We've always known that learning Hebrew is critical to living a learned Jewish life. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch--former Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary--once quoted a famous saying that studying Judaism without knowing Hebrew was like looking at a bride through a veil. You can't see the true beauty of Judaism without removing the veil imposed by translation. Thus, at Kadima, we focus upon Hebrew language so our students will graduate knowing Hebrew not only so they have a greater connection with the State of Israel, but so they can study Judaism in an academic and intellectually honest and personally meaningful way. Through this study, we hope, our students will engage Judaism, love it, and live it.
It turns out, however, the learning a second language has other benefits, too. As the Los Angeles Times reports:
Does being bilingual help children learn to prioritize information, provide a defense against some effects of Alzheimer's or just provide a great workout for the brain?
All of the above, according to studies discussed Friday at the 2011 American Assn. for the Advancement of Science meeting in Washington D.C., where a number of researchers presented on the benefits of being bilingual.
You can read the whole story, here.
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