Hebrew Prep – Customized Hebrew Learning For Rabbinical Students
Students never fit in a box. That is why we have designed additional Hebrew learning to assist students who need extra Hebrew support.
The Hebrew Prep program meets you at your individual Hebrew level and works to raise your proficiency and fluency to the level needed to enter PRS. A fully online, one-on-one tutor program via Zoom led by PRS Director Rabbi Sandy Zisser, this one hour, weekly session program is built around your busy schedule.
There are three steps in Hebrew learning provided in our program:
Level 1: Alef Bet through Hebrew reading and then reading fluency
Level 2: Hebrew grammar and conjugations and shorashim, leading up to reading for understanding
Level 3: Reading for understanding to text based fluency
Each level takes approximately eight weeks to complete. Our Hebrew assessment helps us to know which level you need to begin on. Note that while we estimate eight weeks per level, some students may need more or less time at each level.
Hebrew Prep is free for all enrolled PRS students and includes:
- Initial Hebrew assessment and follow ups
- Live one-on-one tutoring
- All learning materials through all learning levels
- Email-based support with our director
How To Get Started
- Apply for our program
- Submit your letters of recommendation
- Once accepted, pay the admission fee
- You will then be given the assessment and will learn with Rabbi Sandy Zisser in conjunction with your other learning at PRS
Our Take On Hebrew Skills
We would much rather have a student with lower Hebrew skills who would make a great rabbi than a student with superior language skills who lacks a rabbi’s heart. Who knows, you could be the next Rabbi Akiva!
Please do not feel discouraged if you feel you are lacking in Hebrew skills or second guess your decision to study with us because you perceive you would be behind other students.
Knowledge of both classical and modern Hebrew is crucial for the rabbis of today and of the future. One’s ability to draw from language is powerful in transmitting thousands of years of Jewish knowledge.
While we deeply value the skill of Modern Hebrew, it is not a major emphasis in our program, as our focus is Diaspora Jewish life.