There are so many wonderful reasons to introduce your young child to Hebrew! Many parents bring their young child to Carousel to learn a language that will deepen their connection to family heritage. And this is especially true with Hebrew.

Hebrew is an ancient language with extraordinary cultural significance and a remarkable linguistic history. At more than 3000 years old, it ranks among the oldest languages spoken today. Yet for 2000 years, due to oppression and migration, it became virtually extinct as a spoken language. It was revived as modern Hebrew in the late 19th century, and today it is a thriving language spoken by 9 million people worldwide.

As the original language of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)—the sacred scriptures for two of the world’s leading religions, Judaism and Christianity, as well as other faiths—Hebrew has enormous religious importance, and unparalleled literary influence, across history and today.

For children raised in Judaism and/or Jewish customs, learning the language from an early age can provide an even more profound connection to the beliefs, rituals, and religious texts of their family and community, plus a head start if they will eventually prepare for a Bar Mitzvah (for boys) or Bat Mitzvah (for girls).

Although the Hebrew language has a reputation for being difficult for native English speakers to learn—its right-to-left written structure and unfamiliar alphabet can seem intimidating—most students find it an exciting and fun challenge, and not overly complicated. And because the revival of the language depended on teaching non-native speakers, systems of teaching Hebrew are highly developed and effective.

Speaking Hebrew can open many doors of opportunity. It’s an excellent choice for students who want to go on to careers in international relations, government, diplomacy, business, and technology. And of course, the Hebrew language is useful for anyone who hopes to travel to Israel—home of spectacular, diverse natural scenery (from the Negev Desert to lush Galilee to the Dead Sea) as well as historic and holy sites, and dazzling cities. Knowing the language can also help you enjoy the vibrant media, art, and entertainment—theater, music, TV, films, and much more, produced in Hebrew—in Israel and abroad.

Come Learn Hebrew with Carousel of Languages!