The Yiddish Book Center's

Wexler Oral History Project

A growing collection of in-depth interviews with people of all ages and backgrounds, whose stories about the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture offer a rich and complex chronicle of Jewish identity.

"Appealing to a Sense of Fun, Not Guilt": KlezCalifornia's Approach To Promoting Yiddish Culture

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Judy Kunofsky, executive director of KlezCalifornia, explains that KlezCalifornia encourages people to participate in its programs because they will enjoy themselves - rather than making them feel responsible for saving Yiddish.

This is an excerpt from an oral history with Judy Kunofsky.

This excerpt is in English.

Judy Kunofsky was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947.

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This interview is part of the Yiddish and the Arts: musicians, actors, and artists series.

Other video highlights from this oral history

They Sent Me To Yiddish School & Stopped Speaking Yiddish in the House

1 min 27 sec

Memories of the Arbeter Ring (Workmen's Circle) Education

5 min 7 sec

"That's What You Do If You're A Jew": Reflecting On Reconstructionist Judaism

2 min 7 sec

Judy Kunofsky On Founding KlezCalifornia

1 min 55 sec

"Minor Keys Don't Sound Sad to Me": KlezCalifornia Founder Reflects on Yiddish Music

2 min 34 sec

The Mission of KlezCalifornia

1 min 42 sec

Yiddish Culture Brings Generations Together

1 min 9 sec

An American Jewish Community that Has All the Pieces

3 min 8 sec

"Kinahora": The Evil Eye, and The Irrational Aspects of Judaism

2 min 5 sec

More information about this oral history excerpt

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