Laying the foundation for success in school and life

A PUBLICATION FOR THE FRIENDS OF
AMOS AND CELIA HEILICHER
MINNEAPOLIS JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
Kayitz 5775 • Summer 2015
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Laying the
foundation for
success in
school and life
Enduring Values • Extraordinary Education
Welcome Etan Weiss
Director of Jewish Life and Hebrew
Dear
HMJDS
Families
and
Friends,
W
elcome to the summer issue of Bridges. In this
edition, you will get a taste of HMJDS and an
exceptional year of student achievement. Our
students excelled in academic competitions from
Math Masters to National History Day to national
chess tournaments. Our most recent MAP test
scores showed HMJDS students well above the national average at
every grade level. As an institution, we started a major strategic
planning process and began our self-study, part of the seven-year
re-accreditation process through the Independent Schools Association
of the Central States (ISACS).
Next year is poised to be another landmark year for HMJDS with a newly
formed Student Government, robust professional development for staff, an
Academic Council for curricular oversight, and new leadership at the helm
of our Jewish Life and Hebrew department. In this issue, meet Etan Weiss,
incoming director of Jewish Life and Hebrew, and read the reflections
of our recent graduates and older alums. And learn why a long-time
community leader and philanthropist thinks supporting the Day School is
an important investment for the future.
Our mission remains clear: to provide an extraordinary general and
Judaic studies education for the children and families of the Twin Cities.
This is accomplished through strong community and parent partnership,
outstanding teaching and professional development, and extensive
self-assessment. We look forward to a great 2015-16 school year!
L’shana Tovah,
Yoni Binus
Head of School
2
August marks the beginning of a
new era for HMJDS as Etan Weiss
steps into the role of Director of
Jewish Life and Hebrew.
“What excites me the most about
moving to HMJDS and Minneapolis
is the vibrant and dedicated
Jewish community,” Etan said.
Upon his accepting the position,
he remarked, “I am inheriting a
well respected Judaic and Hebrew
program and I know I am charged
with bringing both to a new level
of excellence.”
Etan’s top priority will be getting
to know students, parents, staff,
and other community members.
He has already had the opportunity
to speak with many staff members
and Jewish community members
and leaders and has an initial sense
of his goals for the coming year
and beyond.
“The rabbis and lay leaders I have
met with seem energized and
eager to support the school and
connect with the HMJDS in new
and exciting ways,” Etan said.
“These connections, a refreshing
of t’fillah practice and learning,
and the continuation of K through
8 curricular design are at the top
of the work I’ll be focused on with
staff over the next couple of years.”
Etan will also spearhead enhanced
Jewish studies made possible by
the April 2015 opening of the
Deera and Al Tychman (z”l) Judaic
Learning and T’filah Center at HMJDS.
Etan brings with him depth of
experience and knowledge from
his completion of the Pardes
Institute program for advanced
Jewish studies and as a lead Jewish
educator at the Charles E. Smith
Day School in Maryland. He moved
here with his wife Amy, who has
recently accepted a position with
Yachad, and his daughters Nava
(2) and Ya’ara (5), who is entering
Kindergarten at HMJDS this fall.
Amy and Etan Weiss with their daughters
Nava (2) and Ya’ara (5).
We look forward to the energy
and scope of knowledge Etan
brings with him to the Twin Cities.
Welcome, Etan and family!
“What excites me the most about
moving to HMJDS and Minneapolis
is the vibrant and dedicated
Jewish community.”
hmjds.org
3
Alumni Reflections
Exceeding Expectations: Transition to HMJDS
BY BETH AND DAN RODICH
Each and every day we make
decisions for our children. Most are
easy, but every once in a while we
are faced with a hard decision that
could impact our children for the
rest of their lives. Last summer we
were faced with such a decision.
We were unhappy with the
progress our daughters Talia and
Sari were making at their school,
and we made the very difficult
decision to uproot them and send
them to HMJDS. This was not an
easy decision for us. We spent
countless hours discussing all
the different scenarios, both of
us wondering if we were doing
the right thing. Today we can
say—without a doubt—it was the
smartest decision we have ever
made for our daughters.
From the beginning, the HMJDS
staff made the transition as simple
and pain-free as possible. On the
first day of school, we were not
sure who was more nervous—
our girls or us. As we arrived, we
were welcomed with open arms.
Teachers greeted us in the hallway,
introduced themselves, and took
each of the girls to their respective
classrooms for more introductions.
Our daughters came home after a
great first day and said that they
had made new friends.
HMJDS’s motto is that they build
a caring school community of
committed teachers, staff, and
parents that recognizes and
Talia and Sari Rodich
4
What I Learned
at the Day School
BY MATAN APPELBAUM
T
his spring I graduated college and, for the first time in many
years, had a break from school and work. Reflecting back
on all of the experiences leading up to graduation from
Princeton, there were a few parts of my time at HMJDS
(then known as MJDS) that proved critical in my growth as a
student, leader, and community member.
One of my fondest memories from the day school was a semi-regular
occurrence in Mr. Portnoe’s math and Judaica classes, where the structured
part of a lesson would end and we would have an open question-andanswer session. Students chose the questions. We might ask to review
a difficult concept or inquire about a new, advanced topic. This gave us
practice in coming up with the right questions, not just the right answers.
Years later, as a mathematics major, I would often work on problems where
progress was best made by challenging the questions, or looking to see
how far I could push the concepts I learned in class.
The teachers at HMJDS were all extremely supportive of me as a student
and encouraged me to engage deeply in what I was learning. They also
encouraged me to study the subjects that interested me most, which at
the time were math and sciences. My decision to major in mathematics and
minor in computer science came partially from the confidence I received
from my teachers that I would be successful.
Between day school and Princeton I attended St. Louis Park High School.
I went in with a group of friends from HMJDS and remained connected to
the HMJDS community and the Jewish community as a whole. The support
and connections I had at HMJDS taught me the value of finding a strong
community and being an engaged member. At Princeton I sought out
communities of value and took on leadership roles in the communities I
joined. The volunteer involvement at HMJDS taught me how to connect my
volunteer and leadership activities to the needs of the community.
In October I will start work as a software engineer at Facebook. I will have
to learn how to work there and decide on a team to join. I am sure the
experiences and lessons from HMJDS will help guide me as I go forward.
