OUR TOP FIVE GOALS
FOR EVERY STUDENT
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
Hebrew Gems is an innovative after school program located in Caulfield, Melbourne for Jewish Primary age children who don’t attend a Jewish day school.
Hebrew Gems offers a warm and lively atmosphere where children can attain a unique and exciting awareness of their Jewish identity.
Our students gain an appreciation for the joys, values and traditions of our heritage and Hebrew language as our dedicated and enthusiastic teachers vividly bring them to life. The creativity and dynamism makes every lesson a unique learning experience.
Our school’s most underlying approach is for the children to enjoy the time spent at Hebrew School so that they are left with positive feelings and fond memories of their Jewish education.
Our program is thus carefully blended with games, songs, incentives, arts and crafts, audio-visual presentations, dramatics, family celebrations and other exciting co-curricular activities.
Marvel at your children’s enthusiasm as they look forward to this fun-filled Hebrew school. Here, they will absorb the richness of their heritage, Jewish values and learn to read and write the Hebrew language.
AGES
Prep - Grade 6, followed by the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program.
WHO
Our program is suitable for Jewish children who do not attend a Jewish day school. Currently, we have children enrolled from over 10 different public and private schools from across Melbourne.
DATES
You have the choice to join either the Monday, Tuesday or Thursday classes. Classes follow the annual public school calendar except when Hebrew Gems falls on a Jewish Festival.
TIMES
Classes run from 4.00 -5.30pm. The first 45 minutes focuses on Jewish traditions, culture and lessons, while the second half focuses on the Hebrew language.
COST
The cost is $200 per term. There is no annual commitment.
Every Jewish child is entitled to a Jewish education, please speak to us if the fees are beyond your means.
LOCATION
Chabad Glen Eira, 484 Glen Eira Rd, Caulfield.
CLASSES
To ensure every student is given the best opportunity to reach their full potential to grow and develop in their Jewish education and journey, classes are kept small - between five to ten students per class. This fosters an environment that not only allows students to feel comfortable, speak up and get involved in every class but ensures every child is given all the attention and care they need.
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STAFF
Our teachers are exceptional and sincerely care about the well-being and educational development of their students. With one look into a class it’s evident that the teachers are excited and enthusiastic about the teaching opportunity, it’s a beautiful sight watching the students and teachers enthusiastically greet each other at the start of each week.
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TEACHING METHOD
After a long day of school, we understand students are tired and find it difficult sit through a 90-minute class, which is why every class is carefully blended with crafts, multimedia, drama, cooking and other activities all based on the lesson taught. This learning experience brings the lessons to life and excites the students as it keeps them engaged throughout the class.
At the start of Hebrew Gems, students excitingly run up the stairs as they are warmly greeted by their teachers and treated to fruit, vegetables and biscuits before beginning their class.
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INCENTIVE SYSTEM
In order to create a truly positive and inspiring environment, minimizing the need for discipline, creating only positive memories of their weekly Jewish program we have developed a five-star incentive system that students thrive on and love.
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COMMUNICATION
We strongly encourage close communication between school staff and parents.
A weekly newsletter is emailed containing what the students have learnt that week, news around the school, photos and upcoming events or announcements.
We are proud to be an accredited Safeguarding Children organisation.
Your child’s safety is our number one priority; we will ensure the Day Camp's environment is the safest environment possible.
The director, Moshe Loebenstein is trained in level two first aid and undergone an anaphylactic training and awareness course. Moshe who will be running the program, has also undergone a course from ChildWise and is accredited from Safe Guarding Children to ensure our programs, policies and staff are trained and educated ensuring that all children attending our youth programs are given the best care in the safest environment possible.
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Below is a brief summary of safety items addressing the most common safety questions. If there are any further safety questions please email us or call us on 9532 7299.
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• Child / Staff Ratio – A ratio of one staff for every five children is what sets us apart; every child attending the Camp Gems feels secure and is given all the personal attention and care they need.
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• We have a zero tolerance to a breach by staff of any one of our policies.
