biblical hebrew classes

“For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of YHWH, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my worshippers (atahrai), even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring forth mine offering. ” - Zeph. 3.9-10

Greetings of Shalom

from Morah Makedah

Thanks for your interest! My name is Morah Makedah (a.k.a. Queen Makedah), and I am a certified, fluent, and caring Hebrew instructor who strives to provide quality, challenging, and fun Hebrew instruction to my students, using social learning, digital/print resources, and culturally relevant content in a relaxed and supportive online learning environment.  Read more about my experience here in my online instructor bio and see student testimonials and sample lesson links here.

Zephaniah 3.9-10 inspired me to offer Hebrew classes to assist the lost tribes of Israel from the African diaspora to achieve fluency in biblical and conversational Hebrew.
I look forward to seeing you in class!  

Blessings! Morah Makedah

ABOUT BIBLICAL HEBREW 101 COURSE 

The Biblical Hebrew 101 Course (Lashon HaKodesh) uses the Motzkin Biblical Hebrew textbook series to teach reading and comprehending the Hebrew Tehillim (psalms), Siddur prayers and Torah through using the primary texts themselves - Hebrew prayers like the Shema, Ashrei (Ps. 145), the Priestly Blessing and later actual passages from the Torah.   This will give a strong foundation to students who wish to pray, praise/worship in Hebrew, read, study and understand Torah in congregation or at home.  It will also support learning in modern conversational and more advanced Biblical Hebrew classes.

COURSE OVERVIEW:

BIBLICAL HEBREW 101 COURSE OVERVIEW

w/Morah Makedah

CALENDAR:

  • Book I | Alef Isn’t Tough: *9/7 - 11/16 2025 (High Holy Day break 10/05, 10/12) 
  • Book II | Alef Isn’t Enough: *11/23 - 1/25 2025 (Break 01/04) 
  • Book III | Bet is for B’reshit: *2/1 - 3/29 2026 (Pesach Break 04/1, 4/8) 
  • Book IV | Tav is for Torah: *4/12 - 5/31 2026  (Shavuote Break 05/24) 

****Summer Vacation Begins 6/1/2026***

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BIBLICAL HEBREW 101, PART I (COMBO CLASS - ALL LEVELS) 

Book I | Alef Isn’t Tough: 9/7 - 11/16 2025, Sundays, 12:30 pm EST on Zoom

Goals and objectives: 

  1. Beginning students will learn how to pronounce Hebrew letters and vowels and the fundamental tools to read words - blending sounds and decoding Hebrew words - enabling them to begin recognizing biblical vocabulary and reading over thirty essential Hebrew blessings and prayers such as the Priestly Blessing (Nu. 6:24-26) and the Veyichulu (Genesis 2:1-3).  
  2. More advanced students will use the course to review:
  • Grammar rules of biblical Hebrew for more correct reading practice
  • Reading fluency of excerpts from Tehillim, Torah and prayerbook excerpts
  • Vocabulary - common Biblical Hebrew root words and vocabulary
  • Writing practice - both block and script

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BIBLICAL HEBREW 101, PART II (All levels)

Book II | Alef Isn’t Enough: 11/23 - 1/25 2025, Sundays, 12:30 pm EST on Zoom

Goals and objectives:  Students will continue reading practice and writing exercises using prayers from Torah and the Siddur.  Students will increase reading fluency,  comprehension, translation skills, root word recognition through other common Shabbat/Holy Day prayers, blessings, psalms such as the Shema (Dt. 6.4-9) and the Amidah (a prayer from 2nd Temple period).

  • Build reading fluency and comprehension through alef-bet review
  • Read common blessings and prayers for Shabbat/Holy Days
  • Solidify reading ability 
  • Writing block and script letters
  • Enhance vocabulary learning 20 root words
  • Increase familiarity with roots 
  • Develop translation skills  
  • Grammar rules

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BIBLICAL HEBREW 101, PART III (All Levels)

Book III | Bet is for B’reshit: *2/1 - 3/29 2026,  Sundays, 12:30 pm EST on Zoom

Goals and objectives:  Linda Motzkin, in coordination with the URJ Hebrew Literary Task Force, uses her tried-and-true methods to build upon the knowledge developed in Books 1 and 2. Students will expand their grammar, vocabulary and comprehension by translating prayer books and biblical texts. Each chapter provides a range of different Torah texts for comparison. Extra enrichment material, such as commentary on the Torah selections, is provided as well.  This combination of exercises and stimulating content is the key to the success of this series. Bet Is for B'reishit challenges students to learn while providing interesting subject matter to keep them motivated. With additional resources like a full glossary, verb lists and grammar charts, Bet Is for B'reishit is the next step for any adult on the path to becoming Hebrew-literate.

  • Read Biblical Hebrew passages & prayers with more fluency/ease
  • Increase vocabulary for greater comprehension
  • Learn basic grammar rules, sentence structure, parts of speech, root words, frequently used vocabulary
  • Connect Biblical Hebrew to everyday conversation
  • Translation of biblical text

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BIBLICAL HEBREW 101, PART IV  (All Levels)

Book IV | Tav is for Torah: 4/12 - 5/31 2026, Sundays, 12:30 pm EST on Zoom

Goals and objectives:  Tav Is for Torah picks up where Bet Is for B'reishit leaves off. In this fourth book in Linda Motzkin's Hebrew for Adults series, students will put all of the skills they have learned to use. Through translation exercises, students will expand their vocabulary and strengthen their grammar skills. Since the beginning, the Hebrew for Adults series has used prayer books and Torah texts to create fun and interesting activities. This has given the students not only a motivating way to learn Hebrew, but also a wealth of historical knowledge. Tav Is for Torah is designed to enable Hebrew-literature adults to become students of Torah.  

TUITION:  

For BIBLICAL HEBREW 101 (and/or conversational), the fee is $65/monthly or yearly paid through GOLD PATREON SUBSCRIPTION on the instructor's Patreon site.   (It does not include textbooks/curriculum.)  Family options and annual rates available at 15% off.  NOTE:  Patrons at GOLD level or above receive an all-access pass to both biblical and conversational Hebrew tracks.

In order to fully register for the course, you need to:

  • SUBSCRIBE TO PATREON  - Tuition for all Hebrew classes (Biblical Hebrew 101 and/or Modern Conversational Ulpan Or) for the Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Academic Year is $65/month (Gold subscription) or yearly at a 15% discount.  You can SUBSCRIBE HERE:  www.patreon.com/queenmakedah.  Please note, tuition allows you an all access pass to both Biblical and Conversational.  Students interested in conversational should write Morah Makedah upon sign-up for proper placement.  Tuition does not include curriculum/textbook fees.  Once you register, you will receive access to all related class materials. 

REGISTRATION:  Registration officially opens September 1st, 2025.  For students who are already patrons, you can upgrade your subscription after September 1st. Visit the instructor's Patreon Site here to subscribe and receive links to all all related course materials in your welcome letter.   UPGRADE: For instructions on upgrading your account, visit this link here.