Summer Program 2024
The Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer program will take place on the Tel Aviv University campus from July 5 to August 1, 2023, 5 days a week (Sunday-Thursday). The program offers intensive Yiddish instruction at four levels in person, beginners through advanced, and an additional section of intermediate Yiddish for online students. Language instruction will be supplemented by an afternoon program of lectures, conversation workshops, and tours.
Located minutes away from both downtown Tel Aviv and its beaches, TAU is the largest university in Israel, with significant resources in Jewish Studies, among them the new Museum of the Jewish People (Anu) and the Margulies Yiddish Book Collection. Students can enjoy Tel Aviv's diverse attractions: museums, cafes, Bauhaus architecture, the beach and the promenade, the old harbor, summer festivals, and clubs in this Mediterranean city "that never sleeps."
As students of TAU International, the Tel Aviv University School for Overseas Students, whose credentials are recognized by universities world-wide, participants will receive 80 hours of language and literature instruction (five credits) with highly qualified and experienced teachers in small classes.
Language Instruction
In-person Yiddish classes will be held between 09.00 -10.30 and 11.00-12.30 Israel Time on the Tel Aviv University campus. The online intermediate Yiddish class will be offered between the hours of 18.00 -20.30 Israel time. Class placement will be determined by the information and Yiddish writing sample students provide. Daily attendance at Yiddish language instruction is mandatory, both for in-person and online students. Students wishing to receive course credit are also required to attend a minimum of five hours of cultural programming per week (roughly 2 or 3 weekly activities).
In Person Classes
Yiddish I [sections A, B]
Introduction to basic Yiddish grammar, pronunciation, conversation, reading, and writing. In-person Yiddish I includes section A for fluent Hebrew speakers and section B for non-Hebrew speakers.
Yiddish II
Provides students with opportunities for practice in more sophisticated oral and written expression; students will significantly expand their Yiddish vocabulary and knowledge of advanced Yiddish grammar; provides exposure to more complicated literary, historical, and/or cultural texts.
Yiddish III
Uses students’ grammatical base to develop fluency in reading, writing and speaking. Emphasis is placed on further expansion of vocabulary, early essay writing skills, and analysis of literary and historical texts.
Yiddish IV
The Jona Goldrich Advanced Seminar for Research Students
Intended for advanced research students in various disciplines of the humanities and social sciences. Students should be enrolled at an accredited university, college, or research institute or be a professional interested in integrating Yiddish into their work (librarians, curators, filmmakers, creative writers, etc.). This course is composed of two classes: one on advanced Yiddish grammar and another centered on the analysis of literary, folkloric, and historical Yiddish texts with the goal of providing students with skills necessary for independent scholarly research and creativity.
Online Class
Intermediate Yiddish
Provides students with opportunities for practice in more sophisticated oral and written expression; students will significantly expand their Yiddish vocabulary and knowledge of advanced Yiddish grammar; provides exposure to more complicated literary, historical, and/or cultural texts.
Afternoon Academic and Cultural Program
In addition to language instruction, the Yiddish Program includes a robust academic and cultural program, held afternoons on campus and in Tel Aviv. The co-curricular afternoon will include:
- A series of lectures in English offering an overview of major issues in contemporary Yiddish studies
- Yiddish conversation classes
- A workshop on deciphering Yiddish manuscripts
- Excursions to local sites of Yiddish culture
- Guest lectures in Yiddish and more!
Student Housing
Our staff is currently at work arranging student housing. Updates will appear soon.
Tuition
$ 1,450 Tuition
$ 60 Application fee
The cost of housing will soon be updated.
Scholarships
Full-time students are eligible for a variety of program scholarships:
$ 800 to B. A. and M.A. students
$ 950 to PhD. Candidates
Furthermore:
1. Applicants to the advanced seminar may be eligible for additional funding as Jona Goldrich fellows. Please inquire for more details.
2. The Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe, will be funding six grants of up to £1,000 for graduate students and post-doctoral researchers in Jewish Studies from Europe attending the language course, in order to enhance the language skills necessary for their research.
Post-doctoral applicants for the Rothschild Foundation scholarship must have received their doctoral degree no more than 5 years before the closing date of the current grant round.
Applicants who are interested in applying for grants should contact: Yiddish1@tauex.tau.ac.il
Program Leadership:
Dr. Hannah Pollin-Galay, Academic Director
Senior Lecturer, Literature Department
Head, Goldreich Family Institute for Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture
Tel Aviv University
Prof. Justin Cammy, On-Site Summer Director
Chair of World Literatures and Jewish Studies
Smith College
Founding Directors:
Prof. Hana Wirth-Nesher, Tel Aviv University
Prof. Avraham Novershtern, Hebrew University
The Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program is grateful to the Naomi Foundation, to Beit Shalom Aleichem and to the family of Jona Goldrich (z’’l) for their generous financial support.
Registration:
