How Can We Help?

Tomorrow’s Genius staff members have been thinking of all of our US students affected by Hurricane Sandy. Several of our schools have missed classes during this past week, as they have been without power. Even though, most of our staff is based in Israel, we want to let our students and schools know that we are thinking of you.

Until the crisis is over and students are able to return to regular learning, the staff of Tomorrow’s Genius wants Jewish day school students everywhere to know that we are here to help. TG teachers are volunteering their time and expertise to help any students that have been affected by the hurricane. If your school is looking for options of continuing learning, our staff is ready to help free of charge for as long as it takes to get back to normal operations.

If your school has students that must continue learning in order to stay on schedule for AP classes, SAT dates, or other deadlines, please be in touch. Our teachers are trained in both Judaic and secular studies. Most of us, are former Jewish day school teachers and we would like to help in any way we can. Learning does not have to stop.

Please contact us at support@tomorrowsgenius.com or by phone at 732-572-6575 if we can be of service to you and/or your school.

4 Paths to Success: From the Job Search to the Job Market

Everyone you ask will look at you with hope and dreams when it comes to finding that perfect job, but not many know how to improve their chances of securing that dream opportunity. That’s why Tomorrow’s Genius has developed online courses in the key areas that will improve your job search and career prospects.

“Which courses will take my career to that next level?”

1. A Crash Course in Microsoft office – With almost all businesses relying on Microsoft products for everyday productivity, becoming proficient in the MS product suite, can give you that edge over other job applicants and colleagues. Although Microsoft says 77% of Mac users use Office, how many know how to use it effectively?
2. Linked-In Lead Generation – Using Linkedin effectively can not only create business connections and leads but has become an essential tool for successful sales and marketing campaigns. Acquiring this skill can make anyone an asset to their team and for future employment. With Linkedin being 277% more effective than Facebook for lead generation, now is the time to grab the chance and maximize the potential of social media.
3.  Promote Your Business – Learn how to create your own website, blog, connect to the press and use other communication and technological tools effectively.  This will expand your ideas and make your company stand out from the rest! With conventional newspaper advertising costing so much, learning the skills for successful Internet marketing can be cost-effective and can even bring in more revenue by aiming your campaigns at your target population.
4. Introduction to Technical Writing - Learn a new lucrative career for Anglos living in Israel. This course will providw the main principles of technical writing.  Technical writing develops the skills you already have without having to learn Hebrew, a huge plus for the average Oleh.

What is the next step?

If you register for any of these popular online courses before August 1^st you will receive 20% off.

 What courses would you want to see Tomorrow’s Genius offer next?

We want to hear from you! Is there a course you would like to take? Let us know so we can offer it to you. Tomorrow’s Genius Staff are always willing to hear what courses you always wished you could take to advance your skills and careers.

Contact us at support@tomorrowsgenius.com

Learning on the Go…

During these summer months, most kids are on the move. Between camps, trips, vacations, and other activities, the children are often busier than the parents. One of the challenges that parents face over the summer is making sure that their kids are still exercising their creative muscles. Too many children spend their summer months glued to the TV or running from one activity to the other. While everyone needs a break from school, summer does not mean that learning has to stop.

So, how can we ensure that our kids brains don’t turn to mush over the summer months? Well, thanks to technology and some innovative thinking, there are several ways that we can combine learning with fun summer activities.

1. “Know Where You Go” - Many families take vacations during the summer, and some kids even get to go away without their parents. Before your children leave on their adventures, ask them to learn about where they are going. Sites such as History.com and Traveling Through History offer virtual tours and information about some of the most popular travel destinations. Make this fun and encourage your kids through games or small rewards to do some research. Most likely, they will remember some important worldly facts even after the trip is over.

2. “Recording History” - Just about every teenager today has access to a digitial camera. Most cell phones have cameras as a regular feature and most teens will not leave to camp or vacation without this important piece of equipment. So, since your kids are snapping pictures anyway, ask them to be creative at the same time. Encourage your kids to create a scrapbook or diary of their summer experiences. They can take their photos and write descriptions or thoughts for each image. The best part is that with today’s technology, this can all be done online, where your kids are most comfortable. Sites such as Mixbook enable users to create and share online scrapbooks. You can even use a blog platform such as WordPress to publish and share images, videos, and written thoughts. Your child will have a great way to remember the summer and will have an opportunity to enhance skills such as writing, composition, history, and technology.

