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“Action is the only remedy to indifference: the most insidious danger of all.” — Eli Weisel
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This week, we remember the tireless equity work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and we will celebrate Black history month in February. During these specified days and always, we reflect on the historical and continued injustices suffered by people whose identities have been marginalized in our nation—particularly Black people. We also celebrate the vibrancy of lives lived in the face of extraordinary challenges and the progress we have made over the years, remembering the teaching of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, "If you believe we can destroy, then you must believe we can repair."
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This work can be difficult and uncomfortable, but it is essential to Jewish tradition, as the Torah implores, “Justice, Justice, shall you pursue.”
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Justice for all cannot be achieved until we address ongoing, systemic racism and bigotry in all facets of society. |
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At Mirowitz, we recognize each individual as being created b’tzelem Elohim. We strive to relate to each other with dignity, kindness, respect, compassion, and joy befitting creations in the divine image, and to see each person as having infinite worth. |
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We teach our students to seek justice (
tzedek) and to pursue building equitable systems that protect and advance the human rights of all people. As Dr. King taught, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
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From the first days of Kindergarten, our curriculum leverages both secular and Judaic learning to teach students about justice and social responsibility. In Middle School, the lessons become more sophisticated as by then, students have the maturity to study the Civil Rights Movement in depth, and the empathy to ask themselves, “What can I do to make this world more compassionate, whole, and just?”
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I suspect that among your reasons for choosing Mirowitz were our core values, including social responsibility. Below are ways your family can do the work of pursuing justice together. Dr. King might remind us that “life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"
Let us reaffirm that standing up against racism, antisemitism, and inequality—actively and with kindness is to build a kehillah kedoshah (a holy community). That is not just a piece of our mission. It IS our mission.
I look forward to continuing to do good work in partnership with you.
L'shalom,
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What Can You Do?
Read to expand understanding: There are many books written by or about diverse groups in our community and world. Start with this list from B’chol Lashon.
Contact Elected Officials: Look up your legislators and advocate for issues that are important to you. (You are never too young to lobby! Just ask our 4th graders!)
VOTE: Register everyone to vote. Oppose legislation that limits access to voting. Support early voting.
Volunteer Online. Volunteer and use your passion and energies to ignite change. Check out these family and kid friendly opportunities.
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January 23: Mirowitz Book Club (see details below)
February 17: Professional Development - NO SCHOOL
February 20: Presidents' Day - NO SCHOOL
February 21: Professional Development - NO SCHOOL
February 25: Trivia Night
March 7: Purim
March 16: Parent Teacher Conferences - Noon dismissal
March 17: Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL
March 20: Professional Development - NO SCHOOL
April 5-14: Passover Break - NO SCHOOL
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“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way!” - MLK
More than 80 families did just that Monday at our MLK Social Action event! They sang MLK-inspired songs, learned new Hebrew words, watched a skit about tikkun (repair of the world), made blessing bags, created relavent art, learned about Black inventors and donated hundreds of items to the Jewish Food Pantry!
Thanks to our fabulous partner PJ Library St. Louis, the Kranzberg Foundation, and to the awesome Mirowitz students, parents, staff and volunteers who made the morning so meaningful.
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We are organizing a school-wide collection of items that will help families experiencing hunger and poverty. (It's part of a year-long project in Middle School that started with our trip to Heifer Ranch in Michigan where we learned about food scarcity.)
Please help us reach our lofty goals:
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- 800 cans of food
- 200 drinks
- 50 coats
- 100 pairs of socks
- 500 feminine and dental care products
- 500 rolls of toilet paper/paper towels
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Collection tables are in the lobby. Thanks for your participation!
Vaad Chesed (Ayden, Omri, Max, Josh and Hallel)
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That was the question of the day last Thursday...both at Mirowitz, in Israel and everywhere that Hebrew lovers were celebrating Yom Ha-Ivrit (Hebrew day). It also happened to be the birthday of Eliezer ben-Yehuda who is considered the father of Modern Hebrew.
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Every day, your children have 45 minutes of deep and joyful Hebrew learning. Their teachers work to strengthen their competence in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and also to connect them to the ancient words of Torah, to modern day Israel and to Jews around the world.
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Knowing Hebrew impacts your children's cultural competence and their personal Jewish identity. It activates their brain, increases their cognitive abilities, and gives them tools to pursue further language learning. |
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We made this wordle inputting Mirowitz students' favorite words. (A wordle is a word cloud that gives greater prominence to words that appear more frequently. You may notice that lots of kids chose the word אבא (dad) and אמא (mom)...as well as their favorite animals חתול (cat) and דג (fish) and favorite foods גלידה (ice cream) and תות (strawberry).
If only we could invite Eliezer Ben Yehuda to join us so he could see that to his life’s work gave us such a profound gift.
