Intermediate II Yiddish (Sunday)

Class starts Feb 25 10:00am-11:30am

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: Philip Schwartz

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

What topics will this class cover?
Building upon prior skills, this course will further develop speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension in Yiddish. Grammatical topics will include the present participle, the dative of reference, complemented verbs (“converbs”), periphrastic verbs, and the passive voice. We will dedicate some time to the holidays (yontoyvim) of Purim and Passover, play a little bit of theater, learn about women who read and wrote in Yiddish, and speak about work in Yiddish. Grammatical topics covered in this course will roughly correspond to units 15 and 17 in Sheva Zucker’s Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Volume II, and chapters 27–29 in Uriel Weinreich’s College Yiddish. In addition to exercises from different textbooks and self-prepared material, the teacher will also make use of songs and excerpts from Yiddish literature.

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

Course Materials:
The instructor will provide all course materials digitally throughout the class on Canvas. Students may also purchase hard copies of College Yiddish (Purchase) and Yiddish, Vol. II (Purchase).

Questions? Read our 2024 Spring Classes FAQ.

Philip Schwartz grew up in Germany and has also lived in Ukraine, Israel, Poland, and Sweden. He holds BA and MA degrees in Jewish studies, history, and Slavic studies. Currently, he is based in Vienna, Austria, teaches Yiddish at different Polish and American institutions, and writes for contemporary Yiddish publications such as Forverts, Afn Shvel, Yidish-branzhe, and Yidishland.

**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.