Mah Chadash: A Charge to our Extraordinary Graduates

Each of you is an extraordinary individual, and we are so proud of how you’ve grown. As a collective, your ruach permeates the school. You have been exemplary leaders and a whole lot of fun. You are forever a part of our Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School family and I hope that you will visit often. But first...a few words of wisdom:

Blessings are in the eye of the beholder: We are conditioned to imprint in our brains negative associations as a survival mechanism. As a human, you have the ability to see the blessings of every interaction and moment.

Use your eyes to see blessings in failures and in flowers. To see blessings in shifting relationships and in rainbows. We are surrounded by blessings if we only choose to see them.

We are one! Indeed, we are one. May we act as one people, always, with loving eyes, a caring heart, and a helping hand, not only during challenging moments but also during times of joy.

As you leave Mirowitz, it is important to find ways to stay connected with the Jewish people. To connect with prayer, Torah, and the community. We are here with you and will always walk beside you.

Use your voice. During your years at Mirowitz, you have developed a moral compass that will guide you on your journey. Be truth seekers and bridge builders.

You have the ability to be light for others rather than darkness. You will face difficult decisions. Draw on the wisdom from your Jewish tradition and from your community. Stand up for what is right even if you are standing alone.

Choose kindness. As Jewish people we are commanded to uplift holiness in our individual lives, the lives of those we love, and of those in our community.

You have studied and observed what leads to holiness in our Mirowitz community. Chesed appears in the Torah to communicate God’s kindness and love toward humanity as well as human kindness and love toward each other. Chesed is laid out as the broader value because it can be done not only with money but also through your actions.

Chesed can be shown to the rich and the poor, the living and the dead. The Talmud states, “The reward for charity depends entirely upon the extent of the kindness in it.”

It is when we become engaged with real people and communities on the other end of our giving of time and resources that we realize the true value of chesed. Find your purpose and pursue it.

Thank you for sharing your final year with me. In the words of Isaiah,“May you go out with joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you and the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

B'shalom,

Morah Raquel

Watch graduation here.

Watch the 8th grade sendoff here!

May 26-27: Shavuot (Building Closed)

June 19: Juneteenth (Building Closed)

Monday, August 14: Bounce Back to School @ 4 p.m.

Wednesday, August 16: First Day of School (1/2 day for K)

August 28-September 1: Middle School Civil Rights Trip to Alabama

Wednesday, August 30: Curriculum Night for K-5

Monday, September 4: No School — Labor Day

Wednesday, September 6: Curriculum Night for Middle School

Friday, September 15: Erev Rosh Hashanah, noon dismissal.

September 16-17: Rosh Hashanah

Monday, September 25: Yom Kippur, NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 26: Late Start @ 9:30 a.m.

September 30-October 1: Sukkot

2023-24 School Calendar

Weren’t these tweens just in Kindergarten? Last Friday, we celebrated their promotion to Middle School and were inspired by their thoughtful speeches. You make us proud, 5th graders! (Tikkuns were a gift from Ed Balk and his family.)

"Honk for Change!” So proud of these 3rd graders who flexed their activist muscles this week and marched down Ladue road for changes they would like to see: cleaner oceans, LGBTQ+ rights, fighting racism and ableism, caring for the earth, preventing gun violence, and standing up to bullies.

At Mirowitz, children learn how to pray with intention, and by first grade, they know what most prayers mean. Last week, our first graders celebrated the completion of their siddurim (prayerbooks) and an eight month study of prayer...and their joy was magnified by the presence of their parents at a special Siddur Ceremony. Kol Hakavod, 1st graders. May your siddur be an integral part of your childhood and the education that will last a lifetime.

We all moved UP last week and met the teachers who will guide us next year! We were especially excited to welcome our incoming Kindergarten class who had a "sneak peek" at kindergarten and a special Kabbalat Shabbat with Rick Recht.

The school year comes to an end, but a few of our teams still have games to play! Middle School baseball is back in action June 1, and plays two games Sunday in league play. The team stands at 3-3-1 on the season.

Our Kindergarten-1st grade baseball team ends their season on June 4. Coached by Dr. Craig Conner, the team has competed very well, playing in a 1st grade boys league.

Our 2nd grade team has a game Sunday.

Our 3rd/4th grade team won their recent game 16-9 behind the strength of 4-hit performances by 3rd graders, Joey and Anthony and 4th graders Davi and Henry. Their coach Drew Newman said they also played great defense. They finish their season Sunday.

Thanks to all of our volunteer coaches:

Kindergarten/1st grade: Dr. Craig Conner and Cory Block
2nd grade: Mike Vredenburgh and Howard Schlansky
3rd/4th grade: Drew Newman and Phil Waters
Middle School: Jeff Wax and Eric Nelson

We celebrated our 5th graders and our 8th graders a little extra this week. Both years mark major transition...from lower school to Mirowitz Middle School...and from Middle School to high school beyond our walls. Each student gave a speech highlighting important lessons that have shaped them. Here are a few snippits from 8th graders:

Kindergarten was hard for me. It was a public school where no one understood Hebrew. I felt isolated and alone. So, for 1st grade, my parents enrolled me in Mirowitz. The goal and hope was that the school would not only help me with English but it would also affirm my Israeli and Jewish culture. I now see that enrolling me in Mirowitz was one of the best decisions they could have made for me. — Noam B.

While Mirowitz is now a place I call home, when I started kindergarten, I didn't even want to leave the car to enter the building. One of my teachers had to pick me up and literally carry me into the classroom. Eventually, I got used to the kids in my class, my teachers, and the school. Looking back on my time here, I realize that bitachon - or safety - is a value that has defined my time here at Mirowitz. – Corey W.

