Nitza contacted me in late spring last year, soon after the launch of my book, Jerusalem on the Amstel, in Jewish Book Week. She said she liked my enthusiasm during the hour-long event, where I talked about how in Amsterdam out of a group of Iberian New Christians, a whole new type of Jewish community came into existence. Well, over the phone, I was moved by the passion and conviction in Nitza’s voice to promote Jewish thought and a Jewish sense of identity, in an age when pride in one’s ancestral culture is often swept away by the force of assimilation. When we finally met, we found another unequivocal link – that is our immigrant identity. Some decades apart, we both found ourselves as outsiders in Britain and we had to make sense of our heritage and yet belong to the mainstream culture. Just like the New Christians-turned-Jews in seventeenth century Amsterdam. It’s our quest for identity that binds us together, I believe this is the beginning of a long friendship. 

We  enjoy the great relationship we have with you and are so pleased that Spiro are using our shul for its classes and events. 

Please click here for the audio version of this feedback.   What is the highlight of my week?  It’s the 2 hours of learning Ivrit with Nitza at Spiro Ark.  Do not be surprised at this for I shall explain.  As an adult non-examination class, we are not bound by the strictures of a prescribed curriculum and Nitza takes full advantage of this.  As a highly experienced and knowledgeable educator, Nitza is aware of the various topics which students commonly find difficult.  No matter how many times we make mistakes, Nitza’s patience is endless. In a 2 hour lesson we might begin by talking about what we did last week, The range of vocabulary relates to us as adults in our real lives and therefore is significant.  Nitza makes it even more real by using those spoken sessions to highlight grammar and spelling.  Nitza then encourages us to ask questions of each other on the new vocabulary.  It’s a great interactive way to learn.  Nitza has very useful spelling hints using visual cues – I will always know which ‘ch’ letter is in the verb to eat!  In any lesson, we could be learning about the impact of biblical Hebrew and even Aramaic on modern Ivrit.  Language evolves and Nitza is also careful to teach us modern new Ivrit idioms and sayings.  As Nitza is a native Ivrit speaker, we don’t just learn the words, we practise saying them as Israelis ie with the correct accent and emphasis.     Although language learning is primarily for spoken communication, there is also emphasis on ‘book work’ and homework.  In addition, time permitting (!) at home I follow Nitza’s suggestion to use the mobile phone to read aloud a passage which we had read in class in order to gain fluency.  Now this might sound like it’s all jolly hard work.  NO.  There’s a great deal of humour, laughter and fun in our fantastic class not only from Nitza’s wonderful teaching but also I appreciate my classmates as we all learn from each other.    Nitza is very careful to ensure that each of us is fully engaged in the lesson.  Finally, the age old question: why learn a foreign language?  Scientific research indicates that, for adults, foreign language learning opens up new neural connections, resulting in improved cognitive benefits and enhancement of brain power.    Whilst the lessons are serious, wonderful and joyful, there’s also the hidden healthy brain benefit!  Nitza, I look forward to and love coming to your class.  Thank you, Malka  

I’ve grown frustrated over the last few years that my hebrew speaking and writing abilities are very poor.  I finally decided to do something about it in October 2018 when I enrolled for my first term at the Spiro Ark ulpan.  The course, taught by the incredibly talented and multifaceted Nitza, was a revelation.  From going to the first lesson as a very unsure and non-confident person I am now in my third term and I can see that my abilities have grown leaps and bounds.  Nitza makes the lessons fun and informative and has such original ways to make you remember the material.  It’s also become a family activity and a way my kids can see that just as they have to study for their exams their mother has to study too!  (It’s great for learning with my son doing GCSE hebrew).  I can’t recommend Spiro Ark enough.  You are sure to gain by immersing yourself in Nitza’s lessons.  I certainly have.  I have so much gratitude to Nitza for giving my brain a workout and making hebrew really come alive. Melanie

I’ve grown frustrated over the last few years that my hebrew speaking and writing abilities are very poor.  I finally decided to do something about it in October 2018 when I enrolled for my first term at the Spiro Ark ulpan.  The course, taught by the incredibly talented and multifaceted Nitza, was a revelation.  From going to the first lesson as a very unsure and non-confident person I am now in my third term and I can see that my abilities have grown leaps and bounds.  Nitza makes the lessons fun and informative and has such original ways to make you remember the material.  It’s also become a family activity and a way my kids can see that just as they have to study for their exams their mother has to study too!  (It’s great for learning with my son doing GCSE hebrew).  I can’t recommend Spiro Ark enough.  You are sure to gain by immersing yourself in Nitza’s lessons.  I certainly have.  I have so much gratitude to Nitza for giving my brain a workout and making hebrew really come alive. Melanie