Beginner I Yiddish (Monday)

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: Lucas Fiszman

Who should take this course?
This course is appropriate for those who are new to Yiddish or would like a review.

What topics will this class cover?
The aim of this course is to develop basic skills in Yiddish. As part of this goal, students will be familiarized with the written and oral forms of Yiddish, for reading and listening comprehension, as well as writing and speaking. By the end of the course, they will be able to understand and form simple sentences about their daily activities, as well as introduce people and objects. The goal is also for students to gain knowledge of how to use different online resources and printed materials.

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:
The instructor will provide all course materials digitally throughout the class on Canvas.

Lucas Fiszman holds a degree in Linguistics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, where he has been faculty since 2008. He learned Yiddish at the Fundación IWO, in Tel Aviv’s and Strasbourg’s programs, at YIVO, and at Arbeter Ring. He teaches Yiddish in the Buenos Aires at Fundación IWO, in Montevideo (Uruguay), and in La Plata (Argentina).

His classes focus on language contact and history of Yiddish teaching in Buenos Aires. He has presented his work in conferences and symposia, both in Argentina as well as abroad. His work has been published in local and foreign academic journals, such as Journal of Jewish Languages and Journal of Jewish Identities, as well as in several edited volumes.

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