Kids Rewarded for Achievements

The students at Chabad Hebrew School, directed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, recently received awards and recognition for their achievements in the innovative “Aleph Champ” Hebrew program.

Aleph Champ incorporates the color system used in martial arts –“white belt” to “black belt”-to motivate Hebrew reading at Chabad Hebrew Schools. Students develop their Hebrew reading and writing skill while they sit at color coded tables with instructors. They receive “stripes” on their color coded bookmarks, and when they pass a full color level, they become a “Champ” of that level. They also engage in creative learning activities and games according to their color.

“This creative and unique system allows students to progress at their own speed, while experiencing a healthy amount of competitive motivation,” says Chana Burston, who directs Chabad Hebrew School together with her husband, Rabbi Pesach Burston. “They are goal oriented and work hard to achieve. We have seen fantastic results.”

Students celebrate their efforts both at the Mid-Year Awards Ceremony, and finally at the End-of-Year Ceremony.

“There is a lot of excitement,” says Bracha Pincus, Chabad’s administrative director, whose two sons, Chaim, 12 and Chanan, 8, of Chester, attend Chabad Hebrew School. “They have worked toward something big – and now it’s recognized publicly.”

Students who pass an entire level receive “Aleph Champ Medallions” in the color they have mastered, as well as a Certificate of Achievement and a balloon in their level color. Students who received stripes enjoy special prizes.

Chabad Hebrew School presently has over 100 students, and offers the option of classes on Sunday mornings or Monday afternoons in the Chabad Center in Chester. For more info and to tour the Hebrew School facilities, call 782-2770, write [email protected] or log onto www.ChabadOrange.com.