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

    June 5, 2006

    Dear Parents,

    Thank you so much for entrusting your children with us this year.  Your confidence in
    our ability to Jewishly educate your children is a job we take very seriously. I would
    like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of our highlights of our year at the
    Jyep.  
    Our year was filled with many Chessed/charity projects.  As we opened school this
    year, we were faced with the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and its victims.  Our
    student’s collected toiletries and goods and assembled beautiful bags which we
    shipped collectively with other religious schools from Bergen County.  The recipients
    were very touched by our kindness and the quality of the products distributed.  We
    then had our Sukkoth dinner where we collected books for children in NY hospitals
    through Project Sunshine.  The sick children were overwhelmed by the generosity of
    our students and the notes which accompanied the books.  For Chanukah, we
    collected toys which we donated through our student Heather  and her family to NY
    Presbyterian’s Children’s Hospital’s holiday party.  After our Shabbatons, we always
    donate our leftover food to Shelter Our Sisters, a local home for abused women and
    their children, and at our annual Purim Carnival, we collected Kosher for Passover
    food to donate to the kosher food bank.  As you can see, the Jyep made tremendous
    strides reaching out to the greater community whose needs we helped meet.
    Our time at the Jyep was filled with lots of exciting programs. We had an extraordinary
    Sukkah program where we ate delicious Chinese food, made new and creative
    projects, and were musically accompanied by Dan and Rabbi Elie.  Our Shabbatons
    had a unique flair this year.  The big brothers and big sisters really helped out with
    the activities making them fun and exciting.  The kids returned from the fall Shabbaton
    wanting more and the attendance at the spring Shabbaton increased.  We had a
    drumfest to end the spring Shabbaton with make your own Sundays and gourmet
    popcorn form Dale and Thomas.  For those who attended the “bring your parents to
    school day”, the parents were so impressed by the teachers and big brothers and big
    sisters they observed that they wished that they, too, could go back to Hebrew
    school.  The big brothers and big sisters then ran a great Purim carnival with lots of
    great booths and prizes. Our incredibly talented teachers ran creative and informative
    model Seders.  For Israel Independence Day, the 6th grade with the guidance of their
    teacher ran an Israeli shuk with lots of great gifts.  
    Dan and I are busily preparing for the coming year.  We’re reviewing and revamping,
    where necessary, each grade’s curriculum, and implementing a unique and creative
    bar and bat Mitzvah Program.
    I will again be spending the 1st two weeks of the summer in the city at the principles
    leadership institute run by the JTS and HUC.
    If you know of any families whose children would benefit from our school, please have
    them contact me at (201)833-JYEP, email me at JYEP1@aol.com, or visit us on the
    web at www.JYEP.ORG.
    If you have any ideas or suggestions you’d like to share with us, please send an email
    to JYEP1@aol.com

    Please stay in touch over the summer.  I look forward to hearing from you.

    Sincerely,

    Debby Rapps  
         Director
Summer News and Events
Jewish Youth Encounter Program