B’nai Sholom Offers Yiddish Classes for Young and Old

B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany is offering two courses for those who want to learn about and speak Yiddish.

Classes for advanced beginners and advanced Yiddish classes will be held Wednesday evenings starting January 9. All classes are held at B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany.

The courses introduce students to the Yiddish language by using both a textbook with accompanying instructional media and the teacher’s own experiences as a Yiddish speaker. They are geared to two levels of Yiddish proficiency: the advanced beginners’ class is for those who have learned to read and write some Yiddish, while the advanced classes will be geared to those with a working knowledge of the language.

Both courses are taught by Rachel Weitz, an Israeli native speaker of Hebrew and Yiddish who teaches both languages in the Capital Region. Weitz holds a master’s degree in Jewish education and a bachelor’s degree in modern Middle East history and Arabic language and literature.

Following is the schedule of the courses’ days and times:

• Advanced Yiddish – starting January 9, eight Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.;
• Advanced Beginner Yiddish – starting January 9, eight Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

The Yiddish courses are open to the public. Fee for each is $55 plus cost of required textbook and CDs or tapes. Registration is required. Students may register for a class at any time. The required textbook may be purchased after the first day of class.

For more information, or to register for a course, contact the B’nai Sholom office at office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us or phone 518-482-5283.

Founded in 1971, B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany is a home for contemporary Reform Judaism in the Capital Region, creating a vibrant Jewish present that links ancient traditions with the promise of the future. More than 160 diverse households from six counties seek religious, educational and social fulfillment at B’nai Sholom.