אונדזער יוטוב
Our YouTube

• Watch on YouTube May 26, 2026

  פֿאָלקס־מעשׂיות, לעגענדעס און חסידישע דערציילונגען | Folktales, Legends, and Hasidic Stories

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  Between tradition and imagination, folklore and faith, Jewish stories have taken many different forms. In this conversation, we wander through a world of folktales, legends, Midrashim, and Hasidic stories that still carry great power and continue to be retold and reimagined to this day.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube May 26, 2026 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube April 24, 2026

  די געשיכטע פֿון אַרבעטער־רינג אין מאָנטרעאָל | The History of the Workmen’s Circle in Montreal

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  For more than a century, the Workmen's Circle played an important role in Jewish life in Montreal. The organization was one of the most important secular Jewish forces in the city and for many years fostered a rich cultural and communal life.

  We invite you to tune in to this fascinating conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and the individual who led the Workmen's Circle in Montreal in its final years: Saul (Shalom) Edelstein

  In the early years of the twentieth century there were a number of Workmen's Circle branches. These branches carried out a rich cultural program: they ran schools, theater troupes, choirs, and organized many other cultural activities. Over the years the branches gradually closed, and the remaining activities came together in one house. In the past year the house itself also closed. With that, a long chapter in the history of the Workmen's Circle in Montreal came to an end. In our conversation, Shaul Edelstein will speak about the branches, about the life and activities that took place in that house, and about his own experiences in the final years of the organization.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube April 24, 2026 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube March 24, 2026

  הערי פּאָטער, קאַמער פֿון סודות, קאַפּיטל 6 | Harry Potter In Yiddish! Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 6

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  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

  Listen to Arun ("Arele") Schaechter Viswanath's dramatic reading of chapter 6 of his authorized Yiddish translation of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", titled "Gilderoy Lockhart".
  Read along with either the Yiddish volume or the English one.
  We've also provided the text on the screen!

  The Yiddish edition of this book was published by "Olniansky Tekst" in 2024. By now, two books in the series have already appeared "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". The books are available for purchase here: https://www.leagueforyiddish.org/literatur.html

  This recorded reading is part of the series "Have you heard?", a project of the League for Yiddish that aims to make written Yiddish more accessible to speakers and learners of the language.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 24, 2026

• Watch on YouTube March 14, 2026

  דאָס אויפֿוואַקסן חסידיש אין ווין: אַ לעבנסבילד | Growing Up Hasidic in Vienna: A Yiddish Portrait

  Yiddish today

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  Born in Vienna into a Slonim Hasidic family, a descendant of the Tsanz Rebbe, Eidel Malowicki carries within her a vivid life portrait of a Hasidic world within a modern city. In her storytelling, personal memories intertwine with communal history, and Yiddish remains the key language connecting the two. We invite you to tune in to this fascinating conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Eidel Malowicki.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 14, 2026 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube February 12, 2026

  יום־טובֿ לכּבֿוד דעם נײַעם פּרץ־ביכל פֿאַר סטודענטן | A celebration of the Peretz student reader

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  In August 2025 the League for Yiddish published the book Afn veg: Zibn dertseylungen fun Y.-L. Perets – featuring seven classic short stories by the great author I. L. Peretz, abridged and adapted by Moishele Alfonso for Yiddish students and learners. Free recordings are included.

  At this event, Moishele spoke about his unique approach to the project and read excerpts from it. The audience heard how Peretz can be adapted to a student level without losing the essence and charm of the original.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube February 12, 2026

• Watch on YouTube January 19, 2026

  פּערל גליק: פֿון באָראָ־פּאַרק צו שאַפֿן פֿילמען | Pearl Gluck: From Borough Park to creating films

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  Yiddish, Film and Storytelling

  What happens when a young woman sets out on a journey to find a lost, blessed Hasidic couch in Hungary, and discovers a new artistic path that brings Yiddish to the screen and launches a filmmaking career? We invite you to tune in to this fascinating conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Pearl Gluck.

  We discuss her creative process, the presence of Yiddish in her work, and the backstory behind selected films. With her permission, we also show short excerpts for discussion.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube January 19, 2026 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube December 18, 2025

  הערי פּאָטער: דער טרונקען־מײַסטער | Harry Potter In Yiddish! The Potions Master

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  Harry Potter: The Potions Master

  Listen to Arun ("Arele") Schaechter Viswanath's dramatic reading of chapter 8 of his authorized Yiddish translation of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", titled "The Potions Master".

  Read along with either the Yiddish volume or the English one.
  We׳ve also provided the text on the screen!
  The Yiddish edition of this book was published by "Olniansky Tekst" in 2020. Meanwhile, a second book in the series "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is already out.
  The books are available for purchase here: https://www.leagueforyiddish.org/literatur.html

  This recorded reading is part of the series "Have you heard?", a project of the League for Yiddish that aims to make written Yiddish more accessible to speakers and learners of the language. We will be adding more chapters soon!

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 18, 2025

• Watch on YouTube December 18, 2025

  „ווערטער פֿון דער וואָך“ ווערט בר־מיצווה! | ‪"Verter fun der Vokh" Celebrates Its Bar-Mitzvah!

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

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  We invite you to tune in to this fascinating conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and our Board Chair Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath

  Since 2013, the League for Yiddish has been posting Verter fun der Vokh (Words of the Week) — a beloved series of thematic Yiddish word lists that has captivated countless readers and students around the world. Over the years, several hundred lists have appeared, covering every imaginable topic: holidays, food, clothing, politics, society, animal sounds, and much more.
  In this interview, board chair and editor Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath shares the story behind 13 years of the project: how it all began, which topics have most captivated our audience, as well as what some of the more memorable questions/comments were from our readers. She also reflects on her poetry, her Yiddishist upbringing on Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx, and her major work on the monumental Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 18, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube November 13, 2025

  וויווי לאַקס: ייִדיש אין לאָנדאָן |Vivi Lachs: East End Jews, Sketches from the London Yiddish Press

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  A fascinating conversation (in Yiddish) between Sheva Zucker and the well-known historian of London's Jewish community Vivi Lachs, who speaks about her new book: East End Jews | Sketches from the London Yiddish Press.

