Programs – What We Do

Zionist Education

Ivrit Masortit Hebrew Program

Two years in the making, MERCAZ USA is proud to announce the publication of the first stage of its new educational Hebrew language program, 'Ivrit Masortit – An Exploration of Heritage Hebrew.' Ivrit Masortit seeks to provide American Jewry with the opportunity, as described by MERCAZ Vice President Rabbi Alan Silverstein, "to learn original Hebrew terms for Jewish value concepts."

The Ivrit Masortit program is based on a series of lesson plans, each one dedicated to a single Hebrew root. Intended as warm-up activities lasting no more than 15 minutes, the lessons, based on 'Milah Ahat' – One Word' by Ms. Edya S. Arzt, Education Director of Women's League for Conservative Judaism, are geared for synagogue group meetings, such as for the Board of Directors, Sisterhood, Youth Committee, USY, etc. All the lessons have the same format: an initial analysis of the value concept under discussion, an exploration of related words and phrases derived from the same Hebrew root ('vocabulary and values') and then an opportunity for participants to create sentences in which to use the words and phrases presented in the lesson ('practice').

As noted in the program's introduction, "We Jews are a people of words... Language – the way in which words are used – is the key to understanding an individual, a group, a nation, or a people. And it is the key to understanding Judaism."

The first stage of Ivrit Masortit, available now, includes the first ten lessons with both a Leader's Guide and 10 copies of the Reader's Guide and may be ordered from the MERCAZ USA office for $28 plus shipping and handling. Part II is planned for Summer 2003.

For more information about how to order 'Ivrit Masortit – Part One', contact the MERCAZ USA office at 212-533-2061 or email us at info@mercazusa.org.

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MERCAZ USA
820 Second Avenue, New York, New York 10017-4504
tel 212.533.2061 | fax 212.533.2601
info@mercazusa.org | www.mercazusa.org