HMJDS Alumnus Matan Appelbaum at his
graduation from Princeton University.
“HMJDS
taught me
the value
of finding
a strong
community
and being
an engaged
member.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
hmjds.org
5
Thoughts and Take Aways
Save The Date
From the HMJDS Graduating Class of 2015
Each year at graduation time, HMJDS 8th graders reflect on their academic, spiritual, and
social journey. Here are a few excerpts from the 2015 HMJDS graduating class. We wish them
all well in high school and beyond. L’hitraot! Until we see you again!
HMJDS taught me how to stand up for myself and how
to stand up for others.
We studied the core value, “Because you were strangers
in a foreign land.” We discussed how to welcome others,
how to be friendly, courteous, and kind. We talked about
what it’s like being new to situations and having new
people come into our community. I decided to connect
this to when I go on to high school, when I hope that
other people will be welcoming, and I will do my best to
be welcoming, too.
We have had a great 9 years at this school through the
many ups and downs and hope to carry these lessons
and great friends with us throughout the rest of our lives.
—Talya and Natan Tapper
I am able to connect the school’s
core values to my everyday life.
For example, the value “If not now,
when” can be applied to most
aspects of my life. I will treasure
this value as I enter St. Louis Park
High School. There I will remember
this value as I plow through my
homework. This value can also
apply to the necessary skill of time
management, which I will need to
apply to every aspect of my teen
and adult life.
-Yonah Davis
Being part of this community has
been inspiring. Each individual
person is beautiful and it shows.
—Maddie Hoffman
6
For my entire time at HMJDS
I’ve learned to be proud of my
accomplishments and to be happy
about educating others. Among
other things, these are the tools
that HMJDS has given me that I will
use going forward.
My teachers here at HMJDS have
helped me to get over my one
greatest fears, the fear of failure,
while also giving me the tools
needed to ensure my success.
HMJDS 2016
ANNUAL BENEFIT
Thursday, April 7, 2016, 6:00 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
WITH SPECIAL HONOREES
AMY & JACK
FITERMAN
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON.
We’re Kvelling
HMJDS grads are headed to these fine colleges and universities (and
uncolleges!) across the country and the world. Mazal tov!
—Daniel Kool
—Aodhtan Gross
Because of these amazing teachers,
I have such a strong Jewish identity
and I am comfortable going out
into the world identifying myself as
a proud Jewish woman.
One of my favorite things about
being Jewish is that it is part of our
culture to argue. Not for argument
sake, but to express thoughts,
ideas, to challenge others and
ourselves. I felt acknowledged that
my opinions were taken seriously.
—Danielle Orloff
—Liel Pink
American University
Augsburg College
Bowdoin College
Bradley University
Butler University
Iowa State University
Northeastern University
Ohio State University
St. John’s University—New York
Tel Aviv University
Uncollege Gap Year Program
University of Indiana
University of Kansas
University of Maryland
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri—Columbia
University of Southern California
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin—Madison
University of Wisconsin—Stout
Washington University in St. Louis
TRANSITION TO HMJDS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
approaches each child as an
individual. These are not just
words but a philosophy by which
the school operates. Both of our
daughters have excelled in this
environment becoming more
focused on their studies and
repeatedly telling us that they
enjoy going to school again.
HMJDS’s personalized approach
has allowed them to learn at
their own pace and make major
academic advancements.
This held true for Judaic Studies
as well as General Studies. It was
clear to us, at the beginning of
the school year, that one of our
daughters had a far greater interest
in Judaic Studies than the other.
The teachers at HMJDS were able
to embrace their different levels of
interest and deliver an experience
that inspired them both.
Before this year, we had never
heard our girls say that learning
is fun. Our fifth grader is excited
about reading and math and is,
once again, confident that she can
succeed at anything she puts her
mind to. Our third grader’s verbal
and written skills have improved
by leaps and bounds in the past
year. We are so impressed with the
improvements our girls made this
year, and we can’t wait to see what
next year brings.
Change is never easy and often
scary, but the decision to move our
children to HMJDS was the best
decision we have ever made and
we could not be happier.
Beth Rodich graduated HMJDS in 1992.
Colleges listed are those known by
HMJDS at the time of publication.
hmjds.org
7
HMJDS Highlights
The Zweigbaum and Goldfine families receive the Ner Tamid Award for exemplary
leadership and commitment to HMJDS at the Annual Benefit in March.
Members of the award-winning HMJDS chess team (L to R): Sam Grodnick,
Arlo Cornell, Ben Lubka, Solomon Lubka, Ari Kaner-Roth, Zeke Rischall,
Ellie Grodnick, coach Robin Altman and Jack Grodnick in mid-May at the
U.S. Chess Federation National Elementary Championship in Nashville,
Tennessee. One of the HMJDS teams finished in first place in its division,
and Ben Lubka won the individual competition in his division.
HMJDS students in international costumes at the
Kindergarten Children Around the World presentation
in May. Students greeted their audience in the native
tongue of their chosen country and sang and danced
to a wide range of global music.
BETTER PHOTO????
Grades 5 and 6 basketball team. Go, Lions!
Seventh-grader Emily Ziessman reads Torah at HMJDS
the week of her Bat Mitzvah in February.
Community leader and HMJDS supporter
Harold Smith shares his Judaica Gallery at the
Minneapolis Institute of Arts with 4th graders.
The HMJDS choir
sings winter holiday
songs at the IDS
Center in downtown
Minneapolis.
Marisse Covin and
Racquel Fhima play
flute at the HMJDS
winter band concert.
8
Students, parents and teachers participate in VOICE, a
school-wide week of community service. Families pictured
collected toiletries and made cards for residents at St.
Joseph’s Home for Children in Minneapolis. Other service
projects included decorating pillow cases for campers
at Camp Heartland; assembling lunches for Harbor Light
Shelter; making fleece blankets for Ronald McDonald House;
and preparing food packages at Second Harvest Heartland.