3. “Fantasy Summer” - Many students use the summer to both play and watch their favorite sports. As the season progresses, stats pile up and the competition increases. Well, as the players hit more home runs and kick more goals, opportunities for math enrichment also increase. Fantasy teams have been around longer than the Internet. Many of today’s popular fantasy sites such as ESPN and Yahoo take care of the stats for you, but with a teen, you can ask them to do the stats themselves. Microsoft offers several Excel templates for sports stats. Kids can get practice in factoring statistics and in working with advanced tools in programs such as Excel and Word.

4. “Daily Dose of Talmud” - For those students looking for a way to expand their Judaic learning options, Daf-Yomi is a great way to learn over the summer. With the Daf-Yomi schedule, a different page of Gemara is learned every day. There are websites such as Edaf that make Daf-Yomi easy with tools such as translations, practice questions, and other interactive activities. Daf-Yomi can be learned from almost anywhere including laptops, IPads, and even Smartphones.

5. “Enrichment Time” - Of course, Tomorrow’s Genius is here as well to help you maximize the summer months. Our Virtual Summer School program is already providing hundreds of students with online classes and enrichment opportunities. We schedule learning sessions according to the schedules of each individual student. So, even with camp, trips, and other activities time can still be made for some fun summer learning.

Summer is a great time for both kids and parents to kick back and enjoy some well deserved time off from homework and tests. But, there is also time for some fun learning options. During the school year, most students are working to meet an academic goal or to pass a test. Over the summer, students can study topics that interest them and can enjoy learning new information.

 

A Perfect Time to Learn a New Language

Since opening over two years ago, Tomorrow’s Genius has helped many students in both Israel and in the US improve their language skills. Hebrew is not an easy language to learn. Many new Olim students often have a difficult time integrating into a Hebrew speaking environment. The Hebrew language skills which these students learned in their Jewish day schools, may have been sufficient when Hebrew was just another foreign language, but now, these students are being asked to transition Hebrew from a foreign language into the everyday language.

It is not just the grade school students who need to make this adjustment. Often for parents moving to Israel, and learning a new language can be one of the most difficult parts of the Aliyah process. Sure, new Olim are given Ulpan instruction, but in most cases, these classes are just the beginning. Learning a new language takes time that many adults just are not able to commit.

So, whether the student is in school or a professional, there are online options that can make learning Hebrew easier.

1. Tomorrow’s Genius Ulpan - As a leader in online education, Tomorrow’s Genius has made helping the Olim community a priority. Since learning Hebrew is such an important part of the Aliyah process, TG has developed two learning options. The first is our self-paced online Ulpan course. The course which runs for ten weeks features pre-recorded video lessons as well as live on-line practice sessions with a qualified Ulpan teacher. This program is ideal for students who have busy schedules and cannot commit to regular classes. The second option is our intensive summer school program. In this program, which runs for six weeks, students will be assigned a private Ulpan teacher who will work according to the student’s specific needs and skill level. The student and teacher meet three times per week and will focus on the everyday Hebrew vocabulary required to function here in Israel.

2. Rosetta Stone - This popular language software is perhaps the most well known language skills solution. Using a variety of self-paced tools, users learn the language skills through hands on activities and practice. Rosetta Stone also includes a speech recognition technology that enables students to practice pronunciation skills as well as vocabulary. The program is one of the more expensive options, but Rosetta Stone has become a language solution for students of all ages.

3. Milingua - This service provides online Hebrew lessons to students of all ages. Much of their material is free, which makes this service one of the most affordable options. The lessons feature some type of interactive activity that reinforces vocabulary and comprehension skills. There is no real time component or pronunciation checker, but if you are looking for a low cost/free option for expanding your vocabulary, Milingua could be a great resource.

4. Israeli Ulpan Providers - Many Ulpan providers based in Israel, such as Ulpan Aviv and Ulpan Or have added online options to their list of available services. Ulpan Or, for example conducts online lessons using platforms such as Skype and Webex. They have also partnered with WebYeshiva, another online educational provider to provide online courses to small groups of students. Ulpan Aviv also offers online options for private classes, using Skype and IM. There are other Ulpan companies that offer online options as well. Each uses different educational techniques and curriculum guides. When choosing a program, it is important to find the solution that best meets your personal educational goals and budget.

