Vision to Reality: Israel

April 10, 2022

Dear Berman Community,

Welcome to the third edition of the new “VR Report” (Vision to Reality). This is my third email as part of my commitment to share periodic updates with you about the steps we are taking, and plan to take, over the next couple of years that will move us towards our vision of becoming the flagship Modern Orthodox school in the United States. The first and second email updates can be found here and here. The focus for this update is on Israel. 

Intended Impact
One of the core values of our school is Israel. Our goal at Berman Hebrew Academy is to graduate students with an appreciation for the Land and State of Israel, its people, history, culture, and language. As we continue to graduate our students into an evolving 21st century world, it is imperative that they are prepared to be ambassadors and advocates for Israel.  

Initiatives
With these objectives in mind, and to reach the intended impact, we have already begun to work on specific initiatives, and plan on working on others in the coming 12-24 months. Here are a few enhancements that you have either heard about already, or can expect to start hearing about: 

Preschool 

• Integrating Hebrew Language into each class with Hebrew specialists

Lower School 

• Implementing a new weekly Israel program, Artzeinu, where children are invited on a virtual tour of a different city in Israel at the Friday Oneg
• Implementing a new, bi-weekly interactive course in 5th grade, Eretz Chemda, taught directly from Israel

Middle School

• Adding b’not sherut for the 2022-23 school year that will include weekly Israel programming

Upper School

• Creating a new Israel Education and Advocacy class for seniors. Click here to learn more about this course.
• Planning an amazing Israel Mission for the Fall of 2022!

We are excited about the work that’s already underway. As we roll out each of these programs, we will make sure to highlight them for you and your children and update you on the impact we are seeing with our students. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. In the meantime, please join me in celebrating these enhancements to our program. 

Until the next “VR” update…

Sincerely,

Rabbi Dr. Yossi Kastan
Head of School