In partnership with KlezCalifornia

This class introduces students to all the basic elements of Prayerbook Hebrew: the alphabet, vowels, vocabulary, sight-reading skills, and basic grammar. You'll learn some of the key prayerbook melodies and discuss the meaning of the prayers. It provides a strong grammatical basis for Biblical Hebrew and some of the vocabulary for modern Israeli Hebrew.

This course will complete our study of basic prayerbook Hebrew using the text Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way, then begin to introduce the more complex verb patterns of classical Biblical Hebrew and the irregular verb system, while building Hebrew vocabulary. Students will start translating passages from the Hebrew Bible and learn to use Hebrew research references. Text will be provided free of charge by the instructor. 

Genesis 24 is a classic tale about finding a wife and also a revealing presentation of the protocols and practices that lead to marriage in the ancient Near East. Isaac has just lost his mother Sarah and his father, Abraham, must begin the process of building the next generation, sending his trusty servant to find a wife for Isaac in the land of the clan’s origin. Our class will travel with him, beginning with a rich visual overview of the lifeways of Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the Biblical period. Then we will read and translate the Hebrew text, drawing on the insights of both modern scholarship and ancient commentators. Students will also receive extensive notes to assist with translation.

Learn modern conversational Hebrew in a fun, inspiring, and unique online program. Practice speaking Hebrew in a warm and supportive environment with the opportunity to further reinforce weekly lesson material outside of class. Online group classes are offered for beginner through advanced-intermediate students. Register for the upcoming spring classes at https://www.hebrewwithtikva.com. Contact Tikva for help determining your level. 

In partnership with KlezCalifornia

10 sessions. Learn this rich and colorful language in a relaxed, irreverent and heimishe atmosphere.

In partnership with KlezCalifornia

Learn this rich and colorful language in a relaxed, irreverent and heimishe atmosphere.

This course covers additional features of Hebrew commonly found in Biblical and Siddur (prayerbook) texts, using the text Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way. We will introduce more of the verbal system and new grammatical components, including the present and past tenses. Students will read lengthier Prayerbook passages to develop reading and comprehension skills.

We will complete our overview of the Hebrew verb system, and continue to build Biblical text translation and analysis skills, using Bibleworks software in class. We will also translate sample texts from the Hebrew Bible. Students who complete this course will qualify for entry into our Advanced Biblical Hebrew translation and analysis course, which covers a new topic and texts every semester. Materials provided by the instructor.

Abimelech in the Book of Judges is a true (if illegitimate) son of the legendary Gideon: clever, murderous, and vengeful. Although he ultimately lacks his father’s good luck, he packs more back-stabbing punch in his brief career than most any other Biblical character. The story of Abimelech is also spiced with poetic propaganda, an array of dubious friends and enemies, and a comical (as well as didactic) ending that really underlines the disastrous (and entertaining) chaos of the age of Judges 3000 years ago. Students will receive a rich visual introduction to the era of Judges as well as extensive notes to assist in translation.