Language classes at the edcjcc
Interested in learning or practicing a new language? You’re in the right place! Browse this page to learn more about the language classes we offer throughout the year. Plus, click here to meet our instructors and please make sure to read our registration policies before registering for a class.
All language classes will be held virtually via Zoom.
All language students will receive a free ticket to Hebrew at the Movies. Midway through the semester, you will be sent details with information about the film and how to request your free ticket!
The deadline to register is Friday, January 6th
Hebrew Classes
The Edlavitch DCJCC offers many levels of conversational Hebrew, from learning the aleph-bet to reading advanced literature. Our teachers are native Hebrew speakers with extensive teaching experience, including at the university level. Not sure which level to take? Scroll down to learn more about each level.
Spring 2023 Session:
Monday evenings, January 9-April 10
Tuesday evenings, January 10-April 11
Wednesday evenings, January 11-April 12
Cost:
EDCJCC Member Price: $385
EDCJCC Non-Member Price: $435
EDCJCC Member Returning Price: $345
EDCJCC Non-Member Returning Price: $395
EntryPoint DC (Young Professional) Special Price: $305*
* Reserved for young adults who need assistance accessing Jewish education.
Textbooks:
If your Hebrew class requires a textbook, you will be able to purchase one at the time of registration. If you purchase a textbook through the EDCJCC, you will be contacted with a pickup day for you to collect your textbook from the EDCJCC.
Aleph: Tuesdays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Teacher: Gila Efrati
Beginners! This is the class for you if you need to learn the aleph-bet (Hebrew alphabet) and start building your vocabulary. Students with a basic knowledge of the aleph-bet should sign up for level Bet. This level starts from the very beginning.
Bet: Tuesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Teacher: Gila Efrati
This class is for students who have completed Aleph OR know the aleph-bet, can read, have started to gather vocabulary and grammar, and can say some simple sentences about their immediate surroundings.
Gimel: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Teacher: Gila Efrati
This class is for students who have completed Bet OR can read Hebrew fluently, have some vocabulary and a grasp of grammar, can handle a short conversation about daily life.
Dalet: Tuesdays, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Teacher: Gila Efrati
This level is for students who can hold basic conversations, as well as read, comprehend, and answer questions about texts on a variety of topics, using present tense. Students will learn numbers up to a 100, and increase accuracy. The goals of the class include using causal clauses, using wider vocabulary while reading, discussing and presenting more complex texts.
Hey: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
This level is for students who can hold basic conversations, as well as read, comprehend, and answer questions about texts on a variety of topics in the present tense. Students in this class will learn the use of the infinitive in several forms and increase accuracy. The goals of the class include learning and mastering the infinitive, reading, comprehending and discussing more complex texts, and creating presentations about a variety of topics while growing their vocabulary in reading, speaking and comprehension.
Zayin: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
This is a high-level class focusing on improving accuracy in reading, speaking, and grammar.
This level is for students who can hold conversations using the present tense and the infinitive and accurately use nouns and adjectives, as well as read, comprehend, and answer questions about texts on a variety of topics. Students in this class will master the use of the infinitive in more forms and increase accuracy. The goals of the class include using causal clauses, using questions with infinitives, using wider vocabulary while reading, discussing and presenting more complex texts.
Chet: Wednesdays, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
This class will be focusing on high-level reading, writing, and speaking, using advanced grammatical topics of past tense, conjugation of prepositions, and advanced impersonal form and expressions. The class will be using Hebrew from Scratch 2 as the main textbook, as well as articles from Yansuf Newspaper.
Tet: Mondays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
The Tet class is for students who have had significant experience in Hebrew. The class focuses on accuracy and review, using a mix of free conversation, student presentation, and the Yanshuf newspaper. The class will be using Hebrew from Scratch 2 as the main textbook, as well as articles from Yansuf Newspaper.
Please contact Amanda Herring before registering for an advanced Hebrew class to make sure you’re in the right level. Entrance into an advanced level will be at the discretion of the instructor.
Yud: Mondays, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
This class will be focusing on high-level reading, writing, and speaking, using advanced grammatical topics of past tense, future tense, prepositions, and other advanced material. The class will be using Hebrew from Scratch 2, Yanshuf newspaper, and various material along with free conversation and student presentations.
Yud Aleph: Mondays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
Level Yud Aleph is an advanced Hebrew level class. The class focuses on conversation, student presentations and reading and discussion on an Israeli authentic newspaper articles, as well as Israeli TV shows and movies. Teacher approval is required to join the Yud Aleph class.
Modern Israeli Literature: Mondays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky
This class is open to speakers of Hebrew in the native and near-native levels. Passing a test and teacher approval may be required to join this class. The class includes student presentations, class discussions and reading and interpretation of Israeli literature in its original form as well as other media sources including Israeli TV, movies and others. Any material will be given close to the start of the semester. Teacher approval is required to join the Literature class.
Yiddish Classes
We are so excited to offer two levels of Yiddish! No previous knowledge or experience required.
Spring 2023 Session:
Class Dates: Tuesday evenings, January 10 – April 18
No Class: April 11 (Passover)
Makeup Class: Tuesday, April 25
Cost:
EDCJCC Member Price: $385
EDCJCC Non-Member Price: $435
EDCJCC Member Returning Price: $345
EDCJCC Non-Member Returning Price: $395
EntryPoint DC (Young Professional) Special Price: $305*
* Reserved for young adults who need assistance accessing Jewish education.
Textbooks:
Students will need to purchase their own textbook, In Eynem, from the Yiddish Book Center. In addition to this textbook, students will be provided with historical and multimedia materials.
Beginner Yiddish I: Tuesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Teacher: Marianne Tatom
Kum arayn – come on in! Join the Yiddish revival. In this beginning-level class, you will learn the Yiddish alphabet and develop basic Yiddish conversation skills. We will use online and printed materials from the Yiddish Book Center, historical resources, and songs to learn the language. All are welcome – no prior Yiddish knowledge necessary!
Register for Beginner Yiddish I
Yiddish V: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Teacher: Marianne Tatom
Lomir geyen nokh vayter – let’s go even further! This class will build on your Yiddish reading and conversation skills to give you further competence and confidence in the language. We will use In Eynem, available from the Yiddish Book Center. Open to students who have completed Beginner IV or the equivalent.
Register For Yiddish V
The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.