Provisional University Bulletin (2025-2026)

• Minor

The Hebrew Language Program at Brandeis enables students to function in the Hebrew language at all levels and in all skills. In terms of both the means and the goal of the program, a special emphasis is given to the personal needs of each student. For this reason we developed a multi-track curriculum that allows students in different levels to select those courses which best interest them, fit their abilities, and correspond to their needs. Students may choose courses that emphasize specific skills, such as reading, writing, speaking or grammar, or courses that are based on content, such as literature, film, business, and theater. In addition, the program recognizes the needs of the greater community of Hebrew learners in America by providing instruction and guidance on various issues of Hebrew language acquisition.

The Hebrew Language program offers nearly twenty beginning, intermediate, and advanced level courses. The advanced level courses vary greatly and include an introduction to classical Hebrew, literature courses, and courses on contemporary Israeli culture, including film, theater, Jerusalem, and Hebrew for business. Placement is determined according to the individual level of each student through a test administered by the program.

The Hebrew Language Program of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies offers instruction in Hebrew language and literature and in the teaching of Hebrew language. Our program allows students to acquire an advanced level of proficiency and a strong background in Hebrew culture and literature. Undergraduate students are welcome to participate in the Hebrew program as minors or to simply take individual courses, as well as to fulfill university language requirements.

The publication of the Hebrew Proficiency guidelines in 1990 (by the Hebrew program at Brandeis in Collaboration with The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) has helped us gain a better understanding of the characteristic stages of linguistic behavior that a non-native usually follows from "no communication in Hebrew" (the novice level) to "native-like competence" (the superior level).

These guidelines opened the way for more realistic assessment of functional proficiency in all four skills obtainable through instruction in any academic framework. Since our curriculum was inspired by The Hebrew Proficiency Guidelines, and therefore is written in terms of "student outcomes, i.e., it describes not what we hope to achieve, but what students actually learned and were able to do after each period of instruction. The curriculum assumes 14 weeks of instruction, with four to six hours of Hebrew practice weekly, including the number of contact hours both in and outside of the classroom.

In order to get a true indication of what they have learned, both achievement and proficiency exams need to be included in the curriculum. The curriculum for the first three semesters was written with equal emphasis on all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and grammar). Starting in the fourth semester, students should focus on courses that emphasize one specific skill over the others. Since there is a difference between the pace of the acquisition of productive skills (speaking and writing) and the receptive skills (reading and listening) the expected levels of outcomes are articulated as part of a spectrum of skills. In order to clarify the exact expectation, we articulated the goals for each language skill. Each goal includes the following criteria: content/context, tasks, text -type, and accuracy.

In order to get a true indication of both student progress and outcome, exams need to be included in the curriculum. Students are encouraged to be active participants in their own learning. We hope that the articulation of the learning goals will help our students develop realistic expectations regarding the proficiency achievable in a specified number of hours of study. They need to understand that learning a foreign language is a lifelong endeavor.

Students focusing on the Hebrew Language track within the NEJS Major at Brandeis will:

1. Achieve functional linguistic proficiency in the four language skills (speaking, listening, writing, reading) at the level of a near native speaker through application of the acquired knowledge in all areas of language and culture.
2. Be able to utilize these skills in both formal and informal settings.
3. Be capable of analyzing all aspects of the written and oral language with respect to different genre, including media and modern literature, as well as classical and academic texts.
4. Deepen the understanding of historical evolution and contemporary development of the language through analysis of language structure.
5. Develop comprehension of and appreciation for cultural phenomena represented in the language.
6. Become familiar with mechanisms of language acquisition, assisting them in becoming lifelong learners of the Hebrew language.

Students in the Hebrew program are coming from various Hebrew language backgrounds and are seeking to test how well they function and their level of competence. The Hebrew minor within the NEJS department will make it possible to receive acknowledgment for their past experience knowledge through their current academic Hebrew coursework. The minor will encourage them to pursue more courses to improve their receptive skills: listening, reading and their productive skills: speaking and writing in the language. This will help to prepare them for a potential future career in the field of teaching Hebrew as a second language acquisition.

An undergraduate minor in Hebrew Language, Literature, and Culture will prepare students for graduate school and professions in education, business, journalism, diplomacy and other fields. The minor aims to bring students to an advanced level of proficiency in Hebrew and offers a strong background in Hebrew culture and literature. Courses are taught by faculty whose fields of specialization include biblical studies, post-biblical, Rabbinic, and medieval Hebrew literature, Modern Hebrew literature and culture, Hebrew language, and Hebrew language pedagogy.