Learning Hebrew does not need to be a stressful process. There are several options available, and each student can choose the options that best meets your needs. We at Tomorrow’s Genius are happy to help any new Olim family with any educational issues or questions.

Stop the Presses!

Over the past two weeks, Tomorrow’s Genius has been featured in two prominent news publications. In the United States, the Jewish Voice and Opinion in Bergen County, New Jersey published a great article which described our services and highlighted our educational staff.This was a great experience for everyone involved, as more families have learned about the services which we provide. With this summer’s “Virtual Summer School” program in full swing, the feature story helped to let more students know how we can help them. At Tomorrow’s Genius, it is all about helping students succeed. We have received calls and emails this summer from students all over the US who need to take summer courses. The great part of our program is that we work according to the student’s schedule. So, if there is a student who wants to go to camp in the middle of the summer, no problem. TG summer courses are scheduled to meet the needs and scheduling preferences of each individual student. We would like to thank the Jewish Voice and Opinion for their continued support and high quality publication that they publish each and every month. Tomorrow’s Genius was proud to have been featured in its pages, and we hope that this article raises awareness and enables students all over to succeed.

Here in Israel, Tomorrow’s Genius was featured in the Modiin-News, a popular weekly newspaper published in the city of Modi’in. Aryeh Eisenberg, TG’s director of education is a resident of the city. In the article, Aryeh explained why Tomorrow’s Genius was such an important resource and how it is helping to shape the future of Israeli education. In Israel, the idea of online education is still fairly new. This article not only brought TG to the attention of schools and students, but has also raised awareness on a national level. Among the services mentioned in the Modi’in-News article were the special programs that Tomorrow’s Genius runs for new Olim. Modi’in is a city with a large Olim population, and Tomorrow’s Genius is here to help them. Our unique programs such as online Ulpan, private classes, and even professional assistance for the parents, are here to ensure that every new family is able to adjust with as much help as possible.

Here are the links to our two recent articles:

Jewish Voice and Opinion

Modi’in News

It is our hope that these types of articles bring new awareness to students in both Israel and in the United States. There are many challenges in education, and Tomorrow’s Genius is here to help!

Education for All Ages

Until now, most of TG’s programs have been aimed at middle school and high school aged students. Over the past year, Tomorrow’s Genius has offered several unique programs designed to help students succeed in all subjects. This summer, we are even offering a virtual summer school program that provides a simple solution for students who need to retake course credits or who are looking for enrichment opportunities.

As Tomorrow’s Genius continues to help grade school students, we are now also offering online educational programs to adults as well. This summer two new professional development options are available to help prepare professionals for the job market.

The first Tomorrow’s Genius program is our professional development track. It is often difficult to find the time to participate in professional training. Jobs, family obligations, and other responsibilities make taking courses next to impossible. Now, Tomorrow’s Genius has created a solution that can fit into even the busiest schedules. Our catalog of online courses includes professional development options for every level. Choose from topics such as MS Office, graphic design, and even technical writing. Even with little to know prior training, there is an option for you.

Tomorrow’s Genius is also offering a unique program designed especially for new Olim to Israel. The Israeli job market and working environment are quite different than in the US and other English speaking countries. Finding a job in a specific field is often one of the most challenging parts of a family’s Aliyah experience. Tomorrow’s Genius is here to help Olim navigate this new territory. In a special course called, “Joining the Israeli Workforce” new Olim professionals will be provided with invaluable information and options for finding a new job and/or career. The three part course will include sessions led by HR professionals, social media experts, professional development providers, and other important employment resources. The goal of this program is to provide new Olim with the tools they need to acclimate to a new work force.

All of our programs are in place to help our community of students. It is never to late to learn, and whether the student is in grade school or is already in the professional workforce, Tomorrow’s Genius is here for you.

