Currently, access to reading resources at a beginning level constitutes a significant pedagogical lacuna for Hebrew students. While there is broad agreement that beginning to read texts as soon as possible is important, without accessible texts at a beginning level, this goal is difficult to achieve.
Recognizing this need, the present instructor has over the past year been developing simplified Hebrew texts that follow familiar Old Testament stories, at a level that is suited for absolute beginners. Students read one story per week, which focuses on a particular grammatical topic and exposes them as readers to a limited, yet gradually growing vocabulary. Students study the story in class alongside the instructor and are also required to create and upload their own audio recitation so as to grow in their reading skills. This paper will describe the methodology and explain its implementation in the classroom as a model for other instructors.