Biblical Hebrew vs Modern

[Stephanie]

Are there any advantages in learning one over another? When it comes to study what is more advantageous? I'm looking at a lot of different programs for my kid and myself, and I'm just stuck as to what I want to learn much less how. Any advice and opinion is welcome. :)

[Lori Lee]

Well, having been to Israel and really hoping to go again, I would like to study modern Hebrew so I could communicate easily there. I was really amazed at how beautiful the language was when I heard native Israelis speaking. I picked up quite a few words while we were there, but I've already forgotten some because I haven't used them. I am considering Rosetta Stone for our family. Our church has had a Jewish man teaching a Hebrew class for a couple of years now, but he is moving and so the class will be coming to an end for now, as they have not found a replacement yet.

Lori

[Stephanie]

I'm really excited because we got more information at our congregation yesterday. We're going to sign our daughter up for Hebrew School in the fall, and she's going to start working with someone over the summer to ramp her up with Hebrew. She wants to have her bat mitzvah, so we need to do a crash course over the summer so she can start out where she needs to be in the fall, according to our cantor. I'm excited! She's getting a good foundation for Hebrew in her Junior Congregation class Saturday mornings, but this will really be helpful. Now, it's just off to find something for me. I think I'm going to try to take some classes this fall too through the educational ministry that our synagogue maintains. I almost feel like it's pushing it off since I wanted to start this summer, but this way I have a little more breathing room, and I also don't have to figure it out on my own. I really like that!