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NEW FALL SESSIONS
The Workers Circle is proud to be one of the largest providers of Yiddish language classes in the world. Our classes are designed for every age and skill level, from absolute beginner to total maven.
This Fall, all our courses will be held online via Zoom.
Please note that more classes may be added. For details on course offerings, please contact Kolya Borodulin, the Workers Circle Director of Yiddish Programming, NBorodulin@circle.org or 212.889.6800 ext. 806.
The registration rate is $340 per class except for our two Intensive Beginner courses which are $680. Members of the Workers Circle get a discounted registration rate of $295 and $590 for the Intensive beg. If you are not a member of the Workers Circle but would like to become one, click here.
Please note that all class times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
NO REFUND AFTER THE 2nd CLASS SESSION!
Please note the registration rate does NOT include course books. Click here to purchase books, and if you have any questions please contact books@circle.org.
BEGINNER CLASSES
Beginners Conversation I with Baruch Blum (A)
Mondays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7, 14
Course Goals: Build basic conversational skills in Yiddish.
Course materials: Colloquial Yiddish
Textbook can be purchased here;
audio files, here.
Additional Info: Previous knowledge of the Alef-Beys not required.
Beginners Conversation I with Baruch Blum (B)
Fridays 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: October 16, 23, 30 Nov. 6, 13, 20 Dec. 4, 11, 18 Jan. 8
Course Goals: Build basic conversational skills in Yiddish.
Course materials: Colloquial Yiddish
Textbook can be purchased here;
audio files, here.
Additional Info: Previous knowledge of the Alef-Beys not required.
Beginners I with Mikhl Yashinsky (SOLD OUT)
Sundays 3:00 – 4:30 pm: October 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; December 6, 13
Course Goals: This course relies on the communicative approach to language learning, designed to get students speaking freely as they discover the Yiddish language and culture for themselves, without moyre (fear), but rather with much freyd (joy).
Course Tools: In Eynem, by Asya Vaisman Schulman, Jordan Brown, and Mikhl Yashinsky. Available for purchase here.
Additional Info: No previous knowledge required. Students are encouraged, however, to familiarize themselves with the Yiddish alphabet before class, using materials provided here.
Beginners I with Yankl-Peretz Blum
Tuesdays 11:30 am – 1:00 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15
Course Goals: Build basic skills in comprehension, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: YiddishPOP.com (Lessons 1.1 through 2.5).
Additional Info: Previous knowledge of the Alef-Beys not required.
Beginners I with Paula Teitelbaum
Wednesdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16, 23
Course Goals: Basic comprehension, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Units 1 – 5), supplementary basic reading texts & songs.
Additional Info: Previous knowledge of the Alef-Beys is not required.
Beginners I (continuation of Summer course) with Yankl-Peretz Blum
Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:00 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15
Course Goals: Build basic skills in comprehension, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: YiddishPOP.com (Lessons 2.1 through 3.5).
Additional Info: Assumes familiarity with first unit (5 lessons) of YiddishPOP.
Beginners I (continuation) with Miri Koral
Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:30 pm: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16
Course Goals: To strengthen reading and conversation skills.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Units 4 - 7), Yiddish literary works by such authors as H. Leivick and Aaron Tseitlin.
Additional Info: Students should have a basic grasp of Yiddish conversational skills, including possessive, appearance, weather, declensions, and case changes.
Intensive Beginners I (continuation) with Mikhl Yashinsky
Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:30 pm: October 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28; November 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30; December 2, 7, 9
Course Goals: This course is designed as a continuation of the Beginners Yiddish course taught by the instructor this summer, but is open to anyone with a beginning grasp of the language. There will be development of the requisite grammatical skills to hold lively conversations, as well as understand literature, song, film, astrology, and recipes.
Course Tools: In Eynem, by Asya Vaisman Schulman, Jordan Brown, and Mikhl Yashinsky. Available for purchase here.
Additional Info: The course will begin around the beginning of Unit III of In Eynem. Students who did not take Beginners Yiddish with the instructor this summer should have a basic grasp of such elementary skills as reading the Alef-Beys, conversational phrases, conjugations in the present tense, basic verbs and adjectives, negation, colors/numbers/days of the week/times of day, forming plurals, and pronouns and articles in the nominative case. Those who do are not familiar with the above are encouraged to study the first two units of In eynem in preparation for the course.
Intensive Beginners I (continuation) with Eve Jochnowitz
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29; November 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 December 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22
Course Goals: Practice using the Yiddish alphabet in basic reading and writing. Continue learning conversational skills and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Starting from Units 6), songs and specialized handouts.
