10:00 - 10:45 a.m. @OMA
Lomir redn! Let's talk!
Introduction to Yiddish for German speakers
with Asya Vaisman Schulman

Yiddish and German are cousins—there’s a family resemblance, but they still have very different personalities. In this mini-workshop, you’ll get a first taste of the rich, expressive language that was born here in Central Europe, traveled east, then migrated around the world.

You’ll be surprised how much you understand—and how quickly you’ll be speaking a few phrases yourself. No homework, no pressure, no prior knowledge required. Just come as you are, as often as you like, and lomir redn a bisl Yiddish! back

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. @OMA
Lomir shpiln! (pamelekh) Let's play! (slower-paced)
Klezmer Music Mini Workshop
with Adina Presman

If you already play some klezmer music and you’d like to play with other musicians at a relaxed pace guided by an experienced and supportive leader, then this play-along mini-workshop could be just the thing for you! And if you’re new to klezmer music but you play an instrument and you’d like to give it a try, this workshop is also for you! There’s no pressure here to know the tunes already, to learn them fast, or to play them perfectly! The workshop leader will make sure you’re keeping up. Tunes will be taught both by ear and with the help of written music. You can play or take a break whenever you like, so there’s nothing to lose, so bring your instrument and join the fun! back

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. @OMA
Lomir shpiln! (gikh) Let's play! (faster-paced)
Klezmer Music Mini Workshop
with Hannah Ochner

Are you an experienced player of klezmer music, or a good instrumentalist who can read music easily and has caught the klezmer “bug?”

If so, then this play-along workshop is for you! We’ll be moving at a fast pace, sharing both familiar and rare klezmer tunes. We’ll play by ear and have written music available for anyone who needs it. Nothing beats the fun of a non-competitive, low pressure but fast-paced tune-sharing session guided by an experienced session leader. Give it a try, and if you find it’s too fast for you, you can always change to the slow-paced session taking place at the same time down the hall. back

12:00 - 12:45 p.m. @OMA
Lomir tantsn! Let's dance!
Yiddish Dance Mini Workshop with Sayumi Yoshida

Nothing expresses the spirit of Yiddish culture quite like Yiddish dance! A true folk dance tradition that evolved over centuries in Eastern Europe, it's very different from highly choreographed Balkan and Israeli dances.

Yiddish Dance is easy to learn for people of any age. It creates a strong feeling of connection and community while making space for individuality. Each day, expert dance teacher Sayumi Yoshida will teach different Yiddish dances accompanied by live klezmer music. If you already know some other folk dances, or you're just looking for some fun and movement, check out this introduction to Yiddish folk dance. Perfect for families! back

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. @OMA
Meet the Artist
with Dr. Diana Matut & daily special guests

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be a professional musician in the Yiddish music world, this is your chance to find out! Each day, YSW 2026 guest curator, Dr. Diana Matut, interviews the artists who will perform that evening in a very friendly, informal, and relaxed atmosphere. The audience is invited to join the Q&A session, too! A real behind-the-scenes look at how today’s Yiddish music artists think and feel.
Daily interview partners will be announced. back

3:00 - 3:45 p.m. @OMA
Lomir zingen! Let's sing!
Yiddish Song Mini Workshop
with Sofia Berg-Böhm and others

Do you love to sing? Are you curious what Yiddish song has to offer? Have you ever heard of krekhtsn and can you imagine what it could possibly have to do with singing?

Yiddish Song is amazingly diverse, including folk songs, theater songs, nigunim, art songs, multi-lingual songs, and much, much more. With heartfelt melodies, gentle and not-so-gentle humor, hope and resilience, Yiddish songs tell of love, childhood, war and peace, immigration and assimilation, the Old World that has been lost and the New World still to come.

This workshop is open to everyone, beginners through experts, and requires no prior knowledge of Yiddish Song. Why just sit in the audience admiring Yiddish singing when you can join in yourself? Take a chance, you won’t regret it! back

4:00 - 5:45 p.m. @OMA
Lomir tseykhenen! Let's draw!
with Naum Sint Nicolaas

In this drawing mini-workshop we’ll explore various forms of Yiddish visual language, ranging from animals and plants inspired by traditional synagogue ornaments to dynamic images drawn from the works of modernist Yiddish art. You’ll learn how to make cards and drawings inspired by the works of both traditional and modernist Yiddish artists. Drawing supplies can be purchased in the workshop or you can bring your own. back