Children explore Hebrew words for Chanukah, lighting up their learning just like the candles on the menorah. Courtesy: Rochel Levertov

Last year, Michelle Ramos’s daughter, Eden, a public school student, entered the third grade at Tamim Academy of Austin. She recognized less than a handful of the Hebrew Alef-Bet. She didn’t speak, read, or write in Hebrew. She had shown early aptitude in reading, writing, math and science, subjects we valued.

“Pulling our child from public school was not a decision we made lightly,” Ramos said. “When the world turned upside down after Oct. 7, however, we finished the school year ill at ease. We were tired. We were tired of being unable to participate in clubs because they fell on Shabbat. We were tired of exams or conferences scheduled on chagim. Feeling frustrated and sad, we sought to give Eden more Jewish experiences and sent her to Camp Gan Israel of Austin.”

Ramos says Eden was so happy at camp! She learned Jewish and Hebrew songs and met other Jewish kids she’d never seen before. “And there was an ease we all found–a space where we didn’t have to explain ourselves, where we could be ourselves, just Jews. We could see that there was something special happening at the Tamim campus. Jewish families from different countries different levels of religious observance, and even different languages were growing in unity. The campus had become a venue to congregate and socialize. And above the buzz of children’s laughter and shrieking, there was still peace–that feeling of community that is Austin’s Am Yisrael Chai.”

When Rochel Levertov, Tamim Academy of Austin’s Principal, asked the Ramos family if they would consider changing schools, they said they were ready to hear her out.

Austin’s fledgling Jewish educational scene began in Mrs. Levertov’s living room in 1995, when she and a small group of parents started a home school. Demand grew it into the Bais Menachem Hebrew Academy of Austin and, in August 2021, the school joined Tamim, a Jewish network of schools that provides play-based, holistic education that marries Judaic studies, including Hebrew, with rigorous secular curricula.

As Mrs. Levertov shared information about the curriculum and testing, Ramos says they were satisfied that their daughter would remain appropriately challenged in secular subjects.

“But what happens to a non-Hebrew speaker in Hebrew day school?” Ramos asks.

“They thrive, that’s what! They weren’t empty promises from Mrs. Levertov–we saw it ourselves that Tamim Academy is unique in its artful ability to meet each child at their level. Eden’s teachers worked with her and other new Hebrew learners to teach them to recognize the alef-bet. Within weeks, she could write her name and read, quickly building her Hebrew vocabulary. The gap didn’t magically close in one school year but with Eden’s hard work and her teacher’s instruction and encouragement, the gap is very narrow and she’ll be at grade-level before we know it. Even better than her new Hebrew skills is knowing that she was only ever encouraged and positive about the challenge, and never felt less-than or behind. On the contrary, it has been tremendous for her self-esteem and she has blossomed with each accomplishment. Our once-shy child even performed on-stage in school spiels without once having any fear.”

Tamim Academy of Austin aims to produce children demonstrating knowledge and problem solving, both secular and traditional, and so much more. They seek to nurture the whole child to have empathy, personal responsibility, and a desire to make positive contributions to their community and the world. “As our daughter enters the fourth grade at Tamim Academy, we are delighted to see her continue her traditional Jewish education,” Ramos said.