The easy Hebrew newspaper Sha’ar La’matchil, which helped new immigrants and schoolchildren to read the news in Hebrew, has ceased publishing.

The 56-year-old weekly’s final edition came out the first week in April, Haaretz reported.

Sha’ar La’matchil reportedly was forced to cease operation after a tender offer from the Education Ministry for the rights to publish the paper went unanswered.

Sha’ar La’matchil, which means “the beginners’ gate,” was sold via subscription in Israel and overseas, and could be purchased at some Israeli newsstands. It also was distributed free in many areas. It was studied in ulpan courses, as well as by Israeli Arab students.

The Education Ministry told Haaretz that it would try to get the paper operating again. — jta