#ONWARDHEBREW TAKES OFF!

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?”
• Everyone is intrigued by the idea and believes it makes sense.
• As the director, I find what we are doing with HTM (Hebrew Through Movement) is more effective for the majority of our students than what we have done in the past, and it makes it easier to integrate students who have come to Hebrew school later than others (ie, 5th grade instead of kindergarten).
• This is our first year using HTM and Jewish Life Vocabulary. I had some great feedback last week from a mother who said she heard her kids in the back of the car trying to piece together sentences with the words they heard in HTM.
• ​Mostly all conversations were well received. The theory behind #OnwardHebrew made sense to about 95% of people I talked to.

Not surprisingly, the survey results showed that the most difficult #OnwardHebrew element is changing the timing that Hebrew decoding is taught, i.e., first building an aural/oral foundation before introducing the reading/decoding process. One respondent noted, "“[Our stakeholders] are supportive of HTM, Hebrew vocabulary and Hebrew in Tefillah, but not of delaying decoding.”

The education directors and clergy who first brought #OnwardHebrew to life explain that key to successful adoption and implementation are slow and careful study/deliberations with stakeholders (clergy, teachers, committee/board members, parents, etc.) AND attention to the change process. Once others understand the theory and research behind #OnwardHebrew, the early innovators suggest that their colleagues:

• Start with low-hanging fruit (e.g.,  Hebrew Through Movement, Jewish Life Vocabulary, and/or Hebrew t'fillah). Then...
  
• Share and celebrate stories of success, often!
  

I would add that the rest of us would be enriched by YOUR success stories, as well as your challenges. We will be able to build upon your experiences.

​#OnwardHebrew! Join the conversation...

---