Jewish Youth Encounter Program


The following is an article written by Eliana Grosser, a “Big Sister”, who tutors every Sunday morning at
the JYEP:

Although most kids do not like spending their free time at Hebrew School, I know a little girl who loves to.
Her name is Chloe and she’s in 4th grade at a public school in Demarest. I am her “Big Sister”, and every
Sunday we spend almost an hour together through the Jewish Youth Encounter Program learning
different things about Judaism. Within the past year and a half we have finished the Aleph Bet and have
moved on to reading and understanding complete sentences in Hebrew. The bond Chloe and I share is
more than a simple student-tutor relationship, and, despite the age gap, we have become friends. We
make the learning fun and exciting. Instead of pencils, we use markers, because Chloe decided that it
would be more fun to practice Hebrew words with different colored markers. She also decided last year
that there cannot be two letters with the same name, so instead of Tuf and Tuf at the end of the Aleph
Bet, the letter without a dot we named “Puff”.
Aside from our weekly meetings at TABC, there are Shabbatons every once in a while, where we have the
opportunity to spend an entire weekend together. Chloe loves these and she is always one of the first kids
to sign up. In light of her life philosophy about boys, namely that “boys are yucky and we shouldn’t talk to
them”, she insists on attending these events even if there are going to be boys there. For the Teaneck
Shabbaton at Rinat she gets to stay at my house, which she loves, but her favorite Shabbaton is the one
in Ahavath Torah in Englewood. This is simply because “Avi Torah” (as she calls Ahavath Torah) is more
fun to say than Rinat. I have learned not to argue with her on Avi Torah versus Ahavath Torah, as she is
convinced that she is correct.
The JYEP is a Hebrew School in disguise. Although there are classes, teachers, tutors, and even
sometimes homework, the kids, specifically Chloe, do not view it as Hebrew School. Learning about
Judaism is fun for them, because not only do they learn, they make new friends, friends who can
understand them and are good role models for them. I think that I would be a different person without
Chloe, because I have learned many things about myself and my own Jewish values, and I have even
discovered that sometimes 4th grade logic makes much sense. It is interesting for me to see how many of
the things that I take for granted are so exciting for her, and I love knowing that when Chloe walks out the
doors at the end of our sessions, she sees Judaism and Hebrew in such a positive light.
Mentors make the difference at Hebrew school
Bergen Record
Thursday, August 10, 2006

By ERICA DIETSCHE
STAFF WRITER
BERGEN RECORD


Elysa Levinson of Closter knew she had a problem when her daughter, Heather,
announced after Hebrew school that she hated being Jewish.
But Heather, who just turned 12, offered a solution.
She had heard of the Jewish Youth Encounter Program, an independent Hebrew school
in Teaneck currently entering its 20th year. She asked her mother if she could attend.
The Jewish Youth Encounter Program (JYEP) was founded by Carl and Sylvia Freyer of
Englewood. While abroad in Israel, their daughter observed an especially child-friendly
Hebrew school curriculum, based on having children enjoy being Jewish.
Using this model, the Freyers founded JYEP for children who might otherwise become
turned off to Judaism. It's open to students in Grades 3 to 7, most of whose parents are
not affiliated with a synagogue.
This isn't to say that the curriculum is watered down. Rather, according to the school's
director, Debby Rapps, "the school differs in method rather than in materials."
Classes are held Sundays from 9:15 a.m. until noon from September until June. Children
are greeted by assistant director Dan Bloom, who strums on the guitar, and munchkins
from the local kosher Dunkin Donuts.
After the children settle in, they head to one of three 45-minute sessions. Students are in
class for two of those sessions. They often sit in a circle, which Rapps says allows them
better to absorb lessons on holiday customs, Bible studies, Jewish life, history and other
subjects. Teachers also are encouraged to incorporate hands-on projects, acting and
games to foster fun learning.
Students spend the remaining time with a high school student who tutors them in the
Hebrew language. The tutor also acts as a mentor, and very often, the two become
friends.
This aspect is what makes JYEP stand out, says Rapps. "Kids of all levels can get a lot
out of this program. Children who need some extra help can get it from their [high school]
student, and kids who are advanced and who learn at a quicker pace are able to be
accommodated, too."
With little to lose, Levinson allowed her daughter to give JYEP a try. "She came home
loving it. She said it was a wonderful experience, and she asked if she could continue,"
Levinson says.
Heather says she no longer hates being Jewish. In fact, according to her mother, "she
encourages us to light candles [to mark the start of the Sabbath], and she's giving up
dance on Friday nights."
The JYEP isn't just catching the attention of young area children; it's a program that has
been recognized internationally. Rapps has helped similar schools start up in Livingston
and East Brunswick as well as Chicago, Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights and Calgary,
British Columbia.
And JYEP is one of three Hebrew schools that will participate in a pilot program through
Brandeis University where seventh-graders will attend a Jewish high school once a
month for seven months.
The school typically accommodates 125 children a year, and boasts a staff of 10 regular
teachers. Approximately 90 high school students serve as tutor/mentors. Rapps said she
hires more staff as needed, rather than putting any child on a waiting list.
For registration information, call 201-833-JYEP (5937), e-mail jyep1@aol.com or visit
jyep.org.
E-mail: dietsche@northjersey.com