Dear Parents, Imagine a Hebrew School where kids don't want to miss a day. They come in with a smile and leave humming a Hebrew song. Walking through the halls, you can hear the sounds of lively discussion, of singing, laughter and prayer. Imagine a child who feels the warmth and spirit of Judaism. Imagine the pride of his/her parents. Welcome to Chabad Hebrew School, an exciting and innovative educational program in Downtown San Diego. Our School enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children in Grades 1 thru 8. Now in its first year, Chabad Hebrew School has exciting new programs, a dynamic staff and many new students. Our student body is made up of children from various backgrounds and affiliations. Synagogue membership is not required. Being that Hebrew School is only held once a week, we strongly recommend that all students make every effort to attend the weekly Shabbat Youth service and an extra hour of private tutoring weekly or our new Aleph Champ Hebrew language course. This allows the students to advance steadily, reinforcing and building on skills taught in Hebrew School. Children who have taken advantage of these services in the past, have made obvious strides, and achieved outstandingly in all areas. We encourage you as a parent to get involved, ask questions and keep in touch with our school. Feel free to contact me at any time. Best wishes, Nechama Dina Carlebach Educational Director
Curriculum Goals To attain a strong sense of Love and Pride in being Jewish. Explore the Torah (Bible), the history of the Jewish people and discover their relevance to today's day and age. Gain an understanding of holiday traditions and other Jewish practices. Study the morals, values and ethical behavior as taught in the Torah. Master the skills of Hebrew reading and writing. (Older Children) Understand basic Hebrew words. Learn basic prayers so that the students can feel comfortable at their respective synagogue services. Study the ancient and modern history of the land of Israel. Allow students to express their opinions and questions about G-d, Torah and religion. Information Ages: Our program is for boys and girls from grades 1 thru 8. Hours: Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 pm Location: All classes will be held at Chabad, 472 Third Avenue, San Diego, California 92101. For further information, please call Nechama Dina at (619) 702-8518.
Aleph Champion Program A project of Chabad Hebrew Schools International We are pleased to inform you that we have just completed our first successful year of exciting new program at our school! Chabad Hebrew Schools are changing the course of Hebrew reading forever with a brand new innovative, cutting edge reading system. Based on the martial arts motivational philosophy of color coded levels and testing, the Aleph Champion Program provides motivation and inspiration for Chabad Hebrew School students around the world. Easily attainable levels and professional materials make Aleph Champ an incredible success. The Hebrew alphabet as well as the vowels and word formations were divided into 10 colored levels. The students start out as "White Aleph Champs", working their way up the colors of the rainbow to be a "Black Aleph" like their teachers. Chava Montgomery, a Kitah Daled student at The Chabad Hebrew School of Greenwich, Connecticut, had a great experience last year with Aleph Champ. "When I started Hebrew school this year I didn't even know what an Aleph was. Now I'm a "Yellow Aleph Champ" and I hope to be a "Green Aleph Champ" before the end of the year". Parents and teachers alike are amazed by the results. Students are motivated and have clear goals defined for them. Learning to read Hebrew has never been so much fun. Please encourage your child to practice Hebrew reading at home using flashcards and any reading materials provided by the school. 1. White Aleph Champion Master the first 18 letters of the Aleph Bet. 2. Red Aleph Champion Master all 31 letters of the Aleph Bet. 3. Orange Aleph Champion Master the first 3 vowels with letter combinations. 4. Yellow Aleph Champion Master the first 6 vowels with letter combinations. 5. Green Aleph Champion Master the first 9 vowels with letter combinations. 6. Blue Aleph Champion Master all the vowels and exceptions to the rules. 7. Purple Aleph Champion Master reading familiar Prayers and Brachot. 8. Brown Aleph Champion Master reading important Tefillot. 9. Grey Aleph Champion Master reading from the Siddur in a timed fashion. 10. Black Aleph Champion Master reading over 100 words in a minute. We look forward to making champion readers out of all our students. For more information click here
Parent/School Communication Communication between parents and school is very essential and ensures that Hebrew School is a meaningful and pleasant experience for your child. Please note: Notices will be sent home with your child and/or via email. Please check for these notices. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at (619) 702-8518 or e-mail us at HS@ChabadDowntown.com Bulletin: Bulletins will be given out periodically. They will inform you of progress, special events and other important information you need to know. Please read them. Your comments are always welcome, as we are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve our educational program. Supplies The school provides all textbooks and supplies for each student. Out of respect for the Synagogue, boys are encouraged to wear a hat or Kipah. If you do not have one and would like one, Hebrew School can provide one for you. Tzedakah Tzedakah (charity) is a basic value in Judaism. We attempt to develop a commitment among our students to share with others less fortunate than ourselves by donating a few pennies a day to charity. Please try to send some coins to school each day to encourage your child to perform this Mitzvah. A Kosher snack is provided. Snack We request that you do not send any additional snacks or drinks due to Kashrut and health reasons. If your child is allergic to any food or beverages, please be sure that it is written on his/her registration form.
Our Staff Any school is only as good as its teachers. Chabad Hebrew School prides itself in carefully selecting teachers who are as excited about teaching as our children are about learning. Our staff is known for their broad knowledge of Judaism, dedication to children, and experience in teaching. Each teacher lives and breathes what he or she teaches, providing the best possible model for our students. Staff members have Rabbinic ordination, extensive Hebrew language skills, and have attended teachers' seminaries. Through their education they have learned the strategies to successfully share Judaism with children of all levels of knowledge and ability. In addition to the Judaic studies that they teach, they understand the developmental issues applicable to the age level of their students. In short, our teachers are as enthusiastic about teacher as our students* are about learning! * Our student body is made up of children from various backgrounds and levels of religious awareness. This allows for a fascinating and interesting learning environment for all.