At its core, #OnwardHebrew is a grassroots initiative that supports sound-to-print Hebrew learning in part-time synagogue settings. The rest, as we say, is commentary. It is not formal curriculum, nor a prescribed list of do's and don'ts, but an approach based on the research of how children learn languages sound-to-print. #OnwardHebrew had its beginning about ten years ago when several education directors began chatting about their frustrations with Hebrew "reading" skills of children who completed sixth grade. Informally, the directors committed to piloting experiments that could change as ..read more

I'm not sure where the phrase "breaking teeth" originated, but it has been used to describe the painful process of decoding, letter-by-letter. For decades, when new Hebrew learners (whether children or adults) have been asked to read aloud and the process is usually very very slow and laborious - they "break their teeth."  But, of course, I'm here to tell you that there's a better way!  At the foundation of sound-to-print learning is the principle that people need to know the sounds of a language prior to tackling the print. For #OnwardHebrew, on a macro level that includes b ..read more

#OnwardHebrew just published a very helpful (and relatively concise!) getting started booklet that offers assistance to educational leaders looking to adopt/adapt the sound-to-print principles of #OnwardHebrew in their educational program. The booklet answers such questions as: What is #OnwardHebrew? What actions help create #OnwardHebrew success? How does one start? What Hebrew learning goals might guide the way? What might be #OnwardHebrew's impact on the budget? In addition, there are What-Why-When-Who quick peeks offered for each of the four elements of #OnwardHebrew -  ..read more

Keep an eye out for an announcement mid-to-late January 2023 about the publication of a short booklet that offers assistance to directors looking to adopt/adapt the principles of #OnwardHebrew in their educational program. The "Getting Started" booklet will answer such questions as: What is #OnwardHebrew? What actions help create #OnwardHebrew success? How does one start? What Hebrew learning goals might guide the way? What might be #OnwardHebrew's impact on the budget? In addition, there are What-Why-When-Who quick peeks offered for each of the four elements of #OnwardHebrew - Hebrew lan ..read more

eJewishPhilanthropy, December 18, 2019  ​A long-standing assumption at the heart of synagogue Hebrew education is that if our children learned to read English, it should not be that hard for them to learn to read Hebrew fluently. Yet, even with four years or more of “Hebrew school,” young learners struggle with prayers and blessings. The culprit is often identified as lessened days/hours of learning time or competing family priorities. But, consistent and well-replicated reading research offers us another possibility – countless studies conclude that reading fluency is “… a by ..read more

by, Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz Lots of links below! Click on the underlined words and phrases!   We live in a time when decades old assumptions about Hebrew and Jewish learning in synagogue/part-time settings are being turned on their head. The time devoted to formal learning has been decreasing and many alternative models have moved from “pilots” to “givens.” As noted in a number of recent articles, #OnwardHebrew is transforming Hebrew learning in part-time/synagogue settings across North America – introducing aural Hebrew language via Hebrew Through Movement, Jewish Life Vocabulary,&nbs ..read more

#OnwardHebrew is disrupting not only Hebrew learning in part-time/congregational settings, but beginning to have major impact on Jewish learning, as well. Check out this blog post from the Jewish Federations of North Americal webpage by Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz ..read more

In early January 2019, results from the recent #OnwardHebrew survey were published (click here for the full report and click here for the executive summary). The "enthusiastic-for-#OnwardHebrew" written comments were numerous, including these: … (there is) a lot of energy and excitement around Onward Hebrew, The children are like sponges soaking up every bit of Hebrew they get. Then they go home and squeeze it out on their siblings and friends. Almost everyone I have spoken to at our Temple thinks it is a phenomenal idea. Most comments include, “What did no one think of this before?” Everyo ..read more

#OnwardHebrew champions a better Hebrew learning experience for students in part-time/ congregational settings. To learn more about the gift to our learners of #OnwardHebrew, click on this link to an article by Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz, published in eJewishPhilanthropy, July 2018 ..read more

Recently, I’ve been thinking about Gutenberg’s printing press and its harsh impact on Hebrew School. And indeed, initial drafts of this blog post began as a tirade against Gutenberg, blaming him for the struggles of many a child in Hebrew School. For if he hadn’t invented the ability to print prayerbooks in mass quantities, then worshipers wouldn’t have books in their hands, and Jewish children would not have to struggle with learning to decode Hebrew over four to six years in the learning environment known as “Hebrew School.” Yikes! It got a little complicated as I realized I couldn’t blame ..read more