December 2025 Newsletter: End of the Year Reflections & Cultural Moments

December in the United States is a month you simply can’t ignore. Even though it gets dark early, something in the air changes. The streets light up, people slow down just a little, and at times it feels as though the entire country pauses together for a collective moment of reflection.

When I lived in Israel, I never truly understood how meaningful the “end of the year” could be. To me, it was just another date on the calendar, maybe a few days off or a good meal with friends to mark the occasion, and that was it. But when I moved to the United States, I discovered that Americans do what Americans do best: they go all in.

In American culture, the end of the year is treated almost like a ritual, a moment to stop, take stock, and ask yourself some big questions:

• What changed?

• What did I learn?

• How do I want to step into the new year?

At first, it confused me. Then I realized there was something quite beautiful about it. It felt like an invitation to sit with yourself for a moment and say things out loud.

The moment that really brought this home for me was an ordinary day at the supermarket. A neighbor I usually only exchange polite morning greetings with stopped and asked, 

“So, Judy… what are your New Year’s resolutions?”

I froze. Who thinks about that on the spot?

In Israel, that’s a question someone might ask casually, if at all. In the U.S., it’s often the opening of a serious conversation, sometimes even a group discussion. In some workplaces, it can even turn into a full team conversation.

Over time, I realized this isn’t a random question. It’s culture.

Americans love naming things, turning moments into milestones, and paying attention to what, in other cultures, might pass by more quickly. This applies to everything: the weather, the holidays, and yes, the New Year’s resolutions.

Out of curiosity, I looked into it and discovered that New Year’s resolutions didn’t actually begin in America. The roots of the ritual date back thousands of years, to the Babylonians, who promised their gods they would begin the year as “better people.”

Americans simply adopted the idea and turned it into a national ritual, one where goals are declared out loud (even if no one truly plans to stick to all of them).

That idea of stating goals out loud immediately connected, for me, to language learning.

Words matter. What we put out into the world has a way of coming back to us. Phrases like start fresh, reset, or stick to your goals aren’t just expressions, they reflect a mindset that focuses on opportunity. This is where the natural connection to improving English as a New Year’s goal comes in.

December can be an opportunity to set language resolutions. Instead of a vague “I want to improve my English,” we can be far more specific:

• This year, I want to feel more comfortable starting small talk at work.

• This year, I want to stop being afraid of phone calls in English.

• This year, I want to expand my professional vocabulary.

• This year, I want to work on my pronunciation so people understand me more easily.

To make these goals meaningful and practical, I strongly recommend phrasing them in English. The moment I say

• This year, I will improve my English so I can feel more confident in conversations at work. or

• This year, I will practice talking about my projects in English so I can express myself more clearly.

I’m no longer just writing a sentence on paper, I’m using the language within its cultural context, and the goal begins to turn into a small, everyday habit.

Want to be accountable (another word Americans take very seriously)? Share your goal with a partner, a friend, or a colleague, and feel free to share it with me here as well.

New Year’s resolutions aren’t magic, but they are a rare window into the heart of American culture, a culture that believes in continuous improvement, open conversations about goals, and the power of language to shape how we see ourselves.

When we learn English within this context, both the language and our sense of belonging become more natural.

So this December, as we pause for an end of the year reflection, I invite you to choose a resolution for the coming year, one that feels achievable, and one that can truly move you forward.

Yours,

Judy

Spotlight Corner

This time, in our Spotlight Corner, I chose to interview Tammar Merin, a licensed family and couples therapist based in New Jersey and New York. Tammar relocated to the U.S. with her family and works closely with parents and children navigating adjustment and transition.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, and how you first heard about JBE Tutoring?

My name is Tammar Merin. I am a licensed family and couples therapist in New Jersey and New York. I am married to Amit and am the mother of three grown sons. We moved to New Jersey in 2013, when our children were in first, fourth, and seventh grade.

I first met Judy as a friend. Over the years, I often turned to her to help match tutors for my children as their needs changed. What kept bringing me back was the precision of the matching process. Judy’s attention to aligning each tutor with a child’s emotional and academic needs is truly unique and something I have not encountered elsewhere.

2. In your opinion, what is the main language-related challenge families face when relocating to an English-speaking country?

