San Francisco State says ‘lo’ to third year of Hebrew

A small Hebrew class of is petitioning for a third year of Hebrew language study at San Francisco State University.

But the group, which includes Jews, non-Jews and Palestinians, is having no luck.

Some 15 students asked for the additional class, having two years of Hebrew study at SFSU already under their belts. But the administration said last week it could not afford to offer a third year.

Professor Fred Astren, acting director of the Jewish Studies department, said that "when there was no Hebrew three years ago, we were advised not to offer it at all, but we insisted on it. The students' demand is an indicator of how well things are going for us."

Although the department has received several large grants in the past year totaling well over $1 million, Astren said that money is earmarked for specific projects and could not be diverted for a third-year Hebrew class.

Daniel Najjar, who rounded up signatures on a petition for another class, was downtrodden.

"People had said this program wouldn't fly at all, but people are coming back," said Najjar, who has completed two years of Hebrew at SFSU. "It's kind of sad, considering how many Jews in California are begging for Hebrew."

Najjar, 45, is now looking for monetary support from outside the university. The class would cost approximately $12,000, he said.

Astren informed the students that they could take Hebrew classes at U.C. Berkeley. He also said that the SFSU program would offer continued Hebrew in future years as it expands into offering both a major and a minor in Jewish studies.

"We're growing, and I would call this part of our growing pains," Astren said. "However, if someone came forward to offer a third year, we would be delighted."

Those who are interested in supporting a third-year Hebrew class can contact Najjar at (415) 970-1528 or via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)