Online Yiddish Classes: Winter 2022

A new session of Yiddish courses will be starting January, 2022. The Comprehensive Yiddish Language Classes, Yiddish Theatre Workshop, and Leyenkrayz are offered by the Committee for Yiddish, UJA Federation.

To register, please use the Committee for Yiddish’s online registration form. Payment can only be made by credit card at this time.

Cancellation Policy: Full refunds are available for withdrawal from classes before the second week of the course. After the first class, an administration fee of $20.00 plus $16.00 for each class attended will apply to all withdrawals.

Please visit our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS page for more information about our classes and policies,
or send us an email at yiddish@ujafed.org

ײִדיש קלאַסן

Learn, refresh, and improve your speaking, reading, and writing language skills with experienced instructors in a fun and stimulating learning environment.

Beginner Yiddish Language

Mondays on Zoom, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm EST | January 10 – March 21, 2022 (no class Feb. 21)
10 classes | Cost: $160
Instructor: Ruth Gerlock

This introductory level course is suitable for those with no prior or minimal Yiddish language knowledge. Students will be introduced to the basics of Yiddish conversation, grammar, reading, and writing in an engaging class supplemented by songs and activities

Beginner-Plus Yiddish Language

Wednesdays on Zoom, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm EST | January 12 – March 30, 2022
10 classes | Cost: $160
Instructor: Ruth Gerlock

This high-beginner level course is suitable for those who have taken at least one or two semesters of Beginner-level Yiddish courses, or equivalent prior experience. Students will continue to develop their basic conversational skills, grammar understanding, and facility with the alef-beys.

Intermediate Yiddish Language

Sundays on Zoom, 10:00 am – 11:30 am EST | January 9 – March 20, 2022 (no class Feb. 20)
10 classes | Cost: $160
Instructor: Ruth Gerlock

This course is suitable for those who have studied Yiddish for one to two years, or have equivalent experience. Students must be able to read alef-beys at least at a basic level. Students will continue to develop their intermediate-level speaking and reading comprehension skills through reading and discussing selections of Yiddish poetry, review of grammar with points drawn from the texts, and relevant vocabulary and conversational activities.

Advanced Yiddish Language

Sundays on Zoom, 10:00 am – 11:30 am EST | January 9 – March 20, 2022 (no class Feb. 20)
10 classes | Cost: $160
Instructor: Sasha Hoffman

This course, conducted entirely in Yiddish, focuses on advanced reading, writing, vocabulary and conversation. We will analyze poetry and short fiction. We will workshop reading handwritten documents in Yiddish and dive into historical Yiddish press. We will also go through select advanced grammatical topics, as needed. We will, goes without saying, sing songs and play games.

ײִדיש טעאַטער װאַרשאַט

Tuesdays on Zoom, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST | January 11 – March 15, 2022
10 Classes | Cost: $160
Instructor: David Gale

The Play for 2021-2022 is “Double Identity” by Miriam Hoffman

Adapted from Sholem Aleichem’s Shver tsu zayn a Yid, a Yiddish 1914 comedy involving two young Russian men, Shneyerson, A Jew, and Ivanov, a Gentile. Shneyerson challenges Ivanov that he couldn’t brave being a Jew in Russia. Ivanov takes on the challenge and they trade identities for a year. Will Ivonov ultimately learn it’s “Hard to be a Jew?”

Experience the joys of Yiddish through acting out roles from the Yiddish theatre. All are welcome! Scripts are provided in transliteration, and no previous Yiddish or performance experience is required. Faciliated by award-winning performer, director, and playwright, David Gale.

For more information about the Theatre Workshop please email: YiddishTheatreWorkshop@gmail.com

לײענקרײַז

Participants will read and discuss humorous short stories in Yiddish from the anthology “A Bukh Tsum Lakhn”. Materials provided in PDF form.

Third Tuesday of each month, on Zoom, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm EST, continuing January 18, 2022
Cost: $30 annual fee (10-11 sessions)

Beginner Yiddish II: Learning Yiddish Through Song

Thursdays on Zoom, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST | January 6 – March 10, 2022
10 Classes | Cost: $250 plus HST & CIF
Instructor: Hindy Abelson

This course will help you expand your conversational Yiddish, reading, writing and grammatical skills through the lyrics of songs. The song lyrics vividly portray the cosmopolitan, secular and spiritual Yiddish culture that developed throughout Eastern & Central Europe, North and South America before, during and after the Holocaust. Participants will be engaged in lively Yiddish discussions about what these songs express and evoke.

Prerequisites: This course is a continuation of Beginner Yiddish I, suitable for those with one prior session of Yiddish study or some previous knowledge. Participants are expected to be able to read and write alef-beys at a rudimentary level, and are comfortable using the present tense and asking questions.

For full course details and to register: CLICK HERE