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Fall 2024 Yiddish Classes

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Chicago YIVO Society is pleased to offer three levels of Yiddish language classes. Each course runs for for 12 weeks. Tuition is $210 (or a reduced rate of $140.) Class descriptions are below, and you can register here.
Zoom classes require stable internet access and facility with online technology. All classes require textbooks as noted.

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Intermediate

Wednesdays (and a few Mondays)
6:30pm - 8:00pm CST

 

Virtual on Zoom

12 sessions

Wednesdays September 4, 11, 18, 25

Mondays October 7, 21
Wednesdays  October 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11

This is a continuation of the previous term of Intermediate Yiddish, but will accept new students. We will pick up with Chapter 14b in Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature and Culture, Volume II. We will also be reading from Motl Peyse dem Khazns, by Sholem Aleykhem

Benna grew up speaking Yiddish at home with her mother. She has studied Yiddish at the YIVO Intensive Yiddish Summer Program and, most recently, at the Maison de la Culture Yiddish in Paris. She has attended the annual Yugntruf Yidish Vokh every year since she was two, and has been teaching for YIVO Chicago for 6 years.

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Beginner Beginner

Tuesdays
6:30pm - 8:00pm

 

IN PERSON at the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library 400 S State St.

12 sessions

September 24 through

December 17, 2024
(no class November 5th for Election Day)

This is a fun, serious, and dynamic group course using the newly published In Eynem textbook, which encourages conversation, self-expression, and contemporary usage. The course will begin with learning the Jewish letters and how they are used to read and write Yiddish. No prior learning required.

Anye Koyfmentsh has been learning Yiddish for 25 years, and teaching for 6. She trained as a Yiddish teacher through the Yiddish Book Center, and as a Talmud teacher through Svara. As an enthusiastic member of a vibrant Yiddish speaking community,  she is eager to include more people so they can make their own friendships, art, and relationships with Yiddish. She translated the Yiddish novel Your Comrade, Avreml Broide, which will be released in November, 2024.

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Advanced Beginner

Thursdays
6:30pm - 8:00pm CST

Virtual on Zoom
 

12 sessions

October 31 2024 through

January 23, 2025
(no class November 28th for Thanksgiving)

This is a fun, serious, and dynamic group course using the newly published In Eynem textbook, which encourages conversation, self-expression, and contemporary usage. We will start with a review of chapter 5, with an expectation that students have good control of reading, writing, present tense verb/converb conjugations, and basic word order.

Anye Koyfmentsh has been learning Yiddish for 25 years, and teaching for 6. She trained as a Yiddish teacher through the Yiddish Book Center, and as a Talmud teacher through Svara. As an enthusiastic member of a vibrant Yiddish speaking community,  she is eager to include more people so they can make their own friendships, art, and relationships with Yiddish. She translated the Yiddish novel Your Comrade, Avreml Broide, which will be released in November, 2024.

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Tuition

Tuition rates for all courses are below. You will receive a link to make a payment at the time you complete registration, or you can pay here.

  • $210 full tuition

  • $140 reduced tuition
     

We also offer the Khane-Faygl Turtletaub Memorial Scholarship to cover full tuition for one student in need every semester. To apply for the scholarship, please email yiddishchicago@gmail.com

No student is turned away for inability to pay, to arrange an alternative payment plan please write to us at yiddishchicago@gmail.com

Course Materials

Course materials are referenced in class descriptions. An English-Yiddish dictionary is always strongly recommended, but not required. A great option is the Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary edited by Gitl Schaechter-Vishwanath and Paul Glaser.

Please be in touch with the instructors for guidance about prerequisites and how to prepare to join a class.

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