Register For an Online Course

Registration for fall 2023 courses is closed. To be notified when registration opens for spring courses, sign up here.
 

Lomir zikh lernen in eynem—let’s learn together! 

Learn Yiddish in an online course for beginners using the Yiddish Book Center’s award-winning, multimedia textbook, In eynem. Classes are held twice a week over Zoom, and students connect and submit homework using Google Classroom. 

About In eynem Yiddish Courses

Our courses use a research-backed method called the communicative approach, centered on the idea that successful language learning should prioritize communicating and interpreting real meaning, similarly to how humans learn their first language. Using real-life situations and authentic materials, students in our courses focus on engaging directly with Yiddish, rather than learning about Yiddish.  

Our small, student-centered classes facilitate a uniquely collaborative and dynamic environment. Teachers ensure that students are able to understand the language used in class by means of gestures, miming, and visual aids, and that they are compelled to understand by encouraging conversations about topics that are important to each student, thus increasing motivation and lowering any anxiety about language-learning. Each course level builds on previous knowledge and corresponds to units of In eynem: The New Yiddish Textbook, which was authored by Asya Vaisman Schulman and has been adopted by numerous universities and organizations, both in the US and internationally.  
 

Course Expectations

Before signing up, make sure you can: 

"The course surpassed all my expectations. It really was a pleasure and an exceptional educational experience for me."

--In eynem student

• Commit to participating in all class sessions and spending 60-90 minutes on homework per class
• Get a copy of In eynem: The New Yiddish Textbook (available here) 
• Familiarize yourself with the Yiddish alphabet before the course begins (or take our alphabet course)

• Review previous units of the textbook before the course begins, if in a continuing level 

• Have a computer with a camera and microphone, headphones, Internet access, and proficiency with Zoom 

• Create a free Google account (or use an existing one) to access Google Classroom 

See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
 

Fall 2023 Courses
 

Courses fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Not sure which course is right for you? Our registration form asks about your language background, and we review your answers to ensure you are placed in the right level. You can also email [email protected] with questions before registering.

You can join or renew your Yiddish Book Center membership before registering. The required textbook is sold separately at $100 in our online store.

Cancellation Policy: For eight- and twelve-week courses, cancellations by September 18 will be refunded, minus a $30 administration fee. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide refunds for cancellations after September 18.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations for the Yiddish alphabet course.

Yiddish Alphabet Course (4 sessions)
Fun onheyb: From the Beginning (beginner course, 24 sessions)
Unit 4: Arum dem tish (continuing course, 16 sessions)
Unit 6: Plener un vakatsye (continuing course, 16 sessions)

Yiddish Alphabet Course

Practice your alef-beys in an intensive four-day online course taught by Moishele Alfonso. This course will focus on reading and pronunciation of the printed Yiddish alphabet, with an introduction to handwriting. Optional homework exercises will be provided.

Fun onheyb: From the Beginning

Fun onheyb will cover Unit 1 (Sholem-aleykhem) and Chapters 5–6 of Unit 2 (In klas), from In eynem: The New Yiddish Textbook.

Who should take this course?
This course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Yiddish. Students should study the Yiddish alphabet prior to the course start date.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

• Greet people and introduce yourself 

• Describe activities during a typical day and a typical week  

• Talk about geography  

• Have polite conversation  

• Count objects and buy certain items at a store
• Describe your classrooms and workspaces
• Exchange simple information about everyday objects

Grammar: Present tense verb conjugations, pronouns, word order, negation, there is/there are
Culture: Folksongs, brief history of Yiddish, poems, archival images

Beginner Section 1

Fall 2023 Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm–7:30pm ET
Orientation: September 19 at 2:30pm ET
September 26, 28
October 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31
November 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 28, 30
December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19

Cost: $700 for members; $775 for nonmembers.

Instructor: This course is taught by Moishele Alfonso, an alum of the Yiddish Book Center's Yiddish Pedagogy Fellowship and Practicum. Moishele has taught in the Center's Yiddish language programs for adults and college students, both online and in person. Learn more about Moishele here.

Beginner Section 2

Fall 2023 Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6pm–7:30pm ET
Orientation: September 19 at 2:30pm ET
September 27
October 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
November 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 27, 29
December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20
*Please note that there is no class Wednesday, 11/22.

Cost: $700 for members; $775 for nonmembers.

Instructor: This course is taught by Sasha Berenstein, a Yiddish teacher, klezmer musician, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity activist. She has led workshops for inclusivity in Yiddish pedagogy, while also centering accessibility and identity in Yiddish language instruction. Learn more about Sasha here.

Unit 4: Arum dem tish

Who should take this course? 
This course is designed for students who have studied Units 1-3 of In eynem: The New Yiddish Textbook, or the equivalent material. Students should review or familiarize themselves with Units 1-3 before class begins.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

• Talk about Ashkenazi dishes and their ingredients

• Discuss the dinner menu and table settings 

• Describe the arrangement of furniture in a room 

Grammar: The dative case
Culture: Songs, poems, historical advertisements

Fall 2023 Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm ET
September 26, 28
October 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31
November 2, 7, 9, 16, 21
*Please note that there is no class Tuesday, 11/14.

Cost: $475 for members; $550 for nonmembers.

Instructor:
Unit 4 is taught by Philip Schwartz, who has taught Yiddish with the Bente Kahan Foundation (Wrocław), the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, and the Warsaw Summer Seminar in Yiddish Language and Culture. Learn more about Philip here.

Unit 6: Plener un vakatsyes

Who should take this course?
This course is designed for students who have studied Units 1-5 of In eynem: The New Yiddish Textbook, or the equivalent material. Students should review or familiarize themselves with Units 1-5 before class begins.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

• Plan an upcoming vacation
• Talk about dressing for different kinds of weather
• Discuss your wishes, skills, and obligations

Grammar: The future tense, modal verbs
Culture: Songs, poems, historical advertisements

Fall 2023 Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2-3:30pm ET
September 27
October 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
November 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20

Cost: $475 for members; $550 for nonmembers.

Instructor: This course is taught by Moishele Alfonso, an alum of the Yiddish Book Center's Yiddish Pedagogy Fellowship and Practicum. Moishele has taught in the Center's Yiddish language programs for adults and college students, both online and in person. Learn more about Moishele here.