Seventh and
eighth graders
perform as
Oompa Loompas
and build sets
for a rousing,
student-led
production of
Charlie and
the Chocolate
Factory.
hmjds.org
9
Donor Spotlight
Philanthropist Harold Smith: Supporting Jewish Education
through Day School Scholarships
Community leader and committed
philanthropist Harold Smith believes
that building Jewish identity in the
formative years is key to Jewish
continuity in the future. “We have to
educate this generation in Jewish
history, philosophy, music, literature,
and liturgy to ensure a Jewish
community will exist in America in
50 years,” he says.
HMJDS is honored to be a recent beneficiary of Harold’s
generosity through a major philanthropic pledge for
scholarships to help make HMJDS financially accessible
to all students.
Born and raised in St. Paul, Harold recognized early
the importance of giving back to the community to
support Jewish education. Beginning with a deep
personal association with the Talmud Torah of St. Paul,
to leadership of Hillel at the University of Minnesota, to
more recent, significant giving to Herzl Camp, Harold
and his late wife, Mickey (z”l), have helped create and
perpetuate transformational Jewish education and
identity-building experiences to the Twin Cities’ Jewish
youth for more than 60 years. In memory of their
daughter, Margie (z”l), the couple also built a center
at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem where cancer
patients can receive high-quality wigs to help maintain
their self-esteem.
Harold’s recent gift to HMJDS for scholarships reflects
his passion for Jewish education and his hope that,
“this can be an incentive for others to join in giving for
scholarships to help young families.” Harold’s pledge
provides a 1:1 match for every incremental gift to HMJDS
to support day school scholarships.
Harold is a valued and visible part of the HMJDS
community, most recently providing HMJDS students a
personal tour of the Harold and Mickey Smith Gallery of
Jewish Arts at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. We are
grateful for his generosity and look forward to the many
ways his gift will open the door for more families in the
Jewish community to experience an HMJDS education.
HMJDS Donors
July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015
Thanks to the generosity
of hundreds of supporters,
we had another incredible
fundraising year at HMJDS!
We raised just under $1.4
million to support a wide
variety of programs at
HMJDS and to help keep our
school financially accessible.
Thank you to Vice-President
for Development Wendy
Lovell-Smith, as well as 2015
Annual Fund Co-Chairs,
Steve Leventhal and Robyn
Schein. Their leadership was
key to helping the school
reach this unprecedented
achievement.
10
$100,000+
Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Lynne and Andrew Redleaf
Harold Smith
Sheila and Stephen Lieberman
The Moscoe Group
Nancy and Mike Schoenberger
Judith and Jerel Shapiro
Twin City Fan and Blower
and Barry Family
Rachael and John Vegas
$20,000-$99,999
$5,000-$9,999
Affiance Financial
Anonymous
Atlas Travel/Ratner Steel
Baratz Family Foundation
Barnes and Thornburg
Judith and Michael Berman
Best Buy
Stacy Pinck and Brad Birnberg
CBIZ
Ellen and Joseph Feldman
Ernest I. Fink Agency
Libby and Andy Finn
Amy and Jack Fiterman
Fun2Raise
Amy and Harry Funk
Liz Elert and Abe Haak
Bonnie and Steve Heller
Liba Zweigbaum and
Jeff Herman
Kristy and Chris Howe
Anonymous
Melanie and Charles Barry
Cindi and Harold Goldfine
Heilicher Foundation
Kaplan Family Fund
Laura and Ross Kaplan
Marge and Harvey Kaplan
Liebhaber Family Foundation
Wendy Lovell-Smith and
Colin Smith
Elly and Mike Zweigbaum
$10,000-$19,999
Alliance Recycling Group
Anonymous
Arlene and Phil Grodnick
Jill and Jon Halper
Phyllis Heilicher
Sharon and William Hope
Yaffa Cohen-Appelbaum and
Mark Appelbaum
Pearl and Daniel Berdass
Alan Berger
Effress-Hymanson
Family Foundation
Mike and Linda Fiterman
Family Foundation
Merle and Mort Kane
Suzanne Fenton and
Dan Lieberman
Maslon Law Firm
Sam Miller Foundation/
Miller and Kupritz Families
Ellen and Art Pollack
Louise and Jerry Ribnick
Tamar Fink
Target Corporation
$1,500-$4,999
Peter Jacoves
Helen Kaplan
George Kaplan
Memorial Foundation
Kar Ben Publishing/
Lerner Publishing Group
Debra Glassman and
Robert Kaufman
Nissim and Wendy Khabie
Gary and Debbie Kohler/
Blue Clay Capital Management
Eileen and David Kohn
Shira and Ron Krebs
Krengel Dental/
Mollie and Roy Krengel
Michelle and John Kuhl
Jessica and David Kutoff
Beth and Todd Leonard
Judith Levitan
Kris and John MacDonald
Barbara and Sherwood Malamud
Debbie and Gil Mann
Joshua Mann
Michele and Seth Meisler
