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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