Ulpan Dekalim: Ulpan of the Palm Beaches

Kol HaLev is proud to offer “Ulpan Dekalim: the Ulpan of the Palms”

Did you feel that studying Hebrew was like hitting your head against a brick wall?

Did you study Hebrew for years only to walk away not actually understanding it?

Then this program is for you!

Ulpan Dekalim is a 40-hour beginner’s level Hebrew ulpan starting Fall 2025  This class will enable beginner students to converse in just a short time.  Classes are offered in both Modern Hebrew and Prayerbook/Biblical Hebrew.  After just a few months, students will actually be able to speak and understand many of the most common Hebrew words; after a year, students will be able to translate from the prayerbook and torah!

Ulpan Dekalim utilizes the highly impactful Rassias method.  The goal of the Rassias Method is to make the participant feel comfortable and natural with the language in a short period of time. We do this through a series of teaching procedures and dramatic techniques which seek to eliminate inhibitions and create an atmosphere of free expression from the very first day of class. Our method of language instruction places the participant at center stage and seeks to replicate the relevant, life-like situations encountered in the target language. The emphasis throughout is spoken language. The classroom techniques involved are rapid-paced, theatrical, highly creative, imaginative, and necessitate great quantities of enthusiasm. Positive reinforcement is immediate. (see https://rassias.dartmouth.edu/method/)

Ulpan Dekalim is run by Rabbi David Siff at partnering synagogues, JCC’s, and schools.  Rabbi Siff has been teaching Judaics for 30 years, and first learned Hebrew with the Rassias method at Dartmouth.  He is happy to bring this engaging and effective method to institutions in Palm Beach County.

Available Daytime Class slots: M/W or T/H 9:30-11:30, 1:00-3:00, 

Evening classes: T/H or M/W, 5:15-7:15, 

Dates: Winter: Oct 15-Jan 31; 

Spring: Feb 1-May 15; Summer: May 15-Sept 1 

Cost (for group of up to 12 students): 1 class (40-hours)=$7,000 for daytime; $3,000 evening surcharge; 

students must purchase textbook

covers 20 sections from Routledge or 7 chapters from “Modern Hebrew Primer” (¼ of textbook)

Reservations require 20% downpayment, 30% at start date, remainder at midpoint 

Other courses offered:

Introduction to Judaism: Jewish ethics, prayers, practices, and the Torah

Jewish Philosophy: Good Questions and Interesting Answers

Torah and Today: Contemporary social issues meet Talmudic Values 

Custom designed classes and one-on-one tutoring also available