Every family is unique, and every child within a family has different needs. That said, certain patterns tend to repeat themselves. Language is a central tool for connection. When there is a language barrier, it becomes harder to express needs, ask questions, integrate, and feel a sense of belonging. This can lead to loneliness and, at times, isolation.

In these situations, the family often becomes the main support system. Ironically, this can increase pressure at home, because navigating the outside world becomes more challenging.

3. How can learning English contribute to confidence and a sense of belonging in a new environment?

When we are able, even at a basic level, to express ourselves, we feel more like ourselves. We can connect with others and gradually find our place. Without this ability, the sense of disconnection naturally grows.

For children, the challenge can be especially significant. If they arrive in an environment without other Israelis, there may be no one to translate or explain things. In my son’s case, a classmate was assigned to help him in first grade, but that child felt overwhelmed by the responsibility and was not able to support him effectively.

The good news is that children’s brains are flexible and their ability to adapt is high. They don’t need to arrive fully prepared, but having a solid language foundation provides confidence, stability, and the ability to connect.

4. What are the benefits of personalized learning, such as what JBE Tutoring offers, in terms of empowerment and belonging?

From my experience, personalization is the most critical factor. At JBE Tutoring, there is thoughtful consideration behind matching each child with the right tutor, taking into account both emotional and academic needs.

In one-on-one learning, the focus is entirely on the child. There is genuine attention, follow-up, and responsiveness. The child feels seen, which strengthens their sense of self-worth.

All three of my children later studied with JBE Tutoring, and it was incredible to watch them thrive simply because they felt comfortable with their tutors. When there was a real connection, they wanted to learn and progress. This is very different from learning in large groups.

5. Do you have examples that illustrate how language learning supports confidence and integration?

I work with many families and see a wide range of experiences. The contrast between children who received preparation and those who didn’t clearly shows how much prior knowledge matters.

Children who participate in pre-relocation workshops arrive calmer, because they know what to expect. They understand the school system and the rules, and they can communicate at least a little. This reduces anxiety and provides a sense of control.

Relocation is challenging. Parents want to help, but they don’t always understand the cultural codes themselves. When a child struggles, the entire family feels it. If school is difficult and home becomes stressful as well, ongoing pressure can build.

Good preparation allows every family member to begin the transition from a stronger place, with emotional resources that support healthier adjustment.

A Final Thought from Tammar

After the interview, I asked Tammar if she had anything she would like to add. This is what she shared:

From a therapeutic perspective, parents sometimes forget that they are their children’s anchor and primary agents of change. They focus so intensely on ensuring their children are okay that they don’t examine what they themselves need in order to remain stable.

The transition becomes healthier and easier when parents understand what helps them project calm and confidence, even in the face of challenges. When difficulties arise, the parent is the central tool that enables children to cope successfully. I encourage parents to seek out the support they need and to care for their own wellbeing as well.

What We’ve Been Up To

Over the past few months, we hosted two free online sessions addressing everyday challenges Israelis face in the United States.

The first focused on navigating job interviews in the U.S. Teacher Louisa explained both the spoken and unspoken language cues common in American interviews, helping participants arrive more prepared and improve their chances of success.

The second session focused on college preparation. Teacher and college advisor Ana guided high school students and their parents through the American college admissions process. In the U.S., this process begins as early as ninth grade, and due to the significant differences from the Israeli system, many Israeli parents feel uncertain and overwhelmed.

We were pleased to see strong participation in both sessions and received thoughtful, insightful questions.

During the quarter, we also published a blog post explaining why literal translation from Hebrew to English is not enough when speaking English, as well as an episode of the Raising Anchor podcast about entering a new classroom after relocating to another country.

We invite you (and your friends and colleagues) to read the articles and listen to the podcasts on our blog. You are also welcome to explore the blog section on our main website, where newsletters and articles on language, culture, and relocation are published in Hebrew: https://www.jbe-t.com/blog

Coming Up Next Quarter

We are currently working on a workshop focused on pronunciation. Many people are unaware of how important pronunciation is and often confuse it with accent. The goal of this session is to provide practical tips and practise correct pronunciation, especially in areas that are particularly challenging for Israeli English speakers.

Stay tuned for updates so you don’t miss it.

We also warmly invite you to reach out with suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future sessions.