Mike Miller
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz
Susan and Neil Moses-Zirkes
Lynne and David Nathan
Ellen Sue and Jonathan Parker
Lioudmila Sitnikova and
Ilya Perepelitsyn
Lisa and Larry Plotkin
Lynn Lederman and Ken Raskin
Tracy Reid
Liz and Yuri Reinberg
Rachel Kaplan and Bob Riesman
Carol and David Rosenblatt
Sherry and James Rudin
Nancy and Steve Schachtman
Schechter Dokken Kanter
Robyn and Ben Schein
Louise and Steven Schoenberger
Yvonne and Chuck Selcer
Helen and Rick Siegel
Signature Bank
Judy and Lee Snitzer
Judy and Dick Spiegel
SR Harris Fabric
Debbie and Jed Stillman
Estelle and Robert Stillman
Laura and Dan Swartz
Sharon and Joel Waller
Dori and Gary Weinstein
Lauren and Josh Weiser
Jill and Yarden Wolfe
Julie and Scot Ziessman
Deborah Olkon and Michael Zis
$1,000-$1,499
3M
Anonymous
Tamar and David Bagley
Baratz Financial
Marilyn Levi-Baumgarten and
Allan Baumgarten
Anne Graybeal and Yoni Binus
Judith Bloom
Cara Helper and Herb Cohn
David Fine
Judy Finkelstein
Debbie and Mike Finn
Naomi Zuk-Fisher and
Julian Fisher
Fredrikson and Byron
Amy and Todd Geller
Marlene and Sandy Goldberg
Fionnuala Ni Aolain and
Oren Gross
David Halper
Beckie Skelton and Shep Harris
Lisa Heilicher
Zehorit and Matthew Heilicher
Anne and Bruce Hope
Susan and Michael Horovitz
Sharon Liebhaber and Alan Iser
Mary Ann Kanee
Kaplan Insurance Agency/
Addie and Brad Kaplan
Elliot and Eloise Kaplan
Jennifer and Bob Kaplan
Hanna Bloomfield and
Robert Karasov
Andrea and Stan Levich
Suzanne Weinstein and
Daniel Levey
Tzivia and Joel Leviton
Micki and Jeremy Litton
Deedee and Stephen Lovell
Amy Rosenblatt Lui and
David Lui
Tamar and Schelomo Marmor
Metropolitan Pediatric
Dental Associates/
Michael Flamenbaum and
Michelle Drake
Jane and Joseph Micallef
Heidi Schneider and Joel Mintzer
Morrell Companies/Terry Morrell
Debbie and Alan Nathan
Karen and Rick Nemer
Eddie Orenstein
Partners in Pediatrics
Vivan Fischer and
William Pentelovitch
Mia and Raul Posada
Psychology Consultant
Specialists
Merit and Kevin Raff
Mindy and Dan Ribnick
Ann Kaner-Roth and Marc Roth
Terry and Sam Roth
Lois and Larry Schochet
Renee and David Segal
Gail and William Skelton
Rosa Stein
Swiller/Lederfine
Wealth Management
Helene and J.R. Tapper
Judi Belzer and Jerry Waldman
Jean and Sheldon Wert
Wilf Family Foundation
$500-$999
Margo and Cantor Barry Abelson
Advances in Orthodontics/
James R. Miller, DDS, MS
Tamar and Moshe Aknin
Anonymous
Anonymous
Sara and Blake Baratz
Julie and Ben Baum
Dina and Chad Blumenfield
BMO Harris Bank
Sara and Jeff Braverman
Carol and Michael Bromer
Naomi Heller and Shawn Bulgatz
Debra and Yonatan Bundt
Jan and Mitch Burke
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin
Camp Teko
Sue and Mitch Chargo
Sara Weiner and Jancis Curiskis
Esther Goldberg-Davis and
Rabbi Alexander Davis
Fingerhut Family Foundation
Nancy and Neil Fink
Michal and Micah Garber
Leslie and Bernie Goldblatt
Cheryl and David Goldenberg
Lori and Jeff Greenberg
Andrea and Scott Harris
Hodroff-Epstein Memorial Chapels
Jim Lupient Infiniti
Myra Juster
Steven A. Kalin
Harold Kaplan
Jane and Robert Ketroser
Betty Kohn
Judith and Brian Krasnow
Cindy Reich and
Rabbi Harold Kravitz
Ginny and Ray Levi
Mairs and Power
Peg and Joel Mandel
Tricia Cornell and Bruce Manning
Minnesota Chiropractic and
Rehabilitation/
Shane Boroditsky, D.C.
New French Bakery
Northeast Bank
Karen Curry and Aaron Parker
Passkey Computer Services/
Rachel and Bret Erickson
Drew Levin and Danny Perkins
Rebecca and Robert Portnoe
The Private Client Reserve of
U.S. Bank
Tina and Ivan Rafowitz
Kristin and Thomas Rogers
Judy and Keith Rosenblum
Sarah and Jack Salita
Ellen Berkelhamer and
David Samuels
Gail Bender Satz and Mark Satz
Saxon Auto Group/Mike Saxon
Nicole and Todd Schachtman
Eileen and Harold Scherling
Sela Roofing
Nicole Sela
Juliana and Jacob Sellers
Davida Cytron and Ted Smetana
Robin Neidorf and
Andrew Sullivan
Janet and Howard Tarkow
Sherryl Volkert
Heidi and Eric Weinberg
Randi Levine and Joshua Wert
Cindy and Perry Witkin
Kathy and Howard Zack
Penny and Mark Ziessman
Gayle and Burt Zis
Barb and Larry Zweigbaum
$100-$499
2K Consulting/Kathryn Klibanoff
and Jeremy Pierotti
Anne Opila and Todd Abraham
Adath Jeshurun
AISH Minnesota
Phyllis Goren and
Rabbi Morris Allen
Amy Zaroff Events + Design
Jody Anderson
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Carolyn and Sheldon Azine
Barbara Bach
Wendy and Howard Bach
Kerry and Scott Bader
Jennifer and Paul Bagdade
Sarah and Alex Bakkum
Linda and Robert Barrows
Patti and Jev Baskin
Jamie Beisch
Margo Berdass
Bonnie and Bruce Berezovsky
BatSheva and Jeremy Berman
Heather and Kevin Besikof
