Shalom Aleichem: Learn to Read the Hebrew Prayerbook (English and Hebrew Edition) [Paperback]

Noah Golinkin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0884826961 | ISBN-13: 978-0884826965 | Publication Date: June 1978

This is an excellent book to learn to read the siddur. Grammar and vocabulary are not taught; rather, a method of "sounding out" way of reading is taught. You learn a little bit each page and then build on that. Once this slim volume is mastered you will be able to read any prayer from the siddur. Understanding is a whole new issue but this book is amazing and quick. The biggest problem is the publisher has gone out of business and only limited copies are available.

Product Details

• Paperback: 77 pages
• Publisher: Hebrew Pub Co (June 1978)
• Language: English, Hebrew
• ISBN-10: 0884826961
• ISBN-13: 978-0884826965
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Learning and Teaching Resource, June 5, 2000

By 

J. Myska (Vienna, Virgina, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shalom Aleichem: Learn to Read the Hebrew Prayerbook (English and Hebrew Edition) (Paperback)

Shalom Aleichem is an excellent resource. It builds words and phrases in a very methodical fashion, working toward being able to read the Shabbat hymn "Shalom Aleichem" (hence the title). There are also reading exercises toward the end using other hymns and liturgy from the prayerbook. By the end of the book, a surprising repetoire of Hebrew words and phrases has been built - but be aware that this is primarily a "learning to make the right noises" (i.e. reading aloud) kind of book. It does not teach grammar or reading comprehension, except to the extent that the individual teacher will delve into those areas. Its main goal is to enable fuller participation in services.

I learned basic Hebrew reading skills from this book, and have taught adult Hebrew using it. The way the book builds words and concepts is effective and seems to work well for people. Folks that I know who have used other basic Hebrew books, and found the experience painful, like this one a lot. It prepared me for further studies in biblical Hebrew, and also prepares classes nicely for prayerbook Hebrew.

The only drawbacks are that the organization is, at times, awkward and the content sometimes seems a little jumbled, with little explanation. But these do not detract from the effeicacy of the book in any significant way. The teacher simply needs to be prepared for them.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first rate book for beginners of Hebrew, May 13, 2003

By 

Giles Becket (CINCINNATI, OHIO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shalom Aleichem: Learn to Read the Hebrew Prayerbook (English and Hebrew Edition) (Paperback)

I can't help wondering if Noah Golinkin ever taught music to beginners, for this book follows a similar process. However, instead of learning scales and other musical excercises that gradually build in complexity, you are dealing with the Hebrew alphabet in much the same way. At first, I was slightly perplexed when I opened the book. There are apparently no instructions or guide to how the "system" works. You get half a page of frighting looking Hebrew, and what looks like a song. Don't be discouraged, turn the page and get stuck right into pronouncing "M" in all its possible ways. By about the third or forth page you understand the methodology, and see the sense in it. Once you have finished going through this slim volume, turn back to the beginning, and go through it a second time. After this you will have no problems reading Hebrew. Of course, you may not fully understand what you are reading! But, that is another story, and fortunately there are plenty of books to help you translate what you can now pronounce. The main benefit is that you will not be left mumbling half remembered Hebrew prayers, and wondering where on the page you should be, whilst everyone around you appears to be fluent.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An essential tool in learning Hebrew, November 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Shalom Aleichem: Learn to Read the Hebrew Prayerbook (English and Hebrew Edition) (Paperback)

I am a convert to the religion, nothing helped my new hebrew skills more then this small book. I'd tried tapes and fancy computer programs but this is the thing that worked. If you are converting, learning, or mastering this book is GREAT