Lafayette Campus News (www.lafayette.edu), February 18, 2008 — Biology major Aviva Goel ’08 (Maharashtra, India) is learning that living organisms are not the only things that evolve; so do languages. A particular love for Hebrew led her to conduct an independent study with Ilana Levy, part-time visiting instructor of foreign languages and literatures, on the evolution of Modern Hebrew. The following is a personal account of her research.
My independent study was an experience that I accidentally fell into. Immediately as a freshman at Lafayette, I was encouraged to explore other dimensions of learning and understand the process of learning through a true liberal arts approach. Though my major of choice and passion is biology, I value the importance of learning different languages as a means of developing an entirely different part of the brain. I have always been fascinated with Hebrew, it’s equally fascinating script, and the similarities between Hebrew and many Indian languages.
Lafayette officially offers only basic and intermediate Hebrew courses. After completing these courses my sophomore and junior year, I wanted to delve further into the language. To my excitement, Ilana Levy kindly offered to meet with me each week for the past semester to further my understanding of the language. Specifically, I have been learning about Israeli culture and how this Israeli "chutzpah" (audacity resulting in a certain joie de vivre) relates to the evolution of Modern Hebrew.
Ilana and I are using pictures, primary newspaper clippings, music (both old and modern), and film to further my understanding of the language. We meet and discuss (in Hebrew) the picture or clipping, how it relates to Israeli and Jewish culture, and I write Hebrew essays on the topic. My independent study has been an incredibly enriching experience for me, as I really understand the development of Modern Hebrew and how it relates to Israeli culture. It was my work with Ilana that inspired me to take more courses in the Jewish studies and foreign language and literatures departments, ultimately culminating in my Jewish studies minor.
Ilana is a fascinating teacher. Her vivacity and passion for both the language and Israeli culture are extremely apparent, as she herself embodies this Israeli “chutzpah.” She is an exceptional teacher that actually cares about what each student learns individually, and adjusts the pace of her course to her students’ abilities. When I was enrolled in Basic Hebrew, I had never been exposed to the language and definitely struggled with learning a completely foreign script. But Ilana completely understood my struggles and would meet with me outside of class each week and develop my language skills.
Also, her use of media in class is incredible. She believes that the process of learning a new language is by immersing oneself into the culture, and does this in her lectures, often showing us movie clips, newspapers, and songs. We also actively take part in the lectures by performing various Hebrew plays and other group projects.
Goel also performed independent research with Shyamal Majumdar, Kreider Professor Emeritus of Biology, which resulted in her honors thesis exploring the effectiveness of certain breast cancer drugs. She recently co-authored a paper with him that was published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Goel is a Teaching Assistant in the biology department and is now the Head Resident Assistant of six residence halls after serving as a resident assistant for a year. She is the director of fundraising for Delta Gamma Sorority, and a member of the Order of Omega, a Greek Honor Society. She has been a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Easton and is the co-founder of the Treehouse, an environmental awareness living group. She is a member of SMAC (Student Movement against Cancer), LEAP (Lafayette Environmental Awareness & Protection), ISA (International Student Association), ACA (Asian Cultural Association), and the Hillel Society.
