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Chabad students learn Hebrew with a martial arts twist

| 06 Feb 2014 | 12:24
    Aleph Champ coach Phyllis Goetz of Monroe works with Chana Pincus, 9, of Chester, on Hebrew reading skills.
    Aleph Champ coach Phyllis Goetz of Monroe works with Chana Pincus, 9, of Chester, on Hebrew reading skills.
    Ariel Koyfman, 8, of Chester, receives his awards for mastering the orange Level of Hebrew Reading at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony. Chana Burston, principal, presents the award.
    Ariel Koyfman, 8, of Chester, receives his awards for mastering the orange Level of Hebrew Reading at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony. Chana Burston, principal, presents the award.
    The Aleph Champ Reading skills program at Chabad Hebrew Schools allows opportunity for individualized instruction. Pictured is instructor Layla Gordon, of Goshen, coaching student Evan Leeds, 8, of Monroe.
    The Aleph Champ Reading skills program at Chabad Hebrew Schools allows opportunity for individualized instruction. Pictured is instructor Layla Gordon, of Goshen, coaching student Evan Leeds, 8, of Monroe.
    The youngest groups of students at Chabad Hebrew School celebrate receiving awards and balloons at Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony. They are pictured with Chana Burston, Principal of Chabad Hebrew School.
    The youngest groups of students at Chabad Hebrew School celebrate receiving awards and balloons at Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony. They are pictured with Chana Burston, Principal of Chabad Hebrew School.
    Chana Burston, principal of Chabad Hebrew School, presents twin sisters Kayla and Sarah Favia, 9, of Monroe, with award certificates recognizing their achievements in the Aleph Champ Hebrew Reading program.
    Chana Burston, principal of Chabad Hebrew School, presents twin sisters Kayla and Sarah Favia, 9, of Monroe, with award certificates recognizing their achievements in the Aleph Champ Hebrew Reading program.
    Joshua Caplan, 11, of Monroe, is excited to receive an award certificate from Rabbi Pesach Burston at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony.
    Joshua Caplan, 11, of Monroe, is excited to receive an award certificate from Rabbi Pesach Burston at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony.
    Reilly Crowe of Washingtonville, 11, receives her award for mastering the yellow level of Hebrew Reading of Aleph Champ at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony. Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston presented the award.
    Reilly Crowe of Washingtonville, 11, receives her award for mastering the yellow level of Hebrew Reading of Aleph Champ at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony. Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston presented the award.
    Ryan Leeds of Monroe, 10, celebrates his achievements of Hebrew Reading with Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony.
    Ryan Leeds of Monroe, 10, celebrates his achievements of Hebrew Reading with Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony.
    Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston present Noah Reich, 7, of Highland Mills with his award for mastering the red Level of the Aleph Champ Hebrew reading program at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony.
    Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston present Noah Reich, 7, of Highland Mills with his award for mastering the red Level of the Aleph Champ Hebrew reading program at the Chabad Hebrew School Mid-Year Awards Ceremony.
    Chabad Hebrew School, with over 100 students, sit at color coded tables as they progress from level to level in the “Aleph Champ” Hebrew reading skills program, modeled after the martial arts.
    Chabad Hebrew School, with over 100 students, sit at color coded tables as they progress from level to level in the “Aleph Champ” Hebrew reading skills program, modeled after the martial arts.

CHESTER — The students at Chabad Hebrew School, directed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, recently received awards and recognition for their achievements in the 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 skills while sitting 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 according to their color.

“Students split into small groups according to their reading level and play everything from Aleph-Bet baseball, to Step on It, and Hebrew Bingo — and many more exciting games," said Chana Burston, who directs Chabad Hebrew School together with her husband, Rabbi Pesach Burston.

“This innovative and unique system allows students to experience a healthy amount of competitive motivation — but most importantly, gives children tangible goals to achieve,” says Rabbi Pesach Burston, “They recognize if they invest effort, they will reach the next milestone, and be rewarded. We have seen wonderful results.”

Students celebrate their efforts both at the mid-year awards ceremony, and finally at the end-of-year celebration.

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 receive stripes enjoy special prizes.