Hitkadmut: A Global Community of Hebrew Language Educators

Doctors, lawyers, and other professionals routinely attend conferences to stay informed about the latest developments in their fields, learn from experts, and network with colleagues. But until recently, Hebrew language educators lacked such opportunities that professionals in other careers have taken for granted. Students and teachers – and a community that believes Hebrew is important – deserve better. Given the rising concerns about connecting Hebrew learners to Israel and the need to strengthen Jewish identity in the face or growing antisemitism, the need for change is urgent.

Today Hebrew is taught in a variety of venues including Jewish day schools, supplementary Hebrew high schools, public schools JCCs, universities, and online classes. Because many teachers work in independent silos and may find themselves the sole Hebrew teacher on staff, Hebrew language educators have traditionally lacked the opportunity to belong to a community of like professionals where they can share pedagogic ideas and teaching techniques, keep abreast of the latest educational methodology, and learn from experts.

As the field of Hebrew language education has become more professionalized, creating a community where Hebrew teachers can meet and exchange ideas with their peers is more important than ever, both to enhance the profession’s status and ensure top-quality language instruction. Given the complex educational challenges in our contemporary society, professional development is critical for novice and experienced teachers alike – whether it is meeting the specialized needs of students with learning difficulties or implementing new, creative teaching techniques including the use of multi-media and technology.

Hitkadmut, the annual professional conference for Hebrew language educators, has created such a community for Hebrew teachers across the globe including North and South America, Europe, Israel, and elsewhere. Launched online four years ago, this forum — convened by Hebrew at the Center but led in partnership with a wide-range of leading organizations in the Hebrew language field — offers an opportunity to transfer skills to a large group of educators at once through a combined and integrated effort, with the goal of advancing Hebrew language acquisition and appreciation. The fee is $69 for 30 hours of live and recorded state-of-the art professional learning sessions.

Hitkadmut provides a professional community for Hebrew language teachers, Hebrew leaders, and school leaders and professionals by enabling opportunities for networking and ongoing learning. It also facilitates a shared sense of purpose among Hebrew language educators while eliminating feelings of isolation among sole practitioners or Hebrew departments.

Importantly, this conference is organized around a field-based teacher competencies model for advancing Hebrew language education.  Facilitated by the educational leadership of Hebrew at the Center, this model consists of four concentric circles with specific competencies within each of those circles: general education, including curriculum design and understanding learners; language education, including second language acquisition and assessment; Hebrew language education, including knowing about the language and Hebrew and Israeli culture; and at the center is the educator, with a commitment to personal and professional growth. To learn more, read this article in a recent article in Prizmah’s Hayidion.

Leading this year’s virtual conference is a consortium working in the field of Hebrew language education, representing a range of curriculum providers, pedagogic and Jewish experts, and agencies that advance Hebrew language learning, Israel engagement, and education. Conference partners include: Avant, the Academy for Hebrew language, Hebrew at the Center, iTaLAM, MaDYK, the Jewish National Fund, PRIZMAH, Ulpan Or, UnitEd, and the World Zionist Organization. The goal is to impact and strengthen the field of Jewish education and Hebrew language in and beyond through bringing current research on second language acquisition and pedagogical tools to Hebrew teachers and leaders in Jewish day schools and other settings.

The two-day virtual conference will be held on November 17-18, 2024, from 11 AM – 4 PM Eastern. Its theme, “Ha-safah Ha-Ivrit — Ho-Otzma She’m’khaberet et Am Yisrael”

(Hebrew: The Force that Connects Am Yisrael) is a reminder that Hebrew is not only a language but also an otzma (force) that has always empowered and identified the Jewish people, i.e. the Hebrews. As in past years, President Isaac Herzog of Israel has been invited to extend greetings as in previous years, highlighting the importance of Hebrew in fostering Israel-Diaspora relations.

Keynote speakers include Maya Arad author of the novel, The Hebrew Teacher, as well as prominent Hebrew language educators such as Dr. Oren Eubanks-Segal of the University of Michigan and Fabio Redak of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Dr. Zohar Raviv, international vice president of educational strategy for Taglit-Birthright Israel, will speak to this year’s theme about the interface between language and peoplehood. These keynote sessions are offered in Hebrew, with simultaneous translation into English, French, and Spanish to ensure these big ideas can be accessed by participants from around the globe.

More than 30 innovative workshops are designed to strengthen Hebrew language teaching and support Hebrew educators in their professional growth.  Topics include “The Sorrow of Silence – How are Silence and Muteness Expressed Post October 7,  “21^st Century Toolbox,” “Planting Hope – Hebrew Language and Culture Projects with AI,” “Utilizing Graphic Novels in Hebrew Lessons,” and “Supporting Students with Dyslexia and Other Language-based Learning Difficulties on Their Hebrew Journey.”

Participants may select sessions from one of the four professional tracks: novice teachers, veteran and credentialed teachers, Hebrew leaders, and school leaders. The first three tracks are presented primarily in Hebrew, allowing the majority of the participants to be exposed to new ideas in their native language. The school leaders track is offered in English to allow a broader group of school professionals, volunteer leaders, and funders to learn how they can support their Hebrew teachers and program. A special session will highlight the current state of the field of Hebrew language education, including trends and key data to help understand the successes and contours of our evolving field.  Participants will also have the opportunity to hear from colleagues about the latest research work in the field of Hebrew language education.

The Hebrew language is a vehicle to connect Jews around the world. By creating and connecting an international community of professional Hebrew language educators, Hitkadmut has furthered Hebrew language education as a valid and noble professional field. To learn more and register for Hitkadmut, the Annual Hebrew Educators Conference, go to the conference website.