5 Simple Reasons Women are Starting an Online Learning Revolution!

Here at Tomorrow’s Genius we never stop making learning accessible. For women who don’t have the time to schlep to a shiur, the shiur is now shleping to you. This summer, women of all ages and from all over the world will be joining our “Women’s Online Learning Program” from the comfort of their own homes. A way to get involved in an interactive class, ask questions and hear from other women. TG presents the 5 simple reasons why online learning works for so many women.
Reason 1: “I can fit it into my busy and demanding schedule”
As we all know, women have a million things to do, be it work, family, kids etc. Online learning programs are grabbing the attention of female participants allowing them to connect to their educational resources at times which are good for them.
Reason 2: “I can connect to other women who are similar to me”
Online interactive classes allow relationships to form with other women from all over the world, to learn and to share ideas with each other.
Reason 3: “I can keep up my Jewish involvement”
A great opportunity for women, to keep learning relevant. Women can study Jewish topics of their choice which they can integrate and use in their own lives.
Reason 4: “I never have a FOMO moment”
FOMO, otherwise known as “fear of missing out”, does not occur when learning with Tomorrow’s Genius. If a class has to be missed, don’t worry, as all of our sessions are recorded and can be accessed later at any time.
Reason 5: “I’m in my slippers”
When you spend an hour travelling to the class and an hour travelling back, before you know it, it’s been a 3 hour endeavor. Online live classes are a click away and when you shut that laptop, you’re home and we all know, there’s no place like home!

Around two million students have enrolled in distance online learning of which a majority are women. Why are women joining the revolution? With all the reasons explained above, the reasons are clear!

Back Seat Teaching

The best part about learning with Tomorrow’s Genius is that you are connected with some of the world’s most amazing teachers. Our programs happen in real time which enables students to interact with their teachers, as they would in a traditional classroom setting.

For our teachers, this real-time concept can sometimes prove to be a challenge, as many of our educators have busy careers and other educational commitments. Thanks to technology however, Tomorrow’s Genius lessons can happen any time from virtually any place. Since Tomorrow’s Genius began offering online courses, we have delivered classes from some unique locations. Here is a look at how combining fantastic educators with cutting edge technology can make anything possible…

Two Places at the Same Time…

Thanks to technology we can now really be in two places at once. About a month ago, Aryeh Eisenberg, TG’s director and an online teacher realized he had a problem. He was set to teach his Monday morning English class at the same time he had to be traveling to meet with Israel’s Ministry of Education. Aryeh did not want to postpone the meeting as it had taken a long time to schedule. Of course, he did not want to miss a session with his students. So, what could he do? Using his I-Phone as an Internet source, Aryeh delivered his class from the back seat of his moving car, as someone else drove to the meeting. Because the TG platform does not require high bandwidth, Aryeh was able to meet the students with video and all, as usual. The students did not know where Aryeh was until the end of the class, when Aryeh pointed his webcam at the cars behind him.

Yes Sir!…

In Israel, some of TG’s teachers are active army reservists, and are required to participate in reserve duty during different times of the year. Shlomi Cohen, who teaches Tankah and Hebrew for Tomorrow’s Genius did not want to miss two weeks of class time because of his reserve duty. So, Shlomi brought his Motorolla Xoom Tablet with him to his posting and was actually able to deliver his classes from his post. Not only was it an amazing learning experience for the students, as Shlomi was fully clad in his army gear, but it was also a great example about how distance learning can really happen anywhere.

Do You Want Fries With That?

If you walk down the streets of Tel-Aviv or Jerusalem, you will notice all of the signs for “free Internet.” There are no signs however, offering quiet places to work. Rabbi Yisroel Porath who teaches history and Tanakh for Tomorrow’s Genius was not worried when he had a meeting in Jerusalem. His class was not until 1:00PM and his meeting was at 9:30AM. There was plenty of time to get back to the office to teach his online class. As luck would have it, the meeting ran late, and there was a problem with the buses. It was 12:45PM and Yisroel was still stuck in Jerusalem. So, he decided to try and make the best of the situation and find a nice quiet place to teach his class. Well, if you have ever been on Ben-Yehuda at lunch time, you know that there aren’t too many quiet places. With only a few minutes to spare, Yisroel found a restaurant with Wi-Fi that agreed to let him teach his class from the restaurant’s basement. With his IPAD ready to go, Yisroel had an amazing class and even got a free side salad with his lunch.

I Now Pronounce You Man and Math….

Rena Lev, a math and science teacher for Tomorrow’s Genius came to us with a unique challenge. Her students were only days away from a major exam and really needed some extra review time. The only problem was that Rena was getting married on the day that the students had asked for an extra online session. We could have arranged for another teacher to conduct the review, but Rena felt strongly about being there for her students. So, in the middle of make-up, photos, and the other pre-wedding tasks, Rena taught her session from the dressing room at her wedding hall. The students commented afterwards that it actually made them feel like part of the celebration. Most teachers do not come to class in formal wedding attire, but thanks to a laptop and the wedding hall’s WI-Fi, the class went on without a hitch. Luckily, the same was not the case for Rena and her new husband.

