hebrew hevruta program
HEBREW HEVRUTA PROGRAM FOR HEBREW LEARNING, FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-6
Kol Tzedek’s Hebrew Hevruta Program is a new and exciting approach to teaching Hebrew skills to children in grades 3–6. “Hevruta” is the Hebrew phrase for partnership learning, which is the primary way that Jewish people have engaged with texts for thousands of years. Instead of larger classrooms with one teacher, two students will work with a tutor to gain Hebrew skills. The Torah School Director will pair children, based on level and taking into consideration other factors, such as location and timing. These sessions happen outside of the Torah School time-block and will be mutually arranged by the family and tutor.
There are many benefits to this program, including increased flexibility for families, faster-paced and more student-oriented learning, and the ability to connect in a small group with a caring tutor. In addition, by moving Hebrew decoding outside of the classroom, we will free up more time for topics—like holidays and rituals, values and social justice, and Jewish history—that are vital to a child’s knowledge base and Jewish identity formation.
We have found that students enjoy their Hebrew learning more and take greater ownership of it through the Hevruta program. And, most importantly, their skills improved at a faster rate than they had when Hebrew was instructed in the classroom.
How the program works:
Kol Tzedek employs a group of local, educated, and enthusiastic tutors. At the start of the year, children will be evaluated to determine their Hebrew level. Based on this evaluation, and taking in mind geographic and logistical concerns, we will place students into pairs. A hevruta will work with a tutor for 35 minutes, 22 sessions each year. Students will be expected to do some practice during the week to reinforce the learning. Students’ progress will be reported to the Torah School Director and rabbi each month. The Torah School Director will be able to advise and intervene as needed if problems arise.
After you have signed up for the program, please fill out this form to help us match your child with his or her hevruta.
Kol Tzedek’s Hebrew Hevruta Program is a new and exciting approach to teaching Hebrew skills to children in grades 3–6. “Hevruta” is the Hebrew phrase for partnership learning, which is the primary way that Jewish people have engaged with texts for thousands of years. Instead of larger classrooms with one teacher, two students will work with a tutor to gain Hebrew skills. The Torah School Director will pair children, based on level and taking into consideration other factors, such as location and timing. These sessions happen outside of the Torah School time-block and will be mutually arranged by the family and tutor.
There are many benefits to this program, including increased flexibility for families, faster-paced and more student-oriented learning, and the ability to connect in a small group with a caring tutor. In addition, by moving Hebrew decoding outside of the classroom, we will free up more time for topics—like holidays and rituals, values and social justice, and Jewish history—that are vital to a child’s knowledge base and Jewish identity formation.
We have found that students enjoy their Hebrew learning more and take greater ownership of it through the Hevruta program. And, most importantly, their skills improved at a faster rate than they had when Hebrew was instructed in the classroom.
How the program works:
Kol Tzedek employs a group of local, educated, and enthusiastic tutors. At the start of the year, children will be evaluated to determine their Hebrew level. Based on this evaluation, and taking in mind geographic and logistical concerns, we will place students into pairs. A hevruta will work with a tutor for 35 minutes, 22 sessions each year. Students will be expected to do some practice during the week to reinforce the learning. Students’ progress will be reported to the Torah School Director and rabbi each month. The Torah School Director will be able to advise and intervene as needed if problems arise.
After you have signed up for the program, please fill out this form to help us match your child with his or her hevruta.
