Source: WZO
The 7th Annual Hebrew Conference of North America is a continuation of a tradition initiated by the World Zionist Organization and is done in cooperation with the Council for Hebrew Language and Culture in North America and the North American Association of Hebrew Teachers (NAHeT). The Hebrew Conference literally celebrates the importance of Hebrew as a language, as a culture and as a key to identity. During these two days, November 17-18, 2019, in Newark NJ, there will be lectures, panels, and workshops dealing with Hebrew and the teaching of the language in all its aspects, ideology and methodology, inspirational sessions, practical tools and more. The theme of this year's conference is - Hebrew – The Time is Now! and will deal with the state of Hebrew instruction in North America, formulating ways of coping with the current challenges, and expanding the professional knowledge of Hebrew teachers - both in theory and in practice.
The conference is an opportunity to be exposed to and familiarized with existing teaching methods, studies and programs alongside meetings with Hebrew teachers, Israeli Educators – morim shlichim, academic researchers, school principals, representatives of educational programs, philanthropists, community leaders and more. They all have the vision of deepening the study of Hebrew language and culture in North America and the understanding that Hebrew in North America is no longer just a foreign language or a second language, while it is not a mother tongue, it is definitely the language of the Jewish people.
Three parallel tracks will be held at the Conference:
-
Track for Shlichim teachers
-
Track for local Hebrew teachers
- A course for Hebrew Council members
Some of the goals of the conference are as follows:
To create a professional and supportive community of Hebrew teachers in North America through a professional-educational meeting of those engaged in the teaching and study of the Hebrew language and culture: Hebrew teachers in various educational frameworks (public, private, charter, synagogues), community leaders, researchers, and supporters;
Professional enrichment of Hebrew teachers through workshops, lectures, and discussions on pedagogic innovations, academic achievements and challenges in teaching Hebrew as a language of heritage and as an additional language in the Diaspora;
Exposing Hebrew teachers to curricula designers, other teaching methods, up-to-date learning materials and content for the advancement of the Hebrew language. To conduct an in-depth discussion of various studies in the field and new academic concepts.
In addition, the conference is a place and an opportunity to meet and continue the training and professional enrichment of the Israeli Educators – morim shichim, who came to North America with the special mission to teach the Hebrew language and bring Israel to the classroom. The encounter will enable the continuation of the building a community of Israeli Educators, encouraging new initiatives, of sharing and peer-learning, an opportunity for an in-depth assessment of the situation and needs in the field.
Click here for more information and registration.