Overcoming the Hebrew Hurdle!
- Rivka Lebrett
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Learning Hebrew is one of the more significant obstacles that all olim face when moving to Israel.
Communication is everything in medicine, whether it’s taking a history from a patient, explaining a diagnosis, or discussing a case with colleagues.
And you’re not only expected to speak and understand spoken Hebrew. It’s also note-taking, reading test results, writing referrals, and understanding discharge summaries.
Mastering the language plays a huge role in the confidence you feel when practising in Israel. It’s therefore important to invest as much time and as many resources as you can into improving your Hebrew.
Having said that — DON’T PANIC!
The State of Israel was built by immigrants who barely shared a common language and pieced together Hebrew as they went. Hundreds and thousands of doctors have come before you and successfully learned the language.
Our ADII community showcases that it is absolutely possible to succeed and thrive, even without perfect Hebrew. It takes patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to make mistakes.
In this article, we share tips and tricks for learning Hebrew, along with important resources, our new language exchange programme, and an explanation of the ulpans available to you.
Mindset
Before we discuss the practicalities, it’s so important to prepare yourself mentally before embarking on the adventure of upgrading your Hebrew.
Here are some essential mindset shifts:
You are not alone
You won’t be the only doctor who isn’t fluent in Hebrew. The healthcare system is full of physicians whose first language isn’t Hebrew - Russian and Arabic are especially common. Having an accent and occasionally forgetting words is usual and accepted. Most doctors, especially in hospital settings, are understanding of colleagues working in a second language.
You will learn by immersion
Being surrounded by Hebrew is the best way to learn. However hard you try, you will not get your Hebrew to a “good enough” level before you start working. The best approach is to dive in and start swimming. Slowly, after being surrounded by Hebrew all day, every day, and being forced to communicate in it, you will look back and realise just how far you’ve come!
You will sound silly sometimes
Don’t be embarrassed. Force yourself to speak up in meetings, ask questions, and make mistakes in front of patients, it’s the only way to improve. You’ll quickly realise that no one minds. In fact, patients and colleagues often admire the courage it takes to make Aliyah, and many are genuinely happy to help by correcting a word or helping you find the right phrase.
Be kind to yourself
You won’t be able to skim-read notes, type quickly, or present a patient case with ease at the beginning. These skills take time. Be patient with yourself. Give yourself at least three years to start feeling truly comfortable working in a foreign language. Celebrate your Aliyah-versary each year and take time to appreciate the skills and confidence you are gradually building.
Be proud of your English
English is an incredible professional tool. It will support you throughout your career, giving you valuable insight to research, journals, international guidelines. Your ability to read quickly and understand complex material deeply is a real asset to your team. Own it.
Most people know English
If you get stuck or feel too drained to push yourself in Hebrew, you can use English when needed. Most Israelis have basic English, and the majority of doctors have very good English. When necessary, you will be absolutely fine communicating in English.
There are doctors who write their notes in English; some in their first year, others even a decade later. Everyone finds the balance that works for them and learns to recognise when it’s the right moment to push into the discomfort of Hebrew, and when it’s okay to lean on English.
Every oleh takes a different approach. Some feel strongly about diving straight in and fully immersing themselves in the language as part of integration. Others are more mindful of their limits, recognising that relocating a family, rebuilding a career, and adjusting to a new system is already a huge transition and that becoming fluent in Hebrew or touch typing hebrew notes while working in a foreign environment may be a challenge that is too big or one to phase in more gradually (situation permitting).
Ulpan
What is “ulpan” and who is entitled?
Ulpan (אֻולְפָּן) comes from the Aramaic word “ulpanā” (אוּלְפָּנָא) and the phrase “beit ulpanā” (בֵּית אוּלְפָּנָא), meaning a place of learning or instruction. It is linked to the Semitic root (א־ל־ף), associated with teaching and training. In the early years of the State of Israel, the term was adopted to describe an intensive Hebrew programme for immigrants.
Ulpan is run by Misrad HaChinuch (מִשְׂרַד הַחִנּוּךְ – Ministry of Education) and subsidised by Misrad HaKlita (מִשְׂרַד הַקְּלִיטָה – Ministry of Integration). The government run ulpans are the only ulpan courses recognised by Misrad HaBriut (מִשְׂרַד הַבְּרִיאוּת).
Every oleh (עוֹלֶה) is entitled to a free 500-hour primary ulpan course (אוּלְפָּן רִאשׁוֹנִי) and to receive funding (דְּמֵי אוּלְפָּן) during this period of study.
There is also an additional professional ulpan (אוּלְפָּן תַּעֲסוּקָתִי). Relevant professions are entitled to a further tailored 300-hour course. This includes doctors, who are eligible to enroll in a medical ulpan free of charge. Courses are generally built according to demand and need.
