In this 5-week course, Israeli Sign Language with Israeli Culture, students will learn the foundations of Israeli Sign Language (ISL) while also gaining a window into Israeli culture and everyday life. The course is designed to build vocabulary, conversation skills, and cultural awareness through interactive lessons, games, and practice.
Over the 5 weeks, students will learn approximately 250 new words in ISL, while also practicing real-life conversations and cultural expressions.
Dates: November 2, 9, 16, December 7, 14 (5 classes)
Time: Sundays, 4:00–5:30 PM
Where: Zoom (link provided by JDC)
Cost: $175 per course
Length: 5 weeks
Materials: Provided after each class
This is the first of three progressive levels that will be offered throughout the year.
What You’ll Learn
Week 1 – Questions, Colors & Emotions
Learn to ask and answer simple questions, use numbers and colors, and talk about clothing and emotions through interactive activities.
Week 2 – Family & Relationships
Build vocabulary for family members, relationships, and feelings. Create family trees and explore cultural expressions used in Israel.
Week 3 – Home & Daily Life
Practice describing your home, rooms, and routines. Learn numbers up to 99 and strengthen your conversation skills.
Week 4 – Food, Animals & Hobbies
Learn signs for Israeli foods, pets, and hobbies. Share your interests and practice with games that make learning fun.
Week 5 – Review & Skits
Bring it all together with review games, creative skits, and cultural reflections to build confidence in communication.
Learn Israeli Sign Language through culture, community, and hands-on experience.
This is a course offered in partnership between Unlearning Words and Jewish Deaf Congress. Paid JDC members have access to a discount code on the JDC website for this course. If you are a paid member, login to see the code above.
Shelly Guy
Shelly Guy is a Deaf educator, performer, and cultural advocate whose work bridges language, identity, and community. With extensive experience teaching both American Sign Language (ASL) and Israeli Sign Language (ISL), Shelly brings a unique perspective that blends linguistic skill with cultural depth. She has created programs in the U.S. and Israel, including workshops, community classes, and cultural events that celebrate the richness of sign language as both communication and art. Her teaching style is dynamic, accessible, and rooted in the belief that learning a language also means embracing the history, values, and lived experiences of its community. In addition to teaching, Shelly is a writer and performer, using storytelling to amplify Deaf voices and foster greater understanding between Deaf and hearing worlds. She also represents Unlearning Words, founded by Seth Gore, an initiative exploring language and culture through creativity, critical thought, and the beauty of sign expression
Eti Keidar
Eti Keidar is a Deaf woman born into a fully Deaf family, with parents, a brother, and a sister who are all Deaf. Eti currently works as an educational support professional at Geula High School, where she mentors Deaf and hard-of-hearing students with care and commitment. Alongside her schoolwork, she teaches sign language and runs her business, Siman B’Click (“Sign in a Click”), which provides creative sign language learning experiences. An active member of Moed Mochshi, she advocates for Deaf teachers and the recognition of their expertise in Israel. Eti is also pursuing social sciences and special education, and she volunteers with Pinat Shelanu, serving Deaf youth across Israel. Passionate, professional, and community-minded, Eti inspires her students with language and heart.