Sara Hascal, Director Hebrew Program
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

Guy Antebi
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

Esther Shorr
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

The minor consists of five semester courses:

1. Three courses in Hebrew language selected from the following: HBRW 34a, HBRW 35a, HBRW 41a, HBRW 44b, HBRW 121a, HBRW 121b, HBRW 124a, HBRW 141a, HBRW 144a, HBRW 146a, HBRW 161b, HBRW 162b, HBRW 164b, HBRW 167b, HBRW 170a.
   
   Please note that only one HBRW 30-level course and only one HBRW 40-level course might count for your minor.
2. One text-intensive course in Biblical, Rabbinic or Medieval Hebrew. The course is taught in English using texts in Hebrew: NEJS 10a, NEJS 25a, NEJS 110b, NEJS 112a, NEJS 119a, NEJS 121b, NEJS 122b, NEJS 123b, NEJS 125b, NEJS 126a, NEJS 126b, NEJS 127b.
3. One course in Modern Hebrew Literature (taught in Hebrew): NEJS 173a, NEJS 174a, NEJS 174b, NEJS 178a.
4. No grade below a C- will be given credit toward the minor.
5. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the minor requirements.

Students may double count up to two courses with another major or minor. A maximum of two semester course credits taken at other universities may be accepted toward the minor. Each course transferred from another university must have the approval of the Hebrew program in order to be accepted for credit toward the minor requirements. Students are encouraged to seek advance approval from the Hebrew program advisor for all courses intended for transfer credit.

All students are strongly encouraged to study Hebrew in Israel for a semester, a full year, or in intensive summer programs. Study abroad provides students with daily interaction in the target language and enables them to achieve the following goals:

• Greater linguistic precision in speaking, reading, writing and listening to the language.
• The experience of living and learning the culture in an authentic setting.
• The Hebrew courses will achieve a greater understanding of human diversity based on the study or experience of different social backgrounds and settings especially that obtained through time spent abroad.

A placement exam will be given upon your return to campus to determine your language competence.

Students majoring in the Hebrew track of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies cannot also obtain a minor in Hebrew Language, Literature and Culture.

HBRW 10a Beginning Hebrew

Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills.

For students with no previous knowledge and those with a minimal background. Intensive training in the basics of Hebrew grammar, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Usually offered every semester.

HBRW 19a Beginning Hebrew: Honors

Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills.

A beginner course for those students with some previous exposure to Hebrew. Builds upon the initial exposure, continuing to teach the basics of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing. Usually offered every fall.

HBRW 20b Intermediate Hebrew

Prerequisite: HBRW 10a or HBRW 19a or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills.

Continuation of HBRW 10a, employing the same methods. Intensive training in Hebrew grammar, listening, comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Several sections offered every semester.

HBRW 34a Intermediate Hebrew II: Aspects of Israeli Culture
[ fl ]

Prerequisite: Any 20-level Hebrew course or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills.

A continuation of HBRW 20b. A beginner-intermediate level course that helps students strengthen their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Contemporary cultural aspects will be stressed and a variety of materials will be used. Usually offered every semester.

HBRW 41a Intensive Conversations about Israeli Culture
[ fl hum ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent.

An Advanced Intermediate Hebrew course for students who have acquired an intermediate level of Hebrew and who wish to develop greater fluency in conversation with emphasis on aspects of Israeli Culture. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 44b Advanced Intermediate Hebrew: Israeli Culture and Media
[ fl hum ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills.

Reinforces the acquired skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing at the intermediate level. Contemporary cultural aspects are stressed; conversational Hebrew and reading of selections from modern literature. Usually offered every semester.

HBRW 97a Senior Essay

Usually offered every semester.

HBRW 97b Senior Essay

Usually offered every semester.

HBRW 98a Independent Study

Usually offered every year in the fall.

HBRW 98b Independent Study

Yields half-course credit. Signature of the instructor required.

Usually offered every year in the spring.

HBRW 121a Israeli Society and Post-Trauma: Family Dynamics Through a TV Series
[ dl fl oc ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

Enhances students' oral communication skills by analyzing and discussing family dynamics, fostering empathy and ethical reflection. Develops cultural awareness by examining Israeli societal values, trauma, and conflict resolution, promoting a nuanced understanding of diverse perspectives based on popular Israeli television series "In Treatment." Usually offered every year.

