About a dozen Temple Micah members have been reading the poetry of Yehuda Amichai, a contemporary Israeli master, in the original Hebrew. The poems mix wit and theology, and speak to the longings, conundrums and mysteries of being a Jew today. By reading them in Hebrew, the group has discovered many layers and insights in Amichai's poems, which Rabbi Zemel often translates during Shabbat services.

Some group members are fluent in Hebrew, others can barely sound out the words. But an English translation is close at hand, and everyone participates in the animated discussions. Following a group reading of a stanza in Hebrew, individuals translate it word-by-word and discuss the nuances.

Unlike contemporary Hebrew prose, poetry is published with nekudot (vowel markings that aid in pronunciation and understanding). This makes the text far more accessible. And unlike conversation in a new language, poetry does not founder when learners pause to struggle over a word. In addition, Amichai's poetry is filled with familiar vocabulary from the prayer book and Bible. Phrases from Shabbat services pop out of many lines.

Amichai was born in Germany in 1924 and moved to Eretz Yisrael at the age of 12. He was one of the first poets to write in modern Hebrew, and his work was noteworthy both for its linguistic twists and for its subject matter - current events and images that had previously been the purview of prose. He died in 2000.

The Amichai group meets about every three weeks after Shabbat morning services. Each session covers several stanzas from the long poem, "Gods Change, Prayers are Here to Stay," from the collection, Open Closed Open. Newcomers are welcome. Meetings are scheduled April 9 and 30, May 14 and June 4. In addition, the group is planning a special session with Max Ticktin, a George Washington University Hebrew professor who knew Amichai and teaches his poetry. For more information, e-mail Ed Grossman.