History and Centrality

The language of the sacred texts has always had an important role in Judaism.

Emergence of Hebrew


Hebrew's Rebirth

Embraced by proponents of the Jewish enlightenment, then given new life in Palestine.

Theological Significance

According to Jewish tradition, Hebrew is the original language of humanity and the language spoken by God.

Why Teach Hebrew?

Hebrew connects Jewish children with a history beyond our insular present.

The Alphabet

The Hebrew Alphabet in Mystical Thought

Mystics venerated Hebrew letters, considering them paths to the Divine.

Learn the Letters

A chart showing Hebrew characters, their names, and their sounds.

Hebrew Words

Some basic Hebrew words for a beginner.

Sephardic and Ashkenazic Hebrew



The dots, dashes, and other symbols that clarify how to pronounce Hebrew words.



Not just for bubbies, Yiddish is being embraced by hip twenty- and thirty-somethings.


Basics of the language.

Yiddish Words

A brief glossary of important and commonly used Yiddish words and phrases.



A History of Yiddish


Aramaic and Ladino




Judeo-Spanish mixes 16th-century Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish and other languages.

Ladino Today

Is the language of Sephardic Jews undergoing a revival?

Languages 101


Quiz Yourself

How much do you know about the languages that Jews spoke in the past and continue to speak today?