I'm very thankful for a wonderful opportunity to learn from the GREATEST TEACHERS IN THE WORLD!!!! Ulpan Morasha is the only place in my life, where I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE EVERYTHING!!!! I enjoy every second of my being there!!! I started to learn Hebrew from a scratch, but now I can speak it well and make myself understood. I will never ever forget the experience I received here; I'll never ever forget all the wonderful people - both teachers and students - that I met here...The only thought of having only two weeks left makes me unbelievably sad... Whoever comes to Israel from my country, I would strongly recommend them to study at Morasha!!!! That's really a great experience!!!! Dear Morasha, I wish you prosperity, success and many-many-many more great students!!!! With gratitude and love to all of you,

–Alexandra

15.01.2012

             Dear Ulpan Morasha

Thank you so much for teaching us Hebrew;

Places like Morasha are far too few.

With you great method and teaching team,

You are an asset to Israel, especially olim.

Tamara taught us by ear to learn,

By repetition each at his turn.

You explained so clearly and with great skill,

We’ll never forget to drill and drill.

Encouragement is a gift Israela possesses.

With her warm heart each day she blesses.

Humor and patience are tools you used,

So giving up was something we refused.

 When Yehudit taught us gentle and kind,

“Is she really a Sabra?” once crossed our mind.

With words your passion is to be precise

While firm, quick-thinking and always concise.

With Orna we were in the speaking business;

The lesson was never one of “hit-or-miss”

Teaching with dedication, strength and quick wit,

You kept us focused to learn not a little bit.

Fina taught us although she joked;

With half the cass, fun she poked.

Juan got pregnant; Albert had a cow,

Hannah lit the ulpan; but we learned somehow.

With gratitude and best wishes for you all,

–Kerry, Sandy and Tasha.

30.06.2011

Everyone told me Ulpan Morasha was the best. Now, looking back through the telescope of my personal experience, I can agree with them wholeheartedly. The reason is, I believe, because there is a lot of focus on actually speaking. Since Day 1, we (the students) have been speaking Hebrew. Sometimes the phrases were almost literally wrenched from our unwilling lips, but in time, our mouths became accustomed to the different sounds and pronunciation used in this language.

Another facet of the ulpan was the breakneck pace. I felt, even on the very first day, as though I had jumped into a swift, strong, and utterly foreign current of education - it was a struggle to keep up. We learned the entire alphabet in ONE DAY, for goodness' sake! With the immense input of information, my brain was totally fried and useless after about half an hour. Gradually, though, things changed. The brain, like any other muscle in our bodies, when stretched and exercised, becomes stronger and more capable. Within about a week or two, I was able to stay focused and retain most of what we learned each day. This is a good lesson for all of us: don't give up, just because it's hard. Things will seem easier if you stick to the task.

Most of all, the thing I liked the best about Ulpan Morasha was their focus on the structure of the Hebrew language. We didn't learn a mere mountain of words, through which we had to pick and choose when trying to form sentences or thoughts. Rather, we were taught the foundation and root-system of the language, so that we would understand its very essence and functionality. We were taught how to USE Hebrew, not just how to say things. Now, back in the States, I can recognize the structure behind a word, and can use it in all tenses, whether or not I learned it in ulpan. This amazes me. The logic of Hebrew is easily grasped and, once certain things are memorized and taken to heart, it becomes simple to understand what's going on.

I would, of course, highly recommend the ulpan to anyone interested in learning Hebrew. The teachers are absolutely fantastic - I couldn't have chosen better myself. Their passion, dedication, and patience is admirable, and I look forward to continuing my studies with them in the future. Someday. :-)

So, todah rabbah, Ulpan Morasha! Ani achzor!

–Julianna Squicciarini

6.02.11

Dear ulpan teachers,THANK YOU all so much for a wonderful experience, for your inspiring teaching, proffesionalism, positive attitudes  and senses of humour. As a music teacher in South Africa I know how difficult it is to maintain all of these qualities-and you are all amazing.                    I will  אף פעם לא  forget  my time here in Israel which has been edified and enriched by studing at Morasha.

