A Russian Language Education

Two of our teachers with Head of School Moshe Vaknin and some of our students.

At HAMC, we've launched a pilot program for first-generation Russian-American children who have a basic understanding of the Russian language. Classes are being taught by a native speaker, and the students will learn through songs, poems, storytelling, and arts and crafts. 

Our school sees the value in multilingualism, as Head of School Moshe Vaknin wrote in Bekesher and on the blog earlier this month, "multilingual people maintain longer cognitive life than monolinguals." He also cited Ellen Bialystok of York University in Toronto, Ontario, who said, "As the human body begins its natural decline in old age, bilinguals seem to maintain better cognitive function." 

But don't take our word for it, hear what some of our parents and grandparents have to say about our After-School Russian Language Immersion Program!

My daughter Marcia attends the Russian class at HAMC and greatly enjoys it. Even though Russian is spoken in our house (my parents and I emigrated from the former Soviet Union in 1992), Marcia's native language is English, the same as her daddy's who is an American (but whose grandparents came here from Eastern Europe over 100 years ago). 

Since starting her Russian class, Marcia has made great strides and is talking in phrases now, telling us about the kids in her class. The language is taught informally, through games and live interaction, with no pressure or grades. I am very happy that Marcia's world is now enriched through her access to yet another culture. We are grateful to her teachers, especially Julia Benz who volunteered to create this program from scratch, and to the HAMC management who helped turn her - and our- dream into reality.

Helen Grau, whose daughter attends the program

The Russian Emersion Class in Hebrew Academy is a wonderful program for the young children who were born in this country, but have Russian speaking parents and grandparents. After only one semester, I see a noticeable difference in my son’s ability and willingness to speak Russian at home, and also to his grandmother, who he calls daily on the phone. 

Exposing and teaching young children to speak Russian, their native language, helps to bridge generational gap, and keep the cultural heritage alive.  

Yana Faynstein, whose son is in the program

(Translated from Russian) I am just delighted that HAMC offered this program. It is excellent and helped my grandson not only to continue mastering Russian, but also find new friends and learn in the nurturing, warm and caring environment. It helped bridge the language barrier and now we can communicate much better. Big kudos to the school for pioneering the Russian programs! I highly recommend it. Being fluent in different languages will help children tremendously in the future. 

Valentina Alekseevna, whose grandchild attends the program 

Students wrote a note on International Women's Day, March 8, for their moms.
It reads, "Mommy I love you," in Russian

My four year old daughter goes to the Russian enrichment class at Hebrew Academy (HAMC). She enjoys it very much. When I used to speak to her in Russian, she would answer me in English. Since she started attending the class though, her Russian vocabulary expanded and she is trying to insert some Russian words and even phrases in to her speech. It is obvious that she feels more comfortable, knowing that there are other children that speak Russian. Children in the group have fun learning language that most of their parents speak, as well as create a bond with each other.  

Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak, Temple Beth Am of Parsippany, NJ