A Hebrew Lesson

The process of learning a language is always fraught with humor, frustration—and pantomime. A Hebrew Lesson opens with a scene that might seem familiar, as Yoela, the teacher at a Hebrew immersion class (or ulpan) in Tel Aviv, introduces herself in Hebrew relying on simple body language. Her students are Oleh Chadashim, “New Ascenders,” who have come to Israel from all five continents, with different backgrounds, religions and reasons for being in Israel. Yoela, who was once in the same position herself, approaches her students from a place of empathy and love. The course, intended to cushion the difficulties of integration into a new culture, serves as a springboard to explore the complexities of immigration in an often contradictory society. Divided into five monthly segments, the film explores Israeli diversity as it seamlessly interweaves five students’ stories of struggle and joy. A former lawyer in Russia, Sasha now pays the rent by working as a dishwasher, while he desperately tries to reconnect with his daughter. The story of Chin, a Chinese immigrant who served as a maid then married her boss, goes beyond the obvious and becomes a story of multicultural love. Dong Dong, once a filmmaker for Chinese television, breaks down in class after visiting illegal Chinese workers on a not-so-happy Chinese New Year. The intimate gaze of David Ofek’s lens sensitively handles the melting pot of Israeli society. Through the eyes of foreigners, the film offers an examination of the ulpan, an Israeli institution through which thousands of students pass every year.

From 2008 Festival: Director, Israel David Ofek, a graduate of the ”Sam Spiegel" Film School in Jerusalem, was awarded the Wolgin Prize in the past for his short films ”Home“ and ”Hi-Tech Dreams". Co-creator of the popular TV series ”Bat-Yam—New-York“ and “Melanoma my Love,“ Ofek directed the film ”No. 17“ which won the Israeli Academy Award for ”Best Documentary“ as well as other international Awards.