By Stephanie Goodling
HAKOL Editor

Are you planning a trip to Israel, or have you just been wanting to brush up on your Hebrew? Gavriel Siman-Tov, Federation’s Israeli community shaliach, is offering a fun new experience in partnership with the Jewish Community Center’s JUniversity. Cafe Ivrit is a casual way to learn beginner Hebrew, enjoying coffee while learning words and phrases and practicing informal conversation with Siman-Tov and the other participants. 

Cafe Ivrit is meeting on Wednesdays, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, from 11 a.m to 12 p.m. at the JCC. 

“It’s really intimate, we had a group of about only seven people at the first meeting,” said Siman-Tov. “The concept is just to sit for a cup of coffee and have a conversation. Something we've kind of missed out on in the past two years.”

The group also listened to some Israeli music and shared their Hebrew names.

“Our goal kind of just getting people to have the basic understanding of Hebrew before you go to Israel, knowing the basics, and just to remind them Hebrew is a language we’re all used to as Jewish people from Sunday school and prayers, but Modern Hebrew is a bit different,” added Siman-Tov.

No experience is necessary, and sessions are free and open to everyone. Space is limited, however, so sign up at lvjcc.org/cafeivrit or call the Welcome Desk at 610-435-3571 to join the remaining sessions.