Beginner I Yiddish (Thursday)

Tuition: $480 | YIVO members: $375**
Students: $240 (Must register with valid university email address)

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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 Google Classroom. Students will be granted access to the class on Google Classroom 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 objective of this course is to develop students’ basic Yiddish language skills. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with both the written and spoken forms of Yiddish and will be able to use the language both receptively and productively. They will be able to understand and produce simple sentences about everyday activities and to introduce people and objects. Students will also learn to use a variety of online and print resources to support their language learning. The course follows the topics presented in the textbook and is supplemented with additional readings and songs.

Is knowledge of the Yiddish alphabet required?
Though the Yiddish alphabet will be reviewed during the initial sessions of this course, we strongly encourage students to acquaint themselves with the alefbeys in its printed and cursive forms 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 alefbeys, and are designed for independent use.

Course Materials:
Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture, Volume I by Sheva Zucker (Purchase).

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 also teaches Yiddish in Buenos Aires at Fundación IWO, ICUF (YKUF), and in Montevideo (Uruguay).

His research focuses on language contact and history of Yiddish teaching in Buenos Aires. He has presented his work in conferences and symposiums, both in Argentina as well as abroad. His work has been published in local and foreign academic journals, as well as in several edited volumes.

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