This is what Rebecca Eisen, a 12 Year Old Chabad Hebrew School student, wrote up on her own for the Hebrew School Graduation. Following that are remarks written by Mrs. Jen Marks, a Hebrew School first year parent, about her experience with Chabad's Hebrew School also delivered at the graduation (we thank them for allowing us to share their meaningful words)
"Chabad Hebrew School Is Incredible"
Hello, my name is Rebecca Eisen, and I have now been coming to Chabad Hebrew School for 2 years. My experience at Chabad has been incredible.
First, at Chabad there are exceptional teachers. Last year I had Morah Shirah who was great. Each holiday we celebrated with her she told us stories about the holiday in an understandable way, and I learned lots in her class. This year I had Fraidy. Fraidy was sooooo much fun, and we even text sometimes. Fraidy has taught me so much about the Nashama, a soul, and we have done many fun projects in her class. Chanchie is a great teacher, too. Even though I have never had Chanchie as my teacher, my sister has, and she really enjoys her, and looks forward to coming to Hebrew school every week.
Another incredible thing about Chabad Hebrew School is that the curriculum is very exciting and fun. Instead of just reading words and not really doing anything with it, Chabad has put together a program that excites students to learn the Hebrew words. Each "level" that you pass is from a "Karate System," and the levels get harder and harder until you get to the black level. When you pass a level, you get a medal, which makes you feel good.
Last, the best part of Chabad is the students that go here. The students are so nice and inclusive, and you make new friends. Each week I am excited to see my friends because they make my experience at Chabad even better.
Finally, I want to say thank you to Sara Bluming and Rabbi Bluming. Sara has put in so much of her time to help Chabad Hebrew School be the best ever. Rabbi Bluming came into our class this year, and we asked him questions. For EVERY question, he had an answer no matter how complicated it was. Thank you so much for everything!
Chabad Hebrew School is truly an incredible place to be.
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Mrs. Jen Marks:
Last year when we were searching for a new synagogue, hebrew school was obviously a big part of our discussion. My husband and I had fairly typical Hebrew school experiences: it was a chore, a means to an end. And the end couldn't come soon enough.
We were intrigued when Sara and Rabbi Bluming explained the Chabad Hebrew school philosophy — make hebrew school so enjoyable that kids would actually like it. I'm not sure we believed this could happen, but we accepted the challenge.
When the kids came home happy after the first day we wrote it off as excitement for something new. Then the strangest thing happened, week after week they came home happy. And they were learning. Soon we realized this was no fluke. And anyone who spends time with Sara, Fradie, Shira, and Chanchie knows why. They provide an atmosphere of warmth, not rigid rules; of creativity, not tired lessons we had growing up.
Most importantly, we know Chabad Hebrew school is providing a foundation upon which to build and that the end of Hebrew school will be the beginning of a lifetime of learning.