Introduction to Hebrew | Basic Judaism
NCEJ gives grants for programs that help people who are exploring becoming part of the Jewish community connect to others and learn about Judaism, including how to create a Jewish home. NCEJ also gives grants for post-conversion programs.
Introduction to Hebrew - Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco
Sha’ar Zahav offers a 10-week Introduction to Hebrew class designed for first-time students with limited time to study. The class was marketed to people who signed up for Judaism 101, people who completed their conversion, adult education participants, the congregation’s weekly email list and facebook group, those who previously had expressed interest, and previous students.
Marketing: It was promoted via the congregation’s social media channels, a weekly congregational newsletter, and Shabbat handouts. Sha’ar Zahav (CSV) also directly emailed those who expressed interest in Judaism as well.
“We are so grateful for the support of NCEJ as it makes it possible for us to offer this class. It is such a wonderful way for people to learn Hebrew with a gifted teacher and to feel more comfortable in exploring Judaism. .... We are committed to continuing to offer this opportunity to empower students and their soon-to-be connection with Judaism, whatever that might look like to them.”
Shul School Prayer Curriculum - Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, San Francisco
Sha’ar Zahav offers a series of programs to help people interested in converting to Judaism learn Hebrew and feel more comfortable in a service. This 6-session course is a series of hands-on workshops taught by the cantor. Each session focuses on a different prayer, covering some key Hebrew pronunciation and the meaning of the prayer. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or the prayer service is necessary.
Sha’ar Zahar promoted the class to non-members, and was successful in attracting people not already involved in the congregation. Sha’ar Zahav has found that this kind of short program with a narrow scope seems to be a successful format to bring in new people.
Learn to Read Hebrew - Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington VT
This program taught Hebrew language and related Jewish culture and ritual to conversion candidates; Jewish-adjacent individuals, such as spouses; and others who wanted to learn Hebrew. There were 2 6-week sessions -someone could attend one or both. This series was designed to deepen a participant’s understanding of the prayers and the Israeli cultural context. At the end of each session, students were invited to participate in a Shabbat service and help lead a prayer. The course used the NJOP (National Jewish Outreach Program) curriculum. The program resulted in l attendee becoming a member and exploring an adult b mitzvah. See the program's webpage here.
Teaching Tips:
- Preparation time was greater than anticipated
- The combination of language-learning and prayer/Israel worked well
Continuing Beginning Hebrew - Sutton Place Synagogue (SPS), NYC
Continuing Beginning Hebrew will give SPS members and others from outside the congregation the chance to acquire additional Hebrew skills so that they can participate fully in services. In the current class, 9/13 participants are converts or in the process of converting. SPS expects more from the current graduating class of Living Judaism to join. The class will meet for 6 sessions for $180 on Monday nights from January to March. At the conclusion of the course, there will be a closing celebration where participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their new skills.
This continuing class will empower converts and conversion students to understand what’s going on in a service and feel like they can take a participatory and leadership role.
Grant funds will be used for marketing, staff support, security, and related expenses. The course will be taught by a freelance Hebrew teacher.
Adult Hebrew Reading Program - Temple Sinai, Las Vegas
Temple Sinai Las Vegas offered a 20-week adult Hebrew Reading program, that started in October 2024, geared primarily to people taking an Introduction to Judaism class, alumni of an Intro class, and others with little or no Hebrew learning. Temple Sinai made a special effort to reach out to Jewish+ families (where there is a non-Jewish partner or parent) in their community.
Once students learned some of the basics, they worked through common blessings and prayers. Each student received audio recordings of each prayer to support review at home.
The course used the Hebrew language to bring people closer to Jewish prayers and customs. The course organizers believe that a “grasp of the Hebrew language builds an intimate connection with the Jewish community.”
“The ability to read Hebrew helps people be more comfortable and confident in a Shabbat or Holiday service because they will be able to read the prayers directly from the prayer books.”
Cost: $325
Marketing: The program was advertised in the local Jewish paper, in the synagogue newsletter, and through flyers distributed within the Jewish community, including local day schools, as well as social media.
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Have an idea but not sure it meets our guidelines? Please reach out to us at 301-802-4254, or contact Ellen Gerecht, Executive Director.