Library
Pathfinders (bibliographies and more!)
Pathfinders are guides to books, films, cds, websites and other resources relating to a particular subject. This page will highlight various subject areas from our collection relating to a program, lecture or other event. For resource lists relating to holidays, please visit our Resources for Holidays page. An archive of pathfinders are found on the librarian's blog.
The Hebrew (or Jewish) calendar, originating in Babylonia, is based on the movements of both the sun and the moon. This calendar is still used today by Jews all over the world to note days, months, years, and observed holidays and festivals. This pathfinder provides material for teaching students, from pre-k to 12th grade, about the Hebrew calendar.
Pre-K to 3rd Grade
Books
Sper, E (2006). The kids' fun book of Jewish time. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights publishing
j.BM690.S7
This colorful picture book explains the yearly cycle of the Jewish calendar, dividing it into the Jewish day, week, month, and year. In addition it lists the months of Hebrew calendar and provides an explanation of the Hebrew dates. (Grades pre-k -1)
Ganz,Y.(1984). Follow the moon: A journey through the Jewish year. Jerusalem: Feldheim
Publishers Ltd.
This book describes each Hebrew month through both narratives and illustrations. Each description includes the month's number, the number of days in it, its "mazal" (zodiac), the meaning of its name, the weather in Israel during this month, Biblical events that have occurred during this month, and the holidays celebrated in it. (Grades 1-3)
Reudor (2000). The Hebrew Months Tell Their Story (Doodle Family) . Hong Kong: Pitspopany Press.
"The Doodle Family takes off on an expedition to discover the secret of the Jewish Months. They learn where the names of the Jewish months come from, how the symbols of the zodiac reveal the essence of each month, and how both the sun and the moon determine the seasons of the Jewish calendar" (book description-Amazon) (grades pre-k -2)
Songs and Crafts
Twelve Months by Naomi Shemer, one of Israel's most prominent songwriters. This song (in Hebrew) describes the months of the Jewish year. This song may be accompanied by a series of pictures (in English).
A colorful free Printable Hebrew Calendar that allows you to add your own pictures and photos.
4th to 6th Grade
The following links provide overviews as well as detailed explanations of the Hebrew Calendar:
7th to 12th Grade
This elaborate lesson plan teaches students about the Hebrew Calendar and its origins. Note: the plan can be saved in PDF format.
The following sites provide detailed explanations of the Hebrew Calendar. Topics discussed include the Hebrew calendar’s history, the days and months, dating and counting, the meaning of "Rosh Chodesh", and its lunar/solar basis.
The Luach-Jewish calendar -- Overview and detailed information on each month.
The Jewish Calendar -- Background, numbering, months and days of the Jewish calendar.
Counting the Years-How the Jewish year is numbered
Jewish calendar: Solar and lunar
Printouts and Pics
HebCal -- Create a free, customized Jewish calendar with holidays. This site also provides a Hebrew and Gregorian date converter.
Learning Hebrew
The library has a variety of resources for learning Hebrew. The following is a selection of items available in the library or online. If you would like to browse for in-library resources like books, CDs, DVDs and Videos go to the PJ 4000s which is where language resources are found.
Resources for Children
BOOKS
A child's picture Hebrew dictionary. by Ita Meshi j. PJ4529 .M4C5 Beginner.
Alph-bet: A Hebrew alphabet book. by Michelle Edwards. j. PJ4589 . E38 Beginner.
Aleph-bet Israel. by Galia Armeland. j. PJ4567 .A74 Beginner.
The first thousand words in Hebrew; with easy pronunciation guide. by Heather Amery j. PJ4529 .A7 Beginner.
Friends in Hebrew holidays in Hebrew (volumes 1-3). j. PJ4567 F71.
Let's learn Hebrew picture dictionary milon temunot Ivri-Angli. by Marlene Goodman j. PJ4567 .G6 Beginner.
My dictionary : Hebrew-English illustrated dictionary for children j. PJ4529 .M9 Beginner.
My first Hebrew alphabet book j. PJ4529 .L3 Beginner.
My first Hebrew word book. by Judye Groner and Madeline Wikler. j PJ4838.G76 2005 Beginner.
MULTIMEDIA
Alef bet adventure CD-ROM PJ4567 .A54.
The alef bet CD. KIDS CD MUSIC Fri.
Alef-bet schoolhouse collection CD-ROM PJ4567 .A55.
Hebrew tutor CD-ROM PJ4563 .H4 Ages 4-9.
Hineni Interactive CDs vol. 1-3. by Jeremy Poisson. CD-ROM PJ4567 .H5 Grades 3-7.
Its time to learn aleph bet CD-ROM PJ4563 .I77 Ages 4-9.
My Hebrew music teacher CD-ROM PJ4567 .M9.
Shalom Sesame, Disc 8 Grover learns Hebrew. KIDS' DVD DS126.51 v.8.
Shalom uvrachah interactive. CD-ROM PJ4567 .S55 Grades 2-4.
Smart start Hebrew CD-ROM PJ4563 .S57.
Ulpan alef interactive CD-ROM PJ4563 .U55.
WEBSITES
Akhalah; The Jewish Learning Network. Beginner ages 4-7.
Hebrew for Me Beginner ages 4-7. Drag and drop word games.
Jewish Education and Entertainment. Beginners. Games, quizzes, links to other sites.
Learn Hebrew with Pictures and Audio. Beginner vocab.See and hear words to learn them.
Resources for Adults
BOOKS
201 Hebrew verbs fully conjugated in all the tenses, alphabetically arranged. by Abraham S. Halkin. PJ4645 .H25.
Aleph Isn't Enough/Hebrew for Adults books 1 and 3. by Linda Motzkin. PJ4567.3 .M68.
Bet if for B'Reishit/Hebrew for Adults book 3. by Linda Motzkin. PJ4567.3 .M68 v.3.
Learn Hebrew today: Alef-Bet for adults. PJ4529 .P6 Beginner.
Modern Hebrew essential grammar. by Lewis Glinert. PJ4567.3 .G58.
While standing on one foot: learn the basics of Hebrew in one day. by Rabbi Noah Golinkin. PJ4567 .G6.
MULTIMEDIA
Ivrit min ha-hathalah, helek alef CD PJ4567.3 .I79 v.1 Phrases and conversational Hebrew.
Learning to Read Hebrew. CD ROM PJ4529 .L57.
Teach yourself to read Hebrew BOCD PJ4567 .S57 Discs and a book accompaniment.
WEBSITES
Aleph-Bet Flashcards. Beginner. Quizzes user on name, sound, value and significance.
Aleph-bet on the Net Beginner. Online tutorials, does not require Hebrew font to be installed on computer.
The Foundation Stone All levels. Downloadable software that was created for self-guided study.
Hebrew on the Web (UPenn) click the exercises link on the left Beginner to Intermediate. Downloadable lessons and online graded exercises.
Learn Hebrew @ Virtual Ulpan Beginner. Not much online yet, but new content is added regularly.
Stamford Hebrew Lessons Beginner. Exercises and videos.