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I was a sophomore in high school when my synagogue called the entire congregation together for an important Shabbat service, no press allowed. They were raising money for Operation Moses, the first large-scale rescue of Ethiopian Jews - and it was top secret at the time. It was the first of two Ethiopian evacuations I would witness. During the second I was in Israel, studying Jewish education at HUC-JIR and volunteering at an Ethiopian absorption center.
The influx of Ethiopian Jews transformed Israeli culture, introducing traditions including the festival of Sigd, which became a national holiday in 2008.
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Sidg was celebrated yesterday in Israel and has been celebrated in Mirowitz classrooms as well. (You can learn more about the holiday here. Enjoy a virtual celebration hosted by The Jewish Agency for Israel here.)
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Students heard stories about the diversity of the Israeli people who have been brought to our Jewish homeland for safety from many countries, including Ethiopia. First graders were were introduced to a few Amharic words and used them in conversation with one another. |
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In middle school, students are learning about the experiences of a wide range of communities who came to Israel.
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They will examine the reasons each community made Aliya, what they encountered on arrival, and what impact they have had on the State. This understanding of the diversity of the Jewish state is one aspect of the way we are bringing Israeli history to life this month. |
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Younger students are learning about the history of the Israeli flag, national anthem, state seal and other symbols with our shinshinit, Shelly, and their Hebrew and Judaics teachers. |
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And older students are learning about Yitzhak Rabin and the legacy he left behind.
We hope that the stories they learn become their own stories, connecting them to Israel in personal ways that all come together when they visit Israel as 8th graders.
Shabbat Shalom,
Cheryl
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More about Sidg: For hundreds of years, Ethiopian Jews celebrated Sigd, a holy day dedicated to prayers reflecting the community’s aspirations to return to Jerusalem. Today, the holiday symbolizes the dream of a united Jewish peoplehood. Though is is most commonly celebrated by Ethiopian communities, its principles of community unity have made it a national holiday in Israel. Check out this virtual celebration hosted by The Jewish Agency for Israel. |
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November 7-14: Mirowitz Online Auction to support 8th grade Israel trip
Monday, November 8: Professional Development. No School
Thursday, November 11: Elijah's Circle donor event @ 7:30 p.m. (in person and on Zoom)
November 9-November 12: ERB Standardized Testing (grades 3-8)
Friday, November 12: First day of Winter Shabbat Dismissal at 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 23: School Photos Retake Day
November 24-26: Thanksgiving Break
Sunday, November 28: First night of Chanukah
Tuesday, November 30: Light Up the Night Family Chanukah Celebration
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Do you have a child in 4th or 5th grade, or a friend who is curious about Mirowitz for their child? We've planned a moment of exploration for parents and children on December 7 @ 7 p.m.
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The Independent Schools of St. Louis is hosting a Town Hall for parents wanting to learn more about the newly approved vaccine for children ages 5-11.
Thursday, November 11
12 -1 p.m.
Panel will be led by Dr. Rachel Orschein, Director of Ambulatory Pediatric Infectious Diseases at St. Louis Children's Hospital and a member of the St. Louis Pandemic Task Force.
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The Head of School search is in high gear, and the position is attracting national attention. |
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If you know someone who would be a good match for our school, please share this Head of School Statement.
Questions? Email Paul and Diane at the link below.
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Last week, we challenged you to post your #thankyoumirowitz on Instagram or FaceBook. (See a few of our faves below.)
Join the fun! Let the world know how Mirowitz has impacted your life...and then consider a gift to our annual appeal, knowing that your dollars are raising a generation of leaders.
You can donate by texting "Mirowitz" to 243725 or clicking the link below.
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Soccer season is coming to an end for our youth teams. Last Sunday, our 1st/2nd grade boys improved to 3-2-1 with a 1-0 win. Ryan I scored the lone goal, his 4th of the season, and Jonah, Yishama and Redford were strong in goal to earn the shutout.
Our 1st/2nd grade girls came back from a 3-1 deficit to earn a 3-3 tie. The team improves to 4-2-1 for the season.
Our Kindergarten team, 1st/2nd grade girls team and 3rd/4th grade boys team play their final games this Sunday. 1st-grade boys play this week, and then finish up next week.
Basketball practices have begun for our middle school boys and our 4th-6th grade girls teams. Youth basketball practices will get underway after Thanksgiving.
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Basketball practices have begun for our middle school boys and our 4th-6th grade girls teams. Youth basketball practices will get underway after Thanksgiving.
(Photo is a throwback from 2019...the last time we had Basketball teams! We're thrilled to be back in action!)
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Basketball practices start next week for middle school boys and 4th-6th grade girls.
Individual and team picture links will be sent to those who purchased the photos by Tuesday.
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We're joining forces with our neighbors at B'nai Amoona (and Mirowitz dad Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham) to have a safe and FUN Hanukkah celebration:
Tuesday, November 30
4:30 p.m.
In the Mirowitz South Parking Lot
We'll kindle the first Hanukkah lights together! We'll enjoy live music by Mirowitz mom Chen Rothchild and Mirowitz Dad Simon Ohana.