Beth El Synagogue
Sarenja and Shane Betz
Naomi Birger
Betsy and Barry Birnberg
Tammy and Carl Birnberg
Sue Freeman and
Neil Borenstein
Molly Brackett and
Shane Boroditsky
Box Tops for Education
Karen and Ivan Brodsky
Miriam Bromberg
Marilyn and Tim Broms
Melissa Krasnow and Dan Chan
Barbara and Peter Cornell
Debby and Gary Cortes
Ann and Neil Covin
Janie and Mark Covin
Debby and Andrew Cox
Rena and Lu Daitzchman
Harriet Davis
Reena and Stuart Davis
Jamie Diamond
Cecilia and Steven Dobrin
Julie Dorman
Alecia and Gus Dotterweich
Nancy and Jay Dworsky
Ellen and Marty Elowitz
Linda and David Estrin
Robin and Jeff Estrin
Vivian and Bob Ezrilov
Saleit and Isaac Faleschini
Christine and Ira Feldman
Marlene Feldman
Galia Felemovicius
Sandra and Isaac Felemovicius
Alana and Brett Fine
Beverlee Rockler Fine
Amy and Henry Fink
Glenn Fladeboe
Wendy and Mel Flamenbaum
Shelley and Joshua Fogelson
Sally Forbes Friedman
Barb and Dan Frank
Connie Frank
hmjds.org
11
HMJDS DONORS
CONTINUED
Raleigh and Richard Fromstein
Lili and Barry Garfinkel
Kim and Joel Gedan
Anita Geller
Rosie and Loren Geller
Beth and Gordon Gendler
Lisa and Paul Gendler
Marjorie Wasserman and
Neal Gendler
Abigail and John Gewirtz
Darcy and David Gilbert Burke
Debbie and Mark Glotter
Jonathan Goldberg
Nancy and Marshall Golden
Diane and Louis Goldenberg
Audrey and Mace Goldfarb
Bonnie and Gary Goldish
Pamela and Robert Goldman
Marcia Cohodes and
David Goldsteen
Rose Goodman
Bari and Avron Gordon
Ellen and Laurence Granof
Elaine and Timothy Green
Rani Halpern and Joel Green
Chuck Greenberg
Diane and Martin Greenberger
Shelley Kornblum and
Mickey Greenberg
Nanette and James Greenfield
Leslie and Jerad Hahn
Wendy Goldberg and
Dan Halpern
Serena and Michael Harad
Judy and Jon Harris
Christine and Seth Hausman
James Heer
Andrew and Steve Heifetz
Jory Herman
Judy and Ryan Herman
HMJDS Fourth Grade Class
Rachael and David Hoffman
Ann Hunegs
Joan Staveley and David Hunt
Stan Hunt
Karla Ekdahl and
Peter Hutchinson
Evie and Alan Ingber
Jewish Community Relations
Council
Jewish Family and
Children’s Service
Noah Joseph
Sharon and Ken Kadet
Rosalind and Fred Kaplan
Marilyn Karasov
Arlene and Harvey Kase
Karen and Irving Katz
Karen and Farley Kaufmann
Natalia and Pavel Kenigsberg
Linda and Scott Ketover
Valeria and Mitchell Kieffer
Anne and Randy Klein
Louise Kloner
Tsilya Krampf
Barbara and Gary Krupp
Bob Kusnetz
Charlotte and Arnold Labofsky
12
Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics
Ellice and Roger Landy
Susan and Mark Leder
Neomi Reo and Alan Lefkowitz
Lisa Villalta and Perry Leo
Elyse and Ron Less
Laura and Steve Leventhal
Laurie and David Levi
Donna and Harvey Leviton
Suzanne Veenhuis and
Dan Levitt
Stacy and Cliff Levy
Jennifer and Jeff Lewin
Steve Litton
Michelle and Jeff Livon
Gail Freedman and
Reuben Lubka
Gail and Steve Machov
Melanie MacLean
Rebecca and Michael Madigan
Trudii and Merle Mark
Heather McCollor
Ryan McKinney/
EXMARQ Capital Partners, Inc.
Terry Merritt
Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground
Trish and Steve Mintz
Andrea Mueller
Molly and Dan Molitor-Nabedrick
Micki and Mort Naiman
Bonnie and Bruce Nemer
Gayle Newman
Mel and Scott Newman
Nonprofit-360 Consulting
Lisa Norcross
Charlotte and Irving Nudell
Sarah and Rabbi Avi Olitzky
Juli and Dave Olson
Maria and Sam Onheiber
Jill and David Orbuch
Marjorie and Charles Ostrov
Naomi and Joe Oxman
Paster Properties
Lyudmila and Mikhail Pekurovsky
Tamar Fenton and David Pink
Naomi and Shimshie Pitterman
Renate and David Pope
Dana and Jeff Prottas
Susan and Robert Prottas
Ken Rafowitz and Dan Porter
Susan and Gary Rappaport
Arlene and Michael Reich
Susan and Michael Resnick
Sue and Rob Ribnick
Jennifer and Josh Riff
Beth and Dan Rodich
Susan and Geoff Roether
Wendy Rosenthal
Eileen and David Roston
Mike Schechter
Deborah and Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
Laura and Jeff Schmieg
Sheryl and Wesley Schochet
Peggy Schraiber
Brenda Schwartzberg
Marcy and Brian Schway
Marissa Onheiber and
Jeff Seewald
Michele and Spenser Segal
Eleanor Shaver
Judy and Neal Sher
Sholom Community Alliance
Carol Sarnat and Rick Siedband
Gail (z”l) and Wayne Siegel
Laura and Stephen Silberfarb
Barbara and Arthur Silver
Beth and Girard Smetana
Lois Somon
Becka and Dan Steinberg
Susan and Gabe Steinberg
Amy and Michael Stern
Harriet Swatez
TCO Sourcing and Consulting/
Tony Moldo
Temple Israel/Rabbi Sim Glaser
Michelle Tharp
United Way
Judy and Jeff Victor
Enid and Barrie Weiser
Dana Beth and David Weisman
Wells Fargo
Erin and Skylar Werde
Robin and Mark Wolff
Randi and Barry Wolfish
Ellie and Mike Wolpert
Sara and Boris Zuk
Marlee Zweigbaum
Sharon Zweigbaum
