Hebrew Language

Hebrew Language Programs

Central to the College's curriculum is the mastery of Hebrew — the language of classical and modern texts. Many courses at Hebrew College require a substantive knowledge of Hebrew. Students should check with program advisers to determine which Hebrew language sequence is appropriate for their course of study.

Modern Hebrew

offered online

Instructor: Michal Levy

This four-semester course sequence (Hebrew levels 1-4) enables students to recognize and use fundamental structures of Hebrew grammar and morphology, and to acquire the necessary vocabulary for basic conversation and reading of modern and classical texts. All language skills are mastered through elementary syntactic and grammatical structures. Students learn the basic verbs in the different common active verb groups and their conjugation in all tenses. Students read and listen to stories and dialogues, and participate in guided class discussions. Hebrew levels 1 – 4 are offered either non-credit status, or for undergraduate credit. The courses may be taken in tandem with graduate study. Successful completion of Hebrew level 4—or its equivalent—is required for text-based courses in Jewish studies.

For students with little or no background in Hebrew language, we offer a preparatory (“Mekhina”) course. This course, not available for academic credit, prepares students to enter Hebrew level 1. Mekhina can also be taken as a stand-alone program as a general introduction to Hebrew language, for those students who do not necessarily intend to advance to higher levels of Hebrew language instruction. See Spring course listings here.

Fundamentals of Hebrew

offered on campus

Instructor: Sigalit Davis

This curriculum is designed for those who want to learn Hebrew by studying the range of Hebrew works including modern and classical Jewish texts: the Tanakh, Hebrew Bible; the Siddur (prayer book); classic Rabbinic works (Mishna); Hasidic and modern Hebrew texts in their original authentic language.

The five-semester sequence (Levels 1- 4 plus “Sources” class) utilizes an interactive and text-based curriculum. Students develop fundamental skills in all modalities of language acquisition and literacy: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Understanding the building blocks of Hebrew grammar allows students to excel in their full comprehension of the Hebrew Language. Phonology, morphology, semantic, syntax and pragmatics are specifically addressed in each level of study in order to allow learners to develop mastery of text and communication in Hebrew. The Fundamentals curriculum allows students to study Hebrew throughout its historical layers via diverse genres of the Hebrew literature. Levels 1 -4 are offered either non-credit status, or for undergraduate credit; the “Sources” class can be taken for graduate credit, or non-credit status. See Spring course listings here.

Ulpan - Modern Hebrew

offered on campus

Director of Ulpan: Tzilla Barone

The Ulpan program uses the linguistic immersion method developed and popularized in Israel. The Hebrew College Ulpan is a full-language program that teaches grammar, reading comprehension and conversation skills. Through discussion of contemporary political, social and cultural topics and through readings drawn from current Israeli news and social commentary, the Ulpan brings Hebrew to life. Ulpan is offered through nine levels of study and is generally taken non-credit status (in special circumstances, undergraduate credit can be requested). For more information on Ulpan, please visit us here.

Graduate Level Hebrew

offered on campus

Instructors: Sigalit Davis and Harvey Bock

Hebrew levels 5 – 8 are offered on campus and generate graduate credit. These courses are required for students in the mekorot, cantorial, and rabbinic ordination programs. Hebrew 5 and 7 are offered in Fall semester; Hebrew 6 and 8 are offered in Spring semester. Hebrew 5 and 6 meet three times per week; Hebrew 7 and 8 meet once per week. This course sequence focuses on the phonology, morphology and syntax of biblical and rabbinic Hebrew. Solid prior knowledge of Hebrew, including mastery of the Hebrew verb system, is a prerequisite, as this course will assume such knowledge as it addresses aspects of Hebrew grammar that are distinctive of biblical and rabbinic Hebrew, including the vocalization and accentuation system, a larger inventory of verb forms, and various syntactic features of the language. See Spring course listings here.

To learn more, contact Admissions here.

Apply to Hebrew College here.