Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture

Kayitz Kef/Hebrew at Camp gives American Jewish youth the ability to converse in Modern Israeli Hebrew and to own contemporary Israeli culture as part of who they are.

Hebrew provides rich and authentic content for one’s Jewish identity. Kayitz Kef is at the forefront of a movement to inspire a new generation united by passion for Hebrew, Israel, and worldwide Jewish connectedness.

Launched as a design experiment with 17 campers at Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, New York during the summer of 2013, Kayitz Kef has run programs in over 30 camps in the decade since the launch. Currently, Kayitz Kef works with day camps and overnight camps all over North America and operates in JCC Day Camps, Ramah Day Camps, Young Judaea camps, Chabad/Gan Izzy day camps, Moshava Ba’ir (Bnei Akiva), Habonim Dror camps, a Schechter day camp and a synagogue day camp.  Since the summer of 2023, Kayitz Kef has been a project of Brandeis University Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture.

According to the most recent Pew Research Center survey, Jews ages 18 to 29 are less likely than their grandparents’ generation to say that they are at least somewhat emotionally attached to Israel and that caring about Israel is essential to what being Jewish means to them. They are also less likely to say they have a lot or something in common with Jews in Israel.

Since its launch in 2013, The Kayitz Kef/Hebrew at Camp program has strived to work against this trend by building relationships to Israel and Israelis through intensive Hebrew immersion built for the culture and structure of summer camp. Kayitz Kef trains young, charismatic Israeli counselors to maximize the opportunities for campers to interact and connect with the counselor’s authentic “Israeliness” - all while implementing the Hebrew proficiency approach within the camp experience. From early on, we had a sense that our approach created an increased sense of connection to Israel and Israelis in the campers. In 2020, we commissioned a research study to explore this assumption. The findings demonstrate that Hebrew immersion addresses this problem in serious ways. Furthermore, we believe that expanding this program is an important strategy in countering the problem of increasing distance between young American Jews and Israel.

Camp is an ideal setting for language acquisition as the broad range of everyday life experiences afforded by the rhythms and routines of camp more effectively facilitates language acquisition than the typical school context; children can successfully achieve functionality in Hebrew through Kayitz Kef. Kayitz Kef runs in parallel to existing camp programs and we work with each camp to design a program that reflects its particular character.

Kayitz Kef’s approach to Hebrew in camp settings is rooted, first and foremost, in relationships—relationships with people and relationships with the language. While some learners may succeed through formal study or language apps, there is no substitute for the deep, lasting impact of informal environments when it comes to instilling values, shaping identity, and building skills. Camp is where children learn best: through joy, through experience, and through meaning. It is the perfect setting for acquiring something new or rediscovering something essential, especially something as foundational and identity-forming as the Hebrew language.

At Kayitz Kef, Hebrew is not treated like a subject to study; it is a language to live. We are not focused on what kids know about Hebrew, but on what they can do with it. This distinction is at the heart of our model, and it is backed by research in language acquisition. Children do not acquire language by memorizing rules; they acquire it by engaging with it in context and in real time. That is why camp works. It is immersive, it is experiential, and it allows Hebrew to become a natural, living part of daily life.

In day camps, Hebrew at Camp runs in parallel to existing camp programs. We collaborate with each camp to design a program that reflects its unique character. These programs enable children to develop language skills through meaningful and fun interactions with a cadre of dynamic, young Israeli counselors who are trained to facilitate Hebrew language acquisition in engaging, easy and authentic ways.

At overnight camps, educational leaders collaborate closely with Kayitz Kef staff to tailor programs that reflect the camp's culture, ideology, and structure. Some camps opt for a separate Hebrew immersion group, while others seamlessly integrate Hebrew activities into the overall camp experience. This could include a dedicated Hebrew specialty, choice activities conducted entirely in Hebrew (such as cooking, drama, or games), or weaving Hebrew immersion throughout various camp activities.

