This 5-session course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Yiddish. We will start by learning the alef-beys (Yiddish alphabet) and basic pronunciation. By the end of the course, students will be able to read the letters, introduce themselves, use common greetings, and understand basic vocabulary for everyday situations. Each session will conclude with a new Yiddish song from the rich transnational Yiddish repertoire. Whether you’re learning for personal or professional reasons, this short, engaging introduction will offer a good start for your Yiddish journey.

When: Sundays 10:30– 11:30 a.m. PT / 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET / 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Central Europe: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2

Cost: 5 classes for $180 (early bird, if paid before December 22), $200 (regular price, if paid after December 22)

Teacher: Julia Koifman

Julia Koifman studied Slavic and German Studies in Berlin and Moscow, as well as Yiddish and Jewish Studies in Potsdam, Haifa, and New York. She worked at the Institute for Slavic Studies at Humboldt University and served as a tutor for Yiddish language and literature at the University of Potsdam. Her MA thesis is a comparative analysis of short stories by the Yiddish authors Rokhl Brokhes and Roze Palatnik. Julia also translates Yiddish literature into German and English.