Up to $99
Alissa and Stephen Abelson
Zander Abrams
Jennifer Ajsenberg
Sharon Akimoto
Lisa Hunegs-Aleskow and
David Aleskow
Debra Allerhand
Jessica Allers
Rabbi Sharon Stiefel and
Davida Alperin
Robin and Robert Altman
Amazon Smile
Amy and Jeff Aronow
Molly Ashcraft
Robyn and Josh Awend
Lisa Hoff and Jon Bacal
Leslie and Peter Bacig
Sandi Laskin and David Bednar
Dana Berger
Elizabeth and Jerry Berkelhamer
Sara and Burton Bernstein
Brenda Biever
Susan and Mike Blehert
Shellie Blumenfield
Lou Ann Bongard
Gail and Steve Brand
Janie and Alan Buchbinder
Marlene and James Bukstein
Susie Chalom
Stuart Chazin
Sherry and Joel Coffino
Marilyn Condon
Gloria and Peter Cooper
Crystal Bright Photography
Chris Dallager
Jodi and Jeff Danovsky
Sarina and Yosef David
Barbara and Tom Davis
Barbara Eiger
Deborah and Gerard
Engelen-Eigles
Ilene and Ed Engle
Audrey and Paul Estrin
Linda and Rabbi Avram Ettedgui
Christine Eyal
Ephi Eyal
Ronit and Michael Falck
Holly Brod Farber and
Jon Farber
Janice and Frank Feinberg
Miriam Feingold
Linda and Leslie Fieldman
Jessica and Rabbi Jeremy Fine
First Minnesota Bank
Noreen Fisher
Rafael Forbush
Forever Living Products/
Marlene Bukstein
Rachael Freed
Marsha and Frank Freedman
Bobbi and Larry Friedman
Lisa and Igor Furman
Hani and Oded Galili
Sylvia and Howard Garland
Sany Gehrmann
Sam Gendler
Rachel and Jack Geretz
Heidi and Howard Gilbert
Linda Gilfix
Julia and Tim Ginzburg
Ezra Golberstein
Nancy Joseph-Goldfarb and
Alan Goldfarb
Jill and Steve Gottlieb
Myra and Roger Greenberg
Tammy Grodnick
Elaine Madigan and Paul Gross
Kara Paymar and Jeff Haddorff
Arlene and Sidney Harris
Sherry Harris
Victoria Thor and Martin Harris
Herzl Camp
Anne and Merle Hillman
Ella and Shawn Hoffman
Mackie and Sherman Horowitz
Diane Ingber
Invitations by Sheryl Sue/
Sheryl Sue Warren
Leora and Michael Itman
J. Hilburn/Judy Skadron
Michael Jamnick
Kathy Jerde
Andrea Johnson
Barb Johnson
Rachel Joslin
Jean and Yale Kanter
Jason Kapel
Allyson and Amir Kats
Cindy and Jamie Katz
Pam and Ronald Kaufman
Tasya and Robert Kelen
Emer O’Connor Keller and
Michael Keller
Kenesseth Israel Congregation
Lili and David Khabie
Miriam and Leroy Kieffer
Roxie and Eric King-Smith
Mitchel Kirshbaum
Rachel and Michael Klein
Danya Kornblum
Bette and Louis Kotlarz
Missy and Joel Lavintman
Elisa, Alan, Maurice, Jason and
Andrew Leavitt
Heidi Lerman
Brooke Leventhal
Yaakov Levi
Joy Levy and Marshall Levine
Elena and Matt Levitt
William Liebesny
Andrew Lien
Loraine Lindenbaum
Addie and Joe Liss
Judith and Marvin Liszt
Nadia and Oleg
Maccabee-Ryaboy
Peter Manning
Ilena and Kip Marron
Bonita Maxon
Fran and Bernard Meier
Elly and Astrid Meisler
Sara and Mark Mekler
Gail and Howie Milstein
Minneapolis Community Kollel
Eva and Jack Moreimi
Sue and Chuck Muscoplat
Judith Nathenson
Dana Nemer
Marcia and Mark Niedorf
Joyce and Martin Orbuch
Barrie and Steve Orloff
Frances and Mark Paper
Freddi Paulsrud
Abbe Payton
Marilyn and Morton Percansky
Romy Percansky
Dorothy and Norman Pink
Lloyd Prischmann
Shereen Rahamim
Norma and Robert Rank
Anne Monique Vos-Rapaport and
Ed Rapaport
Liz and Matt Rappaport
Barbara Ratner
Aimee Orkin and
Michael Raymond
Denise Reinberg
Carla Roehl
Claire Romera
Dan Rooney
Elaine and Richard Rosen
Cynthia Rosenberg-Nelson
Joe Ross
Thank you to our amazing 2015 HMJDS Annual Fund Co-Chairs, Robyn Schein (L) and Steve
Leventhal (R), and Vice President for Development Wendy Lovell-Smith (Center).
Nina Sayer and
Alexander Rothman
Andrea Ruby
Gerri and Marshall Samuels
Patricia Sanderson
Joy Sandler
Sarah Sanna
Sandy Satz
Rachel Zukrow and
Jonah Schein
Ruth Schoenberger
Danie Schulman
Marilyn and Darrell Schultz
Lucinda Cummings and
Robert Segal
Sheri Selly
Iris Tzafrir and Jonathan Shaver
Artice and Mort Silverman
Anna Simon
Karin Vineretsk and Ilya Sirotin
Something Nice/Jan Reed
Nancy and Larry Sperling
Robin and Henry Stein
Doris Stiefel
Harriet and Stephen Swartz
Dianne Newmark-Sztainer and
Hector Sztainer
Laurie and Jeffrey Tackel
Barbara Taragan
Taylor Tarvestad-Sztainer
Kim and Scott Teplinsky
Thirty-One Gifts/
Deb Wieberdink
Kim Thommes
Jodi Thompson
Gayle Kaplan and Tyler Turner
Joanna and Michael Volk
Roza Vovotinov
Annette Weinberg
Gail and Richard Weinberg
Amy and Etan Weiss
Ardis and Tom Wexler
Rebecca Wilson Schwengber
Fremajane and Blair Wolfson
Jill and Steve Wolpert
Nancy Young
Jennifer and Jeremy Zacks
Robin and Yefet Zedaka
Esther and Mel Zirkes
Minnie Zweigbaum
HMJDS apologizes if any donor
was inadvertently left off this
list. For corrections or questions
about philanthropy at HMJDS,
please contact Institutional
Advancement Director Rebecca
Skelton at rskelton@hmjds.org or
952.381.3503.