  Between 1884 and 1954, the London press published hundreds of feuilletons/urban sketches by local writers about London Jewish life. The short stories are satirical, humorous, and moving, and address such topics as: war between the sexes at home, politics in the cafés, and Torah scrolls in the streets. The stories were written by both well-known writers (Morris Winchevsky, Yosef Hayim Brenner and Esther Kreitman), and lesser-known ones.

  Vivi Lachs and Sheva Zucker (Yiddish teacher and former editor of Afn Shvel) are collaborating on presenting a series of stories – in English and Yiddish – and discuss the topics that were highlighted by the press.

  In Yiddish+English | Released on YouTube November 13, 2025

• Watch on YouTube October 11, 2025

  זיבן דערציילונגען פֿון י.־ל. פּרץ | Zibn dertseylungen fun Y.-L. Perets

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  In Celebration of the League for Yiddish' newest student reader
  Afn veg: Zibn dertseylungen fun Y-.L. Perets
  (Pathways: Seven Stories by I. L. Peretz)

  We invite you to listen to this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Moishele (Mario) Alfonso who abridged and adapted the stories.

  This innovative reader offers students access to classic Yiddish stories, complete with side-by-side glossaries, discussion questions, and full audio recordings. In this interview, we discuss the process of creating the book and enjoy live readings from several stories.

  The book is available at:
  https://www.leagueforyiddish.org/peretz.html
  Not a member of the Yiddish League: $35 | Member: $32

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube October 11, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube September 3, 2025

  Dr. Miriam Trinh: Out of the Depths of the YIVO Archives – Chaim Grade’s Novel Sons and Daughters

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  Meet the editor-in-chief of our magazine Afn Shvel, Dr. Miriam Trinh. Enjoy and learn from her fascinating lecture "Out of the Depths of the YIVO Archives – Chaim Grade's Novel Sons and Daughters.
  Miriam also chatted with the audience about her very interesting path from Poland to Israel, as well as how she became an expert in Yiddish language and literature.

  Introduction: Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath.
  co-sponsored by YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

  Illustration by Yehuda Blum.

  In English | Released on YouTube September 3, 2025

• Watch on YouTube August 21, 2025

  פֿאַרלוירענע אוצרות קערן זיך אום אין ייִוו״אָ | Allan Nadler: Vilna's Lost Treasures Return to YIVO

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Rabbi Allan (Arn) Nadler.

  In this interview, we revisit his years at YIVO and hear his reflections on Yiddish cultural heritage and the ongoing role of archives in shaping Jewish memory.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube August 21, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube June 23, 2025

  יעקבֿ פֿינקלמאַן: ווען ייִדיש האָט געקלונגען אין מעקסיקע | When Yiddish Echoed in Mexico

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Jacob Finkelman. Born and raised in 1940s Mexico City, Finkelman spent his childhood in a community where Yiddish was the language of everyday Jewish life — at home, in school, in the streets, and deep within the soul.
  In this conversation, he shares memories of his early years in a Yiddish school, family life, and the rhythms of community — and reflects on how Yiddish continued to live and breathe in Latin America after the war.
  You will also hear about his long career — knowledge management in telecommunications around the world — and about his move to Israel, where he lives today.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube June 23, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube May 12, 2025

  דובֿ־בער קאָטלערמאַן: צווישן פּאָעזיע און פֿאָרשונג | Dov-Ber Kotlerman: Between Poetry & Research

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Dov-Ber (Berl) Kotlerman. Prof. Kotlerman is marking the publication of his new Yiddish poetry collection, Tkies-kaf: Diptikhlekh (Handclasp: Diptychs), recently released by CYCO (New York). The book presents poetic pairs – diptychs – that explore shared themes through shifting voices and reflections.

  In this conversation, we read selected poems and explore the creative path behind them, alongside reflections on his wider work in Yiddish culture, literature, and memory.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube May 12, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube March 27, 2025

  בלעטער פֿון װין: די געשיכטע פֿון ייִדישן פֿאַרלאַג | Pages of Vienna: The Yiddish Publishing Story

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  "History of Yiddish" on YouTube, Chapter 4

  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Dr. Thomas Soxberger. We discuss Soxberger's new book, Gründen wir einen jiddischen Verlag! Jiddische Bücher, Zeitschriften und Broschüren aus Wien. Eine kommentierte Bibliographie ("Let's Found a Yiddish Publishing House! Yiddish Books, Journals, and Pamphlets from Vienna – An Annotated Bibliography"). This work explores Yiddish publishing in Vienna, offering insight into its books, periodicals, and pamphlets. We explore the rich history of Yiddish publishing in Vienna and its broader impact on Jewish life in the city.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 27, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube February 13, 2025

  אלי שאַרפֿשטיין: ווילנע פֿון צווייטן דור | ‪‪‪Eli Sharfstein: ‪Vilna of the Second Generation

  About theater

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Eli Sharfstein.
  Eli Sharfstein, the son of active Yiddish theater artists in Vilna who currently lives in Israel, has documented his memories and stories in books such as Mayn Vilner Zavulik (My Vilna Alley), and Der Zelner Shloft, un di Dinst Geyt Vayter: Bilder fun der Rusisher Armey (The Soldier Sleeps, and the Maid Continues: Images from the Russian Army), which will be published soon. We discuss Vilna after the Holocaust, focusing on the 1950s and 1960s. Sharfshtein is also the author of Plutsem Yidish (Suddenly Yiddish), a poetry e-book that carries a deep personal voice from a Vilna-born writer. Through this interview, we will hear about his memories and read selected passages from his works.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube February 13, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube January 7, 2025

  קלאַודיאַ ראָזענצווײַג: ייִדיש אין 16טן יאָרהונדערט | Claudia Rosenzweig: Yiddish in the 16th Centur

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Claudia Rosenzweig. We discuss the fascinating history of Yiddish books and printing in the 16th century, and especially about Yiddish in Italy. Among those publications are well-known books such as Bovo-Bukh by Elye Bokher (Elijah Levita); Ku-Bukh and more. We also explore more broadly about Old and Middle Yiddish, and how they differ from Modern Yiddish, drawing on Rosenzweig's research on these topics.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube January 7, 2025 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube December 1, 2024

  ‫האָבן די רבנים געקעמפֿט קעגן די משׂכּילים?|‪Did the Rabbis Wage War Against Enlightenment Thinkers?

