Yalla: Learning Hebrew with Steph

Israel goes to the polls on 27 October, so in this episode I explain how elections for the Knesset actually work: parties instead of local candidates, the electoral threshold, coalitions, and what happens on election day. Along the way we learn all the Hebrew words you'll hear in the news this month, from mandatim to kalpi. This episode is completely impartial and we only talk about how the system works.

Website: www.hebrew-with-steph.com

In this episode, we're talking about food culture in Israel, not recipes or specific dishes, but everything that happens around the food. We look at what makes food Israeli in the first place, what it's like to eat out there, and how food delivery became such a big part of everyday life in Israeli cities.

England is in the middle of its fifth heatwave of the summer, so when a listener sent me a report from Israel's Meteorological Service, I knew exactly what this episode had to be about. We talk about heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, how the weather shifts from snow in Tzfat to sunshine in Eilat, and what an unusually strong El Niño could mean for rain in Israel this winter.

For transcripts and more, visit my website: www.hebrew-with-steph.com

A short bonus episode about the World Cup, or "ha-Mundial". In this episode of Yalla: Learning Hebrew with Steph, I explain where the Hebrew word comes from and why so many Israelis are cheering for Argentina this year.

Ever wonder how a language that wasn't spoken for 2,000 years became the daily language for 9 million people today? In this episode of Yalla: Learning Hebrew with Steph, we dive into the fascinating story of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the man who planted the seeds for the revival of Modern Hebrew.

In this episode, we explore how Israel became known as the "Start-Up Nation" and how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world. Along the way, we unpack the Hebrew (and borrowed-from-English) vocabulary of tech, the army units behind Israel's startups, famous "exits" like Waze and Wiz, and the real pros and cons of AI.

Why do Hebrew and English share some idioms exactly, while others use a completely different image for the same idea? In this episode I compare nine Hebrew idioms with their English cousins, from "to walk on eggs" and "to break your head" to "light at the end of the tunnel", and explain why learning idioms means letting go of word-for-word translation.

In this episode, I take you to Eilat, my favourite city in Israel and the place where my husband Alon grew up. From snorkelling in the Red Sea and trips into the desert, to Timna Park, tax-free shopping, and the views across to Jordan and Egypt, I share why this southern city feels like a second home.

Website: www.hebrew-with-steph.com

In this episode, I share the resources and methods I personally use to practice all four skills in Hebrew - listening, reading, speaking, and writing. From YouTube channels and podcasts to newspapers and creative uses of ChatGPT, I break down what works for me at each stage. Whether you're a beginner looking for direction or an advanced learner struggling to find good materials, this episode is full of practical recommendations you can start using today.

Website: www.hebrew-with-steph.com

In this episode of "Yalla: Learning Hebrew with Steph," I dive into the world of Hebrew slang. I explore how Arabic and Yiddish have influenced modern Hebrew, explain the varied uses of common slang like "Yalla" and "Balagan," and clarify those tricky phrases where the literal translation differs from colloquial meaning, such as "Al ha'panim" and "Sof ha'derech."