• An example of a policy: A staff member, under no circumstances is allowed to be alone with a child, co-counselors have a shared responsibility in ensuring they are with their co-counselor and group at all times, preventing a one on one situation to arise.
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• We have zero tolerance towards bulling – parents will be called if a child continues after a single warning.
SAFETY
CURRICULUMS
ALEPH CHAMP
Hebrew Gems uses the world acclaimed Aleph Champ program that students use to enthusiastically learn to read and write the Hebrew language with. Aleph Champ’s smart motivational system is based on the martial art’s motivational philosophy of color-coded levels and testing. It encourages students to continually thrive to reach a higher level until they become a black belt Alef champion. To read more about the program please visit the Aleph Champ website by clicking here.
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ADVENTURE WITH ALEF
Hebrew Gems has developed a new Hebrew curriculum called Adventure with Alef, Adventure with Alef's program brings an excitement and love of the Hebrew letters to the classroom leaving students eager to learn more. Within the beautiful illustrations are smart and relevant mnemonics that allows students to easily learn the Hebrew Alphabet and recall the Aleph Bet letters forever. To read more about the program please visit the Adventure with Alef website by clicking here.
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JEWISH STUDIES CURRICULUM
Our Jewish studies curriculums are sought from leading afterschool Jewish educational organizations in the USA. Each year level will journey through their curriculum throughout the year. To learn which curriculum your child will be learning please contact us.
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JEWISH FESTIVALS - HAND ON HERITAGE
Festivals are brought to life with the Gems Hand on Heritage program that runs prior to an upcoming chag/festival that students love. Please see some brief examples below.
Pesach – Matzah Bakery, Students make their own hand made matzah just like in Egypt with the HOH Matzah Bakery!
Pesach - Model Seder with parents and grandparents invited to join!
Rosh Hashanah – Students make a real usable shofar from a raw goat or rams’ horn with the HOH Shofar factory!
Chanukah – Students make pure olive oil with an ancient olive press, the test to see if it works comes at the end of HOH Olive press show when the Chanukia is lit with that freshly squeezed olive oil.
Purim - A live travelling Purim play with lights, sound and actors bring the Purim story to life!
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you to all the lovely teachers at Chabad Glen Eira Hebrew school for making after school Jewish studies and Hebrew education a fun and enjoyable experience for our boys. The time and energy that you have put into teaching our kids has helped their Hebrew improve enormously and we are very appreciative. Keep up the good work!"
Kim and Rod Nirens - Parents
"There is no better sign that all is great when your kids are happy to go to Hebrew School and don’t want to leave. Thank you Thank you & Thank you to the team!!!!"
Evelyn Gansky - Parent
"Josh loves attending Hebrew school and I have never been more confident or comfortable in any educational institution as I am about this one.
Arina Orliansky - Parent
"My son loves Chabad Hebrew School. He is so excited he cannot wait for Tuesdays to come around. He loves telling us what he has learnt and is proud to learn Hebrew. He enjoys learning all about the Jewish holidays and sometimes even teaches us. He cannot wait until his sister will also go to Hebrew school."
Valeria Green - Parent
"Chabad continues to impress me with its outstanding Hebrew program with wonderful and dedicated teachers. My children really enjoy the weekly classes and attend happily! I love the emailed newsletter so I know what they are learning about and can see their smiling facing in the photos."
Adina Friede - Parent
"Chabad Hebrew School was the 3rd Hebrew school I sent my oldest son to and I knew that if he didn't like it there he probably wouldn't learn to read and write Hebrew. Well it did take a little bit of settling in but now he loves it. The Director was amazing with him from the word go - patient, engaging and very accommodating. My son responds well to the teachers and I truly believe that is why he now enjoys going. My younger son, who is in prep loved it from the start - the teachers, the games and learning the Hebrew alphabet - as well as the great snacks they get at the beginning of class! The director and the teachers are fantastic and have created a very special learning environment for the kids. I highly recommend Chabad Hebrew School to any child wanting to learn Hebrew and gain an appreciation of Judaism."
Nicole Bishops Whiteman - Parent
