“My task is not to debate whether I’m a Jew or not, but to figure out what kind of Jew I am. For me, finding a secular Jewish community with progressive politics fits my version of that identity.”
Yiddish Classes
If you're looking for Yiddish language classes in Boston, you've come to the right place. Our instructors are passionate about Yiddish and are experienced educators. Whether you are a complete beginner or grew up speaking the language, we have a class that will accommodate you. Students cover a wide age range, from young adults to seniors. We offer classes in the fall and spring at four levels -- Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. Students in doubt about their course level may contact an instructor to discuss.
Winter-Spring 2013 Schedule
Beginners, Advanced Beginners and Intermediate Classes: 14 Tuesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00pm, starting January 29
Advanced Reading Group: 14 Wednesday evenings, 7:30 - 9:00pm, starting January 30
Tuition Rates: Members - $230; Non-members - $310; Young adult* members - $135; Young adult non-members - $175 *Young Adult = under 30
REGISTER HERE or you can register by sending a check along with your class preference and completed registration form (see bottom of page), to:
Boston Workmen's Circle
1762 Beacon St.
Brookline, MA 02445
Our Classes:
Beginner Part II (Tues nights): This is a continuation of our fall beginner session. Newcomers who can read and write simple sentences in the present tense are encouraged to join. Yiddish reading, conversation skills and grammar will be taught using College Yiddish, songs and other multi-media materials. Instructor: Abby Howell.
Advanced Beginner Part II (Tues nights): Designed for students from our fall Advanced Beginner class and for new students who already know some Yiddish reading, writing and speaking, this course will help you build conversational vocabulary, strengthen your grammar and develop reading skills. In addition to use of a textbook, students will also read simple short stories and poems; watch interviews with Yiddish writers; practice speaking; and sing Yiddish songs. Instructor: Arun Viswanath
Intermediate Reading Group Part II (Tues nights): Students will read short stories, in Yiddish, by a variety of Yiddish authors. English translations and/or glossaries will be available. Students should be familiar with Yiddish language, somewhat fluent in reading, and comfortable using Yiddish dictionaries. Grammatical constructions and idiomatic expressions will be explored as they occur in readings. Instructor: Lillian Leavitt
Advanced Reading Group Part II (Weds nights): Students will read stories, in Yiddish, by a variety of Yiddish authors, translating and discussing content in class. Discussion in Yiddish encouraged. New emphasis will be placed on translating idiomatic, religious, ironic and other unique Yiddish writing modalities. Previously translated prose will be reviewed to compare and discuss translating styles and decisions. Reading fluency required. Instructor: Lillian Leavitt
Our Instructors:
Lillian Shporer Leavitt, a daughter of Shoah survivors, grew up speaking Yiddish and graduated from the Boston Workmen's Circle Yiddish shule. A former computer software trainer, she is an experienced Yiddish teacher, having taught at the Workmen's Circle, synagogues, community centers, Gann Academy of Greater Boston, and Brandeis University. Contact Lillian at leavittx@comcast.net
Arele (Arun) Viswanath grew up in a Yiddish-speaking home in New Jersey and is following the path of his sister Meena-Lifshe, who also taught Yiddish at Workmen's Circle/Arbeter-Ring when she was at MIT. He is studying linguistics at Harvard and ultimately hopes to work in the field of language education and language acquisition. Contact Arele at youcanonlyfindme@gmail.com.
Abby Howell has a masters degree in education and works as a grade-school teacher. She learned Yiddish at the University of Texas and the Uriel Weinreich program at Columbia University, and was an intern at the National Yiddish Book Center. Abby has been speaking Yiddish for 12 years, has been teaching Yiddish at the Arbeter Ring for 3 years, and is an alumna of Yugntruf's Yiddish Teachers' Seminar. Contact Abby at abby.g.howell@gmail.com.
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