Living Language
Shavuot may involve reading the
Book of Ruth in modern Hebrew,
learning about holiday traditions
and songs, and discussing issues
Hebrew enthusiast Nira Lev keeps working
to improve Midrasha's language curriculum.
Joining Forces
JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER
S
tudying a language is a
powerful means of learning
a culture, says the Mid-
rasha's Hebrew program di-
rector Nira Lev. True to her word,
language enthusiast Lev speaks
English, Arabic, French and
Russian in addition to her native
Hebrew.
For more than 20 years, Lev
has been sharing her enthusiasm
with adult Hebrew students. In
the process, she's developed her
own curriculum and methodolo-
gy to address the unique needs of
adult learners in the United
States.
Last month, in a paper entitled
"Conversation and Culture: An
Integrated Approach," Lev — the
only presenter not affiliated with
a university — presented the cur-
riculum at the National Associ-
ation of Professors of Hebrew
conference in Los Angeles. After
years of experimenting, Lev has
formalized the curriculum into
a new structured program to be
implemented this fall. And there
related to conversion. All in He-
brew, of course.
Magdalene Thirman, a home-
maker who works part-time as-
will be another change in line this
fall: Midrasha is joining forces
with the Jewish Community Cen-
ter to provide a number of He-
brew classes at the Maple-Drake
JCC.
"Adult learners in the United
States are different from adult
learners in ulpan (intensive He-
brew study) in Israel," Lev said,
adding that while Hebrew learn-
ers in Israel seek to acquire every-
day vocabulary and survival
skills, learners in the United
States are searching for intellec-
tual stimulation and a connection
to the Jewish community.
"Conversation is the main goal,
but we infuse the conversation
with content that enriches their
Jewish life and identity," said Lev.
Each class includes a variety of
thematically connected discus-
sions and readings drawn from
Zionist history, Bible stories, litur-
gy and current events. And Lev
encourages students to relate the
discussions to their own lives.
For example, a lesson on
The JCC works with other organizations
to expand adult education.
JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER
ith more than 20 local
synagogues and orga-
nizations offering
adult education,
choosing a place to take a class
can be a little overwhelming.
The diversity of forums also
leaves many synagogues com-
peting for students and strug-
gling to re-invent the wheel.
Beth Greenapple, the JCC's
director of Judaic enrichment,
wants to see more organizations
working together to provide
adult education. As a start, the
JCC is joining forces with the
Midrasha to offer 15 Hebrew
and Yiddish classes this fall. In
addition, together with. Machon
L'Torah, the JCC will also offer
a crash course in reading He-
brew (taught free of charge) and
a basic Judaism class.
Several of Midrasha's regu-
lar Hebrew courses will be of-
fered at the Maple-Drake JCC,
and new courses will be offered
as well, including a "Hebrew for
Travelers" class.
"This is an experimental part-
nership [with Midrasha] for the
first semester " said Greenap-
ple. "We hope that it will grow.
Right now we're just dealing
with language courses, but if
possible we'll get to offer other
courses as well with the
Midrasha's cooperation."
Greenapple says she also
hopes to get synagogues in-
volved in future partnerships,
perhaps even culminating in a
"community-wide adult learn-
ing consortium."
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sisting with her husband's ac-
counting firm, says she has been
studying Hebrew with Lev for
more than 10 years. "She's a ter-
rific lady. She doesn't only impart
the Hebrew language, but also
the history and all kinds of inter-
esting things," she said.
Longtime student Diane Bern-
stein praises the diversity of the
curriculum. "I learn so much cul-
turally that I didn't know. She
brings in stories from the Tal-
mud and talks about Zionist his-
tory," she said. "It's more than
just a language class." An Eng-
lish teacher, Bernstein has been
studying Hebrew since return-
ing from a trip to Israel 15 years
ago.
Another reason students say
they keep coming back is for the
social interaction the course of-
fers. "[The students are] very nice
people, very intelligent — it's a
pleasure to be with them. We all
like the Hebrew language, Israeli
culture and Jewish culture ... it's
like a social club," said Emerich
Grinbaum, a physician who first
studied Hebrew during World
War II and has been a student of
Lev's for more than 10 years.
Bernstein agrees with Grin-
baum's assessment. "After a while
it's like going to a group of friends
you've known for a long time," she
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