JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 19
says. “Therefore, our classrooms
are quite dynamic.
”
Samantha Hendren, Hebrew
Day School of Ann Arbor
board president, says there is
an emphasis on “developing
the whole child with social and
emotional learning.
” There is
also a robust Hebrew immer-
sion program that teaches
Hebrew and Judaic studies.
“We see it as an important
part of our mission to give chil-
dren a strong sense of identity
within their Jewish heritage,
”
Hendren says. “Kids learn con-
versational Hebrew starting in
kindergarten, and they celebrate
Jewish holidays and traditions
throughout the year.
”
As a parent of Hebrew Day
School students, Hendren has
personally felt the impact of this
unique learning approach.
“One of the most wonderful
memories I have from when
my children were in the school
was attending a morning prayer
service, where one of my kids
was reading a Torah passage,
”
she says. “It was so meaningful
to see that the children had the
skills to lead a morning prayer
service for themselves.
”
GENERATIONS OF
LEARNING
Hendren gives thanks to
Gitelman and the other found-
ers of the school who created
a place of learning that could
instill a love for Jewish culture
and life in future generations.
“It was only after Marlene’s
death that I learned about
her massive contribution to
the founding of Hebrew Day
School, serving as the head of
school for 18 years,
” Hendren
explains. “The rest of the board
and I realized that we absolutely
must honor her and the other
founders of the school who are
still living.
”
The upcoming brunch on
Jan. 15, Hendren says, is just
one small token of appreciation
for a lifetime of learning and
opportunities created for Jewish
youth in Ann Arbor.
“This celebration was born
out of our deep sense of grati-
tude to the founding generation
and for this wonderful school
that has now existed for almost
50 years,
” Hendren says.
“
At the event, we will thank
the founders and we will pres-
ent a new plaque listing their
names that will live in the
school in perpetuity.
”
Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.
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