Upcoming Yiddish Classes
ייִדיש שפּראַך לעקציעסייִדיש איז דאָך אַזױ שײן. . .
Yiddish awakens the silent echo of forgotten shtetl, a living language that touches the roots of the soul, opening to stories that still resonate in the hearts of those that seek more than words. Yiddish is so beautiful!
NEW Yiddish for Absolute Beginners: Reading and Writing the Alef-beys
This 6-session course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Yiddish. We will begin by learning the letters of the Yiddish alphabet (alef-beys), focusing on both reading printed text and writing by hand. As the course progresses, we will practice reading short dialogues and simple texts. By the end of the course, students will be able to read and write the letters—two distinct skills— introduce themselves, and use common greetings. We will also learn with Yiddish songs.
Sundays, June 29, 2025 – August 3, 2025
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT / 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Central European Summer Time
Online via Zoom
Yiddish for Absolute Beginners 2: Basic Grammar and Conversation
This course is designed for students who are already familiar with the Yiddish Alef-Beys and have had approximately 10 to 20 hours of prior Yiddish instruction (A1.1–A1.2). In addition to the alef-beys, participants may already be able to introduce themselves, use basic greetings, or recognize a few common verbs. The course is open to those who are looking to continue their Yiddish language journey.Through texts, audio-visual materials and engaging exercises participants will deepen their knowledge of the language.
Sundays, June 29, 2025 – August 3, 2025
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. Central European Summer Time
Online via Zoom
Treasures of 20th-Century Yiddish Literature from Latin America
Join us for a 6-session advanced Yiddish course exploring the rich literature of 20th-century Latin American Jewish communities. Led by Julia Koifman, this course is for intermediate to advanced Yiddish speakers interested in deepening their skills through texts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Uruguay. Special focus will be given to underrepresented voices, including women writers. Instruction is in Yiddish with English support as needed. Texts include original anthologies and select translations.
Sundays, June 29, 2025 – August 3, 2025
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT / 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. UK / 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Central Europe
Online via Zoom
Serkele: A Peek into the World of 1820s Polish Jewry
Join us for a 12-session Yiddish reading group exploring Serkele, a groundbreaking satirical play by Dr. Solomon Ettinger that offers a vivid glimpse into the daily life, language, and mindset of 1820s Polish Jewry. Guided by long-time Yiddish educator David Shafir, this is perfect for intermediate Yiddish speakers who wish to deepen their linguistic skills while engaging with a foundational work of Yiddish theater. Together, we’ll carefully unpack the rich, everyday Polish Yiddish of the era and examine how Serkele reflects the complexities of life in the Pale of Settlement.
Sundays, July 27 – October 12
10 – 11 a.m. PT / 12 – 1 p.m. CT / 1 – 2 p.m. ET / 6 – 7 p.m. UK / 7 – 8 p.m. Central Europe
Online via Zoom
Yiddish is old and new, pious and rebellious, stateless but international. It was born about a millennium ago in what is today Germany, called Ashkenaz in Jewish texts. It has travelled to wherever Ashkenazi travelled, immigrated, or were exiled. Once the language of millions of Jews, Yiddish is still spoken as a native language by more than a million people. It is studied and spoken by Jews and non-Jews around the world who want to access the vast legacy of literature, music, religious and folk traditions, politics and history, theater, film, and humor that exist only in Yiddish. While Yiddish is written using the Hebrew alphabet, it is a Germanic language, so it is relatively easy for English-speakers to learn.
We have been fortunate to be able to offer our students the rare opportunity to study Yiddish from beginner to advanced. Our classes include reading circles, conversation classes, theater workshops, classes for children, literary analysis, song workshops, and even Yoga. We’ve also organized intensive programs in Yiddish language and culture and a Yiddish teachers’ committee. Please explore some of our past offerings below, and check out our upcoming activities and events calendar for future classes.
SOME OF OUR PAST CLASSES
Please click on any image to learn more.
Please see our Events Calendar and Other Upcoming Events!