Additional Info: This is a continuation of the Summer 2020 course.
Beginner II with Eve Jochnowitz
Mondays 3:00 – 4:30 pm: October 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7, 14, 21
Course Goals: Practice using the Yiddish alphabet in basic reading and writing. Continue learning conversational skills and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Starting from Units 7), songs and specialized handouts.
Additional Info: Students should have knowledge of the Alef-Beys.
Beginner Conversation II with Natalia Krynicka
Mondays 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7
Course Goals: Develop speaking and listening skills through simple Yiddish conversation on different subjects. Learn common phrases and useful expressions.
Course Tools: Readings and vocabulary lists in Hebrew letters and in transliteration provided by the instructor.
Additional Info: Students should have a basic grasp of Yiddish conversational skills.
Advanced Beginner Conversation with Natalia Krynicka
Mondays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7
Course Goals: Develop speaking and listening skills. Improve fluency in talking about everyday life topics.
Course Tools: Readings and vocabulary lists in Hebrew letters and in transliteration provided by the instructor. Short audio and video recordings.
Additional Info: Students should have a basic grasp of Yiddish conversational skills.
Advanced Beginners with Sheva Zucker
Mondays 1:15 – 2:45 pm: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7
Course Goals: Basic comprehension, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (starting with Unit 11A), supplementary basic reading texts and songs. Quite possibly, Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. II will need to be purchased when Vol. I is completed.
Additional Info: The course is designed for those with approximately 1 to 1.5 years of Yiddish language study.
Advanced Beginners with Miriam Koral (A)
Mondays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7
Course Goals: Continue building skills in reading, writing, conversational skills, and Yiddish grammar with focus on vocabulary related to food and work; future tense, etc.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Units 10 and 11), Sholem Aleichem, Y.L. Peretz (Oyb Nisht Nor Hekher), Kadya Molodowski, Avrum Sutzkever, and Celia Dropkin.
Additional Info: Basic reading, writing and conjugation in the present and past tense required.
Advanced Beginners with Miriam Koral (B)
Wednesdays 1:30 – 3:00 pm: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16
Course Goals: Continue building skills in reading, writing, conversational skills, and Yiddish grammar with focus on vocabulary related to food and work; future tense, etc.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Units 10 and 11), Sholem Aleichem, Y.L. Peretz (Oyb Nisht Nor Hekher), Kadya Molodowski, Avrum Sutzkever, and Celia Dropki, plus song and poetry handouts.
Additional Info: Basic reading, writing and conjugation in the present and past tense required.
Advanced Beginners (continuation) with Paula Teitelbaum
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15
Course Goals: Continue learning basic comprehension, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (Unit 11), supplementary basic reading texts and songs.
Additional Info: Students should have knowledge of the Alef-Beys.
INTERMEDIATE CLASSES
Intermediate Conversation with Natalia KrynickaWednesdays 2:00 – 3:30 pm: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16
Course Goals: Improve speaking and listening skills, with the focus on developing vocabulary.
Course Tools: Readings and vocabulary lists in Hebrew letters and in transliteration provided by the instructor. Audio and video recordings in different dialects.
Additional Info: Students should have a basic grasp of Yiddish conversational skills.
Intermediate with Dovid Katz: Sholem Aleichem
Mondays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7, 14
Course Goals: This course follows the "read and discuss in Yiddish" method of the classic Yiddish reading circle. Emphasis on semantics, lexicon, grammar, dialect, as well as cultural, literary, religious and civilizational background.
Course Tools: The text to be read is Sholem Aleichem’s Funem Yarid using the classic Workmen's Circle edition prepared by Yudl Mark (available at NYBC). Students are advised to look at the text before registering to see if it is at the appropriate level of challenge for your needs.
Additional Info: This course is suitable for those who have completed one year of college-level Yiddish instruction or the equivalent. This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Intermediate I with Paula Teitelbaum
Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16, 23
Course Goals: Continue learning Yiddish with a stronger focus on developing comprehension, speaking, reading and grammar skills in context.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (starting from Unit 12B).
Additional Info: Taught almost entirely in Yiddish. For students who have a working knowledge of Yiddish or who have completed the Beginners courses.
Intermediate II with Paula Teitelbaum
Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15
Course Goals: Continue Intermediate study of Yiddish reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. II (starting with Unit 14B), Mit Groys Fargenign – Collection of Yiddish literature for Intermediate level students.
Additional Info: This course is taught almost entirely in Yiddish.
