World’s Preeminent Yiddish Program Announces its 2023 Fall Semester
—Registration for language, klezmer, and song courses with the Workers Circle is now open: www.circle.org/2023yiddish—
September 8, 2023
Contact: Joanna Gallai, joanna@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-8687
(New York, N.Y.) –The Workers Circle, a 123-year-old Jewish nonprofit headquartered in New York City and the world’s preeminent provider of Yiddish language instruction, has opened registration for its fall semester, with over 60 courses—more than any other organization. There are classes for all learning levels of Yiddish, plus klezmer and Yiddish song workshops, and they are all offered exclusively online. This semester, instructors hail from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Israel, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Wales, and the United States.
“The Workers Circle Yiddish classes are constantly evolving to ensure we are presenting the most interesting ways to learn the language and engage in Yiddish culture, and this semester may be our best yet,” says the Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback. “Our teachers are at the top of their fields, and the courses they’re presenting—Yiddish and the American Communist Movement, Yiddish Comedy on Television, The Oyneg Shabes Archive, Hasidic and Yiddish Nigunim—cannot be found anywhere else.”
“I’m thrilled about our newest instructors for this semester: trailblazing Jewish lesbian poet, author, and activist Dr. Irena Klepfisz; leading historian of the Ringelblum Archive Dr. Sam Kassow; and author and researcher—joining us from Australia—Dr. Rebecca Margolis, to name just a few,” says Kolya Borodulin, Yiddish Program Director at the Workers Circle. “Topics include journalism, comedy, spiritual resistance, and the environment; and all courses support participants in expanding their Yiddish language skills.”
With 24 courses offered at the Beginners level, first-time students are encouraged to register. There are an additional 15 courses offered at the Intermediate level and 18 courses for Advanced Yiddishists. All sessions are recorded and sent to students for review or to catch up. The start dates for fall semester classes vary, with some beginning in late September and others in early October.
All classes will be taught virtually via Zoom, ensuring the fall remains COVID-safe and accessible to students residing across the United States and internationally.
So far in 2023, the Workers Circle has registered over 600 Yiddish students (many taking multiple classes), from 38 states and 24 countries. Yiddish instructors have been hired in eleven different countries.
For more details on course descriptions and dates, visit:
Fall semester fees for Workers Circle members are $310 for regular courses and $620 for intensive courses. Students and Yiddish teachers who are also members pay $160. Fall semester fees for non-members are $360 for regular courses and $720 for intensive courses. Students and Yiddish teachers who are not Workers Circle members pay $180. For more on costs and to register, visit:
www.circle.org/2023-yiddish-class-price-and-registration
The Workers Circle (or Der Arbeter Ring, as it is known in Yiddish) was founded over a century ago by Yiddish-speaking immigrants to New York and has been at the forefront of the contemporary Yiddish renaissance, teaching the language for the last 35 years and presiding over its surge in popularity. Its Yiddish program currently serves over 1,000 students annually.
About the Workers Circle
The Workers Circle is a national, secular, Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who came to the United States fleeing autocracy and persecution, and seeking democratic freedoms and economic opportunities at the turn of the 20th century. That history drives our work for an inclusive democracy and human equality today. Our activism is rooted in 1,000 years of Yiddish culture and tradition. Through strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, and interactive educational programs, we power a multi-generational community of activists that is building “a better and more beautiful world for all.” Learn more at www.circle.org.