Each Immigration Office runs its own in-person ulpan courses, including basic and medical ulpan options. These are usually intensive, taking place in the mornings several days a week. Once you’ve made Aliyah and attended your first meeting with your local Immigration Office, you can enquire about the ulpans available in your area.
Remote Medical Ulpan
In addition to in-person courses, there are Zoom medical ulpans available. These are also built according to demand and may run in the evenings. A group of 20 doctors is required to open a course. If ADII doctors form a group, we can initiate one.
Doctors 10 years post Aliyah are eligible to join these courses free of charge.
If you would like to be part of a new remote free medical ulpan for Israeli Citizens - click below to register your interest.
If you are unsure whether ulpan would benefit you, speak to Elisheva (number provided on request), she knows the courses well and can guide you.
The IMAP team are also well placed to answer inquiries about the Misrad HaKlita approved Ulpans,
you can contact them via email: med_aliyah@moia.gov.il
Pre-Aliyah Ulpan
There is a new pre-Aliyah course available for doctors who have started their Aliyah process and are still living abroad. This is organised by Misrad HaKlita, and fully subsidised by Nefesh B’Nefesh. It runs for four hours on Sunday mornings, totalling 150 hours.
BREAKING NEWS:
Doctors were previously exempt from taking a formal Hebrew language exam when making Aliyah. However, this policy is currently under review, and new requirements mandating a Hebrew proficiency test for doctors are likely to be introduced. The criteria are still being discussed. Interns and residents will definitely be included, and discussions are ongoing regarding attending physicians and how many years of experience might exempt them from the requirement.
We will bring all updates regarding this development.
Private Ulpan
As mentioned above, only Misrad HaKlita ulpans are recognised by Misrad HaBriut.
If you choose to attend a private ulpan, this will be at your own expense, and there are no reimbursement options.
Some private ulpans to consider:
Hebrew Connect (Subsidised by Nefesh B'Nefesh)
Email for more information: hebrewconnect@nbn.org.il
Ulpan LaInyan
LSJS Online
Integraliah
Resources
1) Medical ulpan textbook
For those with sufficient Hebrew who want to improve their medical terminology, it’s possible to purchase the official medical ulpan textbook without enrolling in the course. It costs 75 shekels and can be collected from Ulpan Moresha (near Mamilla in Jerusalem), or from Elisheva’s office at Misrad HaChinuch. Contact Elisheva to confirm.
2) Hebrew podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to improve both medical Hebrew and knowledge of Israeli guidelines. Listen during your commute or while doing house chores -you can even slow down playback speed on most platforms.
Recommendations:
Clinical topics for community doctors: המסכת
3) Hebrew TV / Netflix
Watch Hebrew shows with English subtitles, or English shows with Hebrew subtitles. It’s a relaxed and enjoyable way to learn. You’ll also absorb cultural nuances along the way.
Try Nevsu, Kupat Reishit, or Shababnikim.
4) AI tools
There are many emerging AI technologies that can be incredibly helpful during the initial transition, serving as supportive tools and helping to streamline your day-to-day work in Hebrew. Tools include real-time translation earbuds to progams that help translate or refine medical notes. You can also practise speaking Hebrew with ChatGPT on your commute, it’s an excellent, safe and pressure-free way to build confidence.
5) Private 1:1 lessons
If you want to focus on grammar, pronunciation, or tenses in a structured way, working with a private teacher can be very effective. A few sessions before interviews, starting work, or transitioning roles can significantly boost confidence. Get personal recommendations from fellow doctors in the community when looking for a good teacher.
6) Doctor to doctor Language Exchange
ADII will soon be launching a Language Exchange Programme, pairing Israeli doctors who want to improve their English with Anglo doctors looking to strengthen their Hebrew.
Where possible, doctors will be matched by specialty, stage of training and gender (if desired). Each pair will connect once a week for a short 30-minute conversation at a mutually convenient time, dividing the session between Hebrew and English. Weekly medical and non-medical discussion prompts will be provided to help guide the conversation, and a shared scoreboard will encourage consistency and accountability.
We hope this initiative will not only build confidence in spoken Hebrew, but also foster meaningful professional connections with native Israeli physicians.
To register your interest, please complete this form.
In conclusion
There’s no way to sugar-coat it - learning Hebrew to a level where you feel truly confident communicating with patients and colleagues, at the standard medicine demands, is not simple. It requires hard work, time, patience, and a good dose of humility.
But there are many methods and resources available to support you through the challenge.
Keep your eyes on the goal. Remember that every single day you are improving and growing, and a year or two from now, you’ll look back and be amazed at just how far you’ve come.
