AN EYE on the NEW GRS HEBREW PROGRAM

Dear Friends,

The voices of our parents have been heard and change is right around the corner!

As our goal is to truly meet the needs of our children, we are excited about the revolutionary way, come September, in which Hebrew instruction will be offered at Greenwich Reform Synagogue. 

In response to the request for a more flexible curriculum, and sensitive to the busy schedule of our children, we have developed a program for teaching Hebrew in an effective and efficient manner that will cater to individual needs. This curriculum will enable each student to progress at his or her own pace, and prevent any child from falling between the cracks (while enabling advanced students to quickly move ahead).

Replacing mid-week Hebrew School on Wednesday afternoons, students in Grades 4-7 (as well as those in Grade 3 who wish to begin the program), will come to the GRS office for a half hour of individualized instruction (at a time you request) with a Hebrew expert. Utilizing the highly successful Mitkadem curriculum, created by Hebrew specialists at the Union for Reform Judaism, each student will receive self-paced instruction. Mitkadem teaches Hebrew reading as well as theological concepts and key Hebrew vocabulary and grammar.

Each lesson will be tailored to the progress of the student.  To reinforce what has taken place with the instructor, students will be asked to review the material daily for approximately ten minutes, with materials supplied and on-line recordings. Parents will be requested to sign a log following each practice session at home, to be subsequently shown to the instructor. Should you wish, we, we will be happy to recommend a "study buddy," who is at a comparable level to your child. Accordingly, such review sessions can take place on the phone, on the computer or in person.  Our goal is for the process to be educational and enjoyable!

This self-paced curriculum will enable our students to learn the major prayers within the Shabbat (and Bar/Bat Mitzvah) service. On Sunday mornings students will have an opportunity to practice what they are learning with their peers, during the section of the morning devoted to Tefilah, or prayer service.  Come the year in which a student prepares for Bar or Bat Mitzvah, he/she will spend additional time with the cantor focusing upon the Torah and Haftarah portions.

In addition, on Sunday mornings within their classrooms, students will spend a short time each week, learning and reviewing Hebrew vocabulary and phrases. This will enable our students to understand that Hebrew is both our ancient, sacred language, and one that lives in the land of Israel.  This concept will be further reinforced with activities that will take place throughout the year with our Israeli emissaries.

We truly believe that this new approach to studying Hebrew, will offer the best of all worlds to our children. Through self-paced instruction guided by a knowledgeable and sensitive teacher, a group prayer experience on Sunday mornings, and the exposure to Modern Hebrew, our children will gain not only the skills necessary for becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Greenwich Reform Synagogue, but also a true appreciation of the language which continues to be cherished by the Jewish people. Of course, we look forward to you and children attending Shabbat and holidays services on a regular basis. As always, I invite all adults, interested in learning Hebrew to please speak to me.

L'Shalom,

Rabbi Andy

Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, MSW, RJE 

The Lectures should be "Stand-Alone" so come to as many or as few as you can.

If, possible, come to class with a copy of Genesis, it  will be interesting if we have several different Translations and can compare during the discussion.  However, even if you don't have a copy, please come!!!
 
We will be meeting at the GRS office 1037 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878 at 9:30 AM.