Tributes and Memorials
July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015
HMJDS GENERAL FUND
IN HONOR/
APPRECIATION OF
Tomi Bundt (Bar Mitzvah)
Suzanne Fenton, Dan, Emet,
Charles and Leo Lieberman
Marlys and Elliot Badzin
Pam and Ron Kaufman
Alex Chan
Judy and Brian Krasnow
Allison Birnberg (Bat Mitzvah)
Suzanne Fenton, Dan, Emet,
Charles and Leo Lieberman
Susan and Alan Divine’s New
Granddaughter, Kylie Elyachar
Roz and Fred Kaplan
Anderson Blum (Bar Mitzvah)
Marilyn and Tim Broms
Jessica Fine
Rabbi Jeremy Fine
Bradley Gawronski
Jennifer Kaplan and Family
Lisa Heilicher (Speedy Recovery)
Leslie and Bernie Goldblatt
Ari Geller (Bar Mitzvah)
Amy and Jeff Aronow
and Family
Marilyn and Tim Broms
HMJDS 4th Grade
Teaching Staff
Juliana Seewald and Family
David Goldenberg (Birthday)
Ellie and Mark Wolpert
and Family
Alex Harris (Birthday)
Tamar and David Bagley
HMJDS Staff and Faculty
Amy, Harry and Willie Funk
Miriam Hope (Bat Mitzvah)
Diane, Martin, Kalman and
Lily Greenberger
hmjds.org
13
TRIBUTES & MEMORIALS
CONTINUED
Olivia Hymanson
Joni Hymanson
Jordan, Gabriel and
Johanna Kaplan
Ellen and Martin Elowitz
David Khabie (Bar Mitzvah)
Anna Simon and Zach Schnitzer
Esther Goldberg Davis and
Rabbi Alexander Davis
Devra Lewin (Bat Mitzvah)
Suzanne Fenton, Dan, Emet,
Charles and Leo Lieberman
Yarden Nachmias (Bar Mitzvah)
Diane and Martin Greenberger
and Family
Emily Ziessman (Bat Mitzvah)
Amy and Jeff Aronow
and Family
Marilyn and Tim Broms
Diane and Martin Greenberger
and Family
Heidi and Howard Gilbert
Gail Siegel (z”l)
Heidi Schneider and Joel Mintzer
and Family
Julie Ziessman (New position as
HMJDS Director of Admissions)
Penny and Mark Ziessman
Jim Villalta (z”l)
Gail Freedman and
Reuben Lubka and Family
IN MEMORY OF
Esther Burke (z”l)
Marjorie Wasserman and
Neal Gendler
Marilyn and Tim Broms
Mina Freier (z”l)
Naomi Zuk-Fisher and
Julian Fisher
Yasmin Nachmias (Bat Mitzvah)
Diane and Martin Greenberger
and Family
Evelyn Friedman (z”l)
Marjorie Wasserman and
Neal Gendler
Liel Pink (Bat Mitzvah)
Suzanne Fenton, Dan, Emet,
Charles and Leo Lieberman
Barbara Ratner
Rebecca and Dan Steinberg
and Family
Edith Goldschmidt (z”l)
Roz and Fred Kaplan
Robert Portnoe
Shira and Ron Krebs and Family
Gale Held (z”l)
Dianne Neumark and
Hector Sztainer
Roz and Fred Kaplan
Leila Raymond (Bat Mitzvah)
Barbara Ratner
Rebecca and Dan Steinberg
and Family
Louise and Steven
Schoenberger
Robyn and Benjamin Schein
Helen Siegel (Birthday)
Marilyn Broms
Wendy Lovell-Smith and
Colin Smith
Robyn and Benjamin Schein
Amy and Etan Weiss
Zachary Weiser (Bar Mitzvah)
Marilyn and Tim Broms
Esther Goldberg Davis and
Rabbi Alexander Davis
Roz and Fred Kaplan
Anna Wert (Bat Mitzvah)
Amy and Jeff Aronow
and Family
Etai Wert (Bar Mitzvah)
Amy and Jeff Aronow
and Family
Samantha Wolk (Bat Mitzvah)
Suzanne Fenton, Dan, Emet,
Charles and Leo Lieberman
14
Barbara Gorman (z”l)
Wendy Lovell-Smith and
Colin Smith and Family
Shoshana Herman (z”l)
Gail Freedman and
Reuben Lubka and Family
Wendy Lovell-Smith and
Colin Smith and Family
Arona ‘Ronnie’ Jacobson (z”l)
Marjorie Wasserman and
Neal Gendler
Mariana Lippa (z”l)
Gail Freedman and
Reuben Lubka and Family
Vera Lubotsky (z”l)
Wendy Lovell-Smith and
Colin Smith and Family
Sarah Nemer (z”l)
Marjorie Wasserman and
Neal Gendler
Yehoshua Tzafrir (z”l)
Gail Freedman and
Reuben Lubka and Family
Rachel Zadaka (z”l)
Tamar and David Bagley
Anne and Merle Hillman
Roz and Fred Kaplan
Anne Monique Vos-Rapoport
and Ed Rapoport
HMJDS 2014-15 Fourth
Grade Class
HAPPY HANUKKAH
Patti Baskin
Jesse Jacobson
Juli Olson
David Shaw
Rebecca Steinberg
Barbara Taragan
Vic Thor
Yefet Zadaka
Julie and Benjamin Baum
and Family
In memory of Jerry Gold (z”l)
Betty Kohn
In memory of Barbara
Grossman (z”l)
Betty Kohn
In appreciation of
Shirley Haskovitz
Betty Kohn
CORNFIELD FAMILY
JUDAIC STUDIES
ENHANCEMENT FUND
In memory of Brad Jolsen’s
Mother (z”l)
Betty Kohn
In memory of Rachel
Zadaka (z”l)
Ellie, Mark, Sydney, Carli and
Amaya Wolpert
In honor of Madelina Kelner
Betty Kohn
In honor of Judy and Brian
Krasnow (50th Anniversary)
Sandy and Brian Salita
Joel Lavintman (Speedy Recovery)
Betty Kohn
Paula Lehman (Speedy Recovery)
Betty Kohn
Harry Lerner (Speedy Recovery)
Betty Kohn
In memory of Alan Levy (z”l)
Betty Kohn
In honor of Erica Van Adelsberg
Betty Kohn
AUDREY AND MACE
GOLDFARB FUND
FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
EDUCATION
Audrey and Mace Goldfarb
(55th Anniversary)
Tammy and Carl Birnberg
Nancy Joseph-Goldfarb and
Alan Goldfarb and Family
In memory of Stephen
Goldfarb (z”l)
Miriam and Leroy Kieffer
Marilyn Marker
(Grandson’s Bar Mitzvah)
Miriam and Leroy Kieffer
HERB AND BETTY KOHN
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Henrietta Portnoe (z”l)
Joan Staveley and David Hunt
and Family
Marilyn and Tim Broms
In memory of Benji
Freedson (z”l)
Betty Kohn
Helen Rosen (z”l)
Jill and Jon Halper
In memory of Bea Getzkin (z”l)
