A.H.A.V.A. "English Learned in a Natural Method" was founded in 2000

A.H.A.V.A. observes Kashrut and Shabbat.

Letters of approbation have been written by Paula Bernard of the Greater Leaps Forward Reading Fluency Program and Rabbi Brechiyahu Boaz, Principal of the Mitzpah Yerich Elementary School Click here to see letters of endorsement

Activities

The Hebrew Speaker's Program. This program is geared toward children ages 2 through 14. Participants enter the program knowing no English. Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking. The program seeks to produce children who can communicate on a basic level of English. The children work in small groups which focus on speaking and developing vocabulary via songs, games, storytelling, and playacting. On average, 70 children from four communities and five teachers participate in this program.

Native English Speakers Program. This program provides education for children who were either raised in English speaking countries or have at least one parent who communicates with them in English. The level of English of these students exceeds that of their peers. A.H.A.V.A. provides advanced English skills aimed at addressing the linguistic limitations of living in a non-English speaking country. In this program, the students work on their skills in reading, writing, grammar, and spelling. All of the children, (including those with learning disabilities) learn to read, write and enjoy English. On average, 80 children from four communities and six teachers participate in this program.

Teacher Workshops. A.H.A.V.A. offers teacher training workshops whose aim is to provide future teachers with new and marketable skills. Each 16 hour workshop offers the teachers such skills as the conversational manner of teaching English, A.H.A.V.A.'s Step-by-Step Method, and practical applications of rhymes and chants. The seminar provides supplies such as games, signs, toys and books to bring to their own classroom. Tips are given on who to contact in the community, how to advertise, and how to attract potential students. Participants are provided with sample ads and promotional materials to assist them in the initial organizational period. A.H.A.V.A conducted three teacher seminars with a combined enrollment of 23 in 2004-05, in various locatins in Israel. Ms. Morrison, the A.H.A.V.A. executive director, spoke to an audience of 300 teachers at the conference of the English Teachers Association of Israel. The lecture was entitled How to get (even our youngest/weakest) Students Writing: Suggestions for Native English Speaker Curricula

Teaching Resources. The Vicki Fickler Library houses over 1,100 books. Ben's Toys. A.H.A.V.A. uses toys and games during lessons. Most games are designed specially by A.H.A.V.A. and some are regular toys which fit, or are adapted to meet, A.H.A.V.A.'s educational needs. A.H.A.V.A. runs the annual children's English Book Readathon, a competition where children procure sponsors and read as many English books as possible. Over 100 children participate, increasing their reading level and raising money for A.H.A.V.A. scholarships.

Collaboration with other Agencies/Municipalities. A.H.A.V.A. has ongoing partnerships with two Jerusalem areas elementary schools, a municipality and the Jerusalem English Lending Library for Youth. A.H.A.V.A. also consults with the National English Inspectorate to find creative ways the organization can help promote English literacy in Israel. A.H.A.V.A. is the sole provider of supplementary English education for the Maale Adumim Municipality (a suburb of Jerusalem).

Before starting A.H.A.V.A., Ms. Morrison worked privately with individuals and small groups of children to supplement their minimal English education. She has also taught in the Israeli public school system and educated over 100 teachers in her almost 30 years of teaching. She developed the teaching methods and curricula that has become the A.H.A.V.A. program. Ms. Morrison received her Bachelors of Arts in English literature from McGill University and a teaching certificate from Beth Jacob Teacher's Seminary. Upon aliya, Ms. Morrison received the Israel TEFL Teaching Certificate in 1982. Her primary interests in English literacy include creating curricula for native English speaking children in Israel, comprehensive English programming for dyslexic and learning disabled children, and access to these programs for disadvantaged families. Ms. Morrison lives in Israel with her husband and five daughters.

Board Policies and Practices

Policy/practice	Comment
Meeting frequency and attendance	From September 2006 to September 2007, the entire board met three times. A majority was present at each meeting.
CEO evaluation and compensation	The board does not have a formal policy for evaluating the CEO.
Board and employee conflicts of interest	Relatives may not serve on the board, nor may relatives of the CEO or any other paid employee of A.H.A.V.A.
Financial oversight and control	Strategic plans are usually developed by the CEO and development director/executive assistant. These plans are reviewed by the board. Review of budgets and financial statements are done by the staff with the supervision of the board chair.
Program oversight and evaluation	A.H.A.V.A. has no formal policy for board oversight and evaluation of program.
Board self-evaluation	A.H.A.V.A. has no formal policy for board self-evaluation.
Assurance of compliance with Israeli law	A.H.A.V.A.'s CPA specializes in non-profits. He reviews board meeting minutes and advises on changes in the law. A.H.A.V.A. has been granted the nihul takin certificate (certificate of proper management) by the Israeli government. Click here to find out more about the nihul takin certification. Annual meeting minutes along with A.H.A.V.A.'s financial audit is submitted to the Israeli Ministry of Amutot (Nonprofit Organizations) for review annually. A.H.A.V.A. has a strict policy against illegal copying of copyrighted material.
Assurance of compliance with Jewish law	A.H.A.V.A. has no formal or written policy for assurance of compliance with Jewish law.
Assurance of ethical behavior	A.H.A.V.A. has no formal or written policy for assuring ethical behavior. However, A.H.A.V.A. reports that the organization insists on "being very forthright on all our legal documents about what we do and not do, making sure our accounting is very accurate and strictly 'by the book,' reporting to book companies and agencies when we use their materials to make sure we have permission."

Name	Title	Years on Board	Hours/ week
Ms. Karen Alexander	Chair, Member Management Board*	5	0.1
Mr. David Yehuda Ben Avraham	Member	5	0.1
Ms. Sara Pash	Member Management Board*	2	0.1
Ms. Rivka Tsur	Member	5	**
Ms. Gita Weinberger	Member Management Board*	6	0.5
Mr. Tzvi Zarr	Member	5	**
Ms. Shavit Zivi	Member	1	0.1

A.H.A.V.A. has one full-time, and three part-time staff members and nine teachers. In 2006-07, the highest salary (inlcuding benefits) was 27,000 new Israeli shekels (approximately $5,800); the second highest salary was 15,726 new Israeli shekels (approximately $3,400).

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers devoted approximately 300 hours to A.H.A.V.A. in 2006-07. Volunteers assisted with preparing publicity materials such as the organizational website, brochures, and fliers; organizing the annual graduation ceremony for native English speakers; serving on the scholarship committee; fundraising activities; obtaining guest speakers; and program planning. A.H.A.V.A. also uses teen and young adult volunteers in overseas programs to tutor and assist additional at-risk students.