Yeshiva University plans to eliminate its in-person Hebrew courses indefinitely, causing what was initially a measure induced by a pandemic is permanent.
The change was first reported by the YU Commentator, one of the university's student newspapers.
The new Hebrew courses will be asynchronous, which means that students will not They will interact in real time with a teacher, and will be offered beginning in the fall of 2022. Almost all Yeshiva University students are required to take at least one Hebrew course during their studies.
The decision comes after Yeshiva College, the university's men's college, dissolved its Jewish Studies department in January, reassigning its professors to other departments.
Selma Botman, Chancellor and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Yeshiva University, said the change to the Hebrew curriculum came in response to student feedback and provided greater flexibility for students with busy course schedules.
But Lori Linzer, a Hebrew teacher at the school, said the measure would reduce the quality of Hebrew language instruction in Y.U.
“I don't think I can find anyone who can credibly argue that the asynchronous model is a better model for teaching the Hebrew language. I am saddened that we have reached the point where this fact is irrelevant, "Linzer told the commenter.
While some students enjoyed the flexibility offered by asynchronous classes, others like Zach Ottenstein were dismayed. .
"My worst fear when YU started offering asynchronous courses during the pandemic is that they wouldn't end when the pandemic did," Ottenstein said.
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