(Courtesy of Yeshivat He’Atid) “Ha-llel,” “Miz-be-ach.” Visitors walking into a kindergarten classroom at Yeshivat He’Atid will find a bustling room full of children practicing their open and closed syllables through an interactive matching game, entirely in Hebrew.
Yeshivat He’Atid in Teaneck, known for its innovative approach to Jewish education, is proud to partner with a groundbreaking program aimed at revolutionizing Hebrew reading instruction. The Even Kriah program, now being piloted for the third year, is designed to teach students in grades K-2 the fundamentals of Hebrew reading through a research-based, engaging curriculum.
Even Kriah was developed by educational leader Dr. Scott Goldberg and his team, who have crafted a curriculum that prioritizes explicit instruction and interactive learning. At the heart of the Even Kriah program is a departure from traditional methods of Hebrew instruction. Instead of focusing solely on the memorization of letters and sight words, the program emphasizes phonetic awareness and the structural components of Hebrew words. By mastering the building blocks of the Hebrew language, students gain the ability to decode unfamiliar and more complex words with confidence, setting the stage for deeper comprehension and fluency.
By incorporating words from Tanach into the curriculum at such a young age, students are exposed to unfamiliar yet meaningful vocabulary, challenging them to expand their linguistic abilities. Janice Jacobs, associate principal, shared, “We began this adventure so that our students at the youngest age could build the foundational skills to study Tanach in the higher grades. Once students know how to approach a word, they can read tefillot and Tanach independently. This year, our first-grade students can easily read Tehillim and the Misheberach
for the Israeli soldiers. It is revolutionary!”
While the Even Kriah program provides He’Atid teachers with a philosophical framework and lessons, the team of passionate He’Atid educators has championed the program and ensured its success. Spearheaded by Ortal Flaumenhaft, Minda Mafouda, Sarit Kaplan and Etty Ahdoot, teachers work to consolidate the material to creatively adapt it to fit the individual needs of their students, making learning Hebrew a joyful and rewarding experience. Whether authoring their own Hebrew stories or creating innovative games, under the guidance of Janice Jacobs and an Even Kriah coach, the talented educators have received the support and encouragement needed to create engaging materials and master each unit of the curriculum.
The Even Kriah program integrates seamlessly with the Yeshivat He’Atid mission of Ivrit b’Ivrit, ensuring that the Hebrew language is woven into every aspect of the student’s learning experience in a natural and organic manner. At He’Atid, Judaic studies are taught entirely by Israeli teachers and fluent Hebrew speakers.
Additionally, true to the He’Atid mission to re-envision the classroom to incorporate 21st century educational approaches,
its teachers have embraced the program wholeheartedly, finding joy in the transformative impact it has on their students’ Hebrew reading abilities. “Every time I come into class, I’m so happy and proud of my students’ progress! I am incredibly passionate about it because I feel the difference,” Morah Ortal expressed, reflecting the enthusiasm shared by educators throughout the school. The program’s success is evident in the tangible progress made by students, who demonstrate increased accuracy and proficiency in their Hebrew reading skills through multiple assessments.
Moreover, the Even Kriah program aligns with the Yeshivat He’Atid commitment to individualized and personalized instruction. He’Atid’s rotational learning model ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive. Students are strategically placed and rotate stations throughout the day, receiving highly personalized small-group instruction. While one teacher instructs students in the Hebrew language, another will review the parsha while another group independently completes a writing assignment or reads to a peer.
Word of the innovative approach and proven results have spread fast, and Yeshivat He’Atid has already hosted multiple day school principals and faculty to see the program in action firsthand. Looking ahead, Yeshivat He’Atid is excited to see its younger students build upon their advanced Hebrew literacy by engaging even deeper with Jewish texts.
As Morah Ortal aptly put it, “You need to believe in it first, and the kids will follow.” With the Even Kriah program, Yeshivat He’Atid is not only transforming Hebrew reading instruction but instilling a lifelong love for Torah and mitzvot and a deep commitment to the Jewish people and Israel.
