Yehudis Hecht attended Jewish Beginnings, and this year she is celebrating her 15th year teaching there
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Yehudis Hecht was determined to move away from home to follow in the Rebbe’s mission of spreading Torah and Judaism. But after spending time in different communities in Alaska, Michigan, and California, she now says she wouldn’t dream of being a Chabad emissary to raise her family anywhere else.
“Milwaukee is such an amazing place to raise kids. There’s something really beautiful about the family feeling in Milwaukee. There’s not a lot of places that have it,” she said. It’s also a plus that her parents, otherwise known as bubbe and zaidie to her six beautiful children, live just a few blocks away. “It’s so special that my parents get to be a part of our kids’ everyday lives.”
Growing up in Milwaukee, Hecht attended Jewish Beginnings, and this year she is celebrating her 15th year teaching there. She has taught 3-year-olds since the day she started there, and it’s clear that her joy and passion for teaching the littlest learners runs deep: “I always really loved kids, and especially preschool kids. I always found preschool education fascinating. When they first write their name, when they first put their shoes on by themselves, I get to be a part of a lot of their firsts with them.” She continued, “When they’re this little, their love of learning really comes out. They begin to recognize that they have an important place in this world.”
What makes teaching even more special to Hecht is that she gets to teach in a Jewish school and watch her students’ love of Judaism blossom. “Giving my students and families a love of and positive outlook on Judaism at such a young age really stays with them forever. Everything is so exciting at this age—that excitement for Judaism remains with them throughout their life.”
For Hecht, Jewish Beginnings has truly been a family affair. Her mother taught there when she was a student, and her own children have also attended. She speaks fondly of the relationships she’s built with the families over the years. “I love the friends and families that I met through JB, the real friendships that were formed that I’ll feel connected to forever.”
Teaching and sharing the joy of Judaism has always been part of Hecht’s story. She was the oldest of nine children, attended Jewish Beginnings herself, and grew up in what she describes as a “busy, loving, fun household.” With a mother who taught at Jewish Beginnings, Hecht was surrounded by Jewish education from an early age. She credits both her mother and former Jewish Beginnings director Devorah Shmotkin with nurturing her love of teaching and influencing the educator she is today.
Speaking about Shmotkin, Hecht shared, “The way she saw kids and saw their power, it was so inspiring. She believed all they needed was to be loved and nurtured, and they could take over the world.” Shmotkin remains someone Hecht has always looked up to. Today, Hecht’s mother continues the family tradition of Jewish education by teaching at Bader Hillel High.
Hecht lives on Milwaukee’s East Side with her husband, Yossi, and their six children. In her free time, she loves to read—just about anything she can get her hands on. She also enjoys staying active, whether that’s running, playing sports, or spending time outdoors. As a family, they love camping throughout Wisconsin and are always on the lookout for a new campground to explore. “There’s something about being in nature with no distractions, sitting around the fire and playing games with your family,.” she said. Every Friday, you’ll also find Hecht in the kitchen making matzo ball soup. It’s her favorite food, and her family has come to depend on it as part of their weekly Shabbat tradition.
“I like to have fun and enjoy life. I hope to impart that to the kids, the families and the world around me,.” she said. After spending time with Yehudis Hecht, it’s easy to see that she does.
MEET AN EDUCATOR
Writer Nicole Boico is the associate director of the Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. This regular feature, from the Coalition for Jewish Learning, is to celebrate local educators. To suggest someone for coverage, contact Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
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