HEBREW IMMERSION IN JEWISH PRE-SCHOOLS: A NO-BRAINER

With the crises facing the State of Israel and the rise of European and Islamic anti-Semetism, American Jewish fears about assimilation and its root cause, Jewish illiteracy, have been for the time being been pushed to the back burner. That doesn't change the fact that Jewish education in America remains dangerously poor - due to the continuing disfunction of the synagogue supplemetary school systems that have the job of educating the majority of American Jews. It is a widely-known fact that in "Hebrew" School one learns little or no Hebrew. At best, students of these schools master the skill of reading the Hebrew alphabet, in order to perform at their Bar & Bat Mitzvahs. Needless to say, learning how to rotely read aloud in a language one does not understand is not an enjoyable experience - and often comes at the expense of learning actual Judaic content. Abandoning Hebrew however is just as problematic - it is an essential part of the religion and culture, and a critical link between American Jews and Israelis. If only more students began a Jewish day school...but, they do - a vast number of synagogue members send their children to their synagogue pre-school. Finally, innovative synagogues are taking advantage of this golden opportunity to radically improve their Hebrew education by offering pre-school Hebrew immersion programs. Can't find enough teachers? I'm sure there are more than enough Israelis who would love a couple of years in America, teaching pre-school. Common sense in American Jewish education? It does happen every once in a while.