YIVO-Bard Summer Program
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Advanced I Yiddish

Class starts Feb 26 6:30pm-8:00pm

Tuition: $480 | YIVO members: $375**
Students: $240 (Must register with valid university email address)

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This is a live, online course held weekly on Zoom. Enrollment will be capped at about 15 students. All course details (Zoom link, syllabus, handouts, assignments, etc.) will be posted to Canvas. Students will be granted access to the class on Canvas after registering for the class here on the YIVO website. This class will be conducted in Yiddish and English.

Instructor: Perl Teitelbaum

Who should take this course?
This course is appropriate for those who have completed Intermediate IV Yiddish or equivalent coursework.

What topics will this class cover?
This class is for students interested in further improving their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Part of the class is devoted to students speaking on a topic of their choice for 1-2 minutes and responding to questions and comments from classmates. We will continue using volume II of the textbook Yiddish: An Introduction to Language, Literature and Culture, by Sheva Zucker starting with Unit 15B. Grammar topics will include present participles used as adverbs and adjectives, the form and function of complemented verbs (i.e., verbs with separable prefixes), and more. Students will also continue to listen and read the student-friendly edition of Motl peyse dem khazns by Sholem Aleichem, starting from Chapter 5 (hey). After preparing a designated part of the book independently, each student will get a chance to read it aloud in their Zoom breakout room. If we finish this book before the term ends, other level-appropriate texts are ready for students to continue developing their reading skills. In addition, we will also mark the Jewish holidays by including appropriate Yiddish songs or stories.

Is knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet required?
Yes, knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet is required.

Course Materials:
This course will use Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Volume II by Sheva Zucker (Purchase). The audio and answer key for the textbooks are strongly recommended and may be purchased directly from Sheva Zucker. Motl peyse dem khazns by Sholem-Aleichem, book and audio (audio is highly recommended) may be purchased from the League for Yiddish (Purchase).

Additional materials, homework assignments as well as class video recordings will be on Canvas.

Questions? Read our 2024 Spring Classes FAQ.

Perl (Paula) Teitelbaum was born and raised in a Yiddish-speaking home in post-war Wroclaw, Poland, where she also attended a secular Yiddish day school. After immigrating to the United States in 1967, she became actively involved in New York City’s Yiddish-speaking circles. During her professional career Perl has taught Yiddish as well as Spanish and English to Speakers of Other Languages in a variety of settings. Her experience of having acquired foreign languages in adolescence gives her a deep understanding of what her students’ learning process might be. She enjoys chatting, singing and reading books in Yiddish with her grandchildren.


**Become a member today, starting at $54 for one year, and pay the member price for classes! You’ll save on tuition for this course and more on future classes and public programs tickets.