PROGRAM/CURRICULUM

The ELITES Program curriculum is custom-designed to prepare our students for the future. The curriculum builds up the self-esteem and confidence of the students in two major ways: a) as Jews, by stressing the significance of Judaism to progressive civilization; and b) as Ethiopian Jews, by relating the Ethiopian Jewish experience as a natural part of the greater fabric of Jewish and world history. In addition to teaching language skills and political theory, the Program gives students a practical vision of how to achieve at least some of their goals and dreams, from elementary school or high school, through national service and the university, to getting a good job. Besides teaching them ideas in English, ELITES also provides specific information on the other resources available to the students to help them reach their goals. By requiring the students to write at least four essays in English, and by working with them on each one, in English and Hebrew (and a little Amharic), the Program builds practical experience in understanding, reading, writing, and speaking English. When they take the final English Bagrut in June, it should be easier than some of what they have already done. With success on the Bagruyot, the students will obviously be in a much better position to plan for college, the national service, and a respectable career. In addition, succeeding in the English language will, in and of itself, help further build up the students' self-esteem and confidence. Congratulations to the ELITES students of Kiryat Malachi and Lod, every single one of whom passed their English Bagrut exams, both in the January and May 2006 exam administrations.  We wish you all the best in the 2006/7 school year.