By Rabbi Steven Bob, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, IL and Chalutzim Segel

I work with Chalutzim, the seven week Hebrew immersion program for high schoolers.

Each morning we devote two hours to Hebrew classes. Stories, songs and games bring life to these classes. I use of a lot of learning through movement with my kitah (class). I am told that this is kinesthetic learning.  Throughout the day we speak with the chanichim (campers) in Ivrit (Hebrew). Our services and song sessions are 100% B’ivrit (in Hebrew). Each day many of the Chanichim, speak only Hebrew all day long.

Next week this summer’s Kita Aleph will be hosting a breakfast for the alumni of Kita Aleph who are now members of the camp staff.

The first day I arrived in camp, members of our “Kita Aleph Alumni Association” asked me when is the breakfast going to be?  This annual event provides our oldest campers with the means of imagining themselves as future staff members. They also see how former Kita Aleph students have gone on to continue to learn Hebrew. In addition, it maintains a connection between teacher and students.

Chalutzim is the only Hebrew immersion program in the country. None of the other URJ camps offer Hebrew immersion programs, neither do the Ramah Camps of the Conservative movement. I had nothing to do with the creation of Chalutzim. It was here for 25 years before I became a part of it in 1985.

I am grateful for pioneering work done by my predecessors. I am pleased to work with my partners on the Chalutzim faculty. And I am proud of the campers  Sh’mdabrin Rak Ivrit, who speak only Hebrew.