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.
From Tevye and Tumbalalaika to Bundist Newspapers: Changing Perceptions of Yiddish
Watch now:
Saul Hankin, 2013-2014 Yiddish book center fellow, recounts how his perception of Yiddish changed dramatically when, during his undergraduate studies, he was exposed to the world of Yiddish press.
This is an excerpt from an oral history with Saul Hankin.
This excerpt is in English.
Saul Hankin was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1991.
This interview is part of the Yiddish in the Academy: scholars, language instructors, and students series.
Other video highlights from this oral history
From Tevye and Tumbalalaika to Bundist Newspapers: Changing Perceptions of Yiddish
1 minute 32 seconds
University of Michigan, One of the Best Places for Studying Yiddish
2 minutes 10 seconds
"Vos darf men mer? (What More Do You Need?)": A Yiddish Student Shares His Favorite Yiddish Expressions
1 minute 39 seconds
Nu? (So?): : A Yiddish Student Shares Favorite Yiddish Word
1 minute 10 secondsMore information about this oral history excerpt
Themes:
Keywords:
About the Wexler Oral History Project
Since 2010, the Yiddish Book Center’s Wexler Oral History Project has recorded more than 500 in-depth video interviews that provide a deeper understanding of the Jewish experience and the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture.
Tell Us Your Story
Do you (or someone you know) have stories to share about the importance of Yiddish language and culture in your life?