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Hebrew

Welcome to the Hebrew studies program in UMD's School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Hebrew students will gain knowledge and skills to function communicatively in a wide variety of linguistic situations.

Explore Hebrew Studies

Degree Program

Undergraduate Program in Hebrew

The undergraduate program in Hebrew Studies provides students with a sequence of courses from beginner to advanced that aligns with communicative teaching practices and ACTFL testing standards. Students will gain not only linguistic proficiency but cultural knowledge about Israeli current events, popular culture, technology and innovation and  issues of gender, race and class in Israel and other Hebrew speaking communities. The program offers a minor.


Research Centers

Research Centers

The Hebrew program is part of both the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies. It is also affiliated with the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies. Students will have opportunities to use their Hebrew knowledge and work with scholars in the fields of modern Israeli politics, Jewish history and literature.


Faculty and Advisors

People

Dr. Avital Karpman is the director of the Hebrew program. Her research interests include identity and language learning, Hebrew pedagogy and teacher training, and most recently, mapping new initiatives in gender-inclusive and nonbinary Hebrew grammar.


About the Hebrew Program

The Hebrew program offers a minor for undergraduates. In the skill sets of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you will be exposed to meaningful, authentic texts, exercises, and linguistic tasks that will prepare you for real-life participation in informal and academic or professional settings. In addition, the program places a strong emphasis on the relationship between Hebrew and Israeli culture. You will be exposed to a variety of literary texts, films, advertisements, posters, art, music, journalism and websites that reflect multicultural Israeli society.

Videos

Conference Recording: Gender-Inclusive and Nonbinary Hebrew: Innovations and Classroom Applications

Reimaging the Future of Hebrew in America with Sharon Avni & Avital Karpman