Modern Hebrew

Modern Hebrew is a vibrant language spoken in Israel and by Jews around the world. It was revived as a spoken mother-tongue language at the end of the nineteenth century and has continued to evolve and change quickly since then. Hebrew is a central language for anyone interested in Jewish Studies, Middle East Studies, or Religious Studies, as it opens windows to Jewish tradition, Jewish culture, the field of Jewish Studies, and the language of the Bible. Hebrew is the language of Israel, one of the world’s fastest-growing high-tech economies and of constant importance on the world stage. Knowledge of Hebrew, therefore, opens prospects to careers in politics, journalism, Jewish education, Jewish community services, business, international relations, and international law.

Sababa [suh-buh-buh]: “Awesome!” or “Cool!”, can also mean “Sure” or “No problem”!

Jewish Studies Major​ (Tracks: Modern Hebrew Language, Literature, and Israeli Culture)

Department:
Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies

Advisor:
Dr. Gwen Walker, undergrad-adviser@cjs.wisc.edu

Intro Class:
HEBR-MOD 101: First Semester Hebrew

Study Hebrew during the summer at the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Language Institute (MEDLI).

UW Hillel is an independent nonprofit that partners with the university and supports students to cultivate a Jewish community, develop leaders, complement the classroom, and embody Jewish values.

TAMID is an apolitical, areligious student-led organization on campus that fosters the next generation of philanthropists, leaders and investors through education, investment and meaningful professional opportunities.

AVUKAH is a Jewish Studies journal whose editors and contributing authors are UW-Madison undergraduate students.

“My favorite part about learning Hebrew has been all of the new people that I’ve met. What’s unique about Hebrew (at UW-Madison) is that it opens up so many doors, especially through the Center for Jewish Studies where you can have educational opportunities and professional development opportunities and jus travel opportunities through learning the Hebrew language.”