Alef-Bet: A Hebrew Primer [Paperback]

Abraham Shumsky (Author), Adaia Shumsky (Author), Marilyn Bass (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: UAHC Press (October 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807400262
• ISBN-13: 978-0807400265
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,292,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent first introduction to Hebrew., January 12, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alef-Bet: A Hebrew Primer (Paperback)

This book is perfect for an English-speaking adult gentile wishing to encounter Hebrew. I learned the alef-bet (alphabet), including the daunting vowels, with relative ease. The vocabulary is simple enough to be effective, and the use of religious references gives it depth. Simplicity is defined in this case as: Everything I needed was present and sufficient with the application of effort and practice.

The Shumskys present it as "A Hebrew Primer" and it is exactly that. The Marilyn Bass art is clever and effective, although occasionally I could not tell if a child was a boy or a girl.

The test of this book came when I recited a blessing for a Rabbi and he offered two corrections and otherwise praised my effort.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alef Bet is a great book, April 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Alef-Bet: A Hebrew Primer (Paperback)

I was surprised at how easy it was to learn the alef bet. This book is excellent! It teaches each letter and the vowel points phonectically. I think this book would be great for any adult wishing to learn the very basics of hebrew. Although I'm sure it would be a great book for children in elementary school also. The only problem I had with the book is that it introduces many words with letters that it hasn't taught you yet. Which makes reading those words difficult. Overall, I highly recommend this book. I plan to buy the next book in the series, Olam Gadol. So it must be a good book! :)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start, November 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Alef-Bet: A Hebrew Primer (Paperback)

Although I'm an adult learner, I didn't find this kids' book at all inappropriate. The lessons are presented clearly, with pictures and lots of exercises to practice what you learn in several different ways. I learned a lot and am ready to get the next book.