My Advanced Yiddish YIVO 2X a week starts Feb. 17, 2026

Advanced Topics in Yiddish Literature & Grammar: 

Autobiographical Writing in Yiddish

This course is that rare thing: an Advanced Yiddish course that combines the study of grammar with the reading of advanced texts. It is the only twice-a-week Advanced language course YIVO is offering this semester. The twice-a-week format provides the time to further develop the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.  

Masha Rolnikayte

Velvl Chernin

Bella Chagall

COURSE CONTENT
We will read autobiographical texts by male and female writers that deal with traditional Jewish life in Eastern Europe (Bella Chagall and Sholem Aleichem), immigration (to — Canada (Falk Zolf), Israel (Binem Heler), the Holocaust (Mashe Rolnikayte), and life in postwar Soviet Union (Velvl Chernin).

Grammatical topics will be drawn from the texts and will include Yiddish verbal prefixes (such as der, ba, tse, far…), adverbial complements, use of zikh, prepositions and conjunctions of time, structure of complex sentences, use of Loshn-Koydesh, future sentences vs. conditional sentences and other advanced points of Yiddish grammar.

Materials will be provided by the teacher.

In fact, the materials are part of a textbook for advanced students 

by Sheva Zucker soon to be published by the
League for Yiddish.

Who should take this course?
This course is appropriate for those who have taken an Advanced Yiddish course or have completed Sheva Zucker’s Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature& Culture, Vol. II or an equivalent textbook.

Twice a week really gives you an opportunity to improve your skills!

Format

To increase fluency students will be required to give a brief oral presentation (on any topic of their choosing) as well as prepare a shmues-teme.

Frequency: Twice per week, 24 sessions

When and Where: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00pm-7:30pm ET on zoom

Dates: February 17 to May 19, 2026

REGISTER HERE.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COURSE CONTENT HERE.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION HERE or HERE.

WHAT STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS COURSE AND TEACHER

• Sheva is a treasure; she selects great writers, readings and recordings and prepares extensive high quality materials to help students develop their skills.
• Her homework assignments are clear, detailed and helpful and she provides timely and thorough feedback.
• Her speaking assignments provide a chance to improve fluency and to learn from classmates.
• Twice-a-week makes a big difference in student learning.
• For the future of Yiddish and its dedicated students, it’s very important that Yiddish instruction continue to be offered in the intensive and high-level format Sheva creates.