefer, told students, “Hold your siddur close, and the people you love even closer.”

Dr. Darin S. Katz, Head of School, thanked parents for “instilling the ways of the Torah in your children, as generations have done.” Then, turning to the students, he said, “Use your siddur so often that the pages become so frayed that you have to bring it back to me so that I can replace it!”

The Hunegs Family and Dr. Darin S. Katz
Second grader follows along in the siddur

torah teasers

Fifth grade Tanach students are decoding complex phrases from the Torah as they study the Book of Exodus and the chapters leading up to the Ten Plagues and the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt. Along the way, students will delve not only into the narrative but also the psychology of a pharaoh who feared the growth of the Jewish population in his midst.

Teacher Tal Melamed had students read aloud in Hebrew, then a translation, and pointed out key words to help students understand a sentence. After a bit of discussion and analysis, students turned to workbooks geared towards their level of Hebrew proficiency to answer questions that reinforce comprehension.

“It’s interesting to learn the stories of the Torah,” student Daniel Aisner said. “Learning Biblical Hebrew uses your mind differently than other classes.”

snap words in sight

Words such as me, the, and, and see are “snap words” that kindergarten students see frequently as they become early readers and use them in writing. The more a child is exposed to these sight words, the faster they start to identify them.

Starting this week, students are bringing home a ring of sight words to spell and look for in books at home in order to reinforce the school activities that are building their competence and confidence. This week, they drew themselves, and labeled their drawings with the word “me.”

As the weeks go on, new words will be added to their rings, “as they take the next steps towards becoming readers!” said teacher Lauren Midelton.

a grand time

On Thursday, Hillel grandparents logged onto Zoom for a Brunch & Learn with Rabbi David Fain, our Rav Beit Hasefer. The subject was Sukkot, and how to conjure the presence of guests during the pandemic, when many families are isolated from one another.

Drawing on Kabbalistic ideas, Rabbi Fain said, “if we cannot invite people to our sukkah, we can invite a feeling, or a presence. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the qualities or strengths of the people you miss the most. Focusing on these questions helps us emulate the characteristics we wish to see in ourselves. It’s quite profound to sit alone and to contemplate our loved ones in their absence,” he said.

Participants found the session uplifting. “Thank you, Rabbi,” grandparent Susan Loss said. “We really needed this.”

Grandparent Linda Franklin concurred. “This is wonderful and appreciated at this time. When my grandson Liam comes home, I am going to share what I learned with him.”

A Hillel State of Mind

Our team of School Social Workers has introduced a daily "Mindful Minute" exercise schoolwide to help students center themselves as they finish lunch and approach their afternoon learning.

Following birkat hamazon, the student body pauses for a minute to breathe deeply, and to remember that everyone is in a safe and comfortable environment optimal for learning. “You can feel the power of the community reverberate,” said Barb Kenny, LMSW, who works with 5-8 grade students.

Ms. Kenny and Mr. Leibow, our K-4 social worker, along with Kim Love, Director of Student Services, have given much thought to the importance of mindfulness as part of our return to school. The coronavirus is a source of anxiety, they said, and mindfulness exercises “help bring kids back to the present moment, helps with emotional regulation, and helps them access higher level thinking skills.”

pandemic-proof picture days

This year’s student pictures are scheduled for Thursday, October 15 (1-8), and Friday, October 16 (ECC-K). They will be taken in the gymnasium to allow for appropriate social distancing. All students will stand for their photos, and the photographers, who will wear masks, will not approach them to adjust hair or clothing. Flexible model program students can sign up for a time slot here. Order your pictures using code 2020Hillel here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact mhernandez@hillelday.org. Thank you!

pto october meeting

Our next meeting takes place October 19 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. All are welcome to join!

mazal tov!

Hunter Farbman and Samantha Moss were called to the Torah at Hillel on the occasion of their b'nai mitzvah.

Hunter Farbman
Samantha Moss

advancement news

a tasty todah

This year's Leadership Circle reception for donors who gave $1800 or more to the 2019-2020 Annual Fund enjoyed a wine, cheese, and chocolate tasting from the comfort of their own homes, led by Hillel alumnus Zach Berg (class of 1998) of culinary outfitter Monger's Provisions. In addition to pairing wines with a variety of cheeses (which engendered a conversation about the dearth of high-quality kosher cheese in local markets), those in attendance also heard from our new Head of School Dr. Darin S. Katz, who expressed admiration for Detroit's strongly connected Jewish community. The event also acknowledged our 2021 Dream Maker Award recipients Sheri and David Jaffa. We look forward to celebrating them at our Annual Gala on Sunday, May 23, 2021!

Zach Berg (class of 1998)

partner with hillel as an event sponsor

Sponsoring one of our exciting community events offers opportunities to market your business, products, or services to a wide range of families, and places you and your company in front of Hillel's outstanding and loyal community. This sponsorship brochure lists all the benefits you and/or your company will enjoy as an event sponsor. Through raising much-needed funds, your sponsorship helps to ensure that any child who desires a Hillel education is able to receive one, regardless of family income.

Please note that if our events are held virtually, all sponsors will nonetheless receive widespread recognition as they would at an in-person event. To learn more, please contact aschlussel@hillelday.org or mcherrin@hillelday.org.

sponsor a day of learning

Funds raised from our Sponsor A Day of Learning initiative help Hillel purchase imperative PPE and other safety equipment; address the needs of our families who have been adversely affected by COVID-19; and give our school the tools and resources that enable us to pivot, adapt, and keep our students happy, connected, and involved, whether learning in-person or remotely. Sponsorships are $180 per day, and are announced daily to our students and community. To secure your spot for the 20-21 school year, please click here.

plum market gift cards available for curbside pickup

Plum Market gift cards are for sale through the Advancement Office -- $42.50 for a $50 gift card and $85 for a $100 gift card. Call 248-539-1483 to place your order, and we will arrange for you to pick up curbside at school, at which time we will collect payment (checks only).

hillel in the news

Check out the Wall Street Journal's recent coverage of our school!

what's for lunch?

Check out the October menu here. See something you like? Place your order here.

community events

before you go...

Check out our weekly photo gallery for more pictures!

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