It’s Hebrew Week! At Yavneh, Hebrew Week is a vibrant celebration of the Hebrew language and the spirit of innovation that defines our community. The students have been learning about the incredible legacy of Eliezer Ben Yehudah, a true pioneer who transformed Hebrew into a living, breathing, spoken language.
Ben Yehudah insisted that his family speak only Hebrew, when nobody around them did. This led to a lonely life for his children, as they had no one to speak with outside of their home. But it was this “craziness” that led to a groundbreaking revival of the Hebrew language, which had been dormant for centuries. As this innovative and determined man used the words of the Torah to speak only Hebrew with his family, he saw the need to invent new words that did not exist in the Torah, like ice cream (glida) and omelet (chavita,) helping the language evolve beautifully to meet the needs of contemporary life.
At Yavneh, we echo this spirit of innovation and the courage (ometz lev!) required to make it succeed. We teach our students that being unique is a strength to be celebrated. Just as Ben Yehudah fearlessly pursued his dream despite skepticism, we encourage our children to embrace their ambitions and chase their passions, no matter how out-of-the-box they may seem.
Our Kitah Alef Hebrew class absolutely embodied this curiosity and ambition this week. After discovering words that Eliezer Ben Yehudah invented, one of the students suggested to the class, “Why don’t we write a story using all of these words?” Another student added, “Let’s read it to the whole school at Kabbalat Shabbat!”
Who can say no to that?
Tomorrow at Kabbalat Shabbat, these enthusiastic first graders will perform their story, showcasing their creativity and learning. Their teacher Morah Limor shared with me that this is her “why”— when the inspiration for learning comes from the kids themselves, our school community thrives and achieves above and beyond.
But that’s not all! Our talented third and fourth graders will be performing several delightful songs by Chaim Nachman Bialik, Israel’s national poet, at Kabbalat Shabbat tomorrow. Bialik’s contributions to Hebrew literature also include inventing new words, making his writings resonate with both children and adults alike in a timeless fashion.
Throughout Hebrew Week, Yavneh has been alive with energy and joy, filled with activities that celebrate the vibrant culture of Israel, Jewish People, and the Hebrew language. From Hebrew story time during recess, to exciting lunchtime activities including Israeli dancing and games, our students have been immersed in language and culture in a myriad of ways.
One of the most anticipated highlights of the week is the upcoming Hebrew carnival, organized by our enthusiastic Kitah Zayin and Kitah Chet students. Each class will have the opportunity to enjoy the “Karnaval Ivrit” and to have special activities with their teachers. The excitement builds as we prepare for the special performances during Kabbalat Shabbat, where our community will come together in joyous celebration
This year, Hebrew Week is even more special as we await the safe return of hostages. While we engage in our joyful celebrations, we hold them close in our hearts, hoping and praying for their safe return to the loving arms of their families and community. We can’t wait to see you at our special Kabbalat Shabbat which will start at 2:15 p.m.
~ HaMenahelet Aviva
