Hebrew Education
In our Hebrew program, students develop Hebrew decoding skills and an understanding of core Hebrew grammatical concepts. Students gain proficiency in reading prayers from the Shabbat service as they prepare to become BE Mitzvah and knowledgeable Jewish young adults. Students begin to make connections between key prayer vocabulary and themes that reflect Jewish life. Each grade has specific learning and prayer goals. Hebrew is taught through a variety of formats including textbooks, Jewish texts, games, computer programs, conversation, art, music and participation in prayer services. Students are expected to practice Hebrew reading at home.
The goals of our Hebrew Education Program are:
To connect students with the language of the Jewish People, both ancient and modern
To help students gain a working knowledge of our siddur (prayer book) and the order of our prayer services
To become proficient “pray-ers,” able to participate in T'filah and ultimately lead prayer services.
For students to understand key words and themes from our prayer tradition and derive personal meaning and connections to prayer.
We understand that students learn Hebrew in different ways. Our Hebrew education program aims to be inclusive of different kinds of students and diverse approaches to learning. All 3rd to 5th grade students have a choice between Hebrew Kitah (Class) OR Hebrew Chevruta (Tutoring).
All 3rd-6th graders at PTBE are expected to enroll in a Hebrew learning class. We offer four levels of Hebrew.
Kitah Alef: Beginning Hebrew (most 3rd graders)
This group will learn letters of the alef bet and corresponding vowel sounds. They will learn to decode letters and vowel sounds together. Students will be introduced to basic “Jewish Life Vocabulary” and simple Hebrew blessings (Such as Shabbat and Chanukah blessings). All Alef students use the “Alef Bet Quest” textbook from Behrman House which will either be picked up at the beginning of the year or used in an in-person class. The textbook includes corresponding access to the Behrman House Online Learning Center.
Kitah Bet: Intermediate Hebrew (most 4th graders)
This group is expected to have basic familiarity with most letters and vowel sounds of the Alef Bet. Students will spend the first half of the year reviewing letters, vowels, and decoding using the Alef Bet Quest textbook from Kitah Alef at a faster pace. Students will also receive their own Mishkan T’filah Siddur, the prayer book of the Reform Movement. Students will learn to read simple prayers of the shabbat morning service including: Barchu, Shema, Torah Blessings, Morning Blessings, and Shabbat Kiddush. Students will also learn Hebrew blessings such as Shabbat, Chanukah, and Passover Four Questions.
Kitah Gimmel: Advanced Hebrew (most 5th graders)
This group is expected to know letters and vowel sounds. This class will not spend much time on reviewing basic decoding. In the first half of the year students will use the Mishkan T’filah Siddur to review prayers from Kitah Bet. Additionally, students will learn to read the more difficult prayers of the Shabbat Morning Service including: V’ahavta, Chatzi Kaddish, Avot V’imahot, G’vurot.
6th Grade Hebrew: BE Mitzvah Preparation
In the 6th grade year of PTBE, students will strengthen their prayer reading and comprehension skills in order to become Shlechi Tzibor, prayer leaders. Students will review all prayers from the Shabbat Morning BE Mitzvah service and learn key vocabulary and big ideas of each prayer.
schedules & tuition:
Kitah (3rd - 5th Grade):
Sundays 11:15am -12:15pm (following Rishonim)
Tuition: $690
Chevruta (Tutoring):
Students who chose this option will schedule individually and choose whether in-person or virtual based on preference and teacher availability:
Chevruta Tuition:
2:1 $1,085
1:1 $1,530
If your child has special needs and needs extra support for Hebrew, please contact rabbigenevieve@ptbe.org to help arrange the best learning option.
DOWNLOADABLE ALEF-BET RESOURCE SHEET
For Hebrew Learning Material: https://www.ptbe.org/3rd-5th-gr-hebrew-news
Our school uses a unique textbook called, Alef Bet Quest published by Behrman House, as a tool to help your child learn. When your student begins Hebrew, he/she will receive both a textbook and a matching web-based digital companion. Your child will learn to read Hebrew with the book in class and will practice those new skills at home in animated online activities and computer games. This combination is a highly motivating way to learn to read Hebrew, and we think your child will love the program.
To access the online review, students will each receive a user name and password that enables them to log into our school's private portal in the Online Learning Center (OLC) hosted by Behrman House. Here’s how to get started:
1. Begin by going to the website www.behrmanhouse.com and clicking on “Play & Learn” to find Online Learning Center Login link at the top right of the page.
2. Receive a log-in for each student that follows the pattern: first initial last name@ptbe.org. Example lkingston@ptbe.org. (this log in is NOT a working email address). All log-ins and passwords will be given out at the beginning of the school year or when your child begins Hebrew.
3. Follow the prompts to log in for the first time. After you log in you will be prompted to choose your own password. (You may change at any time.) Make sure it's something your child can remember!
4. After completing these steps, your child can log in to the OLC at any time by going to www.behrmanhouse.com/bholc or clicking “Enter the OLC” from the Behrman House home page.
If you need technical support at any time, log in and click Get Tech Help to submit a support ticket with any questions. Someone will answer your query within one business day, and often much sooner. If you have any trouble with your first time log in, you can contact customersupport@behrmanhouse.com directly.