Since 2002, Judaic studies and Hebrew teacher Orit Solomon has been mentoring new teachers as part of the DeLet program. Teachers in the DeLet program go through intense training in both general and Judaic studies, and also earn their teaching credential. Each teacher is also placed in a Jewish day school, working with a mentor teacher and getting hands-on teaching experience in the classroom. This year’s DeLet fellow at Brandeis is Eitam Kohen, who brings his passion to the classroom every day. On Tuesday, Mr. Kohen led his eager and attentive class in a Hebrew lesson focused on speaking the language, verb conjugations (using the correct male/female and singular/plural suffixes), and the Jewish holidays. "We want our students to be proficient in all 4 modes of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking," says Mr. Kohen. "We also want our students to have a positive connection to Judaism. By having the holidays and their foods as the topic of our lesson, we are hoping to foster that sense of connection."

 

After the DeLet fellowship, teachers go on to work in Jewish day schools all over the country. Two past Brandeis DeLet fellows, Jonathan Ferris and Isaac Jacobs-Gomes, continue to bring their excellence to our students. Says Ms. Solomon, "Mentoring a new teacher is a way of touching the lives of many students, as the teacher you are supporting will take the lessons they learn to their own future students. This mentoring helps preserve the important place of Jewish day schools in our community." MORE PHOTOS