HBRW 121b Life Challenges of an Israeli Family through a TV Series
[ fl hum oc ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

An advanced-intermediate conversation course for students who wish to improve their speaking skills. Role playing, vocabulary building, and guided speaking activities develop conversational skills for various situations. Reading and discussion of contemporary texts, based on the popular Israeli TV series, "Yellow Peppers", assist in vocabulary building. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 124a Hebrew for Business, Doing Business in Start-Up Nation
[ dl fl wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Does not meet the requirement in the school of humanities.

Provides students with tools and competence to deal with the Israeli business community. For advanced-intermediate Hebrew students who wish to gain cultural understanding and business language speaking skills. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 144a Plays and Drama in Israeli Society
[ ca djw fl hum oc wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

Focuses on critical reading and analysis of authentic and contemporary Israeli short plays and studying the comparison between plays in Israel and those in the U.S. We will examine theories in aspects of drama and implement drama techniques including improvisation, movement, and creative expression. Readings cover topics such as social diversity and justice, as well as human rights and awareness of world identities. The course culminates in the writing of an original scene or one-act play in Hebrew.

HBRW 146a The Voices of Jerusalem
[ djw fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

For advanced-intermediate students who wish to enhance their language proficiency and work toward improving fluency and communication through analysis of selected materials covering literature, poetry, history, politics, and art that depict the unique tradition and culture of Jerusalem. Usually offered every fall.

HBRW 161b What’s up in Israel Today?: Diverse Perspectives in Film and Media
[ fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

In this course, Israeli films, media, TV shows (e.g., Srugim ), and online resources will be used to promote discussion, enhance oral communication skills, and also broaden cultural awareness and understanding of diverse societal perspectives. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 164b Israeli Theater Within the Framework of U.S Cultures
[ ca deis-us djw fl hum oc wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

Promotes cultural awareness and global understanding through the reading and analysis of plays. Student creativity develops through participation in acting and creative writing assignments. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 167b The Sleeping Beauty: The Revival of Modern Hebrew
[ dl fl hum ]

Prerequisite: Any 40-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

An advanced course that surveys the origins of the Hebrew language and its development throughout the centuries, focusing on its major stages (biblical, rabbinic, medieval, and modern). Explores the unique phenomenon of its revival as a spoken language and its adaptation to the modern world. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 170a Take I: Israeli Cinema and American Culture
[ deis-us djw fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 40-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

Introduces students to various aspects of Israeli society as portrayed in Israeli films and television. In addition to viewing films, students will be asked to read Hebrew background materials, to participate in class discussions, and to write review and criticism about the films. The course prepares students to deepen their analytical skills in order to gain broader understanding and intercultural knowledge as well as transform their personal and global thinking. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 173a Trauma and Violence in Israeli Literature and Film
[ deis-us djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses on man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity. Usually offered every second year.

HBRW 303a Readings in Assessing the Learning and Teaching of Hebrew

NEJS 173a Trauma and Violence in Israeli Literature and Film
[ deis-us djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses on man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 174a Minorities and Others in Israeli Literature and Culture
[ djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

An exploration of poetics and identity in modern Hebrew literature. By offering a feminist and psychoanalytic reading of various Hebrew texts, this seminar explores questions of personal and national identity, otherness, visibility, and marginality in the Israeli context. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 174b Israeli Women Writers on War and Peace
[ deis-us djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

An exploration of nationalism and gender in Modern Hebrew literature. By discussing various Hebrew texts and Israeli works of art and film, this course explores women's relationship to Zionism, war, peace, the state, politics, and processes of cultural production. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 178a Love, Sex, and Power in Israeli Culture
[ djw fl hum ]

Taught in Hebrew. May be repeated for credit.

Explores questions of romance, gender, marriage, and jealousy in the Israeli context by offering a feminist and psychoanalytic reading of Hebrew texts, works of art, and film. Usually offered every third year.

HBRW 146a The Voices of Jerusalem
[ djw fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

For advanced-intermediate students who wish to enhance their language proficiency and work toward improving fluency and communication through analysis of selected materials covering literature, poetry, history, politics, and art that depict the unique tradition and culture of Jerusalem. Usually offered every fall.

HBRW 164b Israeli Theater Within the Framework of U.S Cultures
[ ca deis-us djw fl hum oc wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

Promotes cultural awareness and global understanding through the reading and analysis of plays. Student creativity develops through participation in acting and creative writing assignments. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 173a Trauma and Violence in Israeli Literature and Film
[ deis-us djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses on man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 174a Minorities and Others in Israeli Literature and Culture
[ djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

An exploration of poetics and identity in modern Hebrew literature. By offering a feminist and psychoanalytic reading of various Hebrew texts, this seminar explores questions of personal and national identity, otherness, visibility, and marginality in the Israeli context. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 174b Israeli Women Writers on War and Peace
[ deis-us djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

An exploration of nationalism and gender in Modern Hebrew literature. By discussing various Hebrew texts and Israeli works of art and film, this course explores women's relationship to Zionism, war, peace, the state, politics, and processes of cultural production. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 178a Love, Sex, and Power in Israeli Culture
[ djw fl hum ]

Taught in Hebrew. May be repeated for credit.

