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!

Class times are subject to change.

The deadline to register is Monday, May 29th

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.

"Hebrew classes at the EDJCC are phenomenal. I can’t believe how much I’ve absorbed in just a year’s worth of classes. The teaching is superb, the lessons well thought out, and I’m able to write and say sentences, decipher a lot of text I see, and feel more confident in my knowledge. This is a terrific class and my only regret is that I didn’t sign up sooner and start years ago!"

About Hebrew Classes

Summer 2023 Session:
Monday evenings, June 5-August 7
Tuesday evenings, June 6-August 8
Wednesday evenings, June 7-August 9

No Class: June 19 (Juneteenth), July 4 (4th of July)

Makeup Classes: Monday, August 14, Tuesday, August 15

Cost:

EDCJCC Member Price: $280
Non EDCJCC member Price: $320
EDCJCC Member returning student: $250
Non EDCJCC member returning student: $290
EntryPoint Special Price: $220*
* Young adults who may need assistance affording 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.

Beginner Hebrew

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.

Intermediate Hebrew

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: Mondays, 8:00 PM – 9:00 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.

Vav: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Teacher: Sarit Lisogorsky

This level focuses on building vocabulary, improving reading, and conducting conversations in past tense.

Chet: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 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: Wednesdays, 8:00 PM – 9:00 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.

Advanced Hebrew

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, 7:00 PM – 8:00 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, 6:00 PM – 7:00 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.

"Marianne Tatom is an amazing teacher, supportive, positive and creative. She draws from the rich and wonderful body of Yiddish culture to enhance each class; music, poetry, videos. She offers many suggestions to enrich our learning beyond the time in class. It has truly become a highlight of my week."

About Yiddish Classes

Summer 2023 Session:

Class Dates: Tuesday evenings, June 6-August 8
No Class: July 4 (4th of July)

Makeup Class: Tuesday, August 15

Cost:

Textbooks:
Students will be provided with historical and multimedia materials.

Beginner Yiddish

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

Intermediate Yiddish

Yiddish VI: 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 Yiddish V or the equivalent.
Register For Yiddish VI