September 2026 Newsletter: Elections, Language & the American Way of Life

September carries a distinctly different cadence this year. Typically, the arrival of autumn brings familiar rhythms, children returning to the classroom, early preparations for the upcoming holidays, and the inevitable push to close out the third quarter. This year, interwoven with those seasonal routines, an unmistakable energy fills the air: election season.

In roughly six weeks, on October 27, Israel will head to the polls for the first time since October 7. Just days later, on November 3, the United States will hold its midterm elections, a pivotal vote that will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years.

Two nations, two vastly different political systems, yet a single prevailing sentiment: an acute awareness of just how much is at stake.

That is precisely what makes this period so compelling for anyone relocating to the United States. The American political framework operates quite differently from what we are accustomed to in Israel.

One of the things that surprised me when I first relocated and still fascinates me today is that Americans never truly "pause" for an election cycle. They vote continuously.

In Israel, an election is a seismic, all-encompassing national event. Here, elections are woven seamlessly into the ongoing rhythm of everyday life. The entire House of Representatives stands for election every two years, roughly a third of the Senate is contested each cycle, and ballots concurrently feature races for governors, mayors, city councils, and even local judges and county sheriffs. Should an official vacate their seat before completing their term, a special election is often called to fill the seat without missing a beat.

Look one layer deeper into the architecture of American civic life, and you will discover that nearly everything runs through the ballot box. Even members of the Board of Education, the governing body responsible for overseeing a community's public school system, are directly elected by the public in many jurisdictions.

This phenomenon, where elections are an integral part of everyday life, has profoundly shaped the language as well. Families relocating here encounter this much sooner than they might anticipate. Newly arrived in the United States, before even learning who their state's governor is, parents may already hear their children discussing a campaign for student council president, or mentioning a classmate who has decided to throw their hat in the ring for a classroom post.

Adults are hardly exempt from this dynamic. In a corporate meeting, you might hear a colleague propose a grassroots effort, an initiative that develops organically from the bottom up, propelled by frontline employees rather than executive leadership. Later in the same discussion, another colleague might predict that a pending initiative will pass by a landslide, commanding an overwhelming majority.

To me, this is one of the most fascinating dimensions of the relocation journey.

Mastering a new language rarely happens through textbooks or private tutoring alone. It takes root through the background hum of the morning news, casual chats with neighbors, updates in the school parents' WhatsApp group, or impromptu hallway exchanges at the office.

When an entire family begins weaving these expressions into conversation naturally, almost instinctively, it marks a meaningful milestone. It signals that you are no longer merely residing here; you are actively attuning to the cultural landscape and participating in the broader civic dialogue of your new home.

We previously published a dedicated article exploring English expressions rooted in American history and politics: Understanding Political and Historical Idioms in American English

Whether you find yourself tracking the Israeli elections, the American midterms, or both, I invite you to view the coming months as an invitation to discover something new.

Often, the most effective way to truly absorb a language is simply to listen closely to what surrounds us. The morning broadcast. The everyday conversations. And at times, the ballot box itself.

Warmly,

Judy

Spotlight Corner

Born in Illinois and now teaching from Texas, she has connected along the way with hundreds of students from young learners taking their first steps to professionals preparing for high-stakes interviews in a new tongue.

For this edition of Spotlight Corner, we are delighted to introduce Kimberly, an exceptional member of our instructional team who specializes in conversational fluency, accent reduction and pronunciation, and Business English.

We sat down with Kimberly to discuss her enduring passion for teaching, her experience mentoring students across diverse cultural traditions, and how English can transcend the classroom becoming not merely a subject of study, but an empowering bridge to truly feeling at home.

Kimberly, you shared with us that you always felt destined to teach. When did that spark first begin?

"I truly believe teaching has always been my calling. As a young girl, my dolls and imaginary friends were my very first classroom!

Over the years, that instinct continually found its way into my career in different forms. I volunteered across local community initiatives, taught at the collegiate level, and spent meaningful years in the corporate sector designing comprehensive training curricula, building e-learning courses, and leading professional development programs for employees.

Teaching was always the common thread. A few years ago, I made an intentional decision to dedicate myself to work I genuinely love, allowing me to step away from the pressures of the corporate environment and spend richer time with my family. Since making that shift, it has been an exceptionally fulfilling journey."

You work with children, teenagers, and adult professionals alike. What draws you to teaching across such diverse age groups?

"I thrive on the variety. Every demographic brings distinct dynamics, unique challenges, and fresh perspectives, which continually pushes me to evolve as an educator.

I am particularly passionate about guiding students through conversational fluency, Business English, and refined pronunciation. My approach centers on personalizing each session around the individual across the screen and their specific aspirations.

Ultimately, my objective extends far beyond simply teaching the mechanics of the language; it is about cultivating the comfort and fluency needed to use it with ease in real life. That is truly my cornerstone as an instructor: meeting learners exactly where they are and systematically building their confidence from the ground up."

Could you share a moment with a student that illustrated the tangible impact of this approach?

"Without question. I once worked with a young boy who arrived at our first sessions exceptionally guarded, shy, and visibly resistant to being there.

To break the ice, I reshaped our curriculum entirely around his personal passions, weaving in interactive activities, tailored games, and themes he genuinely cared about.

When it came to corrections, I took an intentional, gentle approach. Rather than disrupting his flow with constant interruptions, I practiced subtle modeling-naturally demonstrating the correct phrasing and encouraging him to mirror it back to me.

Within a matter of weeks, the transformation was remarkable. He shifted from hesitant silence to active engagement, regularly asking questions and inquiring about my day and weekend plans. Soon after, he began unprompted storytelling, eagerly sharing anecdotes about school and his friends entirely in English.

