Hebrew infusion : language and community at American Jewish summer camps /

Each summer, tens of thousands of American Jews attend residential camps, where they may see Hebrew signs, sing and dance to Hebrew songs, and hear a camp-specific hybrid language register called Camp Hebraized English, as in "Let's hear some ruach (spirit) in this chadar ochel (dining hal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Benor, Sarah, 1975- (Author), Krasner, Jonathan B. (Author), Avni, Sharon, 1970- (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: New Brunswick, New Jersey : Rutgers University Press, [2020]
Subjects:
Description
Summary:Each summer, tens of thousands of American Jews attend residential camps, where they may see Hebrew signs, sing and dance to Hebrew songs, and hear a camp-specific hybrid language register called Camp Hebraized English, as in "Let's hear some ruach (spirit) in this chadar ochel (dining hall)!" Using historical and sociolinguistic methods, this book explains how camp directors and staff came to infuse Hebrew in creative ways and how their rationales and practices have evolved from the early twentieth century to today. Some Jewish leaders worry that Camp Hebraized English impedes Hebrew acquisition, while others recognize its power to strengthen campers' bonds with Israel, Judaism and the Jewish people. Hebrew Infusion explores these conflicting ideologies, showing how hybrid language can serve a formative role in fostering religious, diasporic communities. The insightful analysis and engaging descriptions of camp life will appeal to anyone interested in language, education or American Jewish culture.
Physical Description:vii, 304 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9780813588735
0813588731
9780813588742
081358874X