Hebrew Corner
Everything we use in class, in one place. Play with the letters, practice your prayer words, read along with the Sh'ma and the Amidah, and print worksheets to do at home.
Every section has worksheets
Look for the Print it box in each section. It has the worksheets that go with what you're learning, in color or black and white. You can also find them all on the Printables page.
New activities keep coming
Rabbi Ruth adds new practice and updates this site regularly, so come back to see what's new. Last updated: October 31, 2026.
Alef to Hey Playground
Start here. Flip cards, mix sounds, play games, and collect stickers while you learn your first five letters and the vowels.
Play → א–תThe whole alef-bet
All 22 letters, every vowel, and real words you can read after each group of letters.
Explore → מִלִּיםWords to know
68 Hebrew words you'll meet again and again in prayer. Flashcards that remember which ones you know.
Practice → שְׁמַעThe Sh'ma and V'ahavta
The most famous words in Jewish prayer, with syllables, transliteration, English, and sing-along videos.
Read along → עֲמִידָהThe Amidah
The first three blessings of the standing prayer, line by line.
Read along → ✎Printables
Coloring pages, bingo, and every handout as a PDF, in color or black and white.
Download →Go at your own pace and read out loud as much as you can. Every Hebrew reader started exactly where you are!
Alef to Hey Playground
Six activities, six stickers. Your stickers are saved on this device.
1Meet the letters Sticker earned
Hebrew reads from right to left, so start with the card on the right. Tap each card to flip it and meet the letter. Flip all six to earn your sticker.
The Torah begins with בּ (Bereshit, "In the beginning"), and the Ten Commandments begin with א (Anochi, "I am"). The rabbis also noticed that ג seems to step toward ד, like someone running to help a friend in need.
2Meet the vowels Sticker earned
Hebrew vowels are little dots and lines that sit under, over, or next to a letter. Many of them make the same sound, so they come in sound families. Pick a letter to put the vowels on, and try it with three different letters to earn your sticker.
Read the letter first, then the vowel: בַּ is b + ah, so you say "bah." Alef is quiet, so אַ is just "ah."
3Mix it! Sticker earned
Spin to get a surprise sound, or build your own by picking a letter and a vowel. Say it out loud first, then tap "Check" to see if you got it. Check five sounds to earn your sticker.
4Sound match Sticker earned
Ten rounds. Say the sound out loud, then tap the one that matches. Finish all ten to earn your sticker. Mistakes are fine. They're how you learn!
5Letter memory Sticker earned
Turn over two cards at a time and match each letter to its name. Watch out for בּ and ב: the only difference is the dot!
6Read real words Sticker earned
You can already read these real Hebrew words. Read each one out loud, then tap it to check. Check all six to earn your last sticker.
A ה at the very end of a word is silent. That's why הַגָּדָה ends with "dah," not "dah-h."
7Home practice: 5 sessions
Do one session each time you practice at home, about 10 to 15 minutes. Each session adds new vowels, and session 5 puts everything together. Finish all five activities in a session to earn its badge. Your progress is saved on this device.
You collected every sticker!
Mazal tov! You can read five letters, every vowel, and six real words. Next time: Vav, Zayin, Chet, Tet, and Yod.
The whole alef-bet
22 letters and a handful of vowel marks. Hebrew reads right to left, so the chart starts at the top right.
No capital letters. Vowels are marks under, over, or next to the letter. Five letters change shape at the end of a word: ך ם ן ף ץ. And every letter is also a number (the "value").
The letters
The vowels
Shown under the letter ב, with a siddur word that uses each one. Read the letter first, then the vowel.
| Vowel | Name | Sound | Siddur word |
|---|
Words you can read, group by group
After each group of letters, you can already read these real words. Read one out loud, then tap it to check.
Look-alikes to watch: ב and כ, ד and ר, ה and ח, ו and ז. The tiny differences matter!
Words to know
Take one set of 10 at a time. Practice with the flashcards, then play five word games to earn the set's stars.
All the words in this set
See all 68 words in alef-bet order
Like a mini dictionary. Tap any word to practice it on the flashcard.
The Sh'ma and V'ahavta
The Sh'ma comes from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4). Jews have said it every morning and every night for thousands of years. It starts with one word: listen.
Many people cover their eyes with their right hand while saying the first line. It shuts out everything else so you can really listen. And a mezuzah on a doorframe holds the words of the V'ahavta.
Hebrew: Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Masoretic text via Sefaria.
The Amidah: first three blessings
Amidah means "standing." We stand, take three steps back and three steps forward, and begin.
Challenge: turn off the sounds and see how far you can read on your own!
Printables
Every handout as a PDF. Pick "Color" to read on a screen, or "Black & white" for your printer at home.