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Dateline Jerusalem — I have been in Israel a year and a half and I still do not know how to
speak Hebrew. I can read it but I do not have the vocabulary to know what I am reading.
When I do utter a few words, no one understands me because my pronunciation is so bad. I
work for an American company. So I only speak English on the job. I belong to an "Anglo"
synagogue. The people there speak English even though the services are conducted in
Hebrew. I know how to read the letters, so I am able to follow along. And, because I
have been praying for so many years, I do know enough words in Hebrew to
figure out what it is all about.
Hebrew, Arabic and English are the main languages of Israel. How do I know that?
All the street signs are in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Standing on Corner, Watching All Signs Go By
However, depending on which corner you are standing, the English spelling of the
street sign will be different than on the sign across the road.
I have noticed lately when I call somewhere, messages are in Hebrew and Russian.
What happened to the Arabic and English?
Now I automatically press "1," which is the number for Hebrew, and when someone gets
on the line, I ask if they speak English. They usually say no. But I keep talking in English,
and they finally find someone who will speak to me.
At the bank they used to tell me they couldn't speak English. But now they know me, and they
speak to me in English.
At the market, the cashiers recognize me. Automatically, they know to fill out paperwork so
that my groceries can be delivered to my home. I do not even have to tell them
anymore. In fact, today they were asking me about Hebrew words and their equivalent
in English.
I, in turn, asked them for the words in Russian since that is what they speak
among themselves. I think I will probably learn Russian faster than Hebrew. Also at the
market, the mashgiach (rabbi who is in charge of making sure everything is kept kosher)
communicates with me in Yiddish. I am pretty good at faking it because I took
German in high school.
I Am Really Just a Newcomer
I have a friend who has lived in Israel 30 years and still cannot speak Hebrew.
She started telling people that she has only been here a couple of years, but now she
tells people she has only been here 6 months because she is embarrassed that she
never learned the language.
Of course, they know the truth. After 30 years, people are bound to recognize you.
People keep asking me how long I have been here. I say I am here "just one year." Still,
they look at me like I am stupid because I do not know how to speak yet.
Considering I graduated from UCLA, and I have been an attorney for over 20 years, I know
I am not stupid. But I definitely believe I have some kind of mental block with languages.
This morning in the elevator, some people were speaking Spanish. I said, "Buenos dias."
Then I had a mental block when they responded in Spanish.
I have learned that the best way to communicate is to use sign language. Not the
official sign language taught in schools, but my personal sign language of using my
hands to point to things.
It is sort of like the game "Charades," just not as sophisticated. Whatever, I seem to
get by. Perhaps by the time I am here 30 years, G-d willing, I might actually know more than my friend.
Today everyone in Israel should know English because it is taught in Israeli schools.
L'hitraot. Shachar
Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who moved to Israel last year.