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Yohanan Lowen. We discuss Lowen's research, which addressed this topic. In particular, we delve into the untold facts surrounding the issue, such as the support given by rabbis to prominent Enlightenment figures like Moses Mendelssohn and Naphtali Hirz Wessely (Naftali Hirtz Vizel). We also explore the development of the bans and conflicts against them within religious circles, which continue to the present day.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 1, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube October 13, 2024

  די וויליאַמסבורגער מיידל וואָס איז געוואָרן אַ ראָקשטערן ‪A Williamsburg girl who became a rock star

  About music

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Riki Rose, The girl from Williamsburg who became a rock star. Riki Rose grew up in a Satmar family, got married, and later left the Hasidic community. Today, she is known in the Yiddish world as a composer and singer of Yiddish music, a comedian in short films, and a social media influencer.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube October 13, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube August 11, 2024

  ‫‫‫ירמיהו אַהרן טאַוב: אַ ישיבֿה–בחור וואָס איז געוואָרן אַ פּאָעט | A yeshiva boy who became a poet

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Yermiyahu Ahron Taub. Hear about his books and translations, especially about his new book Blessed Hands: Stories, an English translation of Frume Halpern's Gebentshte hent: dertseylungen. We read from his poetry, and discuss Taub's own life story.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube August 11, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube July 21, 2024

  ‫‫‫200 באַהאַלטענע לעבנס־געשיכטעס פֿון ייִדן אין אַמעריקע | ‪200 Hidden Stories of Jewish America

  ליטעראַטור

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Daniel Soyer. Hear about the history of YIVO's autobiography contest in 1942, on the topic "Why I left Europe, and what I have accomplished in America," when over 200 "ordinary," everyday people sent in their life stories. We read some examples from those treasures and get to know some of the writers and their lives. Additionally, we discuss Soyer's own history, and his books and research that deal with Jewish immigrants, Jews in America, and left-wing ideologies.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 21, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube June 23, 2024

  אָלניאַנסקיס ייִדישער פֿאַרלאַג אין שװעדן | The Olniansky Yiddish publishing house in Sweden

  ליטעראַטור

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  Watch this this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Nikolaj Olniansky
  Hear about the history of his Yiddish publishing house Olniansky Tekst; the writers who publish there and their books, including well-known translations such as The Hobbit and Harry Potter, as well as original works such as Sonim: geshikhte fun a libe by Isaac Bashevis Singer. We also discuss his personal history, and his own creation of children's books.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube June 23, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube May 17, 2024

  שפֿרה לאָווען: פֿון קרית טאָהש צום אומבאַוווּסטן | Shifra Lowen: From Kiryas Tosh to the unknown

  About music

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Shifra Lowen
  Hear about her journey of growing up and raising a family in a small Hasidic village in Quebec. Delve into her experiences with girls' education, and Yiddish creation within the community, including the resonance of her Yiddish songs across the Hasidic world. Explore her transformative decision to leave the community together with her entire family and gain insights into her current life path.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube May 17, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube April 19, 2024

  מענדל פּאַנעט: אַ רביש קינד + ייִדישע קאָמיקס Mendel Paneth: A Royal Hasidic Child & Yiddish Comics

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  We invite you to listen to this pre-recorded conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Rabbi Mendel Hersh Paneth. Hear about his life as the son of a Hasidic rebbe; stories about his dynasty, and about the clothes and customs that are specific to descendants of Hasidic rabbis. Learn how he introduced comics in Yiddish to the Hasidic world through magazines and books that he published. We also discuss his various types of creative work as a cantor, lecturer, writer, graphic artist, painter and even a cooking instructor.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube April 19, 2024

• Watch on YouTube March 6, 2024

  יעד בירן: ייִדיש אין תּל־אָבֿיבֿ | Yaad Biran: Yiddish in Tel Aviv

  About theater

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Dr. Yaad Biran. Hear about Yiddish creativity and writers in Israel, especially in Tel Aviv, and about the status of Yiddish versus Hebrew historically and now. We also discuss Yiddish in Tel Aviv today, including Dr. Biran's work as a Yiddish tour guide and creator of Yiddish cabarets.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 6, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube February 2, 2024

  דובֿ־בער קערלער: די מאָדערנע ליטעראַטור־שפּראַך | Dov-Ber Kerler: Modern Literary Yiddish

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  Watch this this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Dov-Ber Kerler, about the development of the modern Yiddish literary language and script – what it means, when and where it developed –and take a look at some early Yiddish books. We also discuss the beginning of poetry in Yiddish, and Kerler's own poetry.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube February 2, 2024 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube December 27, 2023

  Avrum Burstein: Klezmer tradition in Israel | אַבֿרום בורשטיין: די כּלי־זמר־טראַדיציע אין ארץ־ישׂראל

  About music

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  Watch this this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Avrum-Leib Burstein, about the Jerusalem and Miron klezmer tradition; the influence of Hasidic tunes on the klezmer world; the place of klezmer music in the Hasidic world, and in the Breslov community in particular. We also discuss Burstein's own history; how he established a new generation of klezmers; his activities with "Yung Yidish"; his recordings; and his work as an actor, both on Shtisel and in other films.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 27, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube November 1, 2023

  Prof. Simon Neuberg: Yiddish literature beginnings|פּראָפֿ' שמעון נויבערג: אָנהייב ייִדיש-ליטעראַטור

  ליטעראַטור

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  The beginning of literature in Yiddish

  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Simon Neuberg. Hear about the early development of Yiddish literature; the various theories regarding the origin of our language; and the first Yiddish texts that we have. We will also talk about Alt (Old) Yiddish versus Mitl (Middle) Yiddish; the different types of texts, books, writers, readers, and print shops which existed in that era.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube November 1, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube September 15, 2023

  Chana Pollack: A View Of the Forward Archive | חנה פּאָלאַק: אַ בליק אויפֿן פֿאָרווערטס-אַרכיוו

  Yiddish today

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  A View of the Forward Archive. A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and the Forward's archivist : Chana Pollack.
  Hear the story of the longest-running Yiddish newspaper, the Forward; the history of the archive and what kind of materials are housed there; where you can find all the old issues; and the newspaper's former radio station. We will also touch on Chana's own history, and her work at the archive.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube September 15, 2023

• Watch on YouTube August 14, 2023

  Frieda Vizel: A taste of Hasidic Brooklyn | פרידא וויזעל: אַ טעם פֿון חסידישן ברוקלין

  Yiddish today

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  Watch this this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Frieda Vizel, about life in the Hasidic world, her leaving the community, and her work as a tour guide in Hasidic Brooklyn. We will also discuss topics such as: Hasidic education, children's games in Yiddish, Hasidic newspapers and more.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube August 14, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube July 18, 2023

  Dr. Paul Glasser: The Beginnings of Yiddish | ד״ר הערשל גלעזער: דער אָנהייב פֿון ייִדיש

  History of Yiddish

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  A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Dr. Paul (Hershl) Glasser about the early development of Yiddish; the various methods regarding the origin of our language, and the first sources. We also talk about about Dr. Max Weinreich's theory which has been accepted by most researchers, and about Dr. Glasser's role in editing Max Weinreich's translated book "History of the Yiddish Language".

