May 2025
In This Issue
- A Note from Our Head of School
- Fourth Grade Trip to Real Life Farm
- Yom Ha’atzmaut
- Third Grade Lansing Field Trip
- Art Fest
- Fifth Grade Student Council
- 50th Anniversary Celebration
- Life & Legacy Circle
- We Need Your Help
Note from Rav Will
This spring has been full of celebration at Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor. In the building, we celebrated the spring holiday of Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) and hosted our first ever Art Fest! Outside of the building, multiple classes have taken educational field trips, including the third grade’s trip to Lansing to visit the state capitol.
This month, we gathered our alumni families, founders, and community members to mark our 50ᵗʰ year with a special dinner at Revel Run in Chelsea. It was a joy to witness reunions between teachers and students, old friends, and see how large our community has grown. We announced that we will be embarking on an endowment campaign in our near future to ensure financial sustainability for our school for generations to come.
I welcome you to reach out to me or our team to discuss how you can help us to strengthen the future of Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor.
Real Life Farm
Our fourth grade class visited Real Life Farm in Canton to help bring to life their reading of Charlotte’s Web. They milked cows, rode horses and enjoyed playing in the hay and corn. It was an unforgettable day!
Yom Ha’atzmaut
Our Israel Independence Day celebrations brought learning to life! Students sang songs of hope, prepared authentic Israeli foods, danced traditional dances, and enjoyed festive cupcakes—connecting joyfully with Israeli culture and heritage.
3rd Grade Lansing Field Trip
Our third graders explored Michigan’s Capitol building, marveling at the glass floor while gazing up at the rotunda. They stepped onto the House floor and met Representative Carrie Rheingans, visited the Senate gallery, and sat in the original Michigan Supreme Court. At the Michigan History Museum, they journeyed through time—from Anishinabewaki settlements to lumber camps, mining operations, and manufacturing growth. The day concluded with an immersive one-room schoolhouse experience.
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ART FEST
Thanks to the vision and dedication of art teacher, Emily Wilson, HDS hosted its first Art Fest this year! Our community was invited to take a self-guided tour through our halls and a special “Glow Gallery” to see the student art on display. Students used a scavenger hunt to locate different themes, art materials, and practice observation skills that won them special prizes. We even created a community art piece as each guest created a link in a mensch values chain, which now hangs in our library window.
50th Anniversary Celebration
275 guests from across our school’s 50 year history gathered at Revel Run in Chelsea to celebrate our school’s 50ᵗʰ anniversary year. We enjoyed photo albums, slide shows, as well as video messages from alumni and community members. We honored distinguished alumni, Ari and Robert Axelrod, past inspirational teacher, Josh Lauffer, and past dedicated leaders, Eve and Richard Primus.
Together we raised (a net of) nearly $150,000 of critical support for our school and we announced that we will soon be launching endowment efforts to ensure the financial stability of Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor for future years.
Scan the code to view the full event photo album on facebook.
5TH GRADE STUDENT COUNCIL
Our graduating student council has shown remarkable leadership—reading to kindergarteners, organizing recess activities, managing equipment, and captaining Purim and Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations. Their spirited Rosh Chodesh presentations enriched our community. We’re immensely proud of their contributions and will miss them greatly!
We need your help.
Tuition alone does not support the full cost of education at school.
Every gift helps to create a warm Jewish community and excellent education for our students.
Gifts to the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor can be made by:
Cheque made payable to Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor
Credit card on our website: HDSAA.org
IRA (EIN: 38-2075343)
Honor someone special with a gift in memory/tribute.
Scan the code to make a gift.
LIFEANDLEGACY
Ellen & David (z”|) Abramson
Dr. Jeremy & Rabbi Sara Adler
Carol (z”l) & Herb Amster (z”)
Levana & Stephen Aronson
Evan Caminker & Stacey Lee
Joshua & Marla Chinsky
Debra Chopp
Carl Cohen (z”)
Evan Cohen & Deborah Keller-Cohen
Dalia Naamani-Goldman & Andrew DuKatz
Judith E. & Todd M. Endelman
Eileen & Gary Freed
Aaron Fried & Dahlia Weinman
Mike & Liz Fried
llana & Ari Gafni
Gregory & Osnat Gafni-Pappas
Rita & Charles (z”l) Gelman
Steve & Joyce Gerber
Florence & Marvin Gerber
Zvi & Marlene (z”) Gitelman
Terri Ginsburg & Jeffrey Spoon
Jayson & Laurie Greenberg
Susan & Barry Gross
David & Amy Hamermesh
Matt Kaplan & Caroline Helton
Tamar and Adam Jacobson
Lauren Katz & Joel Rubenstein
Rabba Yael & Rabbi Will Keller
Shira & Steve Klein
Jeremy & Marie-Adele Kress
Steven Leber & Dina Shtull
Robert & Debra Levine
Ellen & Phillip Lorang
Paul Metler
Douglas Moffat
Hilary Murt & Bruce Friedman
Sharon & Chuck Newman
Sue and Murray Rebner
Drs. Monica & Ben Rosen
Jennifer & Eric Rosenberg
Andrew & Marci Rosenberg
Prue & Ami (z”|) Rosenthal
Robert & Kathleen Savit
Drs. Jason Schwalb & Samantha Hendren
Michelle Stern-Samberg & Warren Samberg
Gil Seinfeld
Tamar Springer & Steve Stancroff
Ron & Lonnie Sussman
Ed Tobes & Harriet Bakalar
Larry & Roberta Tankanow
Drs. Margo & Doug Woll
Martha & Eric Young
Contact Jennifer Rosenberg, jrosenberg@hdsaa.org, for more information.