Morah Batsheva Kent is a teacher on a mission: to personally make sure that students in the JEC learn to speak Hebrew as early as possible. The JEC’s Lower School’s Early Childhood department features an impressive immersion program called Chalav U’Dvash, literally “milk and honey,” which is an initiative of the Jewish Agency.

Morah Batsheva, as she is fondly known, meets with each class twice a week and teaches the spoken Hebrew language through an array of songs, dramatizations and special activities. Supported by her mascot and speaking puppet named Bentzi, she conducts her classes entirely in Hebrew, which she says is the best way for students to learn. Fostering a love for the Land and State of Israel is also a strong part of her agenda. “Through our program, we learn to experience the excitement of Medinat Yisrael and Israeli culture,” she said. “I hope to share my love for our home country with all of the children.”

The JEC Lower School’s Early Childhood programming is the first step in a school-wide focus on Hebrew language and commitment to Israel. All three of the JEC’s divisions—The JEC Lower School, RTMA and Bruriah—participate in the Federation-backed shlichim program and engage several Israeli emissaries of varying ages and backgrounds to work with students over the course of the year.