YOF Hebrew Week Inspiring Conversation and Creativity

Hebrew signs, Hebrew shirts, Hebrew songs, Hebrew stories, Hebrew everywhere. For an entire week, Yeshivah of Flatbush Lower Division students immersed themselves entirely in the Hebrew language. The special week—named Shavuah TALI—was organized by the YOF Torah Studies Department to enhance one of its fundamental goals—fluency in Hebrew. The week-long event was the brainchild of Elementary School Principal Rabbi Lawrence Schwed, and was developed into a fantastic program.

Students started off their week-long Hebrew marathon with individually wrapped gifts sitting on their desks, and a big jar of jelly beans at the front of each classroom. Associate Principal of Torah Studies Rivka Zaklikowski announced on the loudspeaker that Shavuah TALI had officially begun. The students opened their gifts and found a bookmark decorated with the lyrics to the well known song Tov Likro Yachad.

As an incentive for the children to speak Hebrew throughout the week, during times they wouldn’t typically speak in Hebrew, teachers added jelly beans to the jars when they heard Hebrew spoken. At the end of the week each class had a jelly bean party.

Mrs. Channa Gratzman, Hebrew Coordinator and 4th grade teacher, organized the week’s activities that pumped enthusiasm for Hebrew language throughout Lower Division. But it was the tremendous efforts of all the teachers, assistants and staff members in preparing and involving the students that truly made the week a success.

Music teachers Sylvia Schwartz and Sonia Balsam ensured that Hebrew was not only spoken, but sung as well. Children were taught songs that coordinated with the week’s theme. The halls were filled with singing voices and covered with beautiful signs created by art teacher Dvora Greenfeld. The artistic signs provided the students with influential and exciting surroundings in which to practice their Hebrew.

Students and teachers weren’t the only ones involved; parents were too. They came to school to read Hebrew books to the classes and be part of the fun.

One highlight of the week was Cheder TALI, a room devoted to the week’s theme. Mrs. Gratzman, together with Shai Ben Uliel and Keren Bani, created an exciting space decorated with streamers and posters in exhilarating colors. Keren and Shai are Sherut Leumi representatives from Israel serving their national service at YOF by sharing the “Israel experience” with our children. There were games, mazes, trivia competitions, and T-shirt design stations, all revolving around themes of the book each class was assigned to read. In the center of the room was an auction of Hebrew books to encourage the children to continue reading in Hebrew even when the week came to an end.

In Cheder TALI the T-shirt station was set up for each student to design his or her own individual T-shirt. By the end of the week, all the students sported their personally designed shirts. Each class took a vote to determine the class favorite. Winners were presented with a certificate from Mrs. Zaklikowski.

Of course, students were involved in preparations for the week as well. In addition to reading the Hebrew book their class was assigned, each class authored and illustrated its own Hebrew book. The budding authors mastered the art of literature, providing their own entertaining plot lines and creative illustrations. The books all had hesed as their main theme and were filled with positive messages. They were read by their creators’ fellow grade mates. Each day, books were sent to different classes to be read so that all students could admire the works of their friends.

Shavuah TALI promoted a greater use of the Hebrew language in the minds and everyday lives of the students. Flatbush is dedicated to an Ivrit b’ Ivrit curriculum and even its youngest preschoolers are immersed in the richness of both Hebrew and English.

The administration’s goal of stimulating the students’ interest in Hebrew language was a success. The children were presented with ways to reflect on the books they read and the language they were speaking while having an absolute blast.

Not only did the week stimulate learning for YOF students, it also displayed their capabilities. Whether in writing, reading, designing, or trivia, students could shine in the areas they were strongest. Mrs. Zaklikowski was effusive in her praise for everyone involved in this innovative program.

“The different aspects of the activities during Shavuah TALI sparked in our students an emotional connection to the Hebrew language,” Mrs. Zaklikowski said. “The YOF Torah Studies Department is truly appreciative of the efforts of Mrs. Gratzman and her dedicated colleagues in inspiring our children in this way.”
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Esther Varon is the PR assistant at YOF. She is studying psychology and writing at Brooklyn College.