Mah Chadash: A charge to our extraordinary graduates

Graduates, in this week’s parsha, God instructs that the menorah should be hammered of gold from base to petal. Why gold? Because if you’ve ever listened to country singer Maren Morris, you know that “the house don’t fall when the bones are good.”

You, graduates, are each a menorah. You are solid gold, with golden hearts and brains and neshamas. With gold as your base, you can stand the test of time, you can withstand pressure and overcome any challenge.

Indeed that is true. As if being a teenager isn’t hard enough, you spent your 7th and 8th grade years living through a pandemic that has killed 3.5 million people…the greatest disaster of our lifetimes. Because of this pandemic, you also have lived through a canceled Israel trip, loss, grief and disappointment. But like the gold of the menorah, you were hammered into shape. And it has made you strong. You can face any challenge. You are resilient, able to endure any unexpected change and the ensuing disappointment that comes your way.

Like the menorah, you hold the ability to shine holy light. And we know you will. You will shine when you stand up for a classmate, for democracy and for our Jewish homeland, Israel.

You will shine as you add depth to classroom conversations, as you share your talents and skills, as you enrich your community by initiating efforts that bring positive change, as you set an example for your peers of what it means to be kind, ethical, caring and compassionate. You shine your light when you give to others, when you forgive others with generosity of spirit and when you engage others in the things that interest you. You shine your light when you act with values and take responsibility for your actions.

Zahava, Audrey, Tzofia, Natalie, Caleb, Kenny, Micah, Zak, Daniel, Ethan…we know that the future is in excellent hands with you leading the way.

I stand with every member of the Mirowitz faculty and staff, with every board member past and present, with every member of the St. Louis Jewish community when I say that we are proud of you. Deeply, genuinely and sincerely proud.

Remember that you have the power to make an impact…that your base is gold and it was fashioned so that you continue to shine holy light throughout your lives.

Graduates – as we celebrate all you have achieved, and the young adults have become…I share these words from Isaiah 55:

May you go out with joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Mazal tov Ub’hatzlacha

Morah Cheryl

August 16: Bounce Back to School

August 18: First Day of School

September 2: Curriculum Night

September 6: Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

September 7-8: Rosh Hashana- NO SCHOOL

September 15: Erev Yom Kippur (Noon Dismissal)

September 16: Yom Kippur - NO SCHOOL

September 17: Late Start - 9:30 a.m.

September 21-22: Sukkot - NO SCHOOL

September 23: Sukkot Family Picnic

September 28: Shmini Atzeret - NO SCHOOL

September 29: Simchat Torah - NO SCHOOL

October 3: STEAM Studio (for ages 3-5)

October 21: Conferences (Noon Dismissal)

October 22: Conferences - NO SCHOOL

November 4: Sneak-a-Peek Open House

A few years ago, Mirowitz developed an Israel Vision Statement that includes Hebrew language proficiency as a key element to raising future leaders who proudly connect with Israel and understand its unique culture and history.

We know that language is a construct of a community. It is inherently tied to the culture of the people and place where it is spoken. It is our intent that the 45 minutes we spend with your children each day will also give them a profound cultural knowledge and connection to our homeland.

At the heart of our evolving program is the opportunity for children to practice using Hebrew in simulations of typical real-life situations.

This includes giving students access to Hebrew materials that have been produced by and for native Hebrew speakers.

Over the summer, our team will continue to develop units of study that immerse your children in magazine and newspaper articles, books and blogs, social media posts and ads. They will have more opportunities to listen to podcasts, music, commercials, even tik tok videos that expose them to organic uses of Hebrew.

We look forward to sharing about the progress we have made with our Hebrew program at curriculum night in the fall.

Becky Lerner

Hebrew Language and Israel Coordinator

Todah rabah, Gilad, for bringing Israel to us! We loved every lesson and story...every song and game...the shakshuka and the shoko. We loved hearing about your life and your love for Israel. Mostly, we loved having smart, passionate, creative energetic YOU in our community this year!

Love...your Mirowitz Mishpacha

And a few words from Gilad:

Wow! This year has been quite a journey. Coming to the States at the age of 18 isn't easy. I came here with a clear mission - to connect the students at Mirowitz to Israel.

The biggest question that was always in my head was: How can I make it fun, memorable, educational, and engaging for the kids?

How can I make sure they have fun and learn about the culture, the people, the holidays, the cities, and the food in creative ways?

Throughout this year, I showed the kids my love and passion for my country, the only Jewish country in the world. I gave my best to the school, putting the students first.

It was my honor to spend a year of my life at Mirowitz and in the Jewish community of St. Louis. Coming to your children's classes every week was my pleasure. The kids never stopped showing love for me and for Israel.

Our connection, as the Jewish people to the land of Israel, is important, and I feel proud to have made an impact on your kids and this amazing community.

This summer, I will be a counselor at Camp Ramot Amoona. Afterwards, I'll go back to Israel and proudly serve my country as a combat photographer for the IDF. I will always remember this chapter of the book of my life. Thank you for being a part of it, and for having me be a part of yours.

L'hitraot,

Gilad

One of the exciting parts of having a ShinShin at our school is that Mirowitz families get to be host families for a few months. Part of their learning is spending time with American Jewish families. The Bialecki, Goldenberg and Neiss families have offered a home away from home for Gilad this year!

