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FAQ: 2024 Winter Program
This is the Frequently Asked Questions page for the YIVO-Bard Winter Program on Ashkenazi Civilization. To register for a Winter Program class, please go to yivo.org/Winter-Program.
Are these classes completely online?
Yes. YIVO’s Winter Program classes will be conducted entirely online, live over Zoom. All course details (including the Zoom link, syllabus, handouts, instructions for accessing Zoom recordings, etc.) are available on Canvas, a learning management system. You will be granted access to the class on Canvas after registering for the class on the YIVO website.
What’s the difference between YIVO’s Winter Program and the Shine Online Educational Series, such as A Seat at the Table: A Journey into Jewish Food?
The classes in the Winter Program are conducted live over Zoom at particular times. Students must register in advance, purchase any required course materials, and attend all live Zoom sessions. These classes are capped at about 25 students. To register for a Winter Program class, please go to yivo.org/Winter-Program.
There are four classes in YIVO’s Shine Online Educational Series (A Seat at the Table: A Journey into Jewish Food; Oh Mama, I’m in Love! The Story of the Yiddish Stage; Discovering Ashkenaz: Jewish Life in Eastern Europe; and Folksong, Demons, and the Evil Eye: Folklore of Ashkenaz). Each of these courses is free of charge and completely self-paced. Anyone may register for and begin a class at any time. There is no limit to the number of people who may register. After registering for a class, you have access to view it indefinitely. To register for a Shine Online class, please go to yivo.org/Online-Classes.
What’s the difference between the YIVO-Bard Winter Program on Ashkenazi Civilization and YIVO’s winter Yiddish seminars?
The YIVO-Bard Winter Program on Ashkenazi Civilization is held annually in January. The courses in this program are conducted in English, and focus on history, politics, art, culture, literature, etc. All Winter Program courses are held live over Zoom. To learn more about and register for a course in the 2024 Winter Program, click here.
YIVO’s winter Yiddish seminars cover special topics in Yiddish language, literature, and culture. These courses are either conducted in English or in Yiddish. The level of Yiddish proficiency required for each class is specified on each class’s registration page. To learn more about and register for a winter Yiddish seminar, click here.
Do I need to know how to use Zoom?
Yes. Winter Program classes will be conducted entirely online over Zoom. You should familiarize yourself with Zoom before the class begins.
Are the Winter Program classes self-paced?
No. The course in the Winter Program will be live, using Zoom. If you are interested in taking a course on your own time, please register for a class in the Shine Online Educational Series.
Are classes capped at a certain number of students?
Yes. Classes will be capped at about 25 students to maintain an intimate online classroom environment.
Can I take these classes if I don’t live in New York or the United States? What if I live in a different time zone?
Yes! We welcome learners from all over the world for our online classes. However, please note that these classes will be conducted live. Before registering, please check to see at what time the class will meet in your time zone to see if the class time is appropriate and fits your schedule.
Is there a discount for registering early?
Yes, this year we are offering early bird tuition rates to students who register before December 5, 2023. Pricing is specified on each class’s registration page.
Can I drop a class and get a refund?
Refunds are only available for the Winter Program classes before the first class session meets. Once the first class session begins, refunds are not available. Please email info@yivo.org with any questions.
What textbook will I need? How can I get it?
Course materials are listed on each class’s registration page. You should order any listed book(s) before class begins.
Do I need to speak English?
The Winter Program classes will be conducted in English. Any required course materials will be in English.
Can I register for more than one Winter Program class?
You are welcome to register for more than one class in the 2024 Winter Program. You are welcome to also register for winter Yiddish classes.
Are classes recorded?
All Winter Program courses are recorded, and the recordings are available to registered students through Canvas, a learning management system.
Is there a student tuition price? Are scholarships available?
We do not offer a student tuition price for the Winter Program courses. A limited number of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students are offered through a generous grant from Ellen S. Fine. To apply for a scholarship, please email Ben Kaplan.
Is there a discount for seniors?
We do not offer a discount for seniors for the Winter Program classes. We do offer a discounted member price for current YIVO members.
What if I have a question that isn’t on this list?
Please contact info@yivo.org with any questions.