Welcome to אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה
אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה is the first-ever comprehensive, evidence-based Hebrew reading curriculum for second language learners. It combines the science of reading with unique linguistic structures and contexts of the Hebrew language.
Our goal: Help every student build belonging and identity within their Jewish learning.
Our Story
אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה started with a dream: To build confident, lifelong Jewish readers across the globe. To be like the סֻלָּם of יַעֲקֹב – transporting angels from the stones of the earth to the heights of achievement.
After bringing MaDYK to the field over a decade ago, Dr. Scott Goldberg and our team watched as less than 40% of students achieved reading fluency each year. We knew that this was more than just a reading instruction problem; this is a challenge that threatens students' emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
Hebrew reading is the foundation stone, the אֶבֶן, of students' Jewish identities. So, armed with the belief that Hebrew can and should be taught by teachers with pedagogical expertise informed by the science of reading, we got to work.
Today, אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה is revolutionizing the way Hebrew reading is taught. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to cater to second language learners, incorporating cutting-edge research in reading science and the intricacies of the Hebrew language. Our teacher support plan empowers teachers with the skills, confidence, and ease-of-use for their classrooms to shine with Hebrew reading.
This is the power of אֶבֶן קְרִיאָה: To help every child access Hebrew reading fluency, so their literacy can become the foundation stone – the אֶבֶן שְׁתִיָה – of their lifelong identity.
Our Team
Dr. Scott Goldberg, PhD
Founder and Author
Dr. Goldberg has served on the faculty at Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education for close to two decades, was the founding director of the YU School Partnership (YUSP), and has consulted with countless Jewish Day Schools and Yeshivos in the United States and around the world.
Dr. Scott Goldberg published the MaDYK Hebrew reading assessments suite over a decade ago, to support schools in meeting the pressing need for data-driven Hebrew instruction. Since then, MaDYK has become a leader in evidence-based Hebrew reading instruction worldwide. Dr. Goldberg serves as a guiding voice about multilingual literacy and assessment, differentiated instruction, and curriculum and intervention design.
Beyond his work in using data and the science of reading to improve Hebrew literacy instruction, Dr. Goldberg is is also a sought-after leadership coach for school administrators, employing a unique approach to coaching school leadership teams and boards to ensure a positive and productive school culture and healthy working relationships.
Bayla Oster Kopel, MSEd
Director & Teacher Coach
Bayla is a certified literacy specialist with particular expertise in bridging the science of reading with the needs of students learning Hebrew as a second language. With an MSEd in Childhood Education and Teaching Literacy from Bank Street College for Education, she has spent years in elementary school classrooms teaching Hebrew reading and Judaic Studies. During her time at Tamim Academy NYC, Bayla was one of the first teachers to pilot Even Kriah, and became instrumental in developing our program from infancy to publication. Her coaching approach is informed by her own teaching experience, and prioritizes collaboration and inquiry when working with teachers.
Bayla specializes in multilingual literacy, curriculum design, literacy interventions, and differentiated instruction, and delivers professional development to support educators with these skills. Bayla is passionate about facilitating school change through developing teachers’ leadership skills and implementing research-based instruction.
Advisory Board
Dr. Nina Goodman
Hebrew Literacy Expert Practitioner
Dr. Marcia Davidson
Leader in Literacy Development Worldwide
Dr. Stephanie Stollar
Renowned Consultant in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and the Science of Reading
Dr. Aaron Koller
Hebrew Language Expert
Dr. David Share
Acclaimed Researcher in Reading Development and the Structure of Hebrew
Linda Farrell, M.Ed
Renowned Author of Evidence-Based Reading Programs and Assessments, Consultant in the Science of Reading
Michael Hunter, M.Ed
Renowned Author of Evidence-Based Reading Programs and Assessments, Consultant in the Science of Reading