Some of my students are very “strict” when it comes to learning Hebrew, and therefore prefer not to watch content with Hebrew subtitles. But my philosophy of learning a language is finding the balance between absorbing the language, and being exposed to it, with enjoying the process so in the long run – you enjoy it.
Which is exactly why I recommend watching Hebrew content with English subtitles to help you learn, understand, and fully experience the Israeli great content.
Some people look for content in Hebrew on TV or music and that is great, but I recommend to first of all look for content with subtitles too, so you won’t be too frustrated with the speed, the amount of unknown words etc.
Personally, I learned a lot of Spanish from watching shows in Spanish with Hebrew subtitles. Out subconscious is pretty amazing, and even if we read the subtitles, the language is still getting in.
And even if it is slowly, one word at a time, I think that it is better than feeling frustrated. Positive experiences with the language motivates us, consciously and unconsciously, to continue.
So, after this long opening, here are some links I collected of Hebrew content with English subtitles:
1. The Jews are Coming:
Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVCs1YPk1jU
2. Israeli songs with Hebrew subtitles
A Youtube list that someone nice already prepared 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUgCUgDUBmA&list=PL1WC0PL2DeIVjVwcYgdtTe80V-UhLomRk&ab_channel=OrlyYahalom
3. Two poetry books with both English and Hebrew:
One of my favorite poets, Yehuda Amichai, has two books that are collecting his love songs from his books, and – translated to Egnlish. So it is in both languages, which is not a bad way to get to know with one of Israel’s great poets and learn beautiful Hebrew words that you won’t hear in “normal” conversations.
You can purchase it in thess links:
https://shorturl.at/cvwFU
https://shorturl.at/hCHSU
4. Sallah Shabati
A classical Israeli movie from 1964, comic and satiric, about the chaos of Israeli immigration and resettlement, as well as the issues Mizrahi Jews faced in the developing Israeli society.
Here’s a link to download the full movie, with English subtitales:
https://archive.org/details/Salah.Shabati.Israeli
5. Aharoni & Gidi’s Wonderful Journey
an Israeli documentary-reality TV series that explores and studies cultures, their history, religion, ceremonies and geography, through their reflection in the local food. The series follow Gidi Gov and Yisrael Aharoni through various countries all around the world.
Here’s a link to one episode with English subtitles:
an Israeli documentary-reality TV series that explores and studies cultures, their history, religion, ceremonies and geography, through their reflection in the local food. The series follow Gidi Gov and Yisrael Aharoni through various countries all around the world.
Here’s a link to one episode with English subtitle
6. A documentary film – I saw Giraffes in India
“The Giraffes”, a wild Israeli Folk-Rock band, go on a magical musical tour across India with an intended climax show in Goa. But the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai take the journey off-track and send the band on a search for the thousands of Israeli backpackers who fled Goa in fear of another attack. A musical portrait of the band and their charismatic lead singer, Gilad Kahana – a Rock star, poet and compulsive workaholic – who leads their attempt to change the Karma of the tour. Or as a dusty, barefoot Indian asked them in the beginning of the journey: “What is Karma?”
You can combine Hebrew learning with getting to know an amazing Israeli band!
7. Israeli Love Song Playlist on Youtube
Not a lot to explain. Just click on this link and explore 🙂
8. Learn Hebrew from Cartoons
Someone actually took an old cartoon that every Israeli kid in the 90′ used to watch, and created an explained version for Hebrew learners. I haven’t watched it, but did see that this video has a lot of views, so it might do a good job. I recommend you to check it out 🙂
