On Wednesday, Yeshiva University High School for Boys’ 11th grade “Meet the Israeli Author” elective kicked off its first formal class. “Meet the Israeli Author” is a Hebrew elective course for motivated Hebrew language students and budding Hebrew writers. Throughout the year, students will be participating in monthly “virtual workshops” with award-winning Israeli author Ms. Chana Bat Shahar, which will be conducted entirely in Hebrew. Between the workshops, the class meets with the course’s Hebrew teacher Morah Haibi, to prepare for the monthly sessions and work Hebrew short story compositions.
At the first session with Ms. Bat Shahar, last year’s students joined the class to receive Volume 5 of the Hebrew Language Journal; the journal was published at the end of last year and includes their original short stories. After speeches from Mrs. Rosenberg, Director of Hebrew Language, and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Taubes, the alumni were given the published journal, which is now in the school’s publications room and archives at the National Library of Israel.
Ms. Bat Shahar said a few encouraging words to the alumni, and began to speak with the current class about the workshop. She instructed the class about her method of writing and gave pointers on how to craft the beginning of a fictional story. Ms. Bat Shahar also spoke about her life and writing.
As they compose their short stories, the students will meet with Morah Haibi and Ms. Bat Shahar who will mentor them in the classroom and through Skype sessions.
By Jack Alkhabaz (‘17)
