This past week, WTA was abuzz with Hebrew as we celebrated Shavua HaIvrit (Hebrew Week). Throughout the week, all the decorations, activities, singing and storytelling in Hebrew created an avira (environment) of excitement throughout the building, sending powerful messages of love for Hebrew. The week’s theme was “Landscapes of Eretz Yisrael.” WTA’s incredible team of Israeli mishlachat teachers brought Israel’s language and culture to life through immersive programs, activities and stories in fun and creative ways. The week kicked off with a beautiful video journey—a geographical tour of Israel—created especially for WTA students by different Israeli tour guides that incorporated new Hebrew vocabulary. WTA’s mishlachat partnered with organizations like Keren Keyemet L’Yisrael (JNF) and the WZO Education Department to access tools that offered the students hands-on experiences exploring Israel’s cities and landmarks, such as a giant map of Israel (which took up our entire entryway) and a large parachute decorated with Israeli landmarks. The teachers created engaging activities using these tools that allowed students to “visit” different places in Israel and learn about their history, significance and attractions—all while speaking in Hebrew.

Each day brought new adventures, from skits based on popular Hebrew sayings to fun games, lively stories and exciting competitions. One standout event was an Eliezer Ben-Yehuda-themed escape room, where students solved puzzles and challenges to learn about the man who revived the modern Hebrew language. The week culminated in a lively school-wide celebration where each class performed Hebrew songs and dances they had been practicing. The students also participated in a trivia game about the new Hebrew words and phrases they had learned. Their answers were used to decorate canvases, which will be assembled into a larger mural showcasing the school’s love for Israel and the Hebrew language. Hebrew Week at WTA was an unforgettable, immersive experience that deepened students’ connection to the Hebrew language and Israeli culture, leaving them with lasting memories and a greater appreciation for the language of the Jewish people.