Who We Are
Ivrit at the center School operates under the Israeli Hug Center, a community-based organization dedicated to strengthening the connection between Israeli families in New York and the Hebrew language, Israeli culture, and identity.
The Center creates a meaningful, supportive, and connecting space that allows families to maintain a sense of belonging, nurture a vibrant community, and build bridges between life in New York and their roots in Israel.
Inspired by this vision, the School was established to provide children with a space where Hebrew is not only learned but experienced, spoken, and felt as a natural part of life. We see language learning as a central tool for preserving identity, building confidence, and deepening a sense of belonging to Israel for the child, the family, and the community.
The school is a warm and professional educational home for children growing up between two languages and two cultures. We specifically serve children from Israeli families who wish to maintain, strengthen, and deepen Hebrew as a living part of daily life and identity.
Our program combines structured and in-depth language learning with a natural connection to Israeli culture, based on the understanding that children learn language best when it is relevant, alive, and emotionally engaging.
Classes take place throughout the school year and are complemented by community events that strengthen belonging and connection to Israel.
The program includes ongoing communication with parents, including WhatsApp groups for each age group, where updates, photos, and weekly summaries are shared, along with ideas for continued engagement at home.
Throughout the year, individual parent meetings will also take place to monitor each child’s progress and support their development.
The school will serve as a warm and open space for families—a place where children learn Hebrew, connect to Israeli-Jewish identity, and experience a sense of belonging, home, and community.
Vision
“Ivrit at the Center” is a Hebrew school in New York that sees language as far more than a communication tool. Hebrew is a space for identity, belonging, and personal expression.
We believe that every child should find their voice in Hebrew to speak, think, create, and feel at home in the language.
Our approach combines modern, differentiated teaching with experience, play, dialogue, and creativity. Language is not acquired through worksheets and grammar alone, but through meaningful human interaction.
We connect Jewish culture, modern Israel, and the daily lives of children in New York turning Hebrew into a living bridge between past, present, and future.
“Ivrit at the Center” is a shared learning community, where children, families, and educators build a living, flexible, and relevant Hebrew identity together.
Because here, we don’t just learn Hebrew.
We build a home in it.
Program Details
- Program runs in the afternoon, parallel to the NYC school year
- Start Date: September 16, 2026
- End Date: June 16, 2027
- Day: Wednesday
- Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
- Location: 168 W 79th St – Rodeph Sholom School
- Spacious, well-equipped classrooms with seating areas for parents
- Launching September 2026 with grades: Kindergarten (K) through 3rd grade
- Small groups organized by age and level
- Annual program: September–June
Our Educational Approach
We use a modern, professional approach to teaching Hebrew, tailored for children growing up in a bilingual environment.
Core principles:
- Hebrew as a living language – spoken communication and comprehension first
- Building confidence and fluency
- Gradual integration of reading and writing
- Experiential learning through play, conversation, and creativity
- Deep connection to Israeli culture
Curriculum
The curriculum is based on the Kesem and Chaverim programs by the Center for Educational Technology (MATACH), adapted for bilingual Israeli children living in the U.S.
The program includes 32 sessions per year, structured in a gradual, spiral progression that develops all language skills:
Class Structure
K–1
Focus: spoken Hebrew, confidence, joy in language
- Natural exposure
- Games, songs, movement
- Developing comprehension and speech
- Introduction to letters
Grades 2–3
Focus: reading, writing, language depth
- Systematic reading acquisition
- Basic and advanced writing
- Vocabulary expansion
- Verbal expression development
Level-Based Grouping
Within each age group, students are divided by Hebrew level:
- Native speakers
- Partial exposure
- Beginners
This ensures each child progresses at the right pace with personalized support
Learning Experience
Learning Hebrew is a full experience:
- Warm, supportive environment
- Personal connection with each child
- Holiday-based activities
- Creative projects
- Strong sense of belonging and community
Our goal is for children to want to speak Hebrew not just “learn” it.
Teaching Staff
Our team includes qualified educators with experience working with children.
Teachers:
- Design age- and level-appropriate lessons
- Combine professionalism with sensitivity
- Track individual progress
- Work in partnership with parents
Who Is It For?
- Israeli children living in New York
- Children from bilingual families
- Children who speak Hebrew and want to strengthen reading and writing
- Children with partial exposure to Hebrew
- Families seeking to maintain connection to language and culture
Registration
Registration for the upcoming school year is now open.
Spots are limited to maintain small, high-quality groups.
For details and registration:
Tuition
The school year includes 32 sessions.
- Early Bird (until July 31, 2026): $1,990
- Regular (from August 1): $2,210
- Tuition is paid in 6 equal installments (September–April, automatic payment)
- Credit card payments include a 3% processing fee
Upon registration:
- Registration fee: $80
- Materials fee: $100
- 5% sibling discount
Cancellations & Refunds
- Until July 31: full refund (including registration & materials)
- August 1 to January 31: prorated refund (excluding registration & materials)
- From February 1: no refunds
- No refunds for absences
Make-Up Policy
In rare cases, sessions may be rescheduled with advance notice.
Photography
Participation in the program constitutes consent for the use of photos for promotional purposes.
Contact us
To schedule a call:
https://calendly.com/enornberg-crsnyc/new-meeting
Email: enornberg@crsnyc.org
Registration link: (to be added)
Hebrew is a home.
We are here to keep it alive, relevant, and meaningful for your children.
