Inches to Metric: The Magic of Hebrew #2

The Magic of Hebrew…Part two of my three part series, my Hebrew journey. To read a prior post click on the tab at the top My Blog.

My journey mastering Hebrew

I’ve been exposed to Israeli/Jewish/Hebrew (link to meaning of Hebrew) education my entire life. Hebrew was taught in the Jewish Day schools and summer camp I attended, and at Hebrew U in Jerusalem where I studied abroad in college. I returned fluent (enough) but did not continue speaking. You know what they say?

Magic of Life lessons

Mastering Hebrew was something I aspired to, always at some point later in life. Then I had three major life events which sparked the desire/courage to finally begin tackling Hebrew; we bought a home in Israel, became Israeli Americans, and I became a Bubby (Yiddish for grandmother). Each event produced seismic shifts in my consciousness.

Owning an apartment in Jerusalem encouraged us to go frequently to Israel and teased us into wanting more. We eventually became dual citizens. My soul felt pressure to master Hebrew, and hoping to integrate deeper into Israeli society was something I dreamed of. Wishing for something is one thing, rolling up your sleeves, diving in and doing the hard work is another.

Could/should I do it?

I pride myself on being a life long learner, at least regarding “grown up ideas.” Then we had grandchildren, and they “broke me open“, shattering my paradigm of self limiting beliefs. Watching/learning from our grandchildren, especially regarding their language development is a gift. By frequently requesting the same songs, stories and cartoons, they remind me that language is acquired gradually through repetition. Their sense of freedom as they learn without shame or frustration, is stunning and teaches self compassion and patience. Their growth became the catalyst to embarking on my Hebrew journey. They empowered me.

Thich Nhat Hanh a Vietnamese Buddhist monk I admire (click link) had a philosophy I adore, approach everything with a beginners mind. Be open to learning. If Israeli founders could audaciously revive ancient Hebrew into a modern language I could dust off and resuscitate my Hebrew!

Image of Thich Nhat Hanh Book cover The Art of Living.

I learned Hebrew my way!

We have/had tutors, if interested try Ulpanor. My husband speaks weekly with his tutor and spends hours preparing homework. He has his way, I have mine. My tutor helped me unlearn bad habits, jump start conversational skills and gave incredibly helpful tips. The rules (have many exceptions) frustrated me. I decided to try it on my own.

I have a few tricks

I started watching Israeli TV series. My favorite is Shtisel (link to trailer), I watched it at least 10 times. Each episode in English subtitles then Hebrew then none, often stopping scenes to read the Hebrew. Reading subtitles out loud is awkward/funny, most phrases are tongue twisters. Hearing and seeing people using Hebrew at my pace is awesome.

Other great series: When Heroes fly, Srugim, Kathmandu, Fauda, What a Bachelor Needs, The New Black, Commandments, The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, The Baker and the Beauty, The Women’s Balcony, Mekimi, Muna, The Chef, A Body That Works. Some series are on Netflix or Prime. There are two other excellent streaming services  providing Israeli and Jewish content, Izzy and Chai Flicks. After scores of hours watching Israeli TV something clicked, it became clearer. I wanted to cry.

The many layers to Hebrew fluency

Understanding spoken Hebrew is the first layer to Hebrew fluency, speaking is second, learning the alphabet then reading with vowels is the third layer. Adult non prayer and holy text Hebrew books written without vowels (series of dots and dashes) similar to our Torah scroll is another level/category completely!

Opened Torah scroll. Photo courtesy Beth Kopin

My Solution?

Hebrew readers understand words by context/comprehension. Without comprehension reading a book cold is excruciating. Each time flying out of Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv I buy a book in Hebrew, making sure it has a corresponding English translation! Usually the English is available at the airport bookstore (or Amazon). Once I have both versions, am clear headed and settled in either country, I read them side by side.

Reading a page or chapter in English before diving into the Hebrew is fun/crucial. Great tip, underlining unfamiliar words and writing the English translation above is helpful for memory retention. An outstanding tool is Morfix it helps with meaning, and pronunciation (vowels and gender included). A bit of caution the translations are not always exact, Hebrew is a more efficient language, and keeping the texts parallel can be challenging.

Pages from translation of The Prime Ministers. Photo credit Beth Kopin

The first book I picked up was The Prime Ministers by Yehudah Avner, read 100 pages then burned out (I read the entire English version). In the beginning I would read one page and be exhausted. Now I’m reading several pages or chapter at a time in Hebrew. Finishing a book in Hebrew…is ineffable!

Beth’s book collection. Photo credit Beth Kopin

This photo/paragraph sums up my quest!

A translation of the Alchemist. Photo courtesy Beth Kopin

When bragging/telling others (with Hebrew education) we are reading books in Hebrew their eyes glaze over. Most will not attempt this because it is so hard, and makes you feel like a six year old again.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely! Even Shaq knows some Hebrew. Its our People’s language, rich with meaning, poetic and soulful. “We” (except certain Jewish institutions turning away from Israel) are great on instilling Zionism and Jewish pride, but not on Hebrew proficiency.

Hebrew is complicated, language immersion is key. There are some communities in the US where Hebrew immersion is offered; Jewish day care programs, day schools, day/overnight camps and certain charter schools. I have witnessed five year olds fluent in Hebrew at one of our (click link to see campers speaking Hebrew) Ramah day camps. Immerse young children in Hebrew and they will learn effortlessly. My mastery of Hebrew will be a lifelong pursuit, I’m ok with that. I have no choice. To be continued…

I wish our US Jewish educational institutions placed a priority on Hebrew mastery, it would save us a lifetime of frustration.