WATERLOO - Heads bow over the workbooks. Eyes move across the pages, right to left, in an attempt to decipher letters and words.

After just a couple lessons, most appear able to keep up with their teacher.

Rabbi Stanley Rosenbaum is impressed with progress demonstrated by his pupils, a mix of college students, teenagers and adults. The five-week class in reading Hebrew, offered by Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Waterloo, is part of an ongoing adult education program.

"It's a very easy language," Rosenbaum said. "The hardest thing, first, is to learn the shapes of the letters."

On Sunday, Rosenbaum uses flashcards to review the Hebrew alphabet. In an effort to help students retain the information, the rabbi occassionally exaggerates sounds and sketches the letters in such a way as they resemble animals, people or objects. His class applies the lessons by reading aloud religious texts.

University of Northern Iowa student Katie White appreciates the extra context. She and her roommate, Alex Hunter, signed up for the reading Hebrew class as a way to learn more about Judaism. The girls, who are not Jewish, studied abroad in Poland to learn more about the Holocaust. White says she enjoys learning about the roots of an ancient language and religion.

"I like that (the rabbi) does the history behind it," White said.

Members of Sons of Jacob Synagogue launched the adult education program last fall in response to inquires from the public. Courses in reading Hebrew and an introduction to Judaism class are in progress. Additional classes and lectures are being planned.

All courses are open to the Sons of Jacob congregation as well as the Cedar Valley community. All are welcome.

"At the moment, I think we have more non-Jews than Jews," Rosenbaum said.

That ratio may change, however, when he leads a class on Torah chanting and prayer services, Rosenbaum said. He expected Jewish parents to sign up for his reading Hebrew class to better-equip them to tutor their children. However, Rosenbaum's Sunday class includes several Christians simply curious about the Hebrew language and Jewish culture and religion.

Clay Dowler of Cedar Falls attended the Hebrew literacy class and other offerings at Sons of Jacob to better understand the Old Testament and the roots of his religion, Christianity. By looking at Scripture through the context of Judaism and the Hebrew language, Dowler picks up on nuances and lessons he says he'd otherwise miss with only an English translation.

" … There is a lot of subtleness … ," Dowler said.

Former synagogue member Mike Hecht of Cedar Falls signed up for the introductory course in Judaism as a way to reconnect with the local Jewish community. Hecht, a self-described seeker, finds the Wednesday night class to be an informal gathering open to conversation.

" … With a small group, it really opens the door for one-on-one questions," Hecht said.

Hecht said he left with a better understanding of his own religion but also how it compares and differs from other faiths. On a recent Wednesday, Rosenbaum explains how Judaism offers instructions and guidance on how to approach specific life situations that raise ethical and moral questions. Other religions, the rabbi said, start from a different premise and may therefore offer different solutions.

"Even being a lifelong Jew, it was really helpful for me to get some … things clarified by the rabbi," Hecht said.

Judaism, Rosenbaum said, is a way of life and a lens through which religious Jews view family, business, government and everything else in life. The rabbi also differentiated between "being Jewish" and following Judaism. For some, "being Jewish" is simply an ethnic or cultural connection, as some Jews are irreligious, even atheists, Rosenbaum said. And among practicing or observant Jews, much diversity exists, he said.

"It's really a culture as much as it is a religion," Hecht added.

Additional courses and lectures are being planned at Sons of Jacob, depending on interest.

For more information about adult education classes, contact Sons of Jacob Synagogue at (319) 235-9592 or (319) 233-9448. The synagogue is located at 411 E. Mitchell Ave. in Waterloo.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.