Beginner I Yiddish (Sunday)
Tuition: $480 | YIVO members: $375**
Students: $240 (Must register with valid university email address)
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: Sharon Bar-Kochva
Who should take this course?
This course is for students who are new to the Yiddish language or would like a review.
What topics will this class cover?
This course introduces students to the foundations of Yiddish: the Yiddish alphabet, fundamental grammar and vocabulary, and the basics of Yiddish culture. Participants will learn to use the language in everyday situations. The class fosters the balanced development of key language skills (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) at an elementary level. It is intended for learners who wish to explore Yiddish culture, past and present, through a range of materials including historical and contemporary documents, short literary texts, and songs.
Is knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet required?
No, knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet is not required. However, students who have no prior experience with reading and writing the Yiddish or Hebrew alphabets are highly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Yiddish alphabet before class, as the course will move at a fast pace. The tools and videos provided here will be helpful in getting a handle on reading and writing the alef-beys, and are designed for independent use.
Course Materials:
Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Volume I by Sheva Zucker (Purchase).
Questions? Read our 2026 Spring Classes FAQ.
Sharon Bar-Kochva works as a Yiddish teacher and a librarian in the Paris Yiddish Center, where she is also head of the pedagogical team. She has been teaching Yiddish at various levels worldwide since 2004, both in academic and non-academic frameworks. She received her PhD from Inalco University in Paris in 2015, centering her dissertation on the pseudonyms of Yiddish and Hebrew writers.
**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.