Chat groups Building bridges between Australia and Israel
Community hubs strengthening connections between the Diaspora and the Jewish homeland.
Hebrew conversation groups, once small and informal gatherings, have evolved into significant community hubs that strengthen connections between the Diaspora and the Jewish homeland.
These groups represent far more than casual language practice – they embody a grassroots revival that reconnects participants to their Jewish identity, heritage and the State of Israel at a time when such connections have never been more important.
Alon Cassuto, CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, sees Hebrew fluency as essential to Jewish peoplehood in the modern era.
“The rise of language groups reflects something deeper – a recognition that language isn’t just about words, but about identity, self-determination and an unbreakable connection to our people around the world,” Cassuto explained.
“At a time when some try to separate Judaism from Zionism, reducing it to just a religion, reclaiming our connection to Hebrew is a powerful response. We are a nation, a people, a religion and a culture, with a language that ties us together across time and place,” he said.
This perspective resonates with many participants across various Hebrew conversation groups that have sprouted throughout Melbourne in recent months, particularly since October 7, 2023.
In Melbourne,A has been pioneering Hebrew conversation groups in various forms since 2013.
Her motivation came after attending her brother’s wedding to a Sephardi Israeli and realising she “could hardly understand a word of the conversations” despite years of Hebrew education in Jewish schools.
Dissatisfied with formal community sessions that were “either too basic or just not much fun”, Kellman created an alternative approach – a social environment where language acquisition happens organically alongside community building.
What began as casual gatherings with “random Israelis” she met at dog parks has evolved into structured communities focused on both language improvement and friendship.
“We met at restaurants, watched TV series together in Hebrew, and did Shabbat meals together,” she recalled.
The social impact has extended far beyond language skills.
“Many people met their new circle of friends, their future housemates, their new boyfriends, and even their spouse at my Hebrew group,” Kellman said.
The groups have even celebrated the birth of children from parents who met through these cross-cultural exchanges.
As grassroots efforts gained momentum, synagogues across Melbourne have begun establishing their own Hebrew conversation circles.
At Beit Aharon Shule, Noga Mizrahi assists a thriving Hebrew circle with a different approach.
“It’s not really learning. We call it conversation,” explained Mizrahi, a native Hebrew speaker.
“I’m not a Hebrew teacher. Hebrew is my tongue, so we just have conversations.”
Her group, set up under the auspices of Rabbi Shamir Caplan, primarily consisting of synagogue members, meets regularly with structured topics ranging from childhood memories to travel experiences.
Mizrahi provides gentle corrections on grammar and vocabulary while facilitating natural conversation.
“Without going into all the politics surrounding Israel at the moment, the Hebrew language helps connect people to the country on a whole different level”, Mizrahi said.
Similarly, at Blake Street Synagogue, a newer initiative launched by Israeli shinshinim – young volunteers doing their year of overseas service – has quickly attracted 23 members.
While attendance fluctuates, Rabbi Noam Sendor reports that “the initial interest in the group is certainly a result of people wanting to strengthen their connection to Israel.”
The synagogue has adapted to diverse learning needs by splitting into two separate groups based on proficiency levels, with plans to expand to evening sessions to accommodate more participants.
Other Melbourne shules also have Hebrew groups, including St Kilda, East Melbourne, Sassoon Yehuda Sephardi Synagogue and Temple Beth Israel, all of which began this year or towards the end of last year as a direct response to October 7.
For Melbourne resident Alex Kats, whose involvement in various Hebrew groups spans more than 15 years, the value extends beyond linguistic improvement.
“Part of the reason why I keep pursuing it is although my Hebrew is okay, I am always looking to improve it,” Kats said.
“This is in part so that I understand the prayers better when I go to shule, but mostly so that I have a reasonable amount of fluency when I visit Israel, and to feel a deeper connection to the land and the people.”
The social dimension has proven equally significant.
“I have made very good friends through the various groups,” Kats explained.
Their gatherings have expanded from cafes and homes to include activities like bowling, dinners out and games nights – all conducted in Hebrew.
“That is when it feels even more authentic and connected – we are not only learning in a theoretical sense, but we are applying our knowledge in a practical sense,” he said.
For some participants, Hebrew conversation groups serve a more practical purpose: preparation for potential future life in Israel.
At Beit Aharon, participants cited various motivations when asked why they attend the weekly program.
One member stated plainly: “The reason is to prepare for the option of living in Israel. And I love Hebrew!”
Another participant, who recently retired, confessed, “As part of my connection and commitment to Israel, I have long felt it is very important for me to gain some degree of fluency with the language. Sadly, I have been very neglectful in that regard over many years. Now that I am retired I have no more excuses.”
For Mizrahi and others, Hebrew represents an irreplaceable link to Jewish heritage that transcends religious practice.
“No matter if you are totally not religious and you don’t do anything religious, you still have a connection to the ancient people because of the language that you use,” she said.
“How else can you experience connection to such ancient time, but not through language?” she added, highlighting that Hebrew was preserved but not actively spoken throughout most of the Diaspora experience until its modern revival.
Despite their success, these conversation groups face challenges. Rabbi Sendor notes that meeting the needs of diverse learners remains difficult, with participants ranging from complete beginners to those with solid foundations seeking to improve.
The demographic diversity is equally striking, spanning from retirees learning Hebrew for the first time to younger people considering aliyah and needing to upskill their language abilities.
Yet the enthusiasm remains undimmed.
As Israel celebrates another year of independence, these Hebrew conversation circles stand as living testaments to the enduring bond between Australian Jews and their ancestral homeland – one word, one conversation at a time.
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