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 18, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube June 7, 2023

  Elye Palevsky: Living in Yiddish and Yiddish Activism | עליע פּאַלעווסקי: אַ לעבן אויף ייִדיש

  Yiddish today

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  Watch this this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Elliott (Elye) Palevsky, Hear about Elye's family's history and their work on behalf of Yiddish in Lithuania and then in America, what it was like to grow up in a Bundist home, and what it means to be a Bundist today. We also talk about his various roles in Yiddish organizations over the years.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube June 7, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube May 19, 2023

  מיכאל שניצלער: זײַן לעבן און מוזיק שאַפֿונג | Michael Schnitzler: His life and music

  About music

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  Watch this new video in memory and honor of
  The famous Yiddish singer and gramer
  R. Michael Schnitzler Z"l
  @michoelschnitzlerofficial
  who died a month ago, at a young age.
  Listen how Eli Benedict talks about his life and work, and emphasizes his importance in the Hasidic world, and in the world of Jewish music.
  Eli also talks about what R. Michael has innovated throughout his life, and why it's worth getting to know him if you don't know him yet.
  (In Yiddish)

  R. Michael was born in 1961, and passed away a month ago, 14 April, 2023. Michael was a well-known singer in the Hasidic community, and released more than fifteen music albums during his life, most of them in Yiddish.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube May 19, 2023

• Watch on YouTube May 4, 2023

  Memorial workshop in honor of Rivka Basman Ben-Hayim | אַ וואַרשטאַט לזכר רבֿקה באַסמאַן בן־חיים

  Yiddish today

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  We invite you to watch this edited video of the Zoom workshop held by the League for Yiddish in conjunction with YIVO and "YO" – Yiddish-Ort,
  in honor and in memory of the Yiddish poet who recently left us
  Rivka Basman Ben-Hayim z"l (Vilkomir/Ukmergė, 1925 – Herzliah, 2023)

  Her passing marks the end of an entire era in the world of Yiddish letters. She was a wonderful person with a rich life that was reflected in her poetry.
  We invite you to watch this interactive workshop, where you will have the opportunity to get to know her poems from various stages of her life. We read and discuss them together, under the guidance of Dr. Miriam Trinh, who places the poet's oeuvre in a historical-biographical context.

  Click here to download the reading material:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uf_UeEOr_dXDyCWGI4TN_edObxE7zIVt/view?usp=sharing

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube May 4, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube April 7, 2023

  Bella Bryks-Klein: Yiddish in Israel | בעלאַ בריקס־קלײַן: וועגן ירחמיאל בריקס; ייִדיש אין ישׂראל

  Yiddish today

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Bella Bryks-Klein, Hear about Yiddish in Israel, especially about her monthly publication "Vos? Ven? Vu?" (What? When? Where?), a bulletin that lets you know about all the events in the upcoming month in Israel regarding Yiddish. We will also talk about her father, the writer Rachmil Bryks, in the light of her research and works which she wrote about him. We will also talk about her various roles in Yiddish organizations and more.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube April 7, 2023

• Watch on YouTube March 17, 2023

  פֿיליפּ שוואַרץ: הײַנטצײַטיקער ייִדישיזם; מיזרח־אייראָפּעיִשע ייִדן; נעאָ חסידיזם און נאָך

  Yiddish today

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Philip Schwartz, Hear about Yiddish in Eastern Europe, especially Poland and Polish Jews; what it means to be a contemporary Yiddishist in Eastern Europe; what Neo-Hasidism means and where you can find it in the literature; as well as Yiddish journalism and teaching.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 17, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube March 5, 2023

  דזשאַש וואַלעצקי: פּליטים צוזאַמען | Josh Waletzky: Refugees Together (Yiddish play)- Eng. subtitles

  About music

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish, with English subtitles) between Dr. Itzik Gottesman and Josh Waletzky. Hear about Josh Waletzky and Jeyn Levison's new Yiddish theatrical concert presented by National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene and the Museum of Jewish Heritage (New York City) "Pleytem tsuzamen / Refugees Together", which will be held on March 26, 2023.

  New York-born composer Josh Waletzky and playwright Jeyn Levison's new Yiddish theatrical concert "Pleytem tsuzamen / פּליטים צוזאַמען / Refugees Together" is a call for solidarity with those who are most threatened. Confronting our current reality, the songs present a dynamic fusion of traditional forms with the social, political, and personal challenges posed by the world today – and they embody the power of music to foster the courage we need to "link arms and take to the streets together against bloodshed and hatred."
  These songs are stunning and political – addressing immigration and refugeeism, climate collapse, racism, foster care, mass shootings, antisemitism, and "Make Our Race Great Again" ideologies.
  Waletzky wrote these songs for this chosen group of master Yiddish singers and instrumentalists – the foremost contemporary performers on the global Yiddish scene, including:
  Daniel Kahn (voice, accordion, guitar), Sveta Kundish (voice), Sasha Lurje (voice), Polina Shepherd (voice, piano), Josh Waletzky (voice), Merlin Shepherd (clarinet), Ilya Shneyveys (accordion, piano), Jake Shulman-Ment (violin), Beth Silver (cello), and Deborah Strauss (violin).

