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Online Yiddish course!Beginning Yiddish: Conversational and Written We are delighted to offer an online Yiddish language course this fall through the University of Massachusetts' award-winning online education program! The course is for students who wish to explore the language and culture of Ashkenazic Jewry. Experience the richness of Yiddish literature -- and Yiddish humor --in the original; learn about the Hasidic world through tales and songs; and learn to speak, write, and read Yiddish while exploring American and East European Yiddish literature, film, theater, and klezmer music. There are no prerequisites, and no knowledge of any Jewish language or the Jewish alphabet is expected. By the end of the term, students should be able to converse in Yiddish on a variety of topics and to read simple Yiddish texts. The instructor, Yuri Vedenyapin, is the academic director of the National Yiddish Book Center's Summer Yiddish Program. He teaches Yiddish language and culture at Harvard University, and his scholarly interests include old and modern Yiddish literature, East European Jewish folklore, and the history of Yiddish dialects and literary standards. He is especially interested in ethnographic fieldwork and has conducted numerous interviews with Yiddish writers, actors, and members of Hasidic communities. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.A. from Columbia University. In addition to his work at Harvard, he has taught Yiddish at Columbia University, Moscow State University, and the Yiddish Summer Program in Warsaw, Poland. Besides his academic pursuits, he also performs songs in Yiddish, Russian, and Polish. Frequently Asked Questions I know some Yiddish. Is this course at the right level for me? This course is primarily designed for beginners, although the online format allows greater flexibility to accommodate a variety of levels. We hope to introduce more advanced levels in coming years, depending on demand. Are there textbooks? The only book you will need to buy is Weinreich's Yiddish Dictionary, which you can purchase from our store. Everything else (including audio and video materials) will be available through our website. The course will be a combination of various online activities (including exercises, group work, and question forums), and live sessions.What is the anticipated time commitment? As with any foreign language, the more time you can devote to it, the better. Commitment will vary according to personal learning styles and background. We estimate an average would be 40 minutes a day or about 4 hours per week.Are there set meeting times? The class is primarily self directed, in that materials will be available for use at any time. There will, however, be some scheduled sessions when students can participate in group discussions. These meetings will take place at different times of the week in order to accommodate the varying schedules of students. We will provide exact dates as soon as we have them. Each of the group sessions will be recorded and made available for those who are unable to participate during scheduled time(s). What are the technical requirements?
You'll find UMass Online’s technical requirements at: Is there a member discount? National Yiddish Book Center members receive a 5% ($30) discount on the non-credit course, bringing the member price to $570. If you’re not already a member, consider joining! With a $36 tax-deductible contribution, you’ll become a member of the Book Center, which will entitle you to receive our magazine, Pakn Treger, as well as discounts on your Yiddish dictionary and any other purchases at www.greatjewishbooks.com. To request the member discount, please contact us at members@bikher.org prior to registering for the course. |
| The National Yiddish Book Center Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building • 1021 West Street • Amherst MA 01002 • Phone 413-256-4900 • Fax 413-256-4700 • Contact |
