Yiddish Language Program
The “Other” Yiddish - Yiddish in the 21st Century

July 16 - 29, 2025; unstructured (free) days: July 22 & 23 
Week One: July 16 - 21
Week Two: July 24 - 29
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 – 6 p.m. | all levels

with Eli Benedict, Mendy Cahan, Kriszta Eszter Szendrői, Eidel Malowicki

Yiddish is a living language that has always had many dialects and varieties. But its rich diversity and contemporary relevance is rarely presented in summer Yiddish language programs, which typically teach only Standard Yiddish. This year, for only the second time at Yiddish Summer Weimar, we’re focusing on the “other” Yiddish: Contemporary Hasidic Yiddish, the variety that is the daily spoken language of around one million people in the USA, Europe, Israel and around the world.

Our unique teaching team includes both native speakers of Hasidic Yiddish and expert researchers who are members of the innovative Contemporary Hasidic Yiddish group at UCL (University College London). We will study Yiddish together using a variety of approaches, including both Standard Yiddish and Hasidic Yiddish teaching materials and ways of learning. We’ll be working with historical Hasidic texts, modern Hasidic literature, nigunim, Hasidic pop music, traditional and contemporary film, and more. Formal language classes will take place in the mornings, with separate sections for beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes. Afternoons will be dedicated to more informal learning in an immersive Yiddish environment.

This workshop includes two unstructured (free) days for practicing alone or with others, reviewing materials, or just resting.

Whether you’re an absolute beginner, you’ve taken Standard Yiddish classes, or you’re a fluent Yiddish speaker, you’ll find this workshop fascinating, mind-opening, and possibly even life-changing.

 

Please note! 
You have the option to either attend the entire 2-week workshop or choose one of the two weeks.
However, it is not possible for absolute beginners to join the workshop only for the second week.

Workshop fees:
2 weeks: 855 € Standard / 555 € Reduced / 1215 € Sponsor / 255 € under 18
1 week: 465 € Standard / 315 € Reduced / 645 € Sponsor / 165 € under 18