At the NGO "Young People for Haifa," we understand that for many new immigrants who have arrived in Haifa in recent years, Hebrew is not just a new language. It is a cultural barrier. You can live in Israel for years, finish ulpan, understand almost everything, read messages, manage daily life, and still feel awkward speaking—for example, when buying milk at the supermarket. Afraid to make mistakes, afraid of not being understood, afraid of sounding "not good enough." This fear is quiet—but deep inside. Those who haven’t experienced it cannot understand. It is precisely from this understanding that our Hebrew conversation club was born—a space where language stops being an obstacle and becomes a living, human tool for communication.
The club meets every Monday at 18:30 at 4 Garav Ohana Street in Haifa. For more than a year and a half, the meetings have taken place regularly and during this time have become a true home for hundreds of participants. Each meeting gathers 15 to 40 Haifa residents, taking a small step for themselves, but a very important step toward self-confidence.
The audience is lively and diverse, with most participants being new immigrants and not only them. Some have lived in Haifa for just a few months, while others have been in the country for ten or twenty years but still do not feel comfortable speaking. Among the participants are students, young professionals, parents, and people who have simply decided it is time to stop being afraid of their Hebrew and move forward. They share one goal—the desire to overcome the language barrier and feel confident on the street, at work, and even with the vegetable vendor at the Talpiot market.
Each meeting focuses on a topic from everyday life: work and interviews, relationships, daily situations, Israeli culture, or even awkward moments familiar to everyone. Participants are divided into groups by level so that everyone can speak at their own pace and feel comfortable. Each group has a facilitator—a native speaker who gently guides the conversation, helps with words, and supports dialogue. But this is not a grammar lesson or a school class; it is a real, living conversation. Here you can make mistakes, pause to find the right word, laugh, and most importantly—speak without fear, because everyone is accepted as they are.
Real changes happen not only during the meetings but also beyond them. People who initially only listened start to respond. Within a few weeks, they participate in discussions; within a few months, they initiate conversations themselves; and after six months, they confidently sustain discussions. This is visible: more confidence in the store, at university, at work, and in interviews. The language stops being foreign and ceases to be a barrier.
But along with language, something greater happens—a community is formed. Connections, friendships, and mutual support emerge. People stop feeling alone in a new city. The conversation club becomes a space of belonging—a place where integration happens not only through language but also through life in our city.
The Hebrew conversation club is much more than language practice; it is part of the vision of the NGO "Young People for Haifa"—to build a young, confident, and united Haifa. A city where new immigrants do not stay on the sidelines but become an active part of urban life. Because we are convinced: new immigrants are the future of Haifa.
We continue to meet every week because we understand: sometimes a single meeting can change an entire life.
Come join us—we will be glad to see you or your friends—to learn, develop, and grow together with us.
Reviews of the Hebrew Club
I started attending the conversational club at Harav Ohana when I was living nearby and was just beginning to learn Hebrew. Since then, I have moved to a different neighborhood… and I am still just beginning to learn Hebrew—only now it has quite firmly started learning me as well… and still, I go to the club almost every Monday. One of our facilitators once said: “לדבר עברית זה כיף” — “Speaking Hebrew is a pleasure.” Thank you to those who share this pleasure with us—the organizers and facilitators of the Harav Ohana club!
A truly unique place in Haifa that not only allows new (and not only new) immigrants to practice Hebrew, but also, under the careful guidance of experienced facilitators, helps correct mistakes and explore the subtleties and “secrets” of the language that are known only to native speakers. A real “amuta” (non-profit organization) that brings together different people and gives participants the feeling that “together we are not alone.”
I have been attending the conversational club with great pleasure for about a year and a half. The moderators are excellent—they gently and tactfully correct my mistakes and actively expand my vocabulary. For me, the club is an essential part of my Hebrew immersion. What I hear at the club I bring to ulpan, and what I learn at ulpan I bring back into my conversations at the club.
It is also very encouraging that each meeting is dedicated to a specific topic, and that the moderators always encourage speaking and do not allow anyone to stay silent.
Many thanks for such an opportunity! 🤗
