Journal Four: Over the past few months, my Hebrew learning journey has grown in ways. I recently finished my last lesson with my mentor, Rabbi Sherry, and our work has evolved significantly since the beginning of the semester. Early on, we focused on reading short passages from a textbook and practicing basic conversations at the beginning and end of each session. As I grew more comfortable, we shifted toward full conversations entirely in Hebrew, with a focus on me expressing my plans, thoughts, and questions independently. A new major focus of our lessons has been studying Hebrew roots (שורשים, shorashim), learning how certain core letters stay consistent across words with related meanings. This method has helped me with vocabulary retention and has made unfamiliar words less intimidating. In addition to my work with Rabbi Sherry, I committed to practicing daily on Duolingo for at least twenty minutes, strengthening my grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills through consistent exposure and repetition. I also supplemented my learning by reading short Hebrew passages and watching Hebrew films, which exposed me to the natural rhythms and cultural contexts of the language in ways that textbook learning alone could not provide. My main goal throughout this period was to become more self-sufficient in Hebrew, especially in speaking and reading, and I feel that I have made strong progress toward that goal. Speaking exclusively in Hebrew during my sessions, even when it was difficult, forced me to develop creative ways to communicate and pushed me to internalize grammatical structures and vocabulary. Combining structured daily practice with immersion activities was one of the most effective strategies I used, as it allowed me to build a strong foundation while also challenging myself in real-life situations. Learning about Hebrew roots also proved invaluable for building my confidence with new vocabulary. Although I often struggled to recall words or to conjugate verbs correctly during live conversations, these moments ultimately strengthened my skills by teaching me to paraphrase, ask clarifying questions, and stay calm under pressure. Moving forward, I plan to continue daily Hebrew study, focusing on writing short journal entries and eventually reading short articles without relying heavily on translation. I also hope to keep exploring Hebrew films, music, and texts to maintain and deepen my cultural connection. Emotionally, I feel a mix of pride, humility, and motivation; I am proud of the strides I have made, humbled by how much more there is to learn, and motivated to keep growing. Learning Hebrew has become more than just an academic exercise, it is a way to connect more deeply with my Jewish and Sephardic heritage, giving me a richer understanding of traditions and identity. This semester taught me not just about Hebrew itself but also about how to be a better, more self-aware learner: balancing structured and immersive practice, embracing mistakes as growth opportunities, and setting clear, attainable goals. I am grateful for this experience and excited to continue building my skills beyond the classroom.