Your Key to a
culture
ABOUT US AND OUR MATERIALS
Jonathan and Ruth Paradise, although they were born in, and live in the United States, raised their three sons in Hebrew, believing that the Hebrew language is a crucial part of Jewish identity. Hebrew is used in many aspects of Jewish life, and to be truly immersed in that life, a knowledge of Hebrew is critically important. It is their belief that schools must maintain high standards for Hebrew, providing a challenging environment for the most capable of students, as well as promoting a positive learning atmosphere for students who have more difficulty learning new language skills. The materials developed by Jonathan and Ruth have been tested and are currently in use by both children and adult learners. Students eagerly proceed from lesson to lesson, enjoying the variety in the materials and the feeling of accomplishment upon completing a unit.
Dr. Jonathan Paradise (Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota) taught Modern and Biblical Hebrew language and literature courses, beginning through advanced, at the University of Minnesota. He pioneered in the development and teaching of ulpan courses at the university. He also taught courses in Biblical Studies and Assyriology. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He has experience teaching not only university age students, but students at the high school level as well.. Dr. Paradise was a member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Committee, which developed proficiency standards for Hebrew language learning. In his youth he served as a camp counselor, music counselor and camp director at a variety of Jewish camps, as well as working in leadership roles in Jewish youth organizations giving him a wide range of experience working with and teaching Jewish youth.
Ruth Paradise taught first and second year Hebrew in a three day a week synagogue school in Philadelphia, and served as the coordinator of the Synagogue Skills Program at Beth El Synagogue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In her youth she served as a camp counselor of teenage girls, a youth club leader and held many leadership positions in a Jewish youth organization. She studied Hebrew at the University of Pennsylvania, and took courses in Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem.
Jonathan and Ruth visit Israel frequently.
Workshops: An Adventure Through Hebrew
Dr. Paradise provides training on the integration of our textbook and software materials into classroom curriculums.
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