At no point in history has learning Hebrew, or Ivrit as it’s known in Hebrew, been more accessible. Modern technology has opened up a plethora of options for those wanting to Learn Ivrit, regardless of budget, schedule, or location. From completely free resources to more structured, paid programs, the journey to learn Ivrit is now at your fingertips.
Beyond the traditional methods of textbooks and in-person classes at synagogues, Jewish community centers, or universities – or even immersive experiences in Israel – you can now explore a wide range of online courses, language learning apps, and software. For a truly intensive experience, you could even dedicate a summer to a full immersion program, perhaps in a scenic location!
Choosing the Right Ivrit Learning Path for You
When navigating the numerous options available to learn Ivrit, consider your personal goals, your self-discipline, and the amount of time you can realistically dedicate. Are you aiming to simply understand the Hebrew in a prayer book? Do you aspire to study the Bible in its original language? Perhaps you want to learn basic phrases for an upcoming trip to Israel? Or is your ambition to become fluent in conversational Ivrit?
Vardit Ringvald, Director of the School of Hebrew at Middlebury College and a long-time consultant for Hebrew education institutions, emphasizes the importance of considering your learning style. “Some individuals are highly independent learners” and can effectively use books or self-paced programs to learn Ivrit, while others thrive in a structured environment with social interaction and scheduled classes. For those seeking to truly learn Ivrit, understanding your learning preferences is key.
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While language learning apps can be engaging and are valuable for vocabulary acquisition and reinforcement as you learn Ivrit, Ringvald points out that they often lack “genuine interaction.” This can pose a challenge for learners aiming to progress from intermediate to advanced Ivrit proficiency or to effectively use the language in real-life conversations.
Despite the initial inclination of many beginners to focus solely on reading or biblical/prayer book Hebrew when they learn Ivrit, Ringvald encourages learners to embrace conversational Ivrit from the outset.
“Learning Modern Hebrew will actually strengthen your understanding of classical Hebrew,” she explains. “It’s not a linear process where you first learn the alphabet, then reading, and finally the language. An integrated approach is crucial for success when you learn Ivrit.”
Below is a curated selection of online resources and courses, categorized for easy navigation and listed alphabetically within each category. Have we overlooked a valuable resource for those wanting to learn Ivrit? Have you personally used any of the programs listed and have experiences, positive or negative, to share? Do you notice any information that requires updating? We encourage you to reach out and inform us by emailing [email protected].
Explore My Jewish Learning’s resources to learn Ivrit:
Hebrew Word of the Day
Expand your Ivrit vocabulary daily with this email series! Each day, you’ll receive a new Hebrew word directly in your inbox, complete with its pronunciation, definition, and other helpful contextual information. Sign up here to start your daily Ivrit word journey.
Introduction to Hebrew with Rabbi Peretz Rodman
Learn to read Ivrit or refine your existing reading skills in just six sessions with Rabbi Peretz Rodman! By the end of this series, participants will confidently be able to “sound out” any word in Hebrew (with vowels), a foundational skill when you learn Ivrit.
Hebrew Language for the High Holidays
This course, led by Dr. Tamar Kamionkowski, a seasoned professor of Biblical Studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, focuses on vocabulary, grammar, and the interpretation of Hebrew prayers, specifically emphasizing the High Holiday liturgy. Exercises and supplementary PDFs for each session are available on the Kamionkowski Beit Midrash website, providing valuable resources as you learn Ivrit for religious contexts.
Self-Paced Ivrit Courses and Lessons
These resources offer the flexibility to learn Ivrit at your own pace, but they do not include direct interaction with an instructor.
EasyLearnHebrew.com
This platform focuses on Hebrew reading skills. It offers seven lessons, accessible on both computers and mobile devices, and incorporates flashcards, quizzes, videos, and other resources to enhance your learning experience as you learn Ivrit reading.
LearnHebrewPod.com
You can explore a selection of online Ivrit learning tools, including audio lessons, games, and quizzes, for free before committing to a purchase. Accessible across computers and mobile devices, it provides conversational Ivrit lessons, a dedicated reading class, and a prayers class. Beginners can take advantage of a one-month free trial to start their journey to learn Ivrit.
Mango Languages
Mango Languages offers courses in both Biblical and Modern Hebrew, catering to various learning goals as you learn Ivrit. It is accessible on computers and mobile devices. Free access is available through participating libraries in the United States, Canada, and several other countries. Monthly and annual subscriptions are also available for purchase if library access is not an option as you learn Ivrit.
Pimsleur
Primarily audio-based, Pimsleur also includes reading instruction as part of its comprehensive approach to learn Ivrit. They promise effective learning with just “Thirty minutes a day,” emphasizing speaking from day one. Available for free through some public libraries, and for purchase on their website and Amazon. Courses can be purchased in sets of five lessons, level by level, or as a complete three-level package, offering flexibility as you learn Ivrit. A free sample lesson is also available on their official website.