So, why do we share these crazy stories with you, our readers? Tomorrow’s Genius works with the most dedicated educational staff out there. Our teachers take their commitments to their students very seriously, and they give their all to every online session. By enabling our amazing teachers to work with the amazing technology, our possibilities become virtually unlimited.

Lessons of the Siren

Today is Yom Hazikaron, a day on which we remember all those who have given their lives for the state of Israel. It is a somber day, as in a country as young as Israel almost everyone has felt a loss in some way. At 11AM this morning, we all stood at attention as the siren blared. During the two minutes that we stood at attention, I had a chance to think about what we could learn from a day like Yom Hazikaron.

While growing up in the US, the army was not a central part of our lives. The normal Memorial Day activity was usually a BBQ followed by the big sale at Macy’s. While the day’s name may have suggested a somber and important day, the reality was that it became just another day off. Perhaps those US citizens with connections to the armed forces have a different experience, but they would be in the minority in most communities.

Here in Israel, we can all feel the seriousness of Yom Hazikaron. Many of us have friends who lost someone. Some of us identify by realizing that it was the fallen who made it possible for us to live in Israel today. When the siren started at 11AM this morning, it was obvious from looking up and down the street that everyone was in this together.

As we move forward and get ready to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s birthday, let us remember that it is often the real life instances that make the best educational moments. Earlier this week, Tomorrow’s Genius facilitated a program at a school in New Jersey. The school asked if it would be possible to have two Israeli soldiers speak to some of the students to share their stories and to discuss the importance of Yom Hazikaron. The session was amazingly successful, and the soldiers shared some difficult personal moments. But, in the end, the students did not quite understand what it meant to have an entire day dedicated to remembering those who died for the state of Israel. There was nothing to which they could compare the day in the United States.

Perhaps, if these students had stood at attention during the siren and had looked around at all of the regular people who had been affected, they would have been able to identify better.

Today we move from mourning the fallen soldiers to a celebration of Israel and its people. Let us learn from our past, so that we can create a better future.

Making the Most of the Time Off

It has been a long school year, and most students have been working hard to meet the pressures that school brings. Between mid-terms, bagruyot, tests, projects, homework, and other academic demands, there is not a lot of down time.

Pesach break is a perfect time for students to take a deep breath and enjoy a bit of relaxation before the end of the year. Even with some much needed vacation, students and parents can still make this time off from school into a productive experience. After Pesach ends, the final months of the school year include final exams, bagruyot, and other challenging assessments. Here, students have a three week break where they can focus on just one or two subjects.

So, how can students make the most of this time off? First, decide how you want to spend your time off. How much time are you willing to dedicate to academics during a vacation? The answer will be different for each student. Choose a reasonable goal for your time. Hey, it is vacation after all, but maybe on Hol-Hamoed you would be willing to spend 40 minutes studying or working on a project.

Next, decide how you are going to use your limited time. The average high school student is taking at least 8 subjects in school. Vacation is not the time to try and address all of the little problems in each class. This time would be better utilized focusing on one or two major projects or tests. Maybe there is reading that you just have not had a chance to do. Or, maybe there is an upcoming Bagrut on which you need to spend some time focusing. If you are willing to spend 30-40 minutes per vacation day doing some actual work, you won’t get everything done. Think about how this limited time can base used most effectively.

Finally, set some reachable goals. If you have decided to use some vacation time to study for the Math Bagrut, give yourself something to work towards. The mikudim for the Bagruyot were released last week. You may not make it through the entire list, but maybe you can make it through the first 3 or 4 areas.

Most importantly, even though it would be great to use this time productively, remember that students need some time off too. Parents, this is not the time to assign 8 hours of work per day. Have some fun during the vacation so that when school does begin again, students are rested and re-energized for a busy final semester.

Tomorrow’s Genius is also here to help during the Pesach vacation. If you would like to set up some online live sessions with a qualified teacher during the time off, click here for more information. We work according to your needs and your schedule.

Have a great Pesach vacation!