Novice Hebrew speakers as well as seasoned Israelis can be found at the event, which usually meets in a lounge adjacent to Delancey Street Restaurant. With visitors plopped on the floor and on fluffy couches, the atmosphere is casual and social, just like a real Israeli cafe, and the coffee flows as freely as the conversation.
The only difference is that at Cafe V’Ivrit, the conversation is facilitated by Ori Nir, U.S.-West Coast correspondent for the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz and a dedicated Hebrew enthusiast.
At past events, he has led lively rounds of Hebrew Pictionary and guided visitors through discussions on everything from political potholes to dating debacles. “These evenings are pure fun,” Nir observes. “People care less about what is said, and more about saying it in Hebrew.”
The monthly gatherings are sponsored by Tzavta, a project of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation’s Israel Center. Tzavta is aimed at helping Israel devotees in their 20s and 30s recapture the feel of the country.
“There are people all over the Bay Area who love and miss Israel [and who are] searching for a place to meet, speak Hebrew and relive the Israeli cafe culture,” says Melissa Stern, coordinator of Tzavta.
Among them is Harriet Newman, a San Francisco native whose husband is Israeli.
“My Hebrew is far from fluent,” says the 29-year-old attorney. “A lot of what is said goes right over my head, just like in Israel. But at every [session], I learn a little more and meet new people to practice with.”
Up to 50 people attend the evening events, which were inaugurated in October.
“I was really surprised by the level of interest and dedication of the cafe-goers,” Nir says. “After a long workday, these people still manage to come to the cafe excited for the opportunity to socialize in Hebrew.”
Nir says his biggest challenge is developing activities that appeal to Israelis as well as Americans with basic Hebrew skills. Encouraging participants to offer their own ideas — in Hebrew, of course — helps maintain the cafe’s vibrancy.
Generally, the evenings start with organized conversation led by Nir, after which participants break into groups according to how well they speak Hebrew. Even after the formal segment is over, cafe-goers continue to shmooze late into the evening hours.
Not everyone understands everything, but most understand some portion of the dialogue. And all appear to welcome the opportunity to network and make new friends.
Josh Gonen, a 29-year-old Israeli who has lived in California for the past two decades, rarely misses an evening.
“Tzavta is a place I go to share my love for Israel and Hebrew with people who have similar passions,” says Gonen, who works at Lucent Technologies in Pleasanton. “It’s the only place in the Bay Area where I can practice my Hebrew and help new friends improve theirs in a fun environment.”
When the evening comes to a close, the crowd disperses much like it would in a faraway Tel Aviv cafe. Some are mentally exhausted, some wired from too much caffeine. But all are wishing each other, “Shalom, lila tov, l’hitraot [Goodbye, good evening, see you later].”