  To date, institutional support for Pleytem tsuzamen comes from The Center for Traditional Music and Dance, The Kronhill Pletka Foundation, The League for Yiddish, Western States Center, The Yiddish Book Center, The YIVO Institute, and Yiddish New York.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 5, 2023

• Watch on YouTube February 17, 2023

  איזי פּאָזען: וועגן פֿיזיק אויף ייִדיש; חסידים אין לאָנדאָן | Physics in Yiddish; Hasidim in London

  Yiddish today

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Izzy Posen,
  Hear about his YouTube channel where he has a series about physics and science in Yiddish. We will also discuss his leaving the Hasidic community and his current relationship with that community.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube February 17, 2023

• Watch on YouTube February 3, 2023

  סאָסיע־פֿרײדל פֿאָקס: וועגן פֿעמיניזם אין ייִדיש און נאָך | Sandra Fox: feminism in Yiddish and more

  Yiddish today

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  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Prof. Sandra Fox,
  Hear about feminism and her podcast "Vaybertaytsh," Jewish summer camps in America, and about her personal history: her adulthood, how she learned Yiddish, and her contemporary Yiddish roles and activism.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube February 3, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube January 6, 2023

  Avremi Zaks: Yiddish radio, and more | אַבֿרהמי זאַקס: ראַדיאָ אויף ייִדיש, דײַטשמעריש און נאָך

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

  Read More

  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Avremi Zaks, Hear about his work as the Yiddish radio broadcaster and producer at the weekly Israeli radio program "Kan Yidish."
  He will also discuss his research work on daytshmerish in Yiddish, and his Yiddish teaching.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube January 6, 2023 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Concert - Eléonore Biezunski | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: קאָנצערט פֿון עלעאָנאָר ביעזשונסקי

  About music

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  Yiddish in the Heights:

  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  The second day, part 4
  Concert – Eléonore Biezunski (Yiddish)

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Yiddish in the Heights: part 6 - Archives panel | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: טייל 6 - אַרכיוון

  ייִדיש אין די הייכן: אַ בליק אַרײַן אין דער ייִדיש־אַקאַדעמיע און ־אַקטיוויזם אינעם נאָכמלחמהדיקן ניו־יאָרק

  Read More

  Yiddish in the Heights:

  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  The second day, part 3
  (E = English; Y = Yiddish)
  Archives panel (Chair: Shuli Berger)
  Michelle Margolis – "Yiddish, Columbia, and Mid-20th Century Digital Humanities"(E)
  Iosif Vaisman – "Building the World Wide Shtetl: First Steps of the Yiddish Internet in the Late 20th and Early 21st Century" (E)
  David Kraemer and Naomi Steinberger – "Yiddish Treasures in the JTS Library" (E)

  In English | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Yiddish in the Heights: part 5 - Pedagogy panel | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: טייל 5 - ייִדישע פּעדאַגאָגיק

  Yiddish in the Heights: Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York

  Read More

  Yiddish in the Heights:

  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  The second day, part 2
  (E = English; Y = Yiddish)
  Pedagogy panel (Chair: Yankl-Peretz Blum)
  Beatrice (Brukhe) Lang – "Lernen mit Yidish Tsvey: A Komunikativer Tsugang" ("A Communicative Approach to Teaching with Yiddish II") (Y)
  Rivke Margolis – "Lernen Durkh Film: Teorye un Praktik" ("Teaching Through Film: Theory and Practice") (Y)
  Asya Vaisman Schulman – "Di Pedagogik-Programen far Yidish-Lerers bam Yidishn Bikher-Tsenter" ("Pedagogy Programming for Yiddish Teachers at the Yiddish Book Center") (Y)

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Yiddish in the Heights: part 4 -Linguistic Panel | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: טייל 4 - ייִדישע לינגוויסטיק

  ייִדיש אין די הייכן: אַ בליק אַרײַן אין דער ייִדיש־אַקאַדעמיע און ־אַקטיוויזם אינעם נאָכמלחמהדיקן ניו־יאָרק

  Read More

  Yiddish in the Heights:

  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  The second day, part 1
  (E = English; Y = Yiddish)
  Linguistic Panel (Chair: Dovid Braun)
  Isaac Bleaman – "Khsidim, Yidishistn un Shprakhike Divergents in Nyu-Yorker Yidish" ("A Tale of One City, with Two Yiddishes? Hasidim, Yiddishists, and Linguistic Divergence in New York") (Y) (See this specific lecture, in a separate video sent by email)
  Chaya Nove – "Pro-Yidish-Initsyativn in Khsidishe Kehiles in Nyu-York nokhn Khurbm" ("Pro-Yiddish activism in postwar New York Hasidic communities") (Y)
  Lily Kahn and Sonya Yampolskaya – "Contemporary Haredi Yiddish Bilingual Pedagogical Materials" (E, via Zoom)
  Paul (Hershl) Glasser – "Mordkhe Shekhter un di 'Fir Yidishe Normir-Shites'" ("Mordkhe Schaechter and the 'Four Schools of Thought in Yiddish Language Planning'") (Y)

  In Yiddish+English | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Yiddish in the Heights: part 3 - Keynote speakers | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: טייל 3 - הויפּטרעדנערס

  ייִדיש אין די הייכן: אַ בליק אַרײַן אין דער ייִדיש־אַקאַדעמיע און ־אַקטיוויזם אינעם נאָכמלחמהדיקן ניו־יאָרק

  Read More

  Yiddish in the Heights:

  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  Day one, part 3
  (E = English; Y = Yiddish)
  Keynote speakers (Chair: Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath)
  Prof. Anita Norich – "Yiddish Matters" (‭E)
  Prof. David G. Roskies – "Shprakh-Goles un Shprakh-Banayung in der Groyser Shtot Nyu-York: Lezikorn Reb Mordkhe Shekhter" ("Linguistic Exile and its Rewards in the New York Metropolis:‬ In Memory of Reb Mordkhe Schaechter") (Y)

  In Yiddish+English | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Yiddish in the Heights: part 2 | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: טייל 2 - זכרונות פֿון ד״ר מרדכי שעכטער

  Yiddish in the Heights: Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York

  Read More

  Yiddish in the Heights:
  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  Day one, part 2
  (E = English; Y = Yiddish)
  Recollections of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter (Chair: Sheva Zucker)
  Dovid Braun (Y), Paul (Hershl) Glasser (Y), Itzik Gottesman (Y), Miriam Isaacs (E), Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath (Y), Eugene Orenstein (Y), Sheva Zucker (Y)

  In Yiddish+English | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022

• Watch on YouTube December 24, 2022

  Yiddish in the Heights: part 1 | ייִדיש אין די הייכן: טייל 1 - ייִדיש אַמעריקע נאָכן דריטן חורבן