Betty Kohn
Bill Segal (z”l)
Haya and David Fine
In memory of Ann Ginsberg
Hofkin’s Mother (z”l)
Betty Kohn
In honor of Nancy and Michael
Schoenberger
(40th Anniversary)
Ellen, Joey, Evie and
Kira Feldman
In memory of Rabbi Barry
Woolf (z”l)
Betty Kohn
HMJDS SCHOLARSHIP
FUND
In honor of Alison Berdass
(Birthday)
Ellen and Joseph Feldman
In memory of Fred Berdass (z”l)
Ellen and Joseph Feldman
In honor of Zavdi Fisher
Sharon Liebhaber and Alan Iser
In memory of Henrietta
Portnoe (z”l)
Robin and Yefet Zadaka
In memory of Douglas
Ravdin (z”l)
Debbie and Jed Stillman
and Family
In honor of Nancy Schoenberger
(Birthday)
Ellen, Joey, Evie and
Kira Feldman
PATTI AND JEV BASKIN
FAMILY BOOK FUND
In honor of Patti and Jev Baskin
(45th Anniversary)
Karla Ekdahl and
Peter Hutchinson
Myra and Roger Greenberg
Frances and Mark Paper
Fremajane and Blair Wolfson
In honor of Vivian and Bobby
Ezrilov (50th Anniversary)
Patti and Jev Baskin
In honor of Susan Goldenberg
(Birthday)
Patti and Jev Baskin
In honor of Miriam Kiefer
(Birthday)
Patti and Jev Baskin
WILLIAM S. ROSEN
JEWISH EDUCATION
FUND
In honor of Esther Rosen
(Special Birthday)
Julie Dorman
JOSEPH AND DONNA
BROCHIN FUND FOR
HEBREW LANGUAGE
EDUCATION
Lisa and David Aleskow
(Happy Hanukkah)
Ann Hunegs
In honor of Susan Divine
(on Retirement)
Ann Hunegs
Rabbi Danny Ettedgui
(Speedy Recovery)
Ann Hunegs
In honor of Earl Hoffman
(on Retirement)
Ann Hunegs
In honor of Aiden Hunegs
(Special Birthday)
Lisa and David Aleskow
and Family
Emily and Josh Hunegs
(Happy Hanukkah)
Ann Hunegs
In memory of Gerri Maisel (z”l)
Patti and Jev Baskin
In honor of Sadie Hunegs
(Baby Naming)
Ann Hunegs
In memory of David
Meshbesher (z”l)
Patti and Jev Baskin
In honor of Ginny and Ray Levi’s
granddaughter, Maggie
Ann Hunegs
In honor of Maxine and Ben
Steinberg (50th Anniversary)
Patti and Jev Baskin
DOROTHY AND HAROLD
WITTCOFF FUND FOR
SCIENCE EDUCATION
In honor of Dorothy Wittcoff
(Special Birthday)
Elisa and Alan Leavitt
and Family
Maurice, Jason and
Andrew Leavitt
In Memory of Dr. Theodore ‘Ted’
Papermaster (z”l)
Ann Hunegs
In memory of Henrietta
Portnoe (z”l)
Ann Hunegs
In honor of Jackie and Hal
Sadoff (50th Anniversary)
Ann Hunegs
In memory of Bill Segal (z”l)
Ann Hunegs
In memory of Rachel
Zadaka (z”l)
Ann Hunegs
DEERA AND AL TYCHMAN
JUDAIC LEARNING AND
T’FILAH CENTER
In memory of Henrietta
Portnoe (z”l)
Diane, Martin, Kalman and
Lily Greenberger
Mel and Scott Newman
Rebecca and Robert Portnoe
Ellen Berkelhamer and
David and Emma Samuels
Dianne Neumark Sztainer and
Hector Sztainer
In honor of Judy and
Jerel Shapiro
Marilyn Levi-Baumgarten and
Allan Baumgarten
BatSheva and Jeremy Berman
Anne Graybeal and Yoni Binus
Stacy Pinck and Brad Birnberg
Karen and Ivan Brodsky
Jan and Mitch Burke
Alana and Brett Fine
Linda and Mike Fiterman
Lili and Barry Garfinkel
Beckie Skelton and Shep Harris
HMJDS 8th Grade Class of 2015
Hanna Bloomfield and
Robert Karasov
Tasya and Robert Kelen
Wendy and Nisso Khabie
and Family
Shira and Ron Krebs
Beth Kieffer Leonard and
Todd Leonard
Kris and John MacDonald
Tamar and Schelomo Marmor
Michele and Seth Meisler
Gail and Howie Milstein
Naomi and Joe Oxman
Lynn Lederman and Ken Raskin
Louise and Steven Schoenberger
Renee and David Segal
Wendy Lovell-Smith and
Colin Smith
Judy and Lee Snitzer
Judy and Dick Spiegel
Judi Belzer and Jerry Waldman
Lauren and Josh Weiser
SHARON LERNER
VISUAL ARTS FUND
Lyudmila and Mikhail
Pekurovsky
HMJDS apologizes if any
tributes or memorials were
inadvertently left off this list.
For corrections or questions
about philanthropy at HMJDS,
please contact Institutional
Advancement Director Rebecca
Skelton at rskelton@hmjds.org
or 952.381.3503.
Judy and Jerel Shapiro
at the opening of
HMJDS’s new Deera
and Al Tychman Judaic
Learning and T’filah
Center in April 2015,
named in memory of
Judy’s parents.
DR. RAY LEVI FUND
FOR PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Ginny and Ray Levi
hmjds.org
15
Barry Family Campus
4330 Cedar Lake Road
Minneapolis, MN 55416
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TWIN CITIES, MN
PERMIT NO 3839
A PARTNER AGENCY OF
ISACS: Independent Schools Association of the Central States
PEJE: Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education
RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network
NAIS: National Association of Independent Schools
MAIS: The Minnesota Association of Independent Schools
Cover photo courtesy of Jeffrey Schmieg
L’Shana Tovah!
Happy New Year
from HMJDS!
I AM
HMJD
S
It’s a great year to spread the word about the Day School.
Tell your friends:
INFORMATION EVENINGS — OCTOBER 15, 2015 | MARCH 17, 2016
Join us for an inside look at all HMJDS has to offer.
Learn more about our academic programs and hear from faculty, staff, parents, students, and alumni
about what makes an HMJDS education extraordinary.
Call 952.381.3566 to sign up or to schedule a personal tour.
www.hmjds.org