News

Behrman House has just released a new batch of free, ready-to-go lessons and activities for Tu Bishevat and Hebrew.

Every few months we have been curating Hebrew and Judaics resources for learners of all ages to get you through this important and difficult time in Jewish education. Whether you are back in the classroom, continuing remote learning, or implementing a blended home/school environment, our resources can provide a meaningful learning experience for your students.

Thousands of educators and students have been using these free downloadable materials, and we've just refreshed them with new Hebrew lessons and hands-on learning for Tu BiShevat. 

For example, two new lessons for grades K-2 help students learn about getting in touch with nature and the value of caring for God's beautiful world, with activities like a tree treasure hunt, mindfulness moments like tasting fruit, and

Card games are time-tested sources of fun for both children and adults. They are also full of both social and academic benefits - AND get kids off screens. 

When used to supplement learning, card games engage both family members and other students in the learning process, making for a collaborative experience. Card games such as Go Fish, Memory, War, Bingo, Gin Rummy, Crazy 8s embrace increasing levels of difficulty so children can be challenged to learn and improve as they go on. 

Hooked on Hebrew is a new series of card games for practicing Hebrew letters and prayers - whether in school or remote, or at home or over the summer. Use them in one-to-one settings, small groups, or in teams. Some games, such as Bingo and Memory, are especially well-suited for online game play with learners.

This approach is built on the notion that 

This popular trivia game is available in 12 Jewish-themed versions.

What is Jewpardy?

This FREE web resource has been updated for use without Flash. It comes in 12 different versions, with themes such as Purim, Bible, and Shabbat. 

Find Jewpardy on the Play & Learn section of the Behrman House website.

All of Jewpardy questions are also available in PDF format so you can play offline, or at a Shabbat or holiday program. Click here for the PDF version.

The Play & Learn site also houses plenty of other free resources for learners of all age to use - whenever,

The mini-biographies in The Failure Book: How 22 Extraordinary People Persisted to Beat the Odds and How You Can Too help tweens see failure as key to growth.

You may have unused credit balances that are good toward future purchases.

Prices will remain flat next school year on our core Hebrew and Jewish life educational materials.

New readers become stronger Hebrew learners when they can use their new skills. 

Shalom, Reader: 57 Hebrew Activities to Show What You Know is a new resource that offers a way for emerging readers to practice decoding skills in a meaningful way. Shalom, Reader introduces students to a family and its pets, and follows them through simple stories and scenarios that are familiar to children, such as holiday celebrations, school, family, time, and the weather.

"It's so nicely done in its simplicity," says Sherryl Gutes, director of education and programs at MakomNY, has been using Shalom, Reader with her third graders. "We love it, and the Hanukkah pages work beautifully."

You can find these resources - along with many others - right our home page. 

Color all eight nights of Hanukkah with a downloadable packet from illustrator Ann D. Koffsky.

Here's a step-by-step lesson that uses art as a lens to examine the theme of light.