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A tough week for our middle school basketball teams. Our girls team went 0-2, dropping a game to Andrews Academy of Lake St. Louis 26-14 on Wednesday. In that contest, 5th grader Abby led the team with six points. Thursday, the girls lost in overtime, 19-17. Abby once again shined offensively, scoring 15 of the 17 points. The team's record stands at 1-5, and will next play at Principia on Thursday.
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The boys fell to Immanuel Lutheran in Olivette, 34-25. 6th graders Evan and Sammy led the way with a combined 13 points. The team plays two games next week, Tuesday at Child of God Lutheran and Thursday against Principia. |
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All of our elementary teams were in action Sunday. The 3rd/4th grade boys improved to 2-0 with a 20-8 win. Henry led the way with 14 points, and Josh, Joey, and Micah all contributed baskets.
Our 2nd grade boys team played well, led the entire first half, but in the end were on the wrong side of an 18-14 game.
Team and individual basketball picture dates will be sent out soon. Be on the lookout for info about baseball registration.
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We have quite a delightful group of Mirowitz siblings starting kindergarten in the fall, and space for about 15 new families! If you know someone who wants the very best for their children, let Patty know! |
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Do you have a simcha to celebrate or a person you would like to honor? A birthday, a first lost tooth, an academic accomplishment, a Torah chanting... any occasion will do!
$18 supports the PTO Challah Fund and your honoree will be announced at Kabbalat Shabbat and recognized in Kabbalat Shabbat. Orders placed by noon Thursday will be recognized the next day. |
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"These people sitting around you will be your best friends forever. Even thought I've been gone a few years, I know I can count on my Mirowitz friends."
Sienna Yazdi
presenting with Mirowitz grads Dani Wasserman and Hayley Lerner to
Middle Schoolers about high school. |
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3rd graders think outside (and inside!) the box about biomes! |
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The financial foundation of our school depends on a strong annual campaign. We simply cannot educate tomorrow's leaders without you. Please give generously! |
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Gather your friends and family in tables of 8 to compete in eight rounds of trivia. We'll have a silent auction, too! Coach Gary will be our emcee. Proceeds support the 8th grade Israel trip.
Date: Sat., Feb 25
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m. Trivia begins at 7:30 p.m.
Location: United Hebrew Congregation
Cost: $25/person or $200 for a table of 8
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Our next book club will meet Monday,
January 23 at
Jessica Shafrin's house. We'll be reading
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. |
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to 4th graders Eitan and Davin who read Torah and led the school in Torah study. |
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and to our Middle School Torah Readers
Dan, Ronald and Isaac. |
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February menus and order forms are now online. Please place your orders by January 25.
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Galia Movitz
(who is recovering from surgery)
Carl Nelson
(Eric Nelson's dad)
George Pepe
(Rachel Pepe's dad)
Carol Rubin
(who is recovering from surgery)
Deborah Zorensky
(Anya Corson's mom)
Felix Zwiebel
(Judy Weisenberg's dad)
The Mirowitz family prays for their speedy and complete recovery. |
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to Risa Shyers, our talented occupational therapist, who will be receiving the Chesed (kindness) Award from JPro at the luncheon on March 9! |
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Thanks to these volunteers whose passion for social justice made our MLK event such a success:
Benny Abraham
Henry Abraham
Lauren Abraham
Eve Bensky
Jorry Bensky
Ari Bernstein
Jen Bernstein
Sherri Besmer
Rachel Bezalel-Buch
Eitan Buch
Alma Cohen
Snir Dagan
Shelley Dean
Sophia Desir
Jordyn Dudley
Lauren Garfield
Olivia Gill-Grey
Krista Gill
Netali Ginsburg
Jen Goldenberg
Alex Goldenberg
Sam Goldenberg
Sarah Haimann
Aidan Jackson
Joey Klenofsky
Kate Klenofsky
Joe Klenofsky
Shauni Kruger
Raquel Leverson
Elizabeth Lieberman
Ann Mayer-Eisen
Michaella Moll
Ayden Nelson
Maya Newman
Rachel Pepe
Aaron Picker
Stella Picker
Joe Rohlman
Lucy Rohlman
Marni Rosen
Josh Rosen
Boaz Roth
Orli Roth
Hannah Rubin-Schlansky
Aaron Singer
Omri Snir
Osnat Snir
Josie Talve-Goodman
Andrew Terkel
Eliana Wax
Sarah Weis
Leah Weisenberg
Rachel Wenig
Evan Woolf
Vivienne Zucker |
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Our Parent In Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the start of the flowering of our redemption. Shield it with Your love. Spread over it the shelter of Your peace, Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Establish for them Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of the defenders of our Holy Land. Cause them to inherit, our God, deliverance. Place the crown of victory upon them. Give the land peace and everlasting joy to its inhabitants. |
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