Intermediate II with Eve Jochnowitz
Thursdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm: October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19 December 3, 10, 17, 24
Course Goals: Continue developing comprehension, speaking, reading and grammar skills.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. I by Sheva Zucker (starting with Unit 13), supplementary basic reading texts and songs.
Additional Info: Taught almost entirely in Yiddish. For students who have a working knowledge of Yiddish or who have completed the Beginners courses.
Intermediate III with David Braun
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8
Course Goals: Continue learning Yiddish for students who have a working knowledge of Yiddish or who have completed an elementary course.
Course Tools: College Yiddish by Uriel Weinreich (starting with Lesson 26).
Additional Info: This course is taught almost entirely in Yiddish. For students who have a working knowledge of Yiddish or who have completed the Beginners courses. This is a continuation of the Spring 2020 course.
Intermediate III with Sheva Zucker
Thursdays 7:00 – 8:30 pm: October 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17
Course Goals: Continue Intermediate level study of Yiddish reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. II by Sheva Zucker (starting with Unit 19A); Motl Peyse dem Khazns by Sholem Aleichem, (starting with chapter 8).
Additional Info: The course is designed for those with approximately 3 years of Yiddish language study.
Intermediate Yiddish literature with Sheva Zucker
Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16
Course Goals: Students will read and discuss Yiddish literature. Grammar will be taught as it comes up through the readings.
Course Tools: Selected readings from prose writers Tsvi Ayzenman, Kadye Molodowsky, Y.L. Peretz, and Yente Serdatsky; poets Celia Dropkin, Yankev Glatshteyn, and others.
Additional Info: The course is designed for those with approximately 1.5 to 2.5 years of Yiddish language study, and will be taught entirely in Yiddish. Emphasis is on understanding the texts.
Intermediate-Advanced Conversation with Eve Jochnowitz
Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:30 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16, 23
Course Goals: Study the life and culture of the Yiddish-speaking world while building skills in speaking and listening comprehension.
Course Tools: Material in Yiddish with transliteration provided by the instructor.
Additional Info: This course is taught almost entirely in Yiddish.
Intermediate-Advanced with Kolya Borodulin: Mit Yidish iber der velt
Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16, 23
Course Goals: Introduce students to key Yiddish cultural figures from past to present.
Course Tools: Texts and multimedia by and about outstanding Yiddishists.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish. (It is not a repetition of previous courses.)
ADVANCED CLASSES
Advanced with Gennady Estraikh: Transatlantic Russian Jewishness
Sundays 10:00 – 11:30 am: October 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22; December 6, 13, 20, 27
Course Goals: In the early decades of the twentieth century, tens of thousands of Yiddish speaking immigrants actively participated in the American Socialist and labor movement. The focus of the course will be on the Forverts newspaper’s reaction to the political developments in the home country.
Course Tools: Forverts (The Forward) articles, including those by Abraham Cahan and Sholem Asch.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Sheva Zucker: Autobiographies, Part I
Sundays 10:30 am – 12:00 pm: October 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22; December 6, 13, 20, 27
Course Goals: Begin advanced level study of Yiddish language, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish autobiographies including those of Shmerke Kaczerginski, Kadya Molodowsky, Malke Li, Gina Medem. Grammar will be drawn from the readings. Student presentations.
Additional Info: The course is designed for those with approximately 3 to 3.5 years of Yiddish language study. It assumes you have finished Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Vol. II by Sheva Zucker or the equivalent. This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Sheva Zucker
Mondays 3:00 – 4:30 pm: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7
Course Goals: Interpret and understand the traditional life of East European Jewry and improve vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills.
Course Tools: Chapters from Dos Mayse-bukh fun Mayn Lebn by Meylekh Ravitsh, poetry, newspaper articles, student presentations.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Kolya Borodulin
Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: Tuesdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15
Course Goals: Read and analyze Yiddish literature, poetry, and songs.
Course Tools: I. J. Singer’s Mishpokhe Karnovski (part II), additional historical material, selection of relevant poetry and songs.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Avrom Lichtenbaum: Moyshe Nadir and his place in Yiddish Literature
Mondays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7, 14
Course Goals: This course will focus on the important but not well-known nowadays Yiddish author, Moyshe Nadir, who introduced a new tone into Yiddish literature, filled with sarcasm and irony.
Course Tools: The works of Moyshe Nadir.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Miriam Trinh: Zalman Gradowski’s Testimony from the Sonderkommando in Auschwitz
Tuesdays 2:00 – 3:30 pm: October 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1, 8, 15
Course Goals: To read and discuss the surviving but relatively unknown testimony of Zalman Gradowski, the complicated history of the preserved texts and their publication(s), as well as on Gradowski’s biography.