  ייִדיש אין די הייכן: אַ בליק אַרײַן אין דער ייִדיש־אַקאַדעמיע און ־אַקטיוויזם אינעם נאָכמלחמהדיקן ניו־יאָרק

  Read More

  Yiddish in the Heights:

  Exploring Yiddish Academia and Activism in Post-War New York
  A bilingual conference marking the 15th yortsayt of Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter

  Held on the campuses of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary/JTS (New York), November 20-21, 2022

  Day one, part 1
  (E = English; Y = Yiddish)
  Welcoming Remarks From Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath, Board Chair, League for Yiddish (E/Y)
  Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Chancellor, Jewish Theological Seminary (E)
  Elisheva Carlebach, Co-Director, Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies,
  Columbia University (E/Y)

  Yiddish America in the Aftermath of the Holocaust (Chair: David E. Fishman)
  Kalman Weiser – "Between New York and Jerusalem: Max Weinreich and Yiddish in the University" (E)
  Kenneth Binyomin Moss and Zackary Sholem Berger – "Glanz-Leyeles' Amerike un Ikh" ("Glanz-Leyeles' America and I") (E/Y)

  In Yiddish+English | Released on YouTube December 24, 2022

• Watch on YouTube November 12, 2022

  “ד"ר זואי בעלק: אַ נײַער קוק אויף „חסידישע אידיש | Dr. Zoë Belk: New Views on Hasidic Yiddish

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

  Read More

  Watch this conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Dr. Zoë Belk Hear about her connection to Yiddish; her research; and the development of Hasidic Yiddish; What does "Hasidic Yiddish" mean in general; and the grammatical innovations that appear there.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube November 12, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube October 28, 2022

  ד"ר איוו יאָכנאָוויץ - וועגן ייִדישע מאכלים | Yiddish Today: Dr. Eve Jochnowitz - about Jewish food

  Yiddish today

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  In this episode: A conversation (in Yiddish) between Eli Benedict and Dr. Eve Jochnowitz.
  Hear about her relationship to Jewish food, her translations of Yiddish cookbooks, and even about an interesting "vegetarian tombstone"!
  English subtitles will be available on YouTube at a later date.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube October 28, 2022

• Watch on YouTube October 16, 2022

  אַ שמועס מיט ד"ר מרים טרין וועגן אונדזער זשורנאַל "אויפֿן שוועל" און נאָך

  Yiddish today

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  In this episode A conversation (in Yiddish) between Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath and Dr. Miriam Trinh about her relationship with Yiddish and her teaching program "Yo – Yiddish Ort". We will also talk about her work as the editor-in-chief of "Afn Shvel," the magazine of the League for Yiddish, a little about the history of the magazine.

  In Yiddish. English subtitles will be available at a later date.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube October 16, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube September 23, 2022

  Yiddish Theater in Montreal (English subtitles) | די כעלעמער חכמים: ייִדישער טעאַטער אין מאָנטרעאָל‏

  About theater

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  In this episode: A conversation with the people behind the scenes of the play "The Sages of Chelm" which was staged a few months ago at the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre in Montreal. Eli Benedict interviews Rivka Augenfeld, Sivan Slapak and Raizel Fishman Candib, about the history of the play, Dora Wasserman, and teaching Yiddish to the actors and their own relationship to Yiddish.

  In Yiddish with English subtitles. (Click CC to see the subtitles)

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube September 23, 2022

• Watch on YouTube September 2, 2022

  ייִדישער טעאַטער מיט שיין בייקער | Yiddish theater with Shane Baker (English subtitles)

  About theater

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  In this episode we talk with Shane Baker about Yiddish theater, what it means to be a Yiddish actor through his eyes, his acting through the years, his role as the director of the "Congress for Jewish Culture", and more.

  In Yiddish with English subtitles (as of Sunday, September 4. Please click CC on YouTube to see the subtitles.)

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube September 2, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube August 13, 2022

  ליאַלקע־טעאַטער אויף ייִדיש מיט דזשיימס האָלץ | Puppet theater with James Holz (English subtitles)

  About theater

  Read More

  In this episode: James Holz, the artist, actor, and puppeteer in London, will talk about his puppet theater in Yiddish, "Punch and Judy", about the history of this play, and how he adapted it to Yiddish.

  In Yiddish with English subtitles. (Click CC to see the subtitles)

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube August 13, 2022

• Watch on YouTube July 29, 2022

  לילי קאַהן: העווי־מעטאַל אויף ייִדיש | Lily Kahn: Heavy Metal in Yiddish (English subtitles)

  About music

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  One might think that metal music has very little to do with Jews and the Yiddish language, but there are two musical groups in the world – "Gevolt", based in Israel, and "Dibukim", based in Sweden – that create metal music entirely in mame-loshn. This lecture analyzes the connection between metal music and the Yiddish language and culture, and discovers how these musicians help Jews of Ashkenazi descent deepen their Jewish identity and discover the Yiddish language and pre-Holocaust Yiddish traditions.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 29, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube July 14, 2022

  רות לעווין: קינדערלידער און נאָך | Ruth Levin: Yiddish children’s songs and more (English subtitles)

  About theater

  Read More

  "Yiddish Today" – a conversation with Ruth Levin about her music, children's songs, plays, and more!

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 14, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube July 14, 2022

  Mendy Cahan About His Art, Yiddish on Netflix, Badkhones, Oscar Award, & More (English Translation)

  About theater

  Read More

  Yiddish Today: Chapter 3 (English version)

  In this episode we talk with Mendy Cahan about his work in movies, TV shows, and theater, as well as his poetry, his badkhones, and his music

  This video contains simultaneous English translation by Izzy Posen. Click here for the original video in Yiddish:
  https://youtu.be/h8U9M0rtISM

  In English | Released on YouTube July 14, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube June 30, 2022

  ייִדיש הײַנט | קאַפּיטל ג' – מיט מענדי כּהנא וועגן זײַנע סאָרטן קונסט, פֿון טעלעוויזיע ביז בדחנות

  About theater

  Read More

  In this episode we talk with Mendy Cahan about his work in movies, TV shows, and theater, as well as his poetry, his badkhones, and his music

  In Yiddish without subtitles. Click here for a version of the video with simultaneous English translation, done live during the event
  https://youtu.be/e3bBBZeww7I

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube June 30, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube June 16, 2022

  Tomas Woodski about Yiddish in Sweden (English subtitles) טאָמאַס וווּדסקי וועגן ייִדיש אין שוועדן

  Yiddish today

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  "Yiddish Today" – a Conversation with Tomas Woodski Continuation of Part One

  In the previous first part Thomas talked about the new season of his Yiddish-language television program "Woodski's World", as well as the radio programs for children that he recorded.