Leadership is something I've learned at Mirowitz. It ranges from giving my opinion, to lobbying my representative, to being a 5th grade buddy, to making a video for the gala, to being an officer of Vaad Chesed, to being able to give a speech like this. And tying it all together I’ve done all these things alongside an amazing group of friends. - Eliana W

I've really enjoyed my time at Mirowitz, and I feel I have grown into a unique individual. I sometimes wonder what I'd be like if I had gone elsewhere and hadn't learned some of the fundamental things that make this community so great. The Mirowitz community respects, accepts and builds its students into great people. I don't believe you need to be Jewish to use the core values we learned here at Mirowitz.

Throughout the rest of my school years and adult life, I will hold these values close. - Nathan J.

Did you see? We raised $103,181 in just 36 hours! The kids have something to say about that!

Watch their video here!

For the past five years, Mirowitz has been proud to host the first "Food Scrap Depot" in St Louis. For a modest subscription fee, you can keep your food scraps out of the landfill. Drop off your kids and drop off your food scraps! For more information and simple instructions about this convenient year-round opportunity, contact Mirowitz alumni mom Terri Riutcel via email or by calling at 618-250-6255.

Rabbi Scott S.

In honor of receiving his Honorary Doctorate from American Jewish University after 20 years in the rabbinate! And Mazel tov to Rabbi Tracy and Reb Scott for their son - Mirowitz alum, Hanan - on his graduation from Crossroads College Preparatory School

Love, Rabbi Tracy

Morah Jerra

I had a very good time being in your class.

Love, Solal

Morah Priscilla

I wish I could stay with you in 3rd grade.

Love, Adam

Teachers, staff and PTO...thank you for making us feel that we have always been at Mirowitz!

Love, Adam and Solal

The Middle School Teachers

Thank you for all the love, care, and guidance throughout Lucy’s first year of middle school. We are beyond grateful for your guidance and support.

Love, Morah Shannon, Joe, and Lucy Rohlman

Ari Bernstein

Mazel Tov to Ari and all of the 8th grade class on your graduation. We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished these past 9 years at Mirowitz!

Love, Jen and Scott Bernstein

Samuel Roberts

Samuel, we are so proud of you for reading Hebrew so beautifully at your Siddur celebration and for having another wonderful year at Mirowitz. We love you!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, Mabel and Gabriel

Joey Vianello

Great job reading Torah for the first time!

Love, Mom, Dad,

and Callie

Lauren Abraham

Thousand thanks for all you do for the school, the teachers, the staff, the parents and our children!

Love, Happy Parents of Mirowitz

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 Mah Chadash. Orders placed by noon Thursday will be recognized the next day.

Become a Shabbat Sponsor here!

Who knew Mirowitz kids had so many hidden talents? We were amazed by dancers, rubics cubers, singers and musicians...and celebrated the contributions of our retiring teachers.

See more photos here!

Last night was a culmination of so many moments and the tears shed by so many were tears of joy. Thank you doesn't even begin to cover what I feel. She is set up for success in the next chapter of her life because of the time, energy and love you showered on her by her Mirowitz teachers. I hope you finish this year's school year knowing what you do each and every day makes a difference.

Kara Dudley

8th grade mom

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

Fear not! We caught many precious moments on video. Find a comfy armchair and enjoy your child's 22-23 year over and over again. Click the photo below to see the video.

See more photos and videos from the year here!

Mazal Tov to Mirowitz alumni who graduated from high school this week. They will be matriculating to these fine universities and programs.

Maya Beigelman

Mechinat Rabin
(Gap Year) before IDF

Isaac Benjamin

Rochester Institute of Technology

Ilana Boyer

Elan University

Parker Cole

Missouri State University

Aaron DeBlasi

West Point

Amir Dudaie

Washington University

Ezra Feen

Yeshiva University

Nadav Fredman

Ohio State University

Ben Horwitz

Middlebury College

Hayley Lerner

University of Missouri

Genevieve Liebson

Job Corps

Hanan Nathan-Slarskey

American University

Maya Ohrenstein

Washington University

Sophia Ohrenstein

Harvard University

Ayden Simckes

University of Michigan
Stephen Rosenberg

University of Florida

Tal Recht

Indiana University

Benjie Thimangu

University of Missouri

Ansley Vickar

University of Arizona

Our next book club will meet Monday,
June 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Michelle's parents (Marilyn and Marty). We'll be reading Karolina's Twins by Ronald Balson.

Buy your copy here!

to Joey, Jacob, Izzy, Noa and Wolf who chanted Torah for the first time and led the school in a discussion about the parasha.

to our Middle School Torah Readers Ari, Charles, Marni and Max.

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham who was confirmed Monday night by unanimous vote to be the next Senior Rabbi at B'nai Amoona.

and to

Michaella Moll who became a bat mitzvah last weekend.

and to:

Joe Rohlman

and Mariel Brechner

who wrote (Mariel) and illustrated (Joe): “Leo and the New Baby Challenge.”

Ilana Buch

(Daniel Buch's mom)
Carol Rubin

Carl Nelson
(Eric Nelson's dad)
Deborah Zorensky
(Anya Corson's mom)

The Mirowitz family prays for their speedy and complete recovery.

PRIDE Community Beach Party

Friday, June 23

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

at the JCC Pool

Join the Jewish community for a Pride Shabbat Tel Aviv style beach party! The event includes special concession snacks, games, music, and a photo booth. Bring your own towel and enjoy the “beach.” Pre-registration is encouraged. This event is supported by: Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life Fund and sponsored by the J, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School and PJ Library.

Learn more...

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.