Hebrew Academy

Dr. Bryn Harari | Principal

Chanukah is in full swing at Hebrew Academy, and joy is in the air. Our entire student body looks forward to gathering around the campus’s Values Circle to light our community menorah. A wide range of fun and exciting Chanukah activities like singing, dancing, games, and special guests lead up to the daily menorah lighting ceremony that has become a much-anticipated communitywide event each year. Throughout the eight-day holiday, we share stories and the deeper meanings behind the traditions we celebrate. We recounted the story of the Chanukah miracle when the Maccabees triumphed over their oppressors, and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days. But we also bring a present day meaning to the holiday, one of light, inspiration, and fortitude to preserve our heritage and our traditions.

Chanukah celebrations and activities are part of a unique dual curriculum offered at Hebrew Academy, which combines a rigorous General Studies curriculum with an outstanding Judaic curriculum resulting in an empowering, well-rounded education that will steward the next generation of Jewish thinkers, innovators, and leaders who embrace their Jewish identities and see the importance of their contributions to the larger society.

Eight Ways Judaic Learning Benefits Children In the Classroom and Beyond.

1. Learning with Purpose: Our Judaic Studies are designed to supplement and align with our General Studies curriculum. This allows students to see the real-world application of subjects such as math, reading, and science in Jewish experiences and traditions. As students learn about the oil used for lighting the menorah, they learn scientifically why oil and water don’t mix and can explain why oil mixed with water will always rise to the top. By making connections, students are inspired and easily grasp and retain the lessons they’ve learned.

2. Passion and Creativity: As part of our Judaic Studies, we encourage students to choose and pursue their passion. This year during Chanukah, our students had the opportunity to engage in various Chanukah activities like making menorahs, baking sugar cookies and doughnuts, and for our older students, service learning projects and competing in cooking contests. Handson, self-directed projects that have an impact beyond the classroom help children explore their passions and express their creativity and independence while strengthening essential life skills.

3. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information, interpret data, apply reason, and draw conclusions beyond rote memorization is a critical nextgeneration skill. Our curriculum strengthens necessary thinking skills far beyond the standard curriculum and challenges students to apply learning to a broader, global context. Students learn about other cultures, countries, histories, and experiences, expanding their perspectives and seeing the world from different points of view. This cultivates empathetic as well as critical thinkers.

4. Communication Skills: The long-term, interdisciplinary projects our students engage in span Judaic and General Studies, helping students learn to collaborate and communicate effectively with team members and colleagues. This month, during Chanukah, students at every grade level are invited to share poems, songs, and presentations before an audience of fellow students, teachers, and parents. Through this experience and many others like this, they learn how to express themselves confidently, articulate, and communicate clearly, as they share ideas with others, building stronger connections.

5. Executive Functioning, Planning, and Time Management Skills: Our dual curriculum provides opportunities to improve time management and executive functioning skills. Students learn to take on and complete a wide variety of assignments and projects while balancing a curriculum of breadth and depth. Our students consistently score high on standardized tests, including PSATs and SATs, where our students outperform the national averages. These skills provide valuable preparation for college and future careers.

6. Improved Focus: Studies show that children who learn another language (like Hebrew) demonstrate accelerated progress in reading and have higher test scores. They are also shown to have greater empathy and understanding of diverse cultures. Learning another language requires students to discern information, improve focus and enhance concentration and critical thinking. Due to the Hebrew language instruction, our students are consistently rated highly in reasoning and critical thinking. As students become more proficient in reading and writing Hebrew, they also become more confident in their abilities. Learning a language like Hebrew is a rewarding challenge, and students find that they can achieve their goals with perseverance and practice.

7. Confidence Building: Leadership opportunities are integral to learning at The Hebrew Academy. From the earliest ages, our students have been presenting, performing, instructing, and demonstrating for others. They learn to edit and reflect on their work and that of their peers. They learn to give and receive constructive feedback. This cultivates life-long skills for leadership and collaboration and builds confidence in speaking, presenting, and continuous learning.

8. Joy of Learning: There is simply no place of learning where joy is more prevalent than at The Hebrew Academy. Joy nurtures us and motivates students. Children are naturally eager to learn and curious about the world. A joyful environment brings out the best in learners. Our students take pride in their extensive academic success and are known to be Happy Scholars! As anxiety and depression among children have increased over the last three years, we need joy in the classroom now more than ever. Our integrated General and Judaic Studies make learning fun, exciting, and academically enriching.

Discover the Joy of Judaic Studies

The rigorous dual curriculum at The Hebrew Academy benefits students from all Jewish backgrounds and prepares them for every future academic aspiration. We welcome you and your family to visit our campus to learn more about our unique dual curriculum and our inclusive, welcoming, and joyful approach to Jewish learning for every student.