2011 Blue Ribbon School
International Baccalaureate® IB World School
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The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School
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Volume 4 Issue 2 January/February 2012 Tevet-Shevat 5772
The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School
“You have to be relevant in today’s world, and that starts with hearing our students’ voices.” - Rabbi Joshua Spodek, Director of Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language
Rooted in Tradition... Hillel Unveils Contemporary Judaics, Hebrew Program
A new school year is around the corner, which means faculty are planting seeds for the next season of the Hillel Experience. Students are flourishing personally, spiritually and academically as Hillel continues to nurture roots of Jewish values, tradition and knowledge. And the Judaic Studies program is at the heart of it all, developing core identity in this very global time. Hillel unveils its 2012-2013 Judaics and Ivrit program in this edition of the Kol Hillel, and details will be shared at spring family meetings. “More than ever, we are focused on fulfilling the needs of our diverse student community,” said Rabbi Joshua Spodek, Hillel’s Director of Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language. “We want to ensure that every child is growing and moving along the continuum of Jewish identity and literacy, no matter when they begin their Hillel education.” The curriculum extends from this year’s development and research, which included Rabbi Spodek personally meeting with Hillel students, parents and faculty, and colleagues at fellow North American schools. “You have to be relevant in today’s world, and that starts with hearing our students’ voices,” he said. Through its Reggio-Emilia-inspired program, Early Childhood will continue to instill a love for Judaism and Israel in Hillel’s youngest students. Rich experiences include authentic Shabbat and chagim celebrations, story-time based on Parshiot and daily Tefilah in dedicated classroom spaces. Child-centered curriculum and Jewish life are woven together to encourage social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth. Lower School is moving to an integrated program that immerses students in Hebrew not only in their language class but also in Judaic classes, actually learning Chumash, Parshiot, Dinim and chagim in Hebrew. In phases over the next three years, Grades 1-5 will become immersed in a holistic approach to learning through TaL AM, a Judaic Studies and Hebrew curriculum based on the concept that “the best learning environment for children is one in which knowledge is acquired…using each of the five senses” (talam.org).
Students will learn with visual aids, games, music and technology that create independent learners. “TaL AM encourages students to apply skills and creativity as they learn in a fun, stress-free environment,” Spodek said. Grade 6-8 Hebrew will split into tracks based on academic ability. Hebrew Experience will be conversational and modern, and NETA will be based in text and literature. Middle School Judaic classes will focus more on students’ emerging identity, role in the community and solutions to modern issues. NETA Hebrew will continue through Grade 12, and qualifying students will study advanced Hebrew and be prepared to take the SAT II Hebrew exam. Grades 9-12 also will offer a choice of two Judaic paths for inspired learning that reflects the school’s Torah-centered mission. Focused on Jewish history, the Yahadut track will emphasize content and core topics of Biblical and Rabbinic text through thematic discussions about contemporary issues. The Beit Midrash track will focus on the development of textual skills through Talmud and Tanach. As students gain facility with the text, they will actively engage in in-depth analysis. “Our Hillel goal is to strengthen Jewish identity and pride among students,” said Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, Hillel’s Head of School. “In line with our overall philosophy of learning, all Hebrew and Judaic Studies will be engaging and rigorous, while meeting students’ needs.” When rising Grade 9-12 students select 2012-2013 classes this spring, they also will find expanded Judaic, secular and elective offerings. “While meeting the criteria of IB and a dual curriculum, we want to foster individual strengths and interests,” said Vanessa Donaher, Director of College Counseling and incoming Director of Upper School. “We’re meshing academic ability with personal motivation to maximize student potential,” she said. “For students, faculty and families, it’s going to be an incredible year.”
learning for a lifetime