Watching him find the ease and security to forge a genuine connection through the language was an unforgettable moment. I was profoundly proud of his resilience, dedication, and growth."

You also work closely with Israeli students adjusting to life in the United States. What cultural contrasts do you notice most as they integrate into the American school system?

"Several subtle shifts often catch them off guard.

Israeli students typically transition from an educational setting that is direct, spontaneous, and relatively informal into an American framework characterized by structured classroom protocols, evaluated individual participation, rigorous homework expectations, and a heavy emphasis on extracurricular involvement. The interpersonal dynamic with educators and peers also tends to be far more nuanced and indirect than the unfiltered dialogue they are accustomed to back home.

Often, the most unexpected adjustments stem from the everyday routine itself.

For instance, one of my Israeli students was completely astonished by the cadence of the school calendar. He was amazed to find that American schools operate on a strict five-day week from elementary straight through high school, a noticeable departure from the six-day school week he had known in Israel.

Another cultural shift involves the rhythms of extended family life. In Israel, communal gatherings with extended relatives are a routine staple, often occurring every single weekend. Arriving in the U.S., students are frequently surprised to discover that weekly visits with extended family are far less commonplace among their American peers.

Then, inevitably, there is the social fabric of the language itself. Fluency goes well beyond fundamental grammar and vocabulary; it demands an intuitive grasp of colloquial expressions, idiomatic slang, subtle social cues, and subtext along with the confidence to deploy them comfortably among peers."

You also have a genuine passion for exploring diverse cultures. How does that curiosity shape your interactions with JBE students?

"I have an enduring fascination with learning about my students' heritage - their holidays, cultural traditions, and culinary customs. Through the stories and celebrations, they share, I am given a unique window into their worlds, experiencing their cultures firsthand through their eyes.

At times, that inspiration travels straight into my kitchen!

One of my students spoke passionately about her family's love for borscht. It was completely new to me, so I researched an authentic recipe online and decided to prepare it from scratch. The result was remarkable-though I confess, I found myself favoring it served warm rather than chilled.

Another student was raving about traditional matzo ball soup. While I was familiar with the dish and had seen jarred versions lining supermarket shelves, I wanted the true experience, so I found a classic recipe and made it at home. It turned out wonderfully.

It has earned a permanent place in my seasonal rotation; I fully intend to bring it back to my stove throughout the fall and winter months as soup season sets in."

What advice would you offer to a student entering a new school, adapting to an unfamiliar language, or navigating a new cultural landscape?

"Practice, practice, practice!

Immerse yourself fully in the language, cultivate curiosity about the culture, explore unfamiliar foods, and embrace novel experiences. Crucially, let go of the fear of making mistakes, they are not setbacks, but essential stepping stones in the learning process.

Above all, view it as an adventure and seize every opportunity that comes your way."

To wrap up, what is something your students might be surprised to discover about you?

"They might be surprised to hear that I’ve traveled across more than 45 U.S. states, mostly on camping and hiking expeditions.

I am an avid hiker who loves fitness, reading, exploring new destinations, and escaping to the mountains. Outside of teaching, my family and I dedicate time every week to community service, actively supporting local families of children with disabilities.

And if I hadn’t pursued teaching? I’d almost certainly be a writer."

Kimberly, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us and giving our community a glimpse into the person behind the educator!

What We Have Been Up To This Quarter

July: Summer English Bootcamps in Israel

In July, we hosted two Summer English Bootcamps for students across Israel. Our specialized programs: English Real Life and ABC Fun - empowered young learners to overcome language barriers and build foundational fluency through immersive, hands-on activities and experiential learning.

August: "Soft Landing" Workshops Across the United States

Throughout August, our team traveled to three distinct communities across the country: Austin, Texas; Brookline, Massachusetts; and Tenafly, New Jersey.

In each city, we conducted our signature Soft Landing Workshop, welcoming approximately 70 students from kindergarten through seventh grade just weeks before their first day in the American school system.

Over five intensive, interactive days, we prepared these young learners for what lies beyond the classroom door: navigating teacher-student interactions, understanding the daily schedule and school routines, and confidently engaging with their surroundings even while still acquiring English proficiency.

Wherever feasible, we also hosted dedicated parent sessions, recognizing that adapting to an unfamiliar educational framework presents its own unique challenges and questions for families as a whole.

The post-workshop feedback from parents as the school year commenced has been the most fulfilling reward: children entering the building on day one with bright smiles, stepping into class without hesitation, and feeling grounded by knowing exactly what to anticipate.

We closed out the summer deeply moved by these milestones and energized to scale our reach. Looking ahead to Summer 2027, we plan to bring the Soft Landing Workshop to additional vibrant communities across South Florida and California.

September: A New Feature on the Art of Small Talk

To close out the quarter, we published the English edition of one of our most widely read features on our corporate site.

The article explores the importance of small talk in American social and business culture.

As always, I encourage you to explore our English blog, where you will find a curated collection of additional articles and actionable insights: https://www.jbe-t.com/blog

Looking Ahead: What’s on the Horizon Next Quarter

November: College Readiness Webinar

This November, we will host an in-depth webinar dedicated to navigating the U.S. college admissions process. Drawing on two years of proven insights and success stories, this session equips Israeli parents of 10th and 11th graders with the strategic tools, timelines, and perspectives essential for mapping out the journey toward American higher education. Full registration details will be announced right after the holidays.

December: How American Children Learn English

As December approaches, we will present a specialized webinar for families in Israel, delving into the immersive methods and strategies used in the United States to develop natural English fluency without the traditional focus on rote grammar drills. If this approach resonates with you, follow our social media channels for the upcoming release of dates and access links.

Finally, I invite you to share any specific themes, questions, or challenges you would like us to unpack in upcoming webinars and workshops.

I look forward to hearing your ideas!