Hebrew Language Resources and Distance Learning

Websites to Visit

Ulpanim in Israel

Programs in the US

Useful Preparation Texts

Ivrit Min Ha-hatchala, volumes Aleph and Bet, by Shlomit Chayat, Sara Israeli, and Hilla Kobliner. Publisher: Academon, the Hebrew University Students˝ Printing and Publishing House: Jerusalem. (Note that this title is translated into English as: Hebrew from Scratch.). Ivrit Min Ha-hatchala is published in Israel. It is available from several online booksellers whom you can identify by doing a search under the title. It can also be ordered from West Side Judaica, 2412 Broadway, New York, NY 10024, (212–362–7846) or from Sefer Israel, 28 West 27th Street, Rm 402, New York, NY 10001, (212–725–5890).

  • A student who has completed both volumes of Ivrit Min Ha-hatchala will be more than well prepared for the Hebrew Capacity Exam. The grammar tested in the exam draws on sections of both volumes; however, the vocabulary required for the exam draws primarily from the first volume. This text is a worthwhile addition to your library, as you will refer to it throughout your Hebrew language studies at HUC-JIR.

Hayesod: Fundamentals of Hebrew, New Edition by Luba Uveeler. Publisher: Feldheim Publishing. Hayesod is more readily available in college and general bookstores or can be ordered through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com or other online booksellers. Hayesod, is also useful in preparing for the exam. It is, however, less useful for vocabulary than for grammar preparation.

Brandeis Modern Hebrew, Edition 1 by Vardit Ringvald, Bonit Porath, Yaron Peleg, Esther Shorr, Sara Hascal. Publisher: Brandeis University Press, 2005.

A Reference Grammar of Modern Hebrew by Edna Amir Coffin and Smuel Bolozky. Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

 

Hebrew Language Resources

Israeli TV Shows with Subtitles

Srugim

(Streaming on Amazon Prime)

Srugim is a drama that depicts the lives and relationships of five national-religious single men and women who live in Jerusalem. The title is a reference to the crocheted (sarug) kippot worn primarily by men in the national-religious/religious-Zionist sector. Srugim is a character-driven drama that deals with issues that are controversial within and often specific to the religious Zionist community, such as the inclusion of gays and lesbians in the community, halakhic infertility, divorce, and the personal-life challenges faced by women with professional success.


Shtisel

(Streaming on Netflix)

Shtisel is a drama that follows a fictional Haredi family living in Geula, north Jerusalem. The show is noted for its treatment of Haredim as “normal” people living their lives, rather than as a faceless political faction. Shtisel tackles the issues of belonging and individuality within a community that values conformity. The show provides a look into the dynamics of interpersonal relationships in a world most Israelis (and Americans) only see at a distance.


Fauda

(Streaming on Netflix)

Fauda is a drama thriller that follows a group of Shin Bet operatives hunting terror operatives in the West Bank and Gaza. It is noted for its nuanced portrayal of the military regime in the West Bank, the soldiers who carry it out, and the Palestinians living under its rule.


When Heroes Fly

(Streaming on Netflix)

When Heroes Fly (Bishvila Giborim Afim) is a drama that follows four veterans of the 2006 Lebanon War to find a friend they had long thought to be dead. The show deals with issues of PTSD faced by IDF combat veterans and explores the role of the military experience in Israeli society.


The Beauty and The Baker

(Available on Amazon Prime)

This show is about a rich Tel Aviv model who falls in love with a poor Yemenite baker from Bat Yam, and the unlikely inter-class interracial love affair that follows.


False Flag

(Available on Hulu)

In this show, five Israelis wake up one morning to find that they are implicated in the assassination of an Iranian politician. They are normal people with normal lives and the news turns their lives upside down and puts them under scrutiny from the media and the police.


Hazarot

(Available on Kan11)

A new hit dramedy series in Israel about a theater writer and a theater director who have to work together while they are navigating through a breakup in their relationship


Parpar Nechmad

(YouTube)

A popular kids’ show with short segments about the holidays, seasons, etc. with lots of songs.


 

Podcasts

Streetwise Hebrew

(Learn more and listen)

This podcast explores the nuances of modern Hebrew and Hebrew slang, connecting idioms in current events with Israeli expressions and songs. Host Guy Sharett explains what we can learn about the Israel psyche, psychology, and culture through the Hebrew language. If you subscribe to the podcast as a patron for $5 per month, you can access a parallel version of each episode in Hebrew.


Israel Story/Sipur Yisraeli

(Learn more and listen or wherever you get your podcasts)

This podcast started as an Israeli version of the NPR radio show, This American Life. There are versions of the show in Hebrew and English, with a number of overlapping episodes. Here are some corresponding versions so you can listen first in English and then in Hebrew.

Here are a few episodes to get you hooked:

Love Syndrome

English Episode 2


The Promised Podcast

(Learn more and listen)

This witty and informative English podcast is self-described as “a weekly podcast about politics and culture in Israel, from a Leftist perspective, with empathy and without apologetics.” This is a great way to stay informed about current events and music in Israel.


 

Hebrew Podcasts

(To access the lessons and subscribe)

This website provides dialogues and study guides on a range of different topics at a beginning, intermediate, and advanced level. There is a subscription fee to access all the materials, but a number of free sample lessons are available.


Linguistix

Linguistix Pronunciation, for fee resources for improved Hebrew pronunciation