Our Blog

Week one is in the books and despite the fact that it was done on Zoom, I, as a parent, teacher, and the head of school am both excited and relieved. It was so good to see teachers and students learning and engaged, and to feel the vibrancy of our school. 

Even from home during our first week, our students were connected and learning. As you can see in this photo, my middle son, Raviv, is fully engaged (and having a lot of fun!) working on his iTalam Hebrew curriculum between Zoom classes. His Jewish Studies & Hebrew teacher, Civia White, can track his progress and provide feedback as he learns at his own speed. 

Each success we had in our first week was a result of great planning and preparation among our staff and faculty. This summer, 

Civia, along with HBHA teachers Michal Luger, Leah Nash and Nira Solomon, participated in iTalam Distance Learning professional training, where they learned how to best utilize the online component to continue teaching and differentiating in the classroom - whether the classroom space is virtual or in person. 

No doubt this week had some challenges. There is an expression in Hebrew, “Kol Hatchalot Kashot,” or ‘All beginnings are hard.’ Whether it was tough to wake up earlier, get back on a schedule, learn how to log on to Google Classroom, or reminding our kids to do their homework, it's true that it is always an adjustment at the beginning of the school year. 

And yet this year, amidst all the challenges and anxiety, there is also a heightened feeling of excitement and joy. We are going back to in-person learning next week! There will be students in the classrooms and hallways making their usual noise. Tests will be taken, sweatshirts forgotten, and children will call out in class without raising their hands. Slowly, surely, life is returning to normal, even if the road is winding.

We couldn’t be happier to be back in school. Teaching your kids gives our lives meaning and purpose. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Shabbat Shalom,

Adam Tilove
HBHA Head of School