Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture

Thanks to the Hebrew Fellowship initiative, the Consortium was recently spotlighted in Brandeis Stories. In this program, the Hebrew Fellows—all Brandeis undergraduates and graduate students—are trained through mentoring by professional Hebrew teachers in Jewish day schools in the Boston area while they also teach Hebrew.

Since this fellowship debuted, over two years ago, 11 Brandeis students have worked in four Jewish day schools around Boston. According to the article in Brandeis Stories, "Educators at the schools say the addition of the Hebrew Fellows has helped invigorate their Hebrew language programs".

Read the full article to learn more about the students' and school administrators' perspectives, as well as insights by the Consortium's director, Prof. Vardit Ringvald, and the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Consortium, Dr. Jessica Liebowitz.

June 19, 2024

The Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture at Brandeis University and The Hebrew Olympiad at Tel Aviv University, are announcing a plan to collaborate to expand Olympiad activities globally and to foster a deeper connection between Israel and the global Jewish community through the shared language of Hebrew.

The partnership will encompass program development, engaging events, competitive activities, and research about the impact of Hebrew language acquisition on learners' identity and their connection to Israel.

The Hebrew Olympiad is an international competition launched by several Israeli high-tech companies in 2021, in which middle and high school students compete to demonstrate Hebrew proficiency. Finalists are invited to Tel Aviv University to face off in a live challenge.

“By expanding our reach in working with the Olympiad, we hope to create a vibrant network of Hebrew language enthusiasts, celebrating our rich cultural heritage and forging stronger connections to our collective identity around the world,” said Vardit Ringvald, Director of the Consortium.

Read more about the Hebrew Olympiad on Brandeis Stories.

March 14, 2023

Jewish Boston

Brandeis University scholars argue for the importance of teaching and learning Modern Hebrew for “communal reconnection and participation around the world.”

Vardit Ringvald’s essay, "Why Jews Need a Common Language: A Plan for Universal Hebrew Literacy" in "Jewish Priorities: Sixty-Five Proposals for the Future of Our People" makes the claim that modern Hebrew is today a crucial Jewish value, a powerful tool for strengthening Jewish identity, and a window into an entire Jewish world of life, creativity and culture. It is also a statement about the ideal pedagogical venues and the philosophical frames that can support the teaching and learning of the language and its cultures.

Order online

Pilot Edition

The pilot edition of Brandeis Modern Hebrew, Intermediate to Advanced serves as a sequel to the well-known volume for beginners.

July 1, 2003

Hebrew in Context

Brandeis Modern Hebrew is an accessible introduction to the Hebrew language for American undergraduates and high school students.