Jewish Life & Learning

Language Classes

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Overview

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. 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 with JxJ. Midway through the semester, you will be sent details with information about the film and how to request your free ticket!

Registration for our fall session is now closed. Please check back in December for more information about the next session of classes.

About Hebrew & Yiddish 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.

In addition to Hebrew, we are so excited to offer two levels of Yiddish! No previous knowledge or experience required.

Not sure which level to take? Scroll down to learn more about each class!

Aleph: 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: 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: 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: 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 100 and increase accuracy. The goals of the class include using causal clauses, using wider vocabulary while reading, discussing and presenting more complex texts.

Hay: 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.

Chet: 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 Yanshuf newspaper.

Tet: 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 Yanshuf newspaper.

Yud Aleph: Level Yud Aleph is an advanced Hebrew 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: 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.

Beginner Yiddish 1: 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!

Beginner Yiddish 2: Lomir geyen vayter – let’s go further! This class will strengthen your Yiddish reading and conversation skills. We will be using the textbook In Eynem, which you can get from the Yiddish Book Center. Open to students who know the alef-beys and some basic Yiddish.

Intermediate Yiddish 7: 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.

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