                                                                       much love and blessings ,      

–katharine (South Africa)

24.01.11

I made aliya from America in March 2010 and completed the 5 month course in October 2010. Because of my home situation, I haven't had much practice yet. However, This past Shabbat (Chaya Sorah)I gave a d'var Torah at my shul in Hebrew. The kehila was surprised and impressed. A few people said that my Ulpan teachers would be proud, and one woman who has taught in the local Ulpan here in Gush Etzion said that mine (Morasha) was a very good Ulpan. You can't imagine the happiness and pride that I felt in being able to accomplish that. Thank you to all of you wonderful teachers who cared so very much and taught us so well. You are a very special group of teachers. Thank you also to the administrators and staff who give the teachers the support to perform their special magic.

–Mel Weiss

3.11.10

–Lara Berman (US)

14.10.10

Hi, my name is Marco Orga. I immigrated to Israel in 2007. Since I arrived, it was clear to me that learning Hebrew was the key to successfully integrate into the Israeli society and eventually feel completely at home in the land of my ancestors. Keeping this in mind, I set out to find the best Ulpan in Jerusalem, where I could get the best results in the shortest possible time. I checked some of the main Ulpans around and was not totally convinced by any of them. Some were too expensive, some offered classes only a few hours a week and most were based on an academic style of teaching Hebrew, were grammar, reading and writing are emphasized over talking. Lacking other choices, I was about to register to one of these Ulpans, when a friend of mine (Jenni, in case you get to read this… THANKS!) recommended me to learn in Ulpan Morasha. She told me that after years in the Land, and after passing through several Ulpans in the city, she still felt weak in her everyday communicating ability and that only after joining and completing the five months intensive program at Morasha, she was able to communicate in Hebrew. I took her advice, registered at Morasha and completed the five month program. Looking back now, I can tell you that that joining Morasha was the best decision I made at the time and one that has already opened me many doors in Israel with regards to work, friendships, service etc… Not retracting in any way from the academic quality of the other Ulpans, and based on my personal experience, here are the reasons why I think Ulpan Morasha is the best option for those interested in learning to speak modern Hebrew as fast as possible: • In Morasha you will continue to learn Hebrew grammar, writing and reading, but emphasis will be placed everyday on speaking the language. • The program is one of the most intensive around. Five months, five days a week, from 8:00 am – 12:45 pm (with a 30 minute break in the middle, of which you will be very glad of…). • The program is one of the most affordable in town, given the amount of hours you will spend in class. • The teachers are very good and very caring. They will sometimes push you almost to the breaking point, but it is all because they really care about you learning and succeeding in Israel. Some advices for a successful experience to those thinking on registering: • DO YOUR HOMEWORK every day. If you master the new vocabulary and grammar rules taught every day, you will learn the language very quickly. (this should take less than one and a half hours every night) • Don’t be afraid to speak. The faster you lose your fear of making mistakes the better. • Classes start at 9:00 am, but come at 8:00 and do the morning homework; it will help you throughout the class. • When questions are directed at other students, answer them quietly to yourself, this way you will constantly test and force yourself to think and answer in Hebrew throughout the 3+ hours of interactive class. • Try not to miss classes, the pace is very quick. If you miss a week you might not be able to keep up with the class afterwards. • When you feel overwhelmed by the material, don’t give up! It is actually getting into your head somehow, even if you don’t realize it… keep pushing! • Don’t take yourself or your mistakes too seriously, relax, have fun and enjoy the class, it will help you learn quicker. • The teachers are actually very sweet… even though some time they may seem like sergeants pushing a new group of recruits! They really care about you. • Have fun! And (like that local songs says…:) ‘Speak the language of the Hebrew man!’ Marco

–Marco Orga

18.10.10