  In the second part, Thomas will talk about Yiddish in Sweden.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube June 16, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube June 2, 2022

  Tomas Woodski on his TV show (English subtitles) טאָמאַס וווּדסקי וועגן זײַן טעלעוויזיע־פּראָגראַם

  Yiddish today

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  In this episode we meet Tomas Woodski. Tomas is an artist, librarian and cultural worker in Stockholm, Sweden. We discuss the new season of his TV show "Woodski's World", the children's radio programs which he recorded, his Instagram blog on Yiddish books, and in general about his relationship to Yiddish, and about Yiddish in Sweden. Click "CC" to see subtitles in English.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube June 2, 2022

• Watch on YouTube March 23, 2022

  "ייִדיש־לעקסיקאָגראַפֿיע: אַ שמועס וועגן 2טן אַרויסקום פֿון "אַרומנעמיק ענגליש־ייִדיש ווערטערבוך

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

  Read More

  Listen in on this Zoom panel discussion in Yiddish with the editors of the CEYD to learn how the monumental dictionary developed over the years and how its goals may be different from previous English-Yiddish dictionaries

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 23, 2022 | On Zoom

• Watch on YouTube December 18, 2021

  עמיל קאַלין (תּל-אָבֿיבֿ) - דעם 2טן דעצעמבער 2021 / Emil Kalin (Tel Aviv) - December 2, 2021

  Chatting with Contemporary Yiddish Writers

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  Emil Kalin published his short story "The Revolution," about the coup d'état in Romania, in "Afn Shvel" (Spring/Summer 2021, #391-392). Read the story here:

  http://docs.leagueforyiddish.org/Afn_Shvel_391-392_Kalin.pdf

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 18, 2021

• Watch on YouTube April 18, 2021

  לייזער בורקאָ (ניו-יאָרק) - דעם 21סטן מאַרץ 2021 / Leyzer Burko (New York) - Mar. 21, 2021

  Chatting with Contemporary Yiddish Writers

  Read More

  Alec (Leyzer) Burko published a report of his trip to Iceland in "Corona – Iceland – Yiddish" in "Afn Shvel," no. 388​​-390 (Summer-Fall-Winter 2020). Read the article here:
  http://docs.leagueforyiddish.org/Afn_Shvel_388-390_Burko.pdf

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube April 18, 2021

• Watch on YouTube April 9, 2021

  מאַרק קאַפּלאַן (לויִזיאַנע) - דעם 28סטן פֿעברואַר 2021 / Marc Caplan (Louisiana) - Feb. 28, 2021

  Chatting with Contemporary Yiddish Writers

  Read More

  Marc Caplan published his essay "We were slaves? Racism, Jews and American privilege" in "Afn Shvel," #388​-390 (Summer-Fall-Winter 2020). Read the essay here:
  http://docs.leagueforyiddish.org/Afn_Shvel_388-390_Caplan.pdf

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube April 9, 2021

• Watch on YouTube March 24, 2021

  שירי שאַפּיראַ (ירושלים) — דעם 15טן פֿעברואַר 2021 / Shiri Shapira (Jerusalem) - February 15, 2021

  Chatting with Contemporary Yiddish Writers

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  Shiri published her short story "Last breath" in "Afn Shvel," #388-390 (Summer-Fall-Winter 2020). Read "Last breath" here:
  http://docs.leagueforyiddish.org/Afn_Shvel_388-390_Shapira.pdf

  Support the League for Yiddish – become a member:
  http://store.leagueforyiddish.org/mitglidershaft.html

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube March 24, 2021

• Watch on YouTube February 7, 2021

  דער ערשטער שניי / The First Snow

  Have you heard

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  Now that winter is here, listen to Miryem-Khaye Seigel read Bella Rosenfeld Chagall's story about a child's joy at the first snowfall….

  Read along with a PDF of the story here, on pp. 109-115:
  https://ia800902.us.archive.org/12/items/nybc200125/nybc200125.pdf

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube February 7, 2021

• Watch on YouTube December 3, 2020

  אַ פֿאַרקערטע װעלט: ביראָבידזשאַן פֿון דער נאָענט / The Upside-Down World of Birobidzhan

  Have you heard

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  In the summer of 2007, Sheva Zucker, editor of Afn Shvel from 2005-2020, was invited to teach Yiddish in Birobidzhan, the Jewish Autonomous Region in the Far East of Russia, where Yiddish is still an official language. There she found a kind of Yiddish Disneyland: menorahs on fences; buildings with Yiddish signs, where no one spoke Yiddish inside; Jewish restaurants where pork was the main dish; and government officials wanting to secure the teaching of Yiddish throughout the region, even in areas where not a single Jew could be found. In this recorded piece, she explores the tragic past and enigmatic present of this extraordinary, upside-down world.

  The article, which appeared in Issue 342-343/Fall/Winter 2008 of Afn Shvel, published by the League for Yiddish, also appears in Sheva's recent publication "Fun yener zayt shvel: Geklibene artiklen funem zhurnal Afn Shvel, 2005-2020" (On the Other Side of the Threshold: Selected Articles from the Magazine Afn Shvel), published by the League for Yiddish on the occasion of her retirement in March 2020.

  Read along with a PDF of the story at: http://site.leagueforyiddish.org/docs/afn-shvel-342-343-farkerte-velt-artikl.pdf . This reading is an abridged version of the article and omits the following sections: "Di alte shul" (p. 14), "Di naye shul" (p. 15) and "Di tsukunft" (p. 24).

  Purchase your copy of "Fun yener zayt shvel" at: http://www.leagueforyiddish.org/yenerzaytshvel.html

  Check our entire "Have you heard?" playlist on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbMcK7OFBSRuzxigJZjp1SrJZY0CmxpW5

  This recorded reading is the sixth in the series "Have you heard?", a project of the League for Yiddish.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube December 3, 2020

• Watch on YouTube October 2, 2020

  דער אתרוג / Der Esreg

  Have you heard

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  Sholem Aleichem's charming Sukkos story: "Der Esreg" ('The Esrog')

  Our beloved holiday Sukkos is right around the corner. This is the yontef when we eat in a sukkah and celebrate the harvest, as well as the protection which the Jews found in the desert after their liberation from Egypt. One of the rites performed on Sukkos is the blessing over the lulav and esrog. Listen to Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath's reading of Sholem Aleichem's short story "Der Esreg", where we get to know a boy who can't wait to get his hands on the esrog, but in his case, not necessarily to make the blessing…..

