New Archive:
August 2001 Issue
21st Century Hebrew: New Ideas on Where to Learn Ivrit
By Aviya Kushner
Wanna learn Hebrew? You're not alone. Maybe you're one of those kids who went to Hebrew school but never learned to speak, or maybe you never had any opportunities to check out this rich, historical language that uses Isaiah's rants to describe places and Aramaic words to explain Internet technology. And let's face it--Hebrew sounds great. The roll and the lilt of its consonants, and that rapid slide of its vowels, are all hard to resist.
If you've spent any time in synagogue or in Jewish school, you'll find that prayer words and Biblical words have been happily transformed into slang or techno-speak. For example, the Hebrew word for web site, "atar," is actually the Aramaic word for place, which you can see in the Kaddish prayer. And that's just one instance of contemporary Hebrew's insatiable borrowing.
Lately, the Jewish community has come up with some new ways to teach our gorgeous ancient--and modern--language.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Merkaz HaMagshimim
This center for new, young immigrants to Israel organizes numerous classes
and multi-day trips to introduce its 18-35 target audience to Israeli
culture. If you're in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for a few weeks, contact HaMagshimim
for info. And if you're here long-term, try their Café B'Ivrit--or
coffeetime in Hebrew. It's designed for people who are already working
and don't have time for a full-blast ulpan. There's even a Café
B'Ivrit reading group opening soon, for those who want to try reading
a Hebrew novel for the first time. Cost is minimal, potential is high.
Email sharon@merkazhamagshimim.org.il. Ask to be added to the email list
so you'll receive updates on events and classes.
2. Hebrew Week
Every year, the Histadrut Ivrit of America offers a Hebrew week during
the summer. It's usually at a hotel in New York's Catskills mountains,
and it combines a vacation with Hebrew at all levels. Most years, it's
around July 4th. The contact person is Harold Galanter, 212-957-6659.
Or try www.hist-ivrit.org. While
you're at the site, note the selection of easy-Hebrew publications provided
by the Histadrut, like Ha'Doar and LaMishpacha.
3. Check out www.ivrit.org the web site of the
National Center for the Hebrew Language.
This slick web site has events, an ulpan directory, a literary corner,
and a Hebrew marketplace. The events include a Love Poetry conference,
held in Madison, WI. Something for everyone, everywhere in the US.
4. Buy a book
of Hebrew poetry--with the English translations on the side.
A good option is Yehuda Amichai, since the poems tend to be short and
easily translatable. Poems of Jerusalem or Love Poems include some beautiful
poems, and the cover art is pretty nice too.
5. Take a Hadassah
Hebrew adventure.
If you decide you don't mind spending major bucks and sharing the experience
with people who may be somewhat older, this may be for you. It's at Ulpan
Akiva in Netanya, Israel, and features "Hebrew in song and study, history
and prayer." This is the kind of thing you could do with a grandparent,
or a favorite aunt. There's also folk dancing and visits to museums in
Tel-Aviv, along with trips to the homes of Ben-Gurion and Bialik. A few
Hebrew theater performances and other cultural stuff is thrown in. Price:
$899 per person, double occupancy, $50 single supplement Includes: 4 nights
lodging at Green Beach Hotel on Ulpan Akiva campus, 3 meals daily, Hebrew
instruction, group transfers, portage, gratuities. Contact: Hadassah Hebrew
Studies Department at (212) 303-8164 or email Hebrew@hadassah.org for
more info.
6. Rather do anything
in French?
If you love French and want to use it while you're learning Hebrew, try
www.hebreu.org to access the francophone
community's Hebrew resources.
7. Try a college
course.
http://carla.acad.umn.edu/LCTL/access.htmlThis
site lists every college and summer Hebrew course in the US.
8. Check out the
Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature.
If everyone keeps telling you Israeli fiction is great but you can't name
even one Hebrew-language novelist, this spot is for you. www.ithl.org.il has excerpts in
English, bios, and a massive database. Think of reading this stuff in
the original as motivation! And b'hatzlacha.
Aviya
Kushner is the Contributing Editor in Poetry for BarnesandNoble.com. A poet
and journalist, her writing on art and literature appears worldwide. She
can be reached at AviyaK@aol.com
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