Hebrew at Yachad
Yachad utilizes the Shalom Learning Hebrew Step-By-Step pedagogy, focusing on decoding and learning Hebrew letters through commonly seen Jewish words and phrases. The Shalom Learning program includes eight levels of learning, starting with beginner level letter and vowel recognition, and moving towards more complex word recognition, grammar rules, and a sense of confidence in knowing the whole Hebrew alphabet for out young learners. For students that advance past the Shalom Learning material and are ready to tackle prayer-based Hebrew, we incorporate the Mitkadem Curriculum from Behrman House, a self-paced Hebrew prayer program that empowers them on their journey to learn Hebrew.
Jewish Life Vocabulary (K-6th Grade)
By infusing Hebrew vocabulary and letters into the learning environment at Yachad, we aim to expose learners to the Hebrew that will enable them to participate in Jewish life in America, ie phrases like mazel tov (congratulations!), bikur cholim (visiting the sick), and b’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God; as well as words like t’shuvah (repentance), tanach (the Jewish bible), and mezuzah. Familiarity with these words not only lays the groundwork for successful Hebrew decoding, it also transmits important Jewish values and cultural elements.
Hebrew Decoding – (3rd – 8th grade)
Students begin with Shalom Learning Hebrew Step-By-Step program, which focuses on decoding quickly and accurately. The program incorporates key cultural words (shalom, mitzvah, mezuzah, tzedakah), read-aloud activities, and writing practice to give students a range of modalities. Our most advanced hebrew learners use the Behrman House Mitkadem Curriculum which teaches Hebrew through prayers that they will see during Tefilah.
Our goals for Hebrew decoding are centered on the students’ abilities to identify letters and vowels, correctly match their sounds, and as they gain more of the Hebrew alphabet, get started on being able to read whole words and sentences. As they get more advanced, we begin focusing on grammar rules and intuitive word recognition, ensuring they easily flow through Tefilah and eventually, their Torah portion.