  This story is from the volume "Lekoved Yontef", in: "Ale Verk Fun Sholem Aleykhem" [New York 1921, volumes 17-18]. A scanned version of this story can be found here on page 188: https://ia800905.us.archive.org/23/items/nybc202590/nybc202590.pdf

  This recorded reading is the fifth in the series "Have you heard?", a project of the League for Yiddish (http://www.leagueforyiddish.org

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube October 2, 2020

• Watch on YouTube August 20, 2020

  שלמה באַסטאָמסקיס ייִדישע פֿאָלקסרעטענישן / Shloyme Bastomski’s Yiddish Folk Riddles

  Have you heard

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  Who doesn't like riddles?

  They allow us to challenge our thinking with playfulness and humor, and are full of cultural content.

  The following riddles, read by Perl Teitelbaum, are from Shloyme Bastomski's "Yidishe Folksretenishn" ("Yiddish Folk Riddles"), published in Vilne in 1917, and available as a scanned PDF from the Yiddish Book Center here:

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube August 20, 2020

• Watch on YouTube July 3, 2020

  The Declaration of Independence in Yiddish / די אומאָפּהענגיקייט־דעקלאַראַציע אויף ייִדיש

  Have you heard

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  When was the last time you heard the Declaration of Independence in English, let alone in Yiddish?

  "When in the course of human events…."

  Listen to the inspiring Yiddish translation of the Declaration of Independence, read by Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath in honor of the 4th of July, 2020.

  This text is a version of the translation found in the pamphlet "Our Democratic Heritage," published by the Jewish Publishing and Research Committee in 1954.

  This recorded reading is the third in the series "Have you heard?", a project of the League for Yiddish (https://leagueforyiddish.org

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 3, 2020

• Watch on YouTube May 26, 2020

  ווי קומט פֿרויד צו כעלעם? / How Does Freud Get to Chelem?

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  Listen to a tale of fools, as Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath reads "How does Freud get to Chelem?", written and adapted by Daniel Galay (Tel Aviv). This story was published in the latest issue of Afn Shvel (published by the League for Yiddish). Read along with the printed text here:
  http://docs.leagueforyiddish.org/afn_shvel_386-387_Galay.pdf
  or just listen in!

  The illustration is by Volf Bulba (Israel). Both the tale and the illustration are part of a book "Pinkes Khelem" ("Chronicles of Chelm"), to be published soon by Olniansky Tekst.

  This recorded reading is the second in the series "Have you heard?", a project of the League for Yiddish (https://leagueforyiddish.org/ which aims to make written Yiddish more accessible to speakers and learners of the language.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube May 26, 2020

• Watch on YouTube April 13, 2020

  הערי פּאָטער און דער פֿילאָסאָפֿישער שטיין | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone-The Boy Who Lived

  Have you heard

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  Listen to Arun ("Arele") Schaechter Viswanath's dramatic reading of chapter 1 of his authorized Yiddish translation of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, entitled "The Boy Who Lived". Although Arun reads in his native Southeastern Yiddish dialect, you can hear various Yiddish dialects spoken by the different characters in the book, such as Hagrid and Professor McGonagall. Read along with the Yiddish volume, or with the English volume, or just with your ears!

  This recorded reading is the first in the series "Have you heard!", a project of the League for Yiddish (https://leagueforyiddish.org/ which aims to make written Yiddish more accessible to speakers and learners of the language.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube April 13, 2020

• Watch on YouTube July 7, 2019

  ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן, ט׳ 1: מערבֿ־ און מיזרח־ייִדיש

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

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  You Say "Bulbe," I Say "Kartofl" — An Excursion through Yiddish Dialects

  Part 1: Western vs. Eastern Yiddish

  What is the difference between language and dialect? Where did Yiddish emerge and how did it divide?

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 7, 2019

• Watch on YouTube July 7, 2019

  ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן, ט׳ 2: דיאַלעקטן אין אונדזערע צײַטן

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

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  You Say "Bulbe," I Say "Kartofl" — An Excursion through Yiddish Dialects

  Part 2: Modern Dialects

  We know that in modern times there are three main dialects: Polish, Ukrainian, Lithuanian (Northeastern). But these broad "addresses" conceal many interesting sub-dialects, especially where the main dialects share a common border.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 7, 2019

• Watch on YouTube July 7, 2019

  ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן, ט׳ 3: לייען־סעסיע אָנגעפֿירט פֿון שבֿע צוקער

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

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  In this session we read an excerpt from Noyekh Prilutski's writings taken from the chapter called "Di Sonorloytn: Der R-Loyt in di Yidishe Mundartn" (The Sonorants: The R-Sound in Yiddish Dialects) in order to get a taste of what Der Tunkeler was parodying. Then we read and discussed "Folklor un Filologye: A Lektsye fun Noyekh Prilutski" (Folklore and Philology: A Lecture by Noyekh Prilutski) by Der Tunkeler.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 7, 2019

• Watch on YouTube July 7, 2019

  ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן, ט׳ 4: דער סאַמע צענטער פֿון ייִדיש־לאַנד

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

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  You Say "Bulbe," I Say "Kartofl" — An Excursion through Yiddish Dialects

  Part 4: The Perfect Center of Yiddishland

  In the region between Warsaw and Bialystok all the dialects converge, so that almost each town had its own dialect. Our ears hear these as mixed dialects – Lithuanian and Polish, Polish and Ukrainian (far from Ukraine!), etc.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 7, 2019

• Watch on YouTube July 7, 2019

  ייִדישע דיאַלעקטן, ט׳ 5: „געקינצלטע“ דיאַלעקטן

  שפּראַכפֿאָרשונג

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  You Say "Bulbe," I Say "Kartofl" — An Excursion through Yiddish Dialects

  Part 5: "Artificial" Dialects

  All standard languages, or literary languages are, to a certain extent, unnatural, artificial. Both among non-Jewish nations and among Jews this artificiality is a very natural thing.

  In Yiddish | Released on YouTube July 7, 2019