Course Tools: The writings of Zalman Gradowski.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Sheva Zucker: Autobiographies, Part II
Thursdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10
Course Goals: Continue advanced level study of Yiddish language, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and grammar.
Course Tools: Yiddish autobiographies including those of Yoysef Bulof, Shira Gorshman, Shmerke Kaczerginski, Meylekh Ravitsh, a modern Soviet writer. Grammar will be drawn from the readings.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Avrom Lichtenbaum: Sholem Aleichem the Reporter
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 pm: October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17, 24
Course Goals: In this course, we will familiarize ourselves with Sholem Aleichem’s creative world through his writings on socio-political themes in Yiddish newspapers.
Course Tools: Sholem Aleichem’s newspaper articles.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced Literature with Yitskhok Niborski: Eliezer Shteynbarg’s Other Fables
Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16, 23
Course Goals: To read and discuss the allusions, short puns and dazzling associations in the fables, which are deceptively simple on the surface. Shteynbarg’s works are full of wit and Jewish wisdom, and also reflect very well the larger contemporary world situation, which undoubtedly contributed to their widespread popularity among the everyday Jewish public.
Course Tools: Eliezer Shteynbarg’s fables that were not taught in previous courses.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced Literature with Dovid Katz: A Close Reading of An-ski’s Der Díbek (The Dybbuk) and a Chaim Grade Novella
Thursdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17, 24
Course Goals: To close read the text as a group with analysis focused on linguistic, cultural, and religious (esp. kabbalistic) elements. Participants take turns reading with each segment followed by discussion (entirely in Yiddish).
Course Tools: S. An-ski’s classic The Dybbuk, in Di yidishe drame in 20tn yorhundert Vol 2 (Congress for Jewish Culture: New York 1977). In the event the book is completed before the end of the course, it will be followed immediately by a novella by Chaim Grade to be decided on together with participants.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish.
Advanced with Leyzer Burko: An Introduction to Hungarian Yiddish
Sundays 12:00 – 1:30 pm: Oct. 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22; Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27
Course Goals: This course will explore the Yiddish dialects which Jews once spoke throughout much of Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and the Transcarpathian region in Ukraine, including the Unterland and Oberland dialects.
Course Tools: Texts, recordings, and conversations with people who remember the way their parents and grandparents spoke.
Additional Info: This course is taught entirely in Yiddish. No knowledge of Hungarian, Slovakian, Romanian, or Ukrainian required.
YIDDISH SONG AND KLEZMER WORKSHOPS
Yiddish Song Workshop with Zisl Slepovich
Mondays 12:00 – 1:30 pm: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; December 7
Course Goals: The workshop will provide an insight into Yiddish songs from different periods and regions, as well as those coming from folk tradition and composed by notable Yiddish authors. Each session will allow for learning the song and all of its contexts, as well as discussion as necessary.
Course Tools: Text and music shared by the instructor.
Additional Info: Open to everyone, no previous experience necessary.
Yiddish Choir with Polina Shepherd: Sing for a Better World
Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18; December 2, 9, 16
Course Goals: Explore part of the rich cultural heritage of Yiddish songs that describe the history, memories and yearnings, journeys to freedom and love. They will range from old to new, from unknown to classics and from simple to challenging — and all will bring hope and power to our hearts.
Course Tools: Song sheets with music, transliterations and transliterations will be provided. Some songs will be introduced with 2-4 part vocal harmonies, though we won't be able to sing together.
Additional Info: Open to all. Stretch your vocal muscles with a charismatic leader and add your voice to the international chorus of Yiddish singers.
Hasidic and Yiddish Nigunim with Cantor Jeff Warschauer
Thursdays 12:00 – 1:15 pm: October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17; January 7
Course Goals: Learn and sing deep and soulful melodies, from quiet and introspective to joyous and foot-stomping.
Course Tools: Songs to be provided by the instructor.
Additional Info: Open to everyone, no previous experience necessary.
Klezmer workshop with Deborah Strauss: Topics in Klezmer Music: History, Style and Genre
Thursdays 1:30 – 2:45 pm: October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17, Jan. 7
Course Goals: A hands-on exploration into the world of klezmer music. Each session will include playing and listening plus discussion of the elements of klezmer music, from historical origins to stylistic signifiers and tune types.
Course Tools: Provided written music.
Additional Info: No experience necessary. All instruments welcome.
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