Hebrew at Camp is guided by the proficiency approach to second language acquisition – endorsed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and adapts it to the unique setting of Jewish summer camp. Campers can experience between 120-200 hours of Hebrew-language immersion over the course of the summer.

Outcomes

• Deep Connection to Israel and Israelis: Campers interact with charismatic Israeli role models in an authentic and engaging way, creating a strong emotional connection with the life and culture of Israel;
• Real Hebrew Knowledge: Campers learn to express themselves and communicate in Hebrew and are soon enjoying the full range of camp activities in Hebrew;
• Transformed Perceptions of Hebrew Among Parents: Parents perceive that learning Hebrew can be fun;
• Spillover Effect: Campers and counselors speaking Hebrew have an impact throughout the camp, spreading awareness and an interest in the language and creating an Israeli cultural presence;

If you are interested in bringing Kayitz Kef to your camp, contact Sharon Schoenfeld.

---

Kayitz Kef is supported by the Areivim Philanthropic Group. Funders of the Kayitz Kef program through Areivim include The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, The Marcus Foundation, The Koum Family Foundation, and the Libitzky Family Foundation.

Bi-monthly sessions for Hebrew teachers from around the world, in which participants learn from experts in the field of Second Language Acquisition and then tie into methodologies through group discussions with peers.

The "Hacking" sessions are open to all. Every month a different pressing question from the Hebrew language classroom is discussed.

Please contact the team for more questions:

hapitzuach@brandeis.edu

The Consortium has formed a working group for Hebrew professors and Hebrew department chairs from universities across the country. All the Hebrew professors invited to the group have a background in the theories and methodologies of teaching Hebrew as a second language and they represent a variety of institutes, states, and perspectives. Together, the professors, under the Consortium's director, Prof. Ringvald’s guidance, discuss the challenges as well as successful initiatives in the realm of teaching Hebrew in higher education. Professors have also expressed interest in having the opportunity to learn together, to better their practices, and therefore exciting guest speakers are being invited to meet with the group. This is one of the many ways The Consortium supports and elevates Hebrew language education- teaching and learning. This group was formed through a need that came forward from professors, and at The Consortium we are always happy to partner and support requests as such.

During summer 2023, the Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture had the opportunity to implement a unique Hebrew immersion program with participants of the Onward Israel Integrated Program.

For four weeks following their Birthright experience, the 52 young people started each day in traditional language classroom activities, studying, and practicing the foundation of the language. After working on the basics, they took their new language skills out into the city of Tel Aviv. Through the integration of role plays, real-life situations, interactions with native speakers, cultural experiences, and skill development students were completely immersed in the Hebrew language. This experience allowed them a unique connection to the people and the culture of Israel.

All four of the instructors received their MA in teaching Hebrew as a second language at Middlebury College and two are candidates of the DML (Doctor of Modern Languages) degree in Hebrew at Middlebury College. Two are Hebrew lecturers in US universities and two are Hebrew instructors in Israel. These talented educators have a combined total of over 50 years of Hebrew teaching experience.

One of the more unique aspects of the program model was the addition of “Language Mentors,” four young Israelis, who are fluent in both Hebrew and English, all with extensive backgrounds working with students from the US, including staffing Birthright trips. Closer to the age of the students, these four talented young people were able to build that important bridge between the participants and the language and culture of Israel.

Although over 70% of the participants came with little to no experience with Hebrew, for all levels, this experiential and communicative approach ensured a linear progression in all language skills, fostering a sense of achievement and proficiency among learners. As one student said, "I feel accomplished." This sense of accomplishment serves as a driving force for increased motivation, fueling students' desire to further explore and master the language, including its content, grammar, and relation to the culture; as another student mentioned: “I would like to come back and learn more.”

The focus on an experiential approach, tailored to functional, “real life,” needs of students while in Israel proved effective in imparting language skills. Through this program, participants improved their proficiency in the Hebrew language, but even more importantly developed a rich understanding of Israeli-Jewish culture and felt more connected to the state of Israel and to their Jewish identity and heritage.