A 10 foot menorah awaits, as well as a personal (electric) light for each family to help us light up the night. You'll leave with a bag of materials to make the rest of your Hanukkah celebrations meaningful.
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Vaad Chesed has planned a fundraiser to support events like the Purim Carnival and other fun activities.
How it works: Each grade will have a bucket in the lobby from November 9-14.
Every coin added to a bucket adds points. Every paper bill added to a bucket subtracts points. SO the strategy is to add coins to your bucket and bills to other buckets.
The winning class will get a PIZZA PARTY!
Thanks for participating and for helping us raise money for programming your kids will love.
Love,
Vaad Chesed
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Each year as Hanukkah nears, the children of Mirowitz explore their own passions and philanthropic priorities through the Chanukah Tamhui project. Our students learn about five
tzedakah organizations, each focusing on repairing our world in a different way — by eliminating poverty or disease, by helping animals or the earth, by caring for children or the elderly, by helping our Jewish community here or in Israel. Together, we dive into deep conversations about which causes pull at our heartstrings.
So, what inspires you? We invite students, faculty and parents to nominate organizations that may be chosen as beneficiaries of the project this year. If you would like to nominate an organization, please email Cheryl by Friday, November 12 with:
• The name of the organization
• Why you feel it should be included.
• The organization's contact info and website.
Join us for the first Tamchui Committee meeting
Monday, November 15 at 8:30 a.m. in
Morah Cheryl's office. RSVP here.
Photo below is from Tamchui 2020.
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Picture retake day is November 23 for students who were absent on picture day and who need their photo retaken.
If you would like your child's photo retaken, please email Alex and ask her to add you to schedule. You must return your original packet on retake day. |
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In Honor of
Isaac Hodess
“Happy Late Birthday, Isaac!"
Love, Mom, Dad and Turtle
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I had heard that Burroughs was a tough school with a challenging curriculum, but it wound up being so much easier than I thought, and I think it's due to the style of learning at Mirowitz. I learned how to study and ask the right questions, and the curriculum prepared me for a rigorous high school experience.
Lucas Bernstein, class of 2017 |
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I remember when I was in K and how scary it was to start at a new school, but my 5th grade buddy helped guide me. I try to be that kind of buddy for my kindergarten buddy, and I try to give her advice, and be a good friend and role model to her.
Maya, 5th grade |
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To Gavi and Sammy who chanted Torah and led a discussion in the lower school this week. |
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And to Morah Cheryl, Coach Gary and Reb Scott who chanted Torah in the Middle School. |
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Our first online auction is
OPEN FOR BIDS!
BID TODAY
on jewelry, gift cards, birthday parties, sports memorabilia and other awesome items.
The auction is live until 7 p.m., November 14.
Proceeds benefit the 8th grade trip to Israel. |
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Look who's published!
Cheryl Maayan's story about the importance of forgetting in order to move forward was published in a professional journal for the Jewish Day School field. You can read it here.
And Chef AJ's Buffalo Tofu salad was published in the St. Louis Jewish Light! You can read it here. |
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For the past 5 years, Mirowitz has joined other day schools in The Jewish Soldiers Project, sending Hanukkah cards and care packages to Jewish soldiers serving our country. The recipients say that the cards are a bright spot for them while they spend the holiday away from those they love.
Thanks to Danielle Bialecki, Simone Picker and Cheryl Bensky for your behind the scenes work making this happen, and to all of the Mirowitz students who participated in this Hanukkah Mitzvah.
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Meet Gay Goldenberg
Relationship with Mirowitz: My granddaughters Alex (grade 3) and Samantha (grade 5) are Mirowitz students.
Volunteer role:
I chair the Grandparents Circle, and plan events to make sure that grandparents feel a part of the Mirowitz community. I also enjoy helping Mrs. Burack in the art room. I love the atmosphere in the building, working with the kids and seeing them grow mentally and physically.
Fun fact:
I am very creative myself. I needlepoint and enjoy making memory quilts and baby quilts for family and friends.
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Thanks to
Jeremy Hodess
Cyndee Levy
Bob and Sandy Rudman
Rachael Gossett
Rachel Wenig
for serving
lunch this week.
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Can you help serve lunch next week? We need volunteers for Monday and Tuesday. You can sign up by logging onto the Mirowitz App on your computer here. |
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Alice Handelman
Jay Umansky
The Mirowitz family prays for their speedy and complete recovery. |
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Help Celebrate Our Staff
While Supporting The 8th Grade Israel Trip
To send a cookie gram email Chef A.J. He will then prepare and deliver your message with 3 chocolate chip cookies to the Staff member of your choice.
The cost is $5 and all proceeds benefit the 8th grade trip to Israel. Payments are through Venmo @Robin-Moll or PayPal robinlmoll80@gmail.com
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Sunday, Nov 7
3:30 p.m.
@ Temple Israel
3:30:
An Israeli Love Story
6 p.m.
Holy Lands
Learn more and watch trailers here. |
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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.
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