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Hebrew Proficiency Project
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BJE's Pick of the Week:


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 BJE is a beneficiary of
The Jewish Federation
Hebrew Proficiency Project 
A recent sixth grade fashion show at Temple Emanuel Academy Day School, in Beverly Hills, had familiar elements: chic, original designs, posing models and expert announcers offering style commentary.  What made this show unique is that students planned and presented it completely in Hebrew.

"It was a purposeful use of the language and a high level
of Hebrew used with students researching additional words
they needed to describe and build their fashion show,"
said Rachel Sternheim, assistant head of school.

The fashion show assignment was based on learning gained from the Hebrew Language Proficiency Project offered through BJE in collaboration with Hebrew at the Center, in Newton, Massachusetts. Leading the Project is Brandeis University professor Dr. Vardit Ringvald, nationally recognized for her Hebrew language and teaching expertise.  Temple Emanuel, Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School, Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am, Sinai Akiba Academy, and Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School are the schools participating in a three year pilot program.  Supported, in part by The Jewish Federation and federal funding through "No Child Left Behind," the endeavor is anticipated to serve as a nationwide model.

The project is dramatically transforming the way Hebrew is taught, learned and experienced, taking students beyond traditional textbook-based Hebrew learning. Through in-person and online workshops, and individual coaching, teachers learn new techniques that allow students to progress and build listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at their own pace, individually, collectively and in small groups. Rather than a one-size-fits-all, ready-made curriculum, each school adapts the program to its own needs.

"We're very excited to be involved in this cutting edge
initiative in teaching Hebrew language," said Rabbi Mitch
Malkus, Pressman Academy head of school. "We see
the impact on our teachers in terms of developing
comprehensive strategy and tailoring it to each student,
and we see the improvement in oral and written language
skills in our students." 

As experienced at Emanuel and Pressman, the Hebrew Proficiency Project is allowing several thousand Los Angeles day school students to discover innovative ways to learn and use the language on a daily basis in the classroom. We envision a future in which all students will be speaking and reading like Sabras, native Israelis. Shalom and l'hitraot.

For more information visit Hebrew at the Center.

Did you know?

Los Angeles is one of only two communities (the other being Atlanta, Georgia) involved in the Hebrew Proficiency Project pilot program.

 

Click here to see education options available at BJE Affiliated Schools! 
 

 

BJE's Pick of the Week 

The holiday of Shavuot, associated with Moses and the Israelites receiving Torah at Mount Sinai, begins this Saturday night.  It is traditional to welcome the holiday with Torah study.  For a list of synagogues, a number of which will be offering Shavuot study sessions click here.