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Kudos and Stories
[
"One
of the best things I ever did, in my mid-forties, was to renew my
commitment to Judaism. It was a little scary. Growing up in the
sixties as a Reform Jew, there were no Bat Mitzvahs. I had studied
Hebrew from third to fifth grade but had reverted to transliteration
by the time I was a teenager...Enter READ HEBREW AMERICA. I knew
that I had to get started by re-learning Hebrew, and this program
was being offered–free of charge– at our synagogue. What
I did not know is what else this program would provide. It doesn't
just teach you to read Hebrew; it gives you a way to a fuller meaning
of the Torah and the prayers...READ HEBREW AMERICA was not just
‘some Hebrew class'. It gave me confidence and inspired me
to tackle the things I had always wanted to do. Since my childhood,
there were three things I had dreamed of doing at my temple–read
at the High Hold Days, have a Bat Mitzvah, and teach at the Torah
Center. I accomplished all of that and am still going strong...READ
HEBREW AMERICA is not just about learning Hebrew. It helps us form
connections–to our Jewishness, to prayer, to Torah, and to
community as we meet and study with others." "Imagine the frustration of being in your early fifties, recently becoming more observant and not being able to follow services in shul or being able to recite Kiddush at your own Shabbat table where your family is sitting. This was me. Since I was a young boy, I always had the spark of Torah withing me. I knew there was more than what I was taught...much. Much more. I always had a deep yearning to serve G-d but had no idea how. Even after I was on the correct path, I still felt left out without the ability to read or write Hebrew. Although I had a formal Bar Mitzvah, I was able to read my Haftorah by rote only. Forty-one years later, while visiting my childhood hometown, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I read a notice in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle that the National Jewish Outreach Program offers a free, five-session adult Hebrew reading course. I called, I went. The course was given in a relaxed and interesting way. Not only did the teacher teach the pronunciation of the Alpha-Bet, he also taught the class the little known nuances of syntax of the language. He explained that silent letters aren't always silent and that some of the dots and dashes (other than the usual vowels), have influence on pronunciation. He also explained the history and evolution of the language and how many groups of Jews pronounce Hebrew differently. This wasn't your usual Hebrew reading class. When I returned to my home in Savannah, Georgia, I received a call from the National Jewish Outreach Program asking how I felt about the course. My praise and appreciation was obvious. The National Jewish Outreach Program then connected me with rabbis in Savannah to continue my studies. Now I study privately with two rabbis. No one ever asked for a fee. I make a point to give extra Tzadaka in appreciation. I attend Savannah's Orthodox shul, daily. I daven (pray) in Hebrew and, at the Shabbat table with my wife, five step-kids, and mother-in-law watching, I proudly and fluently read the Kiddush in Hebrew! I give thanks
to G-d for the National Jewish Outreach Program." "I am
writing you to say "THANK YOU"...[Read Hebrew America],
has inspired me tremendously in my religious quest. Since the class
ended, I have inquired about spending a kosher Shabbat in either
Conservative or Orthodox home, as I wish to investigate the possibility
of becoming more religious. In fact, I am now teaching my son the
Hebrew Alphabet. Also, I‘ve started regularly making Shabbat
and lighting candles. Additionally, I am investigating putting my
son into a Day School, and am in hopes of visiting Israel this summer..." "I am
a completely assimilated Jew. By joining a synagogue and NJOP, my
life has been touched and a spark has been lit. Thanks so much for
outreach! Every little bit that I can learn is a step away from
ignorance." "A few
months ago, I was privileged to attend [Hebrew Reading Crash Course]...In
all my years of study and course-taking, none has changed my life
as much. I am truly grateful to you and your Outreach Program, and
look forward to future course offerings." "We
can't thank you and [NJOP] enough for making your wonderful program
available to us. We took the five-week [Hebrew Reading] Crash Course,
and we can actually read from our prayer book at Friday night services.
It is a wonderful feeling." " I
took the Hebrew Reading Crash Course last spring, and it has had
a profound effect on my involvement in both Judaism and our synagogue.
What a wonderful feeling of empowerment! Please keep up the good
work." "My motivation for taking the Hebrew Reading Crash Course was to "make up for lost time". When I was growing up, my Jewish education lacked continuity and substance. My few memories from childhood were of my parents constantly switching synagogues, within our community, and rarely attending services. My mother didn't light Shabbat candles and I remember attending one High Holiday service. Also, I never went to Hebrew school. After I married and my children were out of high chairs, my husband and I decided to start having a small Shabbat service in our home. We also started attending Friday night services regularly. We enrolled our daughters in Hebrew school. Our oldest daughter just had her confirmation and our youngest daughter will become a Bat Mitzvah this year. To further enhance my Jewish connection in our small Jewish community, we have helped bring back to life USY and Kadima youth groups. I go to Saturday morning services. I study daily from the Etz Hayim. I also try to study one subject to learn more (currently the Talmud). At the moment, I am slowly working to learn prayer book Hebrew. Another reason that I took the Hebrew Reading Crash Course was to help prepare for my own adult Bat Mitzvah, earlier this year. My long term
goal is to further deepen my knowledge of Judaism." "I wanted to share with you how learning Hebrew through your program has changed and improved my life...Four years ago, after seeing an ad for your Hebrew for Beginners Class, and going to lessons and completing the course (with a most wonderful and committed teacher), I CAN NOW READ HEBREW!!!! ...So now with my newfound Hebrew expertise I read and re-read the Kiddush, until I was perfect at it...We even sing Le Cha Dodi and Shalom Aleichem before we eat and all the children and grandchildren join in...I have proved that by learning to read Hebrew I have created a more holy atmosphere in my own home and family life; with which I feel I have imbued the next generation though my grandchildren with warm and wonderful memories and good feeling towards being Jewish. Thank you for changing my life. Keep up your wonderful work. P.S. The
real thrill occurred last evening when my 6 year old grandson, who
is in the first grade at a Hebrew Day School, called ME for help
with his Hebrew homework! ...I took out my NJOP Reishit Binah [textbook]
and solved his problem for him..." "I wanted to personally thank you for all the effort and acts of kindness you have bestowed on people like me who have the deep desire to learn. I am fortunate in that a...[a friend] first introduced you to me in the form of a CD...That was my first opportunity to learn a little Hebrew while in my own home at my own pace without the sometimes daunting class atmosphere. Then I signed up for a Hebrew class ...not knowing that it was sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Program–how great to be learning through NJOP once again. May you have
continued good fortune and success, and thank you once more for
your devotion. Lives are certainly richer once they've experienced
the National Jewish Outreach Program." "I have
been actively participating in several of the programs sponsored
by the National Jewish Outreach Program. I must admit that through
studying Hebrew at my own synagogue, attending Turn Friday Night
Into Shabbat, participating in Shabbat Beginner's Programs, and
by koshering my home, I feel that I have increased my sense of Jewish
spirituality more than 100%..." "After
completing NJOP's Hebrew Reading Crash Course (Level I), I just
wanted to say how pleased and ecstatic I am to have had the opportunity
to learn Hebrew reading...Thank you for the wonderful experience.
I am already eagerly anticipating the start of Level II next month.
NJOP is an amazing program that offers ...education at NO COST!" "...Your
wonderful work has opened many doors for me in particular and I
want to express my heartfelt thanks to you for allowing me to learn
the language that has allowed me to feel comfortable in shul on
Shabbat...Your programs are light and fun and people really enjoy
them...looking forward to many other programs in the future." |
