by Bekah Smith, Tiferet Bet Israel The TAP Program has taught me that there are many different ways to approach teaching Hebrew to children. Whether they have a mental or emotional disability, even if they just can’t seem to sit still, this program has helped me understand how to assess the situation and react accordingly. I found out right away that when you are working with someone with learning disabilities they will need your patience because their brain is processing things slower than their average peer. They will still be able to achieve their goals and receive the answer, although [...]

By Emma Wilson, Beth Israel My first year of being a TAP teen has done so much for me, and has inspired me to work with children of all ages and learning abilities. This has also been my first year of being an aid at my synagogue, Beth Israel’s, Hebrew school, something I’d been waiting to get to do for awhile, as I’ve always loved working with kids. TAP has opened my eyes up to the challenges of teaching, as well as many effective methods for dealing with these challenges. I’m proud to be a TAP teen and to have [...]

by Dylan Smith, BTBJ As a TAP fellow, I have learned a lot about the students I work with. I have been working at Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun in the Aleph class. I can relate to the kids, because just like them I was a student there which gives me skills that I can apply in the classroom. Not only did I go to Hebrew school at BT-BJ, I also went to their camp and I have basically grown up there. What makes me happy about working there is, even though I am helping like a teacher, I am also [...]