How do you pronounce the gender-neutral Hebrew name Shachar (aka Dawn)?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? Shachar שַׁחַר means “dawn” and is the root of a Jewish word you […] The post How to Pronounce Shachar / Shahar / Dawn in Hebrew first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

How do Jews pronounce Chana / Hana / Hannah?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? Chana חַנָּה is a very common Hebrew name for Jewish girls and women, both in […] The post How to Pronounce Chana / Hannah in Hebrew? first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

How do Jews pronounce Rivka in Hebrew and/or Yiddish?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? Rivka רִבְקָה is a very common Jewish/Hebrew name in both Israel and the Jewish diaspora. […] The post How to Pronounce Rivka / Rifka in Hebrew first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

How do Jews pronounce the name Chava (aka Eve) in Hebrew and/or Yiddish?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? Hava חַוָּה is the name Eve in English and is the […] The post How to Pronounce Chava / Hava / Eve in Hebrew first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

How do Jews pronounce the name Abraham / Avraham?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? In Hebrew, Abraham becomes Avraham אַבְרָהָם. The b and v are sibling sounds and are […] The post How to Pronounce Avraham / Abraham in Hebrew first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

How do Jews pronounce Sarah in Hebrew and/or Yiddish?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? Sara שָׂרָה is generally believed to mean “princess” but can also mean noblewoman or lady. […] The post How to Pronounce Sarah in Hebrew first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

How do Jews say “amen”?? This is part of a new series – How to Speak “Jewish”! Share in the comments your ideas and/or needs down in the comments! Which words or phrases trip you up? Amen אָמֵן means verily or truly, and is derived from the Hebrew word aman אָמַן, which means to confirm […] The post How to Pronounce Amen / Amein in Hebrew first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

Shalom, chaverim! What does that even mean?? Find out here, and get some encouragement along the way. The post Defining “Shalom, Chaverim” & Some Encouragement! first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

A very simple guide to pronouncing the female Hebrew name Kochava, however you spell it — Kochavah, Koḥava, Koḥavah, כּוֹכָבָה, כוכבה. It is a female derivation of the Hebrew word for “star” (כוכב, kochav) and is a modern Hebrew/Israeli name. Whether you’re looking for Hebrew names for yourself or a baby, this is a great […] The post How to Pronounce the Hebrew Name Kochava first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more

However you spell it, there’s only one way to pronounce Hanukkah / Chanukah in Hebrew! How do you spell it?? Hanukkah, Hanukah, Hanukka, Hanukah, Chanuka, Chanukka, Channuka, Channukah, Chanukkah, etc etc etc, whatever new spelling someone makes up in English. Share your preferred spelling in the comments below! Chanukah חֲנוּכָּה means “dedication” in Hebrew and […] The post How to Pronounce Chanukah / Hanukkah first appeared on Building a Jewish Life ..read more