Explores questions of romance, gender, marriage, and jealousy in the Israeli context by offering a feminist and psychoanalytic reading of Hebrew texts, works of art, and film. Usually offered every third year.

HBRW 146a The Voices of Jerusalem
[ djw fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

For advanced-intermediate students who wish to enhance their language proficiency and work toward improving fluency and communication through analysis of selected materials covering literature, poetry, history, politics, and art that depict the unique tradition and culture of Jerusalem. Usually offered every fall.

HBRW 164b Israeli Theater Within the Framework of U.S Cultures
[ ca deis-us djw fl hum oc wi ]

Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

Promotes cultural awareness and global understanding through the reading and analysis of plays. Student creativity develops through participation in acting and creative writing assignments. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 10a Biblical Hebrew Grammar and Texts
[ dl fl hum ]

Prerequisite: HBRW 20b or the equivalent as determined by placement examination.

An accelerated grammar course in Biblical Hebrew. Students engage with biblical Hebrew texts from the first class. They build from words and phrases to a literary translation and grammatical analysis of a student’s choice of biblical Hebrew narrative. Topics include: phonology and the Tiberian pronunciation tradition, syllables and stress patterns, nouns, articles, conjunctions, pronouns, adjectives, possession, prepositions, the prefix and suffix conjugations, derived stems, tense and aspect, volitives, infinitives, and irregular roots. The class uses music and digital tools to aid memorization. It builds students’ vocabularies and understanding of the unusual features of biblical grammar and syntax compared with other semitic languages and modern Hebrew.

NEJS 25a Introduction to Talmud
[ hum oc ]

Prerequisite: A 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent is recommended.

An introduction to Treatise Bava Metzia, on the subject of labor law. Topics include: payment for commuting time, eating on the job, benefits a worker can expect from their employer. The course introduces the Babylonian Talmud. Attention is paid to modes of argument, literary form, and development of the Talmudic text. No previous study of Talmud is presupposed. Usually offered every second year.

NEJS 110b Psalms in the Hebrew Bible
[ hum ]

Prerequisites: NEJS 10a or 40-level HBRW course or permission of the instructor.

A close reading of selected Psalms in Biblical Hebrew, with study of their poetic, historical, and mythological features and contexts. Usually offered every third year.

NEJS 123b Gender, Species, and Ethnicity in Early Judaism
[ djw hum oc ]

Being "human" is defined by distinguishing between and ordering different beings according to race, gender, disability and species. This privileges some in society while diminishing the value of others. This course introduces the main texts of rabbinic literature around fundamental questions of what is a legal "person" and what is not. Usually offered every year.

NEJS 125b Midrashic Literature: Sifre Deuteronomy
[ hum ]

Prerequisite: A 40-level Hebrew course or the equivalent.

An analysis of the midrashic method of the Sifre Deuteronomy. Emphasis will be placed on a close reading of the text, with a view to developing in the students the capacity to do independent analysis. Usually offered every fourth year.

NEJS 126a Intermediate Talmud
[ hum ]

Prerequisite: A 40-level Hebrew course or the equivalent.

Tractate Sanhedrin, chapter three, which deals with the issue of voluntary and compulsory arbitration and the binding nature of gambling agreements. Usually offered every third year.

NEJS 126b Agadic Literature: The Ethics of the Fathers with Avot d'Rabbi Nathan
[ hum ]

Prerequisite: A 40-level Hebrew course or the equivalent.

A study of the Mishnah Avot and its classical commentaries. Focuses primarily on literary and historical questions. Usually offered every fourth year.

NEJS 127b The History and Literature of the Jewish Liturgy
[ hum ]

Prerequisite: A 20-level Hebrew course or the equivalent.

A study of the literature, theology, and history of the daily and Sabbath liturgy. Emphasis will be placed on the interplay between literary structure and ideational content, along with discussion of the philosophical issues involved in prayer. Usually offered every third year.

NEJS 173a Trauma and Violence in Israeli Literature and Film
[ deis-us djw fl hum oc ]

Taught in Hebrew.

Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses on man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity. Usually offered every second year.