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Hebrew. It's Not Just a Language.
By Karin Koskas, Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Hebrew, like most other languages, is a vehicle for communication, but Hebrew also has religious meaning, it defines a culture, and it connects us to our history and heritage. Learning a foreign language, particularly one like Hebrew, also means learning about its culture -- the present Israeli culture as well as the generations of Jewish culture that have shaped our language. Language greatly influences people's perceptions of a culture, and people use their linguistic knowledge to shape their own cultural worldview, as well as influence other people.
Language binds people to other people and to places. It is the purveyor of culture through song lyrics, theater, newspapers, literature, and more. Hebrew is more than the language of Israel—it is in many ways one of the core threads of Jewish peoplehood, connecting the Jewish people through time and space.
Culture is the lifeblood of a people and a nation. Culture is most readily transmitted through language. Today, Jewish culture all over the world is deeply influenced by Israeli culture. It is, therefore, difficult to fully embrace Jewish culture and identity without the capacity to engage with Israeli culture authentically. It would be like trying to listen to music without the notes.
When we teach Hebrew at Kadima, we always strive to make connections between Israeli culture and the Hebrew language. Cultural literacy begins with literacy skills: reading and writing. Reading is likely to be challenging for some children and to come easily to others. It is not an easy process, but it’s an indispensable pathway to meaning making. Each child learns to read at his or her own pace. Of course, to the extent that the child acquires the fundamentals at an early stage, it will be easier to master the skill - and it is for this reason that we begin teaching reading as early as possible.
At Kadima, we use a variety of strategies to practice reading and strengthen it. These include engaging games and colorful reading books. Hebrew lessons take place every day at the same time. The children are grouped according to their prior knowledge and readiness. We teach reading and writing in each class, with the goal of raising the level of fluency, accuracy, comprehension, and grammar. In addition, students learn skills of daily life, such as typing in Hebrew, preparing presentations, writing and publishing original pieces, and sending and reading emails and messages.
Here's just one timely example of a brief reading passage resonant with cultural meaning:
!חַג שָׂמֵחַ
Karin Koskas,
Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies
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