Hebrew Resources

DICTIONARIES

Morfix. Easily the most popular English/Hebrew online translator. This dictionary is excellent because it provides:

• nikud (ניקוד – the Hebrew vowel system of dots and dashes which is excluded from normally written Hebrew), making it easier to learn pronunciation
• all possible translations of the word you’ve written
• possible alternate searched-for words if the word you’re searching for is misspelled
• games and quizzes
• slang

Hebrew-Verbs: Morphological lists of hundreds of common verbs. Whenever there’s a tricky verb I’m not sure how to conjugate, I look here. The root, mood, person, and number of every verb form is listed.

The Hebrew Word of the Day is a feature on Haaretz, a major Israeli newspaper. It’s all written in English (the Hebrew is transliterated), and traces the history of certain Hebrew words.

The words picked by journalists Shoshana Kordova and Elon Gilad are unique, interesting, and quite clever. Many of their journeys begin with Jewish linguists struggling to create modern Hebrew words. Their choices? Evolve Talmudic Hebrew, Hebraize foreign words, or straight-up steal them.

(some articles are locked to non-subscribers, but plenty are free to the public.)

 

PODCASTS

Streetwise Hebrew. 5-10 minute, bite-sized podcasts on common Hebrew: stuff you’ll hear all the time, but can’t easily translate. The host, Guy, keeps his lessons to the point and uses Israeli music to illustrate the Hebrew.  All the words/phrases taught in the podcast, as well as all the song titles, are listed below the audio of every podcast.

TV SHOWS

Every TV show in Israel is aired with Hebrew subtitles (perhaps because there are so many immigrants?), giving learners an excellent opportunity to improve their reading skills. Many shows can be watched online at MakoTV.

Comedy:

Ramzor (רמזור – traffic light) – a really witty, extremely Israeli comedy about 3 friends going through all phases of their relationships.

Here Come the Jews! (הינה באים היהודים!) – a new sketch comedy which was delayed because it satirized some touchy events: Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, Israeli hostage situations, etc. But man, it’s hilarious.

Other comedy shows: Wonderful Israel (ארץ נהדרת, Eretz Nehederet), The Parliament (הפרלמנט, HaParlament), Ridicule Work (צחוק מעבודה) , Situation of the Nation (מצב האומה).

Drama:

Zaguri Imperia (זגורי אימפריה): a show about a Moroccan-Israeli family pitted against each other due to a condition in their grand/father’s will concerning the family falafel stand. It’s mainly drama, but also pretty cheeky.

RADIO

Galgalatz Radio. The national radio station, playing both Israeli and international music.