Yiddish Language Classes @Musikschule
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 – 5 p.m.
Whether you are interested in Yiddish language and literature for its own sake, or you’re ready to broaden your understanding of Yiddish music through learning Yiddish (highly recommended), our Yiddish Language classes are for you! In 2017 you can study Yiddish for three weeks (plus a five-day class, The Art of Storytelling, with Yuri Vedenyapin), taught by some of the best teachers and specialists in the world, and surrounded by the incredibly rich cultural program of Yiddish Summer Weimar with its jam sessions, concerts, and many other events.
We offer three consecutive week-long classes for Beginners (with Janina Wurbs), Intermediate (with Mendy Cahan), and Advanced (with Khayele Beer). The classes build on each other, and you can take all three in a row. Of course, if you only have one or two weeks free, you can take just one or two courses, according to your Yiddish language level.
If you want to take part in the third class, which is being taught this year by Dr. Khayele Beer, you will already need a good knowledge of Yiddish, or to have worked hard in the first two courses. Anyone who took part in the intermediate course last year is also very welcome to come to Dr. Beer’s class.
Our Yiddish classes are being offered in cooperation with the Seminar for Jewish Studies, University of Halle-Wittenberg. College students can receive credit for their participation. For more information about this, please send an email to: registration@othermusic.eu
For further questions please refer to course coordinator Andreas Schmitges: andreas.schmitges@othermusic.eu
Beginners July 16 – 22
With Janina Wurbs
One of the foremost Yiddishists of her generation, Janina is an experienced teacher with loads of experience in folklore and music. She has been a part of the Yiddish Summer community for many years and we’re delighted to welcome her back in 2017. read more
Beginners July 16 – 22
With Janina Wurbs
One of the foremost Yiddishists of her generation, Janina is an experienced teacher with loads of experience in folklore and music. She has been a part of the Yiddish Summer community for many years and we’re delighted to welcome her back in 2017.
The Hebrew alphabet ("square script") is the key to one of the world's richest and most fascinating cultures that originated 1000 years ago in the Rhineland, blossomed in Eastern Europe, and can be found today on every continent – Yiddish culture.
In this intensive course, students quickly and playfully learn to read the Yiddish alphabet, opening the door to all sorts of original Yiddish texts, including songs, poems and short stories. You'll get important tips on pronunciation and start to shmuesn ("shmooze") in Yiddish from the very first lesson, thus developing a feeling for this expressive and musical language. The course creates an ideal basis for anyone working with Yiddish on stage, especially for singers, actors and actresses. Previous knowledge is not required, and success is guaranteed! In addition, this course will introduce you to the gripping history of the Yiddish language and you'll experience first-hand the richness of Yiddish culture!
Workshop fee: Standard 460 € / Reduced 355 € / Supporter 635 € / Under 18: 180 €
For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about
>> Registration back
Intermediate July 23 – 29
With Mendy Cahan
We are proud to welcome Mendy Cahan to our team of Yiddish teachers! Mendy is well known all over the world for his commitment to Yiddish culture and language. He runs Yung Yidish, a community center and library with 50.000 books in Tel Aviv. He is a native speaker, a singer and actor and a passionate teacher with decades of experience. read more
Intermediate July 23 – 29
With Mendy Cahan
We are proud to welcome Mendy Cahan to our team of Yiddish teachers! Mendy is well known all over the world for his commitment to Yiddish culture and language. He runs Yung Yidish, a community center and library with 50.000 books in Tel Aviv. He is a native speaker, a singer and actor and a passionate teacher with decades of experience.
His course will simultaneously focus on speaking, reading and writing in Yiddish. On a daily basis, students will engage with language exercises, Yiddish texts, writing practice and conversation in Yiddish. Reading materials will be a varied selection drawn from Yiddish poetry, literature, newspaper articles, children literature and songs and will be distributed to all students. Watch the speed of your own progress and expect an intensive week which combines hard work and fun!
SPECIAL TIP! We are delighted that Mendy has agreed to offer once again his very special workshop on “The Art of Badkhones”, following immediately after the Intermediate Yiddish Language workshop. A unique Yiddish character, the badkhn and the badkhnte are conferenciers, comedians, jesters, improvisers, poets and social commentators all in one. A rare chance to explore one of the most fascinating oral Yiddish traditions, see the full workshop description below.
Workshop fee: Standard 460 € / Reduced 355 € / Supporter 635 € / Under 18: 180 €
For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about
>> Registration back
Advanced July 30 – August 4 (six days)
With Helen (Khayele) Beer
Yiddish Memoirs
After her great success in 2016 with inspired students and a fully booked class, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Beer back to Weimar in 2017!
This year’s course will concentrate on a selection of Yiddish Memoirs (Zikhroynes). read more
Advanced July 30 – August 4 (six days)
With Helen (Khayele) Beer
Yiddish Memoirs
After her great success in 2016 with inspired students and a fully booked class, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Beer back to Weimar in 2017!
This year’s course will concentrate on a selection of Yiddish Memoirs (zikhroynes).
There is a vast quantity of memoirs written in Yiddish and we will read and examine excerpts from a number of these memoirs; looking at their wider historical and cultural contexts, beginning with readings from Glikl of Hameln (1645-1724).
Students will also be encouraged (with guidance), to write short pieces in Yiddish, drawing from their own memoirs.
This course will be underpinned by the 2017 Yiddish Weimar theme of “The Other Israel: Seeing Unseen Diasporas.” The morning sessions will be devoted to Yiddish language, grammar and conversation while the two-hour afternoon sessions will include a Yiddish Theatre workshop, a learning method of full immersion into the language and culture for which Khayele Beer is well known and loved by her students.
SPECIAL TIP! Only two days following this workshop, the dynamic and witty Yuri Vedenyapin will guide advanced students through The Art of Storytelling. Not to be missed if you love a good story and the bittersweet irony of the Yiddish point of view.
Workshop fee: Standard 405 € / Reduced 315 € / Supporter 555 € / Under 18: 180 €
For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about
>> Registration back
