Hebrew

As we all know, there is no single magic bullet to ensure our students connect to the language of their tradition.

It would be easy if the only choice of Hebrew approach were one-size-fits-all. But there’s no single way. The goals for learning Hebrew in vary from one community to the next.  

Our job as educators is to provide learners with real opportunities to use Hebrew in a way that aligns with the community's goals. Over the last century we have seen educational programs of all flavors and have a deep level of expertise in identifying solutions that match goals and resources. We know that Hebrew learning can be deep and fun and meaningful because we see it often, and in many different packages.

As you're thinking about your Hebrew program for the upcoming year, we're highlighting some of our tried and true programs for grades 5-6. T

Decoding Hebrew opens the gates to a world of skills and deeper connection to Jewish prayer, culture, and tradition. 

Now's the time to start thinking about your Hebrew program for the upcoming year. So how to decide which primer is best for your learners?

Here's an overview of our most popular primers: 

Alef Bet Quest 

Best for: Grades 3-4
Students learn Hebrew through a guided virtual tour of Israel. Teaches new letters and vowels from real Hebrew words, with an emphasis on those found in the prayer book. Alef Bet

Here’s a challenge for Jewish educators: An 8th grade student tells his teacher how he doesn’t feel a connection to prayer, even as he "put forth positive energy" to the practice. The student says he’s searching for a way to break through "the blockade between the heart and God.”

This true heartfelt story highlights what many educators know: that while it's important to study the words and mechanics of the prayer, in many ways it's even more important to guide students toward finding the intention that gives meaning to the prayers.

As educator Batsheva Frankel writes in The Jewish Educator's Companion, "It's difficult to help students relate to the

Of all the challenges students at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston have faced this year, learning Hebrew has not been one of them.

The school uses Hebrew in Harmony curriculum for grades 3-6, and this year, just as in pre-pandemic times, students learn to read Hebrew with fluency and develop connections the prayers. This year, perhaps even faster.

“Our Hebrew program has excelled this year,” says David Scott, director of lifelong learning. “The year has been tremendous in many ways because of Hebrew in Harmony. The curriculum works really well, and we’ve found that being fully online this year has really opened up even more opportunities for us to create and develop new ways of engaging children online with Hebrew.”

The Hebrew goals of the Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center of Beth Israel are tefilah-based. Students are grouped by skill level, and they work on mastering reading each pray

Why does Hebrew matter? 

"Language is a key to identity and culture, and Hebrew is a key to Jewish identity and Jewish culture. We just have to approach it as such." So writes Jeremy Benstein, the linguist and author of Hebrew Roots, Jewish Routes: A Tribal Language in a Global World.

Engaging with Hebrew is a vehicle to enrich our connection to Judaism and its values. It is a real, living, dynamic language full of energy, Benstein says. You can teach it that way and help students connect with the language in authentic ways - whether or not your school focuses on prayer learning.

If

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. 

Hooked on Hebrew is a new series of card games for practicing Hebrew alphabet and prayers - whether in school or at home or over the summer. Golem program members just received a set this month. 

The cards are designed for ages 8 and up, and are also well suited for intergenerational activity. Play up to 15 different games with each deck. (Cards were developed by Strong Learning and are available in three different packs.) 

The more fun you're having, the more you practice. And the more you practice, the more

Strong Hebrew programs have a clear rationale, a reason for doing what you're doing.

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 

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."

Behrman House converted many of our most widely-used educational materials into digital turn-page versions, making it easier for you continue teaching your tried and true curriculum.

With schools now fully underway, and most using remote or hybrid environments, students have been using digital learning materials at more than triple the rate from previous years. Thousands of students are logging in each week to use these turn-page materials. In particular, Hebrew digital materials are seeing the greatest use.

And educators are reporting great satisfaction with the turn-page materials, which are digital versions of books that teachers can share on screen during online sessions while students follow along with physical copies.

We've heard from educators that "having turn page materials has worked well for staff