Would you like to be a host for our 21-22 ShinShin, Shelly? Here are the qualifications:

- Host familes must have a dedicated bedroom for Shelly.

- Host families should not have high school-aged boys at home.

- Host families will feed their guest and have mealtime together. Shelly will also join family outings.

- Host families should be American with kids attending Mirowitz.

Sound exciting? Let Becky know.

We recognize that many families have had to adjust their child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah dates. Please help us maintain an accurate, up-to-date listing of where and when your family will be celebrating your children sending an email to Reb Scott with the following information:

1. Your child's name

2. Month/Date/Year of bar/bat mitzvah

3. Synagogue/Temple/Institution

Mirowitz alumni, we celebrate you, your self-assurance, your strength of character and your ability to make wise decisions. We wish you continued success as you matriculate to these fine universities and programs:

Lucas Bernstein: Amherst College

Eitan Fredman: Washington University

Lucas Kazmierski: Colorado State University

JJ Lerner: Maryville University

Isaac Ohrenstein: Harvard University

Danny Sallis: Stanford University

Zoe Shacham: Vanderbilt University

Naava Simckes: University of Hawaii (Manoa)

Ari Gottesman: University of Michigan

Sela Roth: University of Kansas

Faith Faro: University of Maryland

Alana Fulsom: Loyola University in New Orleans

Ari Horwitz: California Politechnic State University

Nikki Kaplan: Santa Monica College

Daphne Levy: Wheaton College

Etan Meir: GapYear in NYC to study photography

We wish a nesiah tovah to these alumni who are heading to Israel for a Gap Year before college:

Eitan Fredman

Isaac Ohrenstein

And to these alumni who are returning
from a Gap Year in Israel

Jonah Boyer: Tulane University

Kobi Recht: Indiana University

Levi Rose: Washington University

Nate Rosenberg: University of Kansas

(Kobi and Levi are in the photo below.)

And to these alumni who is starting
esteemed graduate programs:

Michelle Bennett: Harvard University

Noa Rose: Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv

(List as of May 21. We will continue to update
as we hear from more of our seniors.)

Who knew Mirowitz kids had so many hidden talents? We were amazed this morning by magicians, dancers, singers, comedians, basket ball dribblers and even a unicyclist. See more photos here!

We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest hire, Alex Hoffman! Morah Alex will be teaching 3rd grade next year, partnering with Morah Elona to fill every day with meaning.

Alex comes to teaching as a second career discovering a passion for education after 10 years as a marketing professional. She received her Masters of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education at Webster University, and has spent the past year teaching at Babler Elementary in the Rockwood School District. She also completed a practicum in Morah Melissa Uhl's classroom at the Soulard School. We can't wait for you to meet her!

In Honor of

Aiden Jackson

We are so proud of you for reading from the Torah for the first time!

From: Mommy, Grandma and PopPop

In Honor of

Daniel Shanker
Mazel tov to Daniel on his 8th grade graduation! We are so proud of you!

From: Mom, Dad, Sam, Orly and Lilly

Don't you just wish you could set your DVR to tape your favorite Mirowitz programs?

Fear not! We caught many precious moments on video. Find a comfy armchair and enjoy your child's 20-21 year over and over again!

Click the photo to see the video

The following are excerpts from 8th grade graduation speeches. You can watch a Rerun of the ceremony here.

Being surrounded in nature here at Mirowitz, raising butterflies and chickens, building terrariams, growing gardens of all types and composting. This has made me want to devote myself to environmental justice.

Zahavah

8th grade

Mirowitz saw something in me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me to be independent, confident and that my voice has value.

Audrey

8th grade

The following are excerpts from 5th grade "moving up" speeches. You can watch a Rerun of the ceremony here.

When I came to Mirowitz 6 years ago I was not prepared for how the amazing place I was walking into was one day going to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Hallel

5th grade

There will always be people who don’t like you because of what you believe, but Mirowitz taught me how to fight kindly for what I think is right.

Rutie

5th grade

Every day here at Mirowitz has been a memorable one. Mirowitz has shaped me into the person that I am today, and I truly wouldn’t be the person speaking in front of you today without it. I’ve been helped through struggles by my friends and teachers, so that I always end up persevering.

Isaac

5th grade

My years at Mirowitz have been amazing! With great friends, amazing subjects, and even better teachers, I have learned so much here, including things I wouldn’t even think about at public schools, like Hebrew and Judaics...I'm so happy to be coming back next year for Middle School.

Josh

5th grade

Learning through the very last day! Today, 6th graders tested their aquaduct and exploded volcanos, 5th graders

Todah Rabah 5th graders for teaching us all about the geographic regions of the United States this week. Your Geography Expo taught us about the fishing industry of the Northeast, the indigenous animals of the Midwest, the landscape of the West and more!

Mirowitz alumni often say that one of their most defining childhood moments happened in 3rd grade when they chanted Torah for the first time!

Kol Hakavod to 3rd graders Aidan, Aaron and Talia who led the entire school in Torah study Thursday!

And to Ayden, Ari and Maya who read Torah in the Middle School.

Your lovingkindness, envelop it in Your peace, and bestow Your light and truth upon its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in a mantle of victory. Ordain peace in the land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness.