Hebrew Language and Literature

Hebrew language and literature classes are divided into two levels: regular and honors. This division is made in order to accommodate the individual needs, background and ability of each student. Upon admission to ninth grade, students are given a proficiency test in order to ensure proper placement. In subsequent years, placement is carefully determined by the department's faculty who base their evaluations upon their acquaintance with the individual student and his/her records.

In all levels, students study literature, grammar, conversational Hebrew and are required to present oral and written reports. Literary selections are chosen with an eye to increasing awareness of Jewish issues and to intensifying the student's commitment to Judaism and Israel. A sequential grammar curriculum is taught in grades nine through eleven.

FRESHMAN YEAR

The grammar units of both levels focus on syntax, sentence structure and a review of the conjugation of regular verbs. The literature units for the regular classes provide a general introduction to Hebrew prose and poetry through the writings of Aharon Megged, Rachel and Bialik. The honors classes study the works of S. Tchernichovsky, C. Guri and N. Alterman, poets whose works reflect the Shoah, the struggle for statehood and the establishment of the medinah.

All students learn to appreciate the differences between those writers who lived in the Diaspora and those who emigrated or were born in Israel. Readings are presented in versions that maintain the integrity and authentic quality of the original. In all cases, emphasis is placed on the appreciation of themes, style and technique.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

In all classes, grammar units focus on the verb in all its forms, conversational Hebrew and writing style. Literature units concentrate on three different literary genres: drama, the short story and the ballad. These narrative and dramatic aspects of literature are explored through the works of Amir, Bialik, Tchernichovsky, and G. Shofman. Whereas regular classes will be introduced to representative abridgements of these works, honors classes take a more comprehensive approach, studying complete works in the original. Honors classes will also be required to do more independent work outside of class in terms of reading, critical analysis and creative writing.

JUNIOR YEAR

For the regular level classes, literature from the anthology Reut is studied. Different styles of prose and poetry are learned in depth.

In the honors classes, students are exposed to a variety of literary styles, genres and themes. Essays from Buber, journals and diaries from the Six Day War, and the lyrical poetry of Pagis and Yonatan are all presented. These students are also the ones usually primarily responsible for the writing, editing and publishing of the school's Hebrew newspaper, Toses. In past years, other classes have contributed articles both to this newspaper as well as the yearbook.

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