Almost every Jewish parent wants their children to be educated in Jewish life and Hebrew, but it becomes more complicated when you are messianic and believe in Yeshua as the Messiah.
Every family approaches this differently. Some send their children to Hebrew school and day camp when they are young, but then switch to homeschool, secular, or Christian schools when the children get older.
In a traditional Jewish school environment, a child will be faced with one day having to stand up for their beliefs, and it's up to the parent to determine if the child is ready to do that and at what age. They will be instructed that Yeshua is not the Messiah and may feel confused. While in traditional Hebrew school, one's child has the benefit of a Jewish environment and education, as they grow the feeling that they are "hiding" their true beliefs may cause issues.
There is also a possibility that once a child does reveal themselves as Messianic, they may be asked to leave the school, keep their beliefs under wraps, or may be ostracized. But such is the life is a messianic Jewish believer in Yeshua.
Some parents opt for Christian schooling which has the benefit of a child learning about Yeshua freely, but the school may also include elements like Christmas, Easter, and other traditions, even practices that your family does not believe in or does not observe. There will also be little to no Jewish life or Hebrew education.
Some messianic parents choose to homeschool so that they can create a custom environment that reflects their needs and beliefs.
It's very important to pray and ask Hashem to guide you in where you send your children. It may be that He wants your children to receive a formal Jewish education for His purpose in their lives or that He wants them in a Christian school, or homeschooled. One doesn't know until they ask.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Below are a few resources to help messianic parents on their journey to providing their child with a Jewish education.
Ashreinu School. Meaning "we are happy" in Hebrew, Ashreinu is an online Hebrew school run by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations for children ranging age 8-13. Their classes are held twice per week. The children learn Hebrew, about Jewish life, the Tanakh and B'rit Hadashah, and important figures and history. Registration is open until December 11, 2022. Learn more here.
Dino Lingo is an app and Hebrew vocabulary program. When you order the complete program, you receive DVDs, flashcards, and many posters. It's best for either very young children (age five and below) or children who know some Hebrew. The DVDs are not the best quality but do teach a lot of vocabulary (colors, names of fruits, etc.).
Pimsleur Hebrew. Pimsleur Hebrew is probably the best conversational Hebrew program. With the app (under $30/month), you can play it for your children in the car or at home. Each lesson is around 45 minutes. For children, it's best to split the lessons into 20 minute section and repeat them as needed. They'll be speaking simple, complete sentences such as "Ani m'vin/a ivrit (I understand Hebrew) by the second lesson. The app comes with flashcards and reading support which children can also use so that they can understand how to read, but this will only be useful if they know the Hebrew aleph bet and vowels.
With Pimsleur, one learns by listening to real conversations with explanations of various words.
Rosetta Stone. Older children can use Rosetta Stone to learn to speak and read. Rosetta Stone Hebrew is very fast paced. It's better for older children (age 12+) or those who have studied a bit beforehand. The benefit of Rosetta Stone Hebrew is that it has software that evaluates pronunciation. Rosetta Stone works best on a laptop or desktop. There is an app but it does not work well on mobile devices, an ipad or tablet is recommended.
Rosetta Stone isn't ideal for listening in the car as it's designed to be interactive and regularly quizzes the user.
YouTube
YouTube has a plethora of Hebrew learning resources for children. If you are consistent and have children watch them a few time a week, they will learn very well.
Jewish children's programing like Shalom Sesame is available in English, Spanish and Hebrew and is very entertaining. You can buy full episodes in some Judaica stores, in YouTube or in iTunes. The episodes cover all major holidays, teach Hebrew letters, explore Israel, and teach positive values.
This 15-year old video has has helped many children and adults learn the Aleph Bet.
Here is slower, modern and adapted version of the same song.
When teaching bar/bat mitzvah classes, I used these videos from Jewish Interactive. They use mnemonic devices to help children remember each Hebrew letter and the sound they make. Here are a few.
Shin and Sin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c920W0VZOrg
Kaf, Chaf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To-aymewnow
Books
The Z'man Likro Time to Read Hebrew Books are very good. There is a book one and book two. They are designed for the beginner Hebrew learner who can already read and write English with ease.
You can find them here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0867050756/
For younger children, simple dot-to-dot and Hebrew coloring books go a long way toward familiarizing them with block script in a way that is fun. This aleph bet tracing book can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1605322008
Hebrew letter placemats and toys also help children learn naturally.
This one can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Painless-Learning-Hebrew-Alphabet-Placemat/dp/B002CF5F60/
There are also many websites where you can print out educational and fun sheets for learning and coloring.
Learning Hebrew is only one part of a Jewish education, however. Trying to be part of the Jewish community is important when possible. Believing in Yeshua as the Messiah can make this difficult in a sense but going to community seders, Purim parties/spiels, and the like are still possible and give children a sense of normal Jewish life and a sense of responsibility to the greater Jewish community as they are our brothers and sisters.
If you live near a messianic community that offers such things, that is always ideal, but they can be few and far between. It is worth it to move near a messianic Jewish congregation if you find one with a strong community life.
Hashem has a different path for every family. Ask Him where you should be involved and in what capacity.
All this said, the most important learning environment when it comes to raising children who are strong in their Jewish identity and their calling and identity in Yeshua will always be the home. Have a bookshelf full of Jewish books, watch Jewish movies, and talk about Jewish values, history, and current events. Go to a messianic Jewish summer camp. Study the Torah and B'rit Hadashah together. Play Jewish music. Hang Jewish art, photographs or the kotel, or anything that brings them closer to their heritage. Hang mezuzot. Teach them brachot.
But most of all, the most powerful thing you can do is pray for them, day and night. Your prayers can go places with them you cannot and His Spirit can cover them in ways when we are not able. May He guide you and may we all have children who know their identity in Israel and in Yeshua.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." -Devarim 6:7 Deuteronomy
Awesome content! Thank you for sharing!!!