April 17, 2017

Meet Etel Leit of SignShine in Beverly Hills

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Etel Leit.

Etel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
What shapes each one of us is more than what we are now, more than what we wear or drive. It is the journey that created us, the laugher and the tears.

I was born in Jerusalem to two loving parents who also were born in Jerusalem. Hence, I am playfully called “The Holy Chick.” I am the eldest child of six. My siblings were, and will always be, the core of my life. They are part of my soul and spirit. Through my family, I learned the power of languages.

I was accepted to a high school for the gifted. In my high school yearbook, they drew me on a swing linked to a cloud with the amazing title: The Sky is Not the Limit. They had no idea what was in store for me!

When I was only 18 years old, I was a commander in Israeli Intelligence. This experience helped me to grow as a young woman and develop human relations and sharp instincts. If you are curious about my experience, I often tell my story in my workshops, seminars, and consultations.

I engaged in a dual degree program at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, working a full-time job as an Arabic teacher. With no financial support from home for my education, I hand written literally hundreds of letters to scholarship programs. No, was not an answer for me.

After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I moved to the United States at the age of 23 as a part of a teacher exchange program. Two suitcases, and an unknown future.

By the age of 27, I had completed my Master’s degree. I then received my dream job at the time as a school director. I loved the teachers. I adored the kids. I laughed with the parents. Yet I decided to resign in December. This shocked many, since no one would ever do such a thing in the beginning of their career. But truth be told, I was not satisfied. This job was not for me. I knew that taking risks led to personal growth. It paid off. I was hired by two universities to teach their Hebrew Masters’ programs.

When I became a mom, my love of languages grew and took an exciting turn. I specialized not in the traditional languages that I spoke – English, Arabic, and Hebrew. I focused on sign language for very young hearing children.

I have since used the power of visual language to help many parents, educators and therapists communicate with their children. I offered a free workshop at a local library, and my gift to the world grew in leaps and bounds. I wrote a book, developed an app, and was covered by television and print media.

I am also the author of “You are My SignShine” book, sold in Amazon with a great success.

SignShine®, is the name of my business to reference the energy and power of both language and the life-giving sun, as well as reflecting my last name. The signed name my deaf teacher gave me drives from the word “energy,” since my lectures, my workshops, and my individual work are always injected with dynamic energy.

It was not only languages that fascinated me. At a very young age, I was curious about spirituality, kabbalah, meditations, astrology, Feng Shui and dimensions which help us understand and cope with reality.

I have witnessed an amazing phenomenon. The same way babies cry and toddlers throw tantrums when they do not know what they want, so do adults. They complain, nudge and scold. It is simply from the mere fact that at any age, we get what we focus on, modified by the way we express it. This is how I started helping not only children, but many individuals reach goals. I am sharing this story with you because regardless of your current circumstances, age or language you speak/ status – you can do it too! Are you ready to have your life shine?

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I learned that if you are brave enough to admit you obsolesces, they will turn into positives and into growth.

-When I started signing with HEARING babies and children 13 years ago, many people were very skeptical. They were sure that those kids (including my daughter) will never talk because I sign with them. I kept signing and teaching baby sign language with so much passion and love.

Not only that my baby sign language turned into a big success, it is now one of a kind, because: “this is more than a signing class…it’s a parenting class. The parenting advice is subtle and woven into the class so you do not even realize it’s being given. This class enhanced the way I raise my son and I would highly recommend this to ALL new parents”. David Braden Sanford, a devoted SignShine dad.

Chantel, Noah’s mom wrote to me from England: “Etel, I wanted to know if u knew anyone in England that do sign language similar to yours? I know it’s a long shot but I’m just trying to find classes for Noah and they all seem pretty basic?”

-I arrived to USA when I was 23 and climb my way to educate others and empower other souls in the world. No is not an option for me.

-This is a cute one: many times, I will mix phrases in my seminars. I say: “It is my way or the freeway?” instead of “It is my way or the highway,” or “Right and left,” instead of left and right. I learned to turn.

Please tell us about SignShine.
SignShine® is a program that links body with awareness, mind with spirit – using sign, sight, movement, and music- resulting in positive changes, and cultivating love in relationships and in life. SignShine’s language toolbox is designed for all age groups, assisting in expressing deep needs and desires through meaningful methods of communication and unconditional love.

SignShine was established in 2005 by Etel Leit, who imbues her unique, dynamic approach with energy and creativity for immediate and lasting results.

Signing Mission:

SignShine® supports the development of healthy minds and teaches all ages with all abilities the skills needed to connect with one another through visual and meaningful interaction. Signing is not only fun for children and parents to learn together, but also it is frustration-reducing for all to be able to communicate when vocalizing isn’t an option.

• SignShine recognizes that hearing babies and toddlers can use hand movements to express concrete items and abstract concepts long before they are able to verbalize them. SignShine teaches American Sign Language to young children and parents, using simple, interactive tools such as books, games, songs, and rhymes. Children successfully communicate using practical signing.

• SignShine provides valuable parenting skills which supports child development.

• SignShine’s educating, entertaining and out of the box classes and workshops are designed for babies, children, pre-teens, parents and other professionals.

Shining Mission:

SignShine® assists all ages in the manipulation of language and brain processes to powerfully communicate wants and needs in order to immediately help reach goals in life.

• SignShine is dedicated to help achieve drastic positive change in different dimensions of life, such as relationship and love life, business and career, body and weight.

• Founder Etel Leit uses her background in languages, education, and leadership, along with time honored practices of Feng Shui, healing energy, astrology, and planetary energies, to help create the desired changes.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Always follow your heart and passion. Always. We all have a gift and a talent. If we truly follow the path and the mission life can be always brighter.

Even when there are gloomy days, when things do not work out, the challenge is there so we can see the brighter days in a much clear view.

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