Prizmah Podcast Live: Hebrew Education from Curriculum to Proficiency

Prizmah Podcasts: Podcasts by Prizmah Center for Jewish Day Schools

Tune in to this Prizmah Podcast Live with The Epstein School in Atlanta's Idit Bendavid and David Welsher to hear how the school built its own Hebrew program—one that puts students at the heart of the learning process. Explore the shift from a rigid curriculum to a student-centered, proficiency-based approach that prioritizes real-world communication. From the perspectives of students, teachers, parents, and school leadership, we will explore the obstacles in language acquisition and how a focus on authentic learning experiences is transforming Hebrew education.

Idit Bendavid teaches at The Epstein School in Atlanta, where she embraced the Proficiency approach and ACTFL guidelines, transforming her instructional practices and becoming a data-driven decision-maker. Since 2021, she has served as the Director of Judaic Studies and Hebrew for grades K-8, leading the development of the Hebrew curriculum using the Proficiency approach and the Judaic Studies curriculum based on the Standards and Benchmarks framework for grades K-4. A graduate of the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute, Idit is committed to driving meaningful change through innovative professional development.

David Welsher is the current associate head of school and elementary school principal at The Epstein School in Atlanta. In partnership with his fellow educators, David is passionate about fostering a vibrant school culture where students and teachers thrive. Under his leadership, The Epstein School has seen improved student performance and increased teacher satisfaction. David's collaborative approach has led to the implementation of innovative programs such as the STEAM initiative and many unique programs to support diverse learners.