This program combines rigorous classroom instruction with Columbia faculty as well as Yiddish-immersion activities with the Yiddish Farm staff. While students are not in class, they prepare meals, take care of the animals and enjoy games, campfires, Yiddish movies and meals among fluent Yiddish-speakers. By using Yiddish constantly, students absorb the language more effectively.
No prior Yiddish knowledge is required.
Click here to apply for a scholarship.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM:
– Finish an entire Yiddish textbook in 10 days. We use Colloquial Yiddish, by Lily Kahn (2012) .
– Be able to sing and understand 30 Yiddish songs.
– Read and understand an advanced history lesson in Yiddish.
– Communicate with native speakers of various Yiddish dialects.
DATES:
January 5 – 15
COST:
$850 (shared room on-site)
$750 (commuter rate)
Scholarships available! Click here to apply for a scholarship.
Registration closes on December 19. Click here to register.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the connection with Columbia University? Is it only for Columbia students?
Professors from Columbia University will be teaching classes and planning the curriculum, but the program is open to the general public.
2. Can this program count towards college credit?
Although this program does not provide college credit, it is equivalent to one full semester at Columbia University. Students can place into a higher level Yiddish course after completing the program.
3. What kind of accommodations are available?
The students’ dormitory is a heated bungalow with bathrooms and showers. There are no single-occupancy rooms. For those who need a single, we suggest the Days Inn, which is 3 miles from the property. Students that do not sleep at Yiddish Farm pay the reduced commuter rate.
4. How does a typical day look?
| 6:30 – 7:00 | Breakfast/animal chores |
| 7:00 – 7:30 | Yiddish singing |
| 7:30 – 9:30 | Language class |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | Break/snack |
| 9:45 – 11:45 | Language class |
| 11:45 – 12:45 | Prepare lunch |
| 12:45 – 1:45 | Lunch/discussion |
| 1:45 -3:15 | Naptime |
| 3:15 – 5:15 | Lecture |
| 5:15 – 6:15 | Food prep/animals |
| 6:15 – 7:15 | Journaling |
| 7:15 – 8:15 | Dinner/singing |
| 8:15 – 9:45 | Evening activity |
3. What kind of food do we eat?
All Yiddish farm meals are prepared on-site and follow three principles:
A. Everything is strictly kosher
B. We try to eat as much from the farm as possible
C. All meals have multiple options available for vegetarians
4. Must I speak Yiddish the entire time? What if this is my first time learning Yiddish?
Students are expected to speak Yiddish throughout the program. Before coming, students should complete the 5 lessons onwww.yiddishpop.com. These free interactive lessons will give students the necessary tools to communicate in Yiddish from the first day of the program.
5. Is this a religious program? Are there any rules I should know about?
There is no underlying religious agenda in this program and people of all backgrounds are welcome to come. However, we believe that an important part of the Yiddish-immersion experience is an experience of Jewish religious tradition, particularly on the Sabbath. Between Friday night and Saturday night, we eat, pray, sing joyously and try to uphold a peaceful atmosphere by refraining from using electricity and writing implements in the communal spaces.
We are committed to maintaining a difficult balance: We would like our program to follow Jewish tradition without excluding women from public ritual. Since Orthodox services must be led by men with 10 men in attendance, they can be challenging for people used to egalitarian services. To counterbalance this, we assign equal importance to services that are traditionally led by women- at the candle-lighting ceremonies held at the beginning and end of the Sabbath (licht-bentshn and havdalah), women lead tekhines, Yiddish prayers that have largely fallen out of practice as Jews abandoned Yiddish. We host a wide range of people on our programs, including people who identify as Secular, Modern Orthodox, Egalitarian, Conservative, Chabad, Hasidic and Reform.
For more information on Sabbath observance at Yiddish Farm, feel free to write us at info@yiddishfarm.org
6. Are scholarships available?
Yes- please apply for a scholarship here: http://www.yiddishfarm.org/scholarship.html
7. Who is teaching?
Dr. Alyssa Masor received a PhD in Yiddish Literature from Columbia University in 2011. Her specialties are neo-Hasidism in Yiddish Literature and contemporary Hasidic culture. She has taught at Columbia University, Yeshiva University, the Center for Jewish History and YIVO. She lives with her Yiddish-speaking family in Brooklyn, NY.
8. How do I sign up for this program?
Registration closes on December 19.
