Binnie Swislow

Binnie has made being an Israel and Hebrew educator her life passion and profession. Binnie taught and directed at congregational schools, day schools, summer camps, public high schools and adult Hebrew Education. Binnie’s experience as a volunteer interpreter for Israeli patients who came to America for open heart surgery with Dr. Dudly Johnson, was one of the quintessential highlights of being bilingual. She was the Director for The Kohl Childrens’ Museum Teacher Center. She is a founding member of The Hebrew Council and The National Association for Teachers of Hebrew. Binnie is a board member for The Illinois Council for Teachers of Foreign Language and through the iCenter has offered Hebrew Language Professional Development opportunities. Binnie received her BS degree in Bilingual Education and Linguistics and a Masters Degree in Administrative Leadership from The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Binnie is a strong believer in immersive and experiential education. Binnie’s family moved to Israel with little Hebrew knowledge and within one year of attending Israeli high school, became comfortably fluent both in language and culture. Binnie taught English for Bagrut at Geula High School in Shuk HaCarmel in Tel-Aviv. Binnie believes that Hebrew fluency allowed her to become part of her students’ world. They studied together because they were making the effort to communicate in each other’s language.