Advanced Modern Hebrew

Emily HummelSep 18, 2025in Lifelong Learning

Taught by Neta Litvin
Textbook: Brandeis Modern Hebrew
Tuesdays, 12 weeks beginning October 14, 7:00-8:00pm
Online only
$200/members, $250/non-members
Prerequisites: Intermediate Hebrew II, Prayer Hebrew II, or equivalent. Comfort with reading Hebrew fluently and intermediate knowledge of Hebrew grammar.

In this course you will continue to expand your vocabulary, advanced grammar, adjectives, and verb tenses. The textbook reflects some of the main principles that have shaped the Brandeis Hebrew curriculum during the past decade. These include: an emphasis on the learner’s ability to use the target language in all four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing; an effort to contextualize each unit within a specific subject or theme; exposing the student to authentic and semi-authentic materials (texts written by native speakers); and exploring different elements from Israeli and Jewish culture in the language drills, reading passages, and in selections of sources from the Hebrew literary canon. The text in this edition comprises 11 units, supplementary Hebrew proficiency guidelines, and a vocabulary list. Audio-visual components for all reading passages are available online for download.

Click here to register!

Beginning Prayer Hebrew (for Adults)

Susan GoldsmithDec 30, 2025in Lifelong Learning

No prior knowledge needed!

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm

In person at NVHC

Text: Aleph Isn’t Tough (optional text: Mishkan Tefilah: Shabbat, non-transliterated)

Taught by Elizabeth Lacher

Dates: 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22

Start 2026 off strong by learning something new! In this beginner’s class, you’ll learn the Hebrew aleph bet, vowels, basic reading rules, and prayer vocabulary. You’ll become comfortable reading key prayers from our Shabbat liturgy and for holidays, and you’ll learn the meaning and context for specific prayers. Whether you want to follow along better at services, are going to Israel, or just want to start learning another language, this class is for you!

Short Story Discussion Group

adminSep 21, 2023in Lifelong Learning

Short Story Discussion Group

First Monday of each month

7:30-8:30pm, on Zoom

Join us for a fourth year of monthly lay-led discussions of Jewish short stories. Four
NVHC members have selected the stories and will take turns leading the discussions.
Each session will stand on its own – you can attend whenever you have the time and
interest. We’ll meet on the first Monday of the month on Zoom at 7:30pm for 45 minutes
to an hour. Participants will receive the story and meeting links in advance. To sign up
for this year’s discussion group, email shortstories@nvhcreston.org. Even if you
participated last year, we’d like you to sign up again so that we can gauge interest in the
program and ensure that we have the correct email address for you.

Judaism Is About Love

Emily HummelAug 20, 2025in Lifelong Learning

Taught by: Rabbi Holzman
Thursdays, September 4*, October 16, November 20, December 11, January 29, February 19, April 23, May 7, May 21, June 4
12:00-1:00pm, online only

This lunch ‘n learn is named after Shai Held’s recent, masterful volume of Jewish thinking, Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Together we will seek to understand how Held’s ideas manifest in our lives and contemporary Jewish practice. Independent purchase of the book is required, and e-book copies should be paginated like the print edition. (No handouts will be provided.)