Learn how to read the Tanakh in the original Hebrew! (Or at least begin to do so…). This class, taught by Rabbi David Steinberg, will cover the basics of Biblical Hebrew, beginning with learning (or reviewing) the letters of the Hebrew alphabet and how to pronounce Hebrew words even before we move on to translation. We will be using the textbook The First Hebrew Primer: Third Edition by Simon, Resnikoff and Motzkin. There is no fee for the course but you will need to purchase your own copy of the textbook. Class will meet in person on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. beginning on November 11, 2025 in the Temple Israel library but it will also be possible to participate via Zoom. Please email Rabbi David <rabbidavid@jewishduluth.org> if you are interested in joining the class and/or if you have questions.
ADULT BEGINNING HEBREW (siddur focus)
Adult Beginning Hebrew: taught by Susan Rees
The primary text for the class is: Aleph Isn't Tough: An Introduction to Hebrew for Adults, Book 1 (behrmanhouse.com) which can be purchased directly from the publisher or other online booksellers. Text material is supplemented in class by reading from Tanach and Siddur.
The class meets on Saturdays at 12:45 p.m., following the end of Shabbat morning services and our weekly free community Shabbat lunch. We invite you to come for services and lunch and stay for Hebrew!
Continuing students have previously learned the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, final letters, the numerical values of each letter, and how to write them in script (cursive), New students are welcome to join. For those totally unfamiliar with the Hebrew alphabet, there will be some catch up effort needed.
Please contact the instructor, Susan Rees, via the Temple Israel office <office@jewishduluth.org> if you would like further information.
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Note: For a self-guided crash course in learning the letters of the Hebrew alphabet you might try utilizing these resources:
JEWISH LIVES SERIES 5785/2025
Please join us on the following evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. as we discuss selected volumes from the Yale University Press “Jewish Lives” series and review some related videos and podcasts.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent online survey to select the titles to be discussed together. And thank you to Alexis Pogorelskin for donating these books to our Temple Israel library.
Tuesday 2/25: Rabbi Akiva: Sage of the Talmud by Barry W. Holtz
Thursday 3/27: Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern Israel by Anita Shapira
Thursday 4/24: Arthur Miller: American witness by John Lahr
Thursday 5/29: Golda Meir: Israel’s Matriarch by Deborah Lipstadt
Thursday 6/26: Betty Friedan: Magnificent Disrupter by Rachel Shteir
(More information at https://www.jewishlives.org/ )
