**Miscellaneous

= = =**Let's Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side**= I am excited to invite you to explore the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland’s completely new approach to teaching Hebrew decoding,
 * Let’s Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side**!


 * [|Let’s Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side]**
 * ** Flips learning **
 * With the online program, students learn to decode/read Hebrew via short, interactive “story presentations.”
 * With the assistance of a learning facilitator, each lesson is reinforced using hands-on games and activities.
 * ** Draws on already known words **(e.g., //Rosh Hashanah, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, mazel tov//) as the context for learning Hebrew letters and vowel signs.
 * ** Offers individual attention **to students – there’s no hiding behind others in class, and no missing the //Ayin// because of an absence.
 * ** Is fast **, averaging 12-15 hours for children to learn to decode Hebrew; each of the 24 lessons takes 30ish minutes.
 * ** Removes obstacles **that normally trip up students in their learning of Hebrew.
 * ** Makes great use of teen assistants **, parents and/or volunteers.
 * ** Is cost-effective **.

Check out the HOME page to view an **online learning sample**: []

Check out the ABOUT page to learn more about the **target age group**, **timing**, and the **program in general**: []


 * Let’s Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side** was designed for use by students in the year or two prior to their Bar or Bat Mitzvah:
 * Most of the **Let’s Learn Hebrew** pilot-students were newly-enrolled 5th and 6th graders who had no Hebrew background.
 * Some worked with a teen assistant, some worked with their parents, and others with a tutor.


 * [[image:teachercenter-jecc/1.jpg]] || And what does it mean that ** it’s time to turn Hebrew learning on its head **? Educators who are ready to push-on-the-system will find that **Let’s Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side** offers an alternative to our current structure of teaching Hebrew decoding in grades 3 & 4. By waiting till fifth or sixth grade we can use the younger years for learning that is more engaging than focusing on the Alef-Bet and the “reading” of prayers. More so, we can take advantage of the deeper background and maturity of these older students. Those who’ve discovered **[|Hebrew Through Movement]** will find that it’s language basis complements **Let’s Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side** perfectly!!

Times have changed! Our students have changed! Hebrew learning must change!

Introductory prices through August 31st. The online program goes “live” mid-August and the hands-on materials will be shipped by then, too. Check out our website ([]) and please be in contact with any questions. Feel free to forward this notice to other educators.

// Senior Director // // Director of Curriculum Resources // nmoskowitz@jecc.org Jewish Education Center of Cleveland || = = =** Zoo Safari: On the Hunt for acts of חֶסֶד ( //__ H __ esed //, kindness!) **= As parents, we are constantly helping our children learn that kindness is core to our relations with others - we want our children to be nice to others, and we want them to find the special qualities of kindness around them. But as parents of Jewish children, we have the added responsibility and pleasure of teaching our children that being nice and kind is an important Jewish value. While Leviticus 19:18 offers the foundation, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” our tradition is full of stories that show kindness to others, even to animals. For instance, you may remember the story from Genesis of the herculean task undertaken by Rebecca in offering water to all of the camels that made the trip across the desert with our ancestor Isaac’s servant.
 * Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz **
 * Take a trip to your local zoo and go on a hunt (and take pictures) for acts of kindness - **

Our Zoo Safari is a great opportunity to teach our children about the Jewish value of hesed, and to help them learn to identify it all around us. As Tour Guide to your zoo family’s adventure, we ask you to be on the alert for acts of __//h//__esed.

Here's some more info: This was a wonderful collaboration by two local congregations - 40 families attended in all! All families on the safari were identified to each other by an animal print bandana tied to their stroller or arm of the parent. While "out on safari," parents took photos of examples of Hesed, sent them to my phone (Nachama Moskowitz) and then via a Bluetooth connection between my phone and laptop, I got them into a slide show that we shared at the end of the morning. We also gave each family 8 stickers with pictures of animals from the lower end of the zoo (we weren't sure if these families with young children would make it to the upper reaches). When a child saw an animal, s/he put the sticker on the back of the zoo safari instructions (see attached file), or on their clothing. It really was a great program - not too complex, lots of family-to-family interactions.
 * [[image:zoo.jpg width="424" height="621"]] || [[file:zoo safari.docx]] ||

**Earth Day - Environment Cards**
Share these cards with your students. Discuss ways that they can care for the environment. Make 2 sets and play a matching game with them!
 * [[image:Earth Day cards.jpg width="400" height="309"]] || [[file:Environment cards E-1 - for Earth Day!.pdf]] ||

=**What's** **Jewish about Thanksgiving**= This mindmap can be used when talking with you students about Thanksgiving. It was created in [|www.popplet.com]. This is only the beginning - continue to add to this.
 * [[image:What makes Thanksgiving Jewish.jpg width="320" height="231"]] || [[file:thanksgiving web on popplet.pub]] ||