Rosetta Stone
This software package is accessible on both computers and mobile devices, providing a flexible way to learn Ivrit. Subscription options include monthly, annual, and two-year plans. A one-time purchase option for computer download is also available (without mobile access but usable offline and by up to five users). It features speech-recognition software to provide feedback on pronunciation. Rosetta Stone is also available for free at some public libraries. Downloads and discs can be purchased through Amazon to support your journey to learn Ivrit.
Online Ivrit Courses with Teachers or Tutors
The following options provide synchronous sessions (via platforms like Skype or Webinar) enabling real-time interaction with teachers and fellow students as you learn Ivrit.
Rosen School of Hebrew
Offers classes in small groups or personalized one-on-one sessions with Israel-based teachers certified in teaching Hebrew as a second language, providing expert guidance as you learn Ivrit. Eight proficiency levels are available, along with a separate program for children. Classes are offered once or twice weekly. Biblical Hebrew classes are also available through a partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, expanding your options to learn Ivrit.
Hebrew College
Provides various levels of online Ivrit courses following a college semester schedule (Fall, Spring, Summer), offering structured learning as you learn Ivrit. Options to take courses for college credit are available. Courses include weekly live class sessions along with assignments and exercises to reinforce learning.
Hebrew Homepage (also available for children)
Offers weekly 30-minute one-on-one sessions with a tutor using a webinar platform, providing personalized attention as you learn Ivrit. Curricula include learning the Aleph Bet, navigating prayer book Hebrew, and mastering modern conversational Ivrit.
Ulpan La-Inyan
Provides virtual group and private lessons in Modern Hebrew, and also organizes in-person classes in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for a more immersive experience as you learn Ivrit. Instruction is available for various levels, including specialized business curricula and courses designed for children.
Live-Hebrew.net
Offers one-on-one 30-minute or 45-minute sessions via Skype, complemented by homework and exercises to reinforce learning as you learn Ivrit. They also offer a video course for beginners focused on Hebrew reading and a free e-book, “First 100 words in Hebrew: what a tourist in Israel should know,” providing valuable introductory resources as you learn Ivrit.
Ivrit Learning Apps and Podcasts
A search on the App Store or Google Play reveals a vast array of apps, many free, for learning Ivrit reading/decoding and conversational skills. The following apps were recommended by educators. Share your experiences, positive or negative, with these or other apps to help others learn Ivrit!
Duolingo
Offers a placement test to assess your starting level and a wide range of lessons, games, and activities to make learning Ivrit engaging. Duolingo claims its approach is “so fun that people would prefer picking up new skills over playing a game.” Accessible on computers and iOS or Android mobile devices, making it a convenient tool to learn Ivrit on the go.
Hebrew Podcasts
Features podcasts approximately 10-15 minutes long, based on short dialogues covering diverse topics, offering practical listening practice as you learn Ivrit. Despite its simple website design, the technology is reliable. All audio lessons can be streamed for free. A subscription enables downloading and access to supporting materials like transcripts, flashcards, games, and quizzes, enhancing your ability to learn Ivrit comprehensively. Over 150 podcasts, ranging from beginner to advanced levels with new advanced content added monthly, are available. While it includes a lesson on the aleph-bet, its sufficiency for teaching reading independently is unclear.
Memrise
Offers interactive lessons and activities accessible on desktop computers and mobile devices, providing flexible learning as you learn Ivrit. Users can create customized flashcards and materials, compete with friends, and join or form study groups, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Memrise states that its program “uses clever science to adapt to your personal learning style and performance,” aiming to optimize your journey to learn Ivrit.
Tools for Ivrit Enrichment
EKS Hebrew Flashcards
Provides virtual Hebrew-English flashcards for both Biblical Hebrew (335 words) and Prayerbook Hebrew (332 words), with an audio feature to test pronunciation, valuable for vocabulary building as you learn Ivrit. Available as iPhone or Android apps.
Streetwise Hebrew
Offers short (approximately 8-minute) and entertaining podcasts about Modern Hebrew, focusing on slang and etymology, providing a fun and engaging way to learn Ivrit and understand contemporary usage.
Intensive Ivrit Immersion Experiences
Middlebury Immersion Program
Participants live on campus and commit to speaking only Hebrew for the duration of the three-week or seven-week session, creating a truly immersive environment to learn Ivrit. Rigorous daily classroom instruction is provided for various levels, including beginner, alongside organized all-in-Hebrew activities like soccer and theater, enhancing practical application as you learn Ivrit. Both Modern and Classical Hebrew are offered.
Israeli Ulpans
Numerous intensive Hebrew programs (ulpans) are available throughout Israel, ranging from one week to five months and varying widely in price, offering diverse options to learn Ivrit in its native context. Examples include Ulpan Israeli, Ulpan Etzion, and university programs at institutions like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. Click here for a directory of Israeli ulpans compiled by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization supporting Jewish immigration to Israel, providing a comprehensive resource to find the right ulpan as you learn Ivrit.
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