How did you learn to read Hebrew?

10th century, children's Hebrew exercise book, Cairo Geniza

I learned to read Hebrew beginning at age 4 the traditional way, rote recitation after a rebbe* ("qamatz aleph aw, qamatz beis baw, qamatz gimmel gaw etc.). Our primary text was a beautiful book called Alef Bina, bound in a handsome brown (later editions used lots of color and always looked cartoony to me). Of course I already came prepared, having learned the Aleph Bet at home.

How did you learn to read Hebrew?

* He was a wonderful rebbe.

On the Main Line, now with tags: Hebrew