Hebrew Classes & Curriculum Overview

Adult Hebrew Classes

Beginning Hebrew (only offered during the Fall semesters)

Beginning Hebrew is the first course in the Adult Hebrew Program. This course teaches the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew grammar, how to read phonetically, proper enunciation, block writing, script writing, and the vocabulary of Tehillim (Psalms) 119. At the conclusion of the course, the student will be equipped to phonetically read the Biblical text with ease.

NOTE: For prospective students who have had a course in Alef Bet, you may take a CLEP exam to determine if you can proceed to the next course. Please contact the Hebrew Department Director to take the CLEP prior to the start of the semester.

Included in the tuition are: textbooks, CD’s, handouts, and flash cards.

Prayers and Blessings (only offered during the Spring semesters)
Prerequisite: Beginning Hebrew

Prayers and Blessings is a required course for all students participating in the Hebrew Program. This is an introductory course to Hebrew liturgy: its historical, theological, and communal significance. Additionally, this course will enable the beginning Hebrew student to fully participate in the Baruch HaShem Shabbat service with literacy and comprehension.

Included in the tuition are three textbooks, laminated reference guide, handouts, pronunciation CD, and flash cards.

Biblical Hebrew 1A
Prerequisite: Prayers & Blessings

This course provides instruction in the first 10 of the 30 lessons that will be taught in Biblical Hebrew. It is designed to provide a simple, straightforward method that will enable students to refine basic grammar rules and vocabulary. The student will continue to develop their oral reading skills through reading the weekly Torah portion.

Included in the tuition are two textbooks, handouts, pronunciation CD of vocabulary.

Biblical Hebrew 1B
Prerequisite: Biblical Hebrew 1A

This course is a continuation of Biblical Hebrew 1A and builds on the foundation provided in that course. The course will cover lessons 11-20 of the text. Students can expect to broaden their knowledge of grammatical rules/application, vocabulary, and fluency in reading. Additionally, students will begin to develop proper translation skills.

Included in the tuition is a pronunciation CD of vocabulary, weekly Torah readings, and handouts.

Biblical Hebrew 1C
Prerequisite: Biblical Hebrew 1B

This course teaches lessons 21-30 of the text. Students will learn additional verb forms, build a vocabulary of words found in the Tanach, and continue the development of proper translation skills.

Included in the tuition is a pronunciation CD of vocabulary and weekly Torah readings, and handouts.

Registration for spring 2023 is now closed.

Children’s Hebrew Classes

Children’s Beginning Hebrew*
Age 10+ (No exceptions are made to the age requirement)

Students will learn the Alef Bet, utilizing decoding skills from key cultural words and concepts. They will also learn to write in block, and read key prayers and blessings; including the Shema, V’ahavta, and Aleinu. The course will also enable the student to build a dictionary of 80 cultural words.

Included in the tuition are a textbook and handouts.

T’filah 1*
Age 10+ Prerequisite: Children’s Beginning Hebrew

Utilizing skills learned in Children’s Beginning Hebrew, the student will continue building their Hebrew vocabulary. During this course they will become fluent in reading and writing as they study some of the Shabbat and Holy Day blessings.

Included in the tuition are a textbook and handouts.

T’filah 2*
Age 10+ Prerequisite: T’filah 1

Building upon the skills acquired in Children’s Beginning Hebrew and T’filah 1, the student will continue the development of their language and comprehension skills. They will learn to read, write, and understand increasingly difficult sentences. Additionally, the student will learn the seven blessings in the Shabbat morning Amidah, while uncovering Jewish values and virtues such as humility, acts of loving kindness, showing appreciation, and more.

Included in the tuition are a textbook and handouts.

Torah and T’filah 3*                                                                                                                                                Prerequisite: T’filah 2

This is the last course of the Children’s Hebrew program. The student will continue to learn prayers and blessings from the Shabbat morning Torah service and High Holy Days. The student will also learn to read the Torah script as well as learn the cantillation melody for Torah readings.

Included in the tuition are a textbook and handouts.

* NOTE: Required courses for students planning to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah & enrolled in the Children’s B’nei Mitzvah Program.

Registration for spring 2023 is now closed.